Absolute Chronology Research Articles

Middle Bronze Age societies and barrow line chronology. A case study from the Bukivna ‘necropolis’, Upper Dniester Basin, Ukraine

The area of the Upper Dniester Basin in Western Ukraine comprises one of the largest concentrations of barrows with the exception of the steppe zone. This article concerns the absolute chronology of one mound group in Bukivna, built in the Middle Bronze Age by the people of the Komarów culture. It also focuses on reconstructing the spatial arrangement of barrows and explaining the creation of their specific linear alignment. A Bayesian statistical analysis of radiocarbon AMS dates collected from five excavated tumuli revealed the chronological and spatial organization of the Bukivna barrows. Moreover, a seriation and correspondence analysis was performed on pottery from the barrows to expose the chronology of specific ornamentation groups. This research allowed for the scenario of the emergence of mounds in the first half of the 2nd millennium BC to be reconstructed. In light of the presented data, it is theorized that barrows were arranged in linear alignments along selected hill zones, although they did not necessarily proceed in a continuous or defined direction. Structuring of the funerary space resulted from the extension of mound groups, which probably represent family sub-necropolises. Linear arrangements of mounds were derived by merging the particular groups; barrows were erected in areas apart from the ‘planned’ structure, usually during different periods (but sometimes simultaneously). It was only after some time that the final alignment formation was accomplished, thus ending the process of structuring particular fragments of the barrow landscape.

Twenty Years After “Absolute Chronology: Archaeological Europe 2500-500 BC”

The article is a tribute to the pioneering role of Klavs Randsborg in the early Nineties in search for a new comprehensive chronology for Italian and European prehistory based on a combination of dendrodates with C14 dates. The debate of the last 25 years on this matter is presented, demonstrating a scholarly split, in particular in Italy. At the same time, an Italian peculiarity, the presence of layers of volcanic eruptions mixed with archaeological deposits is proposed as a sort of meeting ground for opponents and proponents of absolute chronology and a way to pair it with known cultural phenomena.

The sedimentary evolution of Yangtze River delta since MIS3: A new chronology evidence revealed by OSL dating

Abstract The Yangtze River delta, one of the largest tide-dominated deltas in the world, is a valuable archive for studying the land-sea interaction. Previous investigations have mainly focused on the Holocene Yangtze River delta initiation and the coastal dynamics in response to sea level changes based on analysis of the stratigraphic and sedimentologic evidences. However, the detailed depositional history of the Yangtze River delta prior to Holocene is still poorly understood owing to a deficiency of accurate absolute chronologies. In this study, a 60-m-long core (EGQD14) was drilled in the front edge of modern Yangtze River deltaic plain. The sedimentary features were analyzed based on the data of sediment particle size composition, colors, textures and intra-structure description; a total of 20 sediment samples were collected from this core for optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating. The single aliquot regenerative dose (SAR) protocol was applied to fine (4–11 μm in diameter) and coarse (63–100 μm or 100–200 μm) grained quartz extracts to determine their equivalent dose (De). The bleaching levels of different grain-sized fractions were investigated. We found that 63–100 μm grains and fine grains are generally well-bleached, and are appropriate for establishing the chronology of the studying core. However, ages of 100–200 μm grains appear to be problematic as potential feldspar contamination, revealed by remarkable infrared (IR) depletion ratios as low as to 0.3. Thus, ages derived only from 4–11 μm and 63–100 μm fractions were used for the reconstruction of chronological framework. The sedimentary history of the Yangtze River delta since the Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS3) was inferred by combination of a 50-ka spanning stratigraphic sequence of the EGQD14 core with previously investigated sedimentary stratigraphy in the study area. This study provided a new chronological evidence of the Yangtze River delta sedimentary evolution over the last ∼50 ka, which generally underwent the terrestrial fluvial, floodplain, tidal flat, estuary-neritic, deltaic and modern Yangtze River delta plain sedimentary environments.

Chronology of the Late Pleistocene archaeological sequence at Vanguard Cave, Gibraltar: Insights from quartz single and multiple grain luminescence dating

Vanguard Cave is an archaeological site located on the shoreline of the Rock of Gibraltar at the south-western extreme of the Iberian Peninsula. It is part of a limestone cave system facing the adjacent Governor's Beach on the south-eastern coast of Gibraltar and has been filled to the roof with more than 17 m of sedimentary deposits. Due to its long stratified sequence, comprising rich palaeoenvironmental and faunal records as well as multiple Palaeolithic occupation layers, Vanguard Cave provides valuable information for our understanding of human behaviour and dispersal across south-eastern Iberia in general and particularly about the strategic role of the promontory of Gibraltar for past human populations. The development of a reliable absolute chronology for the sedimentary sequence at Vanguard Cave is therefore of great importance in this context.In this study, we applied optically-stimulated luminescence dating to sand-sized quartz grains from the uppermost ∼4 m of the Vanguard Cave deposits, as well as from the Hyaena Cave sediments – a small niche adjacent to the main cave chamber. We use single-grain and multiple-grain dating to clarify the depositional history of the sedimentary sequence, as well as to assess the reliability of the two dating approaches and their potential for future chronological studies at the site. The single-grain and multi-grain ages are consistent with one another and indicate no partial bleaching or post-depositional mixing of the sediments. Our results suggest that Vanguard Cave experienced continuous sediment accumulation probably since the last sea-level highstand in MIS 5, and was completely filled by ∼43 ka (MIS 3). The eastern side of the Rock of Gibraltar faced an exposed coastal shelf covered with savannah and an active coastal dune system during MIS 3. Our results indicate that similar environmental conditions are likely to have persisted also during MIS 4 and large parts of MIS 5.

Testing optically stimulated luminescence dating on sand-sized quartz of deltaic deposits from the Sperchios delta plain, central Greece

This study reports on the first investigation into the potential of luminescence dating to establish a chronological framework for the depositional sequences of the Sperchios delta plain, central Greece. A series of three borehole cores (20 m deep) and two shallow cores (4 m deep), from across the delta plain, were extracted, and samples were collected for luminescence dating. The luminescence ages of sand-sized quartz grains were obtained from small aliquots of quartz, using the Single-Aliquot Regenerative-dose (SAR) protocol. The equivalent dose determination included a series of tests and the selection of the Minimum Age Model (MAM) as the most appropriate statistical model. This made it possible to confirm the applicability of quartz Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating to establish absolute chronology for deltaic sediments from the Sperchios delta plain.Testing age results of the five cores showed that the deltaic sediments were deposited during the Holocene. A relatively rapid deposition is implied for the top ∼14 m possibly as a result of the deceleration in the rate of the sea-level rise and the transition to terrestrial conditions, while on the deeper parts, the reduced sedimentation rate may indicate a lagoonal or coastal environment.

Do 14C dates always turn into an absolute chronology? The case of the Middle Neolithic in western Lesser Poland

In the late 5th, 4th, and early 3rd millennia BC, different archaeological units are visible in western Lesser Poland. According to traditional views, local branches of the late Lengyel-Polgár complex, the Funnel Beaker culture, and the Baden phenomena overlap chronologically in great measure. The results of investigations done with new radiocarbon dating show that in some cases a discrete mode and linearity of cultural transformation is recommended. The study demonstrates that extreme approaches in which we either approve only those dates which fit with our concepts or accept with no reservation all dates as such are incorrect.

The Early and Middle Neolithic in NW Russia: radiocarbon chronologies from the Sukhona and Onega regions

The onset of the Neolithic period in the Russian North is defined by the emergence of pottery vessels in the archaeological record. The ceramics produced by mobile hunter-gatherer-fisher groups in the north-eastern European forest zone are among the earliest in Europe, starting around 6000 cal BC. After the initial mosaic of local styles in the Early Neolithic, including sparsely decorated wares and early Comb Ware, the Middle Neolithic period, starting in the 5th millennium cal BC, saw the development and spread of larger, more homogenous typological entities between the Urals and the Baltic, the Comb-Pit and Pit-Comb wares. Absolute chronologies, however, are still subject to debate, due to a general lack of reliable contextual information. Direct 14C dating of carbonised surface residues (‘food crusts’) on pots can help to address this problem, as it dates the use of the pottery; but if aquatic foods were processed in the vessels, the respective radiocarbon ages can appear to be too old due to the freshwater reservoir effect. In this pa­per, we discuss the radiocarbon chronologies of four important stratified archaeological complexes in the region between Lake Onega and the Sukhona basin, Berezovaya Slobodka, Veksa, Karavaikha, and Tudo­zero. A growing series of dates, including AMS dates, sheds new light on the onset and further periodisation of the Early and Middle Neolithic in this important area between Eastern Fennoscandia, Central Rus­sia and the Far North-East of Europe, although problems concerning the absolute chronology of the initial Neolithic remain.

Introduction to the absolute chronology of Neolithic cultures in Eastern Europe

This paper is an introduction to the discussion of radiocarbon chronology of Neolithic cul­­tures in Eastern Europe. It relates to a number of papers published in this volume.

New AMS dates as a contribution to the absolute chronology of the early eneolithic in the central Balkans

In this study we present new absolute dates for the Early Eneolithic in Serbia. Four of them confirm the recently obtained dates from that period (Bubanj-Hum I culture) but two samples (from Mokranjske stene and Bubanj) provide somewhat later dates for this period, although their stratigraphic context makes their interpretation difficult. Pottery from those sites, besides the typical examples, also shows particular stylistic and typological characteristics that resemble Galatin or S?lcu?a IV cultures, so one can presume that the Bubanj-Hum I culture in Serbia may have lasted longer than what is generally assumed.

The quantitative genetic analysis of craniometric phenotype of Yinxu population, Anyang

Yin Ruins was the capital of the last phase of the Shang Dynasty (3250–2996 BP), which was located in the northwest of Anyang city in Henan Province, China. It is one of largest archeological sites in China famous for containing some of the earliest Chinese writing inscribed on oracle bones. A large number of human skeletons excavated from this site have also played an important role for understanding population structure and population history of the Yin Ruins and northern China. Previous researchers focused on the population structure of the Yin Ruins from the perspective of ethnology, and suggest that some skulls presented obvious differences in craniofacial morphology compared with the local population derived from the medium and small tombs (ZXM) and sacrifice pits (JSK). Yang stated that the JSK samples consisted of 5 different racial groups, such as Mongoloid, Caucasoid, Australoid and so forth. However, some scholars hold different views. This study analyzes the craniofacial shape variation of ZXM and JSK samples to explore their population history and population structure. A total of 212 adult skulls belonging to these 2 groups are analyzed in this article. The comparative data include 414 skulls from 9 sites in northern China whose absolute chronologies are close to that of Yin Ruins (4800–2000 BP). Multivariate exploratory (PCA) and evolutionary quantitative genetic method (R-matrix analysis) are used to study variance among populations, as well as population structure and population history. The result shows that: (1) Most of ZXM specimens have closer genetic distance with the late Neolithic population in local region, and there is a very frequent gene flow between the ZXM population and the residents of middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. (2) The craniofacial morphological variation of JSK group is higher, and most of the JSK individuals have a closer genetic distance with the residents of middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River during the Xia and Shang Dynasty. In addition, this group also contained some individuals coming from the Inner Mongolia-Great Wall region, Ganqing region and regions outside this analysis. However, they do not have evidence of gene flow from Europe or Oceania. (3) In northern China, gene flow among populations is likely to be limited by geography during the Bronze Age, and there are also some differences in the level of gene flow among populations of different geographic units. Based on above results, the author suggest that the phenotypic variation among different populations is so large that the reliability of the ″use of racial classification to explore the extent of outside gene flow″ needs further confirmation.

Do 14C dates always turn into an absolute chronology? The case of the Middle Neolithic in western Lesser Poland

In the late 5th, 4th, and early 3rd millennia BC, different archaeological units are visible in western Lesser Poland. According to traditional views, local branches of the late Lengyel-Polgár complex, the Funnel Beaker culture, and the Baden phenomena overlap chronologically in great measure. The results of investigations done with new radiocarbon dating show that in some cases a discrete mode and linearity of cultural transformation is recommended. The study demonstrates that extreme approaches in which we either approve only those dates which fit with our concepts or accept with no reservation all dates as such are incorrect.

The Early and Middle Neolithic in NW Russia: radiocarbon chronologies from the Sukhona and Onega regions

The onset of the Neolithic period in the Russian North is defined by the emergence of pottery vessels in the archaeological record. The ceramics produced by mobile hunter-gatherer-fisher groups in the north-eastern European forest zone are among the earliest in Europe, starting around 6000 cal BC. After the initial mosaic of local styles in the Early Neolithic, including sparsely decorated wares and early Comb Ware, the Middle Neolithic period, starting in the 5th millennium cal BC, saw the development and spread of larger, more homogenous typological entities between the Urals and the Baltic, the Comb-Pit and Pit-Comb wares. Absolute chronologies, however, are still subject to debate, due to a general lack of reliable contextual information. Direct 14C dating of carbonised surface residues (‘food crusts’) on pots can help to address this problem, as it dates the use of the pottery; but if aquatic foods were processed in the vessels, the respective radiocarbon ages can appear to be too old due to the freshwater reservoir effect. In this pa­per, we discuss the radiocarbon chronologies of four important stratified archaeological complexes in the region between Lake Onega and the Sukhona basin, Berezovaya Slobodka, Veksa, Karavaikha, and Tudo­zero. A growing series of dates, including AMS dates, sheds new light on the onset and further periodisation of the Early and Middle Neolithic in this important area between Eastern Fennoscandia, Central Rus­sia and the Far North-East of Europe, although problems concerning the absolute chronology of the initial Neolithic remain.

Introduction to the absolute chronology of Neolithic cultures in Eastern Europe

This paper is an introduction to the discussion of radiocarbon chronology of Neolithic cul­­tures in Eastern Europe. It relates to a number of papers published in this volume.

Seawater 234U/238U recorded by modern and fossil corals

U-series dating of corals is a crucial tool for generating absolute chronologies of Late Quaternary sea-level change and calibrating the radiocarbon timescale. Unfortunately, coralline aragonite is susceptible to post-depositional alteration of its primary geochemistry. One screening technique used to identify unaltered corals relies on the back-calculation of initial 234U/238U activity (δ234Ui) at the time of coral growth and implicitly assumes that seawater δ234U has remained constant during the Late Quaternary. Here, we test this assumption using the most comprehensive compilation to date of coral U-series measurements. Unlike previous compilations, this study normalizes U-series measurements to the same decay constants and corrects for offsets in interlaboratory calibrations, thus reducing systematic biases between reported δ234U values. Using this approach, we reassess (a) the value of modern seawater δ234U, and (b) the evolution of seawater δ234U over the last deglaciation. Modern coral δ234U values (145.0 ± 1.5‰) agree with previous measurements of seawater and modern corals only once the data have been normalized. Additionally, fossil corals in the surface ocean display δ234Ui values that are ∼5–7‰ lower during the last glacial maximum regardless of site, taxon, or diagenetic setting. We conclude that physical weathering of U-bearing minerals exposed during ice sheet retreat drives the increase in δ234U observed in the oceans, a mechanism that is consistent with the interpretation of the seawater Pb-isotope signal over the same timescale.

Clay combustion structures in early Mesolithic at Cova da Baleia (Mafra, Portugal): Approaches to their functionality

The functionality of Cova da Baleia (Mafra, Portugal) is hereby presented and discussed in this paper. In an excavated area of 500m2 was identified a large concentration of structures (128), of which 104 were in clay, with two phases of occupation. The absolute chronology indicates a majority occupation of the second half of the 8th millennium cal BCE (Early Mesolithic) and a second phase towards the end of the 7th millennium (Late Mesolithic). Despite the excellent state of conservation of the site, the osteological remains are practically absent, possibly due to taphonomic factors.Cova da Baleia is clearly a distinctive site of the reference framework known of the Early Mesolithic times in Portugal, given the large size of the site (about 1ha) and its structural complexity.It was clear that an interdisciplinary approach was mandatory in order to fully guarantee the site interpretation, namely regarding its functionality. The results of the use-wear and archaeobotanical studies show the relevance of wood and other hard materials, whereas the need for fire for these activities remains to be understood.

A Quaternary aminostratigraphy constraining chronology of depositional environments in the North Sea Basin

The aminostratigraphy of up to 1000m of glacial and interglacial sediments in the North Sea Basin (NSB) is compiled from multiple boreholes sites and dated using strontium isotope (Sr) analysis to provide a chronological framework extending throughout the Quaternary. The Quaternary aminostratigraphy within the NSB can be divided into five amino zones (AZ), AZ1 (youngest) to AZ5 based on alle/Ile ratios which are used to correlate depositional events recorded in sedimentary facies from multiple borehole sites. The new relative and absolute chronology also ties to seismostratigraphy and multi-generational tunnel valley fill. Early Pleistocene sediments produce AZ5 ratios with Sr ages around 1.4–1.5Ma deposited in marine to glacimarine conditions. Sediments with AZ4 ratios are constrained by Sr ages and magnetic polarity to 1.3–0.9Ma, spanning the eccentricity to axial tilt insolation periodicity change of the Mid Pleistocene Transition (MPT). Some coarse-grained sedimentary units with AZ4 ratios may be linked to ice proximal deposition during the MPT. Sediments with AZ3 ratios are poorly chronologically constrained to between 1.1 and 0.26Ma. At least one episode of diminished coarse clasts and increased foraminiferal diversity during this Mid Pleistocene time suggests a progression from ice proximal to warmer, possibly interglacial conditions. Furthermore, the stratigraphically deepest generation of tunnel valleys cut strata with AZ3 ratios indicating subglacial conditions at least once during the Mid Pleistocene. Sediments with AZ2 ratios corresponding to MIS7-5 are tied to seismic units including a thick (up to 40m) deformation till, suggesting glacial incursion into the NSB during MIS6 followed by tunnel valley cutting of the this till, thought to be an MIS6 event also. The geometry and cross-cutting complexities of such tunnel valleys precludes further correlation of this ice extent. The youngest aminostratigraphic zone, AZ1, is recognised in all boreholes and well constrained to MIS4-2 and the youngest set of tunnel valleys, attributed to a single or multiple glacial advances at this time.

Evidence for the production and use of Lithoglyphus naticoides beads in Europe during the Holocene: The case of Sultana-Malu Roşu site (Romania)

The ornaments played a significant role in the life of human communities during the Holocene. This paper explores various aspects (with reference to malacology, technology, function, use-wear, art and symbolism) of the perforated shells made of Lithoglyphus naticoides across Europe during prehistory, with a particular focus on the site of Sultana-Malu Roşu (Romania). The assemblages discussed here are dated during the Copper Age (Gumelniţa culture), in terms of absolute chronology the period between 4500 and 3900 cal. BC. The site of Sultana represents an ideal archaeological situation, primarily due to the existence of the pair settlement – cemetery and clear archaeological contexts, but also because it comprises one of the largest amounts of prehistoric L. naticoides ornaments recorded in Europe. Our analysis allowed us to document the collecting techniques, methodology of perforating the shells, type of use, and to evaluate the costs invested in manufacturing these items, based on experimental replication. This enabled us to reconstruct the social expression and symbolism of L. naticoides utilized by past communities in domestic activities or in funeral contexts as part of the construction, affirmation and maintenance of their identity. When these results are compared with data from other sites containing L. naticoides ornaments across Europe, Sultana-Malu Roşu appears unique in its significance as procurement and processing centre for this type of organic raw material.

Exploring Site Formation and Building Local Contexts through Wiggle-Match Radiocarbon Dating: Re-Dating of the Firth of Clyde Crannogs, Scotland

There are at least four wooden intertidal platforms, also known as marine crannogs, in the Firth of Clyde, on the west coast of Scotland. The interpretation of these sites partly depends on their dating and, if coeval, they could point to the presence of a native maritime hub. Furthermore, the spatial coincidence with the terminus of the Antonine Wall has led to speculation about the role they may have played in Roman-native interaction during the occupation of southern Scotland in the early first millennium calad. Hence, a better absolute chronology is essential to evaluate whether the marine crannogs were contemporary with one another and whether they related to any known historic events. This article presents results of a wiggle-match dating project aimed at resolving these uncertainties at two of the sites in question, Dumbuck and Erskine Bridge crannogs. The results show that the construction of these sites pre-date direct Roman influence in Scotland. Furthermore, the results indicate that the two sites were built at least 300 years apart, forcing us to consider the possibility that they may have functioned in very different historical contexts. Other findings include technical observations on the fine shape of the radiocarbon calibration curve near the turn of the first millenniabc/adand potential evidence for persistent contamination in decayed and exposed sections of waterlogged alder.

Palaeohydrology and the human impact on one of the largest raised bogs complex in the Western Carpathians (Central Europe) during the last two millennia

The Central European area has been extensively studied using qualitative reconstruction techniques focusing on the development of peatlands in the past; however, research based on quantitative techniques is still lacking, especially in relation to highlands and mountainous areas. In this study, we focused on the hydrological changes and human-induced disturbances that affected two raised bogs from the Orawa-Nowy Targ Basin (Carpathian region): Puścizna Krauszowska and Puścizna Mała. We aimed to reconstruct the development of peatlands and changes in water table under different intensities of human activities. Two peat sequences from two different bogs, both possessing absolute chronologies based on high-resolution 14C dating, were examined in terms of pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs, plant macrofossils and testate amoeba records. We detected an asynchronous decrease in the water table level on the bogs that took place between the 4th and the 7th century ad, which occurred simultaneously with a global cold period ad 300–600 (Migration Period) in case of the Puścizna Mała bog. A concurrent but insignificant human impact on bogs was recorded. A distinct wet shift corresponding to the Wolf solar minimum (ca. ad 1280–1340) in Puścizna Mała was detected during ca. ad 1300–1350. The effect of this climatic event on bog hydrology is difficult to estimate because of the simultaneous human-induced deforestation. Drainage and substantial acceleration of peat extraction in the 19th and the 20th century ad led to the significant disturbances in peatland; however, these bogs were still susceptible to dry climatic events.

Benefits and weaknesses of radiocarbon dating of plant material as reflected by Neolithic archaeological sites from Poland, Slovakia and Hungary

Radiocarbon dating of the plant material is important for chronology of archaeological sites. Therefore, a selection of suitable plant samples is an important task. The contribution emphasizes the necessity of taxonomical identification prior to radiocarbon dating as a crucial element of such selection. The benefits and weaknesses of dating of taxonomically undetermined and identified samples will be analysed based on several case studies referring to Neolithic sites from Hungary, Slovakia and Poland. These examples better illustrate the significance of the taxonomical identification since plant materials of the Neolithic age include only a limited number of cultivated species (e.g. hulled wheats) and typically do not contain remains of late arrived plants (e.g. <i>Carpinus betulus</i> and <i>Fagus sylvatica</i>). For more accurate dating results cereal grains, fruits and seeds, which reflect a single vegetative season, are preferred. Among charred wood, fragments of twigs, branches and external rings should mainly be taken into account, while those of trunks belonging to long-lived trees should be avoided. Besides the absolute chronology of archaeological features and artefacts, radiocarbon dating of identified plant remains might significantly contribute to the history of local vegetation and food production systems.