Archaeological Provenance Research Articles

Production centres of African red slip ware (3rd-7th c.) in northern and central Tunisia: archaeological provenance and reference groups based on chemical analysis

Production centres of African red slip ware (3rd-7th c.) in northern and central Tunisia: archaeological provenance and reference groups based on chemical analysis

Mandibular ramus flexure and gonial eversion as morphologic indicators of sex

Recently, two mandibular traits--ramus flexure and gonial eversion--have come under close scrutiny (Loth & Henneberg 1996, 2000). The present study investigates the reliability of these two traits when each is applied as a single and independent indicator of sex, including the question of repeatability. The investigation was designed to give insights into possible confounding factors such as age and remodeling after tooth loss. Two samples, one of forensic (N = 153) and one of archaeological provenance (N = 80), were examined. The forensic sample was evaluated by a single observer while the archaeological sample was independently scored by three different observers. The results document that age and localized tooth loss seriously reduce the accuracy of these traits. For ramus flexure, male accuracy was only 66%, while female accuracy was even lower (32%). Overall accuracy was 59%. It is believed that the original scoring system devised by Loth and Henneberg (1996) creates an inherent bias in favor of males. For gonial eversion, a similar picture emerged (75.4% for males, 45.2% for females and 69.3% overall accuracy). Furthermore, both indicators are prone to intra- as well as inter-observer bias. While both possess some merit as sex indicators, they show marked functional and adaptive responses and may not be suitable for all samples.

Analysis of archaeological artefacts: PIXE, XRF or ICP-MS?

Elemental analysis of ancient artefacts is of considerable benefit to the field of Archaeology and of general interest to earth scientists. Several techniques are currently available for this purpose, and in this paper the capabilities of PIXE (Particle Induced X-ray Emission), XRF (X-ray Fluorescence) and ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry) were evaluated to establish which of these instrumental methods was best suited especially for routine on-line usage. The elements of interest discussed in this paper are useful in archaeological provenance studies.

Nondestructive measurement of large objects with electron paramagnetic resonance: Pottery, sculpture, and jewel ornament

A cylindicral cavity of TE111 mode with an aperture of 3 mm in diameter has been used to measure the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum of a large object placed over the aperture. EPR spectra of a precious fossil of a dinosaur tooth piece and a fossil bone of the Machikane Alligator were measured nondestructively in addition to a jadeite sculpture, a pearl and turquoise necklace, a large turmaline, a star ruby, and ceramic pottery. Thus, EPR can be a nondestructive tool to detect forgery and to test the authenticity in art as well as to allocate ancient objects in archaeological provenance study.

Classification of ancient mesopotamian ceramics and clay using SIMCA for supervised pattern recognition

Heydorn, K. and Thuesen, I., 1989. Classification of ancient Mesopotamian ceramics and clay using SIMCA for supervised pattern recognition. Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems, 7: 181-188. Ancient Mesopotamian ceramics and clay have been investigated by instrumental neutron activation analysis to obtain information on archaeological provenance. More than two hundred samples chosen within a narrow chronological frame were analyzed. They represent a pottery tradition flourishing some time within the so-called Early Dynastic period, 3000-2700 BC. Geographically the samples represent a cross-section of the alluvial plains along the western Zagros foothills, following the border between today's Iran and Iraq from the Hamrin Basin NE of Baghdad to the Deh Luran plain in northern Khuzistan. Some samples from the mountain valleys in the adjacent Zagros massif are also included. The results for the concentrations of 24 elements are used to identify pottery workshops in the Sumerian society, using the SIMCA program. A two-term principal components model is used to illustrate clusters and tendencies in the distribution of results, suggesting an archaeological explanation. Thus, a strong inter-regional relationship is observed in the early phase of the period examined, which, however, changes with time. Subsequently, a localized production seems to develop in the region. It was found that a successful classification could be made with no more than ten samples in each of the major groups of pottery.

The Old Babylonian Tablets from Al-Rimah

In the last decades, archaeologists have excavated a number of sites in the middle Euphrates valley, recovering archives which have permitted reconstruction of a distant period in the history of the Ancient Near East. These excavations include ones at Tell Hariri (ancient Mari), Tell Shemsharra (Shusharra), Chagar Bazar, Tell al-Rimah, and Tell Taya. As is neatly summed up in its forword (p. v), the volume under review constitutes the editio princeps of all the Old Babylonian tablets from Tell al Rimah found in the course of excavations conducted on that site from 19641971 by Professor David Oates on behalf of the British Schools of Archaeology in Iraq. volume is introduced by Oates. Stephany Dalley, who bore the brunt of this publication, contributes chapters on The Chronology and History of the tablets from Room II of the palace, The Iltani Archives, and The [Economic] of Rooms II and XVII, the last consisting of 163 and 74 documents respectively. C. B. F. Walker publishes some 33 Miscellaneous Texts from the Palace Area [chapter IV], and, in a short appendix (p. 356), gives a digest of 6 additional tablets found too late for proper inclusion within the volume. J. D. Hawkins presents 57 Tablets from the Temple Stairway [chapter V], and studies The Inscribed Seal Impressions [chapter VI]. Exceptionally clear hand copies for all these texts are given in plates 1-109, with photographs of specimen tablets and seal impressions occupying 3 additional plates. Elaborate indices enhance the usefulness of this well-bound and moderately priced volume. These consist of lists of Personal, Divine, Geographical, Months, and limu names. A short index of Words discussed, a concordance of field and museum numbers, specifically relating each document to its archaeological provenance, conclude a volume which