Inland Settlements Research Articles

Earthen Architecture and Craft Practices of Early Iron Age Ramparts: Geoarchaeological Analysis of Villares de la Encarnación, South-Eastern Iberia

Abstract The use of mudbricks in Early Iron Age ramparts is an uneven feature of defensive architecture on the Iberian Peninsula. The use of mudbricks as a building material has been linked to the arrival of Levantine building traditions with the Phoenicians, and its appearance among local societies varies between the eighth and sixth centuries BC according to the public or domestic nature of the structures. In this article, we present the geoarchaeological analyses of the mudbricks used in constructing one of the defensive towers or bastions at Villares de la Encarnación (Caravaca de la Cruz, Spain). This site, endowed with two complex fortification lines and towers, is one of the main settlements for understanding the development of the Early Iron Age among the inland and mountain communities of the region. The analytical program includes wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence, CHN elemental analysis, and thin-section petrography and provides new data about soil procurement and manufacturing choices. These results highlight the technical and social complexity behind mudbrick constructions and the adoption of new earthen practices among Early Iron Age communities in order to build more imposing and elevated towers that might convey an image of the power and strength of these inland settlements.

Archaeopedological reconstruction of Middle Bronze Age subsistence farming in SW-Germany from sedimentary archives in the Western Allgäu

In the northern Alpine foreland, there was a shift at the transition from the Early Bronze Age (EBA, 2200–1600 BCE) to the Middle Bronze Age (MBA, 1600–1250 BCE). This shift was associated with a widespread abandonment of the pile-dwelling settlements around the pre-Alpine lakes and an expansion and intensification of low- and mid-altitude inland settlements. A research gap exists regarding the nature of MBA subsistence in these inland areas, which are considered unfavourable for agriculture.We analysed multi-layered colluvial and alluvial deposits in the agriculturally unfavourable Western Allgäu region to gain insights into MBA subsistence farming. Phases of deposition were determined by optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) technique and AMS radiocarbon (14C) measurements of charcoal. They provide a chronostratigraphic framework that is correlated to the local archaeological record. Subsistence farming was reconstructed using land use proxies such as phytoliths, charcoal spectra, urease activity to microbial biomass carbon (Cmic) ratios, faecal biomarkers, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals.The OSL and 14C ages indicate phases of deposition and land use during the MBA. They correlate with two recently excavated MBA inland settlements in the Western Allgäu. Human-induced vegetation change promoted open woodland comprising of Juniperus and Quercus at the expense of Abies and Fagus. The accumulation of charcoal and PAHs in MBA related colluvial horizons is most likely associated with the use of fire to maintain an open landscape. Partially increased urease activity to Cmic ratios and the appearance of Juniperus indicate the importance of livestock farming within the MBA subsistence.Our results show that there was an extensive and diversified subsistence economy in the Western Allgäu during the MBA. They thus reflect an adaptation of MBA farmers to the harsher climatic conditions of the Western Allgäu, where crop yields were certainly less predictable than, for example, in regions near Lake Constance.

Le ceramiche cosiddette "stampigliate in Sardegna": un aggiornamento alla ricerca

In the present paper are taken into consideration the published testimonials concerning coarse and cooking wares characterized by stamped patterns (generally associated with comb streaks). Following new dating have been considered typical early medieval pottery. Their finding in many inland settlements make such artifacts possible guide-fossils to reconstruct the rural landscape of Sardinia during the Early Middle Ages.

Reconstructing the childhood diet of the individuals from the Middle Late Bronze Age Bezdanjača Cave, Croatia (ca. 1430 1290 BCE) using stable C and N isotope analysis of dentin collagen

This paper investigates the childhood diet of 16 individuals from the Middle Late Bronze Age (1430 1290 BCE) Bezdanjača Cave (Lika region, Croatia) using stable isotope analysis of dentin collagen from permanent first molars. Results from the analysis reveal that the individuals from Bezdanjača consumed notable quantities of C4 plants during their childhood. The most common C4 plant is millet, whose spread throughout Southern Europe was recently dated to the second half of the 2nd millennium BCE, which agrees with the results obtained in this research. Comparisons between the data collected for the individuals from Bezdanjača and other Middle and Late Bronze Age sites in Croatia suggest that only the individuals from the site of Veliki Vital (Middle Bronze Age, inland Croatia) exhibit similar isotopic values to those from Bezdanjača. Human isotopic values from coastal sites, however, reveal that during the Middle and Late Bronze Age people from the coast had diet that still predominantly contained C3 plant-based foods, which appears to suggest that the dispersion of this crop in Croatia during the Bronze Age followed an east-west trajectory, appearing earlier (Middle and Late Bronze Age) in inland settlements such as Veliki Vital and Bezdanjača and only later (Late Bronze Age and mostly Iron Age) in coastal sites.

Essential and non-essential elements in biological samples of inhabitants residing in Nenets Autonomous Okrug of the Russian Arctic

Exposure of Arctic residents to environmental pollutants is an emerging public health problem receiving little global attention. The objective of this study was to assess whole blood concentrations of nine selected essential (Co, Cu, Mn, Se, Zn) and non-essential (As, Cd, Hg, Pb) elements among Nenets and non-Nenets adult residents of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO) living in seven coastal and inland settlements. Urine was collected in two settlements for assessment of iodine status. Altogether 297 whole blood and 68 urine samples were analysed by inductively coupled mass spectrometry and the accuracy of the measurements was assessed by use of human whole blood and urine quality control materials. Several essential and non-essential showed significant variations in whole blood concentrations characterized by gender, population group and locality. Cd levels among non-Nenets non-smokers (0.19 µg/L) indicated a dietary intake at a natural global background level. Hg concentrations in whole blood show that not more than 10% of women in the fertile age had a Hg intake above the EFAS’s recommendation. The Pb concentrations were in the range of, or partly exceeding reference values for increased risk of nephrotoxicity, and there is a need for a continued effort to reduce Pb exposure among the population groups in NAO. With high prevalence of obesity among the Nenets and non-Nenets population, a high prevalence of Fe-deficiency among menstruating women (<50 years) (37.2%) and a lower I status than recommended by WHO, these nutritional dependent components deserve further attention.

A preliminary multi-isotope assessment of human mobility and diet in pre-Columbian Panama

This study uses carbon (δ13C), nitrogen (δ15N), oxygen (δ18O), and strontium (87Sr/86Sr) isotopes to infer the diets and mobility patterns of pre-Columbian humans from seven archaeological sites in Panama: Cerro Mangote, Sitio Sierra, and Cerro Juan Díaz in central Pacific Panama; Cerro Brujo and Sitio Drago along Panama’s northwest Caribbean coast; Jicarita Island in the Gulf of Chiriquí; and Pedro González Island in the Gulf of Panama. Our initial hypotheses were 1) individuals from island and coastal settlements relied more heavily on marine food than those from inland settlements, 2) dietary dependency on maize increased over time, and 3) little or no evidence exists for mobility. Generally, the results did not support these hypotheses: 1) the ecotonal community of Cerro Juan Díaz consumed large quantities of marine food, 2) maize consumption varied over time at different sites, and 3) non-local individuals appeared at multiple sites, including one possible case of an individual who had been moved after death. While this study is intended to be a preliminary analysis of human diet and mobility patterns among pre-Columbian Panamanians, it highlights the complex nature of human activities and the value of incorporating multiple lines of archaeological, osteological, geochemical, and ecological evidence for interpreting bioarchaeological data.

The Dialogue of Russia and Kazakhstan on Strategic Partnering in Tourism

The paper shows problems of the economic, political, social, and cultural relations between Russia and Kazakhstan which are important for the sustainable development of both countries. In particular, it is necessary to create and develop border and inland resort areas and destinations, to introduce an integrated transport system and interstate structures to manage tourist flows as well as to regulate issues emerging in this area. All these will require significant joint efforts of specialists from various spheres. The expected results imply significant progress in the economic and social development of the border and inland regions or settlements involved in corresponding programs and projects as well as a significant increase in the level and quality of life.

A Koronivalu kei Bua: Hillforts in Bua Province (Fiji), their Chronology, Associations, and Potential Significance

Sixteen hillforts constructed and occupied perhaps several centuries before contact in the early nineteenth century are described from Bua district in northern Fiji. These hillforts represent inland settlements in fortifiable locations on high volcanic islands, plausibly established in response to the outbreak of sustained conflict. The chronology and functions of these hillforts were investigated through mapping, excavation, and collection of oral traditions. Four groups of hillforts are recognized. The Seseleka and Yadua (Island) groups represent single polities, comprising a mountaintop site surrounded with fortified narrow steep-sided basalt ridges with tributary sites at lower levels functioning as lookouts and/or food-processing sites. The Northwest Bua group comprises mountaintop sites occupied only when aggressors threatened, and are otherwise characterized by occupation around their bases. The Inland Bua group ranges along one of the highest ridges in the area and were all reportedly in conflict with each other. The Buan hillforts represent those found elsewhere in Fiji and on other high Pacific Islands. Insights from the study of these hillforts illuminate this period of Fiji history and help interrogate broader questions about drivers and proximate causes of the conflict that may have seen hillforts established near simultaneously on high Pacific Islands during the last millennium.

Observational study of the status of coronary risk biomarkers among Negritos with metabolic syndrome in the east coast of Malaysia

ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS), ascertain the status of coronary risk biomarkers and establish the independent predictors of these biomarkers among the Negritos.SettingsHealth screening programme conducted in...

Sāmoa’s hidden past: LiDAR confirms inland settlement and suggests larger populations in pre-contact Sāmoa

This communication presents results from LiDAR-guided field research in 2017 which revealed the existence of continuous indigenous population zones stretching from the coast to three or more kilometres inland across the district of Palauli East, Savai'i. The findings amplify archaeological evidence of a small number of inland settlements (recorded in the 1970s and earlier) on the main islands of 'Upolu and Savai'i as well as recent studies of the small islands of the Manu'a group and Manono. They build the case that in centuries prior to the 19th century inland settlement was far more extensive and villages were not, as had been widely assumed, mainly located on the coast. The findings also support contentions that Sāmoa may have had a much larger population in previous centuries than that indicated by missionary estimates of the mid-19th century.

Mesolitiske bosættelser ved Gudenåsystemets søer og åer

Mesolitiske bosættelser ved Gudenåsystemets søer og åer

Fish Consumption Preferences of Consumers in Trabzon, Turkey

This study was carried out by the aim of achieving a good knowledge on the fish consumption habits and preferences and determining motives and barriers for fish consumption of consumers living in Trabzon Province of Turkey. A comprehensive and simple questionnaire (27 questions) was developed and asked total 390 individuals from June to December 2013. Respondents provided demographic data and fish consumption patterns towards frequencies, average meal portion wild, farmed fish preferences, etc. In relation with these questions it was established some hypotheses to evaluate, how demographic properties of participants effected on the fish consumption patterns. Only 0.8% of participants stated that they never consume fish. The most frequent reasons for this were “no fish consumption habit”, “bad smell”, “dislike of family members”. Per capita fish consumption was calculated as 23kg/year. The first priorities for wild aquaculture fish species were anchovy (64.6%), and trout (64.9%) respectively. The consumption in coastal districts was higher than inland districts. There was a significant difference, (P<0.005) between settlements on satisfaction level of fish consumption; participants from coastal settlements stated “my satisfaction level is very good” or “good”, participants from inland settlements “good or mediocre”

Dental health and lifestyle in four early mediaeval juvenile populations: Comparisons between urban and rural individuals, and between coastal and inland settlements

Dental stress markers such as enamel hypoplasia and caries are suitable indicators of population health and lifestyle, although they must be recorded and interpreted carefully. To date, they have been predominantly studied in adult samples, whereas juvenile remains are also affected by these lesions. In this study, dental enamel hypoplasia and caries were both evaluated on 613 non-adult individuals from four early mediaeval Moravian and Frankish skeletal series, who had experienced contrasting environments and lifestyles. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between these biological traits and living conditions, and how this is manifested in the juvenile dental remains. Significant differences between populations were found in stress markers, dental lesions and the way these were manifested. Exposure to stressful conditions varies between urban and rural populations and is related to age groups. Although the children under investigation seem to have had different diets, it is difficult to distinguish the biological contribution (different enamel susceptibility) from the lifestyle contribution (different food, environment) in the formation of caries. Moreover, such studies must be interpreted carefully due to the possibility of intra- and inter-observer errors and the subjectivity of the scoring techniques. Nevertheless, this study also demonstrates that results of an investigation of juvenile skeletal remains can be as informative as a study of adults and that juvenile skeletons can be included in large bioarchaeological population studies.

Detektorfund og bebyggelse – Det østlige Limfjordsområde i yngre jernalder og vikingetid

Detektorfund og bebyggelse – Det østlige Limfjordsområde i yngre jernalder og vikingetid

Bornholm i ældre stenalder – Status over kulturel udvikling og kontakter

Bornholm i ældre stenalder – Status over kulturel udvikling og kontakter

Ringkloster

The Late Mesolithic Ertebolle culture of Southern Scandinavia is known for its coastal settlements, the “kokkenmoddinger”. However it did not occupy the coastal zone alone, but was also present in the interior areas along freshwater lakes and rivers. When one hopes to give as detailed a picture as possible of the range of the settlement structure and economy of this culture, the lack of excavations of inland settlements in Jutland is strongly felt. The Ringkloster settlement in eastern Jutland is an Danish inland Ertebolle site, the first to be excavated and published in Denmark in the last ca. 50 years. The settlement is located on the prehistoric shore of Skanderborg lake, and thanks to excellent preservation conditions for organic materials has given us a fascinating insight into the material culture and economy of a west Danish inland Ertebolle settlement. The excavation was extensive and comprised a settlement area on dry land with a large number of structural remains such as pits and hearth...

Fishing in Denmark during the Ertebølle periodxs

AbstractFishing in Denmark during the Ertebølle period is discussed on the basis of almost 100000 identified fishbones from 14 coastal and two inland settlements. Forty‐one fish species were identified from coastal materials, 15 from inland ones. The frequency distribution of total body length of the numerically most important fish species was estimated from bone measurements, using logarithmic regression equations. Otoliths were analysed in order to provide an estimate of season of catch. The main conclusion of the study is that fishing was predominantly conducted by means of stationary fish traps with which uncritical samples of the local fish faunas were taken. Regional differences in the spectrum of species and their relative frequencies are shown to exist. Examples of connections between the coast and inland are given.

The Development of Urban Settlement System in Hokkaido

This paper aims to trace the historical change in pattern and process of distribution of urban settlements in Hokkaido for period from 1879 to 1976. Total of 576 Shigaichi, urban settlements, were taken up for the analysis in this paper. Shigaichi means built-up area where more than 200 households collect together. These urban settlements were classified into five groups based on both their orgin and their main industrial activities; inland settlements, coastal settlements, mining settlements, satellite settlements and others.Table 1 and Fig. 1 show the change in rank-size distribution of Shigaichi, and Fig. 2 shows spatial distribution of Shigaichi in various years by size. Fig. 3, 4 and 5 show the change in number of population or number of households of Shigaichi in various periods. In Table 2, 3 and 4, the changes in number of Shigaichi and its growth rate were examined in each period. All these analyses show that we can discern three stages of development of urban settlement system in Hokkaido as follows (Fig. 7).1) First Stage: Meiji Era (1868-1912)In the early years of this stage, urban settlements were only distributed in the southwestern part of Hokkaido. As the frontiers moved to the east and to the north, there emerged many urban settlements as regional centers. Accordingly, these urban settlements have constituted the framework of urban settlement system. Hakodate had been the primate city throughout this period.2) Second Stage: Taishou Era (1912-1926) to just after the end of World War IIIn this period, many inland settlements have established and urban settlement system had begun to show dispersion. Inland settlements had experienced the highest increase in population, while coastal settlements had recorded inconsiderable growth in population. Throughout this period, Hakodate had been the same size as Otaru and Sapporo, and there was no primate city.3) Third Stage: After 1955Population had increased rather rapidly in large urban settlements, and this had strengthened a tendency towards unification in urban settlement system. The total number of urban settlements had decreased, however urban settlements with more than 5, 000 households had increased rapidly in number. The difference in growth rate of households is also seen among groups of urban settlements. The population of satellite settlements have increased remarkably, while that of mining settlements have decreased considerably. Sapporo has established its status as the primate city.To sum up the above mentioned development process, there are three different functions which played the most important part in the development of urban settlements: Gateway function for the first stage, central place function for the second and agglomeration function for the last (Fig. 8).

PERFORMANCE OP SAND-FILLED TUBE SHORE PROTECTION TUKTOYAKTUK, NORTH WEST TERRITORIES, CANADA

Seawalls, revetments and groynes designed to protect shorelines require normally timber, natural stone or concrete for their construction. In Tuktoyaktuk, none of these materials is available and to avoid excessive costs, an alternative form of construction, using long sausage shaped tubes filled with sand, was devised on an experimental basis. Tuktoyaktuk is situated on the eastern side of Kugmallit Bay in the Western Arctic at north latitude of 69 deg. 27' and west longitude of 133 deg. 02'. It is approximately 90 miles north of Inuvik and 1450 miles northwest of Edmonton (figure 1). The area is mainly comprised of a long, narrow, boot-shaped peninsula oriented in approximately north-south direction, a complex lagoon, which has been developed as a harbour, east of the peninsula and an island straddling the mouth of the lagoon (figure 2). Certain dwellings exist at the southern and southeasterly shores of Tuktoyaktuk Harbour. A large majority of the inhabitants reside in settlements developed on the peninsula and the southern area linking the peninsula with the mainland. Tuktoyaktuk is used as a transfer point linking the Mackenzie River barge transport with coastwide shipping serving the western arctic seaboard and inland settlements and bases. As a result of this the TCJK settlement has grown to be the largest of the western arctic coast settlements.

Evidence for zinc deficiency in aboriginal settlements in Northwestern Australia.

Four coastal Aboriginal settlements in the northwest area of Australia have been investigated for plasma trace metal status--Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), and Iron (Fe). The 350 Aboriginals were considered in two groups; five to 20 years of age and 20 to 70 years of age. Forty per cent to 50% had plasma Zn levels below two standard deviations from the normal and 60% to 70% had plasma Cu levels greater than two standard deviations above the normal (almost 100% at Kalumburu). Hypoferraemia was common. These results are more significant than those of a previous study of 350 individuals living at two inland settlements. The coastal missions have access to fresh meat and fish, and at Kalumburu food is prepared for the people. While the climate, soil, and the Aboriginal predilection for white flour may play a role, it is speculated that the Zn deficiency is related to parasitic infestation in the intestine, loss of blood, and failure of zinc absorption.