Archaeological Excavations Research Articles

An Examination of Bronze Vessel Technology in the Unified Silla Period: Case Study on the Bronzes Excavated from Gwanbuk-ri Site in Buyeo

Archaeological excavations in Buyeo had revealed Bronze vessels interred within a hole in the building at the Gwanbuk-ri site. These bronze vessels are dated to the Unified silla period (9-10th centuries). To identify the bronze vessels’ manufacturing technology, metallurgical analyses were carried out using Optical Microscopy, SEM-EDS and EPMA. The results allowed a reconstruction of the manufacturing process of bronze vessels in the Unified silla. It proved that bronze vessels were manufactured with Cu-Sn alloy with varying tin contents, which may be related to the application of uncontrolled procedures in making the bronze alloys. Also a casting process was used to shape the bronze vessels and the strength and hardness of the container were improved through a quenching process. Twins were observed in one of the samples, so it was assumed that hot working had been attempted. Non-metallic inclusions in bronze vessels have circular or polygonal shapes, and Cu and S were detected. The presence of Cu-S inclusions showed the probable use of copper sulphide ores for metal production and smelting. Se and Te in the inclusions of the bronze vessels show that the copper ore is different. From the results of metallurgical analyses of bronze vessels excavated from other regions of the same era, casting and quenching treatments were confirmed, and the sequential relationship of the technological system was revealed.

Analysis of the ruined murals from the Resurrection Church of the Derevyanitsky Monastery (Veliky Novgorod, Russia): Dating and attribution

The Resurrection Church of the Derevyanitsky Monastery, one of the most significant historical and architectural monuments of Veliky Novgorod, was founded in 1335 by Archbishop Moses of Novgorod, painted by the order of Archbishop Vasily Kalika in 1348, and subsequently rebuilt several times, the last one at the end of 17th century. In the course of archeological excavations in 2013–2015, fragments of wall paintings were discovered, presumably dating back to 1348. A total of 63 fragments were examined using following analytical techniques: neutron activation and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, polarized microscopy, and stratigraphic analysis. Set of pigments and wall painting structure were revealed. The indirect dating was implemented based on statistical treatment of experimental data. Additionally, methods of humanities were applied, such as content and comparative analysis of manuscripts, proved by archeological sources. This approach allowed to make an assumption about painting authorship, as well as to trace artistic contacts of Novgorod with the Byzantine world.

Rediscovering Copperopolis: The Hafod Plate Rolling Mill, Swansea

ABSTRACT In 2021, Swansea University commissioned Black Mountains Archaeology Ltd to undertake a community archaeological excavation as part of a National Lottery Heritage Funded activity plan. The excavation was undertaken on the site of the former Hafod Plate Rolling Mill in Swansea, South Wales, UK, within which copper plates intended for both national and international shipment were produced between 1910 and 1980. The rolling mill represented one of the largest structures within the Lower Swansea Valley — also known as ‘Copperopolis’. Moreover, the mill formed part of the Hafod (and later Hafod-Morfa) Copperworks — one of the largest copper production sites in the world at the time. Within this article, the results of the 2021 excavation will be detailed. During the excavation, features associated with steam power supply, annealing, pickling and finishing were recorded. By comparing the excavation results with available cartographic and documentary evidence of the copperworks, this article outlines a detailed picture of the operations once conducted within the rolling mill, therefore bringing the mill back to life.

Last interglacial in western Europe: 20 years of multidisciplinary research on the Eemian (MIS 5e) calcareous tufa sequence at Caours (Somme basin, France) – a review

The calcareous tufa sequence and associated Palaeolithic site of Caours were discovered in 2002 during a test‐pit campaign aimed at identifying last interglacial (MIS 5e) archives in the fluvial terrace system of the Somme basin, northern France. The presence of an outstanding stratigraphical succession with four in situ Palaeolithic layers within the tufa sequence has motivated archaeological excavations of the site since 2005. The first malacological studies and U‐series ages quickly showed that the sequence was mainly deposited during the Eemian interglacial (MIS 5e). After 20 years of investigations, we propose here a summary of this multidisciplinary research project including stratigraphy, sedimentology, geochronology, geochemistry, malacology, mammals, palaeovegetation and archaeology. By combining 25 dates obtained by U‐series, ESR/U‐series, TL and OSL methods, the Caours calcareous tufa sequence is securely dated to the Eemian (123.1±2.8 ka). Based on the summary of the whole information, we propose a robust and detailed reconstruction of the modification of the valley environments between the Late Saalian and the Early Weichselian. At the scale of northwestern Europe, Caours provides a reference terrestrial molluscs record for the Eemian interglacial, including the climatic optimum, that is also described in the same layers by δ18O and δ13C analyses on calcite and by mammal remains. Moreover, the 300‐m‐long transect crossing the fluvial terrace covered by the tufa sequence and the bottom valley formation, combined with the chronology established from U‐series and OSL ages, shows that the incision of the present‐day valley, leading to the setting of the Very Low Terrace, was achieved during the first stages of the Early Weichselian (MIS 5d–5c). From an archaeological point of view, the configuration of the Caours site is unique at the scale of western Europe and demonstrates the adaptation of Neandertals to a forested environment and to fully temperate conditions during the Eemian.

Ancient DNA and paleoproteomic analysis on Roman Imperial-era individuals from Histria, Romania

Ancient biomolecules have become an increasingly important part of archaeological investigations interested in understanding population movements and health. Despite their ability to elucidate historically-attested contexts of human mobility and interaction between different cultural groups, biomolecular techniques are still underutilized in certain historical and archaeological contexts. One such context is the Roman Imperial limes, or border zone, along the lower reaches of the Danube, which saw more than five hundred years of migration, conflict, and accommodation among a wide range of populations, from Mediterranean settlers to steppe pastoralists. In this region, more than a century of archaeological investigation has unearthed the remains of tens of thousands of Roman-era individuals. However, only a limited number of contexts have undergone biomolecular analyses. While these deceased humans may offer an untapped reservoir of biomolecular information, many were collected during a period when the standard precautions and protocols for ancient biomolecular research were not yet established. Because contamination is a major barrier for successfully recovering ancient DNA and proteins, conducting a pilot study to assess bimolecular preservation of a small representative dataset of human remains before embarking on a more extensive research program may prevent unnecessary sampling. This study applies ancient DNA and paleoproteomic techniques to human remains from a Roman-period cemetery at Histria, a site located just south of the Danube at the edge of the Roman province of Moesia Inferior. The individuals from whom we sampled dentin and dental calculus were excavated between the 1940s and 1980s and were housed at the Francisc J. Rainer Institute since. Our results suggest that both microbial and human ancient DNA is preserved in the dental calculus and dentin samples. We also successfully recovered sex-specific amelogenin peptides in tooth enamel from three individuals, including a juvenile. In conclusion, our results are encouraging, signifying the feasibility of future aDNA and paleoproteomic research for this skeletal collection. Our analyses also showcase how sex estimation with genomic and proteomic methods may contradict traditional osteological approaches. These findings not only offer deeper insights into the lives of these individuals but also show promise for the investigation of broader anthropological questions, such as the impact of Roman annexation in this region.

Why together? Archaeology and zoology about medieval leather products on the example of Szczecin

Abstract Many years of archaeological excavation brought to light a rich material, that can be used in research of topics important from a social and economic point of view, such as the character of the production and/or organization, the development of technique and production technology, or the assortment of goods. A deep analysis of the selected categories of artifacts, in this case made of leather, can be used for a double purpose – a reconstruction of the process and conditions of early medieval leather craft formation, as well as a presentation of their role and significance in the activity structure of the inhabitants of Szczecin. Such an attempt to grasp the rules governing the development of one of the most important production branches – leatherworking, has been undertaken on the basis of leather objects that can be found on a mass scale in Szczecin’s cultural layers dated for the period from the early 10th to the mid-13th century. Key to these studies are the results of zoological analyses, which perfectly complement the archaeological conclusions.

In the shadow of the Lammermuirs

Wessex Archaeology completed archaeological investigations on the Onshore Transmission Works for the Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm between 2015 and 2021. These included geophysical survey, evaluation trenching, targeted strip, map and sample excavations, and watching briefs on the cable route and associated infrastructure between the landfall at Thorntonloch and the grid connection at Crystal Rig II Wind Farm, both in East Lothian. The investigations found that few archaeological features were present within the section of the cable route within the coastal plain between Thorntonloch and Innerwick, and within the upland area approaching Crystal Rig (excluding the medieval township of Boonslie). Features relating to a wide range of periods, dominated by the prehistoric, were found within the transitional zone to the south-west of Innerwick between the Lammermuir foothills and the coastal plain. These included an Early Neolithic pit cluster and possible trackway, pits dated to the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, and a Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age pit alignment. Within the immediate area of the pit alignment there was also evidence for later Iron Age and early medieval occupation. The cable route was designed to avoid the extant remains of Boonslie, an upland medieval township around the headwaters of the Boonslie Burn, but some previously undetected earthworks were uncovered and investigated, as well as the earliest dated feature found in the works: a pit containing burnt material dating to the Mesolithic. The excavations also uncovered evidence for the deliberate landscaping of agricultural fields during the post-medieval and modern period to give a greater area of cultivatable terrain.

Eastern Bloc Agents in West Germany

This paper highlights how contemporary archaeology can contribute to our knowledge of contemporary history, in a case where written sources no longer exist and any surviving protagonists either will not or cannot divulge what they know. Its focus is on a Soviet spy radio from the last years of the Cold War which was discovered during a recent archaeological excavation in Germany’s Rhineland. The radio was probably produced in 1987 and was soon afterwards concealed in woodland, most likely by someone working for Soviet military intelligence, the GRU. The findspot is close to various Cold War military installations involving nuclear weapons, and the radio would have enabled the swift transmission of military information into the Eastern Bloc that would have been useful in the event of war. As rare archaeological evidence of espionage, the radio can also help us to understand continuities between the Cold War and the present time.

Magnetic and GPR Data Modelling via Multiscale Methods in San Pietro in Crapolla Abbey, Massa Lubrense (Naples)

ABSTRACTWe performed magnetic and GPR measurements to image the buried ruins of the Middle Age abbey San Pietro in Crapolla, on the Sorrento‐Amalfi Coast (Massa Lubrense, Southern Italy). The site represents an important religious location, which is nowadays partially buried along the cliff. An integrated study was necessary to map the buried structures and address the archaeological excavation. For this reason, we carried out the surveys on two main grids in order to reconstruct the structures of the abbey and of its related church. The magnetic data were filtered through the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and then transformed to total gradient maps. The obtained maps were interpreted with depth from extreme points (DEXP) imaging method to assess the horizontal and depth positions of the top. The GPR data were processed and time‐depth converted. Results from the integrated interpretation of these data suggest the possible presence of different vaulted rooms and an elongated structure at 0.3‐m depth from ground surface. This latter is interpretable in terms of perimetral and internal walls of the abbey and its church. These outcomes were crucial to successfully address archaeological excavations, which targeted one of the modelled areas and unearthed a wall at the predicted depths.

Geochemical Evolution in Historical Time of Thermal Mineral Springs at Campetti Southwest (Veii, Central Italy) through Geoarcheological Investigation

A multidisciplinary study, involving hydrogeological, geochemical, and mineralogical analyses, was conducted to define the evolution of thermal mineral springs in the Sabatini Volcanic District (SVD) (Central Italy) in a historic period. The outcomes were integrated with the archeological findings to improve the knowledge of the evolution of Veii, a settlement established since the Iron Age and later expanded by Etruscans and Romans. During the archeological excavations, water-related buildings were identified, especially at the Campetti Southwest site in the Veii settlement. Votive inscriptions also suggest the presence of buildings linked to sacred waters, even if a clear definition of the source and type of water is missing. In the SVD, some low-flow thermal mineral springs are present as a result of the mixing of thermal and CO2-rich groundwater from the deep carbonate aquifer and the cold, shallow volcanic aquifer. Mineralogical and chemical analyses characterized the travertine and Fe-hydroxide deposits on Roman tanks and walls in Campetti Southwest and in a nearby ancient Roman bath along the Valchetta River. These deposits showed different relative concentrations of sedimentary and volcanic-related elements, testifying a geochemical evolution of the groundwater mixing and the presence of a paleothermal mineral spring in Campetti Southwest.

Archaeological Investigations of Honnavar Fort in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka, India Using Geospatial Technology

Archaeological Investigations of Honnavar Fort in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka, India Using Geospatial Technology

Sole Survivors: Using Tree-Trunk Wells from Archaeological Excavations to Inform Reconstructions of Medieval Deforestation, and Future Reforestation

Abstract This paper represents an attempt at a detailed analysis of woodland presence and dynamics during the Middle Ages (AD 500-1500), as a contribution to the current debate on large-scale reforestation in the Netherlands. Palynological data for this particular period are scarce and allow only global reconstructions. To widen our search for historical woodland proxies, we investigated the potential of archaeologically excavated tree-trunk wells. We carried out a nation-wide inventory of this type of well, in which the shaft is formed by hollowed-out tree trunks, typically large oak trees. Our suspicion that such trees indicate the local presence of (old) woodland in the past was confirmed by a marked positive correlation with spatial reconstructions based on other sources of information: archaeological (charcoal kilns) and non-archaeological (place names and historical references). The observed correlations suggest that mapping the distribution of precisely dated tree-trunk wells can indeed contribute to achieving fairly detailed reconstructions of medieval woodland cover.

The fortified site at Lanaken near Maastricht (Belgium/the Netherlands). New insights on early medieval military and elite strategies in the middle Meuse valley

Archaeological excavation near Maastricht (the Netherlands) in the town of Lanaken (Belgium) revealed a previously unknown wooden‐and‐earth fortified site dating back to c.650–800. The fortification's construction, layout and dimensions are indicative of Roman military practice, suggesting active application of this practice during the early medieval period. This research delves into the implications of this discovery, shedding light on early medieval military strategies in the region and providing insights into potential historical contexts surrounding the fortified sitecation's construction and use. In so doing, it makes an important contribution to ongoing discussions regarding the nature of early medieval military organization and elite society.

Revolutionizing Depth Sensing: A Review Study of Apple LiDAR Sensor for as-built Scanning Applications

Incorporating the LiDAR sensor in the most recent Apple devices represents a substantial development in 3D mapping technology. Meanwhile, Apple's Lidar is still a new sensor. Therefore, this article reviews the potential uses of the Apple Lidar sensor in various fields, including engineering and construction, focusing on indoor and outdoor as-built 3D mapping and cultural heritage conservation. The affordable cost and shorter observation times compared to traditional surveying and other remote sensing techniques make the Apple Lidar an attractive choice among scholars and professionals. This article highlights the need for continued research on the Apple LiDAR sensor technology while discussing its specifications and limitations. A comprehensive review found that the Apple LiDAR sensor has shown promise in capturing 3D point clouds of small to medium-sized objects with exceptional detail. This technology offers a cost-effective and accessible option to scan areas faster and analyze data more quickly and automatically for 3D mapping and modelling in indoor and outdoor environments, particularly in areas with restricted access when using other traditional techniques. It also opens the door for more sophisticated applications in future studies, including cultural heritage conservation, archaeological investigations and feature detection, building health monitoring and many more.

Conservation of Buddhist Heritage in Afghanistan, 2016–2022

This article describes activity at two Buddhist sites, Topdara (Parwan province) and Shewaki (south-east of Kabul) in Afghanistan undertaken by the Afghan Cultural Heritage Consulting Organisation (ACHCO) between 2016 and 2022. It entailed documentation, excavation, conservation and partial reconstruction of stupas and other structures associated with Buddhist monastic orders. The sites are part of a string of religious institutions situated along trade and pilgrimage routes that traversed the region, some of which have been the focus of previous surveys, archaeological excavation and analysis. The primary objective of this work was to document and conserve the surviving physical fabric of the stupas and adjacent buildings, while examining their siting and similarities in form and architectural style with other Buddhist monuments in the region. The interventions also provided an opportunity to observe the attitudes of both the Afghan work-force and members of the Afghan public towards their Buddhist heritage, for which there seems to be a degree of curiosity and respect that tends to be lacking in recent accounts of such sites being “endangered.”

Closure of Khor Al Balid and Khor Rori harbours/estuaries with coastal uplift and aridity in the 12th – 15th c. CE and evidence for an extreme overwash event in the 18th – 19th c. CE: Implications for ancient port sites in southern Oman

Ancient maritime trading ports along the southern coast of Oman have been the target of archaeological excavations for several decades. Though historical chronologies are well-researched, information from a paleoenvironmental perspective is lacking and can provide a more complete understanding of site development. This study investigates the timing of coastal sand barrier accumulation in the natural harbours at Khor Al Balid and Khor Rori, which had considerable effects on the populations at the ancient cities of al–Balīd and Sumhuram, respectively. Six cores from Khor Al Balid and four cores from Khor Rori were analyzed using sedimentological, microfossil (foraminifera and testate amoebae), geochemical (μXRF), and radiocarbon dating methods. Marine proxies (e.g., Amphistegina spp., C. pseudolobatulus, E. limbatum, Sr, Ca/Si) and lagoon proxies (e.g., T. macrescens, T. inflata, C. constricta and C. aculeata, Ti/Ca, Fe/Ca) were used to identify Marine Sand, Brackish Lagoon/Marsh, and Freshwater facies. Results indicate that the eastern arm of Khor Al Balid closed off from the sea around the 12th century CE and that the western arm closed around the 15th century CE. Siltation of harbours and the formation of sand barriers may have contributed towards site abandonment. Previous archaeological findings suggest that al-Balīd was able to continue with maritime trade activities along the southern seaside edge of the city for several centuries after siltation of Khor Al Balid, possibly with the help of dredging. An extreme overwash event was recorded in almost all cores across both sampling sites, suggesting that a very large cyclone or a tsunami hit the southern Oman coast sometime around the 18th–19th century CE. This event, as well as continuous coastal sand accumulation, may have contributed to the decline and abandonment of Khor Al Balid and highlights the impacts that large storm/wave events have on archaeological site preservation.

Reconstruction of the Technology for Manufacturing Slate Knives Based on the Results of Studying Materials from Sites of Ancient and Historical Eskimos

The article deals with reconstruction of the technology for making slate knives of the Eskimos of Chukotka and Russian America, obtained during archaeological excavations and ethnographic collections. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive methodology for studying artifacts was used. First of all, a traceological analysis was carried out, which made it possible to record in detail traces of processing on the surfaces of knives, such as percussion, picketing, grinding and drilling. In addition, archaeological finds of abrasive stones and bow drills, which could be used for grinding knives and drilling through holes when fastening them in handles, were studied. The recorded uniformity of most technological features on both archaeological and ethnographic artifacts indisputably indicates the commonality of their manufacturing techniques. These data formed the basis for experimental modeling. The specific purpose of the experiments was to clarify the features of slate processing and methods for making replicas of women's and men's knives from it, similar to the original Eskimo products. The slate raw materials for the experimental replicas were selected based on the results of petrographic analysis of tools found at the ancient Eskimo settlement of Ekwen. The fastening of the handles was reconstructed on the basis of archaeological and ethnographic data on the use of binding material and adhesive composition. Technological traces identified and interpreted using a complex methodology on the surfaces of archaeological and ethnographic artifacts made it possible not only to characterize the methods of making these products, but also to prove the identity of their production, which is important evidence of the long existence of production traditions that have been preserved in Chukotka since the existence of the ancient Bering Sea culture of the 1st millennium n. e. until the time of ethnographic observations made in the 19th–20thcenturies.

Paleoanthropological Analysis of Osteological Material from the Myntobe Burial Ground

The article deals with the paleoanthropological analysis of the skeletons unearthed from the Myntobe necropolis and dated to the II – IV centuries AD. Myntobe necropolis is located 2 km south of Gani Muratbayev village in the Keles district of Turkestan province. The burial ground consists of more than 600 randomly located mounds of various sizes. All mounds have a dirt embankment. Archaeological excavations were carried out at the burial ground in 2017 and 2022, as a result of which burials in the catacombs and naus were unearthed. An analysis of the burial tradition and recovered material allows researchers to speak about the belonging of these burials to the Kangli tribes. Since the burials date back to the Kangli period, the theoretical part reveals the issues of the location and political structure of the tribes and, most importantly, the determination of the paleopathology of the Myntobints by conducting a macroscopic analysis of the discovered skeletons. The results of the analysis allowed for drawing preliminary conclusions about lifestyle, social life, and nutritional status. When writing the theoretical part of the article, electronic textbooks and resources from the book fund of the National Library of Kazakhstan and the library of the International Kazakh-Turkish University named after Kozh Ahmet Yasawi were used. In total, 9 skeletons were selected for paleoanthropological and paleopathological analysis, from mounds No. 3, No. 6, and No. 7. Paleoanthropological reasoning in the main section is written on the basis of materials in Turkish and English from the collections of Turkish libraries. The skeletons found were analyzed macroscopically and many diseases were identified, such as osteoarthritis (joint deformity), osteopathy, ankylosing spondylitis, heel spurs, thickening of the cranial bone, and deformity of the mandibular joint. Preliminary conclusions about the paleopathology of the discovered skeletons are made.

The Ordazy cities. The first archaeological research works in the cities of Sortobe 1, 2

The article presents written data on the sites, located in the lower reaches of the Syr Darya river and extensive information about the archaeological research conducted in the Sortobe group of cities. It examines the main written sources, works of Arab-Persian researchers of the 9th-12th centuries, including rare information related to sites of the Oghuz period in the lower reaches of the Syr Darya river, which is presented for the first time. In addition, detailed information concerning events in the lower reaches of the Syr Darya, mentioned in the works of Western researchers in the last quarter of the 19th century is considered, memories of some local historians of the Tsarist Russia times and archival data of the Khorezm archaeological-ethnographic expedition are аnalyzed. The article highlights the process of studying the site and the archaeological excavations conducted there with results. This paper discusses the current state of the medieval city of Sortobe. It highlights that half of the city has been eroded by the Syr Darya river, leading to the cultural layer of the site being in an emergency condition without state protection.

Ancient Chinese Character Recognition with Improved Swin-Transformer and Flexible Data Enhancement Strategies.

The decipherment of ancient Chinese scripts, such as oracle bone and bronze inscriptions, holds immense significance for understanding ancient Chinese history, culture, and civilization. Despite substantial progress in recognizing oracle bone script, research on the overall recognition of ancient Chinese characters remains somewhat lacking. To tackle this issue, we pioneered the construction of a large-scale image dataset comprising 9233 distinct ancient Chinese characters sourced from images obtained through archaeological excavations. We propose the first model for recognizing the common ancient Chinese characters. This model consists of four stages with Linear Embedding and Swin-Transformer blocks, each supplemented by a CoT Block to enhance local feature extraction. We also advocate for an enhancement strategy, which involves two steps: firstly, conducting adaptive data enhancement on the original data, and secondly, randomly resampling the data. The experimental results, with a top-one accuracy of 87.25% and a top-five accuracy of 95.81%, demonstrate that our proposed method achieves remarkable performance. Furthermore, through the visualizing of model attention, it can be observed that the proposed model, trained on a large number of images, is able to capture the morphological characteristics of ancient Chinese characters to a certain extent.