Archaeological Excavations Research Articles

Mortality drives production dynamics of Atlantic cod through 1100 years of commercial fishing

Most edible fish species have been fished for centuries or millennia, leaving little record or understanding of their population responses prior to human impact and thus no baseline for population conservation. Here, we reconstruct the population dynamics of Atlantic cod, one of the world’s most harvested fish species, from the pristine state during the Viking era through more than 1100 years of fishing. Analysis of cod otoliths recovered during archaeological excavations of Icelandic fish processing sites revealed that cod in the 10th to 12th centuries were 25% larger and up to 300% older than modern, despite slower density-dependent growth rates attributed to the sixfold increase in abundance. Fishing mortality came to dominate a time-invariant natural mortality rate and other population characteristics after the 14th century, with minimal evidence of environmental effects at the century scale. Despite the absence of catch records and surveys, biological reference points based on pristine fish populations are now possible where otolith collections are available.

Excavations on Bieta Giyorgis Hill, Aksum and Evidence for the Origins and Development of the Aksumite Kingdom

ABSTRACT Aksum was an early African state that arose in the highlands of northern Ethiopia in the late 1st millennium b.c. The origins of this ancient kingdom are unclear, but archaeological excavations on Bieta Giyorgis hill at Aksum have revealed earlier evidence at the site of Ona Nagast of a large elite residential structure and elite burials in the associated cemetery at Ona Enda Aboi Zewgè. Ceramics from these sites are of an earlier phase than those of Aksumite culture, now called “Proto-Aksumite,” and associated radiocarbon dates for this phase suggest a range of 360–120/40 b.c. As the kingdom developed, expansion is seen both in the Ona Nagast settlement and the city of Aksum at the foot of Bieta Giyorgis hill. The results of the bioarchaeological investigations at Bieta Giyorgis also provide new insights into the environmental and adaptive setting in which the Aksumite state developed. Remarks on the characterizing features of Aksumite complexity are also proposed.

Community Formation in the Chulmun (Neolithic) and Mumun (Bronze Age) Periods of Korea

Abstract Despite its importance, exploring prehistoric community formation presents significant epistemological and methodological challenges. In Korean archaeology, these issues have rarely been addressed primarily due to the longstanding dominance of the culture-historical paradigm. However, extensive archaeological investigations and the accumulation of radiocarbon dates in recent decades have led to the gradual emergence of new research trends. This paper introduces and reviews recent studies on community formation during Korea’s Chulmun (Neolithic) and the subsequent Mumun (Bronze Age) periods. While community and the village should not be equated, in order to archaeologically approach community formation, we examine the formation, growth, and dissolution of villages and their relationship with broader spatio-temporal population dynamics by analyzing a large radiocarbon dataset from Korea. We then discuss current conceptual and methodological issues related to the study of prehistoric community formation in Korea. Our discussion reveals the fluidity and flexibility of communities in the hunter-gatherer societies of the Chulmun period and the emergence of large villages and multilevel communities in the Mumun period following the transition to a sedentary agricultural economy and increasing social complexity. Finally, we highlight current research trends and future directions for the study of communities in prehistoric Korea.

Possibilities and limitations of new radiocarbon dating for the Maucallacta site, dep. Arequipa, Peru

Abstract With the development of radiocarbon dating methods in the last decade, the Andean archaeological community has successfully leaned into the problem of the chronology of the expansion of the Inca State. While this chronology was based on ethnohistorical accounts (Rowe 1945), it has been possible to verify its foundations precisely in the last decade. The results from the Maucallacta region are part of these discussions and are intended to add new data from the Inca province of Kuntisuyu, which was neglected in this debate until now. The project encompasses archaeological investigations near the snow-covered volcano Coropuna, frequently mentioned by chroniclers of the 16th and 17th centuries as an oracle worshiped since pre-Inca times. This includes a large complex known as Maucallacta-Pampacolca, located approximately 170 km northwest of Arequipa in the southern highlands of Peru, within the District of Pampacolca, Province of Castilla, Department of Arequipa (LS; 3750 m asl). Due to its location, it holds a unique relationship with the Coropuna landscape. The site is a vast administrative center featuring over three hundred stone buildings, tombs, and ceremonial structures. Among them, the most important is the large ceremonial platform with ushnu and the dumps deposited beneath it. The analysis of ceramics and animal bones, combined with stratigraphic analysis and the results of new calibrations and interpretations of radiocarbon dates, provides a comprehensive picture of the formation and use of ceremonial dumps at the site, making them one of the most thoroughly examined collections in this regard.

Application of a Ground-Penetrating Radar in the Characterization of the Archaeological Environment of Site GO-JA-02, Serranópolis-GO: A Non-Invasive Approach for Archaeological Excavation Planning

Application of a Ground-Penetrating Radar in the Characterization of the Archaeological Environment of Site GO-JA-02, Serranópolis-GO: A Non-Invasive Approach for Archaeological Excavation Planning

An ivory statuette depicting the god Thanatos discovered near Tomis (Moesia Inferior)

In recent years, real estate developments in Constanța prompted a series of preventive archaeological investigations, leading to the discovery of rich archaeological material. These finds include a bone statuette found in the Palazu Mare district of Constanța. In this context, the nucleus of habitation, previously inferred from various archaeological finds from the Roman period, has been identified. Numerous surveys and preventive archaeological investigations have allowed for a clearer delimitation of the archaeological site of Palazu Mare. Regarding chronology, the settlement (possibly a vicus) can be dated from the 2nd–3rd centuries to the early decades of the 4th century AD. The statuette in question was carved out of ivory, measuring 6 cm in height and 1.7 cm in width. It was made as a representation of the god Thanatos, the personification of the Angel of Death in Greek and Roman mythology. Unfortunately, the statuette is incomplete; the left hand and parts of the legs are missing, along with the wings originally located on its back. The closest analogy for our representation comes from Northern France, where a small bronze statue was discovered in a villa rustica in Salouël, a commune located on the outskirts of Amiens. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the function of the object to which the statue pertains, we classify it as instrumentum domesticum, a category that includes a variety of objects that were part of everyday Roman life. The discoveries made here are considered quite rare due to the material of the statuette, and the context in which it was found. Based on previous observations, it can be said that Thanatos is typically a characteristic of funerary art and is therefore rarely found in domestic contexts. Ivory statues are particularly uncommon in the Dobrudja region of Moesia Inferior.

Micro-computed tomography and laser micro-ablation on altered pyrite in lapis lazuli to enhance provenance investigation: a new methodology and its application to archaeological cases

This work presents an upgrade to the methodology adopted to investigate the provenance of the raw lapis lazuli material used in antiquity for carving precious artefacts. Samples from archaeological excavation contexts frequently display superficial degradation processes affecting the crystals of the mineral phases useful for provenance attribution (especially pyrite). To address this issue, an innovative workflow has been developed, centred on the application of X-ray micro-computed tomography (μ-CT) and micro-ablation treatments with a pulsed laser source prior to investigation with ion beam analysis (IBA). High-resolution μ-CT is employed to evaluate the alteration state of pyrite crystals within the entire volume of the lapis lazuli rock, and, if required, to identify the most suitable crystals on the surface for subsequent laser treatment. The micro-ablation procedure aims to create a small breach in the superficial altered layer (the irradiated areas are approximately 65 × 65 μm2), thereby exposing the preserved crystal beneath and allowing for the analysis of its trace element contents with IBA. The methodology of the workflow is presented, together with its first application to archaeological lapis lazuli material: three precious beads from the ancient Royal Cemetery of Ur (Mesopotamia, 3rd millennium BCE). The results are complemented by the application of a provenance protocol already validated that proved, for the first time using a micro-invasive analytical approach, a match between the Afghan quarry district and the raw material used to carve these beads.

The Characterization of the Lower Town of the UNESCO Archaeological Site of Arslantepe (Malatya, Türkiye) Using the Geophysical E-PERTI Method (Extended Data-Adaptive Probability-Based Electrical Resistivity Tomography Inversion Method)

The UNESCO site of Arslantepe is located in Eastern Anatolia in the Malatya Plain (Türkiye) about 10 km from the Euphrates River. Here for about a century archaeological excavations have been carried out, reconstructing a long sequence of human frequentation starting from 5000 years BC up to the Middle Ages. The settlement, one of the most important and largest in the region, has undergone numerous changes over time, resulting in a complex superposition of structures, palaces, temples, and burials concentrated on the hill. With the aim of extending the knowledge of the site, in 2022, geophysical surveys were carried out through the application of electrical resistivity tomography, covering a surface of approximately 4300 m2 in an unexplored area at the foot of the hill. In this paper, the Extended data-adaptive Probability-based Electrical Resistivity Tomography Inversion approach (E-PERTI), recently published as a development of the probability tomography imaging approach, has been applied to a large apparent resistivity field dataset, providing the best estimate of the most probable estimate of the resistivity distribution through an intrinsic linear regression model implementing standard least squares routines. The results seem to prove the effectiveness of the E-PERTI approach in noise dejection, enhancing associated resistivity highs that can be ascribable to the trace of a potential fortification. The obtained information represents new, unexpected data that open new frontiers of archaeological research, adding value to the knowledge of the site.

Archaeological Surveys and Excavations along the Cross-Israel Highway: A Case Study for Data Collection from the Field (Hebrew, pp.3*–61*; English summary, pp. 153–155)

Archaeological Surveys and Excavations along the Cross-Israel Highway: A Case Study for Data Collection from the Field (Hebrew, pp.3*–61*; English summary, pp. 153–155)

Archaeological Surveys and Excavations along the Cross-Israel Highway: An Introduction (pp. 3–4)

Archaeological Surveys and Excavations along the Cross-Israel Highway: An Introduction (pp. 3–4)

The ancient renovation activities of Yungang Grottoes: mutual verification of carbon-14 dating and archaeological investigation

The ancient renovation activities of Yungang Grottoes: mutual verification of carbon-14 dating and archaeological investigation

The ancient capital of Vietnam through the eyes of modern scholars

The review examines the book “Discovering Vietnam’s Ancient Capital. The Archaeology and History of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long–Hanoi”, published in 2024 in Singapore. The discovery at the beginning of the XXI century and further archaeological excavations of the Thang Long citadel in Hanoi became one of the most important stages in the study of the history and culture of Vietnam. Vietnamese and foreign experts in various fields of humanitarian studies – history and archaeology, chronology and reconstruction of the historical past – participated in the preparation of this monograph.

From Transient Traces to Material Witnesses: an Archaeological Investigation of Contemporary Border Crossings in the Eastern Mediterranean

From Transient Traces to Material Witnesses: an Archaeological Investigation of Contemporary Border Crossings in the Eastern Mediterranean

The earliest development of the Vilnius Franciscan Church and monastery area

When the German Town (a settlement of Catholic merchants and craftsmen) began to emerge in the western part of the present Old Town of Vilnius in the last decades of the 14th century, the Catholic community relocated to this area. St Nicholas Church was built here before 1387 and it was the first Catholic church in the Old Town, around which the German City was established. However, in addition to this house of worship, there was another in the Catholic part of the city – the Franciscan Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Maria and a monastery.This monastery is considered to be the oldest one in Vilnius, however, the exact time of its construction, as well as that of the church, has not been determined. Due to the lack of historical sources and precise dates, the construction has been dated by different researchers from the first half of the 14th century to the beginning of the 15th century, i.e., with an error of 100 years. Archaeological investigations in the vicinity of the church and the monastery, which have been carried out since 1993, have provided some new hypotheses concerning the chronology and the earliest nature of human activity in this territory. The most recent excavations took place here in 2023, providing new insights into the development of the area through the discovery of objects and interdisciplinary research (radiocarbon dating, analysis of archaeobotanical remains, architectural research). This paper discusses the chronology and nature of the earliest development of the Franciscan church and monastery area, based on the available historical sources, archaeological and architectural research, including the results of most recent investigations.

Ground Penetrating Radar Survey of the Lithuanian Part of Medzhybizh Castle

We present the results of recent geophysical and archaeological investigations conducted in Medzhybizh castle located in the Western Ukraine. Architectural and restoration studies that lasted more than 50 years revealed a part of the castle built during the Lithuanian period, in the 14th-15th centuries. Our study is focused on ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys on the courtyards of the castle including the Lithuanian part, and inside the buildings. The GPR survey was capable of seeing elements of the ancient architecture under a horizon of debris and soil up to 3 m thick. Possible structures of Lithuanian castle were suggested and confirmed by recent archaeological excavations. These are fragments of the Western Wall, stone construction stretching along the façade of the Southern Building, fundament ditch of the inner wall in the Southern Building.

Excavations of a Neolithic Dwelling at Pod Lipami, Primorye, in 1976

Long-term archaeological excavations have been carried out at a large group of Late Neolithic (Zaisanovka culture) settlements on the left bank of the lower Partizanskaya River in southern Primorye, mostly dating to early 2nd millennium BC and somewhat earlier. Remains of half-dugout dwellings were unearthed. Many sites, including Sopka Bulochka, Sopka Bolshaya, and Pereval, have been previously published. The only exception is Pod Lipami, a site consisting of a single dwelling, on which this study focuses. Its sub-rectangular foundation, ~46 m2 in area, had been dug into the slope of the hill, forming a terrace-like platform. The wattle dwelling had a hearth in the center. Numerous stone agricultural tools were found—hoes, querns, grinders, pestles, etc. Other lithics are adzes, scraping, cutting, and grinding tools, including those made of obsidian. Ceramics are represented by shards and larger fragments of crushed handmade flatbottomed and potand vase-like vessels, mostly decorated with carved vertical zigzags, curvilinear figures, and spirals, which are more common in the Neolithic of the Lower Amur. Small as it is, the site with its radiocarbon dates extends our knowledge of the Zaisanovka culture and of its creators, sedentary farmers.

Ewellery and Glyptics in Legionary Camps Novae and Durostorum in the 2nd–3rd Centuries

Jewellery and glyptics are among the crafts, which were practiced in the vicinity of legionary camps in the 2nd–3rd centuries. It is attested only by indirect data – a huge quantity of finds with similar style of workmanship, which were discovered during archaeological excavations. Jewels made of different metals (mostly ores) and of precious stones (gemstones and cameos) are product of these crafts.

Analyses of Mortars from St. George’s Cathedral, Great Novgorod

The Yuriev Monastery at Veliky Novgorod - one of the oldest monasteries in Russia – was founded in the 12th century by Prince Vsevolod Mstislavich. Now it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The dominating building of the Monastery is the Cathedral of St. George. It was constructed in 1119 and painted before 1130. During the archaeological research of 2021 carried out by the Department of Archaeology and Architecture of the Institute of Archaeology, Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow), 15 samples of lime-mortar from the Cathedral and 2 more from an unknown building in the Monastery area were collected. Microscopy of cross sections and polarized transmitted light microscopy of thin sections were carried out to investigate the main components and differences in the mortars. Based on these analyses, the differences between mortars used in the various structural elements of the first (pre-Mongolian) building period and of the later periods were observed. The presences of crushed bricks (tsemyanka) – the main component of pre-Mongolian mortars – was found in the later mortars. Distinctions between different kinds of mortars (wall mortar, foundation mortar, floor mortar) and plaster were defined. Two types of sand used in the medieval mortars were identified. The preliminary dating of unknown construction found during the archaeological excavation by late 12th or 14th century was made.

조선시대 경기 광주 일대 창마을의 형성과 분화 - 하남시 상사창동·하사창동을 중심으로

This article examined the historical origins of Sangsachang-dong(上司 倉洞) and Hasachang-dong(下司倉洞) in Gyosan(校山)-district of Hanam(河南), which were called ’Gogol’ during the Joseon Dynasty, based on historical records and archaeological excavation reports. The literary data on the Joseon Dynasty's Sachang-ri(司倉里), which is the predecessor of Sangsachang-dong and Hasachang-dong, is quite limited. Fortunately, since the 2000s, the results of archeological excavations in the Gyosan(校山) district have been reported to the academic community, and it has been possible to understand that the architectural forms in the area are similar to those of government offices and granaries sites built from the Unified Silla to Joseon periods. Based on this evidence, the article concluded that ’Sachang’ as a type of county(郡) institutions, was established in the areas of Sangsachang-dong and Hasachang-dong during the first half of the Joseon Dynasty.

Social- cultural Significance of Similar Motifs of The Raigarh District, Chhattisgarh: Wooden Art Vs Ancient Rock Art

5000 painted Rock Shelters with 700 of them concentrated at Bhimbetka is the 3rd largest distribution in world, next to Africa and Australia. It is widely spread in Jammu and Kashmir., Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, U.P., M.P., Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and so on. In absence of script, it is a significant source of information about various components of past life ways namely, Material culture, Structures, Economic activities, Man-Animal relationship etc. Underlying purpose of rock art, its exact functions and location of motifs in hidden and dark places is not accurately understood, yet. The present communication aims to throw light on social – cultural aspects of ancient Rock art through ethno archaeological investigations of present-day art of main tribal communities living in the vicinity of Raigarh rock art sites.