Chalcolithic Research Articles

The rise and transformation of Bronze Age pastoralists in the Caucasus.

The Caucasus and surrounding areas, with their rich metal resources, became a crucible of the Bronze Age1 and the birthplace of the earliest steppe pastoralist societies2. Yet, despite this region having a large influence on the subsequent development of Europe and Asia, questions remain regarding its hunter-gatherer past and its formation of expansionist mobile steppe societies3-5. Here we present new genome-wide data for 131 individuals from 38 archaeological sites spanning 6,000 years. We find a strong genetic differentiation between populations north and south of the Caucasus mountains during the Mesolithic, with Eastern hunter-gatherer ancestry4,6 in the north, and a distinct Caucasus hunter-gatherer ancestry7 with increasing East Anatolian farmer admixture in the south. During the subsequent Eneolithic period, we observe the formation of the characteristic West Eurasian steppe ancestry and heightened interaction between the mountain and steppe regions, facilitated by technological developments of the Maykop cultural complex8. By contrast, the peak of pastoralist activities and territorial expansions during the Early and Middle Bronze Age is characterized by long-term genetic stability. The Late Bronze Age marks another period of gene flow from multiple distinct sources that coincides with a decline of steppe cultures, followed by a transformation and absorption of the steppe ancestry into highland populations.

Tracing the origin of raw materials used for the production of ancient ceramics: a case study of multi-period archaeological sites in the Turopolje area (Continental Croatia)

The selection of raw materials for ancient pottery production was influenced by a variety of technological and cultural factors, underscoring the importance of characterising these materials to understand the technology of ancient societies. This research examines ancient ceramics from two multi-period archaeological sites: Staro Čiče-Gradišće (Neolithic, Copper Age, Copper/Early Bronze Age, Early Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age, Roman period, and Late Mediaeval period) and Kurilovec-Belinščica (Early Bronze Age and Middle/Late Bronze Age), alongside potential clayey raw materials collected near these settlements. Using a multi-analytical approach (optical microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, mass and emission spectrometry, and laser granulometry), the research aims to determine the characteristics of the paste recipes (raw clay and tempers) and to examine the type and provenience of the raw materials used for ancient pottery production over different periods of the past (from the Neolithic to the Late Mediaeval period). The results showed that ancient potters preferred to use moderately plastic, sandy clay, while Bronze Age potters often used highly plastic clay. Potters utilised various non-plastic tempering materials, such as sands and gravels, grog, and mollusc shells, with their choice being influenced by the need to enhance technological properties as well as by regional and culturally determined pottery traditions. Most of the ceramics are of local origin, made from easily available raw materials that represent flood sediments of the nearby Sava River. However, non-local materials were detected in Neolithic samples, indicating the presence of exchange networks among those communities.

Pottery vessels, technological knowledge, and potters at the Early Copper Age site of Polgár-Király-ér-part (Northeastern Hungary)

This paper investigates the long-debated issue of technological knowledge and potters in the Early Copper Age (4500–4000/3900 cal BC) through the analysis of the forming technology of a typical, small-scale settlement at Polgár-Király-ér-part (Northeastern Hungary). A complex technological know- ledge of forming was identified, in which most of the vessel types have their own forming technique. This technological knowledge presumably originated in the local Neolithic. However, a few smaller technological differences nuance this picture, raising the possibility of distinct learning networks and multiple potters at the settlement.

The Engraved Slate Plaques of Late Neolithic and Copper Age Iberia: A Statistical Evaluation of the Genealogical Hypothesis

The engraved slate plaques were part of an extensive and variable class of ritual objects in Late Neolithic and Copper Age Iberia, with Classic plaques being the most numerous and standardized type. Classic plaques have a top and base separated by a horizontal line or bands, and base registers of repeating design elements (triangles, checkerboard, etc.). Associated with burials, they have been interpreted as genealogical records, with their base design referencing a clan or other social unit and their number of registers denoting the generational distance of the deceased from an important ancestor. The authors evaluate the genealogical hypothesis using a larger dataset than available when originally proposed, employing statistical analyses to examine the relationship between the number of registers and find locations, and between design elements and tomb size. Tomb size is viewed as a measure of collective labour, and hence a proxy of the status of the individuals in the tomb. These analyses show significant patterning between the number of registers and the plaques’ geographic distribution, and between specific design elements and tomb size, suggesting that the genealogical hypothesis remains a plausible explanation for the Classic plaques.

The Role of Painted Pottery from Nakhchivan Tepe in Early Azerbaijani Civilizations

The article discusses the significance of the painted pottery found at Nakhchivan Tepe during the Chalcolithic period in terms of understanding symbols in early Azerbaijani civilizations. The archaeological importance of Nakhchivan Tepe is particularly evaluated by comparing its common features with the Halaf, Ubaid, and Dalma cultures. Additionally, the general characteristics of the painted pottery are examined, providing information about the forms, chronology, distribution, and usage of these artifacts. The symbolic and socio-cultural meanings of the geometric designs on the painted pottery are also discussed. Research reveals that the painted pottery provides clues about the ways in which ancient societies understood the world and contains valuable information about the daily lives of Chalcolithic period people. The pottery found at Nakhchivan Tepe has made valuable contributions to regional research, both archaeologically and culturally. This study helps us better understand the spiritual heritage of past civilizations through the comparison of such artifacts with other cultural elements.

Multi‐Method Structural Investigation of the Schneiderberg–Baalberge Burial Mound (Saxony‐Anhalt, Germany) Including Seismic Full‐Waveform Inversion (FWI)

ABSTRACTThe construction history and subsequent usage of burial mounds are an important testimony for socio‐economic transformation in prehistoric societies. The Baalberge–Schneiderberg burial mound, subject of the presented study, falls in this category as it is considered as an important monument that indicates the emergence of early social stratification during the Chalcolithic period in central Europe. This hypothesis relies on the chronological development of the burial mound, which is not fully understood until now. Therefore, a reconstruction of the complex stratigraphy of the burial mound including construction phases and later alterations is highly relevant for archaeological research, but the required excavations would be onerous and inconsistent with preservation efforts. In this paper, we demonstrate that non‐invasive geophysical prospection, especially seismic sounding with shear and Love waves, is suitable to obtain the required stratigraphic information, if seismic full waveform inversion (FWI) and reflection imaging are applied. Complementary information on the preservation state of the mound is obtained through Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) measurements. To support the seismic and geoelectric results, we utilize Dynamic Testing (DynP), geoarchaeological corings, 14C‐Dating and archaeological records. Our investigations reveal two construction phases of the Baalberge–Schneiderberg mound. The 14C‐Dating yields dates for the older burial mound that are contemporary to the Chalcolithic Baalberge group (4000–3400 bc). During the Early Bronze Age (EBA), the mound was enlarged to its final size by people of the Aunjetitz/Únětice society (2300–1600 bc). However, both seismic and geoelectric depth sections show an extensive disturbance of the original stratigraphy due to former excavations. For this reason, the exact shape of the older burial mound cannot be determined exactly. Based on our data, we estimate that its height was below 2 m. In consequence, the original Baalberge burial mound was less monumental as until now assumed, which potentially prompting a revision of its significance as indicator for social differentiation.

Royal burials and chariots from Sinauli (Uttar Pradesh, India): Radiocarbon dating and isotopic analysis based inferences

Abstract For the first time in the Indian subcontinent, a series of royal burials with chariots have been recovered from the Chalcolithic period at the archaeological site Sinauli (29°8′28″N; 77°13′1″E), Baghpat district, western Uttar Pradesh, India. Eight burials were excavated from the site; among them a royal burial with copper decorated legged coffin (lid with a series of anthropomorphic figures) and headgear has also been recovered. Among these remarkable discoveries, three full-sized chariots made of wood and copper, and a sword with a wooden hilt, made this site unique at historical ground. These cultural findings signify that the ancients from this place were involved in warfare. All these recovered exclusive antiquities also proved the sophistication and the high degree of craftsmanship of the artisans. According to the 14C radiocarbon dating and recovered material culture, the site date back to 4000 yr BP (∼2000 BCE) and is thought to belong to Ochre-Coloured Pottery (OCP)/Copper Hoard culture. This culture was believed to develop in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab and was contemporary to the late phase of the Indus civilization. Altogether, the findings indicate that the time period of this culture is plausibly contemporary to Late Indus, Mesopotamian and Greece civilizations.

Hellenistic Period Watchtowers and Hillside Settlements Identified in “Vezirköprü” Surveys

Vezirköprü, one of the largest districts of Samsun (Amisos), an important port city of the Black Sea, has been the scene of continuous settlement from the Eneolithic Period to the present day thanks to its fertile soils, rivers and its location on an important road. The district, which first appears as a village settlement under the name Phazemon in Strabo, became a city in the Roman Period and was named Neoklaudiopolis. The city called Andrapa in the Byzantine Period took the name Vezirköprü in the Turkish Period and has survived to the present day. The city has witnessed many struggles in this process, including the struggle of the Pontic Kingdom and the Roman Empire. The greatest witnesses of these events were undoubtedly castles and watchtowers. The most famous of these is the Sagylion Castle, localized to Büyükkale in Vezirköprü, which is also mentioned in Strabo. Located on the foothills of Tavşan Mountain, the castle appears to be a typical Mithradates castle due to its location and structures. Although these fortresses built in the region were one of the greatest weapons used by Mithradates Eupator VI against the expansionist policies of the Romans, it is understood that these fortresses were not used on their own but supported by watchtowers selected at the dominant points of the land. Although many fortresses in the Pontos Region have been researched, and some have been excavated, watchtowers have not been sufficiently investigated. This study aimed to shed light on the Hellenistic Period of Vezirköprü by introducing the watchtowers identified during the surveys and the hillside settlements built around them.

Subsistence economy in the South Caucasus during the Early Chalcolithic period: bioarchaeological analysis of Bavra Ablari rock-shelter (Samtskhe-Javakheti region, Georgia)

Subsistence economy in the South Caucasus during the Early Chalcolithic period: bioarchaeological analysis of Bavra Ablari rock-shelter (Samtskhe-Javakheti region, Georgia)

Ivories in the Late Chalcolithic Period and Their Significance for Understanding Contacts Between Egypt and the Southern Levant

Ivories in the Late Chalcolithic Period and Their Significance for Understanding Contacts Between Egypt and the Southern Levant

New data about the provenance of the Early Eneolithic copper artefacts from western Lesser Poland

Abstract The Early Eneolithic period in Lesser Poland is represented by the Lublin-Volhynian culture and the Wyciąże-Złotniki group. For both of them, the main cultural references were the Middle Copper Age groups from the Carpathian Basin (the Bodrogkeresztúr, the Hunyadihalom-Lažňany, the Balaton-Lasinja cultures, as well as the Ludanice, and the Bajč-Retz-Gajary groups). One of the most important indicators of the Transcarpathian influence was the use of various copper objects by local communities and their deposition in graves. A set of seventeen objects, mostly from well-dated grave contexts, was analysed to establish the provenance of the copper artefacts used in western Lesser Poland. This set included artefacts discovered in Złota Grodzisko I and Grodzisko II, Książnice 2, Koniecmosty, Kraków-Wyciąże 5 and Kraków-Cło 7. Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis was used to study the chemical compositions, while lead isotope ratios were determined using a inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (HR-MC-ICP-MS). In addition, some of the objects were visually inspected under a digital microscope to determine how they were made and used. As a result of this analytical programme, it was possible to establish that both Lesser Poland groups used the same copper distribution networks. Initially (c. 4050–3950 BC), the copper originated from the mines in Serbia that at the time were controlled, as suggested in the literature, by the peoples of the Bodrogkeresztúr culture, and also from the mines in the Slovak ore Mountains, linked to the Ludanice group. It appears, however, that from c. 3950 BC onwards, the only source of metal for the production of copper objects used by the inhabitants of western Lesser Poland were the mines located in the Slovak Ore Mountains. This research also suggested that, while around 3950–3800 BC, there was a marked regression in the production and use of copper artefacts in the Carpathian Basin, in the area of western Lesser Poland there was an increase in the use and, most likely, local production of original copper jewellery.

Flint tools in Iron Age burials of Tel Erani: Interpretations in the light of mortuary practices

The current study focuses on large geometric flint sickle blades found in association with the deceased unearthed during the excavation of the Iron Age cemetery of Tel Erani. The archaeological meaning and interpretation of such a correlation are examined here through the prism of the system of burials and beliefs of Iron Age communities in the southern Levant and previous periods, where sickles and sickle blades were found in funerary contexts. Flint tools in the southern Levant may be divided into belonging to the deceased and used in life, and those serving as offerings to the dead by the community. The presence of sickles and flint sickle blades in burials of the southern Levant from the Chalcolithic period to the Iron Age may be interpreted as part of a ritual symbolizing a relationship between the deceased and agriculture. A concluding interpretation of these findings is presented here based on anthropological and archaeological parallels.

Sex estimation using long bones in the largest burial site of the Copper Age: Linear discriminant analysis and random forest

Sex estimation of the individuals in a sample is fundamental for any bioarchaeological study to define a particular demographic assemblage or to classify isolated remains. Long bones are an excellent alternative for sex estimation when the most dimorphic anatomical parts are not preserved or are highly altered. Here we propose a set of discriminant functions and classification models to estimate the sex of prehistoric individuals using linear discriminant analysis and machine learning approaches. Different osteometric variables were taken from the humeri, ulnae, radii, femurs and tibias of a sample of 109 articulated skeletons buried in the collective tomb of Camino del Molino (Region of Murcia, SE-Spain), dated to the 3rd millennium BC. Sex was estimated based on standard anthropological methods and ancient DNA analysis of a control sample. Fifty-two discriminant functions with prediction thresholds higher than 0.8 on the ROC curve were obtained using independent (22) and combined variables (30). The best LDA models for sex prediction were those based on proximal epiphyseal widths or their combination with other variables, reaching values close to 0.98 on the ROC curve. The random forest-based model obtained an accuracy of 0.94 and confirmed the importance of epiphyseal widths in sex classification. This analysis is more comprehensive than univariate LDA, as it allows for ranking the importance of bones in sex discrimination and considers correlations between long bones rather than treating them as independent observations. In contrast, applying LDA to each bone makes it easier to predict the sex of other coeval collections that do not have such a complete sample. This work aims to overcome the scarcity of methods that can be applied to sex estimation of the large volume of isolated remains from Camino del Molino and for other Mediterranean skeletal series from the Late Prehistory with high biological affinity and that share similar environmental conditions.

Is Copper Still Safe for Us? What Do We Know and What Are the Latest Literature Statements?

Copper (Cu) is a precious metal and one of the three most abundant trace elements in the body (50-120 mg). It is involved in a large number of cellular mechanisms and pathways and is an essential cofactor in the function of cellular enzymes. Both its excess and deficiency may be harmful for many diseases. Even small changes in Cu concentration may be associated with significant toxicity. Consequently, it can be damaging to any organ or tissue in our body, beginning with harmful effects already at the molecular level and then affecting the degradation of individual tissues/organs and the slow development of many diseases, such as those of the immunological system, skeletal system, circulatory system, nervous system, digestive system, respiratory system, reproductive system, and skin. The main purpose of this article is to review the literature with regard to both the healthiness and toxicity of copper to the human body. A secondary objective is to show its widespread use and sources, including in food and common materials in contact with humans. Its biological half-life from diet is estimated to range from 13 to 33 days. The retention or bioavailability of copper from the diet is influenced by several factors, such as age, amount and form of copper in the diet, lifestyle, and genetic background. The upper limit of normal in serum in healthy adults is approximately 1.5 mg Cu/L, while the safe upper limit of average intake is set at 10-12 mg/day, the reference limit at 0.9 mg/day, and the minimum limit at 0.6-0.7 mg/day. Cu is essential, and in the optimal dose, it provides antioxidant defense, while its deficiency reduces the body's ability to cope with oxidative stress. The development of civilization and the constant, widespread use of Cu in all electrical devices will not be stopped, but the health of people directly related to its extraction, production, or distribution can be controlled, and the inhabitants of nearby towns can be protected. It is extremely difficult to assess the effects of copper on the human body because of its ubiquity and the increasing reports in the literature about its effects, including copper nanoparticles.

Marble for beads during the Copper Age in Tuscany (Italy): products and techniques

From the beginning of the Italian Copper Age, personal ornaments increased and were enriched with new morphologies. A remarkable production of marble beads began in the central part of the peninsula. However, specific and comprehensive studies analysing this production and its role in ancient communities are still lacking.In order to obtain information on the production and use of marble beads, our study has adopted a broad methodological approach, combining experimental, traceological and typological data, as well as morphometric analyses. Our work focuses on north-western Tuscany (Italy) during the 4th millennium BC, where these ornaments are exclusively documented in burials.The results showed that the archaeological beads were made of local marble, mainly from the Apuan Alps. The beads had different shapes, sizes, and perforations, suggesting different production processes.The detailed analysis of the marble ornaments has revealed traces of prolonged use of these artefacts, providing new insights useful for understanding the cult practices and socio-economic dynamics of the communities of the Copper Age in central Italy.

New data on the connections of ancient settlers of Nakhchivan with the Near East

Archaeological sites identified by studies of 2010–2021 on the territory of Nakhchivan made it possible to supply the gap between the Late Neolithic and Eneolithic Chalcolithic periods. The presence of ancient Eastern features – Halaf and Obeid ones – is noted in the materials of Nakhchivan Tepe, Uçan-Ağıl, Bulovkaya and Uzunoba. It can be assumed that the settlements of Nakhchivan Tepe and Bulovkaya were strongholds or colonies of newcomers – bearers of Middle Eastern cultural traditions.

Dating the setting of a late prehistoric statue-menhir at Cruz de Cepos, NE Portugal

The emergence of ‘standing stone’ monuments within the European Late Prehistoric landscape is considered to be associated with a pivotal human cultural transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture and permanent settlement, being the earliest monuments currently dated by radiocarbon to the 5th millennium BCE. However, many standing stones were first erected, subsequently collapsed, and then re-erected during the following three millennia. The excavation of the site of an apparently in situ statue-menhir at Cruz de Cepos in NE Portugal provided the rare opportunity in Iberian prehistory to apply radiocarbon and luminescence techniques to establish the date of construction. On the basis of the iconography, the standing stone was assigned to a sculptural tradition of north-western and western Iberia, loosely dated to the Early/Middle Bronze Age (ca. 2000/1900–1250 BCE). The optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and dosimetry characteristics of quartz extracted from sediment samples taken from locations associated with the socket pit and surrounding backfilling deposits were examined, producing OSL single grain ages at eight locations. Comparison of the OSL and calibrated radiocarbon ages shows very good agreement, with the mid-3rd millennium BCE dates confirming original erection during the Copper Age and not a much later transformation of the monument. These encouraging results indicate that OSL has the potential to provide reliable dating of depositional processes related to the construction process and is suitable for wider application to megalithic monuments of this type.

Exploring Burial and Dietary Patterns at the Copper Age Necropolis of Selvicciola (Viterbo, Italy): New Perspectives from 14C and Stable Isotope Data

The Selvicciola necropolis is a large burial site dated to the Copper Age, located on the mid-Tyrrhenian side of Central Italy, in the Fiora river valley. Despite post-depositional disturbances, 32 prehistoric tombs were found, generally in a good state of preservation, with a total number of 119 individuals identified. In the present study, radiocarbon and stable isotope measurements on bone collagen are combined with skeletal data for 71 of these individuals. We aim to investigate possible changes in food practices and burial patterns throughout time. In detail, the results allowed us to define a timeframe for the use of the cemetery of at least 2000 years, with the two most ancient individuals found in tomb 17 and dated to around 3950 cal BC, assigning this a necropolis chronological investigation of the so-called Rinaldone culture. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis confirmed a predominantly agropastoral subsistence strategy for this prehistoric community. Although the plant intake consisted mainly of C3 species, we further discuss the fact that the stable isotope data suggest an increase in the consumption of C4 plants over time. The integration of radiocarbon and isotopic data with the skeletal evidence and material culture provides an interesting insight into the funerary world of this community, highlighting the importance of Selvicciola for the understanding of life in the Mediterranean at the transition between the fourth and the third millennia BC.

Continuity and Innovation in Pottery Technology: The Karst Region (North-East Italy) from Neolithic to Early Bronze Age

This paper explores the development of pottery technology in the Trieste Karst region (North-East Italy) from the Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age (EBA). It also seeks to identify cultural links with other areas by examining potentially imported vessels. Archaeometric analyses (X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy) reveal significant differences between Neolithic ceramics (Danilo–Vlaška Group) and the majority of Late Copper Age (LCA)/Early Bronze Age (EBA) pottery (primarily associated with the Ljubljana Culture and a few with the Cetina Culture). Neolithic pottery displays consistent characteristics across all vessel types, including coarse grain, prevalent sparry calcite temper, and the absence of grog. In contrast, most LCA and EBA vessels exhibit distinct features such as very fine-grained paste, no sparry calcite, notable use of grog temper, higher quartz, muscovite, and flint content. Notably, from a technological perspective, the analyzed Cetina vessels bear a strong resemblance to the majority of LCA ceramics. The differences between Neolithic and LCA/EBA vessels clearly suggest the use of new raw materials, recipes, and techniques, likely reflecting changes in cultural and social contexts and potential connections with the core area of the Ljubljana Culture.

TRANSPORTATION ON THE DICLE AND FIRAT RIVERS IN ANCIENT AGES

While the Tigris and Euphrates rivers turned Mesopotamia into an agricultural paradise with the survival of people, it seems that living on these rivers with boats and rafts was no longer possible with the Chalcolithic Age. On these two rivers, which originate in Anatolia and flow into the Persian Gulf after merging, previously only the needed goods between Anatolia and Mesopotamia were transported from north to south. However, in later periods, trade began to be carried out through water connections to cities far from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Mesopotamia. These transportation activities, carried out with boats and rafts such as Mashoof, Isbiyah, Guffa, Kalaku, Coracle, Balams and Safinahs, turned into a major economic sector in Mesopotamia. The city of Hit, which constantly produced these vehicles for more cargo transportation and safer journeys, became an important industrial center of its time. Since the transportation services on the rivers, which became the locomotive of the Mesopotamian economy, turned into an activity that concerns almost everything, it can be seen that the periodical city authorities introduced some laws and rules for the more orderly and safe operation of these means of transportation.