Burial Features Research Articles

Mortuary Practices and the Importance of Rock-Shelters during the Early and Middle Holocene in the Southern Maya Mountains

Research at two rock-shelters in the Maya Mountains of southern Belize, Mayahak Cab Pek and Saki Tzul, documents their persistent use as mortuary spaces over 9000 years, spanning the end of the last ice age until the end of the Classic period. These sites offer a rare diachronic view of mortuary behaviors within a single region of the neotropics spanning from early foragers through a long interval of transitional farmers. Here, we provide the first detailed discussion of human remains from these sites representing 30 burials dating between 12,000 and 3700 cal B.P. Analyses of burial features shows that communities in the region used diverse mortuary practices across this interval for the treatment and interment of their dead. These include primary burial, secondary burial, cremation, and possible disarticulation. All age categories are represented in the assemblage. Molecular data from aDNA and isotopes provide evidence of shifts in cultural behaviors and regional population structure. Despite these changes, mortuary treatments continue to be diverse throughout this time period, with no observable pattern or trend. However, all burials were recovered in two rock-shelters, representing unique features on the landscape. We examine and theorize the importance of these locations as mortuary spaces important to communities through time. We also explore evidence for the relationship between mourners, their dead, and these rock-shelters as precursors to later Classic Maya worldviews.

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey and spatial analysis of the George and Addie Giddens Cemetery, Opelika, Alabama

ABSTRACT Interest in locating and preserving the cemeteries of enslaved African Americans has increased the need for new methodologies coupled with efficient, noninvasive geophysical techniques, such as ground-penetrating radar (GPR). The southeast United States, where many of such sites are located, provides many challenges to using GPR due to its humid climate and abundant vegetation, which deteriorates burial remains, disguises burial shafts, and forms physical obstacles to GPR surveys. These challenges make it difficult for GPR alone to locate caskets or burial shafts. To address these issues, this study uses GPR combined with an innovative spatial and observational methodology to locate burials in a humid climate and determine their burial conditions. These mixed methods led to the location of 129 potential graves. Knowing the spatial distribution of burial features provides a context for analyzing the relative burial ages and decay rates within the cemetery site.

Clumped-isotope evidence for the formation of nonplanar dolomite textures at near-surface temperatures

Abstract Dolomite textures are widely interpreted to reflect physical, mineralogical, and geochemical conditions of crystal growth. In particular, nonplanar dolomites, which display non-faceted crystal boundaries and a low percentage of crystals with compromise boundaries with preserved crystal-face junctions, have long been cited as evidence of crystal growth in fluids warmer than a theoretical dolomite critical roughening temperature (CRT) of ∼ 50–100°C. No direct experimental evidence across this temperature range exists, however, to confirm the theory that nonplanar dolomite should form exclusively above the CRT. The present study offers new Δ47 clumped-isotope data from nonplanar dolomites from the Paleocene–Eocene Umm er Radhuma Formation (Qatar) that show that nonplanar dolomite can form below the theoretical CRT. These dolomites are interpreted to have experienced only near-surface to shallow-burial conditions since deposition, and lack common burial features such as two-phase liquid-vapor inclusions, stylolites, compaction-reduced porosity, and burial cements. Scanning electron microscope images reveal that relatively large dolomite crystals (typically > 100 µm) comprise non-faceted mosaics with indistinct crystal boundaries, indicating a nonplanar texture. Thin-section petrographic measurements confirm the nonplanar texture, as the proportion of dolomite crystals with compromise boundaries with preserved crystal-face junctions ranges from 9% to 20% with an average of 14%, defining these dolomites as nonplanar sensu stricto (≤ 30%). The new Δ47 clumped-isotope data from these nonplanar dolomites reveals average crystallization temperatures ranging from 38.8 to 54.2°C and overall averaging 43.6°C. Calculated uncertainties, however, indicate the nonplanar dolomites could have formed at temperatures as low as 29.1°C or as high as 65.3°C. More than three quarters (∼ 78%) of the samples have mean temperatures that fall below 50°C, and all samples have calculated uncertainties indicating possible temperatures below 50°C, but not all indicate possible temperatures above 50°C. Furthermore, these calculated uncertainties overlap with the crystallization temperatures of planar and mimetic dolomites higher in the section, suggesting that all dolomites formed under similar temperature conditions, and therefore texture is unlikely driven solely by crystallization temperature. Cumulatively, these results indicate that the nonplanar dolomite formed in a shallow-burial setting at temperatures near or below the proposed dolomite CRT. The new Δ47 data, in conjunction with textural observations from natural dolomites and hundreds of published high-temperature experiments, suggest that nonplanar dolomite cannot be reliably used as an indicator of high-temperature environments of dolomitization.

ON THE SELECTION AND CHRONOLOGY OF ULYANIVKA TYPE KNIVES

In the collection of metal artifacts of the Late Bronze Age of the Northern Pontic region a series of bronze knives (7 objects) is distinguished, which are characterized by a notable morphological and technological feature: they have double-edged blade and a forged waist with thickening and )(-like layering of the metal at the point of transition of the blade to the handle. Among these finds, four items come from the barrow burials of Berezhnivka-Mayivka Zrubna Culture (BMZC): Basan’, Babakova Moghila 3/5 (kurgan/burial), Ivanivka 1/1, Mynkivka 6/1, Novomykolaivka, Smolovs’ka Mohyla 1/5. One knife was part of the Ulyanivka hoard of bronze objects, Mykolaiv region. Two more knives are the accidental finds from the Sumy region and Glukhiv of the same region.
 All mentioned burials with knives according to their burial features and grave goods, as well as according to the data of stratigraphy, represent the late period of the BMZC. Researchers attribute the Ulyanivka treasure either to the early period of the Sabatynivka culture, or to the late stage of the Babyne culture. Contrary to this, it seems to be more reasonable that the Ulyanivka hoard belongs to the early Sabatynivka culture and probably may be synchronized with the late BMZC. This conclusion is confirmed by the materials of the Loboykivka hoard (Dnipropetrovsk region), which includes several knives with smoothed (leveled) traces of end forging. The Loboykivka hoard belongs to the BMZC and is traditionally synchronized with the Ulyanivka hoard.
 The territorial distribution of knives with forged waist and )(-like layering of the metal shows that almost all of them within the Zrubna Culture (BMZC) area were found. This fact is decisive for the cultural attribution of such knives. Only the Ulyanivka hoard was found in the area of the Sabatynivka culture, which hints at its corresponding affiliation. However, the composition of the objects of the Ulyanivka hoard itself (sickles, adze and knife) mostly corresponds to the Zrubna culture.
 The discussed evidence allows us to distinguish the knives with forged waist and )(-like layering of the metal into a separate classification taxon and we can name them the Ulyanivka type knives.

Wealth of Inhabitants of Sandomierz and Neighbouring Settlements in the 11th–12th Centuries in the Light of Cemetery Materials

It is debatable to what extent so-called grave goods (items intentionally deposited in burials) reflect the actual level of prosperity of people inhumed in early mediaeval graves. The same applies to the types of the burial features in which they were inhumed. Whether the deceased were supplied with particular items or not – and if so, what kind of goods they were – might have resulted, for example, from the extent to which Christianity (having a unifying influence on funerary rituals) was accepted, as well as from local customs or even family traditions, the actual wealth of the buried people and individual decisions as to whether their opulence should be manifested or not. In Sandomierz, between the end of the 10th and the middle of the 12th century, there were at least three non churchyard row cemeteries. We know 20 other burial sites of this type located in the radius of 20 km from the town. An analysis of materials found in them (grave goods) indicated that in the discussed time the wealth of Sandomierz residents was similar to that of people living in the neighbouring settlements dated to the same period. This assumption, however, is not necessarily correct, because the lack of considerable differences between grave inventories might have resulted from local burial customs followed at that time. Another question is whether such customs were a continuation of earlier local traditions or whether they were shaped by the embracing of elements of Christian funerary rituals. Finally, it is also possible that they resulted from both factors.

Mechanisms and options of the utilization and burial of carbon dioxide in the earth interior

Background. One of the key approaches to reducing the long-term effects of global warming consists in capturing, transporting and disposing and/or burial of carbon dioxide. The Russian Federation is one of the leaders in carbon dioxide emissions. At the same time, having great potential in the field of CO2 burial in the subsoil, there are currently no industrial projects for capturing, transporting and utilizing and (or) storing CO2.Aim. To study of the retention mechanisms and burial features of carbon dioxide within various geological formations.Materials and methods. Based on the analysis of extensive material, a review of existing options for the utilization and storage of carbon dioxide in the bowels has been prepared.Results. Burial assumes CO2 injection into rock layers, which are capable of its absorption and safe long-term retention. Various options for the burial of carbon dioxide in the Earth interior are considered. The main ones are layers of depleted hydrocarbon deposits and mineralized aquifers. Also, carbon dioxide storage can be carried out in undeveloped coal seams, saline and basalt formations. The basic mechanisms of retention, necessary geological conditions and characteristics of potential reservoirs are described. The risks and uncertainties of burial in various geological formations are analyzed. Examples of the world’s most significant projects for the utilization and disposal of CO2 in the Earth interior are given. Such as Sleipner in Norway, In-Salah in Algeria, etc. It is indicated that the potential of Russia in the field of utilization and (or) disposal of carbon dioxide in the bowels is quite high, but it has not been fully assessed.Conclusion. At present, the most studied and tested options for the utilization and storage of carbon dioxide in the Earth interior are as follows: the use of carbon dioxide as an agent in the methods of enhanced oil recovery, the storage of CO2 in the strata of depleted deposits of hydrocarbon raw materials and in mineralized aquifers.It is necessary to concentrate efforts on a purposeful geological study of various conditions for storing carbon dioxide in the Russian Earth interior, as well as on the development of uniform requirements for the geological parameters of CO2 underground storage facilities.

Восстановление облика воинов ВОВ, павших в сражениях за Зайцеву гору (Барятинский район Калужской области)

Introduction. During many years the Laboratory of Anthropological Reconstruction of the Center for Physical Anthropology of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Russian Academy of Sciences has been reconstructing the appearance of soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic War. The aim of the work is to obtain the information about the external features of soldiers who were found many years later on the battlefields. We also consider it as an important aspect to draw attention to specific episodes of the war. Here is the historical description of the battles for the elevation called Zaitseva Gora. Materials and methods. The remains of seven warriors from the elevation were anthropologically studied according to the classical programs. The age, sex, body length, body type were determined. Scientific reconstructions (graphic portraits of the faces) of the appearance were also carried out. Results. There are presented the tables of individual measurements of the postcranial skeleton and skull. According to osteological data, body length and body type were determined. With the help of craniometry, individual head measurements were calculated. Contour and graphic reconstructions (full face and profile) were made for each individual, also the descriptions of appearance are given. The data for each individual are presented in the context of burial features, including possible causes of death. Conclusion. Seven people who died fighting for the country are immortalized in portraits. Perhaps someone will be able to identify their relatives who have gone to the front. This is very important information for those who are still waiting for the information about relatives, where and how the hero of their family died. And, of course, this data will increase the military archives.

The dead do not unbury themselves: Understanding posthumous engagement and ancestor veneration in coastal Peru (AD1450-1650)

• Commingled burial features at Las Huacas include behaviors related both to the mortuary program and ancestor veneration. • Elites at Las Huacas likely used ancestor veneration to develop authority as the region was incorporated into the Inca Empire. • Article introduces the terms communal secondary and selective secondary to differentiate between types of secondary engagements. • At Las Huacas, feet, hands, crania, and vertebrae are linked to secondary practices. • Mandibles in commingled features could be a good indicator for primary burials in a given feature. The study of mortuary practices encompasses a wide variety of different behaviors that are related to cultural and religious customs, sociopolitical strategies, and conceptions about personhood. In this article, we share data from archaeological excavations and osteological analyses of mortuary features from the site of Las Huacas in the Chincha Valley. Many of these features were involved in secondary mortuary rituals, which can be particularly difficult to study due to the commingled nature of the remains. Based on analyses, remains at the site became disarticulated and commingled due to various practices: (1) delayed primary burials, (2) tomb reuse, (3) selective secondary, and (4) communal secondary practices. In selective secondary practices, crania, feet, hands, and vertebrae were removed and reposited in new features. In communal secondary practices, vertebrae were placed on reed posts and pigment was applied to crania, sometimes fully covering the facial bones. These remains were involved in rituals within an elite complex (Complex N1) that had restricted access and the rituals likely created and maintained social and administrative hierarchies. The burials at Las Huacas demonstrate the importance of ancestor veneration in elite claims to authority during the Late Horizon (CE 1400–1532) and Colonial period (CE 1532–1650).

The Early Medieval graves of Groß Ottenhagen (Berezovka). On the way from Sambia to the middle reaches of the Niemen

The field research at Groß ottenhagen (Berezovka) conducted in 2003 and 2004 was the first international scientific collaboration between German and russian archaeologists in kaliningrad region since 1945. The Groß ottenhagen cemetery demonstrates almost continuous functioning for about 1,000 years, from the roman iron Age up to the middle Ages. The part of the site considered in the article belongs to the last stage of the development of sambian-natangian culture among the old Prussians in the 11th to the 13th centuries Ad. despite a first analysis by the excavators in 2005, this data from the cemetery has never been fully published. Groß ottenhagen graves from the discussed period are represented by so-called double layer burial features, with human cremations on top of horse burials. The burial rites and grave goods at the cemetery are discussed in the context of archaeological material from the sambian peninsula and southwest and central lithuania. The relative chronology of Groß ottenhagen is based on an analysis of grave goods, as well as the stratigraphy and the spatial distribution of the graves. According to the absence of imported/status goods at Groß ottenhagen, the cemetery probably belonged to a peripheral group of the late sambian-natangian region culture of the Prussians.

Малые Гумаровские курганы скифо-сарматского времени на Южном Урале: хронология, особенности погребального обряда и вопросы культурной атрибуции

The article presents an analysis of the burial rite and chronology of the Gumarovo cemetery, located on the border of the steppe and mountain-steppe zones of the Southern Urals, at the southern tip of the almost completely forested low plateau Zilair (Russia, Orenburg oblast, right bank of the Sakmara River). The cemetery consists of 5 stone kurgans, explored in 1979–1980 by an expedition led by R.B. Ismagilov. A burial of Early Scythian time was revealed in one of the kurgans (the so-called “Bolshoy Gumarovskiy”, “Big Gumarovo”), and immediately became widely known among researchers. The cemetery itself belongs to a later time, also known as “Sauromatian” time. Based on the chronological indicators and simultaneous occurrence of accompanying inventory categories, it is determined that the cemetery dates back to the end of the 5th – beginning of the 4th centuries BC and existed for a very short time. The burial rite features of the Gumarovo kurgans (stone mounds, wide oval graves, sloping walls, circular chamber graves, heads of the deceased oriented to the west and the east) indicate that it belongs to a special “Mugodzharian” group of nomads from the Southern Urals steppes eastern part. The origin of this group of nomads is associated with the migration of the Northern and Central Kazakhstan nomads to the steppes of the Orsk-Ilek interfluve, i.e. to the west of the Mugodzhar ridge; with their long-lasting interaction with the local population of the Sauromatian (proved by Blumenfeld and East Aral complexes) and Early Sarmatian time; as well as assimilating part of the Early Saka appearance population, which occupied the steppes of the Southern Trans-Urals in the 7th – 6th centuries BC. It is shown that it is the “Mugodzharian” features that make the kurgans in the eastern part of the Southern Urals steppes significantly specific.

Between belief and fear - Reinterpreting prone burials during the Middle Ages and early modern period in German-speaking Europe.

Prone burials are among the most distinctive deviant burials during the Middle Ages and early modern period. Despite their worldwide distribution, the meaning of this burial practice is still a matter of debate. So far, a comprehensive analysis of prone burials is lacking for Central Europe. By compiling evidence from Germany, Switzerland and Austria, this study investigates how these findings fit into the scope of medieval funerary practices. 95 prone burials from 60 archaeological sites were analyzed regarding geographical distribution, dating, burial features, body position, age-at-death and sex. We applied descriptive statistics accompanied by multiple correspondence analysis in order to highlight possible multivariate patterns in the dataset. Prone burials occur in funerary and non-funerary contexts, with a predominance of single churchyard burials, followed by favored and exterior location and settlements. In terms of grave features, the majority of churchyard burials do not differ from regular graves. Multivariate patterns appear to reflect diachronic changes in normative burial practices. We found a significant correlation between burial location and dating, due to a higher frequency of high medieval males in favored locations. In these cases, prone position is interpreted as a sign of humility, while similar evidences from late and post-medieval times are seen as an expression of deviancy. Apparent lack of care during burial reveals disrespect and possible social exclusion, with inhumations outside consecrated ground being the ultimate punishment. In some regions, apotropaic practices suggest that corpses should be prevented from returning, as attested in contemporaneous sources and folk beliefs. We hypothesize that the increase of prone burials towards the late and post-medieval period is linked to such practices triggered by epidemic diseases. The multiplicity of meanings that prone position might have in different contexts demands for careful interpretations within the same regional and chronological frame.

San José 520: An Unusual Teotihuacan Settlement System

San José 520 is a Classic period hamlet of single-family residences in the urban periphery of Teotihuacan, just beyond the southeast edge of the city. Three burial features were associated with one of the residences, AF2. One of the features contained the burial of a single adult, another the successive burials of eight adults and one neonate, and the third held a neonate. We analyzed 29 bone and enamel samples from the adults for bioapatite phosphate oxygen-isotope composition; we also considered isotopic data for another five bone samples analyzed in a separate project. The isotopic results suggest a pattern of birth in the Teotihuacan region and then movement in early childhood to a “relocation” region, the geographic location of which is unknown. Later, probably in adolescence, the individuals returned to live, and eventually die, in San José 520. Without knowing more about the occupation of the relocation region, it is difficult to say what concerns or beliefs underlay this unusual but long-established settlement system.

Deposition of modified human remains as evidence for complex mortuary treatment in East Africa during the first millenniumAD

AbstractIn 2019 partial, disarticulated human remains with evidence of perimortem fractures and tool marks were excavated from the site of Kabusanza in southern Rwanda (first millenniumAD). The nature and location of these modifications demonstrate that some elements were subject to intentional dismemberment and defleshing, whereas the arrangement of the remains in the burial feature indicates that natural skeletonization had also occurred before final deposition. Human remains with similar patterns of modification and deposition have previously been recovered from the same site, and here we consider the potential behaviours that may have produced this suite of evidence. By comparing the remains with assemblages that have been produced through violence and through ritual activity, we demonstrate that the evidence from Kabusanza is more consistent with complex, multistage mortuary practices than other forms of processing. This may have involved some initial reduction of the body, followed by the retention or circulation of the disarticulated remains before their eventual deposition.

MASCULINE WOMEN OR FEMININE MEN? WEAPON FINDS IN SARMATIAN FEMALE GRAVES OF THE GREAT HUNGARIAN PLAIN

When building up a database of Sarmatian burials in the Great Hungarian Plain (Alfцld), that presently includes the complete material of 3949 burial features, we noticed some cases of the presence of typically «masculine» pieces of grave-goods in burials determined as female ones. The article deals with this phenomenon widely known in different cultures, observed in the burial rite. These are the findings of weapons or their fragments in female graves. It is difficult to determine the precise number of such burials in the case of the Alfцld Sarmatians because of the high number of looted burials and the inaccuracy of anthropological data. In this study, we collected five cases from four sites, among them the two largest published cemeteries (Madaras: arrowhead, Budapest-Pйceli ъt: arrowhead), and one under publication (Nyнregyбza-Felsősima-Gyebrбs-tanya: sword fragments in two graves) and two less-known grave groups (Szeged-Szőreg: sword fragment, Ъjszentivбn: sword fragment). We do not think that — usually with one exception — fragmented weapons found in female graves could have been used in their original function; nor do we connect this element of burial rite with the phenomenon of the armed women, the «Amazons» well-known in the barrows of the Volga-Ural region in the Sauromatian and Middle Sarmatian Age. These cases are very distant in time and space, however, some traces of archaic traditions cannot be completely excluded. Based on the material at our disposal, we would rather suggest the existence of the rite called the «transfer of objects to the otherworld» the analogies for which are known both in the archaeological — including Sarmatian (such a case was published by O. V. Symonenko from the elite burial of Vesnyanoe) — and ethnographical material.

Burials with arrowheads in graves of the Mazunino Culture in the Middle Kama Region

The paper is focused on burial grounds of the Mazunino Culture (or Mazunino stage of the Cheganda Cul-ture of the Pyany Bor Cultural-Historical Community by R.D. Goldina) in the Middle Kama Region. They date to the 3rd–5th c. AD and chronologically correlate with the Great Migration Period. The processes of major and minor migrations of that time had an impact on various components of the autochthonous Kama Region cultures. The focus of our research is the burials with throwing weapons, primarily arrowheads found in the Mazunino archers’ burials. The interest in throwing weapon was trigged by the heuristical observation of anthropologist Ivan G. Shi-robokov for the Boyar «Aray» cemetery, where the existence of morphological differences in a group of buried men with arrowheads was statistically proven. To examine this phenomenon, a working hypothesis was put for-ward: intra-group differences of one small necropolis could be reflected in the burial rite and the grave goods of all Mazunino archers’ burials. In total, 148 burials and 146 skeletons with arrowheads from 12 necropolises of the Mazunino Culture have been examined. The comparative analysis of the burial rite features demonstrated a sta-ble correlation between the presence of arrowheads and male burials. The archers’ burials correspond to the burial practices of the majority of the Mazunino population. Rare deviations suggest close relations between local communities and other cultures and ethnicities, primarily with nomadic tribes. Bone arrowheads as a primary weapon of the Mazunino warriors continue the previous traditions of the Ananyino, Pyany Bor (Cheganda) / Kara-Abyz Cultures. A comprehensive analysis of the inter-occurrence of implements in male equipment with arrow-heads allowed distinguishing two conventional groups of burials. The first one is characterized by the presence of only arrowheads in the burial equipment. These grave goods were typical for Mazunino population and consisted of ordinary belts, iron knives, beads, etc. The second group was significantly different, as these were individuals who were skilled in using various weapons, and their kit included various types of weapons for both close and long-range combat. Probably, there was a military gradation among such archers, which needs to be supported by analysis of a larger number of the Mazunino burials. The results of our work need to be verified using the an-thropological materials from other Mazunino burial grounds.

Microstructure and geochemical features of hard dental tissues of Deltavjatia vjatkensis and Suminia getmanovi Permian tetrapods (Kotelnich site, Kirov region, Russia)

The Kotelnich pareiasaur site, one of the richest of the Permian period, is characterized by the unique integrity of fossil vertebrate assemblages and the preservation of bones’ internal structure (including fossil cellular structures) due to their burial features. Pareiasaur and suminia are two most widespread and most frequently encountered representatives of fossil fauna at the Kotelnich site, belonging to the herbivorous form of trophic affiliation. In the present work, a high degree of the structural preservation of the hard dental tissues of pareiasaur and suminia is demonstrated using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Fluorapatite composition of tooth tissues is indicated with trace rare earth elements and uranium incorporated from the host rock as a result of diagenetic alteration during fossilization. No secondary mineralization has been found in the pulp chamber uncovered by a cleavage. The features of its primary internal structure are observed such as pseudomorphs of iron-containing minerals over the fibrils of collagen fibers connecting odontoblastic processes with the walls of dentin tubules, as well as spherical pseudomorphs over blood-like cells.

“The Place of Solemne Prayer”

Abstract Most traditional archaeological interpretations of life within late precontact period village sites in the Eastern Woodlands focus primarily on the domestic sphere or ritual activities associated solely with burial features. Yet, ethnohistorical studies reveal that both the domestic and ritual-ceremonial realms were tightly entangled in the lives of indigenous actors during the contact period. A recent reanalysis of a small enclosure and burial precinct at the White Fort site in northern Ohio presents new evidence of ceremonial use and reuse within a large habitation site during the late precontact period (ca. AD 1250–1400). Excavation data reveal how human interment, artifact caching, and layering of colored soils were incorporated in six pit burials arranged around a C-shaped post-and-ditch enclosure. The sequencing of interments and enclosure construction that composed this distinct area show that it served as a hub for burial and ritual behavior over multiple generations of seasonal village occupation.

Spatiotemporal patterns of carbon sequestration in a large shallow lake, Chaohu Lake: Evidence from multiple-core records

Lake sediment can sequestrate large amounts of carbon and this issue has become a research hotspot. However, most of research on carbon burial in lakes is based on a single (or a few) sediment core records and so may underestimate the variability of carbon burial features within a single lake. In this study, therefore, Chaohu Lake, a typical large shallow lake in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, was selected to conduct multiple, high resolution sediment core studies to elucidate that variability. Overall 18 sediment cores are analyzed according to paleolimnological proxies (including 210Pb/137Cs for 3 master cores); sediment accumulation rate, total organic carbon, grain size and loss of ignition is measured or estimated for most cores. The spatiotemporal variations of organic carbon burial rate (OCBR), carbon storage and their driving factors were examined. Results show: 1) There was a clear temporal difference in carbon burial during the past 150 years, with OCBR varying from 1.1 g C/m2/y to 25.6 g C/m2/y (mean 9.8 g C/m2/y). OCBR began to increase after around 1900, a rapid increase followed after 1950s and a downward trend after 1970s. Total carbon burial amount (OCBA) in the lake since the 1850s is 1.11 x 1010 g. 2) The average OCBR of six sediment cores in the northwest lake area is 13.4 g C/m2/y, significantly higher than that for sediment cores in other areas (9.6 g C/m2/y). 3) TOC, OCBR, OCBA in all 18 cores exhibited similar temporal patterns (i.e. marked increase since 1950s in most of the cores) but with significant differences in several lake locations. 4) During the last 150 years, carbon burial in Chaohu Lake appears to be greatly affected by changes in regional temperature and population size, according to their significant correlations. OCBR also has a significant correlation with the average lake level in the past 50 years, indicating human activity (notably dam building). This has imposed an important impact on OCBR in Chaohu Lake. This multi-sediment core study reveals the spatiotemporal characteristics of carbon burial in the lake and provides an important basis for increasing the accuracy of calculating carbon storage in large shallow lakes.

Short report on a rescue excavation of a prehistoric and Árpádian Age site near Tura (Pest County, Hungary)

The staff of the Institute of Archaeological Sciences of Eötvös Loránd University conducted a rescue excavation in the northern territory of Tura (Pest County, Hungary) in the spring and autumn of 2018. The works revealed settlement and burial features of the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age, settlement features of the Árpádian Age, one feature from the early modern period, and some traces of military activity in the Second World War. The unexpected scientific novelty of the excavation is the discovery of an extensive Árpádian Age settlement and a brick oven in one of the pit-houses.

Titus Phase Ancestral Caddo Vessels from Sites in the Big Cypress Creek and White Oak Bayou Basins in East Texas

This article is a summary of the findings from the documentation of 889 ancestral Caddo ceramic vessels from 20 sites in the Sulphur River and Big Cypress Creek basins in Camp, Franklin, Harrison, Marion, Morris, Titus, and Upshur counties in East Texas. Four vessels are from an Early Caddo period burial at the J. E. Galt site (41FK2), but the remainder are from Late Caddo period Titus phase (ca. A.D. 1430-1680) burial features. In the comparisons of Titus phase vessel assemblages that follow, the focus will be strictly on the larger Titus phase vessel assemblages in the documentation study, namely those from sites with more than 23 vessels, thus including the vessels from the P. S. Cash (41CP2), Jonah C. Atkinson Farm (41FK1), J. E. Galt, Mattie Gandy (41FK4), R. L. Cason (41MX1), Joe Justiss (41MX2), Hooper Glover (41MX4), Russell Bros. (41TT7), W. O. Reed (41UR1), and J. M. Riley (41UR2) sites.