Palynological study of archaeometallurgical artefacts from the Late Bronze Age copper smelting sites (Georgia): First results

Abstract

This article focuses on the palynological (pollen and non-pollen palynomorphs) study of material found with artefacts from Late Bronze Age archaeometallurgical sites in the Lechkhumi area of the mountainous south-west Caucasus region of ancient Colchis. The analysis of organic residues recovered from voids in slag and crucible fragments have revealed an abundance of pollen and spores of diverse plant taxa. Many non-palynological palynomorphs were also found. In total, more than 50 palynomorphs were identified. It was observed that the chemical composition of the copper smelting slag fragments has contributed to the good preservation of the pollen grains, though detailed chemical analyses and experiments are needed. The spectrum from slag includes taxa that are more poorly preserved in sediments, including soil. This preservation undoubtedly makes palynological research of slag residues promising in the future. The range of fossilized plants and spores recovered proves that during the Late Bronze Age in Lechkhumi, forests dominated by chestnut (Castanea sativa) occupied a much larger area than today. Other thermophilic trees, such as zelkva (Zelkova carpinifolia), oak (Quercus), lime (Tilia), and hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) were also present. Thermophilic ferns thrived in the undergrowth as well. In the 13th–9th centuries BC, the existence of warmer climatic conditions in Lechkhumi compared to that we have now is additionally confirmed by the presence of freshwater thermophilic algae Pseudoschizaea, Spirogyra and other Zygnemataceae found in the spectra. Spores of bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) and fungus Ustulina most probably reflect felling and human exploitation of the woodland in the close neighbourhood of the site. Comparison of palynological and wood charcoal analyses has demonstrated that the metallurgists of that time used the nearby woods as a source of fuel. Thanks to favourable climatic conditions, beside copper smelting some small-scale agricultural activities were performed which was visible in the composition of herbaceous plant taxa.