A monumental burial complex from an Amarna-age port at Yavneh-Yam, Israel

Bronze Age studies carried out in the Cantabrian Region have traditionally focused on prestige goods and funerary contexts. As a result of this, the lack of information about daily activities, subsistence strategies, and human settlement on a regional scale is evident in the state of art. However, current research has achieved new discoveries in recent years, allowing a reconstruction of some aspects of the economic structure, settlements, material culture and the palaeoenvironment during the Bronze Age. Indeed, besides the funerary practices discovered in 1983 in San Adrian (Parztuergo Nagusia, Gipuzkoa), research has now revealed the presence of Upper Palaeolithic and Early Bronze Age occupations. This paper presents a first characterization of the retrieved evidence and a preliminary evaluation of the archaeological site and its environment. San Adrian is a tunnel-shaped cave located at 1,000 meters a.s.l. in the Aizkorri mountain range, opening a passage beneath the Atlantic-Mediterranean watershed in northern Iberia. The strategic character of this mountain site is demonstrated by the presence of Upper Palaeolithic and Bronze Age occupations, and by the construction of a road passing through it and the fortification of both its entrances in the Middle Ages. The aim of the archaeological survey started in 2008 was to identify, describe and evaluate the heritage potential of the cave, because previous fieldwork had only managed to make surface finds in the side galleries, including a medieval hoard and Bronze Age human remains. The work carried out by our research group at San Adrian includes a series of test pits and the excavation of an area nine square metres in size following stratigraphic criteria. In the current state, we identified at least two contexts corresponding to Late Upper Palaeolithic and Bronze Age occupations in the cave. Fieldwork included the sieving and flotation of sediment and the collection of samples for different types of analysis: palynology, carpology, sedimentology, and radiocarbon dating. The evidence is being studied by a multidisciplinary team according to expertise requirements for each topic: palaeobotany and environment, archaeozoology, sedimentology, geology, physical anthropology, prehistoric industries (lithics, pottery and bone) and archaeological and historical documentation. Because of its recent discovery, Upper Palaeolithic evidence remains still under study, but first results on Bronze Age layers can be presented. The ongoing archaeobotanical and archaeozoological studies reveal the exploitation of domestic plants and fauna complemented by hunting and foraging of wild species. At the same time, the archaeological artefacts and their production sequences show the exploitation of nearby resources on both sides of the mountain range, while prestige goods are absent. This evidence is also used to estimate the regularity of cave occupations and to propose a model of seasonal exploitation of the mountain environment. The results obtained reveal the exploitation of resources from both the Mediterranean and Atlantic basins, and contribute towards an understanding of the daily activities of Bronze Age societies. In addition, the evidence shows the exchange and circulation of quotidian products between the Cantabrian region and inland Iberia in other networks than those of prestige goods.

Preface Towards new models (Harry Fokkens and Stijn Arnoldussen) Bronze Age settlement sites in the Low Countires: An overview (Stijn Arnoldussen and Harry Fokkens) Bronze Age houses and barrows in the Low Countries (Quentin Bourgeois and David Fontijn) Bronze Age settlements in Drenthe (Piet Kooi) Bronze Age occupation on coversand ridges of the Looerenk near Zutphen (Jeroen Bouwmeester) The Middle Bronze Age farmstead from Rhede (North Rhine - Westphalia, Germany) (Stephan Deiters) Rhenen-Remmerden revisited: some comments regarding site structure and the visibility of Bronze Age house plans (Leon G L van Hoof and Lucas Meurkens) Living at Eigenblok. A Bronze Age settlement in the Dutch river area (Peter Jongste) The Bronze Age cultural landscape at Zijderveld (Sebastiaan Knippenberg) Bronze Age settlements in Tiel-Medel (Janneke B Hielkema and Tom Hamburg) The Bronze Age cultural landscape of De Bogen (Bernard Meijlink) Marking while taking land into use: some indications for long-term traditions within the Oer-IJ estuarine region (Linda L Therkon) The Early Bronze Age farmstead of Noordwijk (Henk M van der Velde) Bronze Age neighbours: occupation of three parallel coversand ridges near Breda (Ria Berkvens) The living and the dead: A Bronze Age barrow and farmyard from Weelde (Rica Annaert) List of contributors

The scope of my research is to examine the gender roles of women and men in parts of continental Europe during the Bronze Age. Northern Italy is a very interesting area from this point of view. It is divided into two cultural provinces: the Terramare culture east of the river Oglio and the Western province to its west. Many large cemeteries were established in the Middle Bronze Age and continued to be used in the Recent Bronze Age (Bronzo recente, the phase Bronze D of the Central European chronology and the first part of the Final Bronze Age in the British chronology). For the eastern area, twelve cemeteries are analysed, in addition to four necropolises for the western area. During the Middle Bronze Age grave goods are strictly gendered - women have jewels and men arms - with differences between adults and non-adults. Foetus and newborns were not buried with grave goods. Women were always better provided for with grave goods than men. This probably means that they played a prominent social role, perhaps by managing households or production of goods such as worked bone or antler, a special craft industry of the Terramare area. About half the men in each age group were provided with a sword, some of them had been injured by weapons. Technical analyses of swords show that they had been used. Swords seem to have been markers of horizontal social roles. Rather than warrior elite, these men could have been heads of families who were in charge of the security of the territory and of community property. A case of tuberculosis, a double oxen burial, ritual deposition of oxen and numerous cups with handles having a horned appendage show the importance of cattle breeding and of the symbolic and possibly religious significance attached to cattle in the male sphere. From the end of the Middle Bronze Age and during the Recent Bronze Age cremation in urns became the dominant burial rite. Weapons disappeared almost completely from grave goods and men become invisible in cemeteries. Women were still interred with ornaments in graves although the number of graves with grave goods gradually decreased. In Nogara, the number of graves of children aged less than 6 years old increased much at the same time. This evolution seems to be connected with a change in religion. In Casinalbo (province of Modena) burnt fragments of several swords and daggers were found on the floor of the necropolis and were not placed in urns. This indicates that men still owned weapons but they were barred from urns. On the other hand weapons are frequent in hoards and often deposited in water. The associations of grave goods confirm that grave offerings are strong, socially dependent cultural indicators which do not give a faithful picture of the individual and their daily activities.

Lustrupholm – Et brandgravfelt fra ældre bronzealder under flad mark

The excavations at Meadowend Farm, Clackmannanshire (NGR: NS 9280 9040) produced evidence for occupation at various times between the Early Neolithic and the Middle to Late Bronze Age. Significantly, it yielded the largest and best-dated assemblage of Middle Neolithic Impressed Ware yet encountered in Scotland, comprising at least 206 vessels. Episodes of Early to (pre-Impressed Ware) Middle Neolithic activity were represented by pits and post holes scattered across the excavated areas, some containing pottery of the Carinated Bowl tradition and some with charred plant remains; three blades of pitchstone and one of non-local flint were also found. The phase of activity associated with the Middle Neolithic Impressed Ware pottery (c 3350‒3000 cal BC) is represented mostly by clusters of pits, some containing hearth waste and/or charcoal, charred cereal grain and burnt hazelnut shell fragments. A stone axehead and a broken roughout for an axe- or adze-head were associated with this phase of occupation. There then appears to have been a hiatus of activity of around a millennium before occupation resumed. One Early Bronze Age structure and pits dating to around 2000 cal BC (plus undated pits containing possible Beaker pottery) were succeeded by four Early to Middle Bronze Age roundhouses dating to c 1750‒1300 cal BC and a large pit containing parts of at least 37 pots, and subsequently by two large double-ring roundhouses, an oval building, and ancillary structures and features dating to the Middle to Late Bronze Age, c 1300‒900 cal BC. There is also evidence suggesting low level activity during the Iron Age, plus two medieval corn-drying kilns. Environmental evidence indicates cereal growing from the earliest period, and local woodland management. This publication focuses on the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods and discusses the significance of this site for our understanding of these periods, and particularly for the Middle Neolithic, in Scotland.

VIRVELINĖS KERAMIKOS KULTŪRA LIETUVOJE 2800–2400 cal BC

Las excavaciones arqueológicas iniciadas en 1999 en la cueva de El Mirador de la sierra de Atapuerca han permitido documentar hasta el momento una sucesión estratigráfica holocena de unos 2,5 m de potencia, formada por niveles del Neolítico y de la Edad del Bronce. Los datos preliminares sobre las ocupaciones de la Edad del Bronce señalan el uso de la cueva como redil, zona de hábitat y espacio sepulcral. Durante su uso como redil se llevó a cabo la quema periódica del estiércol depositado en el interior del corral. Es la primera vez que dicha práctica se documenta en la Meseta y, en el ámbito europeo, en contexto geográfico continental. El uso como cueva sepulcral viene seña- lado por la presencia de una inhumación colectiva. Ésta presenta evidencias de un ritual relacionado con el tratamiento de los cadáveres previo a su enterramiento. Cabe subrayar también la presencia de una hacha de bronce de rebordes en contexto estratigráfico.

The Nenjiang River Basin, located in the northern part of Northeast China, is an important cultural region that has attracted much attention from academic communities. Previous studies demonstrated that hunting and gathering always dominate the subsistence for prehistoric populations in this region. Herein, we further investigate the evolution of dietary and economic strategies in the Late Neolithic and Bronze Age occupations at the recently excavated Honghe site of the Nenjiang River Basin by means of a multidisciplinary approach incorporating zooarchaeological and stable isotope analysis. The results of zooarchaeological approaches indicate that the Honghe populations rely extensively on hunting and fishing during the Late Neolithic (4500–4000 cal BP), consistent with the results of previous studies. Interestingly, by the Bronze Age (3100–2400 cal BP), animal husbandry develops as one main economic strategy, corresponding to the probable decline of hunting and fishing, which is different from the previous reports. In addition, based on the results of stable isotopic approaches, C3 plants are always prominent diets for animals and humans from the Late Neolithic to the Bronze Age, which signifies that crop agriculture does not appear to have been of primary importance during either of these eras, in contrast to the C4 agricultural tradition formed in the Neolithic Age of the southern part of Northeast China. The findings of this paper shed some more light on the evolution of human subsistence strategies in the Nenjiang River Basin.

At nuraghe Arrubiu (Orroli), ten samples were taken, nine from the central Tower or A, with a chronology between the end of the Middle and Final Bronze Ages, and the tenth (sample 7 - sterile) from a Roman stratum from hut 1. The results from the palynologically fertile samples are shown in figure 1. It reflects the transition from a dense forestry landscape in the base level to a much degraded forest in the upper samples, consequences of anthropic activities -i.e. deforestation and burning for cereal crops' cultivation- that is reduced or absent in the final samples, and a development of pasture areas. In Gasoru, three samples from the nuraghe drills and four from the hut were analysed. The first two correspond to a Later Bronze Age occupation; the third to a Late Roman reoccupation; the following two to the lower pavement from the Later Bronze Age and the last two to the upper pavement in the Later-Final Bronze Age transition. Figure 2 shows a well preserved forest in early times that was degraded to bushes with intense cereal crop and animal herding in the area at the Final Bronze transition. The Late Roman landscape is similar, but with a more intensive cereal crop cultivation. The samples from hut 4 in Su Putzu, from the Final Bronze Age, show a very strongly degraded landscape. On the other hand, the only sample from the Stessei Giants' Tomb differs from the former ones, showing a well-developed forest without cereal pollen or burning evidence related to herding. It may be due to its probable location in the Nurri territory, rather than to Orroli, in a steep place with a visual control of the river area. The results from the 2001 field season showed scarce palynomorphs, and some samples were even sterile. This scarcity may reflect the original sediment composition, postdepositional processes or a strong landscape anthropisation originating deforestation of settled sites.

The excavations at Meadowend Farm, Clackmannanshire produced evidence for occupation at various times between the Early Neolithic and the Middle to Late Bronze Age. Significantly, it yielded the largest and best-dated assemblage of Middle Neolithic Impressed Ware yet encountered in Scotland, comprising at least 206 vessels. Episodes of Early to (pre-Impressed Ware) Middle Neolithic activity were represented by pits and post holes scattered across the excavated areas, some containing pottery of the Carinated Bowl tradition and some with charred plant remains; three blades of pitchstone and one of non-local flint were also found. The phase of activity associated with the Middle Neolithic Impressed Ware pottery (c 3350‒3000 cal bc) is represented mostly by clusters of pits, some containing hearth waste and/or charcoal, charred cereal grain and burnt hazelnut shell fragments. A stone axehead and a broken roughout for an axe- or adze-head were associated with this phase of occupation. There then appears to have been a hiatus of activity of around a millennium before occupation resumed. One Early Bronze Age structure and pits dating to around 2000 cal bc (plus undated pits containing possible Beaker pottery) were succeeded by four Early to Middle Bronze Age roundhouses dating to c 1750‒1300 cal bc and a large pit containing parts of at least 37 pots, and subsequently by two large double-ring roundhouses, an oval building, and ancillary structures and features dating to the Middle to Late Bronze Age, c 1300‒900 cal bc. There is also evidence suggesting lowlevel activity during the Iron Age, plus two medieval corn-drying kilns. Environmental evidence indicates cereal growing from the earliest period, and local woodland management. This publication focuses on the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods and discusses the significance of this site for our understanding of these periods, and particularly for the Middle Neolithic, in Scotland.

Resenlund og Brøndumgård bronzedepoter – Kult og samfund i yngre bronzealder

Abstract. Excavated in 2018 as part of the western bypass of Strasbourg, the Berstett Langenberg site of nearly two hectares (site no. 5.6 of the project) has revealed occupations dating from the Late Neolithic to the Final La Tène period. The Bronze Age occupation is characterised by 43 features spread over almost the entire area, while the 31 Middle Bronze Age features include ten pits, storage pits (11), two possible excavated buildings, three slits and five windfalls. No buildings were found, but areas devoid of features surrounded by pits suggest the location of buildings, as do the remains of cob (earth and wood architecture). The large quantity of ceramic remains uncovered (160 vessels), as well as several radiocarbon dates have made it possible to better characterise the typochronology of the ensembles for the Bronze D and the transition from Bronze D to Bronze D. Biogeochemical analysis of the inner walls of ten vessels has revealed animal fats, as well as traces of vegetable oil (Brassicaceae) or resin (Pinaceae). In addition to the large quantity of pottery, which makes the site a reference point, other objects unearthed (lithics, fauna) provide supplementary information as to the late Middle Bronze Age settlement for which little is known in eastern France.

En Asie du Sud-Est, la fin de la préhistoire – de l’apparition de l’agriculture à la naissance de proto-États – ne dure que de 1500 à 2000 ans. Les cimetières sont des sites essentiels pour comprendre ces changements marqués par des influences culturelles indiennes et chinoises. Le Myanmar est le seul pays d’Asie du Sud-Est avec lequel ces pays partagent une frontière terrestre. Les données archéologiques nouvellement acquises pour le Myanmar permettent d’éclairer cette période charnière. Cet article présente les résultats de l’étude de la nécropole d’Oakaie 1 (région de Sagaing), fouillée durant deux saisons entre 2014 et 2015 dans le cadre de la Mission Archéologique Française au Myanmar (MAFM). La nécropole est datée entre la fin du Néolithique et le début de l’âge du Bronze. Les 55 sépultures et 57 inhumés mis au jour permettent d’analyser l’évolution des pratiques funéraires pendant plusieurs siècles. L’organisation de l’espace sépulcral est particulière. Les fosses, organisées en rangées sont distribuées selon deux grandes orientations, N-S et NNO-SSE. Les inhumations sont individuelles ou plurielles (9 cas) et, dans un cas, un chien a été inhumé avec des humains. L’analyse taphonomique suggère l’usage de contenants périssables larges ou étroits, avec des bords montants, probablement des troncs d’arbres évidés. Les biens funéraires les plus communs sont des céramiques généralement placées près des membres inférieurs ou dans le comblement de la fosse. Des éléments de parure (perles en coquillages et en pierre, bracelets en pierre polie et en matière dure animale) étaient aussi associés aux défunts, tandis qu’une unique sépulture a fourni un objet en métal (une hache en bronze). L’usage croisé de critères variés, dont l’organisation spatiale de la nécropole, les recoupements de sépultures, les pratiques funéraires et le mobilier déposé auprès des défunts a permis d’établir que la nécropole a fonctionné durant trois phases. La première est caractérisée par 20 inhumations orientées dans un axe N-S, généralement individuelles, dotées d’un mobilier funéraire réduit constitué d’une seule céramique et de rares éléments de parure en coquillage et matière dure animale. La deuxième phase est composée de 30 sépultures orientées dans un axe NNO-SSE. Elles contiennent des inhumations individuelles et plurielles associées à des céramiques distinctes de celles rencontrées lors de la première phase et à des objets de parures, dont certains sont d’origine exotique, plus nombreux et plus fréquents. La troisième phase est représentée par une inhumation, exceptionnellement riche pour la nécropole. Le défunt était associé à 19 céramiques, une perle en pierre et une hache en bronze. Ce dépôt présente un parallèle avec des sépultures de la nécropole de Nyaung’gan située à 2,7 km de Oakaie 1. Notre analyse permet d’établir que les deux premières phases correspondent à une utilisation intermittente de la nécropole par une même population alors que la troisième marque une rupture lié à l’introduction du métal.

Grave Matters: Mediating Corporeal Objects and Subjects through Mortuary Practices

A study of the size of round barrows in relation to their position in the Stonehenge landscape allows us to define two types of mound, here termed ‘Conspicuous’ and ‘Inconspicuous’. Conspicuous barrows are large and prominently located, whilst inconspicuous barrows are smaller and less strikingly placed. Inconspicuous barrows were associated mainly with funerary urns and were constructed throughout the Early and Middle Bronze Ages. Conspicuous barrows contain a wider range of grave goods and were mainly built in the later part of the Early Bronze Age. The Conspicuous barrows were impressive features of the prehistoric landscape and may have been built there because of the long-established significance of some of the local monuments, including Stonehenge itself. They contain exotic grave goods and could have been the burial places of a wider population. By contrast, the Inconspicuous barrows appear to be associated with settlement areas. They contain a range of ceramic grave goods which extend throughout the Early and Middle Bronze Ages and may have been built by the people who were living in the area. The latter tradition is the longer lived and retained its importance into the Middle Bronze Age when more conspicuous mounds were no longer built.