Abstract This paper presents the results of a functional analysis of a relatively underexplored category of bone tools – primarily made from animal ribs – discovered within Bronze Age copper mining contexts. The study examines 30 bone artefacts associated with copper ore extraction from the Great Orme mines in North Wales, UK. Comparisons are made with rib tools from the well-studied bone tools collection from the Kartamysh mines in eastern Ukraine. Functional evidence enables the reconstruction of tool kinematics and offers new interpretations regarding how the tools were used. Experimental research at the Kartamysh mines has previously identified a distinct class of bone tools used for stirring and sweeping copper ore particles during wet beneficiation. Here, the functions of similar artefacts from the Great Orme mines are explored. A brief review of other ore-processing sites employing wet beneficiation is also presented. Findings from both sites suggest variability in how ancient miners utilized rib tools for extraction and ore processing activities. However, the Great Orme collection requires further detailed examination and additional experimental research.

Malocclusion is a condition characterized by misalignment of the teeth and jaws that affects oral function and oral health. Although extensively studied in modern contexts, its patterns in historical populations remain poorly characterized. A systematic review was conducted using three databases to collect relevant articles through a systematic search, following PRISMA guidelines on the prevalence of malocclusion in the prehistoric, Iron Age, Medieval, and Bronze Ages. Risk bias assessment was done using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. A total of 831 initially identified records, only eight studies met the criteria for final inclusion. The result shows a different pattern of malocclusion across different populations. The observed variations underscore the influence of genetic and environmental factors on malocclusion through different eras, warranting further bioarchaeological studies to enhance understanding of malocclusion trends across historical populations.

Valuing animal use in the agropastoral societies of the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Ages in North China

Dating the early dynasties: Radiocarbon chronology in Bronze Age China

Environmental background of subsistence changes from the Middle Neolithic to the Bronze Age in northern Shandong, China: Geoscientific evidence from the Dingjiazhuang profile

ABSTRACT Khirigsuurs are Late Bronze Age monuments found across Mongolia. Although mostly interpreted as mortuary structures, there is broad agreement that khirigsuurs also served as settings for communal rituals and seasonal gatherings. A key feature is the selective deposition of horse remains, mainly skulls, neck vertebrae, and hooves, while meaty axial and long bones are absent. This study investigates whether large-scale butchering and feasting took place at or near khirigsuurs through soil phosphate analysis and shovel testing at two sites in Züünkhangai, Mongolia. Results show no significant phosphate enrichment or bone concentrations, suggesting that intensive butchering did not occur at these sites. Archaeological, ethnographic, and historical sources suggest that butchering occurred off-site, with portions of the animals brought to khirigsuurs for ceremonial use. This practice, common in pastoralist societies, likely accounts for the absence of large bones at the monuments. Further research into off-site butchering and discard locations is needed to better understand the ritual practices and animal treatment associated with khirigsuurs.

Brain mysteries and Bronze Age diplomacy: Books in brief

The detection and recording of tens to hundreds of centimetre-scale features in archaeological sites represent a challenge in data collection during field work. Traditionally, archaeological field documentation relies on sketches and line drawings made by hand. Sensors facilitate the characterization, mapping, and quantification of millimetre-scale features, which are otherwise difficult to detect with naked eyes. High-resolution terrestrial laser scanning is an optimal method for documenting cultural heritage sites due to its transportability and efficient collection time; while processed 3D models facilitate detailed analysis. To demonstrate this approach, a Late Bronze Age Mycenaean cemetery in Greece was selected as a study site due to its size and active excavation status despite ongoing looting activities. The cemetery consists of several chamber tombs, which were hewn from a soft marl hillside using sharp tools. Chisel marks were observed in one of the chamber tombs. The cemetery was surveyed, resulting in point clouds with 0.7 mm spacing. The resulting 3D point cloud model was analyzed as a proof of concept to test the semi-automatic detection of the observed chisel marks. Two separate, but complimentary methods, were applied to one surveyed tomb, resulting in the identification of 39 chisel marks divided into four linear feature families. Future work can improve efficiency of detection as well as further classification of features, especially in sites where natural and anthropogenic features need differentiation or to reconstruct the sequence in which features were created.

This paper presents the hillfort of Trmun, located in the northernmost part of the Istrian peninsula, southeast of Trieste/Trst. Investigated in 2022, the site was first surveyed using non-invasive methods (LiDAR and ground-penetrating radar), followed by targeted excavations. The surveys identified the extent of the hillfort and its defensive wall; radar also detected the remains of a square modern tower. Excavations covering approximately 300 m² at the summit of the Trmun hill established the presence of an Early Bronze Age hillfort enclosed by a dry-stone wall. The finds are comparable to the earliest ceramics from nearby Karst and Istrian sites. Radiocarbon dating of bone samples confirmed attribution to the Early Bronze Age, with dates ranging from ca. 1900 to 1550 BCE. Combined with pottery characteristics, the data suggests an occupation span of 200–300 years. These early dates, together with the few from other sites in the Trieste area, indicate that such hillforts emerged concurrently with those in southern Istria, contributing to the research on the origins of the Castellieri culture.

Abstract This study investigates long-term socio-economic transformations in prehistoric Kuyavia, Poland, through stable isotope analysis of human, animal and plant remains, combined with radiocarbon dating. A total of 84 human individuals, spanning from the Middle Neolithic to the Middle Bronze Age (around 4100–1230 cal BC), were analysed to reconstruct ancient diet and subsistence strategies, and their implications to reveal possible social stratification. Isotopic values from cattle provide insights into changing herding strategies and adaptations to diverse environments, while analyses of charred cereals contextualize plant-based dietary contributions and crop management practices, including varying levels of manuring. The results indicate marked dietary and economic variability: Middle and Late Neolithic farming groups relied primarily on cereals and cattle, while early Corded Ware communities appear to have occupied marginal ecological niches with distinctive herding strategies. From the Middle Bronze Age, isotopic evidence demonstrates the first substantial incorporation of millet into the human diet, representing the earliest widespread use of a C4 crop in the region. Variability in nitrogen isotope values suggests differential access to animal protein and possible social inequalities, particularly during the Early Bronze Age. Together, these findings highlight both continuity and transformation in prehistoric economies over more than two millennia, offering a refined archaeological perspective on cultural evolution in East-Central Europe and demonstrating the potential of stable isotope analysis and radiocarbon dating to reveal aspects of past lifeways not visible in material culture alone.

ABSTRACT This study examines a case of skeletal dysplasia in an adult male (B290) from the Bronze Age at the site of Ban Non Wat, Northeast Thailand. Skeletal dysplasia, a group of genetic disorders affecting bone and cartilage growth, presents diagnostic challenges due to overlapping clinical features. B290 exhibited rhizomelia, humeral varus deformity, coxa vara, and block thoracic vertebra. A thorough differential diagnosis comparing 56 skeletal dysplasias identified that B290's skeletal pathology was consistent with conditions including hypochondroplasia or pseudoachondroplasia. The case contributes to a growing body of literature identifying extreme short stature and/or skeletal dysplasia in adults from the prehistory of Mainland Southeast Asia, indicating inclusion of differently abled individuals in society was not rare in this region, potentially highlighting a shared understanding of human value.

ABSTRACT This paper aims to contribute understanding of how new complex socioeconomic structures (in this case the early city-state) emerge following the breakdown of states and deurbanization processes. Deurbanization studies are rooted in the broader ‘spatial turn’ recognizing space as cultural: we highlight the role of storytelling and placemaking in the building of posturban social identities, ultimately instrumental in building new complex social structures. Selection and contextualization of results from recent field research on deurbanization processes in Crete from c. 1200 BC illustrates the discussion and raises questions about where long-term deurbanization stops and conditions for new urbanization begin. A site and region in Crete recently subject to intensive research form a central case study. Though deurbanization was pushed by the disintegration of Bronze Age states, elites, and economic systems across the east Mediterranean, perhaps starting as early as the mid-thirteenth century BC, the process in material terms can be perceived as a shared pathway of resilience, rather than a set of emergency adaptations. It was also a long process punctuated by discontinuities and further challenges for the island’s population. In this process clearly lie the roots of new kinds of urbanization, apparent in the record by the seventh century BC.

ABSTRACT Tell Dothan, located in the northern West Bank, is a prominent archaeological site with substantial historical and cultural significance. Associated with the ancient city of Dothan referenced in biblical texts, the site exhibits evidence of continuous human habitation from the Neolithic to the Mamluk periods. Its strategic location along essential trade routes – connecting the coastal plain with the interior highlands and extending on towards Mesopotamia – reinforced its significance as a vital administrative and commercial hub, especially during the Bronze and Iron Ages. In recent decades, Tell Dothan has faced escalating threats from antiquities looting and unrestrained land development. This article utilises a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating satellite imagery analysis and thorough field surveys, to document topographical alterations and evaluate the ongoing implications of these negative impacts. The results highlight the crucial need for protective policies and heritage management measures, in order to maintain the archaeological integrity of Tell Dothan and ensure its accessibility for future academic research.

An open area excavation was undertaken at Loak Farm, Bankfoot, Perth and Kinross in 2019 in advance of a borrow pit being opened to supply stone for work on the A9 dualling project. The excavation uncovered seven roundhouses, eight four-post structures, two six-post structures, two ring ditches, an oval post-built structure, a lightweight post-built structure, a post- and post-trench structure, and numerous isolated pits and groups of pits. Radiocarbon dating places the majority of these features in the Late Bronze Age and IronAge, indicating that the site was a fairly extensive settlement of later prehistoric date. A small assemblage of pottery and coarse stone tools was recovered; the stone tools indicated some limited craftworking activities were taking place at the site.Several features, including a corn-drying kiln and possible field oven, and pits containing ironsmithing evidence, returned dates in the very early medieval period, indicating some reuse of the settlement into the second half of the first millennium AD.

ABSTRACT The Nordic Bronze Age (1700–500 BCE) was a period of profound socio-cultural transformation, evidenced by the interment of elites in mortuary monuments and by novel participation in wider European exchange networks. Emmer, spelt and naked barley were staple crops cultivated throughout the Bronze Age, with other cultivars added to the agricultural repetoire and permanent fielding systems installed by the mid-first millennium BCE. However, little is known about how these crops were managed through manuring and watering. Here, we investigate agricultural development at the multi-period Bronze Age site of Bjerre through stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of charred emmer/spelt, naked barley and free-threshing wheat grains combined with functional weed ecology analysis. Cultivation strategies at Bjerre minimally disturbed soils and involved limited manuring, suggesting low labour inputs and an extensive agricultural regime. By the Late Bronze Age, agricultural investment at Bjerre intensified somewhat, a development that was accompanied by a shift to more permanent fields. Notably, manuring intensity did not change over the course of the Bronze Age for any crop species. Furthermore, low carbon and nitrogen isotopic variation visible in free-threshing wheat compared to emmer/spelt and naked barley may indicate that cultivation of free-threshing wheat took place on a more limited scale. Overall, these agricultural practices were largely sustained over the Bronze Age, suggesting strong transmission of agricultural knowledge passed along generations.

ABSTRACT This study presents the first identification of a ceramic tuyère connector from a Bronze Age bronze‐casting workshop in China, revealing a previously unrecognized component of ancient copper‐smelting air‐supply systems. The artifact was subjected to high temperatures associated with molten bronze and lead. Reconstruction suggests that it functioned as a horizontally oriented tubular component with two lateral supports along its body. To endure metallurgical conditions, it was fabricated from red clay tempered with coarse quartz grains in an approximate 2:1 ratio, and its wall was coated with a Ca‐rich coating to enhance resistance to metal corrosion and extend its service life. The connector was likely used in conjunction with an umbrella‐shaped tuyère: one end of the tuyère, attached to a leather or bamboo bellows, was inserted into the connector, which served to provide insulation and structural support. This discovery refines our understanding of the technological sophistication of early copper‐smelting air‐supply systems in ancient China.

Abstract Holocene relative sea level (RSL) changes were reconstructed from four sites along the less‐studied southern Solway Firth. A multiproxy approach, including lithostratigraphical and biostratigraphical analyses, combined with radiocarbon dating, produced ten sea level index points (SLIPs). These SLIPs constrained Holocene RSL changes in the region between ~8300 cal BP and ~6018 cal BP and captured the Main Postglacial Transgression. These ten new points are combined with the ten pre‐existing SLIPS from the southern Solway Firth to greatly refine the trend of Holocene RSL changes across this region. The Main Postglacial Transgression was shown to occur between ~8320 and 7500 cal BP, reaching a highstand of 3.26 ± 0.56 mOD. The new data were combined with 73 existing SLIPS from two sites around the northern Solway Firth and compared to RSL predictions from glacial isostatic modelling. Comparison between the corrected SLIPs and RSL predictions using British and Irish ice sheet reconstructions showed that the timing of the Main Postglacial Transgression is best captured with a hybrid model for the presence of thick and thin ice sheets. Pollen analysis at Cowgate Farm and Herd Hill provided a record of vegetation and coastal changes, acting as a chronostratigraphic marker when compared to published pollen records of the region. The records show a general transition from saltmarsh to reed swamp, then peat bog as RSL declined through the mid to late Holocene, with some indications of human clearance in the Bronze Age.

The complex historical phenomenon known as Greek colonization refers to the strategic establishment of new settlements (colonies) from the 8th to the early fourth century BCE. Unlike earlier migrations, this process was planned and driven by the need to expand trade, access resources, and develop economic as well as political networks. Corinth, a prominent commercial center in southern Greece, constitutes a prominent example for initiating colonization. By founding colonies, Corinth established a safe and continuous route for moving goods along the coasts of western mainland Greece and the Adriatic. Amvrakia was one of Corinth's principal colonies along this route in northwestern Greece. Founded in the seventh century BCE, Amvrakia was characterized by a strong dependence on its metropolis (Corinth). Here, we aim to investigate the genetic relationships between the Corinthian metropolis and the Amvrakia colony, the contribution of the local population to the founding genetic pool, as well as the demography of Amvrakia in subsequent periods. During its foundation in the Archaic period, Amvrakia appears to have been shaped by genetic influences from a single source. This source migrated from the Corinth territory, represented by the Archaic Tenea population and is supported via an Identity By Descent (IBD) analysis. A direct ancestry from Late Bronze Age (LBA) Greece, including a local LBA population represented by the Ammotopos site located in close proximity to Amvrakia, was not inferred despite conducting a plethora of independent population genomics analyses. During the subsequent Classical and Hellenistic periods, the population of Amvrakia appears to have only slightly differentiated and evidence of genetic continuity over time is observed. The migration of Corinthians to Amvrakia was the major contributor to the initial genetic pool of the colony, indicating that the Corinthian colonization included both genetic and cultural transmission between the metropolis and its colony.

Strontium isotope analysis is now a key method for investigating ancient human mobility, leading to a rapid expansion of available ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr datasets. Owing to the relatively homogeneous surface geological conditions across present-day Denmark (excluding Bornholm) and the growing number of regional datasets, it is now possible to construct statistically defined ranges of bioavailable strontium directly from archaeological human data. In this study, we compile 513 published strontium isotope values from tooth enamel and pars petrosa of individuals recovered from archaeological sites across present-day Denmark and add 115 new values. Using the Median Absolute Deviation (MAD) method to identify outliers in this comprehensive and diachronic database of 628 human ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios, we define the first statistically constrained, human-based range of bioavailable strontium isotope values for Denmark to ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.7089-0.7117. We interpret this range as representing typical bioavailable strontium signatures in prehistoric Denmark. We then apply it, for the first time, as one of the reference frameworks for investigating the mobility of non-elite individuals from the Nordic Bronze Age in present-day Denmark. In total, we conducted 34 strontium isotope analyses on individuals from two sites: fourteen analyses from six inhumations at Kalvehavegård on Funen, and twenty analyses from cremated individuals at Sølager on Zealand. We compare the individuals' strontium isotope values both to established baselines relevant for past mobility studies and to the new human-based range defined in this study. The results indicate that mobility during the Nordic Bronze Age was not restricted to elite social groups but also encompassed some non-elite individuals, offering new insights into social dynamics during this formative period of European prehistory. Moreover, the new strontium dataset presented here represents the first accessible, country-wide compilation of human-derived Sr data for Denmark, providing a robust platform for future comparative studies and mobility research in the region.

The Deep Maniots, an isolated population at the southernmost tip of mainland Greece, have drawn scholarly interest for their unique dialect, culture, and patrilineal clan structure. Geographically shielded by the Mani Peninsula, they are thought to have been minimally affected by 6th-century CE migrations that transformed Balkan demography. To investigate their genetic origins, we analysed Y-DNA and mtDNA from 102 Deep Maniots using next-generation sequencing. Paternally, Deep Maniots exhibit an exceptional prevalence (~80%) of West Asian haplogroup J-M172 (J2a), with subclade J-L930 accounting for ~50% of lineages. We identify Bronze Age Greek ancestry in Y-haplogroups nearly absent elsewhere, highlighting their longstanding genetic isolation. The absence of northeast European-related paternal lineages, common in other mainlandGreeks, suggests preservation of southern Greece's pre-Medieval genetic landscape. Y-haplogroup phylogeny reveals strong founder effects dated to ~380-670 CE, while the emergence of clan-based social structure is estimated around 1350 CE, centuries earlier than previously thought. In contrast, maternal lineages display greater heterogeneity, primarily originating from ancient Balkan, Levantine, and West Eurasian sources. These results align with historical and anthropological accounts, showcasing Deep Maniots as a genetic snapshot of pre-Medieval southern Greece, offering new perspectives on population continuity and mobility in the Late Antique eastern Mediterranean.