Archaeological Artefacts Research Articles

Dating an ancient spring tunnel using archaeological artefacts functioning as nuclei of cave pearls

AbstractCave pearls are spherical concentric speleothems growing radially around nuclei in shallow pools saturated with calcite. They are very rare in the Southern Levant. We present a unique assemblage of 50 cave pearls found in the Iron Age Joweizeh artificial spring tunnel in the Jerusalem Hills of Israel. Some of these deposits represent the first global evidence of formation on archaeological artefacts: pottery sherds and ancient plaster. Multi‐analyses were conducted to date and characterize the different nuclei and pearls. Charcoal samples extracted from the plaster nuclei of two pearls were 14C dated to the Hellenistic period. Two pearls were formed on sherds of Hellenistic lamps. XPS found Co colour remains, suggesting both had been imported. The Hellenistic date is also supported by archaeomagnetic dates of seven other pottery nuclei. Most Hellenistic remains are probably the outcome of a renovation campaign in the tunnel. Four pearls were sampled for stable isotopes (δ13C and δ18O). The range of δ18O values from the Joweizeh pearls is compatible with the Holocene Soreq and Jerusalem caves’ records. The δ13C differences between Joweizeh and Soreq indicate local changes in the overlying vegetation throughout history. The various lines of evidence enabled us to characterize the pearls’ formation process, reconstruct the Joweizeh spring tunnel's hydraulic environment and detect changes that occurred in its water flow regime throughout history.

Detection of hidden drawings using multi-wavelength dynamic speckle, tuneable algorithms, and unsupervised learning

Abstract We implemented an experiment to reveal hidden drawings on papyrus, utilizing an optical technique based on the speckle phenomenon. The goal is to optimize the detection of hidden objects. Our approach proposes using multiple wavelengths for illumination and tuneable algorithms to process the dynamic speckle images. By implementing the suggested method, we generated various results with varying quality, contingent upon the tuneable algorithm parameters. It's feasible to identify the optimal parameter combination to achieve the most effective visualization of the recovered image. To streamline the selection of tuneable algorithms and mitigate reliance on subjective visual judgment, we employed unsupervised machine learning techniques to determine the conditions necessary to achieve optimal results. This approach simplifies the selection procedure and offers an objective and non-invasive method. Furthermore, the proposed procedure holds promise for extending its application to uncover hidden paintings, subsurface archaeological artefacts, and other dynamic speckle experiments.

Islamic life and death in Australia, after 1890: The archaeology of cameleer burials

Among the best-preserved, prominent, and most diagnostic archaeological artefacts of the camel transport industry from the period after ∼1890 in Australia are the graves of Muslim cameleers that can be found across the continent, from a single grave at the most isolated site to cemeteries in capital cities. They tell a story—directly from the cameleers—that usually cannot be read from other evidence. These graves vary from the simplest tumuli in remote areas that conform with the strictest Islamic ideals to complex graves with a superstructure, headstone and a detailed epitaph. English may be used in epitaphs with or without Arabic or Dari, and less commonly we see Arabic or Dari with no English. This makes it clear that Muslim epitaphs were not solely addressing other Muslims. In many cases, the name, date and origin of the interred individual remains unknown, and this prevents more detailed interpretation. In other cases, graves with greater complexity may include passages from the Quran, and there are even some epitaphs that give great personal details of Muslim life in Australia. Such detail includes divisions between tribes and Islamic sects. Major deviations from correct Islamic grave orientation in two cemeteries cannot be convincingly explained, but these suggest another case of diversity in the tribal and sect affiliation of these individuals. Burials of these Muslims restored in the late twentieth century are no longer solely religious monuments but are also socially motivated in a more diverse and integrated Australia. There are several indicators by which the graves of Muslims can be identified, but they may also overlap with Christian graves in other elements of style. These indicators tie burial practices to Islam in Asia. Finally, orientation relative to the qiblah is not invariably diagnostic.

Chert outcrops differentiation by means of low-field NMR relaxometry

Siliceous rocks served as raw materials in the production of stone tools from the Middle Paleolithic onwards. Due to migration, the provenance of archaeological artefacts can differ from their natural outcrop location. The aim of this work was the application of 1D and 2D low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) relaxometry to distinguish cherts by their original source. Herein, bedded cherts and accompanying nodular cherts coming from three different outcrops of Kraków-Częstochowa Upland were investigated. 1D and 2D (T1-T2) experiments of water-saturated and dry rock sample states delivered T1, T2 times and T1/T2 ratios of distinct hydrogen populations – parameters sensitive to pore size, surface properties, and hydrogen bonding length. In-depth analysis of NMR data showed substantial differences in the porosity, pore surface and pore structure properties of investigated chert samples tested in the three different saturation levels (100% water-saturated, dried and differential). Finally, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to reduce the number of correlations obtained and highlight the most important NMR properties specific to the particular outcrop localization."Please check captured corresponding author email if correct.""The email is correct"

Non-invasive characterization of the manufacturing process of a Nuragic bronze statuette: a Neutron Imaging study

The Nuragic civilization (Sardinia, Italy, XVIII–VIII Cen. B.C) developed a flourishing bronze metallurgy. The production of Nuragic bronze figurines from Sardinia represents a rich historical archive that provides key information about the iconography, the metal production and casting techniques, and on the development of metallurgy in the Mediterranean basin. Since the question about their manufacturing method remains without definitive answer, the understanding of the Sardinian bronze metallurgy is essential to determine which manufacturing techniques were employed to produce complex bronze artefacts. In the frame of a wider research project relating to Nuragic bronzes, four artefacts, three anthropomorphic statuettes (a warrior, a priestess, and an offering figure), and one miniature of a basket, were made available by Museo Nazionale Preistorico “L. Pigorini” (Roma, IT). In this work we present the results of the analyses conducted on a bronze figurine depicting an iconic type of Nuragic figure: the Priestess. The analysis was performed using White Beam Neutron Tomography (NT) and Bragg Edge Neutron Transmission (BENT) at the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) (Villigen, CH). Neutron techniques are nowadays the only available approach for revealing, non-destructively and with good spatial resolution, the morphological and microstructural properties within the whole volume of solid cast metallic artefacts such as this bronze statuette. This work presents the result of a non-invasive analytical investigation on an archaeological bronze artefact, providing outstanding results: from a quantitative analysis of the composition to an in-depth morphological and microstructural analysis capable of unveiling details on the ancient casting methods of the statuette.

Tianxia Under the Sea: China’s Quest for Maritime History

This article examines how the Chinese political and academic discourses have constructed a narrative of China as a peaceful maritime power and the role that underwater archaeology has played in narrating China's rise. The ancient Chinese concept of tianxia (天下) is a central part of the Chinese elites’ discourse on maritime policy. This concept, translated as “all under heaven,” forms part of China's effort to produce historical statecraft using textual sources and underwater archaeological artefacts. In this narrative, the historical figure of Zheng He became a prominent representative of China's peacefulness, refuting concerns regarding the purposes of a more assertive Chinese foreign policy. Studying tianxia under the sea thus contributes to forming a better understanding of the production of narratives respecting China's rise. In particular, underwater archaeology is highlighted as an authoritative source of evidence underpinning and reinforcing narratives of China as an ancient and peaceful maritime nation.

From past to future: digital methods towards artefact analysis

Abstract Over the past two decades, Digital Humanities has transformed the landscape of humanities and social sciences, enabling advanced computational analysis and interpretation of extensive datasets. Notably, recent initiatives in Southeast Asia, particularly in Singapore, focus on categorizing and archiving historical data such as artwork, literature and, most notably archaeological artefacts. This study illustrates the profound potential of Digital Humanities through the application of statistical methods on two distinct artefact datasets. Specifically, we present the results of an automated minting study of mid-first millennium CE struck and cast ‘Rising Sun’ coinage from mainland Southeast Asia, while subsequently utilizing unsupervised statistical methods on 2D images of 13th–14th-century earthenware ceramics excavated from the precolonial St. Andrew’s Cathedral site in central Singapore. This research offers a comparative assessment showcasing the transformative impact of statistics-based approaches on the interpretation and analysis of diverse archaeological materials and within Digital Humanities overall.

Materializing Digital Archaeology: Managing 3D Models

The archaeological record is fragmented yet the artifacts and data that comprise it are used to make vast claims about human nature and behavior, and about past and contemporary cultures and societies (Huggett, 2012; Huvila, 2019). The digital archaeological record is further fragmented by the rarity of digitization (due to resource and time constraints) and the loss of information through the digitization process Huvila & Huggett, 2018; Schroer & Mudge, 2017). Due to the lack of connection between the physical artifacts and their digital instantiations (as 3D models, metadata records, scanned images, etc.) it is difficult to understand what contextual information has been lost and/or altered from the physical data. This results in knowledge and information claims based on limited and biased data which can lead to an exacerbation of the silences and gaps in the archaeological record (Huggett, 2020) which 1) reduces the accuracy of archaeological research and 2) can differentially harm marginalized communities because, like archival records, the archaeological record can be used to assert “master” or “grand” narratives (Bastian, 2009; Carbajal & Caswell, 2021). This Work-in-Progress poster is focused on information loss during the 3D modeling of archaeological artifacts. I posit that instead of understanding 3D models of artifacts as singular sources of information, they should be treated as one component of a complex resource. However, it has been difficult to find my way through the required reorientation of concepts like materiality from the digital humanities (Drucker, 2013; Kirschenbaum, 2012) and to implement this reorientation in practice.

Roman White Marbles in Northern Marche Region (Italy): An Archaeometric Provenance Study

Archaeometric investigations were conducted on Roman marble statues, engraved slabs, and memorial bases discovered in various archaeological sites located in the present Marche Region (Italy), including Fanum Fortunae, Pisaurum, and Potentia. These artefacts are currently housed in the Archaeologic Museum of Fano, the Archaeologic Museum of Pesaro, and the Archaeologic Museum of Porto Recanati (Macerata). Spanning from the Republican age to the Severan dynasty and up until the middle of the fourth century AD, these archaeological artefacts attest to the existence of numerous urbanized Roman colonies adorned with monuments and marble decorations. Mineralogical and petrographic examinations, along with C-O stable isotopic and chemical analyses (MgO and Sr), were carried out to both characterize the marble features and determine their provenance. This research aimed to delineate the specific use and distribution of these marbles across different chronological periods. The results indicated that Proconnesian marble was mainly used in the engraved slabs from Fanum Fortunae, with one exception in which Pentelic marble was identified. The sculptures from Fanum Fortunae and Potentia were carved from white marbles, including Lunense and Parian marbles (Parian-1 and Parian-2 types), with limited use of Pentelic and Thasian marbles, notably the Thasian-3 variety. Memorial bases from Pisaurum were identified to be made from Parian, Proconnesian, and Thasianmarbles. The archaeometric provenance of the different marbles was correlated with the archaeological dating of the artefacts to establish a chronological framework describing their use over time. This work provides an opportunity to appreciate Roman artifacts crafted from precious white marbles, which are housed in various museums throughout the Marche Region. The archaeometric investigation offers a significant contribution to the dissemination of knowledge and serves as a valuable tool for the enhancement of this archaeological and cultural heritage, potentially informing policies aimed at promoting geotourism.

REGIONALISM IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION OF UNDERWATER CULTURAL HERITAGE REGIME

The article is devoted to the characteristics of the peculiarities of public administration of underwater cultural heritage regime in the regions whose water areas are significantly rich in such objects. The research of regional specifics of legal regulation and organizational mechanisms of the maintenance of the operational regime aimed at underwater cultural heritage represents experience of countries that are parties to the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage and those who have not yet adhered to it. The relevance of the research issues is determined by the necessity to create the concept of the public administration of underwater cultural heritage regime in Ukraine based on the best international practices and progressive experience of the functioning of comprehensive legal regimes of sea areas and regional cooperation. The article aims to determine the main tendencies, the best tools and mechanisms of the public administration of underwater cultural heritage regime in the range of regions of the world, whose water areas are significantly rich in such objects. The article’s purpose is to suggest proposals regarding the adoption of the positive experience and implementation of the new practices of legal regulation and organizational support of the underwater cultural heritage regime in Ukraine. The methodological basis of the research is composed of general scientific and special legal methods of scientific knowledge (historical, statistical, analysis and synthesis, comparative, scientific abstraction, forecasting, simulation). The authors describe the main modern risks for underwater cultural heritage and the ways of their potential detrimental effects elimination. Within the classical ways of regional cooperation in the field of maritime activity, the joint efforts and national approaches to public administration of underwater cultural heritage regimes in Mediterranean, Black Sea and Caribbean Basins have been characterized. It was mentioned that typical features of such administration include the establishment of specially authorized national management bodies, approval of relevant legislation and regional specialized treaties, cooperation with interested parties and digitization of vaults of museums and underwater objects in situ. Special attention was drawn to the necessity of the development of national legislation of Ukraine on the activity in the field of underwater cultural heritage, to the intensification of efforts regarding cooperation on regional and global basis, as well as to the implementation of new technical opportunities for activation of underwater historical, cultural and archeological artifacts digitization.

Exploring the potential for a 9000-year tree-ring chronology consisting of subfossil oak material from southern Scandinavia

In this study, we present the initial results from a long-term initiative to develop a multi-millennial tree-ring width (TRW) chronology for subfossil oak (Quercus spp.) trees in South Scandinavia. We have constructed 40 TRW chronologies, primarily from oak trunks extracted from peatlands, archaeological sites, drainage ditches, and infrastructure projects, as well as some submerged material. The trees included in these chronologies have been dendrochronologically dated and/or dated by radiocarbon, showing a temporal spread from 6911 ± 246 BCE to 1117 CE. Significant assemblages of trees are found during the periods 6000–4500 BCE, 3500–2600 BCE, 1750–1200 BCE, 900–400 BCE, and 200 BCE–500 CE, with intervening periods exhibiting low sample replication or gaps. The paleoclimatic information extracted from TRW and replication data may vary based on the substrate in which the trees were rooted, geographical locations, and the prevailing climate conditions during their growth. Nevertheless, extending the oak TRW chronologies is crucial because (1) no such long and annually resolved climate records from southern Scandinavia exist, (2) there is a widespread lack of detailed paleoclimatic proxies spanning multi-millennial periods, and (3) it will provide an essential dating tool for wooden archaeological artifacts. This study is the first in a series aimed at refining paleoclimatic and ecological reconstructions in southern Scandinavia. It demonstrates the potential to develop South Scandinavian TRW chronologies covering the last 9000 years, filling a geographical gap in an ecologically sensitive region.

ANALYSIS OF SCANNING AND 3D PRINTING ACCURACY OF AN ANCIENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL ARTIFACT: A CASE STUDY

The paper presents results on accuracy assessment of scanning procedure and of subsequent 3D printing of the object copies. The investigated object was an archeological artifact made out of burnt constructional clay, found at the archaeological site No. 6 in Gasawa, Poland, assigned to the end of 2nd or of 3rd century C.E. The analysis enabled to determine the taxonomic marking, the type and species of the tree used for the construction. The object was scanned with portable HandyScan3D device, and the repeatability of the single point identification assessed from 10 repetitions was %EV=19% for this application.

Study of the Physical Characteristics of Carbonate Samples from Archaeological Artifacts for EPR Dating

Investigation of the physical characteristics of mineral artifacts was undertaken with purpose of development of dating by the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) method in a new direction, by means of analysis of spectra of the carbonate probes from the surface of archaeological artifacts. The artifacts – samples of layers from the surface of ceramics and stone tools, containing impurities of quartz and alumosilicates, have been tested. For obtaining the physical characteristics and dating the complex of the methods and equipment has been used which allowed us to reveal specialties of mineral content and structure of the surface. There were chosen optimal conditions for registration, distinguishing and identification of the EPR signals from the paramagnetic centers. Applying of radiation of the ILU-10 accelerator with converter and consequent EPR-studying allowed to estimate the age of artifacts.

МАГИЧЕСКОЕ ОРУЖИЕ ГЕРОЕВ ЭПОСА «НАРТЫ»

The article examines the archaic cult of the god of iron and the patron saint of metal Tlepsh, the emergence of metallurgy, the creation of the first weapons and armor made of metal, which are reflected in the Adyghe heroic epic Narts. The relevance of the article is due to the fact that the heroic epic Narts is almost not considered in the scientific literature as a source of information for the study of objects and tools, the creation of the first weapon, the addition of a complex of weapons and armor of horsemen. The purpose of the study is to compare the weapons of the heroes of the Nart epic, endowed with magical properties, having certain qualitative characteristics, technological features of manufacture, with the materials of archaeological sites of the Northwestern Caucasus. To achieve these goals, a comparative historical research method was used to determine the features of the origin and composition of various types of offensive and defensive weapons, reflecting the stages of development of blacksmithing and weapons production in a historical context. The transformation of the Chthonic «fire» god into the patron saint of iron and blacksmithing of the nart Tlepsha translates in the legends of the Nart epic the historical and economic prerequisites for the origin of metalworking in the Early Iron Age, the creation of the first tools and weapons of the sleds, which became models for creating the best defensive and offensive weapons in Eurasia. The archaeological sites of the Northwestern Caucasus confirm the continuous development of metallurgy and metalworking since ancient times and the creation of highly artistic bronze, gold, and silver products. The initiated research on this topic has a long–term perspective and requires continued work on the study of the original texts of the Adyghe heroic epic «Narts» for comparison with archaeological artifacts found in the Northwestern Caucasus.

Multi-Technique Characterization of Cartonnage and Linen Samples of an Egyptian Mummy from the Roman Period

The historical and cultural significance of artistic works and archaeological artifacts underscores the imperative use of non-destructive testing methods in cultural heritage objects. Analyzing pigments in artwork poses a specific analytical challenge that demands a combination of various techniques to accurately determine chemical compositions. In this context, our work focused on the multi-analytical characterization of samples derived from fragments of a Roman-era Egyptian mummy named Kherima, dating back to around 200 AD. To identify the layers and elemental composition of the pigments used in the decoration, various techniques were employed: X-ray microfluorescence (µXRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high-resolution optical microscopy (OM), and X-ray computed microtomography (microCT). This multi-analytical approach facilitated the identification of the original pigments in the analyzed mummy fragments, along with insights into the materials used in the ground layer and the techniques applied in artifact manufacturing, indicating their accordance with the historical period and region to which they originally belonged.

Some first observations on ant-nest morphology and micromorphology, the effects of wildfires, and their implications for the understanding of archaeological features

Ants are among the soil mesofauna that cause significant bioturbation at the location of their nests. They can have significant impact on the preservation of soil features and on post-depositional artefact distribution. Moreover, there is discussion on the natural or anthropogenic nature of so-called ‘pit-hearth’ features dating to the Mesolithic. Such features are common in parts of the Netherlands, NW Belgium, and NW Germany, and form an important body of evidence in the study of hunter-gatherer landscape use. However, it has been hypothesized that these features represent ant nests burnt due to climate-related wildfires, instead of anthropogenic pit hearths, and are therefore of little archaeological value, other than as a potential proxy for climate conditions. Considering the lack of direct evidence on underground characteristics of ant nests, we investigated the characteristics of two wood ant nests: Oone abandoned and one accidently burnt in a wildfire c. 10 years earlier. We trenched through the ant nest remains and used micromorphology to study the characteristics of the ant-influenced soil profiles. The surface domes of the ant nests had disappeared, leaving behind a bowl-shaped depression. In the burnt ant nest, a thin band of charred litter-like organic material was all that was left over from the burned superstructure. These depressions seem not to reach deeper than the top of cemented podzol Bhs-horizons. Surrounding and underneath the depression, extensive networks of tunnels and chambers were found in the B- and C-horizons. If archaeological artefacts had been present on the site, they would have become buried and moved to the top of the B-horizon. Any soil features would have been destroyed. Moreover, the extensive tunnel and chamber network extending from the depression would potentially affect the botanical record and the OSL signal of the deposits.Comparison of our results with Mesolithic pit-hearth features shows substantial differences between the two types of remains. Ant nest depressions do not extend into (cemented) podzol B horizons, whereas Mesolithic pit hearths typically have their base in the C horizons. The extensive tunnelling in B- and C-horizons of large ant nests has not been observed in Mesolithic pit-hearth features. On the other hand, the large amount of charred humus and charcoal fragments in Mesolithic pit hearths are lacking in the burned ant nest we studied. We therefore conclude that Mesolithic pit-hearth features are not the result of the burning down of ant nests, but should be regarded as anthropogenic features.

Determining of the composition of the metallic core of historical objects from surface XRF spectrometry data

A method for estimating the composition of the metal core in historical and archaeological artifacts using surface X-ray fluorescence (XRF) data is described. The method is based on the combination of fluorescence data recorded at points of the object with different degrees of corrosion exploiting the general phenomenon of demetallation of the less noble components of the metal alloy. A theoretical approach is provided using the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Erofeev-Kolmogorov (JMAEK) formalism to describe demetallation. Experimental data for binary ZnCu brass and Pb- and Sn-containing brass from Hofkirche in Innsbruck agree satisfactorily with the model.

Photo-induced passivation: A new corrosion mitigation strategy for bronze artefacts

The corrosion behaviors of four ternary Cu-Sn-Pb alloys with varying tin contents were investigated to determine the impact of tin content on the photo-induced corrosion of bronze. Photo-induced passivation, which effectively inhibits corrosion, was observed in all the investigated Cu-Sn-Pb alloys, even those with relatively low tin content, and a possible mechanism was proposed. Based on these findings, photo-induced passivation treatment was applied to two types of artificially patinated bronzes, achieving inhibition efficiencies of up to 82 % and 93 %. This method offers a novel corrosion mitigation strategy for bronze artifacts, capable of avoiding contamination of archaeological artifacts by foreign substances.

The first isotopic evidence of Early Iron Age lead ore exploitation in the Silesian‐Krakow upland, Poland: a provenance study of Lusatian culture lead ornaments

AbstractThe Bronze and Early Iron Ages witnessed a significant increase in trade relations driven by the search for valuable metals. This paper presents new insights into the use of galena from the Silesia and Krakow Upland region in southern Poland, known as the ‘Olkusz ore deposits’, within the context of metal ores in prehistoric Europe. Eleven lead‐based ornaments from Lusatian Urnfield Culture cemeteries were examined using lead isotope analysis. The majority of these ornaments were found to be made from local ore, which provides evidence for the early exploitation of Olkusz lead deposits dating back 1,000 years earlier than previously known from archaeological artefacts.

Ageing characterization and origin traceability of archaeological amber artefacts via FTIR spectroscopy and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The archaeological amber artefacts from various periods in China provide valuable insights into ancient international trade and cultural interactions. This study investigated several archaeological amber artefacts (Arc 1–6) from the collection of the Hunan Museum, originating from different historical periods. The examination of the ageing characteristics of the cross-section and weathered surface was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) to analyse the functional groups and chemical compositions. FTIR spectroscopy proved limited information in determining the origin due to natural ageing causing alterations in peak shape/position or signal noise. Py-GC/MS analysis identified the amber artefacts as succinite and revealed that a set of compounds can serve as markers for identifying the origin. The pyrogram patterns classified the samples into two groups based on the marker content. Py-GC/MS results indicated that hydrolysis is an inevitable degradation process during the burial of succinite. Additionally, amber went slow oxidation in low-oxygen environments, leading to cyclization and the formation of polycyclic structures. This research highlights the ageing characteristics of amber artefacts and demonstrates that Py-GC/MS is an effective way in determining the provenance of significantly degraded samples, providing clues to ancient trade routes and cultural exchanges via the Silk Road.