I. Hein, B. Bühler, Maria Ivanova-Bieg, G. Kunst, M. Mehofer, Gabriele Scharrer-Liška, Wolfgang F A Lobisser, W. Neubauer, I. Trinks
{"title":"VIAS – the Vienna Institute for Archaeological Science","authors":"I. Hein, B. Bühler, Maria Ivanova-Bieg, G. Kunst, M. Mehofer, Gabriele Scharrer-Liška, Wolfgang F A Lobisser, W. Neubauer, I. Trinks","doi":"10.24916/IANSA.2021.1.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24916/IANSA.2021.1.6","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":38054,"journal":{"name":"Interdisciplinaria Archaeologica","volume":"35 1","pages":"91-103"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73362346","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Analysis of Middle Nubian Vessel-forming Technology Using Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI)","authors":"A. Souza, M. Trognitz","doi":"10.24916/IANSA.2021.1.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24916/IANSA.2021.1.2","url":null,"abstract":"Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) is a photographic technique used to generate digital surrogates of surfaces that can be viewed using virtual lighting coming from interactively set directions, enabling the close structural examination of objects under digital raking light. In this study, RTI was applied to Middle Nubian pottery from sites near the Second Nile Cataract that were excavated by the Scandinavian Joint Expedition to Sudanese Nubia in the early 1960s. The ceramic traditions under investigation are currently known as C-Group, Pan-Grave and Kerma. An overarching aim of the project is to assess the possibility of understanding the relationships between these groups through detailed analyses of their material traditions. Based on the hypothesis that technological traditions may be related to cultural heritage, RTI is applied in this study to observe morphological traces of ceramic vessel forming processes. Two technological groups were identified, one consistent with paddle-forming, and another consistent with hand-building on a mat-lined surface. These technological groups correspond very closely to cemetery distributions, which suggests that the different techniques may be specific to different potterymaking traditions. It is suggested that vessel forming-technology in the so-called C-Group tradition is distinct from that of the so-called Pan-Grave and Kerma traditions, and that the validity of the divisions between Nubian cultural groups should thus be further interrogated. IANSA 2021 ● XII/1 ● 19–35 Aaron M. de Souza, Martina Trognitz: Analysis of Middle Nubian Vessel-forming Technology Using Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) 20 standard photographic processes (see chapter 4). It will be shown that careful observation of the surface features revealed by the RTI process can assist in identifying similarities or differences in pottery-making technologies that may in turn be linked to cultural heritage and traditions. 2. Research objective The goal of the analysis was to test hypotheses regarding ceramic vessel-forming technologies among the Middle Nubian cultures. It has previously been proposed that Nubian pottery was formed using either the coiling or slab-building method (Arnold, 1993, pp.33–36), or by using a percussive process such as paddle forming (Arnold, 1993, pp.17–20). Both of these methods have been cited as primary forming processes (i.e., the processes used to create the overall vessel shape), and it is likely that both slab building and paddle forming (see chapter 6.1) were employed for different types of vessels and perhaps even in combination (Nordström, 1972, pp.47–48; Williams, 1983, pp.29–36). RTI was employed on a group of Middle Nubian vessels selected from the Figure 1. Map of Egypt and Nubia showing the locations of the SJE concession and the sites from which samples were taken. Map by A. de Souza. 0 200 km","PeriodicalId":38054,"journal":{"name":"Interdisciplinaria Archaeologica","volume":"1 1","pages":"19-35"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84564299","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Comparative Study of Tool Marks on Non-Ferrous Metalwork from Archaeological Contexts: Methodological Considerations, Case Studies and Experimental Archaeology","authors":"B. Bühler, D. Schwarcz","doi":"10.24916/IANSA.2021.1.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24916/IANSA.2021.1.5","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of this paper is to discuss methodological issues of comparative tool mark studies (with special attention to decorative punched motifs), using a case study on sheet-gold metalwork from the Middle and Late Avar Period (7th–8th centuries AD). The historical interpretation of tool marks on nonferrous metalwork1 can take place at different levels of complexity. In some cases, the identification of products from the same craftsperson is possible, via the identification of specific tools. However, when interpreting the results of comparative tool mark studies, many aspects are relevant, including individual variations in tool usage. In this context, experimental archaeology can facilitate the interpretation of tool marks, as is demonstrated in a preliminary study on two types of punches, which are common on high-quality metalwork from the Avar Period. 1 The term “non-ferrous metals” encompasses all the metals and their alloys, which do not contain iron. Hence, this denomination includes precious metals (e.g. gold and silver) and non-precious metals, such as lead, tin, zinc, copper and its alloys (e.g. bronze, brass, etc.), to mention the most relevant concerning tool mark analyses on archaeological metal artefacts. IANSA 2021 ● XII/1 ● Online First Birgit Bühler, Dávid Zsolt Schwarcz: The Comparative Study of Tool Marks on Non-Ferrous Metalwork from Archaeological Contexts: Methodological Considerations, Case Studies and Experimental Archaeology Online First 2. Tool mark studies on gold and silver metalwork from archaeological contexts 2.1 Methodological considerations The purpose of “basic tool mark studies” on precious metalwork from archaeological contexts is to identify the techniques used in manufacturing and decorating a particular artefact and to reconstruct its production process. In contrast, the aim of “comparative tool mark studies” on precious metalwork from archaeological contexts is the historical interpretation of the technological evidence. Hence, “basic tool mark studies” constitute a pre-requisite for further, historical interpretation of the evidence, which also requires the inclusion of additional criteria, derived from other, related metalwork and the archaeological context (“comparative tool mark studies”). As will be illustrated below, in a case study, the process of historical interpretation of tool marks can take place at different levels. Starting at the lowest, most specific level, this process can involve the identification of individual tools, followed by the identification of specific types of tool, by technical preferences and idiosyncrasies of individual metalworkers and progressing to the higher-level aspects, such as the identification of metalworking traditions characteristic for individual workshops, as well as to larger-scale, local or regional metalworking traditions. Therefore, comparative tool mark studies may permit researchers to identify artefacts produced by the same Figure 1. Gold belt-buckle from t","PeriodicalId":38054,"journal":{"name":"Interdisciplinaria Archaeologica","volume":"119 1","pages":"69-81"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76605700","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Possibilities and Limitations of Non-Invasive Analytical Methods in the Examination of Garnet- and Niello-Inlaid Precious Metal Objects – Case Study of Three Polychrome Animal-Style Silver Buckles from the 5th-Century Carpathian Basin","authors":"Viktória Mozgai, E. Horváth, B. Bajnóczi, B. B","doi":"10.24916/IANSA.2021.1.4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24916/IANSA.2021.1.4","url":null,"abstract":"The use of non-destructive and non-invasive analytical methods is widespread in the archaeometric study of metal objects, particularly in the case of precious metal artefacts, from which sampling is not, or in a limited way, allowed due to their high value. In this study, we highlight the main advantages and limitations of non-destructive analytical methods used on three polychrome animal-style silver buckles from the mid-to-late-5th-century Carpathian Basin. Optical microscopic observations, handheld XRF, SEM-EDX and μ-XRD analyses were performed to determine the chemical composition of the metals and their decoration (gilding, garnet and niello inlays), as well as the microtexture and mineralogical composition of the niello, in order to gain a better understanding of the materials used and reconstruct the manufacturing techniques in detail. The buckles were manufactured from relatively high-quality silver derived from the re-use of gilded silver scrap metal and intentionally alloyed with brass or leaded brass. The presence of mercury indicated the use of fire gilding. The niello inlays are composed of mixed silver-copper sulphides, even reaching the composition of pure copper sulphide; this is the first time, when copper sulphide niello is observed on a silver object. The almandine garnets most probably originate from Southern India and Sri Lanka. IANSA 2021 ● XII/1 ● 45–67 Viktória Mozgai, Eszter Horváth, Bernadett Bajnóczi: Possibilities and Limitations of Non-Invasive Analytical Methods in the Examination of Garnetand Niello-Inlaid Precious Metal Objects – Case Study of Three Polychrome Animal-Style Silver Buckles from the 5th-Century Carpathian Basin 46 hand, in assessing the presence of any alloying practice and standardisation. From the middle of the 5th century AD, silver became a more important raw material than gold. The combination of these two precious metals provided a new opportunity to enhance the polychrome effect. The use of uncoated gold material or gold plates on silver objects, typical for the Hunnic Period, was superseded by the use of (fire)gilding (Horváth et al., 2019; Mozgai et al., 2019b). In the case of niello, a black silver and/or copper sulphide inlaying material, its artificial, recipe-like character is the key to identify the process of its making and fusing. Dissimilarities in the composition and technology may reflect different goldsmithing traditions or even workshop practices. Since the discussed buckles have close relations with late Roman military equipment in several aspects (Böhme, 1974), determination of the mineralogical composition and microtexture of niello inlays may provide relevant new results. Analytical data are expected to prove or disprove the continuity of the late Roman niello recipes and technology. In contrast with the silver alloy and niello inlay, the garnet inlays represent a primary raw material of natural origin. During data evaluation, no chemical transformation/alteration or human int","PeriodicalId":38054,"journal":{"name":"Interdisciplinaria Archaeologica","volume":"130 1","pages":"45-67"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75637463","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sabrina Save, études environnementales archéologiques Amélie, J. Kovacik
{"title":"From Amélie to Terrascope: Creation, Development, Struggle and Re-birth of a Small French Independent Archaeological Laboratory","authors":"Sabrina Save, études environnementales archéologiques Amélie, J. Kovacik","doi":"10.24916/iansa.2020.2.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24916/iansa.2020.2.6","url":null,"abstract":"Created in France in May 2007 by Joseph Kovacik and Sabrina Save, Amélie is a small independent laboratory, staffed and partnered with the best specialists in Europe, providing palaeo-environmental and archaeometric services to the French Archaeology community. During its 13 years of existence, Amélie and its owners have been through many hurdles and run fantastic projects, always trying to be forward-thinking and bring high-level research and academia into commercial archaeology, while ensuring the sustainability of the company. One example of their endeavour to innovate is the theoretical framework and methodology they developed to survey large mechanically-stripped archaeological surfaces with pXRF to investigate human impact on soil chemistry. In February 2018, while the future of Amélie was unclear due to three consecutive years of declining turnover, a short stay in Cambridge as visiting scholars re-focused Joseph and Sabrina, with them deciding to launch a new project: the creation of a new facility dedicated to the production of micromorphological thin sections, Terrascope. Since this Cambridge sabbatical, many exciting projects have emerged and reshaped the future of Amélie, Joseph, and Sabrina. This is their backstory.","PeriodicalId":38054,"journal":{"name":"Interdisciplinaria Archaeologica","volume":"96 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75938040","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Advances in Archaeological Soil Chemistry in Central Europe","authors":"R. Salisbury","doi":"10.24916/iansa.2020.2.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24916/iansa.2020.2.5","url":null,"abstract":"Analytical technologies for the evaluation of archaeological soils have developed rapidly in recent decades, and now support a range of innovative research and interpretations of archaeological sites and landscapes. Established methods, including phosphates and multi-element ICP-MS/OES, have provided interpretations of the use of space within settlements and houses, and the function of specific archaeological features. Recently, portable X-Ray Fluorescence has been introduced to archaeological soil science, but published results have generated knowledge gaps. The correspondence between archaeological geochemical anomalies and specific human activities is partly dependent on geology (including sediment type and relative acidity and permeability of the soil), topography, and formation processes, as well as influence of human activities. At the same time, which elements, and fractions of elements, are measured is largely dependent on instrument parameters and extraction methods. This paper provides an overview of archaeological soil chemistry in Central Europe, and the current state-of-the-art, followed by an assessment of future developments in archaeological soil chemistry, molecular biogeochemistry, and the significance of geoarchaeology in multi-disciplinary research.","PeriodicalId":38054,"journal":{"name":"Interdisciplinaria Archaeologica","volume":"117 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77148329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Geophysical Investigations of the Bronze Age Andreevskoye Settlement in the Southern Trans-Urals (Russia)","authors":"V. Noskevich, N. Fedorova","doi":"10.24916/iansa.2020.2.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24916/iansa.2020.2.1","url":null,"abstract":"The settlements and cemeteries of the Sintashta – type (21st–18th century BC) are concentrated in the southern Trans-Urals steppe. The earliest stage of investigations was related to the decoding of aerial photos that allowed specialists to discover and identify the majority of the settlements. This report presents the results of a geophysical investigation at the Andreevskoye settlement, where we conducted micro-magnetic and ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys. Magnetic studies have provided new information on the structure of the fortifications and the number and location of houses in the settlements during their occupancy, as well as on the many wells discovered inside the houses. Drawing on our data, a new plan of the settlement was produced, more accurate than the one prepared solely from interpretations of aerial photographs. The settlement consists of multiple layers and is characterized by a complex configuration formed from three rectangular systems of defensive structures. We obtained GPR deep sections along three profiles, indicating the ditches and dwellings of the ancient settlement under sediments and the ruins of walls. Based on these data, we conclude that the depth from the modern surface of the earth to the occupation layer in the dwellings of the ancient settlement is approximately 50–70 cm. Our results provide archaeologists with reliable data that are necessary for the selection of excavation sites.","PeriodicalId":38054,"journal":{"name":"Interdisciplinaria Archaeologica","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74194363","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L.) in the Archaeological Chronicle of Ukraine","authors":"Sergiy Gorbanenko","doi":"10.24916/iansa.2020.2.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24916/iansa.2020.2.3","url":null,"abstract":"This article collects and organizes data on common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L.) finds from archaeological sites in modern Ukraine. The first find comes from charred macro-residues discovered in the middle of the 20th century in the hillfort of Bilsk. Two more finds are represented by imprints on clay products. They were discovered as a result of a purposeful inspection of ceramics; these finds come from Scythian sites. The last find comes from an Ancient Rus site: a significant amount of charred material was found there. The territory of modern Ukraine is situated at the crossroads of Eurasian land routes and waterways. The findings presented are important for restoring the history of the appearance of the cocklebur in Europe.","PeriodicalId":38054,"journal":{"name":"Interdisciplinaria Archaeologica","volume":"54 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85735157","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zora Bielichová, M. Hajnalová, Petra Kmeťová, P. Barta
{"title":"Animal and Plant Remains from Two Kalenderberg Group (Hallstatt Culture) Cremation Graves in Devín-Záhrady, Slovakia","authors":"Zora Bielichová, M. Hajnalová, Petra Kmeťová, P. Barta","doi":"10.24916/iansa.2020.2.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24916/iansa.2020.2.2","url":null,"abstract":"The flotation of deposits from two recently excavated Kalenderberg Group cremation graves in DevínZáhrady (SW Slovakia) yielded a plethora of archaeozoological and archaeobotanical remains, including small, otherwise overlooked, ecofacts. The results of our analysis in the context of contemporary data show that animals clearly constituted an unambiguous part of funerary ritual activities. Pig, fish, red deer, cattle and caprines were all exploited at Devín-Záhrady. These animals represented both food and symbolic offerings, with a preference for pig and fish. Cattle, red deer, pig and caprines astragali found in grave 2 were all associated with one of the urns. The age of perinatal piglets was used to indicate the season when the funerals took place. Plant macro-remains are much less common than bone remains and are not associated with the burial. The results of the analysis change what is known about the array, quantity and way animal and plant offerings from Kalenderberg Group cremation graves were prepared for the burial ritual. Their study also permitted residual and intrusive materials to be detected, allowed reconstruction of the deposit’s formation processes and establishment of the connections (or absence of connections) between these ecofacts to the funeral and/or burial ritual.","PeriodicalId":38054,"journal":{"name":"Interdisciplinaria Archaeologica","volume":"173 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80165905","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
P. Milo, T. Tencer, Michal Vágner, Michaela Prišťáková, I. Murín
{"title":"Geophysical Survey of the Hillfort Staré Zámky near Brno-Líšeň, Czech Republic","authors":"P. Milo, T. Tencer, Michal Vágner, Michaela Prišťáková, I. Murín","doi":"10.24916/iansa.2020.2.4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24916/iansa.2020.2.4","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of this paper is to present the results of geophysical surveys at the Staré zámky site near Brno-Líšeň, which were carried out in 2019. Electrical resistivity tomography, georadar survey and large-scale magnetic prospection were all carried out there. The primary task of the first two methods was to investigate the inner structure of the still-existing ramparts and to identify their individual structural elements. The magnetic survey focused on the identification of areas where potential archaeological features can be found – together with the identification of previously-unknown fortifications. The surveys were successful: we have found numerous settlement features from different phases of settlement, an early medieval cemetery and fortifications of various types, sizes and state of preservation. The results of previous archaeological research of the site played an important role for interpretation of the geophysical data. Together these results provide important insights into the study of the complex fortified settlement of Staré zámky. Despite our results, some questions which cannot be answered by geophysical research alone remain unanswered.","PeriodicalId":38054,"journal":{"name":"Interdisciplinaria Archaeologica","volume":"106 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75686348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}