Neolithic Sites Research Articles

Manufacturing traces and pot-forming processes during the Early Neolithic at Cueva de El Toro (Málaga, Spain, 5280–4780 BCE)

This paper reports the results of forming processes used in pottery manufacture at La Cueva de El Toro (Málaga, Spain) during the Early Neolithic (5280–4780 cal. BCE). La Cueva de El Toro is one of the most important sites of reference on the southern Iberian Peninsula for providing extensive and systematised data on early farming practices. The identification of manufacturing traces on pottery has enabled the assessment of the variability of forming techniques used by the communities of herders that seasonally inhabited the cave during the Early Neolithic. Forming processes were also compared with characteristic features of pottery products (typology, decorations) that are representative of the first pottery production in this area. Furthermore, this study provides new insights into the distribution of the first pot-forming processes in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, which suggest the use of similar techniques to the forming-sequences documented at other Early Neolithic sites (the use of coils and circular patches) and other forming processes (moulding process and the use of discs) which are still unknown in the Western Mediterranean.

Test excavation of the “pseudo-ditch” system of the Late Neolithic settlement complex at Öcsöd-Kováshalom on the Great Hungarian Plain

In 2018, the RGK’s research team led by Knut Rassmann undertook the magnetometer survey of the Late Neolithic site of Öcsöd-Kováshalom over a roughly 65 ha large area. An enclosure system of three concentric semi-circular ditches was detected around the tell-like mound that formed the core of the settlement. In order to resolve these issues, we organised a small field school excavation with the support of the RGK and with the participation of the archaeology students of the ELTE Institute of Archaeological Sciences between July 13 and 25, 2020. We opened an 8×2 m trial trench across the north-eastern part of the innermost ditch appearing on the magnetogram. We uncovered a ditch segment with a V-shaped cross-section, a width of 315 cm and a depth of 295 cm. We recovered a total of 17,430 finds with a weight of 194.4 kg (pottery sherds, daub, animal bones, bone tools, chipped and polished stone implements, quern stones, mussels, and ochre). In our preliminary report, we made a reconstruction of infilling process based on the quantitative distribution of the finds (frequency and weight data) and the different characteristics of the fill layers.

Integrating buccal and occlusal dental microwear with isotope analyses for a complete paleodietary reconstruction of Holocene populations from Hungary

Dietary reconstruction is used to make inferences about the subsistence strategies of ancient human populations, but it may also serve as a proxy to characterise their diverse cultural and technological manifestations. Dental microwear and stable isotope analyses have been shown to be successful techniques for paleodietary reconstruction of ancient populations but, despite yielding complementary dietary information, these techniques have rarely been combined within the same study. Here we present for the first time a comprehensive approach to interpreting ancient lifeways through the results of buccal and occlusal microwear, and δ13C and δ15N isotope analyses applied to the same individuals of prehistoric populations of Hungary from the Middle Neolithic to the Late Bronze Age periods. This study aimed to (a) assess if the combination of techniques yields a more precise assessment of past dietary and subsistence practices, and (b) contribute to our understanding of the dietary patterns of the prehistoric Hungarian populations. Overall, no correlations between microwear and δ13C and δ15N isotope variables were observed, except for a relationship between nitrogen and the vertical and horizontal index. However, we found that diachronic differences are influenced by the variation within the period. Particularly, we found differences in microwear and isotope variables between Middle Neolithic sites, indicating that there were different dietary practices among those populations. Additionally, microwear results suggest no changes in the abrasiveness of the diet, neither food processing methods, despite higher C4 plant resource consumption shown by carbon isotopic signal. Thus, we demonstrate that the integration of dental microwear and carbon and nitrogen stable isotope methodologies can provide complementary information for making inferences about paleodietary habits.

The Origin Of the Kultepe Culture

The different opinions have been put forward about the neolithization of the Azerbaijan. Some researchers note that the South Caucasus’ Neolithic culture is related to Mesopotamia by origin; some note that this culture developed based on local traditions. New researches conducted in the territory of Nakhchivan are essential for solving these problems. New excavations conducted in Kultepe I, located near the city of Nakhchivan, led to the discovery of new facts related to the peopling history of this site and the peculiarities of the Kultepe culture. Studies show that there were various centers of Neolithic cultures’ formation in the VII—VI millennia BC in Azerbaijan. Moreover, the Kultepe is the oldest ceramic Neolithic site in the South Caucasus. Outputs of these studies indicate that Azerbaijan’s Neolithic cultures have no sources in the Middle East’s monuments.

Skeletal lesion assessment of a Neolithic fishing community: Osteological data from Area 43 of Ra’s al Hamra 5, Oman

We assess the state of health of individuals recovered from the Neolithic fishing community of Ra’s al Hamra 5 (RH5). The archaeological site is located by the Oman gulf on the Arabian Seacoast near the suburb of Qurum; located near the Omani capital city Muscat. The graveyard dates from 3800 BCE to 3300 BCE. We recorded lesions specific to degenerative joint disease, vertebral osteoarthritis, periostitis, dental and oral defects, and cranial pitting from Area 43 of the graveyard. Lesions are scored simply as presence or absence. Intra-site (Area 43) comparison is done by age groupings (sub-adult and adult). Comparison is also made between the findings of dietary lesions, oral defects and DJD from the 77 burials from Area 43 and 182 non-Area 43 burials of the RH5 site. No differences in these lesion frequencies are found between the two parts of the RH5 graveyard. Critically, we found that most of the sub-adults in Area 43 lacked skeletal indicators of illness, suggesting acute origins for their untimely deaths. A comparison is also made with other Neolithic sites for example, a comparison with the contemporary pastoral community of Jebel al-Buhais 18 revealed no statistically significant differences in most skeletal lesion frequencies, except for DJD, antemortem tooth loss and osteoarthritis. A comparison with several Neolithic farming communities instead documented statistically higher rates of lesions compared to the RH5 fishing community. Both comparisons suggest that a fishing economic strategy provided the RH5 inhabitants with an adequate diet and less stressors than other Neolithic economic strategies.

A string of marine shell beads from the Neolithic site of Vršnik (Tarinci, Ovče pole), and other marine shell ornaments in the Neolithic of North Macedonia

The study of ornaments made of marine shells has remarkable importance for understanding prehistoric societies. They tell us about fashion, aesthetic and cultural affinities of the individuals and social groups, as well as ancient networks of communication and exchange. The number of marine shell items known from the Neolithic period of North Macedonia is relatively low. Albeit few, they vary in ornament type, with beads, bangles and pendants represented, and the kind of shell used as raw material, as they are made of shells of bivalves, gastropods, and scaphopods. Of special importance is a find of 157 shell beads, presumably from a single string, discovered in 1958 in an anthropomorphic vessel at the site of Vrsnik in Ovce pole. It was the recognition of this find, and the fact that it was originally poorly described, and later almost completely forgotten, that initiated this study. The majority of beads are tubular and made of shells of two mollusks with very different shell morphology (bivalves and scaphopods), yet they are strikingly similar in size, shape, and color. In addition, the collection included white stone tubular beads, a single shell discoid bead, and three perforated snails. This find, as well as others from the region of North Macedonia, enhance our understanding of marine shell items distribution in continental Europe in the Neolithic period. Also, it adds to the visibility of scaphopod items share in exchange networks, which might be underestimated because of the difficulties in their recognition.

The Linear Pottery culture face vessel from the site Biskupice 18, southern Poland

This paper presents the stylistic analysis of a unique face vessel fragment, found at a recently excavated settlement of the Linear Pottery culture near Biskupice, located in the Carpathian foothill region in southern Poland. The evaluation is based on a multivariate analysis of the stylistic features of 130 human face vessels from 91 Central European Neolithic sites of the Linear Pottery culture and the Alföld Linear Pottery culture, and is conducted with the help of multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). The main objective of the research is to find the closest analogies of the Biskupice by tracking similarities between the manner of execution of the combination of facial elements and accompanying motifs appearing on the Biskupice vessel and on other depictions of the human face. This investigation also aims to make inferences about the chrono-cultural connections of the first agrarian societies in the area of the Carpathian foothills with other regions of the Linear Pottery world.

Earliest arrival of millet in the South China coast dating back to 5,500 years ago

Crop dispersal has long been recognised as an important topic in agricultural archaeology and food globalisation. The southern coastal region of China, including Fujian Province, is of particular interest as a key junction for crop dispersal into Taiwan and the Pacific islands from mainland China. However, due to poor preservation of macro-plant fossils caused by the acidic soil condition, questions about when and where millet first arrived in this region remain a topic of debate. Our study focused on the millet phytoliths remains from three Neolithic sites in southeast coastal Fujian. Multiple dating methods, including charred carbon dating, phytolith carbon dating, and optically stimulated luminescence were used to construct the chronologies of the sites. The results reveal that the earliest millet phytoliths emerged in the Lower Tanshishan cultural layer of the Baitoushan site, which was initially occupied at 5.5 ka BP. After ca. 5.0 ka BP, common millet phytoliths were found in the Tanshishan cultural layers of all three sites. The microfossil of millet examined in this study was likely the earliest millet remains found in Fujian, indicating that millet may have arrived in the southern coast of China at least 5,500 years ago. These findings not only provide new insights to millet dispersal routes in China, but also have significant implications for crop communications between Taiwan and mainland China during the Neolithic age.

Dating the Hemudu Neolithic rice cultivation site, East China, by paleomagnetic chronostratigraphy

Hemudu is a famous archaeological site with the earliest rice remains unearthed in East China and represents a classic example of how Neolithic people managed coastal farmland. However, appreciation of human adaptation to Holocene sea-level changes has been hampered by low-resolution chronology due to lack of datable materials in coastal sediments. Correlation of paleomagnetic directions and intensity on a regional scale provides independent relative dating of such sediments. We did high-resolution paleomagnetic chronology work on core HMD13 (27 m in length) from Hemudu Neolithic site and discussed relevant early Holocene paleoclimate change of Southern China. Magnetic minerals identified by scanning electron microscopy are magnetite, iron-bearing silicates, and iron sulfide (pyrite or greigite). Rock magnetic measurements indicate that the primary remanence carrier is single-domain magnetite. Stepwise alternating field (AF) demagnetization experiments at 1 cm intervals on U-channel samples show that paleomagnetic inclinations fluctuate around 60°, with five major peaks and four troughs. A relative paleointensity (RPI) was estimated using normalizing natural remanent magnetization intensity to anhysteretic remanent magnetization over 20–40 mT AF range, which has four major peaks. Variations of inclination and RPI in core HMD13 resemble the data from the East China Sea and allowed the development of a refined age-depth model. The new adjusted age-depth model minimized dating errors of 14C ages among different datable materials. From the new age model, inclination and RPI of HMD13 are comparable to paleosecular variation (PSV) stack from East Asia and predicted results from geomagnetic models. Four cold events in the early Holocene recorded by geochemical proxies imply that sedimentary sequence of core HMD13 was influenced by global paleoclimate variation, while its long-term trend points to local paleoenvironmental change. Increases in sedimentation rates and the marine-derived sediment fractions suggest a massive transgression in the early Holocene (9–7.5 ka). Subsequently, ancient people developed and built pile dwellings since ~7 ka and cultivated wild rice from ~6.3 ka. Our study demonstrates that regional stratigraphic correlation with well-dated PSV and RPI records is a practical approach to establishing reliable age-depth models. A high-resolution chronology on continuous sedimentary sequence has excellent potential to elucidate prehistoric human-environment co-evolution.

Stable isotope analysis of human bone from Ganj Dareh, Iran, ca. 10,100 calBP.

We report here on stable carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur isotope values from bone collagen of human (n = 20) and faunal (n = 11) remains from the Early Neolithic site of Ganj Dareh, Iran, dating to ca. 10,100 cal. BP. Our focus explores how isotope values of human bone vary by age and sex, and evaluates dietary practices at this site. It also provides a baseline for future studies of subsistence in the early Holocene Central Zagros Mountains, from the site with the first evidence for human ovicaprid management in the Near East. Human remains include individuals of all age groups for dietary reconstruction, as well two Ottoman intrusive burials for temporal and cultural comparison. All analyzed individuals exhibited δ13C and δ15N values consistent with a diet based heavily on C3 terrestrial sources. There is no statistically significant difference between the isotopic compositions of the two sexes, though males appear to show larger variations compared to females. Interesting patterns in the isotopic compositions of the subadults suggested weaning children may be fed with supplements with distinctive δ13C values. Significant difference in sulfur isotope values between humans and fauna could be the earliest evidence of transhumance and could identify one older adult male as a possible transhumant shepherd. Both Ottoman individuals had distinctively different δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S values compared to the Neolithic individuals. This is the first large scale analysis of human stable isotopes from the eastern end of the early Holocene Fertile Crescent. It provides a baseline for future intersite exploration of stable isotopes and insight into the lifeways, health, and processes of neolithisation associated with the origins of goat domestication at Ganj Dareh and the surrounding Central Zagros.

Dwellings of the late Mesolithic and early Neolithic in the Mari Volga Region

The paper studies the construction of residential buildings in the Stone Age of the Mari Volga Region. We have analyzed buildings on the settlements of the Mesolithic and Early Neolithic periods of the Mari Volga Region. The main principles of house building of the Mesolithic era of the Mari Volga Region are highlighted. In view of the fact that the complexes under consideration are located in the same landscape zone, a number of indicators may be similar. However, there will be differences on several points of comparison that may lead to discussions. For example, such an indicator as the prevalence of finds in the inter-dwelling space or their absence. In total, 38 structures of the Mesolithic and 35 structures of the Early Neolithic era were analyzed. To summarize, seven indicators of housing construction were selected. It is characteristic that in the Mari Volga Region most of the Neolithic sites are multilayered, however, none of the Mesolithic sites in the region has yet been found to contain early Neolithic ceramics. You can trace the difference in buildings more clearly. The presence of ground structures on the Neolithic settlements is obvious, while the local Mesolithic ones are ubiquitous semi-dugouts. Having a topographic distribution of settlements and short-term sites, a planigraphy of dwellings, as well as a presence of separate industrial and residential buildings in the Early Neolithic and Late Mesolithic, we face the problem of chronological division of the Neolithization process in the forest belt.

Construction features of the dwelling at the early Neolithic site Baibek in the North Caspian Sea Region

This work studies construction features of the dwelling discovered at the Neolithic site Baibek. Detailed recorded data made it possible to determine its dimensions, shape and structural components. The layer by layer analysis gave grounds to reconstruct its origin and development. Pottery and stone tools, as well as other materials of the cultural layer found in the dwelling pit are similar to the materials of the Kairshak type of the Neolithic in the Northern Caspian Sea Region. A series of radiocarbon dates establishes the chronological interval of the dwelling functioning: the first quarter of the VI millennium BC. The results of spores and pollen analysis indicate the paleogeographic background at that time. The definition of faunal remains indicates the leading hunting species: onager, red deer, corsac, saiga; fish (sterlet, perch, pike, common carp, pike perch) were caught both in open and in closed reservoirs. Judging by the analysis of the crust on the inner side of the vessels, signs of animal and plant food preparation have been established. The studied dwelling complements the characteristics of the Neolithic culture of the Kairshak type bearers and possibly marks the beginning of the transition of the population to a certain sedentary life. In addition, the information obtained gives reasons to speak about the appearance of dwellings in the region of interest starting from the early Neolithic.

Human palaeoenvironment in the Upper Kama River basin: experience of reconstruction

Here, we present the results of comprehensive (archaeological and palaeoecological) studies undertaken in 2014–2018 in the basin of the Upper Kama River in the north of Perm Region, eastern part of the East European Plain. The main objects for the research were archaeological sites, primarily their chronological attribution and localization specifics. In total, 100 sites belonging to a wide chronological range from the Mesolithic to the Late Middle Ages were identified in the study area. The palaeochannel method was used to identify the association of the archaeological sites to certain landscapes within the river valley. As a result, five morphologically diverse sectors have been identified. For the reconstruction of natural landscapes and plant communities, palynological and plant macrofossil methods were used. Radiocarbon analysis was used to date these events. The initial human habitation of the Upper Kama region took place in the early Holocene, after the formation of the 2nd and 1st river terraces. The Mesolithic sites have been dated to this period. They were located either on the second river terrace, or on the bedrock valley side. In the Middle Holocene, along with the spread of broad-leaved species in forests, 6th–5th floodplain generations were formed, and the river was characterized by high water content. The Neolithic sites located on the Kama river terraces belong to this period. In the end of the Middle Holocene, the maximum distribution of spruce forests began. This was the time of existence of the Garin Chalcolithic Culture settlements. They were located either on the 4th–5th floodplain generations, or on the bedrock valley side. In the end of the Subboreal and first half of the Subatlantic periods, a key role in the forest stand was played by pine, forming southern taiga light coniferous forests. The water content of the Kama decreased. The sites of the Early Iron Age, located on low terraces or in the floodplain, are dated to this time. In the second half of the Subatlantic period of the Holocene, forests acquired modern mid-taiga appearane, which coincided with the arrival of the medieval population. Medieval hillforts were located on the bedrock valley sides, and the settlements were associated with river terraces, shores of oxbow lakes and floodplains of small rivers.

The Cultural Study of Tribes and Prehistoric Rock Paintings of Simdega District

This research paper will mainly consist of the unreported Neolithic site and rock art sites of Simdega district. In this paper there will be the detailed information about the rock paintings. The detailed study will be done of the various figures of the paintings. This paper will also describe the associated remains found along with the rock paintings. The research paper also consists of the developing phase of the rock art which can be seen in the tribal communities. Paper will also consist of the study of saddle quern, its various uses and how it is related to the tribal community. There will the content about the importance of the rock art in the tribal society. Various rituals are performed on the rock art site by the tribal people till today. This research paper will describe these rituals which are performed by the tribal people. The paper will consists of the study of correlation between the rock art and the various arts forms and cultures present in the tribal community.

Chert procurement in Corsica during the Neolithic: Inferring social territories in the Tyrrhenian islands

From the Neolithic, foreign siliceous materials were imported into Corsica as the island lacks local chert and obsidian. Such a context constitutes a real opportunity to investigate the relationship of the island with surrounding areas, in perspective with cultural evolutions. For 20 years, chert sourcing studies were carried out. We took into account 26 sites, dating from the Ancient Neolithic to the Final Neolithic. The work is based on non-destructive petro-archaeological observations of the artefacts. and on the survey and characterization of Sardinian sources (320 samples collected and 60 different lithotypes characterized).
 The study aims to better understand the place of chert among the lithic assemblages throughout time and identify the provenance of most of the chert material introduced into Corsica. It reveals procurement evolution in terms of preferred facies and of stages of introduction, depending on the chronology and geographical situation of the sites. The results confirm connections with Sardinia, among which Perfugas basin constitutes a major source of raw material for Corsica. It also shows relations with the Italian Peninsula for some Middle Neolithic sites in Northern Corsica. Comparisons with data from Sardinia show the affinities and differences between the two islands and open further avenues for research.

THE FORMATION OF EARLY NEOLITHIC COMMUNITIES IN THE CENTRAL ZAGROS: AN 11,500 YEAR‐OLD COMMUNAL STRUCTURE AT ASIAB

SummaryCommunal buildings have been reported from a number of early Neolithic sites from the Levant and Anatolia, but none were known from the central Zagros. Here we report on the recent excavations at Asiab, Kermanshah province, Iran, and argue that the principal feature found during Robert Braidwood’s excavation at the site in 1960 should be interpreted as an example of a communal building. We discuss the results of the previous and recent excavations, highlight the key features of this building, and the implications for our understanding of the early Neolithic in the ‘eastern wing’ of the Fertile Crescent.

Neolithic pathways in East Asia: early sedentism on the Mongolian Plateau

Abstract

Pathways to plant domestication in Southeast Anatolia based on new data from aceramic Neolithic Gusir H\xf6y\xfck

Southeast Anatolia is home to some of the earliest and most spectacular Neolithic sites associated with the beginning of cultivation and herding in the Old World. In this article we present new archaeobotanical and zooarchaeological data from Gusir Höyük, an aceramic Neolithic habitation dating to the 12th-late 11th millennia cal BP. Our results show selective use of legume crop progenitors and nuts during the earlier part of this period, followed by the management of cereal and legume crop progenitors from the mid-11th millennium cal BP. This contrasts with data available from other Anatolian habitations indicating broad spectrum plant use with low crop progenitor inputs. Early aceramic Neolithic Anatolian plant and animal exploitation strategies were site-specific, reflecting distinctive identities and culinary choices rather than environmental constraints. A multivariate evaluation of wheat grain metrics alongside botanical and radiometric data indicate that early wheat domestication in southeast Anatolia occurred at a faster pace than predicted by current hypotheses for a protracted transition to farming in Southwest Asia. We argue that this phenomenon is best explained as a corollary of the increasing importance of cereals in feasting at southeast Anatolian sites characterised by increasing architectural complexity and elaboration during the 11th millennium cal BP.

Paleoenvironmental Evolution and Human Activities at the Hejia Site on the Ningshao Coastal Plain in Eastern China

The eastern China coastal plain is an ideal area for studying the human–environment interaction during the Neolithic period as there are multiple Neolithic sites in this area. Located in the Ningshao Coastal Plain of the south bank of Hangzhou Bay in eastern China, the Hejia Site is part of the late Hemudu Culture sites and includes the late Hemudu Culture, the Liangzhu Culture, and the Qianshanyang Culture. Based on palynology, charcoal, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and magnetic susceptibility (χ), combined with accelerator mass spectrometry 14C dating and analysis of the archaeological cultural layers, we explored the paleoenvironmental evolution and human activities at the Hejia Site. 1) Pollen records suggest that the vegetation type was evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest during the Middle Holocene. Cr/Cu and low-frequency magnetic susceptibility (χlf) reveal that the climate underwent through warm and wet (Hemudu Culture Period IV)–cool and dry (Liangzhu Culture Period)–warm and wet (Qianshanyang Culture Period) periods. 2) During the Middle Holocene, the intensity of human activities, related to the transformation of the natural environment, increased obviously. The increasing Poaceae pollen (>37 μm) indicates that the ability of prehistoric humans in managing crop fields gradually increased from the late Hemudu Culture Period to the Liangzhu Culture Period. The charcoal concentration results suggest that the occurrence of high-intensity fire events during the late Hemudu Culture Period might be caused by the slash-and-burn operation, while those that occurred during the middle Liangzhu Culture Period might be caused by the increasing fire demand owing to the greater ancestors’ lives and production activities in the Liangzhu Culture Period.

Identification of archaeobotanical Pistacia L. fruit remains: implications for our knowledge on past distribution and use in prehistoric Cyprus

Pistacia spp. remains are common finds among archaeobotanical assemblages in prehistoric sites in Southwest Asia, both in the form of endocarps and charcoal remains. However, in the absence of a systematic study of the fruit morphology, the archaeobotanical remains of Pistacia cannot be identified to the species level and this deprives us of important information on their past geographical distribution and uses. This paper presents a comprehensive study of morphological and traditional morphometric characteristics of modern endocarps of six Pistacia species indigenous to Southwest Asia: P. atlantica Desf., P. eurycarpa Yalt., P. khinjuk Stocks, P. lentiscus L., P. terebinthus L. and P. vera L. The observation of recurring morphological features that were shown to remain stable during experimental carbonisation allowed us to set up an identification key whose efficiency was tested through a blind test. The application of established identification criteria to archaeobotanical material from the Late Aceramic Neolithic site of Khirokitia-Vounoi in Cyprus, enables an in-depth discussion on the biogeography and use of Pistacia species in prehistoric Cyprus. Finally, the paper identifies directions for future research on a major plant resource of the past.