Archaeometric Analyses Research Articles

Archaeological evidence of independent iron production from the 9th-century rural settlement of Bořitov (Blansko District, Czechia)

The study attempts to show the potential of iron slags to answer questions about the organization of iron production in 9th-century Moravia. As a case study, it evaluates a small archaeological assemblage from the contemporary rural settlement of Bořitov, where basic contextual and macroscopic evaluation in combination with various archaeometric analyses (pXRF, ED-XRF, XRD, SEM/EDS) of iron slags made it possible to recognize the smelting of iron ore, as well as its further processing in a reheating hearth and smithy. Taking into account some other finds connected with iron production as well as the specific geographic position of Bořitov, these results also indicate that the community in Bořitov could have been beyond the reach of regional elites and might thus have acted as independent producers with the main purpose to saturate their own demand and/or exchange the surplus.

Ceramic complexes of the mouth of Wadi el-Hawad: Features of Meroitic pottery under king Natakamani (morphology and archaeometry)

The urban and temple centers of the ancient Sudanese kingdom of Meroe – Hamadab, Awlib and Abu Erteila are located to the south of capital, at the mouth of the seasonal watercourse Wadi el-Hawad, and flourished under the King Natakamani in the 1st century A.D. The study of the pottery shape features makes it possible to identify the morphological evolution of Meroitic ceramics, its functions, and local characteristics. Archaeometric analysis of pottery helps to differentiate the methods of its manufacture and belonging to production centers. As a result, we can say that each of the settlements could have own pottery workshops, which provided, first of all, their needs. Trade in ceramics was weak, and ordinary types of utensils were used in the exchange of their contents. The location of the pottery workshops identified in Hamadab and Muweis demonstrates the development of a planning system for their settlements according to a single model, clearly divided into residential and craft areas, being a characteristic feature of the production infrastructure of the capital region of the Meroitic Kingdom. Although the image of material culture of Meroe shows a high degree of centralization, clearly expressed in the unity of the temple and administrative architecture, and the style of household and cult items (primarily ceramics), we can conclude that the handicraft production and exchange of goods between Meroitic settlements were less centralized, which led to the creation and active functioning of their own pottery workshops both in large urban centers and small administrative and temple complexes.

Braziers and the Hellenistic koiné in the kitchen: the case of Paphos, capital of Cyprus

Portable braziers played a very important role in ancient kitchens. Stoves with a stand, fire bowl and three supports were very common in Middle and Late Hellenistic times (2nd century BCE and late 2nd century to 30 BCE, accordingly), but they do not seem to have been imported in large numbers to Cyprus. The paper discusses the finds from Cyprus, and from Paphos in particular, the island’s capital from the end of the 3rd century BCE, which is where most of the finds come from. The research entails a re-examination of the stoves from the House of Dionysos (original spelling after Hayes 1981) and the mostly unknown material from the University of Warsaw excavations in the Maloutena area. Fabrics were distinguished by macroscopic observation with the naked eye using a hand lens, identifying macroscopic groups (MG). Paphos is suggested as a potential place of production, as well as a major importer of stoves, an idea that should be clarified by future archaeometric analyses.

Notes on Late Roman Unguentaria from Hierapolis in Phrygia (Turkey): a Contribution to the Study of the Contents

The paper presents the results of a functional study of Late Roman unguentaria from Hierapolis of Phrygia, which includes the chemical characterisation of organic residues found in 30 stamped vessels by means of the GC-MS technique. Evidence from recent archaeological and archaeometric analyses suggests that LRUs were manufactured in western Anatolia.
 The study, centred on the identification of chemical biomarkers, aims to understand the formulation of the actual contents of the unguentaria, together with the production techniques used for balms and ointments. A key substance present in the LRUs analysed is storax resin, obtained from Liquidambar orientalis, a deciduous tree endemic to south-western Turkey and the island of Rhodes. The pharmacological characteristics of storax resin – well known in antiquity for its healing properties – are also discussed.

Sklářský výrobní okruh z 2. poloviny 13. století u Jilmové v Krušných horách Přínos analytických metod pro poznání technologie výroby středověkého skla v Čechách / The glass production area near Jilmová in the Ore Mountains from the second half of the 13th century The contribution of analytical methods for studying glass production technology in medieval Bohemia

The study contains the latest knowledge concerning glass production at the beginning of the High Middle Ages in one of the oldest glass production areas in the Ore Mountains consisting of three glassworks located in the upper reaches of the mountains. The work presents archaeological sources obtained in excavations at the Jilmová I, II and III sites, with attention being focused on finds specific to glass production centres, i.e., mainly fragments of technical ceramics – melting pots, crucibles and the waste accompanying various stages of glass production. The classic typological­morphological analysis is accompanied by a detailed archaeometric analysis. The results of spectrometric analyses (XRF, XRD, SEM–EDS and LA–ICP–MS) expand the informative value of archaeological finds and help refine existing knowledge of glass production technology in the second half of the 13th century.

New results on horse trappings from the Hunnic-period Carpathian Basin based on non-destructive archaeometric analyses

Objects manufactured from pressed gold, gilded silver or copper alloy plates are characteristic assemblages from the Late Hunnic period (5th century AD, 420/430). In this study, horse trappings that belong to the ‘pressed gold plate horizon’ from three archaeological sites in the Carpathian Basin (Léva, Nyíregyháza-Oros and Pécsüszög) were analysed non-destructively by using a handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The main aims were to determine the chemical composition and the gilding technique used, and to attempt to prove whether the groups in an assemblage are from the same set. The results of the chemical analyses give us the opportunity to confirm whether damaged or presumably lost objects of an assemblage were replaced or repaired. According to the results obtained, the objects were manufactured from gold (Pécsüszög), gilded silver (Nyíregyháza-Oros) or gilded unalloyed copper plates (Léva). Later, replacements can be distinguished based on their chemical composition and manufacturing quality. Two types of gilding were observed: fire gilding with the presence of mercury (Léva), and leaf gilding (Nyíregyháza- Oros).

Archaeometric characterization of pottery from the Iron Age hillfort of Pintia (Valladolid, Spain)

This paper presents the results of an archaeometric analysis of pre-Roman and Roman ceramics from the Vaccean Iron Age hillfort of Pintia (Valladolid, Spain). The study assesses degrees of romanization and hybridization by investigating changes in local ceramic production and the dissemination of new technologies with the arrival of Roman rule. Thin-section petrography, XRD, and geochemical analyses (using XRF) have been utilised on a selection of pre- and post-conquest vessels from habitation contexts. This work goes beyond traditional typological analyses to shed light on the resilience of ‘Second Iron Age’ communities, who's ceramic traditions largely persist into Roman times, albeit with some changes, like shifts in the preferences and location of raw materials.

Archaeometric Analyses of Transylvanian Metal Artefacts. Case Study: Scythian Necropolis from Sâncrai (Alba County)

The Scythian necropolis of Sâncrai (Alba County) was investigated in 2016, which led to the discovery of 95 burials (inhumation and cremation). The study of the tombs revealed a rich funerary inventory, composed mainly of ceramic vessels of different shapes and sizes; weapons such as akinakes daggers, spearheads, and arrowheads; ornaments including amber beads, kauri shells, kaolin, earrings, loop rings, saltaleoni type bracelets, and clothing appliqués; and harness elements, including horsehair and quiver appliqués. The purpose of this paper is to describe the archaeometric analyses of metal pieces recovered from this site. A combination of non-invasive/micro-destructive analytical techniques (optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectrometry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), and statistical methods (cluster analysis, using SPSS Statistics) was used to obtain comprehensive information about the studied metal artefacts. In this respect, 16 metallic samples were investigated to establish the samples' defects as well as their elemental and molecular composition. Overall, the analytical and statistical analyses show us that the metallic samples can be split into three groups based on composition: iron, copper-tin/bronze, and gold-silver. In these groups, samples present a strong correlation, suggesting that they were created using similar minerals.

Hatay Mozaiklerinde Kullanılan Taş Tesseraların Türü ve Kökenin Tespiti, Müze Otel Örneği

(Museum Hotel) mosaics in Hatay province. Archaeometric analysis was performed on 60 tessera samples belonging to 6 different mosaics. In the scope of the study, color analysis, P-XRF and petrographic thin section optical microscopy analysis were performed on tessera samples. As a result of the analyzes, the color components of the tesserae were documented. According to the results of P-XRF analysis; main, artifact, transition and presence of rare earth elements were determined. At the same time, because the majority of tessera is composed of limestone, it is determined that there are high Ca elements in their structures and these results support the results obtained by petrography analysis.
 According to petrography analysis; the majority of the tessera are limestone, siltstone, clay stone and radiolarite rock species and just one rock type is not determined. It is concluded that these rock types are found in Antakya and surrounding of the region. When the tissue characteristics of tesserae samples were evaluated, it was seen that the tesserae belonging to the limestone species had micritic and sparitic texture and the other rock types had crystalline and clastic texture. When the hardness levels of tesserae samples were examined, it was found that the hardest tesserae was tesserae of the radiolith rock type (4,5- 5 mohs) and the others were generally (2- 3 mohs).

Preliminary Results of Archaeometric Analyses Conducted on the Ceramics of Burgaz (Palaia Knidos)

Preliminary Results of Archaeometric Analyses Conducted on the Ceramics of Burgaz (Palaia Knidos)

Art historical and archaeometric analyses of the ‘animal style’ gold and silver ornaments (fourth–third centuries bce) found in north‐west China

AbstractThe archaeological visibility of the production and consumption of gold and silver ornaments increased substantially during the Iron Age. A large number of precious metalworks rendered with distinctive ‘animal style’ motifs have been recovered from elite tombs in north‐west China, and have attracted great interest when investigating the dynamics of exchange, mobility and transcultural encounters in Eurasian antiquity. However, little scientific research has been undertaken to examine the manufacturing techniques and metal composition of such ‘animal style’ artefacts found in north‐west China and its neighbouring areas in a broader Eurasian context. Using multiple non‐invasive analytical methods, we conducted a detailed scientific analysis of two groups of precious metals excavated from Dongheigou Tomb 12 (fourth–second centuries bce) and Xigou Tomb 1 (third–second centuries bce) in present‐day Balikun county, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The results suggest that mould‐pressing technology was employed for the production of the ‘animal style’ appliqués found in these two tombs. The current analysis provides a definitive explanation for the traces of superficial crafting through their specific microstructure and the tool marks of manufacturing, and will thus be of significant interest for further research concerning the metallurgic knowledge and technological practice of precious metalworking industry in north‐west China and Central Asia.

Archaeometric analysis of a fragment of molded stucco cornice with rope from the House of the Mithraeum (Mérida, Spain)

AbstractDuring the excavations carried out since 2017 in the House of the Mithraeum (Casa del Mitreo) in Mérida a collection of paintings was recovered from Room 11, which had been abandoned in the late 3rd c. CE after a fire. The remains included fragments of molded stucco cornices, with braided esparto grass ropes on the reverse that were used to attach them to the ceiling. This article presents the descriptive and technical study of the finds and their compositional analysis using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Data resulting from these analyses allow us to understand the fragments’ composition and technical execution, and even the possible circulation of workshops and raw materials.

Archaeometric Analysis of the Objects from the Scala Santa (Holy Stairs) in the Crypt under the Piarist Church in Cracow (Poland)

Conservators extracted and preserved reliquaries hidden in the steps of the right flight of the Holy Stairs erected in the Piarist church crypt in Cracow (Poland). Three items from among 59 reliquaries were selected for specialist analyses: a framed, transparent cross containing a particle of the True Cross, and two opaque beads; an ornamented blue one without a hole and a drilled black one were analysed using non-destructive and non-invasive methods. The methods included scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, Raman microspectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry. The reliquary cross was found to be made of rock crystal and framed with an alloy of gold, silver and probably copper. The beads are made of glass; the blue bead represents forest plant-ash potash–lime glass and the black one, plant-ash soda–lime glass. Cobalt, probably along with copper, was used to produce the colour of the blue bead; manganese and iron ions were used to produce that of the black bead. Lead was present in both beads as one of the minor components and also as a component of corrosion products on their surfaces and probably also as part of the filler for the ornamentation of the blue bead. Nevertheless, it cannot be ruled out that the lead compounds were introduced intentionally to emphasize the bead ornamentation. The possible place and date of manufacture of the artefacts were also discussed.

EARLY BRONZE AGE METALLURGY AT MURAT HÖYÜK, EASTERN ANATOLIA: ARCHAEOMETRICAL ASSESSMENTS OF A FIGURINE AND A METAL TOOL

Murat Höyük lies on the bank of the Murat River in Solhan district of Bingöl province in Eastern Anatolia. This study presents archaeometrical analyses of a unique metal figurine and a metal tool recovered in situ during the 2019 Murat Höyük Excavations, the first systematic archaeological excavation project in Bingöl. Four cultural layers (Medieval, Middle Iron, Early Iron, and Early Bronze Age) were documented at the site, where the earliest settlement is dated to the EBA III (2500-2200 BC). The metal figurine and tool were found in this earliest phase (IV), where stone mould fragments and a crucible were also found in associated contexts. Portable XRF (p-XRF) analyses performed on the figurine, and p-XRF and metallography analyses conducted on the copper tool revealed that metals used in the manufacture of these artefacts were smelted from different polymetallic copper ores. Additionally, production process of the objects was examined in this study. A holistic evaluation of finds related with metallurgy at Murat Höyük reflects cultural affiliation with the Upper Euphrates Basin in terms of material choice and production technology. The present study on Murat Höyük metal finds provide new insight into Early Bronze Age metallurgy, belief systems, and art in Eastern Anatolia.

Rediscovering Black Coffins from Deir el-Medina: A Comprehensive Approachإعادة اكتشاف توابيت سوداء من دير المدينة: مقاربة شاملة

In recent years, the research carried out at Deir el-Medina under the aegis of the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology in Cairo (IFAO) has taken on new directions, accelerating the study of unpublished documentation and broadening the scope of research in many fields. In the 2018 and 2019 seasons, the reopening of pits 1022, 1049 and tomb TT217, used as magazines, led to the exciting rediscovery of hundreds of wooden objects excavated by Bernard Bruyère, among which various coffins and coffin fragments have been identified. Following this rediscovery, a team of researchers specializing in woodcraft was set up within the archaeological mission of Deir el-Medina (IFAO), with the aim of analysing, publishing and repacking all the wooden objects preserved at the site. The New Kingdom black coffins with yellow decoration found in the magazines are the subject of the present study, bringing together the archaeometric analyses in addition to the technical, stylistic and prosopographic observations made by three members of the wood team. This comprehensive analysis of the black coffins is the first stage in the on-going research.

The indigenous settlement of Monte Iato (western Sicily): an ethnoarchaeometric approach for outlining local Archaic ceramic productions

An ethnoarchaeometric approach has been followed to identify the textural and compositional characteristics of the ceramic pastes produced in ancient Iaitas/Ietas, an indigenous site located in western Sicily on Monte Iato, a few tens of kilometres from Palermo. This approach was primarily motivated by the lack of discovered Archaic kilns or production sites/workshops and the inability to identify reference groups. Raw clays were sampled in the territory of San Cipirello and San Giuseppe Iato (today’s municipalities both sited on the northern slopes of Monte Iato), together with representative historic tiles and bricks locally produced until fairly recently. Grain-size analysis and experimental firings were performed on the clay samples. A significant number of archaeological ceramic samples (incised and painted indigenous pottery dating back to the seventh–fifth centuries BCE) from stratigraphic excavations on Monte Iato, and hypothesized as local productions on a stylistic-morphological basis, was carefully selected for archaeometric analysis. This set of samples (90 in total, comprising raw clays, historic tiles/bricks and archaeological ceramics) underwent a combined chemical and mineralogical-petrographic analysis to identify any possible compositional matching. This approach enabled the identification of minero-petrographic and chemical markers pertinent to the indigenous Archaic pottery produced at Monte Iato, although no evidence of coeval ceramic kilns has been found so far. Local raw clay sources have been documented and some significant points of the chaîne opératoire adopted in antiquity have been noted (clay mixing and tempering practices). Attesting Monte Iato as a centre of ceramic production and defining both the microscopic fabric and the average composition of local pastes open up new perspectives in the complex issue concerning the production and regional circulation of incised and painted indigenous ceramics in Archaic Sicily.

Different Approaches to Research on the Interactions Between Hunter-gatherers and Groups of Farmers and Breeders

Interactions between hunter-gatherers and groups of farmers and breeders have been a subject of archaeological debate for many years. Thanks to the application of different scientific approaches, ranging from material studies to archaeometric analyses, the discussion has not lost its relevance. The aim of this study is to present the evolution of scientific investigations related to these interactions and to emphasise the potential of the debate: despite the passing of time, it remains an open research issue. The complexity of this discussion will be demonstrated through selected case studies from all around Europe.

Archaeometric analysis of building ceramics and ‘dolia defossa’ from the Roman imperial estate of Vagnari (Gravina in Puglia, Italy)

This paper concerns the archaeometric analysis of ceramic finds dating to the Roman Imperial period, brought to light during the excavation campaigns conducted at Vagnari (Puglia) in south-east Italy. On the site of the central village (vicus) of this imperial estate, established by the Roman Emperor in the early 1st century CE, large dolia (wine vats) sunk into the floor of a winery of the 2nd century CE recently were brought to light. Other discoveries include kilns for the production of ceramic roof tiles and also kiln wasters such as misfired tiles. The purpose of the analytical approach was therefore twofold: 1) to establish the composition of local ceramic products and of raw clay resources available nearby; 2) to prove that the dolia were imported and not produced locally (as macroscopic observations of the ceramic vessels would suggest) and to offer a hypothesis concerning their provenance through petrographic observations and chemical analysis. The results show that roof tiles for the settlement were manufactured locally from readily available clay deposits, but the dolia were imported, by sea and/or land, from distant workshops in volcanic zones on the west coast of Italy around Rome or south of Rome near Minturno on the Campanian border.

Archaeometric Analysis of Early Bronze Age Dark Rimmed Orange Bowl Ware (DROB Ware) from the Upper Khabur (NE-Syria) and The Upper Tigris Valley (SE-Anatolia)

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Güneydoğu Anadolu bölgesindeki Yukarı Dicle Havzasında ve Kuzey Suriye’deki Yukarı Habur Havzasında yapılan arkeolojik araştırmalarda ele gecen Erken Tunç dönemine ait Dark Rimmed Orange Bowl Ware (DROB-Ware) mal grubunun, kimyasal ve petrografik analiz yöntemlerini kullanarak üretim yerinin belirlenmesidir. Bu amaçla, her iki bölgeden alınan DROB Ware örneklerinin yanında, söz konusu seramiklerin üretiminde kullanılan muhtemel kil kaynak alanlarını tespit edebilmek için, her iki bölgeden çeşitli kil yataklarından örneklerde alınarak kimyasal ve petrografik analizleri yapılmıştır.Arkeometrik analiz soncuları, DROB Ware’in Yukarı Dicle Havzasında, Bismil ve Batman arasında bulunan kil kaynaklarından üretildiğini, Yukarı Habur Havzasındaki höyüklerde bulunan örneklerin, bu bölgeye Yukarı Dicle Havzasından geldiğini göstermektedir.

تصنيفات لأنماط فخار ممالک/ دويلات المدن اليمنية القديمة: دراسة مقارنة

الملخص:تستعرض هذه الورقة البحثية بعض التصنيفات لأنماط الفخار اليمني القديم خلال الفترة من القرن الثامن قبل الميلاد إلى القرن الرابع الميلادي، وتطبيقها على بعض نماذج من الأنماط الفخارية التي جاء ذکرها من خلال الدراسات التحليلية وبعثات التنقيب، والتي اعتمد عليها أصحاب تلک الدراسات والبعثات في توثيق ودراسة الفخار. وتهدف هذه الدراسة إلى عقد مقارنة بين تلک التصنيفات، وإبراز مدى أهمية عمل الدراسات التحليلية من العلوم الطبيعية على بعض العينات الفخارية، والتي قد تؤدي إلى الوصول إلى نتائج مختلفة وجديدة منها على سبيل المثال النوع 4100 – الجرة 1 من تصنيف فان بيک الذي اعتقد أنه نمط مستورد من مملکة دعمت بعد فحص عينه منه، لکن بعد مزيد من الفحص واستخدام تقنيات جديدة ثبت محلية صناعة هذا النمط. تبرز هذه الدراسة مشاکل تعدد التصنيفات وعدم تطابق معظمها مع کل سمات وأنماط الفخار المکتشف بمواقع التنقيب، مما يؤدي إلى ظهور تصنيفات أخرى جديدة تضم الأنماط المکتشفة بمواقع الحفر. بالتالي کان لما سبق أثر سلبي في حصر کل أنماط الفخار اليمني القديم وزخارفه، مما يؤدي إلى نقص المعلومات التاريخية والحضارية وغيرها وعدم اتضاح الرؤية کاملة عن الحضارة اليمنية القديمة وأصحابها. لذا سترکز هذه الورقة البحثية على عرض بعض من تلک التصنيفات الهامة والتي تم الاعتماد عليها في مواقع التنقيب لتوثيق الفخار المکتشف والمقارنة بينهما، وکذلک عرضها مع بعض الأنماط الفخارية من تلک المواقع لإيضاح مدى فاعلية التصنيف في توثيق الفخار وسماته ومدى فاعليته في مواقع التنقيب المختلفة. Classifications of Pottery Types of the Ancient Kingdoms/ City-states of Yemen: a Comparative Study Abstract:This paper reviews some of the classifications of ancient Yemen pottery types from the 8th century B.C. to the 4th century A.D. It also applies these classifications to some examples of pottery mentioned in the analytical studies and reports of the archaeological missions. This study aims to compare these classifications and highlight the importance of applying archaeometrical analysis on some pottery samples, which may lead to different and new results such as type 4100 – Jar 1 of Van Beek classification, which was thought to be imported from Dʿmit kingdom based on sample analysis of this type, After further examination and the use of new techniques; its local production was proved. Through this study, problems of multiple classifications and the incosistency of most of them are evident with all the features and types of pottery discovered at the excavation sites, leading to new classifications, including more new types discovered at the excavation sites. This had a negative effect on including all the types of ancient Yemen pottery and decorations, leading to a lack of historical, cultural, and other information and a lack of clarity about the complete picture of ancient Yemen civilization and its people. Therefore, this paper will focus on presenting and comparing some of these important classifications that have been adopted at excavation sites, displaying them with some pottery types from those sites and the extent to which the classification matches the pottery discovered in different sites.