Exploring the “Microburin Blow”: An Insight into the Variability of the Microburin Blow Method for the Production of Sauveterrian Geometrics in the Site of Mondeval de Sora (N-E, Italy)

The youngest Upper Palaeolithic sites in the Upper and Middle Don Valley have radiocarbon dates about 1312 ka BP (Borshchevo 2, Divnogorye 1, 9). Lithic assemblages of these sites are characterized by the presence of backed implements, end-scrapers on blades, burins on truncation which are distinctive features for the final stage of the Eastern Epigravettian. The sites that could be undoubtedly associated with the Final Palaeolithic are not represented in the region. Several Early Mesolithic sites discovered during two last decades have radiocarbon dates about 109 ka BP. Geometric microliths, burins of different types, circular end-scrapers and some pointes and chisels are typical for toolkits. Although at least 2000 years separate Palaeolithic and Mesolithic settlements there are some similarities in technical and typological characteristics of its lithic assemblages. Various scenarios of the Mesolithic formation and its probable origin are discussed in the paper. The most preferable is the point of view that there is no continuity between the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic, and the appearance of the Mesolithic population can be explained by migrations from neighboring territories.

Geometric microliths are inherent in almost all the Mesolithic and Neolithic monuments in the Lower Volga Region. For the sites of the territory they play a key role. With the help of this type of tools, it is possible to determine the cultural affiliation and chronological position of the studied monuments. In this paper we mainly consider the Neolithic sites on the territory of the Lower Volga and Lower Donets, which have geometric microliths in stone implements. Most of these monuments have a fairly stable series of tools of a geometric type, which makes it possible to compare them among themselves and draw parallels. The results of radiocarbon dating for Neolithic monuments of the Lower Volga and Lower Donets are presented. There is a typological comparison of these sites. The paper discusses similarities and differences, as well as possible contacts, or the lack of population on the two territories - the Lower Volga and the Lower Donets. The author comes to the conclusion that based on the analysis of geometric microliths it is not possible to trace a significant connection between the population of the Lower Volga and the Lower Donets. In the development of the flint industries of these regions there are more differences than similarities.

Bryozoan chert is well known as a stone much used by Aborigines in western coastal districts of southwestern Australia from late Pleistocene times until approximately the attainment of mid-Holocene high sea levels, when the sources of this stone are thought to have been submerged (Glover 1984). Artefacts of this material thus provide a useful chronological marker, just as geometric microliths and other microlithic tools are generally thought to be indicative of late Holocene assemblages or sites. Excavations at Arumvale have revealed a succession of stone artefact assemblages similar in most respects to those at the Dunsborough and Walyunga open-air sites, which together provide what could be termed a provisional Holocene stone industrial sequence for this region (Ferguson 1981; Pearce 1977, 1978; cf. Anderson 1984:35-36). At all three sites, mid- to early Holocene or older assemblages consisting largely of quartz, but including varying quantities of bryozoan chert artefacts, are overlain by essentially quartz assemblages lacking significant numbers of bryozoan chert pieces. Featured in these later assemblages are geometric microliths and, in the case of Walyunga (Pearce 1978:Table l), several other distinctive 'late phase' tools. In 1973, one of us (CED) noticed the Arumvale site through the presence of stone artefacts eroding from the dune faces cut by Caves Road. The numerous bryozoan chert artefacts in these cuttings suggested that the site could be at least partly contemporaneous with the limestone cave site of Devil's Lair, 3 km NNW of Arumvale, and this has been confirmed by radiocarbon dates (Dortch 1979, 1984; cf. Dortch 1974:205, 1975a:l5). Although the stone artefact assemblages from the two neighbouring sites have much in common, their relationship within a hypothetical exploitative network has not been developed.

At present, the sites of the Upper Paleolithic of the Caucasus with an age ranging from 25–23 to 12–10 ka cal BP it is proposed to single out a separate period – the Epipaleolithic, by analogy with the Near East. This article summarizes data on the appearance of geometric microliths in the Epipaleolithic of the Caucasus and traces their changes during three main stages. The study is based on stratified assemblages with radiocarbon dates. The problem of appearance and spread of geometric microliths in the Upper Paleolithic of the Caucasus is considered in comparison with adjacent regions. A review of the Epipaleolithic industries of the Caucasus and adjacent territories (the Levant, Zagros, Anatolia, northeastern Azov Sea region, and Crimea) shows a variegated picture of the appearance of various forms of such forms in these regions. The current data unambiguously indicate that at the early stage of the Epipaleolithic geometric microliths are known only in the Levant and the South Caucasus. Based on the published data, it is possible to analyse the distribution of some forms. For example, scalene triangles are identified in the Near East and the South Caucasus at all stages of the Epipaleolithic. The earliest appearance of proto trapezes is noted in the Kebarian at the early stage of the Levantine Epipaleolithic. In the South Caucasus, according to current data, they are known only in the late stage of the Epipaleolithic. In the North Caucasus, trapezes are found starting from the middle stage of the Epipaleolithic. In Crimea, trapezes are characteristic of the late stage of the Epipaleolithic. In the North- Eastern Azov Sea region trapezes are absent, but parallelograms are represented. Segments are the most common form in all regions. The shape and nature of the processing of the segments may differ. The composition and diversity of geometric microliths could change at the sites within the same cultural area. This is clearly seen in the regions that are well studied and where there are known many sites having different economic specialization. Various methods of the attaching of geometric microliths to the shaft have provided the advantage of this type of tool. The modularity of such compound tools made it possible to increase the efficiency of making projectile weaponry. It is this advantage that facilitated distribution of geometric microliths in the Epipaleolithic over wide areas.

Lightweight concrete was widely used and mainly spread during the Roman period. This technology was used in the West Church, Umm el-Jimal, Jordan. The date of construction of the West Church is debated and different dates have been suggested based on its architectural styles and comparisons with other churches. This research aims to radiocarbon date the construction of the dome (church), archaeometrically characterize the mortar, and determine the source of the scoria. Three charcoals and two broken pieces comprising scoria from the mortar of the fallen dome and six large scoria samples from Quais cone were collected. The research used different analytical methods including accelerator mass spectrometry 14C, X-ray diffraction, petrographic microscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. 14C determinations dated the dome (church) to the Late Roman–Early Byzantine periods, which contradicted the archaeological data. Analytical results showed that the mortar is lime-based and hydraulic. The similarities in the mineralogical composition, macroscopic and microscopic features, and chemical composition (compared statistically) of the scoria samples and the short distance between Umm el-Jimal and the Quais volcanic cone very likely indicate that the Quais volcanic cone is the source of the scoria used in the fallen dome.

Geochemistry has contributed significantly to the understanding of ground-water systems over the last 50 years. Historic advances include development of the hydrochemical facies concept, application of equilibrium theory, investigation of redox processes, and radiocarbon dating. Other hydrochemical concepts, tools, and techniques have helped elucidate mechanisms of flow and transport in ground-water systems, and have helped unlock an archive of paleoenvironmental information. Hydrochemical and isotopic information can be used to interpret the origin and mode of ground-water recharge, refine estimates of time scales of recharge and ground-water flow, decipher reactive processes, provide paleohydrological information, and calibrate ground-water flow models. Progress needs to be made in obtaining representative samples. Improvements are needed in the interpretation of the information obtained, and in the construction and interpretation of numerical models utilizing hydrochemical data. The best approach will ensure an optimized iterative process between field data collection and analysis, interpretation, and the application of forward, inverse, and statistical modeling tools. Advances are anticipated from microbiological investigations, the characterization of natural organics, isotopic fingerprinting, applications of dissolved gas measurements, and the fields of reaction kinetics and coupled processes. A thermodynamic perspective is offered that could facilitate the comparison and understanding of the multiple physical, chemical, and biological processes affecting ground-water systems.

The present volume represents a series of synthetic works presented at the “XI Encuentro de Jóvenes Investigadores en Paleontología”, which took place in Atarfe (Granada, Spain) on April 2013. During this meeting, more than thirty contributions were presented, offering a representative sample of the palaeontological state-of-the-art research currently developed in Spain. A small selection of these contributions is here presented, highlighting than most of them are first-authored by early-stage Spanish researcher who attended the aforementioned meeting. As stated above, our planet has evolved since its origin, in a similar wat that Palaeontology has evolved during the las decades. This evolution, with the application of new novel ways to obtain accurate information form the past, combined with more traditional approaches, its patently showed by the contents of the following paper. Several of these papers deal with the application of recently developed techniques on palaeobiological studies: 3D models of tetrapod footprints using photogrammetry, histological analysis, or the use of Finite Element Analysis on vertebrates. On the other hand, other papers here present point out that there is still classic palaeontological work to do: description of the first fossil records; radiocarbon dating; or new fossil remains on deposits previously studied. We would like to thank the early-stage researcher who have contributed to this volume, the senior researchers co-authoring the papers, an all the people and institution that supported the successful celebration of the “XI Encuentro de Jóvenes Investigadores en Paleontología”

The researchers consider the stone industry an integral part of the archaeological culture in the Neolithic era. The steppe Volga region bears great scientific importance in this matter. During the New Stone Age this area witnessed the Orlovskaya culture unfolding. The Orlovskaya culture bordered with the Dzhangar culture in the west, the Kairshak culture in the south, the North Caucasus and the Lower Don region complexes in the southwest, and sites of the Kelteminar culture in the southeast. Such a geographical location presupposes interaction and mutual influence of the bearers of these cultures. These processes can be observed through the stone items. The Dzhangar culture is represented with original arrowheads and perforators, while the Kelteminar culture is represented with peculiar arrowheads and drawknives. However, the most distinctive feature that these cultures and the Orlovskaya culture have in common is geometric microliths. The geometric microliths distinguish the Neolithic steppe zone from the forest area. Noteworthily these items come in different types. The most frequent shapes for the steppe Volga region are trapezoids and segments. The Orlovskaya culture differs from the Kelteminar and Rakushechny Yar culture by a combination of trapezoids and segments. The Lower Volga Neolithic complexes stand out with segments with Helwan retouch and planed-edge trapezoids. The research reveals that the materials of the Northern Caspian region are evolving through the Early till the Late Neolithic. In the Dzhangar culture segments lasted till the Neolithic finale. Neolithic geometric microliths can be found at the Varfolomeevskaya and Algay sites in the steppe Volga region. The microliths are characterized with a clear stratigraphy. This allowы a reasonable periodization for the microliths. Segments with Helwan retouch on early planed-edge trapezoids started to change in the late phase of the Orlovskaya culture. Extensive radiocarbon dates allow determining the time frame of these types of geometric microliths. It is identified that rectangles are special types of trapezoids; they are typical only for the Orlovskaya culture. They are inherent in the final stage of the Neolithic steppe Volga region. Исследователи рассматривают каменную индустрию как составную часть археологической культуры в эпоху неолита. И если ранее большое внимание уделялось инвентарю северных территорий, то в последнее время акцент сместился на южные пространства. Особый интерес вызывает степное Поволжье, где в новокаменном веке распространялась орловская культура. Объясняется это ее географической позицией: на западе она граничит с джангарской, на юге с каиршакско-тентексорской, на юго-западе с комплексами Северного Кавказа и Нижнего Подонья, а на юго-востоке распространены стоянки Мангышлака и кельтеминарской культуры. Это предполагает вероятные контакты и взаимовлияния носителей этих образований. Специалисты выявляют эти процессы на основе анализа керамики, но не всегда это удается. Каменная индустрия имеет в этом плане не меньший потенциал. Джангарская культура содержит оригинальные наконечники и перфораторы, кельтеминарская культура включает своеобразные наконечники и скобели. Но наиболее ярким признаком, объединяющим эти древности с орловской культурой, являются геометрические микролиты. Именно они отличают неолит степной зоны от лесной полосы. В то же время эта категория изделий представлена различными типами. Для территории степного Поволжья ведущими являются трапеции и сегменты. Этим сочетанием орловская культура отличается как от кельтеминарской, так и ракушечноярской. Внутри комплексов нижневолжского неолита выделяются сегменты с гелуанской ретушью и трапеции со струганной спинкой. В материалах Северного Прикаспия их последовательная сменяемость фиксируется от раннего к позднему неолиту, а в джангарской культуре первые доживают до его финала. Что касается интересуемой территории, то развитие геометрических микролитов прослеживается на стоянках Варфоломеевская и Алгай, которые отличаются от других памятников наличием стратиграфии. Это дает возможность установить обоснованную периодизацию. Серии радиоуглеродных дат определяют хронологические рамки бытования этих типов геометрических микролитов.

The excavations of the multilayer site Algay in 2021 confirmed the stratigraphical strata of Neolithic and Eneolithic layers. The cultural layers with artifacts of the Orlovskaya culture are well stratified. The faunistic remains of the Neolithic period are numerous and have different localization. This is also evidence of several stages of occupation of this place by people during Neolithic. There are solely wild species of animals. The stone tools are characterized by homogeneity. The stone tools from the hoard were made with different raw sources but they are the same types. There are scratchers of several types, perforators, and geometric microliths (trapeziums with planed backs). According to their typologies these stone tools are the same as the tools from layers 2B and 2A of the Varfolomeevka site. The ceramics was made from fat clay rich of organics and tempered by crushed shells. The lipid analysis of charred food crusts in the pottery showed that they were used for the animal and plant cooking. The pottery decoration is typical for the vessels of the Orlovskaya culture with some differences in comparison to the pottery from the Vorfolomeevka site. Four points made of bones are also found. The stone tools of the Cis-Caspian culture were made of other type of quartzite unlike to the Neolithic ones. The technique of an enhanced push-up was applied for the stone tools in comparison to the Neolithic period. The radiocarbon dates confirmed the chronological framework of developed and later stages of the Orlovskaya culture from 6800 to 6100 BP.

We present the results of the first year of the field work carried out at Lapa da Bugalheira (Almonda, Torres Novas) by the ARQEVO research project. We have identified an Early Neolithic occupation featuring a characteristic artefact assemblage with impressed wares (both cardial and “boquique”), geometric microliths and ornaments. The age of the assemblage has been corroborated by the radiocarbon dating of sheep and human bone samples. Comparable, coeval occupation contexts exist in the Central Limestone Massif of Estremadura, paramount among which is the Galeria da Cisterna’s (Almonda karst system)

ABSTRACTThurstan Shaw directed a pioneering excavation within Bosumpra Cave, Ghana, in 1943 and in 1973/1974 it was re-excavated by Andrew Smith, who obtained radiocarbon dates bracketing the upper section of the site's occupation sequence between 4500 cal. BC and cal. AD 1400. Bosumpra has since been widely cited in discussions concerning the West African Late Stone Age, although its significance and most of its occupation sequence remain obscure and open to speculation. Re-excavation during 2008–2011 revealed that the site's earliest occupation/exploitation dates from the mid-eleventh millennium cal. BC and continued throughout the Holocene. The site has more recently functioned as a shrine to the deity Pra and is in use today as a Christian church. Geometric microliths, celts and pottery formed the basis of a distinctive adaptation on the Kwahu Plateau from the tenth millennium cal. BC, with the stone tool component persisting until the seventeenth century AD. The upper layers of the shelter also yielded material that provides insights into the history of the Akan-speaking people of southern Ghana.

The paper reports the results of the research at Neolithic site Algay in Saratov region in steppe Povolzhye in 2015. The existence of two levels of cultural layer was traced. New data on the pottery of Orlovskaya culture and the technology of its making were obtained. The vessels were made of clay with clamshell additive or of silt. Stone tools are represented by plaques, scrapers, points and geometric microliths. The co-occurance of trapezoids with planed back and segments with Geluanskaya retouch was noted. The determination of osteological remains at the site shows tour, tarpan, onager and saiga prevailing. Domestic dog bones were found. They were in the layer dated back to 5700 BC. Radiocarbon dating of different materials (bones, charred organic remains, charcoal) from the site makes it possible to compare the results. The low level dates back to between 5800 and 5400 BC and the upper level to 4800 BC. These dates allow to confirm the site development from VI to the beginning of V millennium BC in calibrated meanings. It allows to correct the chronology of the Neolithic in the Low Povolzhye.

In the present article we use geometric microliths (a specific type of arrowhead) and Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) in order to evaluate possible origin points and expansion routes for the Neolithic in the Iberian Peninsula. In order to do so, we divide the Iberian Peninsula in four areas (Ebro river, Catalan shores, Xúquer river and Guadalquivir river) and we sample the geometric microliths existing in the sites with the oldest radiocarbon dates for each zone. On this data, we perform a partial Mantel test with three matrices: geographic distance matrix, cultural distance matrix and chronological distance matrix. After this is done, we simulate a series of partial Mantel tests where we alter the chronological matrix by using an expansion model with randomised origin points, and using the distribution of the observed partial Mantel test’s results as a summary statistic within an Approximate Bayesian Computation-Sequential Monte-Carlo (ABC-SMC) algorithm framework. Our results point clearly to a Neolithic expansion route following the Northern Mediterranean, whilst the Southern Mediterranean route could also find support and should be further discussed. The most probable origin points focus on the Xúquer river area.

This work aims to test the reliability of calcined bones for radiocarbon dating of the Paleolithic. Fifty-five calcined bone samples coming from Aurignacian and Gravettian layers at Abri Pataud (Dordogne, France) were selected based on their macroscopic features. For each sample, the heating state was estimated on the basis of bone crystallinity (splitting factor [SF] using FTIR) and δ13C value. Twenty-seven bone samples (3 unburnt and 24 calcined) from 5 different levels were prepared for 14C dating. The majority (15/24) of the calcined samples had to undergo a sulfix treatment prior to graphitization, probably due to the presence of cyanamide ion in these samples. The comparison between our results and recently published dates on bone collagen for the same levels shows that unburned bone apatite is systematically too young, while a third of the calcined bones fall within or very near the range of expected age. No clear correlation was found between 14C age offset and δ13C value or SF. Most of the sulfixed samples (14/16) yielded ages that were too young, while almost all of the non-sulfixed samples (8/9) gave ages similar or <0.2 pMC from the expected minimum age. Although preliminary, these results suggest that sulfix should be avoided if possible and that clean CO2 gas from well-calcined Paleolithic bones can provide reliable 14C ages.

This work aims to test the reliability of calcined bones for radiocarbon dating of the Paleolithic. Fifty-five calcined bone samples coming from Aurignacian and Gravettian layers at Abri Pataud (Dordogne, France) were selected based on their macroscopic features. For each sample, the heating state was estimated on the basis of bone crystallinity (splitting factor [SF] using FTIR) and δ13C value. Twenty-seven bone samples (3 unburnt and 24 calcined) from 5 different levels were prepared for 14C dating. The majority (15/24) of the calcined samples had to undergo a sulfix treatment prior to graphitization, probably due to the presence of cyanamide ion in these samples. The comparison between our results and recently published dates on bone collagen for the same levels shows that unburned bone apatite is systematically too young, while a third of the calcined bones fall within or very near the range of expected age. No clear correlation was found between 14C age offset and δ13C value or SF. Most of the sulfixed samples (14/16) yielded ages that were too young, while almost all of the non-sulfixed samples (8/9) gave ages similar or <0.2 pMC from the expected minimum age. Although preliminary, these results suggest that sulfix should be avoided if possible and that clean CO2 gas from well-calcined Paleolithic bones can provide reliable 14C ages.