Prehistoric Cultures Research Articles

Ceramic Types from Late Prehistoric Sites along the East Fork of the Trinity River

Ceramics are one of the key diagnostic artifacts that define the Late Prehistoric culture of the peoples that lived along the East Fork of the Trinity and its tributaries. We are completing a 42 year re evaluation of the Late Prehistoric period of the area and have st udied nearly 32,000 artifacts, of which over 10,200 are ceramic sherds. From this study, 20 distinct ceramic types have been recognized. Plain ware, both shell tempered and sandy paste/grog tempered, are the predominant ceramic types present, comprising ov er 90 percent of the total ceramic assemblage. While there is little direct evidence for indigenous manufacture, the abundance of these types suggests they were produced locally. Lesser quantities of decorated ware of distinct Caddo ceramic types from the Red River and East Texas suggest they are likely the product of exchange. There is also a small amount of Puebloan material indicative of a longer distance exchange.

The Xichengyi Site in Zhangye City, Gansu

AbstractThe Xichengyi Site covering areas about 35ha in total is located in the middle of the Hexi Corridor. In the excavations from 2010 through 2013, areas covering 1350sq m have been excavated, the remains recovered from which were dated as around 4100-3600 BP, lasting from the late Machang Culture, the Xichengyi Phase II period and the early Siba Culture. 351 features including house foundations, ash pits, pottery kilns and burials were recovered and over 2000 pieces (sets) of artifacts were unearthed, which revealed the origins of Siba Culture and preliminarily established the development sequence of the prehistoric cultures in the Heishui River Valley. The discovery of large amounts of remains and relics of metallurgy provided important materials for the researches on the early metallurgic technologies in Hexi Corridor. The discoveries of barley, wheat, mace head, adobe houses and so on are very meaningful for the explorations to the early cultural communication between the East and the West.

The Emam Zadeh Chahar Rustayi Site, a Bakun Period Settlement in Bushehr Province, Southern Iran

Genaveh County is located on the NE coast of the Persian Gulf with an area of about 1837 Square kilometers, 165 kilometers Northwest of Bushehr. Our information about the prehistoric period of the coastal province of Bushehr is very limited. The few studies conducted in this area have not been systematic and have not pursued a specific goal. Only for the Paleolithic period has some research been done. Therefore, our systematic study in this region has attempted to identify the cultural status of this area. The Chahar Rustayi archaeological site (34°68'47''N; 57°69'32''E; 87-meter elevation) is located within 5 kilometers of the west bank of the Shoor River and 2 kilometers south of the village of Chahar Rustayi. Realizing the importance of the Chahar Rustayi site (Eman Zadeh Hill or Tepe Emam Zadeh) to the understanding of regional exchanges, and the utility of pottery in identifying prehistoric cultures, as well as the role of pottery shapes and designs in assigning the sequence of cultural eras, our goal was a thorough analysis of the cultural materials obtained in a methodical study of the site to clarify the cultural succession of the region. After mapping and 10 × 10 m 2

Holocene environmental change and its influence on the prehistoric culture evolution and the formation of the Taosi site in Linfen basin, Shanxi province, China

The Taosi site (4300–4000 BP) in the southern Linfen basin of Shanxi province is regarded as one of the most important large settlement sites prior to the origin of Chinese civilization, but the environmental context of its formation remains unclear. In this paper, we reconstruct the Holocene environment, based on analyses of OSL dates, pollen, grain sizes, magnetic susceptibilities, and trace elements of the two loess-paleosol profiles in Linfen basin, and discuss its influence on Neolithic cultural evolution in the area, and the formation of the Taosi site. The results indicate that the climate was warm and wet ca. 9.0–4.9 ka, promoting the development of the Neolithic cultures during that period in the Linfen basin. Climate turned cool and dry after 4.9 ka, and settlements concentrated in the valleys of the large rivers resulting in greater culture development and increasing political centralization. The development of Neolithic cultures coupled with paleosol enriched in micronutrient elements in Linfen basin provided a cultural basis and material basis for the Taosi culture. The central geographic location of the Taosi culture amidst various other early Chinese cultures contributed to the flourishing of the culture and the formation of the Taosi site as a major protourban settlement that influenced further evolution of Chinese social systems.

The Particularity of Prehistoric Culture in Vlora Region (Albania)

Vlora area is lying to the southwest of Albania, it also carries a wealth of archaeological sites of all periods and in particular it is characterized by specific archaeological site of prehistoric culture, the particularities of which are rare in our country, in Balkan and Europe. By the given observations, research, documentation and comparisons, we have been able to distinguish this area from the others in terms of specific elements of the locality contains prehistoric culture. In this region is proved that Paleolithic human activity in the early phase of this era which has been lacking in prehistoric archaeological central sites of our country. In the area of Vlora, there is the only evidence in the form of a megalithic stone table (Dolmen) in village of Vranisht. AtVelca village we have large complex natural karst caves used for housing by primitive man during the Neolithic era. In Lepenica village of Vlora, there is the largest rock painting in our country and more specific in terms of its composition compared less with other site in Europe in terms of prehistoric scope. This art shows us for the ancient beliefs, for life, for real-world perception of the creators of this imaginary rock painting.The region of Vlora has no cultural gap, it contains all the archaeological and historical periods. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2014.v3n4p49

Impact of Holocene climate change on the prehistoric cultures of Zhejiang region, East China

The temporal-spatial distribution features of prehistoric cultures since the Holocene in Zhejiang region were comparatively analyzed based on GIS spatial analysis. Results show that the prehistoric cultures expanded gradually in this region before 4000 cal. a BP. The notable expansions occurred twice, one in the Majiabang-Hemudu cultural period, the other in the Liangzhu cultural period. Meanwhile, the prehistoric cultures were disseminated from west to east coast along river valleys. After 4000 cal. a BP, as represented by the Maqiao Culture, the distributed area of each prehistoric culture contracted. This is obviously due to the termination of spreading trends to east coast, which was simultaneously accompanied by two different modes of production and economic transitions in the north and south Zhejiang region respectively. The distribution of prehistoric cultures was closely related with Holocene sea-level fluctuations, especially on the banks of Hangzhou Bay, where the distribution changes of prehistoric cultural sites were greatly affected by sea-level changes, with the closest relationships between them. After 7000 cal. a BP, the process of lowered sea-level and regression-epeirogenesis provided wider terrestrial living spaces for prehistoric inhabitants. Based on the comparative analyses of the changes of prehistoric cultures and the environmental evolution information recorded in the Qianmutian subalpine peat of Mt. Tianmu and muddy area on the inner shelf of the East China Sea, it is indicated that the changes of prehistoric cultures were synchronized with environmental changes in Zhejiang region. Before 4000 cal. a BP, the eastward expansion of prehistoric cultures in Zhejiang occurred under the background of the Holocene Optimum, and was the expansion and extension under the joint influences of agricultural civilization and maritime civilization. However, after 4000 cal. a BP, the geographical contraction of prehistoric cultures in Zhejiang occurred under the back ground of dry-cold climate trend and deterioration of coastal marine environment. It is evidenced from the above fact that the development, expansion and contraction of prehistoric cultures are positively correlated to environmental change. The change of the climatic environment is just the underlying reason for these changes and transitions of production modes and economic forms. Therefore, the climatic environment is the dominant factor of prehistoric culture vicissitudes in Zhejiang region, which has exerted great influence on distribution, dissemination, expansion and transmutation of the culture.

Stone use and avoidance on Easter Island: Red scoria from the topknot quarry at Puna Pau and other sources

AbstractThe paper presents new observations on the use and avoidance of different red scoria rocks on Easter Island (Rapa Nui), made during fieldwork. It describes the different facies of the rock, their origins, their nature and their context of quarrying and use. From the latter, it is inferred that, for the prehistoric Rapanui, the meaning of red scoria transcended practical utility. A combination of stone context and ethnographic analogy suggests what this meaning or these meanings might be. Stone use on the Island is presented as a model against which the stone use of other prehistoric cultures might be measured.

A Comparative Study of 14C Dating on Charcoal and Charred Seeds from Late Neolithic and Bronze Age Sites in Gansu and Qinghai Provinces, NW China

The chronology of the Neolithic and Bronze Age cultures in Gansu and Qinghai provinces, northwest China, is mainly based on conventional radiocarbon dates from unidentified charcoal, which may be inaccurate in view of the possible “old wood” problem of 14C dating. To discuss the reliability of the chronology of those prehistoric cultures, accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dates of short-lived charred seeds were compared to conventional 14C dates of unidentified charcoal from the same flotation samples in 15 Late Neolithic and Bronze Age sites in the area. The results show that 14C dates of unidentified charcoal are obviously older than those of charred seeds in 5 of the 15 flotation samples. This work suggests that the old-wood problem of 14C dating might be related to human subsistence strategies and local vegetation variation during different prehistoric cultural periods in Gansu and Qinghai provinces, which should be discussed before establishing the chronology of Neolithic and Bronze Age cultures in the area.

Claudine Cohen. Review of "The Cradle of Humanity: Prehistoric Art and Culture" by Georges Bataille, Stuart Kendall, Stuart Kendall, and Michelle Kendall.

Claudine Cohen. Review of "The Cradle of Humanity: Prehistoric Art and Culture" by Georges Bataille, Stuart Kendall, Stuart Kendall, and Michelle Kendall.

Drift sands, lakes, and soils: the multiphase Holocene history of the Laarder Wasmeren area near Hilversum, the Netherlands

AbstractA unique complex of multiphased Holocene drift sands and paleosols, with at least two lacustrine phases, was discovered during a major sanitation project in the Laarder Wasmeren area near Hilversum, the Netherlands. The complex could be studied in detail, highly facilitated by the excellent and large-scale exposure of the various deposits and soils. OSL dating was used to establish ages of the phases, where possible differentiating between time of deposition and time of burial by taking into account the potential effects of bioturbation. Pollen analysis served to reconstruct the vegetation during the various phases.A first minor phase of aeolian activity already started before approx. 5,000 BC, followed around 4,000 BC by a second phase and a rather massive third phase around 3,000 BC. After a long phase of soil formation, the latest, massive drift sand phase started around the 14th to 15th century. It clearly represents the classic drift sand phase that started in the Late Middle Ages in the Netherlands. Sand drifting followed on soil forming phases during which the vegetation became increasingly dominated by ericaceous plants and culminated in heathlands. The first three aeolian phases and associated heathlands are much older than generally assumed for heathland and drift sand to occur in the Netherlands. Moreover, podzolisation was found to have started very early, true podzols already occurring before 4,000 BC.Around 3,000 BC groundwater in the area reached a maximum altitude of about 230 cm +NAP, resulting in local open water in the area. This rise is probably linked to the development of the Dutch coastal area, where at that time peat accumulated and drainage was poor, inducing a rise of the groundwater level in ‘het Gooi’. This groundwater level fell later on, to never reach this altitude again. The Groot Wasmeer was formed by local stagnation on a slowly permeable podzol and already reached a level of 320-325 cm +NAP by 400 BC, which more or less equals its 20thcentury level.The results demonstrate that earlier concepts on the occurrence and age of aeolian phases, podzols and heathland vegetations in the Netherlands are far too schematic, and that early, pre-agricultural cultures may already have had an impact on the stability of fragile cover sand landscapes, e.g. through burning. Results are in line with those from several contemporary studies on early prehistoric cultures and their impact in river dune areas in the Central and Eastern Netherlands.

New chronological research of the late Bronze Age in Scandinavia

The concept of time dominating in archaeological science differs widely from that of prehistoric cultures. Still, ‘time’ is one of the most important criteria for the reception of cultural and historical processes. Compartmentalising time creates artificial breaches, used as methodical means of breaking down the continuum. This article analyses the currently valid chronological concept for the late Nordic Bronze Age created by Evert Baudou with the objective of finding possible toeholds for further subdivisions. Baudou’s generous conception of the time periods IV–V makes the realisation of chronological adjustments very difficult. Using Baudou’s catalogue of Danish grave finds, the author tries to further subdivide these time-horizons with the help of a correspondence analysis. By making use of several intermediate steps, it is possible to discern two more temporal subdivisions within the devolution of periods IV–V. The existence of these four phases is supported by 14C-dates.

RAGAM HIAS BINATANG DALAM MEDALION

Indian - Indonesia culture acculturation played a riddle which still debated until today. Indian cultural influence was strong in Central Java and inversely proportional to the area of East Java. At the temple, the visual form change was easily found where the form of towering slender turned into fat and wide. The concentric form change to chtonis system, human decorations that look realistic style turned into puppets as one of the characteristics of prehistoric cultures. Decorative variety of medallions as one of ornament in Induk Panataran Temple are a visual text that attempts to convey a message. Animal species diversity engraved in Decorative variety of medallions became an evidence of the local genius skills in blending and gathering the Indian cultural influences for the future.Keyword : Ornament, Medallion, Panataran Temple, Local Genius

Concordant monsoon-driven postglacial hydrological changes in peat and stalagmite records and their impacts on prehistoric cultures in central China

Asian monsoon records are widely documented, but specific proxies of monsoonal rainfall are limited. We present here two new independent proxy records from peatland and stalagmite archives that indicate a high degree of concordance between monsoon-driven hydrological changes occurring since the last deglaciation in a broad region of central China. The wet periods elevated the water table in the Dajiuhu peatland, as recorded by reduced mass accumulation rates of hopanoids, biomarkers for aerobic microbes, confirmed by molecular phylogenic analyses. The hopanoid-based reconstruction is supported by the first report of the environmental magnetism parameter ARM/SIRM (anhysteretic remanent magnetization / saturation isothermal remanent magnetization; ratio of fine magnetic particles to total ferrimagnetic particles) in a stalagmite from Heshang Cave in central China. Heavy rainfall resulted in the enhanced transport of coarse particles to the cave and thus low ARM/SIRM values in the stalagmite. The hydrological conditions inferred from the two records reveal three relatively long wet periods in central China: 13–11.5 k.y. ago, 9.5–7.0 k.y. ago, and 3.0–1.5 k.y. ago. Archaeological evidence for the hydrological impacts on regional populations comes from the observation that temporal shifts among six distinctive cultures of the Neolithic Period to the Iron Age in central China occurred during wet periods or flood episodes. Spatiotemporal distributions of >1600 prehistoric settlement sites correlate with the proxy-inferred fluctuating hydrological conditions, with enhanced flooding risk forcing major relocations of human settlements away from riparian zones.

Application of X-ray fluorescence imaging to ceramics from the American Southwest

We have used synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence imaging (XRFI) to examine sherds of painted ceramics from prehistoric cultures of the American Southwest. These sherds are very well suited to XRFI analysis. Paints can generally be detected and distinguished by the fluorescence intensities of their constituent elements. Spatial maps of element distributions yield the spatial distribution of pigments. Pigments can be distinguished that are (or have become) visually similar; layers that have been obscured by overpainting can be examined; and pigment residues can be distinguished from surface contaminants deposited after painting and firing. As a result, XRFI allows the painted motifs to be clarified and hidden features to be revealed. Furthermore, the very rapid scanning and high sensitivity elemental detection possible with synchrotron-based XRFI facilitate measurements on large collections of sherds, allowing an integrative rather than anecdotal analysis.

Establishing the Prehistoric Cultural Sequence for the Lopburi Region, Central Thailand

This study comprises the first archaeologically-defined chronological and cultural sequence for central Thailand. Based on collaborative research between the Thai–Italian Lopburi Regional Archaeological Project and the Thai–American Thailand Archaeometallurgy Project, the results of excavations at seven pre- and protohistoric sites that witnessed three millennia of local cultural development, from the early second millennium BC onward, are synthesized herein. This study fills a significant gap in Thailand’s prehistory, also identifying important cultural interactions ranging into southern China and Vietnam that led to the formation during the second millennium BC of a ‘Southeast Asian Interaction Sphere’. This interaction sphere, at the close of the second millennium BC, facilitated the transmission of the knowledge of copper-base metallurgy from southern China into Thailand, where it reached the communities of the Lopburi Region who took advantage of their ore-rich environment. At the end of the first millennium BC, strong South Asian contacts emerge in Southeast Asia. Among this study’s salient contributions is the characterization of these critical prehistoric antecedents, which culminated in a process of localization of exogenous elements, usually termed ‘Indianization’. The impact of this dynamic process was initially felt in central Thailand in the late first millennium BC, leading over time to the rise there, by the mid first millennium AD, of one of Southeast Asia’s first ‘state-like’ entities.

Toward an archaeology of late prehistoric Eskimo bands in coastal northwest Alaska

The methodology of analogical explanation of prehistoric Eskimo remains in northwest Alaska is examined. The sociospatial organization of Wales or, Kingigan, settlement and the greater Kingikmiut territory is evaluated as an example based on ethnohistorical studies and archaeological excavations carried out at three sites in the locality since 1926, and relationships between the archaeological material and historic socio-spatial divisions of Kingigan are explored. The review reveals that only two historic family compound locations have been sampled archaeologically, and that several others have not yet been sampled. However, existing samples nevertheless represent the larger Agianamiut, Kiatanamiut and Kurigitavik districts in the settlement, ca. AD 1800–1850 and extending back to prehistoric times from ca. AD 1000. A nomenclature for socio-spatial units is proposed that includes compound families, local bands, tribal capitals and tribes based on examples of historic Eskimo territorial organization. Caution is suggested in applying the nomenclature to prehistoric cultures in cases where continuity of artifact forms, art styles and motifs with historic local cultures are not demonstrable. Application of historic Eskimo analogues to prehistoric entities such as Birnirk and Punuk cultural remains risk fallacious interpretations because continuity with historic examples are not demonstrable and alternative explanations cannot be eliminated.

Settlement distribution and its relationship with environmental changes from the Neolithic to Shang-Zhou dynasties in northern Shandong, China

In this paper, the spatial and temporal distribution of the settlement sites of six periods from the Neolithic Age to the Shang and Zhou dynasties in northern Shandong was investigated using the ArcGIS program, and the relationship between settlement distribution and environmental changes was discussed, based on the proxy records of climatic and environmental change contained in the sediments from three sections at the Shuangwangcheng site and the previous work. The results show that the climate was warm and humid and the sea level was relatively high during the period of 8000–5000 a BP in the study area, and the ancient people lived in the relatively flat (slope of <2°) areas at high elevation (20–300 m above sea level), such as diluvial tableland and alluvial plain. On the other hand, few archaeological sites in the low-lying plain in the west of the study area indicate that few people lived there during that period. This might be attributed to frequent flooding in the area. After 5000 years ago, the scope of human activity extended to the area close to the sea because the relatively colder and drier climate results in sea-level fall, meanwhile the low-lying plain in the west was occupied by the ancient people. The study area of this period was characterized by the rapid development of prehistoric culture, the intensified social stratification and the emergence of early city-states. However, around 4000 a BP, the abrupt change in climate and the increase in frequency and intensity of floods severely disrupted human activities, and eventually led to the decline of the Yueshi culture. During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, the climatic conditions gradually stabilized in a mild-dry state, which promoted the redevelopment and flourish of the Bronze Culture. The previous situation, which was characteristic of sparse human settlements due to freshwater shortage and unfitted conditions for sedentary agriculture, changed during the Shang and Zhou dynasties in northern coastal wetlands. Local residents effectively adapted themselves to the tough environmental conditions by producing sea-salt, which led to the rapid growth of human activities.

Archaeological finds and the fossil faunas as the Natufian and Microlithic industries at Hayonim cave (western Galilee, Israel).

ABSTRACT Description is given of two prehistoric cultures and the fossil faunas, excavated from a new prehistoric site, known as Hayonim cave, located in the northern part of Israel (western Galilee). In the first part the work deals with the lithic assemblages found up till now; the Natufian and the Microlithic industries. Older lithic industries are to be found in deeper layers. The rich fossil documentation is demonstrated in the second part. Both the fauna and the archaeological finds substantiate the hypothesis that the Natufians were long-term inhabitants of the area, as opposed to the earlier (Microlithic industry) population of hunters and food gatherers. No proof has yet been found for food production, so that it must be assumed that the Natufians here, as in the rest of the country, were specialized hunters, fishers and food gatherers. From the animal remains interpretations are drawn about the different biotopes that coexisted in the surroundings of the cave at that time. The types of biotopes ...

Preliminary Comments on Dog Interments from Archeological Sites in Northeast Texas: Folklore and Archeology

Dogs have been associated with humans for thousands of years, and dog interments—either associated with human interments or as separate interments—also have an antiquity of thousands of years. This brief paper will summarize dog burials in a worldwide context, and then focus on the folklore, ethnology, and archeology of dogs among the Caddo. The information for the dog in Caddo culture will be summarized from George A. Dorsey’s Traditions of the Caddo and John R. Swanton’s Source Material on the History and Ethnology of the Caddo Indians. Then, dog interments from northeast Texas will be listed and discussed. By examining the folklore, ethnology, and archeology of the dog in Caddo contexts, it is hoped that a greater understanding of the role of dogs in prehistoric Caddo culture might be attained.

RAGAM HIAS BINATANG DALAM MEDALION

Indian - Indonesia culture acculturation played a riddle which still debated until today. Indian culturalinfluence was strong in Central Java and inversely proportional to the area of East Java. At thetemple, the visual form change was easily found where the form of towering slender turned into fatand wide. The concentric form change to chtonis system, human decorations that look realistic styleturned into puppets as one of the characteristics of prehistoric cultures. Decorative variety ofmedallions as one of ornament in Induk Panataran Temple are a visual text that attempts to conveya message. Animal species diversity engraved in Decorative variety of medallions became anevidence of the local genius skills in blending and gathering the Indian cultural influences for thefuture. Keyword : Ornament, Medallion, Panataran Temple, Local Genius