Archaeological Artefacts Research Articles

Следы русского языка в Арктике

This article is devoted to the Arctic as the territory of an ancient developed civilization existence; the territory that gave the world the Russian language, which later spread throughout the world; the territory where archaeological and anthropological artifacts have been preserved, allowing us to speak about the primacy of the Aryan (Russian) people, and, consequently, about the primacy of the ancient language of the Aryans. The authors of the article give the examples of excavations, the names of toponyms, hydro-nyms, ornaments on clothes, vessels, household items, proving the life of people in the Russian North many thousands of years before the Sumerian, Persian, Indian, Egyptian, Chinese civilizations; represent the opinion of scientists from around the world; try to find “traces” of the Russian language in other languages of the world. The authors of the article made a comparative analysis and demonstrated the interconnection of several languages on the example of some words, presented information on the Russian alphabet and showed its connection to the English signs of transcription. The hypothesis about the primacy of the Russian language is based on the statements of well-known domestic and foreign linguists, dialectologists, ethnographers, historians, slavists, sanskritologists, paleontologists, paleoclimatologists, soil scientists, and other researchers and requires further study.

Reconstruction of Iberian ceramic potteries using generative adversarial networks

Several aspects of past culture, including historical trends, are inferred from time-based patterns observed in archaeological artifacts belonging to different periods. The presence and variation of these objects provides important clues about the Neolithic revolution and given their relative abundance in most archaeological sites, ceramic potteries are significantly helpful in this purpose. Nonetheless, most available pottery is fragmented, leading to missing morphological information. Currently, the reassembly of fragmented objects from a collection of thousands of mixed fragments is a daunting and time-consuming task done almost exclusively by hand, which requires the physical manipulation of the fragments. To overcome the challenges of manual reconstruction and improve the quality of reconstructed samples, we present IberianGAN, a customized Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) tested on an extensive database with complete and fragmented references. We trained the model with 1072 samples corresponding to Iberian wheel-made pottery profiles belonging to archaeological sites located in the upper valley of the Guadalquivir River (Spain). Furthermore, we provide quantitative and qualitative assessments to measure the quality of the reconstructed samples, along with domain expert evaluation with archaeologists. The resulting framework is a possible way to facilitate pottery reconstruction from partial fragments of an original piece.

The prehistoric entrepreneur: rethinking the definition

PurposeThis paper aims to derive a time and place invariant definition of entrepreneurship necessary for the identification of prehistoric entrepreneurial behavior.Design/methodology/approachThe definition was derived by correlating a diverse set of archeological artifacts that could correspond to entrepreneurial activity with established anthropological and historical evidence of ancient entrepreneurial activity. The definition was formulated as a compact operational definition to ensure it could produce yes or no answers to whether specific archeological, anthropological or historical records could be associated with entrepreneurial activity.FindingsThis effort produced a unique time and place independent definition of entrepreneur that enables the identification of prehistoric entrepreneurial activity and heretofore unrealized structure of entrepreneurial activity. Specifically, entrepreneurship as defined herein predates social hierarchy, political economy, markets and pricing mechanisms. Modern definitions often inconsistently limit the scope of entrepreneurial behavior.Research limitations/implicationsThis analysis was performed based upon specific, not exhaustive, sets of archeological, anthropological and historical records. Unexamined records or new discoveries could yield examples of entrepreneurial activity that transcend this definition.Practical implicationsThis definition challenges how we think about, measure and model entrepreneurial impact today and opens new avenues of inquiry to understanding the social and economic impacts of entrepreneurial behavior.Originality/valueA time and place invariant operational definition of entrepreneurship that could precisely identify entrepreneurial activity in the archeological record has not existed before. The definition enables the author to identify entrepreneurial activity among hunter-gatherers and in other locations not previously identified.

The integration of 3D technology for the conservation and restoration of ruined archaeological artifacts

The restoration and conservation of monuments and archaeological sites is a delicate operation. It requires fidelity, delicacy, precision and archaeological authenticity. The aim is to reveal, recreate as accurately as possible the characteristics of an archaeological site or part of it. Research during the last two decades has proved that 3D modeling, or the digital documentation and visualization of archaeological objects in 3D, is valuable for archaeological research. As well, as for conservation and presentation to a wide audience, as it allows the creation of realistic and accurate digital copies of archaeological objects. In the past, 3D modeling technologies were prohibitively expensive and too technologically specialized to be integrated into most historical heritage projects. However, advancements in computing and digital photography over the past decade have resulted in several low-cost, user-friendly options for 3D modeling, using photogrammetry. The latter has been used successfully for documentation of historic cultural. In recent years, this technology has become increasingly more popular for archiving, which provide the 3D model and digital ortho-image using high accuracy dense 3D points. The study has opted for the technique of terrestrial and aerial photogrammetry by 3D surveys of architectural elements, to develop an archetype of the deteriorated Islamic Marinid site (a dynasty between the 13th and 15th centuries), and the Roman site (25 BC), located at the Chellah archaeological site in Rabat and Salé cities. However, the recognition of the importance of these Islamic sites, in terms of the evolution of Moroccan Islamic art, requires the combination of large-scale scanning capability of unmanned terrestrial, aerial photogrammetry and the photorealistic rendering of 3D, as well as exhaustive research on the history of this cultural site. The data acquired build an architectural database to archive and retrieve the entire existing architecture of monuments. This study has been completed by photogrammetrists, architects, and restorers.

Evidence of destructive debris flows at (pre-) Hispanic Cayambe settlements, Ecuador

In Ecuador, a country with numerous potentially active volcanoes, recurrent large earthquakes, and regular climate-related events, it is surmised that phenomena such as debris flows have affected pre-Hispanic populations since their settlement in ∼5000 cal BC. Here, using a multidisciplinary approach, we studied the most recent debris flow events that affected the Cayambe city area, located 15 km west of the active glacier-clad Cayambe volcano. Based on detailed characterization of the deposits, including sedimentological, archaeological, and paleontological analyses, as well as radiocarbon dating. We found that two debris flow (i.e., Río Blanco I and II) destroyed Caranqui settlements in 665–775 cal AD and 774–892 cal AD, respectively, while another event impacted a Spanish colonial farm in 1590–1620 cal AD (Río Blanco III). The grain size distribution of these deposits indicates a gravel-rich flow for Río Blanco I and clay-rich flow for Río Blanco II and III, whilst componentry suggests low juvenile volcanic content for all three deposits. Juvenile components include pumice and lustrous dense dacites, while accidental clasts are dull dense dacites, oxidized and hydrothermally-altered material, as well as archaeological artifacts. These results, in addition to radiocarbon ages, suggest that the debris flows could either be post-eruptive or not related to volcanic eruptions. Potential non-volcanic trigger mechanisms for these events include rainfall and/or earthquakes, which implies that they can occur at any time and without forecast. Currently, the city of Cayambe is rapidly expanding and, consequently, our findings are relevant for creating impact scenarios for future debris flows forming in the Rio Blanco headwaters and descending to the city.

Artifact3-D: New software for accurate, objective and efficient 3D analysis and documentation of archaeological artifacts.

The study of artifacts is fundamental to archaeological research. The features of individual artifacts are recorded, analyzed, and compared within and between contextual assemblages. Here we present and make available for academic-use Artifact3-D, a new software package comprised of a suite of analysis and documentation procedures for archaeological artifacts. We introduce it here, alongside real archaeological case studies to demonstrate its utility. Artifact3-D equips its users with a range of computational functions for accurate measurements, including orthogonal distances, surface area, volume, CoM, edge angles, asymmetry, and scar attributes. Metrics and figures for each of these measurements are easily exported for the purposes of further analysis and illustration. We test these functions on a range of real archaeological case studies pertaining to tool functionality, technological organization, manufacturing traditions, knapping techniques, and knapper skill. Here we focus on lithic artifacts, but the Artifact3-D software can be used on any artifact type to address the needs of modern archaeology. Computational methods are increasingly becoming entwined in the excavation, documentation, analysis, database creation, and publication of archaeological research. Artifact3-D offers functions to address every stage of this workflow. It equips the user with the requisite toolkit for archaeological research that is accurate, objective, repeatable and efficient. This program will help archaeological research deal with the abundant material found during excavations and will open new horizons in research trajectories.

Photographic Insights from Engaged Archaeology: Yucatan and Beyond

Photography has been a particularly important though often under-theorized aspect of archaeological research. Although seemingly simple representations, photographs are simultaneously objective and subjective, truthful and creative. This article considers the contradictory nature of photography generally and the specific relationship between photography and archaeology. It then looks at the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico and examines how individuals have photographed ancient Maya sites, architecture and artifacts from the mid nineteenth century to the present. Initially used to support diffusionist theories of Maya origins, photography was later understood as a neutral and scientific way to record the Maya past. More recently, it has been used to share power more equitably with local communities and to make archaeology a more inclusive and relevant endeavour. Indeed, several have demonstrated that photography is a useful tool for engaged archaeology. This article argues that the reverse is also true: insights from engaged archaeology are useful tools for archaeological photography generally. By making photographic choices explicit and by including people and other aspects of the contemporary world in their photographs, scholars can emphasize that archaeology is a decisively human and necessarily political endeavour, and that archaeological sites and artifacts are dynamic and efficacious parts of the contemporary world.

Rediscovered: The Shabti of Senseneb, a Museum Provenance Study

In 2021 the Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney, received a new donation of an Egyptian shabti in a model coffin. It was given to the donor’s grandfather by the Sixth Earl of Carnarvon in gratitude for the safe return of artifacts accidentally left in an item of furniture sold through a London auction house in the mid-1920s. The shabti was originally discovered by the Earl’s father during his excavations of the Theban Valley, in the tomb of Tetiky, an important administrator of the early New Kingdom. This paper presents the curatorial investigation of the artifact’s provenance, contextualizes the artifact as part of an assemblage that is dispersed globally in museum collections, and determines how it came to be hidden in a cupboard. This paper hopes to serve as a case study in recontextualizing archaeological artifacts as part of dispersed assemblages in multiple collections through detailed interconnected provenance studies.

The Initial Stages of Studying the Archaeological Monuments of the Pazyryk Culture in Altai

The results of the history of the study of archaeological monuments of the Pazyryk culture at the initial stages of research in Altai are presented. It is noted the importance of the tasks set in the generalization of the obtained experience in the analysis of the scientific research of predecessors studying the Pazyryk culture. The professional activity of archaeologists S.I. Rudenko, M.P. Gryaznov, S.V. Kiselev and others had a special importance in this period. In the absence of written sources, archaeological artifacts are the basis for historical reconstructions of ancient societies, which is why archaeological excavations to obtain mass material were necessary to solve a number of problems. Researches of the First Pazyryk barrow became a real sensation in the world scientific community and opened a page of studying of ancient monuments of Altai for many years. The historical achievements in the discovery of the Pazyryk group of barrows and other archaeological objects of this culture, which still have a significant scientific and informative potential, are highlighted.

Модели виртуального экспонирования археологического наследия в сети Интернет

This article deals with the issues of virtual exhibiting of archaeological sites and artifacts on the internet. Particular importance is placed on systemization of virtually visual practices applied to demonstrate and interpret cultural heritage using open information resources of scientific institutions, higher educational establishments and archaeological museums on Russia’s Internet. Emphasis is put on archaeological heritage virtual exhibiting used both purely for research within scientific circles and for purposes of popularization of science. As a result of the study, three main models of virtual archaeological expositions are specified: collection, environmental and thematic. The basis of the Collection Model is digital documenting and exhibiting of movable archaeological heritage. The Environmental Model is realized as virtual tour and designed to simulate environments of immovable archaeological sites and to experience the effect of immersive virtual reality. The Thematic Model suggests that the subject context predominates over archaeological artifacts. The Collection Model is mainly intended for scientific community and academia while environmental and thematic models are designed for general audience. Main development trend of the virtual archaeological exposition is integration of different technologies, enhancement of immersiveness and interactivity. It is considered by the authors to be practical approach to implement the project of Samara University virtual museum of Archaeology and to conduct thematic exhibitions on the basis of the museum.

Achaemenid ceramics from the site Beniamin II (Shirak, Armenia): the end of the 6th to the mid 4th centuries BC

In Beniamin, not far from Gyumri, Armenia, at the foot of a hill on which an Achaemenid palace was built, several semi-excavated constructions dating back from the 6th-4th centuries BC were found. Hosting metallurgy workshops at the beginning of their existence, they were later the seat of a livestock activity. From artisanal iron workshop to long-house, they offer a double interest: They concern the economy of an Achaemenid palatial domain, and present a typical architecture of the Armenian plateau, very similar to the houses described by Xenophon in the 5th century BC, in the Anabasis, the epic of the Ten Thousand. Finally, six main periods of occupation were highlighted by the analysis of stratigraphic data and archaeological artifacts discovered. Continuing the first article devoted to architecture and its evolution, this contribution aims to present the catalogue of the productions collected in the Achaemenid levels of periods I to V. The evolution of these productions clearly attests the function of the buildings demonstrating essential similarities to that of the contemporary site of Tsaghkahovit. After the rapid disappearance of coarse and often decorated common forms (decorated black pottery – group 1A), the present catalogue of Achaemenid ceramics is mainly characterized by productions with red slip (Type 3), black common wares (Type 1b and C), with special predominance of productions of brown burnished ware (clear or polished – type 4). Painted ceramics are almost absent from the catalogue of productions.

Comparative study on quantitative carbon content mapping in archaeological ferrous metals with laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (LIBS) and nuclear reaction analysis (NRA) for 3D representation by LIBS

The carbon content distribution of ferrous archaeological artefacts in a quantitative way allows us to understand the nature of the materials. Our previous works have ever proved that the use of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) could be an efficient method to solve problems of in situ analysis and offer a high spatial resolution. To assess the ability of this quantification in an absolute way the carbon quantification by LIBS is compared in this paper with the nuclear reaction analysis (NRA), one of the ion beam analysis (IBA) techniques generated by a deuterium ion beam. The IBA analysis has specific advantages, especially in terms of precision and non-destructiveness. A validation study is also presented on quantitative carbon content mapping in archaeological ferrous metals with LIBS and deuterium ion beam analysis. The application of LIBS quantitative mapping on different structures of archaeological pieces shows that the carbon content distribution can be well determined, demonstrating the 2D mapping capabilities of the laser techniques. With the help of LIBS stratigraphic analysis, a 3D deeper insight on microscale features presents a heterogeneity, induced better understanding of material organization at the microscale.

The Bioerosion of Submerged Archeological Artifacts in the Mediterranean Sea: An Overview

Bioerosion is the destruction of hard substrates resulting from biological activity, and plays a relevant role in the ecological interactions and coastal dynamics processes. Several organisms have evolved structures and behaviors allowing them to perforate biotic and abiotic surfaces, transforming hard surfaces into particles, and contributing significantly to sediment production in the coastal and marine environment. Due to the large geographical diffusion of marine borers, bioerosion is relevant in many scientific and applied fields of interest. Most bioerosion studies have hitherto been conducted in tropical areas, where borers are a critical component of coral reef destruction. Comparatively, little information is available for the bioerosion of submerged archeological heritage. This review focuses on the bioerosion of archeological calcareous artifacts in the Mediterranean Sea, summarizing studies concerning the colonization of statues, shipwrecks, cargo, and the remains of submerged cities. The paper includes the first comprehensive listing of the archeological sites in the Mediterranean Sea where bioerosion has been assessed. The diversity of boring organisms affecting marine archeological remains and their boring patterns, the various types of bored materials, and the severity of the damage caused to heritage artifacts are also included. Both microborers (algae, fungi, and cyanobacteria) and macroborers (sponges, bivalves, polychaetes, sipunculids, and echinoids) are considered, and their roles in the structuring of endolithic assemblages are also covered. The experimental techniques currently employed to analyze bioerosion traces, helping to identify particular species and ichnospecies and their ecological dynamics, are also considered. Finally, a discussion of the current strategies proposed for thein situprotection and conservation of Underwater Cultural Heritage is provided.

Complementary analysis to de-convolute co-located contaminants in marine archaeological bricks

• Using complimentary analysis to de-convolute complex heritage materials. • Determining the elemental composition of compounds in marine archaeological bricks. • Synchrotron techniques for phase composition of complex archaeological materials. • Understanding the threat posed by compounds present in marine archaeological bricks. Marine archaeological artefacts contain unexpected compounds due to prolonged exposure to the sea. These can remain dormant and embedded within materials until a change in their surrounding environment, such as exposure to oxygen, prompts a transformation. These changes can pose a problem, as acidic compounds are formed which disintegrate the material, or crystals form which physically break the artefact apart. The extent of these transformations is highly heterogeneous due to its dependence on the ability for oxygen to reach and catalyse these reactions. Additionally, these transformations are heavily dependent on the environment the artefact is exposed to, and the pathways available for ingress, either naturally or through previous degradation. This results in materials with a range of different compounds which are often co-located on the macro, micro and nano-scale. Trying to de-convolute these compounds is challenging, and usually requires a suite of complementary techniques to achieve. Here we report on damaging salts found within marine archaeological bricks and show how it is only possible to qualitatively and quantitatively understand what is present by employing a range of analytical techniques, such as XRD, SEM-EDS and SR-XPD. The marine archaeological bricks studied were found to contain a range of different sulfate-based salts, which had grown crystals in preferred orientations. This provides information which will guide further conservation strategies such as how these bricks are stored, conserved and protected in the future. (a) The galley of the Mary Rose (b) salt samples located on and within the bricks (c) SEM analysis of the salts present (d) demonstration of the enhanced data quality of synchrotron XRD compared to laboratory based instruments.

Caring for the sick in a medieval rural community: A study based on paleopathological and archaeological data from Medieval Rus’

ObjectiveThis research seeks to identify the way the sick were treated in the 14th–15th centuries АD in a rural community located close to the medieval urban centre of Suzdal in central medieval Russia MaterialsSkeletons of 26 humans were examined from the cemetery associated with the rural settlement of Mikhali 3/Mininskoe (central Russia) (14th–15th centuries A.D.) MethodsArchaeological study, paleodemographic analysis, description of physiological stress markers, stature reconstruction, X-ray, 3D scan. ResultsThe remains comprised of 11 children, 11 adult females and 4 adult males. Numerous stress markers, as well as indicators of chronic disease and low levels of sexual dimorphism were noted suggesting a hard life and low social position. However, about 20% of adults lived to more than 40 years old and the archaeological artifacts – markers of prosperity –suggests high living standards of the majority of the inhabitants. ConclusionsAmong the possible explanations of the paradox of poor health but ample access to resources is well-developed supportive care practice within the community. SignificanceA combination of bioarchaeological and archaeological studies of a medieval settlement and cemetery of Mikhali 3 offers information about medieval attitude towards the sick. LimitationsFew sites had been analyzed using a complex approach. Suggestions for further researchCombination of bioarchaeological and archaeological sources for estimation of life quality of medieval communities and clarification of their meaning of ‘life quality’.

Traceological analysis of lithics from the Camel Site, al-Jawf, Saudi Arabia: an experimental approach to identifying mineral processing activities using silcrete tools

The Camel Site is in the north of Saudi Arabia in the province of al-Jawf. It is characterised by three decaying sandstone hillocks with life-sized 3D engravings (or reliefs) of camels and equids likely carved during later prehistory. A survey in the central area of the site identified clusters of flakes and other flintknapping remains in the lower areas between the sandstone spurs and larger silcrete tools directly underneath the animal depictions. Some of these tools presented abraded edges, possibly from prolonged contact with the soft and abrasive sandstone that constitutes the rock spurs where the animals were carved. Experiments were performed to test this hypothesis and have a reference collection for further traceological analysis. The chaine opératoire of the experimental engraving tools, from raw material procurement, tool manufacture and use, reuse and discard, was conducted with locally available materials comparable to the archaeological specimens. Specific experimental variables, including how the force was applied, in what direction the movement took place and the orientation of the stone tool during the experiment, were also recorded. Macro- and microscopic analyses of the experimental collection and a sample of archaeological artefacts seem to show that the ancient tools found on the surface were probably used to make the camelid and equid reliefs at the site.

Blue shadows of Roman glass artefacts

Glass is one of the ancient human products most often traded for long distances from the place of raw material supply. Provenance studies on this kind of artefact are mainly based on the comparison of major and trace elements among archaeological samples.The paper proposes a step-by-step geochemical organized protocol that considers the elements with prominent influence on glass composition, helping in a fine discrimination of compositional groups and, consequently, an easier identification of provenance in archaeological artefacts. The proposed approach is presented through the case study of Roman blue glass samples, dated from the 1st century to Late Antiquity and coming from the Palatine Northeast archaeological site. Optical Microscopy, SEM-EDS, EMPA and LA-ICP-MS results are discussed to gather information on network former, flux, colourants and decolourants. In addition, the comparison with literature provides additional information on chemical groups of ancient glass spanning from the 1st to the 5th century.

An overview of modern ways of cleaning from rust and preservation of iron historical artefacts

This overview focused on the recent advances in rust cleaning and conservation of iron-based historical artefacts. Archaeological iron artefacts undergo various forms of corrosion, including soil and atmospheric. In general the main corrosion products are goethite α-FeO​​(OH), acaganeite β-FeO (OH), lepidocrocite γ-FeO (OH), magnetite Fe3O4, siderite FeCO3, vivanite Fe3(PO4)2 ∙ 8H2O, etc. A number factors contribute to the process corrosion, but Cl- anion embedded in the crystal lattice of acagenite is crucial. It has been considered corrosion product removers from the artefact surface, and found out that all of them should contain inhibitors slowing down the interaction of the artefact iron core with acids. Organic acids, in particular citric, maleic and acetic acids are considered to be non-aggressive and environmental-friendly. After removing corrosion product layer, iron historical heritages are affected by atmospheric corrosion thus stabilizing substances and protective coatings must be applied. The most common protectors are tannin-iron complex compounds, which provide an anti-corrosion coatings and prevent further destruction of artefacts. Preservation of iron-based historical artefacts with synthetic polymer waxes, resins and synthetic polymers is thought to be promising.

A Novel Non-Destructive Technique for Cultural Heritage: Depth Profiling and Elemental Analysis Underneath the Surface with Negative Muons

Scientists, curators, historians and archaeologists are always looking for new techniques for the study of archaeological artefacts, especially if they are non-destructive. With most non-destructive investigations, it is challenging to measure beneath the surface. Among the vast board of techniques used for cultural heritage studies, it is difficult to find one able to give information about the bulk and the compositional variations, along with the depth. In addition, most other techniques have self-absorption issues (i.e., only surface sensitive) and limited sensitivity to low Z atoms. In recent years, more and more interest has been growing around large-scale facility-based techniques, thanks to the possibility of adding new and different insights to the study of material in a non-destructive way. Among them, muonic X-ray spectroscopy is a very powerful technique for material characterization. By using negative muons, scientists are able to perform elemental characterization and depth profile studies. In this work, we give an overview of the technique and review the latest applications in the field of cultural heritage.

Modeling ‘dry’ OCP measurements to characterize archaeological iron corrosion II: Short-time transients

• “Dry” open circuit potential-time measurements are recorded for archaeological iron objects. • Theoretical modeling of short-time (<1 min) transients is presented. • Effective RC parameters can be evaluated from a nano-pitting corrosion model. • RC parameters provide information on the type and degree of corrosion. Short-time transients recorded in “dry” open circuit potential (OCP) measurements performed on archaeological iron artifacts are modeled based on their ascription to pitting corrosion events. Three types of short-time transients can be discerned, the two first ones yielding approximately exponential growth and decay curves apparently driven by charging/discharging processes. A third type of transients that consists of sharp rising/decay involving successive anodic and cathodic excursions over the background OCP vs. time curve is described assuming a logistic variation of charge transfer in dissolution/repassivation steps of pit evolution. Theoretical modeling is in agreement with experimental data for a set of archaeological iron objects.