Archaeological Contexts Research Articles

Radiocarbon dates from Curaçao’s oldest Archaic site extend earliest island settlement to ca. 5700 cal BP

Due to its proximity to coastal South America and settlement during the early phase of insular Caribbean occupation, Curaçao’s archaeological record offers potential evidence for early overwater exploration and regional interaction. Here, we report new accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dates on charcoal from C-1426 at Saliña Sint Marie, an Archaic rockshelter site that extends Curaçao’s occupation back to 5735–5600 cal BP, some 290–850 years earlier than the established settlement chronology. This finding makes the C-1426 rockshelter Curaçao’s earliest known archaeological site and among the oldest in the insular Caribbean. We describe the site and the archaeological context of dating and conclude by considering the implications of Curaçao’s revised occupation chronology for initial Caribbean settlement.

고구려 토기를 통해 본 연천 은대리성의 활용 연대

This study was conducted to examine the construction period and nature of Eundaeri Fortress through the analysis of Koguryo pottery excavated from Eundaeri Fortress. The pottery with pots with bridge-shaped handles excavated from Eundaeri Fortress was locally produced during the process of Koguryo's expansion southward. Notable differences in form were observed when compared to contemporaneous (mid-late 5th century) pots with bridge-shaped handles, indicating variations in the pottery-making groups. Therefore, it is believed that the period in question can be dated from the late 4th century to the early 5th century. Eundaeri Fortress is closely associated with King Gwanggaeto's expansion southward. We examined the role of Eundaeri Fortress during King Gwanggaeto's southern expansion in 409. While Eundaeri Fortress has been mentioned as one of the six fortresses constructed by King Gwanggaeto in ‘Gukdong,’ archaeological evidence suggests that it is unrelated to the ‘Gukdong 6 fortresses.’ Additionally, when the border region of King Gwanggaeto's domain is defined as south of the Yesungang River and north of the Imjin River, the archaeological context of Eundaeri Fortress, as discovered in this study, aligns with this geographical demarcation. Therefore, it is inferred that King Gwanggaeto constructed Eundaeri Fortress for military purposes during the southern expansion, but it was abandoned without achieving its intended objectives at the time.

Prevalence of drifting osteons distinguishes human bone.

The histological, or microscopic, appearance of bone tissue has long been studied to identify species-specific traits. There are several known histological characteristics to discriminate animal bone from human, but currently no histological characteristic that has been consistently identified in human bone exclusive to other mammals. The drifting osteon is a rare morphotype found in human long bones and observationally is typically absent from common mammalian domesticates. We surveyed previously prepared undecalcified histological sections from 25 species (human n = 221; nonhuman primate n = 24; nonprimate n = 169) to see if 1) drifting osteons were indeed more common in humans and 2) this could be a discriminating factor to identify human bone histologically. We conclude that drifting osteons are indeed more prevalent in human and nonhuman primate bone relative to nonprimate mammalian bone. Two criteria identify a rib or long bone fragment as human, assuming the fragment is unlikely to be from a nonhuman primate given the archaeological context: 1) at least two drifting osteons are present in the cross-section and 2) a drifting osteon prevalence (or as a percentage of total secondary osteons) of ≥ 1%. We present a quantitative histological method that can positively discriminate human bone from nonprimate mammalian bone in archaeological contexts.

Late‐Holocene counterpoint deposition in the Lower Rhine River

ABSTRACTChannel deposits from meandering rivers have proven to be far more complex than the well‐known lithofacies model consisting of coarse‐grained channel, gravelly channel‐lag and fine‐grained overbank deposits. Sharp bends in rivers are subject to different hydraulic processes than bends with lower curvatures, enabling erosion of inner banks and deposition of fine‐grained sediments in the outer bend, resulting in downstream migration of river bends. This phenomenon is known as counterpoint deposition, forming counterpoint bars. This research investigates whether scroll bars associated with a sharp bend in the Lower Rhine River, The Netherlands, are such a counterpoint‐bar deposit. A counterpoint bar is expected based on: (i) the surface morphology of the scroll bar; (ii) the confinement of the river course by an ice‐pushed ridge resulting in a sharp bend; and (iii) the archaeological context of successive Roman settlements atop the ice‐pushed ridge, potentially moving downstream with the migrating river bend. This hypothesis is tested through detailed borehole descriptions combined with optically stimulated luminescence dating, the latter being a novel approach to identifying counterpoint deposits. The deposits consist of clays and sandy clays with fine sand laminations, and sporadic larger sand bodies. Further upstream these deposits grade into channel deposits dominated by coarser sands with gravels. These lithologies are explained using earlier proposed mechanisms for counterpoint formation; substrata match those described in previously studied counterpoint deposits and their point bar counterparts. Optically stimulated luminescence dates indicate that the Lower Rhine River bend migrated downstream, confirming counterpoint deposition. A migration rate of 1.93 m/year was established through weighted linear regression. This study demonstrates the potential of optically stimulated luminescence dating to investigate counterpoint bar presence. The identified counterpoint bars and associated bend migration provide insight into meandering river dynamics that is crucial for river management and in aiding river restoration and rewilding initiatives.

Non-ingested vertebrate prey remains accumulated by the Chaco eagle (Buteogallus coronatus): neo-taphonomy to evaluate open-air faunal records in central western Argentina

The Chaco eagle (Buteogallus coronatus) is a large, endangered, and little-known bird of prey distributed throughout southern South America. This bird of prey accumulates large amounts of prey remains around its nests in open landscapes. To present a reliable pattern to distinguish the action of the Chaco Eagle as a potential accumulator of faunal remains in open-air archaeological contexts, we conducted a neo-taphonomic study in an area of the eastern plains of the CWA, analyzing modern remains accumulated around a nest of the Chaco eagle. Our taxonomic analysis allowed us to identify the presence of different taxa belonging to two classes: mammals and reptiles. Most of the specimens identified were non-ingested remains. The armadillo Zaedyus pichiy was the most conspicuous prey species, represented by osteoderms and skulls. We registered several endoskeletal remains and osteoderms of the Chaco tortoise (Chelonoidis chilensis), as well as bone and tooth remains of two little-known and reported species in the study area: the red tegu (Salvator rufescens) and the Patagonian weasel (Lyncodon patagonicus). In addition, we found remains corresponding to two species of small-sized rodents. We also discovered strongly digested vertebrae of an indeterminate small Ophidia preserved in the only recovered pellet. The proportion of weathering was high, with stages 1 and 2 identified as the most dominant degrees. Notably, specimens with two stages of weathering were detected based on the side grounded to the floor. The proportions of breakage, on the other hand, were low. We hope this work contributes to the distinction of accumulating agents in the region's archaeological sites, especially considering the high importance that armadillos have had for the past human populations of the area.

Urbanity, Decline, and Regeneration in Later Medieval England: Towards a Posthuman Household Microhistory

Abstract It is proposed that combining a microhistorical approach with the frameworks offered by household archaeology and posthumanism provides a way of rethinking what urbanity means in archaeological (specifically later medieval) contexts. This approach is deployed to challenge generalising approaches which obscure the complexity, vibrancy, and generative capacity of past urbanities. Focussing on the question of the fortunes of later medieval small towns in England, a posthuman household microhistory of two households in the town of Steyning (southern England) is presented. This demonstrates how a focus on the practices undertaken by, and relational constitution of, households can reveal difference and open new avenues for understanding past urbanity.

Simulating the effects of kinship and postmarital residence patterns on mitochondrial DNA diversity in mortuary contexts.

We explore the observable outcome in mtDNA diversity of different kinship systems and associated postmarital residence patterns in the archeological record, using simulations at the intrapopulation level. Four kinship systems were simulated from a set of variable fertility and mortality scenarios. Initial conditions consisted of six clusters of variable size and a random number of assigned haplotypes, with individuals migrating between groups and reproducing for 15 generations. Each 15-generation span was simulated 500 times to obtain representative intrasite mtDNA diversity distributions for each kinship system. Additional simulations were devised to consider the effect of migration and different rates of adherence to kinship norms. Matrilineal kinship generates low male and female haplotype diversities that are statistically indistinguishable from each other, while female diversity in bilateral kinship with matrilocality is significantly lower than that observed in male diversity. Furthermore, mtDNA diversity generated by patrilineal kinship is very high. The effect of noncompliance with kinship rules is low; migration has a considerable impact on diversity, eventually obscuring the effect of kinship practices. The results of the simulations can be applied to ancient mtDNA data from archeological contexts, as exemplified with data from two studies. On a broader scale, the kinship system followed by the sampled population, can lead to either over- or underestimation of mtDNA population diversity. The results of the simulations can be used in the design of inferential frameworks to discern kinship scenarios in the archeological record, based on mtDNA and other types of evidence.

Complementary scientific techniques for the study of Mesoamerican greenstone objects

Jade and greenstone objects have been held in high regard by many cultures stemming from their limited geological availability and their unique optical and mechanical properties. Jade and greenstone objects symbolized life, fertility, and eternity to early Mesoamerican people. In recent years, scientific studies on jade and greenstone objects have been performed to establish provenance and usage, identify composition, and verify the presence of a particular material. These studies of jade and greenstone objects are generally divided geographically, with considerable interest in China and Central America. Most studies are focused on objects from one particular archaeological site; however, a few studies have focused on collections from a range of sites. The use of multiple complimentary analytical techniques has been shown to be the most effective method for characterizing and understanding the technical information obtained from cultural heritage objects. In our study, we examine a set of Mesoamerican jade and greenstone objects from the collection at the Dallas Museum of Art using multiple non-destructive techniques, including scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and handheld X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. We briefly discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each technique. Lastly, we present the results from our study and discuss them in their archaeological and historical context.

Between the Lines: Toward a Recontextualized Archaeological Practice through Dialogues between Fieldwork and Archival Research

ABSTRACT Archival material from archaeological fieldwork contained in private and public collections has long been the object of study within various archaeological contexts. Often, however, such material is used as a backdrop or as anecdotal information and not as a point of departure. In this special issue, contributions focus on a variety of ways in which archival material and other kinds of legacy data can usefully be integrated into or provide the ground for archaeological projects and archaeological research, including preparations of new projects or for gaining a deeper understanding of ongoing projects or past projects. Modern developments, conflicts, wars, and the recent pandemic, have all accentuated the need for the curation of archival material and legacy data to an even higher degree than hitherto suspected and revealed that such material often holds information just as crucial to the project as archaeological raw data directly from the ground.

Preservation of plant‐wax biomarkers in deserts: implications for Quaternary environment and human evolutionary studies

ABSTRACTAnalysis of plant‐wax biomarkers from sedimentary sequences can enable past environmental and hydrological reconstruction and provide insights into past hominin adaptations. However, biomarker preservation in desert contexts has been considered unlikely given the sparse nature of the vegetation within the landscape. Here we evaluate the preservation of n‐alkanes and fatty acids collected from four depositional sequences associated with archaeological contexts in the Nefud Desert, Saudi Arabia, and the Thar Desert, India. Pleistocene and Holocene samples were selected to understand the effects of age on preservation. The results of molecular distribution patterns and indices, particularly the high carbon preference index and average chain length, show the preservation of plant‐wax biomarkers in both the Holocene and Pleistocene desert sequences, while δ13C values and organic content provide insights into the vegetation contributing to the plant‐wax organic pool. This study provides a baseline for understanding human–environment interactions and for reconstructing changes in arid land habitats of relevance to hominins during the Quaternary.

A New Greek Graffito from the Bilsk Hillfort and Greek Graffiti in Scythian Contexts

Abstract The article presents a recent find of a potsherd, bearing an ancient Greek graffito, reported from the area of the Bilsk Hillfort. The area of discovery, considered by some archaeologists to be the city of Gelonos (Hdt. 4.108), makes this otherwise ordinary graffito potentially significant. The authors discuss the historical, archaeological, and epigraphic contexts of the find and possible scenarios of how it may have ended up at the site. To provide an epigraphic background for the find, the study is accompanied by a catalogue of Greek graffiti and dipinti from Scythian burials and settlements of the Northern Black Sea area and steppe and forest-steppe zones of Eastern Europe.

Identifying locals vs non-locals using 87Sr/86Sr isotope analysis: a multimethod approach in the homogeneous environments of the Arabian Gulf

Archaeological strontium isotope investigations of the movement of peoples and animals rely on different methods to characterize a “local” strontium range. In geologically homogenous regions or regions where the creation of isoscapes using proxies is hampered, statistical methods are useful for identifying individuals likely to be local or non-local. We demonstrate how a multi-method approach can be used to evaluate local strontium isotope ranges in Bahrain, an archipelago in the Arabian Gulf. Combining the enamel samples analyzed for this paper (62 human and domesticate herbivore individuals) with previously published faunal 87Sr/86Sr values from Bahrain (20 domesticated herbivores), we found that different statistical methods identified different numbers of individuals as local and were predicated on different assumptions about the distribution of the data. Compared to the standard approach using 2σ of the sample mean, the statistical approaches used in this manuscript identified more potential non-local or securely non-local individuals. Between 18.5 and 44.4% of the non-human animals were identified as non-local, indicating the trade of animals and why using faunal (herbivore) samples alone to characterize a local range is problematic in trading centers. The identification of between 13.7 and 32.9% of the humans as non-local is consistent with other studies of movement in archaeological populations of the Gulf and makes sense given the prominent role of trade in Bahrain from the Early Dilmun to Islamic periods. We argue that statistical approaches to identifying probable non-locals can be used where detailed isoscape data are hard to obtain, but that such results need to be evaluated within the specific archaeological context.

Unraveling the Seismic Source in Archaeoseismology: A Combined Approach on Local Site Effects and Geochemical Data Integration

Archaeoseismological research often deals with two unresolved questions: the magnitude and level of damage caused by past earthquakes, and the precise location of the seismic source. We propose a comprehensive review of an integrated approach that combines site effects with the analysis of geochemical data in the field of archaeoseismology. This approach aims to identify active buried faults potentially related to the causative seismic source and provide insights into earthquake parameters. For each integrated method, we report the foundational principles, delineation of theoretical field procedures, and exemplification through two case studies. Site effects analysis in archaeoseismology assumes a pivotal role in unraveling historical seismic occurrences. It enables estimating the earthquake magnitude, assessing the seismotectonic patterns, and determining the resulting damage level. Valuable data related to earthquake parameters can be extracted by analyzing vibration frequencies and acceleration measurements from structures within archaeological sites. This information is instrumental in characterizing seismic events, evaluating their impact on ancient structures, and enhancing our understanding of earthquake hazards within the archaeological context. Geochemical investigations supply indispensable tools for identifying buried active faults. The analysis of fluids and gases vented in proximity to faults yields valuable insights into their nature, activity, and underlying mechanisms. Faults often manifest distinctive geochemical imprints, enabling the differentiation between tectonically active and volcanically related fault systems. The presence of specific gases can further serve as indicators of the environmental conditions surrounding these fault networks. Integrating site effects analysis and geochemical investigations within archaeoseismological research is crucial to improving our understanding of unknown past earthquakes. Moreover, it enhances the seismic hazard assessment of the region under study.

From Cartonnages to Cultural Contexts

Abstract During his excavations in the Fayum, between 1900 and 1902, Pierre Jouguet was able to find a large number of mummy cartonnages, which along with documents of various sorts yielded some surprising, previously lost literary texts, such as Menander’s Sicyonians, Euripides’ Erechtheus, and Stesichorus’ Thebaid. The exact find-spot of the papyri is unclear: we know that the mummies were found in different necropoleis between Medinet Ghoran and Medinet en Nahas (ancient Magdola), but clear topographic information is largely missing: after reaching France, the cartonnages were dismantled in different steps over a span of several decades, so their ‘archival’ history is often difficult to trace. Nonetheless, even if their archaeological context is lost, the texts seem to point to common cultural contexts, as suggested by a comparison of their philological, palaeographic and ‘bibliological’ features. This article will survey such characteristics, in order to reflect on the readership and circulation of Greek literary texts in Ptolemaic Egypt.

Elemental analysis using portable X-ray fluorescence: Guidelines for the study of dry human bone

ObjectiveX-ray fluorescence (XRF) is a non-destructive technique that measures the elemental concentration of different materials, including human bone. Recently, it began to be applied to paleopathological studies due to the development of portable devices and their relative ease of use. However, the lack of uniform procedures hampers comparability and reproducibility. This paper aims to provide guidelines for an efficient and standardized evaluation of bone elemental composition with a portable XRF (pXRF) device. MaterialsThis technical note is based on the application of the Thermo Scientific Niton XL3t 900 GOLDD+. MethodsThis work includes suggestions for the choice and preparation of human bone samples, both from archaeological context and documented collections, and methodological procedures in pXRF setup, such as choice of calibration, assessment of accuracy, and analysis run time. Additionally, recommendations for data validation and statistical analysis are also included. ConclusionsThis technique has great potential in paleopathology since bone chemical variations may be associated with different pathological conditions, environmental contamination (e.g., lead), and/or administered treatments, such as mercury. Following an expected increase in the number of studies, it is essential to establish good practices that allow results from different researchers to be comparable. SignificanceX-ray fluorescence is a non-destructive technique that measures small concentrations (ppm) of elements from magnesium (12Mg) through bismuth (83Bi). LimitationspXRF does not detect elements lighter than Mg, and its lower energy excitation penetrates less than other techniques. Suggestions for further researchOther research groups should test these guidelines and comment on their usefulness and replicability.

Wooden Paddles from the Nizhny Tagil Museum-Reserve of Mining and Metallurgy in the Urals

This article describes Early Metal Age wooden paddles from the Gorbunovo peat bog, kept by the Nizhny Tagil Museum-Reserve of Mining and Metallurgy in the Urals. Their morphology and manufacturing technology are analyzed. The archaeological context and new AMS-dates are introduced. This sample of early wooden paddles is the largest and the most representative in the world. The specimens are very standardized with regard to general proportions, shape of the blade and handle, and decoration of the handle. A distinctive feature of this sample is that the handle of certain specimens is composite. A comprehensive traceological and technological analysis of the paddles has revealed several aspects of their manufacture, and xylotomy has provided information about the species of wood (pine, cedar, and spruce). On the basis of the processing traces, a tentative toolkit was reconstructed. The paddles generally fall in two categories: most are one-piece, and a few are composite. During the Early Metal Age, woodworking was probably a traditional craft in the Trans-Urals, showing a number of customary techniques.

An Early Neolithic house in the Foothills: A case study of pottery and lithic artefacts from the Biskupice site 18 (Wieliczka Foothills, southern Poland)

The paper presents a comprehensive analysis of pottery and lithic materials found in archaeological features associated with an Early Neolithic house from Biskupice (southern Poland) to shed light on exchange networks of the first farmers in Central Europe. The research began with the discovery of a unique fragment of a face vessel made in the Želiezovce style, a motif primarily found in Moravia and north-eastern Austria. Therefore, specialised analyses were undertaken to determine whether the Biskupice fragment was locally produced or originated from areas south of the Sudetes and Carpathians. The study involved an examination of raw clay material and the technology used to create the anthropomorphic vessel, aiming to establish its provenance (local production versus import). Petrographic methods were employed to analyse a diverse group of vessel types for comparison. Additionally, a selected group of pottery fragments, including the face vessel, underwent lipid residue analysis to determine their potential use. The combination of microscopic examinations and lipid residues analysis was utilised to study the link between the physical properties and function of the vessels. Finally, the archaeological context of other artifacts from the same house, including lithic assemblages, was investigated to determine the presence of both local and imported raw materials in Biskupice. The main conclusion of the study indicates local production of pottery, including the face vessel, and lithic implements. Conversely, a Transcarpathian transfer of some technological and decorative ideas, as well as imports of raw material such as obsidian, were confirmed.

Facial reconstruction of a deformed skull from the Roman period of Juliopolis

The use of digital technologies in archaeological research has become considerably more widespread in recent years. While the earliest records of the use of electronic data in archaeology date from the 1950 and 1960s, the field has kept growing with the increasing interest in digital tools such as digital photography, three-dimensional imaging, GIS, virtual and artificial reality applications, CAD and facial reconstruction. Such digitization practices are used frequently for documenting, record keeping, and preserving and representing the data recovered from archaeological contexts, and are linked to other fields, such as cultural heritage studies and museology. Facial reconstruction is used to recreate the faces of individual from the past using their skeletal remains. It has been practiced for different reasons in the fields of forensics, anthropology, and archaeology. This study focuses on the facial reconstruction of a skull unearthed from Juliopolis. The reason for choosing this skull in this study is that it is the first and only known deformed skull dated to the Roman period in Anatolia. For the facial reconstruction application, authors created a 3D modelling of the skull by photogrammetry. Then, the missing parts of the skull are completed using the virtual donor library. The results are presented in different forms, as grayscale, in colour with eyes closed or open. Also, the type of deformation is demonstrated in the skull. This study adopts a digital process and is more strongly linked to data interpolation related to the external surface of the face. The prominent advantage of the methodology is being strongly supported by information obtained from computed tomography (CT) scans of living individuals, leaving a little room for the artistic issue in relation to the basic aspect resulting from the interpolation of data. The benefit of facial reconstruction is especially important since it is a way of preserving and presenting archaeological and anthropological data.

Hitting the Vein: Bloodletting Fleams from Medieval Oslo

AN ARCHAEOLOGY OF MEDIEVAL HEALING can expand beyond the confines of textual sources. This is exemplified by the discovery of bloodletting fleams from medieval Oslo, iron tools used in the medical practice of phlebotomy. Based on the archaeological context of these finds, phlebotomy was not undertaken solely in monastic institutions or the elite secular settings of manors and castles in the medieval North, but also in urban residential areas. The material properties of the fleams furthermore provide an insight into the process of venipuncture as well as the embodied experience of bloodletting for both practitioners and patients. The paper positions itself within the theoretical framework of archaeologies of corporeality in order to reflect on the correlation between the practice of bloodletting and cultural conceptions of the body as humoral. The archaeological evidence for bloodletting in urban contexts indicates a widespread conception of the medieval body and its fluid boundaries with the natural environment.

Bronze Art, Cultural Norms, and Group Identity: A Group of Late Western Zhou and Early Spring and Autumn He Vessels Analyzed in Their Temporal and Spatial Contexts

abstract: A new generation of scholars has called into question the homogeneous nature of Western Zhou culture and the sweeping imposition of this culture over a large region that covers much of present-day China. Our study contributes to this debate by focusing on a coherent group of bronze vessels dated to the end of the Western Zhou and beginning of the Spring and Autumn periods. He (盉) vessels with drum-shaped bodies, bird-like lids, and human-like legs are among the most unique and artistically innovative artifacts of this period. While these unique artifacts have been found in and near the center of the Western Zhou polity, they are not associated with the rituals of the royal house, but rather with those of other aristocratic lineages. We argue that the artistic style of the vessels was part of the culture developed around the royal Zhou house and in areas close to it, although it is not strictly representative of the royal culture of the Western Zhou, being instead associated with minor lineages. A multi-dimensional analysis of this group of vessels, addressing their geographical distribution, location within their archaeological context, and social associations, combined with an analysis of their decorative scheme and the inscriptions cast inside them, enables us to better understand the sociocultural landscape of this period. Our study suggests that diversity existed not only in remote border areas or among the lower strata of society, but also within the cultural core of the Western Zhou polity and among the highest echelons of the aristocracy. Such processes of diversification are associated with the development of local and regional identities and with the growth of the political independence of aristocratic lineages during the final years of the transition from the Western Zhou to the Spring and Autumn periods.