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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

DESALINATION OF UNDERWATER CERAMIC CULTURAL HERITAGE: THE EXAMPLE OF KERPE UNDERWATER EXCAVATION

Salinity, which is one of the chemical properties of the marine environment, is mixed into seawater due to the dynamic exchange processes between the atmosphere and the hydrosphere and the dissolution of the shells of marine organisms on the seabed. The amount of soluble salts is measured in parts per million (ppm), but in this article, it is measured in parts per thousand (ppt). When soluble salts are not removed by appropriate conservation methods, they crystalize in the pores of artefacts that constitute underwater cultural heritage. These crystals cause physical deterioration in ceramics, which are porous cultural heritage, such as fragmentation from the surface and microscopic cracks. For this reason, the first step in repairing cultural remains recovered from underwater archaeological excavations is to determine the physical properties of the artefacts, such as porosity and salt absorption capacity, as well as the type and amount of salt accumulated in their pores. Thus, the appropriate desalination method can be selected, and estimates can be made on how long the desalination process will take. This paper studied ceramic sherds of Roman and Byzantine amphorae and cooking vessels recovered during underwater excavations in the ancient harbor of Kerpe Bay in Kocaeli, Turkey, in 2022. The aim of the study was to make a preliminary examination for further studies, including instrumental analyses, and to determine the types and amounts of salt deposited on the samples. The samples were desalinated for one month in 200 ml containers with weekly changes of deionized water, and the desalination water was tested to measure salinity and determine the dissolved salt species. Spot tests were used to determine dissolved salts. Sulphate, chloride and carbonate were found in the samples due to these tests. The porosity of the samples was determined by the water absorption method.

“Death or conversion”: From welfare to famine in the Jewish quarter of Lleida, Spain (12th–14th century)

AbstractThe urban planning work carried out in the old seminary district of Lleida, over an area of more than 6,000 m2, uncovered important remains of the old Cuirassa quarter. This quarter was inhabited by the Jewish aljama between the 12th century and the end of the 15th century CE. Archeological excavations have documented streets, squares, and private spaces corresponding to several houses, one of which was destroyed by the Christian assault and fire of the Jewish quarter on 13 August 1391. The study of the important archeozoological assemblages from this area has made it possible to characterize, for the first time, the dietary practices of the Jewish communities in different periods of occupation of this neighborhood. In addition, the consumption of certain non‐kosher species in the late 14th century assemblages could be related with a situation of crisis or famine (which could correspond to the period after the attack of 1391), providing relevant data on the status and situation of the Jewish community in the city at that time. The results are consistent with the context defined by the historical sources, which describe an important period of decline after the attack.

Medieval groove plane: A wood-carving tool from the archaeological excavations in Elbląg

The author focuses on explaining the way of using and the function of an iron-and-wood object found during archaeological research of a site at the back of a town plot in the Old Town of Elbląg. The object is dated to the 1240s. A search for analogous archaeological finds in combination with the study of other categories of sources, including ethnographic and iconographic ones, made it possible to establish that this was a tool for cutting grooves in wood. It served to produce long, relatively narrow and not very deep grooves, mainly in shingles.

The cross-disciplinary influence of aerial measurement techniques: Exploring archaeological studies through photogrammetry and LiDAR

This research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of contemporary digitization methods for archaeological sites, specifically focusing on aerial approaches. The study is concentrated on the examination of two primary methods: LiDAR sensor and photogrammetry. The chosen case study revolves around the Camp of the V Macedonica Legion, a pivotal feature of the former Roman city now known as Turda, a city in Cluj County, Transylvania, Romania. Through analysis and comparison, the paper revealed that each of these aerial 3D scanning techniques possesses unique strengths, which, when combined, offer a comprehensive approach to archaeological digitization. These complementary attributes must be carefully considered and integrated considering the specific requirements and objectives of the archaeological project at hand when selecting the appropriate method. Furthermore, the research underscores the pivotal role of presenting archaeology in 3D, emphasizing its significant impact on both public and academic audiences. Achieving this presentation necessitates the utilization of specialized software for modelling, rendering, and animating objects of interest, thus enhancing the accessibility and engagement of archaeological findings. The comprehensive findings of this study demonstrate the vast potential offered by aerial 3D scans in the field of archaeology. Moreover, it serves as a potential call for the meticulous selection of the analysis method, recognizing its crucial role as a valuable tool for researchers and archaeologists. By leveraging 3D technologies in their activities, professionals in the field can significantly enhance the accuracy, depth, and accessibility of their archaeological investigations, thereby enriching our understanding of the past.