Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports最新文献

{"title":"Ancient mobility in northern Jordan during the Roman and Byzantine periods using stable strontium isotope analysis of human dental enamel","authors":"Abdulla Al-Shorman ,&nbsp;Megan Perry ,&nbsp;Drew Coleman","doi":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104879","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104879","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The 700-year stretch from the 1st century BCE until the 6th century CE marks the period of greatest population density in northern Jordan. This agriculturally fertile region contains a number of small villages likely interconnected with each other and with the larger Roman and Byzantine population centers of Jerash (Gerasa), Umm Qais (Gadara), Quailbeh (Abila), and Tabaqat Fahl (Pella). The human mobility within these villages was explored using ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values in human dental enamel, which mirrors the origin of ingested food during childhood and thus the geological region where individuals spent their early years. Thirty-four human dental enamel samples from the archaeological sites of Natfieh, Sa’ad, Ya’amun, and Yasieleh were analyzed isotopically to identify immigration into the region as a potential source of increased population density. The results indicate that the individuals within each site received varied inputs from different geological regions during childhood, either through spending their early years in a separate location, or temporal or inter-individual shifts in the location of dietary resource acquisition. The results seem to demonstrate exceptional regional continuity and resilience even through the climate crisis of the Late Byzantine period, likely due to flexibility concerning dietary resources and economic exchange. However, the lack of clear patterns of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr variation in the region may limit larger interpretations of these data.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports","volume":"61 ","pages":"Article 104879"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142658722","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"历史学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association between biological kinship and lifestyle in the Hellenistic-early Roman community of Menainon, Sicily","authors":"Antonio Caruso,&nbsp;Efthymia Nikita","doi":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104870","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104870","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the Greco-Roman society, the household (<em>oikos</em> or <em>domus</em>) was the central socio-economic unit, and its members were likely to have shared the same space, similar food and economic activities. Given the importance of biological kinship as a factor determining household membership, this paper explores the extent to which individuals from Hellenistic-early Roman Menainon (Sicily) who were likely biological relatives also shared a similar lifestyle (e.g., diet, mechanical and physiological stress). Biodistances (pairwise Gower coefficients) were used as a proxy for biological kinship and were estimated using dental metric and nonmetric traits on a sample of 98 individuals. The results did not support our initial hypothesis that individuals biologically related shared a similar lifestyle. Instead, a very limited association was found between biodistances and other skeletal markers, but also between biodistances and the spatial arrangement of the cemetery. This is not an unexpected finding since biological kinship was only one of the many factors determining household membership in the Greco-Roman world. Moreover, it is clear from historical sources that household members may have shared several daily experiences but they also held distinct roles, which would affect their dietary patterns, physiological and mechanical stress levels. Finally, Menainon was a rural settlement, where community members likely shared comparable burdens on an everyday basis, as also attested by previous bioarchaeological studies. Future analyses need to incorporate currently unavailable aspects of the material culture from the cemetery in conjunction with the skeletal evidence in order to explore kinship from a biosocial perspective.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports","volume":"61 ","pages":"Article 104870"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142658723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"历史学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Use of osseous materials during the Chalcolithic in Northeastern Bulgaria (based on materials of Polyanitsa tell)","authors":"Natalia N. Skakun ,&nbsp;Boryana Mateva ,&nbsp;Vera V. Terekhina","doi":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104862","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104862","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Many Chalcolithic cultures of the Balkan-Danube region used antler, animal bones, boar tusks and shells as raw materials for tools, household and votive items, as well as jewelry. The unique collection of such objects found in 1973–1974 during the archaeological study of the Polyanitsa tell (Northeastern Bulgaria), is particularly numerous and diverse (266 items). Experimental and traceological studies of part of this collection made it possible to characterize the manufacturing technology of these products, as well as the functional purpose of many of them. Among the industrial equipment, tools were found that were used in agriculture, processing flint, wood, hides and skins, and ceramics. It should be noted that some flint tools, found at the settlement, were used for processing bone/antler. This fact, as well as finds of blanks and unfinished items made of bone/antler, indicate their local production. The quality and the wide range of products of the bone processing industry serve as proof of the high level of its development and demand for such utensils in the economic and domestic activities of the population of the Chalcolithic sites of Northeastern Bulgaria.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports","volume":"61 ","pages":"Article 104862"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142658719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"历史学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Late Quaternary human occupation of the Kilwa coast (Tanzania): OSL ages and paleoenvironmental proxies from isotope geochemistry","authors":"Amanuel Beyin ,&nbsp;Kokeli P. Ryano ,&nbsp;Jan-Pieter Buylaert ,&nbsp;David K. Wright","doi":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104874","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104874","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We report new geochronologic and paleoenvironmental data for Mnaraeka 01, a prehistoric site located in the Kilwa district of coastal Tanzania. The oldest trace of human activity at the site comes from a context dated to 71 ± 6 thousand years ago (ka) where flaked stones but techno-typologically non-diagnostic were uncovered. Stratigraphic units dated to 43.9 ± 2.4 ka and 41.8 ± 2.1 ka have revealed stone artifacts broadly characteristic of the Middle Stone Age (MSA) while a context dated to 10.0 ± 0.6 ka has produced artifacts referrable to the Later Stone Age (LSA). Eight soil samples from the site subject to stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses reflect grassy-woodland habitat during the settlement episodes with δ¹³C values ranging from −19.3‰ to −27.8‰ (vs. VPDB). The results demonstrate the persistence of coastal woodland vegetation and human foraging populations in coastal East Africa during the onset of the cold Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 4, between the cold spells of Heinrich Events 4 and 5, and during the Holocene Climatic Optimum. Our study shows that the Stone Age archaeology of coastal Tanzania has the potential to shed light on the role of coastal ecozones as potential refugia for human populations during variable climate conditions of the late Quaternary. Furthermore, the emergent datasets from Mnaraeka 01 open a window into the deep human history preserved in the Kilwa basin.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports","volume":"61 ","pages":"Article 104874"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142658721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"历史学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cities as drivers of change in plant exploitation and landscape during Roman times: The case of Scallabis (western Iberia)","authors":"João Pedro Tereso ,&nbsp;Filipe Costa Vaz ,&nbsp;Luís Seabra ,&nbsp;Cláudia Oliveira ,&nbsp;Catarina Viegas ,&nbsp;Ana Margarida Arruda","doi":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104858","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104858","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cities played a crucial role in spreading the new Roman way across a vast Empire. This included the dissemination of different crops and processed food products such as wine, olive oil and fish sauces. Besides, the concentration of population in cities put pressure on local resources, not just for food, but also for wood, needed for construction and fuel.</div><div>Differences between Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman archaeobotanical assemblages from Alcáçova de Santarém (Portugal), in the former city of <em>Scallabis</em>, document changes in plant use and consumption which are illustrative of the socio-economic and environmental impacts of the Roman conquest. The increasing use of wood from trees, as evidenced by charcoal records, indicates a considerable loss of forest cover during Roman times, adding to the existing trend of deforestation. Differences in crops are also clear. While cereals, which were the main staples, remained the same, there was a diversification of pulses, fruits and condiments in the Roman levels. Most of these crops were already in Iberia before the conquest but they are not frequently recorded in sites from its westernmost areas and are absent in the Iron Age assemblages of <em>Scallabis</em>.</div><div>The archaeobotanical record of Alcáçova de Santarém demonstrates the impact of the Roman conquest on the exploitation and consumption of plant resources. Although landscape and socio-economic changes, influenced by Mediterranean models, preceded the Roman rule, these were enhanced in this period. Cities were key elements in this transformation. The study of urban areas like <em>Scallabis</em> shows how they were central to extensive networks through which people and ideas circulated, shaping new needs and preferences, which in turn posed significant challenges for fulfilment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports","volume":"61 ","pages":"Article 104858"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142658720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"历史学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Safeguarding archaeological excavations and preserving cultural heritage in cave environments through engineering geological and geophysical approaches","authors":"Cecilia Conati Barbaro ,&nbsp;Matteo Fiorucci ,&nbsp;Guglielmo Grechi ,&nbsp;Luca Forti ,&nbsp;Gian Marco Marmoni ,&nbsp;Salvatore Martino","doi":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104868","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104868","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cave excavations pose several challenges, notably the stability of surrounding rocks crucial for archaeologists’ safety and site conservation. Engineering geological modells, supported by geophysical investigations, provides effective solutions for rock stability assessment, pivotal in designing safety measures to protect archaeological sites, thereby enhancing accessibility for tourism purposes. This research dealt with a combined engineering geology and geophysics approach for rock stability assessments, incorporating the results into archaeological procedures at the Battifratta Cave (Central Italy). The rock mass characterisation was performed through direct geomechanical surveys and 3D photogrammetric reconstructions. Ambient seismic noise measurements were performed to identify potential subsurface cavities beneath the ground floor, while ambient vibration measurements highlighted prone-to-fall rock blocks. Geophysical techniques have been experienced as a monitoring strategy to support design for archaeological excavation project. More in particular, they allow identifying potential changes in dynamic properties or precursor signals of impending deformation in rock blocks posing a threat to the excavation area. Cross-fertilisation between the Earth Sciences and Cultural Heritage Sciences results in the definition of best practices to be applied in different archaeological contexts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports","volume":"60 ","pages":"Article 104868"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142661026","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"历史学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spatial analysis of charcoal kilns in Val Suzon (Burgundy, France): A geographical approach of wood charcoal economy","authors":"Rémi Landois ,&nbsp;Jean-Pierre Garcia ,&nbsp;Amélie Quiquerez","doi":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104854","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104854","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Many forests have preserved traces for their past exploitation, in particular for charcoal production. In the Val Suzon forest (France, Burgundy), the analysis of the LiDAR data presented in this study has revealed more than 5,600 charcoal kilns across around 3,000 ha of woodland. According to archaeological and historical data, these remains attest to a recurrent craft activity over several centuries, since at least the 15th century. In order to understand how this practice has taken place in this area, and more generally how this forest has been managed and exploited, we conducted a spatial analysis of the charcoal kilns. As a result, we have identified variations in the distribution and density of these sites, and more specifically layout patterns based on topography, from the bottom of the valleys to the tops of the plateaus. Finally, we proposed explanations concerning the distribution of charcoal production sites in the Val Suzon, which are most probably due to technical constraints for their construction, their supply and the allocation of wood resources.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports","volume":"60 ","pages":"Article 104854"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142661022","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"历史学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Novel approaches to material use and reuse in Victorian-Era Melbourne, Australia; New insights from stable light isotope analysis and scanning electron microscopy of fiber artifacts","authors":"Tracy Martens ,&nbsp;Judith Cameron ,&nbsp;Hilary Stuart-Williams ,&nbsp;Rebekah Kurpiel ,&nbsp;Sarah Myers","doi":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104864","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104864","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fiber and perishable artifacts are valuable data sources that require analytical approaches in historical archaeology. This paper presents the results of stable isotope and scanning electron microscopic analysis of fiber and perishable artifacts from a Victorian-era Melbourne cesspit. The results raise the possibility of a local cottage industry in wool processing, demonstrate global trade links and suggest that Victorian-era Melbournians participated in a unique Australian jute textile repurposing craft in response to material scarcity. The remains also demonstrate that jute textiles survive in specific archaeological contexts, like cesspits, and that their rarity in collections could be attributable to inadequate textile analysis techniques.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports","volume":"60 ","pages":"Article 104864"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142661096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"历史学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Examining Medieval Long-Wall frontier systems (11th – 12th centuries AD) through archaeological geophysics in the Eastern Mongolian Steppe Region","authors":"Bryan K. Hanks ,&nbsp;Gideon Shelach-Lavi ,&nbsp;Marc Bermann ,&nbsp;Emily Eklund ,&nbsp;Aspen Greaves ,&nbsp;Chunag Amartuvshin ,&nbsp;Narantsetseg Tserendash ,&nbsp;Yonatan Goldsmith ,&nbsp;Jargalan Burentogtokh ,&nbsp;Ulambayar Erdenebat","doi":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104860","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104860","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper presents the results of exploratory geophysical surveys and ground truthing of a cluster of earthen enclosures associated with a long-wall frontier system in northeastern Mongolia. This system dates to the 11th to early 12th centuries AD and was constructed by the Kitan/Liao Dynasty. Square and circular enclosures identified along the south side of the wall system were examined using single axis fluxgate gradiometry and ground penetrating radar. Geophysical prospection assisted in the identification of entry gates, rammed earth wall construction techniques, and interior features within the earthen complexes and assisted with the placement of ground truthing trenches. This approach ensured that geophysical survey was integrated closely with on-going development of the research design for the site and aided the identification and interpretation of construction characteristics associated with the long-wall system and the functions of the enclosures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports","volume":"60 ","pages":"Article 104860"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142661023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"历史学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morphometric analysis of the front-view human figures in the Ningming Huashan Rock Art, Southern China","authors":"Pengcheng Hu ,&nbsp;Qiulian Song ,&nbsp;Wei Liao ,&nbsp;Chun Tian ,&nbsp;Yanyan Yao ,&nbsp;Christopher J. Bae ,&nbsp;Wei Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104861","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104861","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Zuojiang rock art group is a World Cultural Heritage area, of which the Ningming Huashan Rock Art site (NHRA), in Ningming County, Chongzuo City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is considered to be a representative locality. However, the NHRA is located on the steep cliffs facing the Zuojiang River making accessibility to analyze the rock art images extremely difficult. Most of the previous studies have focused on understanding the age, content, function and techniques used to create the rock art. However, given its inaccessibility, any previous attempts to analyze the rock art based on metric dimensions have failed. Here we present for the first time a metric analysis of 179 intact human figures from the NHRA that have been measured (height, image height (including head ornaments), arm width, leg width, arm span, leg span, torso height, chest width, area) using close range photogrammetry technology to obtain detailed data of the size, distribution range and compositional proportion of the human figures. The results show that the height, image height, arm span and leg span of the human figures are mostly distributed between 100–150 cm. Overall, it represents a Gaussian distribution. The torso height, arm and leg width are between 50–100 cm, chest width is between 20–30 cm, and area is between 0.3–0.4 m². Detailed features of the head, hands, feet, and torso were also classified and numeric data were recorded which allowed for statistical analyses. Pearson’s correlation test results show that there is a significant correlation between the height and eight measurements indicating that the images follows the rules of proportionality and coordination, which in turn suggests that the painters are skilled at the creation of rock art. The results of this study are important for exploring the forms of organization within the social groups of the painters regarding the production, learning and diffusion of rock art. This study will shed further light on the variability of human figure rock art across southwest China and Southeast Asia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports","volume":"60 ","pages":"Article 104861"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142661024","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"历史学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}