Archaeological Review Research Articles

The Origins of War : A Global Archaeological Review.

How old is war? Is it a deep-seated propensity in the human species or is it a recent cultural invention? This article investigates the archaeological evidence for prehistoric war across world regions by probing two competing hypotheses. The "deep roots" thesis asserts that war is an evolved adaptation that humans inherited from their common ancestor with chimpanzees, from which they split around seven million years ago, and that persisted throughout prehistory, encompassing both nomadic and sedentary hunter-gatherer societies. In contrast, the "shallow roots" viewpoint posits that peaceful intergroup relations are ancestral in humans, suggesting that war emerged only recently with the development of sedentary, hierarchical, and densely populated societies, prompted by the agricultural revolution ~ 12,000-10,000 years ago. To ascertain which position is best supported by the available empirical evidence, this article reviews the prehistoric archaeological record for both interpersonal and intergroup conflict across world regions, following an approximate chronological sequence from the emergence of humans in Africa to their dispersal out of Africa in the Near East, Europe, Australia, Northeast Asia, and the Americas. This worldwide analysis of the archaeological record lends partial support to both positions, but neither the "deep roots" nor the "shallow roots" argument is fully vindicated. Intergroup relations among prehistoric hunter-gatherers were marked neither by relentless war nor by unceasingly peaceful interactions. What emerges from the archaeological record is that, while lethal violence has deep roots in the Homo lineage, prehistoric group interactions-ranging from peaceful cooperation to conflict-exhibited considerable plasticity and variability, both over time and across world regions, which constitutes the true evolutionary puzzle.

A historical and archaeological review of the Yejok in the Yeongseo region

A historical and archaeological review of the Yejok in the Yeongseo region

Late Quaternary human-environment relationship in the Ganga Plain, India

Here, we present the first-ever attempt to combine palaeoenvironmental records (n = 17) from dated stratigraphic sequences with Geographic Information System (GIS) spatial modelling of archaeological sites (3 phases; n = 306 sites) in the Ganga Plain. The spatial modelling assesses the distribution of archaeological sites and phases on maps showing changing elevation, geology, geomorphology, biome, and rainfall variability within the Ganga Plain, aiming to evaluate the human-environment relationship during the Late Quaternary Period.The compilation of oxygen and hydrogen isotopic composition (δ18O and δD values) and pollen-based environment reconstructions for the last ∼100 ka indicates high rainfall conditions during ∼100–75 ka, ∼10–5 ka, and ∼3.6–1.3 ka. Fluctuating rainfall conditions were observed during ∼75–25 ka and ∼18–15 ka, while the period from ∼25 to 18 ka was the weakest monsoon phase, marking the Last Glacial Maximum. Arid conditions were also observed during ∼15–10 ka and ∼5–3.6 ka. The archaeological review suggests the presence of the Acheulian culture, diverse Mesolithic cultures, and the Neolithic phase marked by advanced agriculture and pottery production in the Ganga Plain. The past environmental analyses show changes in settlement areas correlating with rainfall variations. Frequent climate changes and increasing population density during the Late Pleistocene-Early Holocene boundary probably forced prehistoric humans to adopt agricultural practices. The distribution of archaeological sites representing different cultural phases on the modern spatial maps of landscape variability (e.g., elevation, rainfall, geomorphology, and geology) reflects an intricate relationship between prehistoric human settlements, monsoonal rainfall, and climate-driven landform processes.Our assessment suggests that the integration of archaeological sites, geological mapping, vegetation analysis, and palaeoclimate records has the potential to provide valuable insights into ancient human-environment interactions. Therefore, we recommend continued interdisciplinary research in these fields to further enhance our knowledge of prehistoric societies and their responses to changing landscapes and climates in the Ganga Plain.

Bringing Archaeology to the Classroom and Beyond: The African Archaeology Review

Bringing Archaeology to the Classroom and Beyond: The African Archaeology Review

An archaeological review of Polynesian adze quarries and sources

ABSTRACTAdze quarries and sources are some of the most visible, unique and well‐preserved Polynesian archaeological sites where stone technology, intensification of production, other aspects of economy, social organisation and ritual practices are anchored together on the landscape. The production and exchange of adzes are associated with complex interaction networks connecting islands and archipelagos up to 4000 km distant making adzes amongst the most widely transferred tools in the Neolithic world. Our review of Polynesian adze quarries and sources demonstrates that site descriptions are uneven hampering regional comparisons based on size, production output and internal complexity. We therefore provide suggestions for future research with the overall goal of making comparisons between these sites more meaningful. We believe it is an exciting time to be studying one of the most important site classes in archaeology not just to know how stone adzes were made, but what we can also learn about the development and variability of complex societies across Polynesia.

The African Archaeological Review Turns Forty: Some Reflections on the Past, Present, and Future

The African Archaeological Review Turns Forty: Some Reflections on the Past, Present, and Future

African Archaeological Journals and Social Issues 2014–2021

The two waves of reflexivity in archaeology are the identity politics of archaeologists and stakeholder politics. These social issues are considered in this article through the perspective of three African archaeological journals produced from 2014 to 2021. Identity politics is examined through a quantitative analysis of authorship, book reviewing, and the countries covered. I conclude that parity of gender authorship—assuming 61% male and 39% female archaeologists—has been achieved by the African Archaeological Review, Journal of African Archaeology, and Azania. In book reviewing, this is less so. The geographical coverage across the three journals shows lacunae. Stakeholder politics is most visible in book reviews and special issues. Journal ethics and goals and the final topics of open access and other ways of broadening the pool of authors, reviewers, and accessibility are offered.

Evidence of the Storegga Tsunami 8200 BP? An Archaeological Review of Impact After a Large-Scale Marine Event in Mesolithic Northern Europe

Around 8,200 years ago, the Storegga tsunami hit the coasts of the Norwegian and North Seas. This event is well known from wide ranging geological and palaeobotanical work undertaken over the last 30 years. Outside of attempts at palaeodemographic models, however, exploration of the social impact of the wave on Mesolithic hunter-gatherer societies living on the coasts of west Norway, the north and east British Isles, and around the southern North Sea basin have been less common. It has been widely assumed that the tsunami was a disaster–but what constituted a disaster for the Mesolithic peoples who lived through this event? What can we learn about life after natural hazards by considering the archaeological material from regions with distinct Mesolithic histories? This paper presents a review of evidence of the Storegga tsunami at Mesolithic sites from western Norway, the Northeast UK, and elsewhere around the southern North Sea basin. We consider the ways in which the social impact of the Storegga tsunami has been studied up till now and suggest an alternative way forward.

Open Access to Publications to Expand Participation in Archaeology

The Norwegian Archaeological Review has published several exciting articles recently that advance our understanding of openness in archaeological theory and practice. There is a gap between the ideas of broadening participation described in these papers and the limits on participation imposed by the publication choices surrounding these papers. This comment investigates the source of this gap, analyses the problems it causes, and suggests steps towards a solution.

新羅의 對唐交流에 대한 考古學的 檢討

신라의 대당교류에 대한 고고학적 연구는 문헌사 연구에 비해 그다지 활발하지 못하였다는 생각에서 이글에서는 고고학적 관점에서 신라의 대당교류를 검토하였다. 고고학적 검토는 경주에서 출토된 대당교류의 증거들과 중국에서 확인되는 신라관련 유적, 유물들을 대상으로 하였다.<BR> 문헌기록은 당을 오간 신라의 사신, 유학승, 구법승들에 대한 내용과 당으로부터 받거나 신라에서 당으로 전해진 물목을 전해준다. 그러나 중국 내 신라관련 유적, 유물은 신라 승과 관련되어 구전된 사찰유적이 대부분이다. 신라 왕실이나 사신 또는 신라에서 간 물품에 대한 정보는 확실하지 않다.<BR> 이에 비해 경주의 유적에서 출토된 당 문물은 화폐, 청동거울, 자기 등 완제품으로 수입된 것과 당식 대금구처럼 당의 문물을 충실히 모방하여 제작된 것 그리고 인화문토기나 연녹유계 자기 등 신라식으로 변용된 것 등이 있다. 이외에도 중국의 도용, 12지, 서체 등 관념이나 당풍을 보여주는 것도 포함된다. 이러한 것들은 신분질서를 드러내거나 사리장엄구나 진단구, 장골기 등 특수한 용도로 사용되기도 하였다. 특히 당문물을 모방하거나 변용한 기물들은 8세기 중엽 이후 크게 유행하여 9세기대 이후 경주에서 유행한 唐風을 잘 보여준다.<BR> 8세기 중엽 이후 크게 유행하면서 신라에서 유행한 당풍은 다양한 인적 교류와 북부 연안항로와 중부 횡단항로, 남부 횡단항로 등의 시간을 두고 개발된 여러 교통로를 들 수 있다. 따라서 대당교류의 고고학적 검토 결과, 정치, 외교적인 측면 외에도 8세기 중엽 이후 신라 사회 전반에 걸쳐 유행했던 당풍은 교통로의 확대에 따른 다양한 인적 교류가 배경이 되었음을 유추할 수 있다.

A thorough study of the pottery of Roman Malta - MAXINE ANASTASI, with contributions by David Cardona and Nathaniel Cutajar, POTTERY FROM ROMAN MALTA (Malta Archaeological Review Supplement 1; Archaeopress Publishing Ltd., Oxford2019). Pp. vii + 176, figs. 87, Tables 7. ISBN 978-1-78969-329-4. £35.

MAXINE ANASTASI, with contributions by David Cardona and Nathaniel Cutajar, POTTERY FROM ROMAN MALTA (Malta Archaeological Review Supplement 1; Archaeopress Publishing Ltd., Oxford 2019). Pp. vii + 176, figs. 87, Tables 7. ISBN 978-1-78969-329-4. £35. The foreword to M. Anastasi’s new book outlines why it constitutes a turning point in Maltese archaeology. Most significantly, it is the first volume in a monograph series connected to the journal Malta Archaeological Review, which is focused on Maltese archaeology and on the wider Mediterranean when topics are relevant to the Maltese Archipelago. The series will no doubt benefit from sound marketing strategies and a wide distribution, an aspect not always considered by scholars when making their choice of publishing house.

Zernaki Tepe: an Artaxiad hippodamian city in Greater Armenia

This article is focussed on the analysis of a very intriguing site located today in modern Turkey, Zernaki Tepe, one of the most interesting and debated in this region. The main feature of the site is its distinctive inhabited area, which is considered to be one of the oldest examples of a city with urban planning based on a Hippodamian Model. In the present article an archaeological review and some chronological hypothesis are offered. A first Urartian period occupation of Zernaki Tepe is highly possible, as attested by some specific rock-cut features and possible pottery evidence. Most of the remains currently visible on the site, the grid plan, and the remnants of important buildings featuring columns and stucco, point more realistically to the Artaxiad period, which was influenced by Hellenistic/Seleucid – Parthian period architecture.

Forty years of Industrial Archaeology Review: A Personal View

ABSTRACTThis article presents a personal view of the origins and development of Industrial Archaeology Review in the 40th volume of its publication. This is preceded by an account of the earlier journals to publish articles on industrial archaeology, as well as a brief account of such articles in the sister journal, Post-Medieval Archaeology. A short history of Industrial Archaeology Review is included for future reference purposes. The range of authors contributing to the journal is considered, from the volunteers in local industrial archaeology societies to the professional archaeologists of the later period. Attention is given to the importance of the publication of the annual Rolt Memorial Lectures, as well as the occasional themed issues where articles on specific topics have been grouped together. Finally, the article suggests how best use can be made, in this article and in the journal generally, of the advantages of digitisation.

Norwegian Archaeological Review 1968–2018: Looking Ahead

Norwegian Archaeological Review 1968–2018: Looking Ahead

Rome and the Tzani in late antiquity: a historical and archaeological review

AbstractCompared to other stretches of the eastern frontier, northeastern Anatolia has rarely attracted the attention of scholars of the Roman and late antique periods. The region is known, through late antique written sources, to have housed a belligerent confederation of tribes, the Tzani, who lived off raids conducted against their neighbours. Until the fifth century AD, the Roman approach to the Tzanic problem was one of quiet co-existence, but, in the early sixth century AD, after war broke out again with Persia, necessity moved the emperor Justinian (r. AD 527–565) to intervene more actively against the Tzani. According to the sixth-century historian Procopius, the Tzani were subdued and a chain of forts was constructed in their lands to protect access to the Black Sea coast. The remains of these forts, as well as those of other sixth-century AD infrastructure allegedly built under Justinian, are still elusive. Nonetheless, evidence on the ground and in the written sources can still help investigate the nature of the Justinianic frontier defensive system.

The Role of North Africa in the Emergence and Development of Modern Behaviors: An Integrated Approach

This special issue of African Archaeological Review, entitled BThe Role of North Africa in the Emergence and Development of Modern Behaviors: an Integrated Approach, is the outcome of a session held at the 23rd Society of Africanist Archaeologists (SAfA) meeting held in Toulouse, France, from June 26 to July 2, 2016. Development of our session at the 23rd SAfA meeting in 2016 was motivated by recent advances in several disciplines, including anthropological, cultural, and environmental studies concerned with the importance of North Africa in understanding of the emergence, development, or decline of early and recent anatomically modern humans and associated innovations.

Once upon a time…the (hi)story of the concept of the chaîne opératoire in French prehistory

ABSTRACTThe concept of the chaîne opératoire was popularized in the English-speaking world for the first time in the Archaeological Review from Cambridge in 1990. At that time, the history of the integration of this concept into French prehistory had begun. It would take a few years for this process to be successfully completed and more years for the history of research in lithic technology to take this into account. However, the concept and its history have, since the 1990s, been the subject of particularly intriguing writing and rewriting issues. This article presents the state of knowledge on this matter 1) by exposing what could be called the ‘official’ version of this history and 2) by correcting it with concrete historiographical facts gathered in the literature. In doing so, it also speculates on the context and motivations of scholars involved in these projects of writing the concept of the chaîne opératoire.

O genezie kultury pucharów lejkowatych i badaniach stanowiska w Dąbkach na Pomorzu Środkowym

The paper contains critical comments on the article by Agnieszka Czekaj-Zastawny, Jacek Kabacinski and Thomas Terberger entitled “The origins of the Funnel Beaker culture in the context of cultural changes in Northern Europe in the fifth millennium BC ”, which appeared in Przegląd Archeologiczny (Archaeological Review), volume 61. The paper stresses the incompatibility between the content and the declaration in the title, as well as ignoring the current archaeologicalknowledge. At the level of source studies and interpretation, the work contains errors and inaccuracies of theses as regards the results of research conducted at the site in Dąbki in Middle Pomerania. Hypotheses about the continuity of the settlement at this site, the evolution of Mesolithic pottery towards funnel beakers and the postulated chronology of events were brought up for special discussion. With reference to that, logical incorrectness of the assumed processes of the origins and spread of the Funnel Beaker culture has been suggested

The City Is Alive – Still! Comment on Bisserka Gaydarska, ‘The City Is Dead! Long Live the City!’

© 2016 Norwegian Archaeological Review. This is the authors' manuscript to the article, preprint.

African Palaeoclimate and Human Response: A Special Issue of the African Archaeological Review

Acknowledging the patchiness of palaeoclimatic data, as well as a new appreciation of how complex the forcing mechanisms of Africa’s climates are, it would be premature to propose a grand synthesis of the continent’s climatic backdrop to human history and prehistory. That said, this “state-of-the-art” sampler from several regions of Africa serves several purposes. Although chronological resolution—palaeoclimatic and archaeological—continues to improve, the warning “Causation, Correlation or Co-incidence” still very much applies to all exercises in explanation. Even in those cases of high-resolution climatic sequences, dating of the corresponding prehistoric sequence often proves disappointing. And lastly (ending on an optimistic note), each contribution to this special issue features one or more new techniques of climate data extraction that might usefully be applied continent-wide.