Geoarchaeology-An International Journal最新文献

{"title":"Landscape Archaeology of the Chuchuwayha Sacred Site (British Colombia, Canada)","authors":"Jean-Jacques Delannoy,&nbsp;Anita Quiles,&nbsp;Julien Jacquet,&nbsp;Mike Allison,&nbsp;Régis Braucher,&nbsp;Laetitia Léanni,&nbsp;Emmanuel Malet,&nbsp;Jeremy Ash,&nbsp;Johan Berthet,&nbsp;Angela Clyburn,&nbsp;Yago Delannoy,&nbsp;Jean-Michel Geneste,&nbsp;Brenda Gould,&nbsp;Megan Harris,&nbsp;Susan Rowley","doi":"10.1002/gea.22038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.22038","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>New research is being conducted at the Chuchuwayha sacred site (British Columbia, Canada) at the request of the Upper Similkameen Indian Band, who want to pass on the site's history to future generations. The project's aims were to determine when this site in the glacial Similkameen Valley became accessible to human communities, to reconstruct the formation of the surrounding landscape, and to describe the rock shelter's evolution during the period of human frequentation (rock art). To this end, we combined geomorphological, archaeometric, and geochemical (cosmogenic dating) data to construct a robust chronological framework for the site's evolution and human occupations. Results showed that the Similkameen Valley became ice-free 18,000 years ago, that the site's morphology was shaped by postglacial processes, and that its general topography had formed around 7000 years ago. The site's morphology—a rock shelter behind a mound of rockfall boulders—created a trap for eolian and autochthonous sediments, which have preserved a record of human occupations. Our multidisciplinary approach also enabled us to determine age ranges for the shelter's paintings, to draw up a new time frame for human occupations of the site, which lies on a traditional Syilx trail, and to relate these occupations to changes in the surrounding landscape.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55117,"journal":{"name":"Geoarchaeology-An International Journal","volume":"40 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143447208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Geoarchaeology of an Early Mycenaean Tumulus and Mortuary Practices at Eleon, Greece","authors":"Amanda M. Gaggioli,&nbsp;Trevor Van Damme","doi":"10.1002/gea.22037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.22037","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>From a geoarchaeology and soil micromorphology perspective, mound-type structures, including tumuli, in the Americas are the best studied in terms of understanding the details of stratigraphy that have revealed their construction phases, fill materials, and social meanings. This study extends these approaches and perspectives to the ancient Mediterranean and the particular case of Eleon in Greece during the late Middle Helladic to Late Helladic (LH) I period (c. 1700–1550 B.C.E.)—the first such study in an Aegean Bronze Age (c. 3000–1050 B.C.E.) context. Investigations of a low tumulus and associated built chamber tomb (Tomb 5) reveal the building materials and techniques, ritual activities related to the tumulus construction, and the multi-generational reopening, use, and maintenance of Tomb 5. Furthermore, sediment characteristics and features preserve environmental conditions influencing site formation and preservation of the burial complex and associated remains. This research advances geoarchaeology and soil micromorphology for understanding mortuary practices and rituals, as well as socio-cultural processes, such as the shaping and transfer of collective identity and memory, across time and space.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55117,"journal":{"name":"Geoarchaeology-An International Journal","volume":"40 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143431754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Among Land Snail Shells and Ashes: Geoarchaeological Analysis of the Maximiano Rockshelter, Southeast Brazil","authors":"Nicolás Batalla,&nbsp;Mercedes Okumura,&nbsp;Casimiro S. Munita,&nbsp;Charles French,&nbsp;Astolfo G. M. Araujo","doi":"10.1002/gea.22035","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.22035","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Geoarchaeological studies, particularly those incorporating micromorphology and associated techniques, have revealed the complex depositional and post-depositional history of mollusk shell-matrix archaeological sites, mostly in coastal areas where these sites are more widespread. But geoarchaeology can also be crucial to disentangle human and natural agencies in inland shell-rich settings, including caves and rock-shelters. In this paper, the site formation processes of the land snail-rich Maximiano Rockshelter, located in the karstic upper Ribeira de Iguape River valley of southern São Paulo state, Southeast of Brazil, are tackled. Embedded in the neotropical Atlantic Forest, the site contains lithics, bone artifacts, and faunal and human remains dating between ~11,165 and 1282 cal year B.P. Facies and microfacies were characterized in exposed stratigraphic profiles through micromorphology, particle size analysis, major, minor, and trace elements, and FTIR spectroscopy. Despite the strong humification affecting most of the site, results indicate deposits resulting from anthropic activities such as the dumping of land snail shells and other remains, the tossing of entire and fragmented shells in sub-horizontally distributed layers, primary combustion features, and dumping/sweeping of combustion-derived materials. Shell-bearing facies exhibit similarities with chronologically contemporaneous Ribeira de Iguape basin's riverine <i>sambaqui</i>s.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55117,"journal":{"name":"Geoarchaeology-An International Journal","volume":"40 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143380476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lower Palaeolithic Site Kamianka in Eastern Ukraine: Geoarchaeological Assessments","authors":"Vadim N. Stepanchuk,&nbsp;Yurii M. Veklych","doi":"10.1002/gea.22036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.22036","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The paper presents an initial attempt to assess ancient findings in Eastern Ukraine through a synthesis of archaeological and geomorphological data. It focuses on a newly discovered Lower Palaeolithic site on a valley slope of a right-bank tributary of the Seversky Donets River, cutting into the Jarkiv stage terrace (Pliocene) of the Ukrainian stratigraphic scale. Flint, quartzite, quartz flakes, and modified pebbles were found in the clastic material from the upper cover layer. The artefacts date from 2.6 to 0.6 Ma, corresponding to the interval between the boundary separating Bogdanivka and Beregove stages (i.e., Reuverian and Tiglian, respectively) and the Lubny (Cromerian) stage. A new terrace analysis method identified the lower boundary near the Pliocene-Quaternary transition, with the upper boundary based on regional archaeological analogies. Deflationary processes prevent further narrowing of the timeframe. Taphonomic evidence indicates prolonged exposure in aquatic and wetland environments before surface deposition. The collection includes hammerstones, choppers, scrapers, and retouched flakes, predominantly shaped using the bipolar-on-anvil technique with some free-hand flaking. Technological and typological features classify the assemblage as an archaic Mode I core-and-flake industry. Geological–geomorphological age assessments confirm these findings, refining correlations between archaeological industries and palaeogeographic stages.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55117,"journal":{"name":"Geoarchaeology-An International Journal","volume":"40 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143248897","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Formation Processes and Environments in the Hinojo-Las Tunas Shallow Lake System, Argentina Pampas: The Laguna Chica Archaeological Locality as a Case Study","authors":"Nahuel A. Scheifler,&nbsp;Ivana L. Ozán,&nbsp;Alfonsina Tripaldi,&nbsp;Mariela E. González,&nbsp;Florencia S. Valero,&nbsp;Narella Marini,&nbsp;Gustavo G. Politis,&nbsp;Pablo G. Messineo","doi":"10.1002/gea.22034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.22034","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This work integrates taphonomic (archaeofaunistics and bioarchaeology) and geoarchaeological (geormorphology, pedologic, sedimentological and micromorphological analyses) information to discuss the depositional and postdepositional history of both surface and buried archaeological record related to past hunter–gatherer populations from the Central Pampean Dunefields of Argentina (South America). Radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence dating suggest three temporal clusters of occupations in the Laguna Chica locality: one during the middle Holocene (~8050–6535 years cal. B.P.) and two in the late Holocene (~3350–2870 and ~1640–1535 years cal. B.P.). Middle Holocene burials found at the present lake shore are hosted in aeolian sediments that accumulated under arid/semiarid conditions. Modern lacustrine dynamics derived from contraction/expansion cycles have exposed burials, archaeofauna, and stone tools, resulting in displacements, fragmentation and loss. A palimpsest of cultural and natural material spanning ~8000 years resulted from this paleoenvironmental setting. Late Holocene human activities might have been related to a transitional landscape, where aeolian processes took place under an expanding lacustrine scenario (i.e., relatively wetter conditions). Our stratigraphic assessment suggests that human occupations were syndepositional agents with episodes of aeolian sand activity and landscape stability. The taphonomic and geoarchaeological evidence from Laguna Chica locality show that the empirical evidence traditionally used to evaluate hunter–gatherer settlement patterns (e.g., abundance and diversity of archaeological evidence and their spatial association in surface or stratigraphic units) and human diet breadth changes (e.g., Ntaxa) may simply reflect the cumulative action of lacustrine erosion of dunes. While both the Laguna Chica surface and stratigraphic records have complex formation histories, the buried context could be interpreted with greater detail through taphonomic and sedimentological analyses.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55117,"journal":{"name":"Geoarchaeology-An International Journal","volume":"40 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143120288","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Of Fire and Water Microarchaeological Evidence of Mining, Rituals and Floods in North Tyrol's Kropfsberg Mine (Austria)","authors":"Susanna Cereda,&nbsp;Gert Goldenberg,&nbsp;Markus Staudt,&nbsp;Peter Tropper","doi":"10.1002/gea.22033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.22033","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Kropfsberg, located near Reith im Alpbachtal, in North Tyrol (Austria), has been exploited for its copper ores for centuries, since at least the Early Iron Age. Excavations conducted in 2020 by the University of Innsbruck exposed the detailed stratigraphic sequence of the mine, leading to a surprising discovery: what was initially believed to be only a site for mineral extraction showed clear indications of ritual use during the Roman period and Late Antiquity. These cultic layers are characterised by abundant charcoals, animal bones and almost 200 votive coins, and suggest that the mine served during this period as a Mithraeum. Using micromorphology and µXRF, along with macroscopic, hydro- and geomorphological information about the mine and its surroundings, we reconstructed the processes that led to the deposition of sediments within this artificial cave. Our analyses indicate that remains of ceremonial fires and offerings were deposited within a cultic pit, rather than being spread over the floor. Also, evidence suggests that the cultic use of the mine likely ceased before the area surrounding the mine was flooded, potentially due to the damming of the Inn River caused by a significant rock fall during the Roman period. We also traced the phases following the inundation, including the cave's reopening after a period of abandonment, and identified a sequence of mining backfills that provide evidence of the site's subsequent secular use. Ultimately, the study sheds new light on the cultural and geomorphological dynamics of the Inn Valley during the Roman Period and the Late Antiquity, while underscoring the importance of integrating microarchaeological approaches to disentangle the complex interaction of cultural and environmental influences, even in historical (artificial) cave contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":55117,"journal":{"name":"Geoarchaeology-An International Journal","volume":"40 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/gea.22033","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143119714","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Legacies of Past Land Use: Mapping Anthropogenic Landforms in Forest Areas of Eastern Bavaria, Germany","authors":"Anna Schneider,&nbsp;Thomas Raab,&nbsp;Alexandra Raab,&nbsp;Alexander Bonhage","doi":"10.1002/gea.22032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.22032","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Reconstructing (pre-)historic land use distribution is essential for understanding past human societies and their impacts on the environment. Various land use forms result in distinct alterations of surface morphology, which are often well preserved but rarely described within forest areas. The interpretation of LiDAR Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) can greatly enhance our insight into the geoarchaeological records of woodlands. This study examines the legacies of past land use in forested areas of Upper Palatinate, Germany, utilizing LiDAR DEMs to map anthropogenic relief features. We comprehensively mapped land use legacy landforms (LULLs) that occur with considerable frequency in the study area, that is, former agricultural field systems, road remnants, abandoned ponds, relict charcoal hearths, mining legacies, and indicators of anthropogenically induced soil erosion. Results reveal that 17% of the forested area is affected by LULLs, with the largest areas covered by former field systems, roads, and ponds. Characteristic LULL associations reflect past agricultural and charcoal production landscapes. While erosion indicators often coincide with field systems and roads, natural factors mainly influence their distribution. Comparison with historical maps suggests pre-19th-century abandonment of most LULLs and good preservation of anthropogenic relief modifications. Our results underscore the enduring impact of past land use on present woodland ecosystems and emphasize the importance of considering forest areas in the analysis of past human–landscape interactions.</p>","PeriodicalId":55117,"journal":{"name":"Geoarchaeology-An International Journal","volume":"40 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/gea.22032","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142861174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Germanic Rampart or Roman Encampment?—New Geoarchaeological Evidence at the Roman Conflict Site at Kalkriese (NW-Germany)","authors":"Joachim W. Härtling,&nbsp;Andreas Stele,&nbsp;Salvatore Ortisi,&nbsp;Andre Jepsen,&nbsp;Marc Rappe,&nbsp;Jens Bussmann,&nbsp;Alexander Fülling","doi":"10.1002/gea.22031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.22031","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Kalkriese, near Osnabrueck (NW Germany), is considered the location of the ‘Battle of Varus’, where a coalition of Germanic tribes, under the leadership of Arminius, defeated three Legions under the command of Varus in 9 <span>ad</span>. Roman coinage and remains of military equipment prove that the Oberesch site at Kalkriese saw military operations between Germanic tribes and the Roman legions during Early Imperial times, but the sequence and magnitude of the military operations still remain unclear. In this study, we present for the first time absolute dates from the Oberesch site to decipher the general sequence of the Holocene landscape development at Kalkriese, identify the antique surface, and evaluate the ‘Germanic Rampart Theory’ and the ‘Roman Encampment Theory’. The geoprofile encompasses the entire stratigraphic sequence from the Pleistocene base, indicating intensive agricultural use of the area since the Early Neolithic. A fossil topsoil of late Pre-Roman Iron Age to Roman Imperial Age was identified, which probably represents the antique surface of the Roman conflict site. Our results do not support either the ‘Germanic Rampart Theory’ or the ‘Roman Encampment Theory’, as both linear structures seem to be of High Middle Age origin.</p>","PeriodicalId":55117,"journal":{"name":"Geoarchaeology-An International Journal","volume":"40 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/gea.22031","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142764304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Mesolithic Hunter–Gatherer Camp Site at Sammakko in Norrbotten, Northernmost Sweden—Archeological Finds and Palaeoenvironmental Reconstruction","authors":"Per Möller,&nbsp;Frida Palmbo,&nbsp;Anne Birgitte Nielsen,&nbsp;Emma Boman,&nbsp;Haoran Dong,&nbsp;Svante Björck,&nbsp;Yuanyang Cai,&nbsp;Jannica Grimbe,&nbsp;Ruairidh Macleod,&nbsp;Mingjian Shen,&nbsp;Yucheng Wang,&nbsp;Mica Westerlund,&nbsp;Zhe Xue","doi":"10.1002/gea.22030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.22030","url":null,"abstract":"<p>A small Mesolithic camp site near Sammakko in northernmost Sweden has been identified through its abundance of burnt bone and quartz refuse from stone tool manufacturing/maintenance. Radiocarbon dating places hunter–gatherer activity here around 8900 years ago, 1800 years later than the oldest known settlement in Norrbotten, the Aareavaara site. Sediment stratigraphy in nearby lake basins suggests that the final melting of stagnant ice, trapped in the undulating Veiki-moraine landscape, occurred around 9200 years ago. Initially, after deglaciation, the area was covered with arctic heath, transitioning to an open birch forest by 9100 years ago. At the time of the Sammakko settlers, it was an open birch forest with elements of pine, and various dwarf shrubs, including dwarf birch, willow, and juniper. Grasses, sedges, and various herbs in the semi-open grounds were also common. The settlers primarily relied on reindeer, as indicated by burnt bones, with supplementary food sources such as pike and birds. Stalking was likely the main hunting method, possibly aided by dogs. Potential dog gnaw marks on bones suggest early domestication. The site functioned as a temporary hunting station, probably used only during snow-free months.</p>","PeriodicalId":55117,"journal":{"name":"Geoarchaeology-An International Journal","volume":"40 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/gea.22030","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142763943","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Mediterranean Valleys Revisited","authors":"John Bintliff","doi":"10.1002/gea.22029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.22029","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The publication of The Mediterranean Valleys by Claudio Vita-Finzi in 1969 produced a radical change in research perspectives for our understanding of the timing and causation of erosional and depositional sequences in this macro-region. This article will trace the debates that arose from this book and outline our current understanding of the interaction between human impact, short- and long-term climatic fluctuations and landscape variability in moulding the development of Mediterranean surface landforms during the Holocene era.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55117,"journal":{"name":"Geoarchaeology-An International Journal","volume":"40 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142724180","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}