Series Of Pits Research Articles

Human-environment interactions in the Mesolithic – The case of site Paliwodzizna 29, a lakeside site in central Poland

Human-environmental relations before agriculture can be revealed at archaeological sites through multi-method palaeoenvironmental studies, particularly at sites which have both dryland and wetland areas. Paliwodzizna 29 is such as site, being a series of pits and hearths at the edge of Lake Grodno in Central Poland. A combination of faunal analysis, lithostratigraphy, pollen, diaspores, charcoal and sedaDNA from the site revealed seasonal collecting-type occupation based on the catching of pike (a superfood) in the spring in the early Mesolithic, but a different foraging-type pattern of occupation probably in the summer in the late Mesolithic. Subtle human impacts on the local environment are also seen, including probably burning of some woodland and reed-beds as well as localized soil erosion. This analysis reveals the potential of both such sites, and the combined methodology, for the testing of theoretical models of human mobility and activities in the Mesolithic.

JEWELLER’S ESTATE AT STAEVO-5 SETTLEMENT OF THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES (THE UPPER VORONEZH RIVER)

In the eastern part of the Staevo-5 settlement, an estate consisting of a dwelling, two outbuildings, two hearths, and a series of pits has been completely explored. From the south, its territory was limited by a fence resting on massive pillars. The estate belongs to the initial stage of the settlement functioning and dates back to the late 5th–6th century AD (possibly, the first half of this century). Based on the distribution of ceramics in the structures and the cultural layer, it was possible to distinguish three conditionally closed complexes. The first one refers to the period of the estate functioning, the second – to the period of its destruction, the third (the latest) – to the garbage dump that was formed in its place. It is indicative that all three complexes include ceramics of both the post-Kiev and Oka traditions. Thus, from the very beginning of the settlement existence, two main components of the Upper Voronezh cultural group are distinguished in the composition of its population – the Early Slavic and Finnish ones. The estate dwellers were engaged in jewellery and bronze casting. They used a domestic hearth for melting metal. The crucibles, most likely, were made of clay which was prepared for this reason in one of the pits.

Остеологические материалы античного поселения Ивановка Северная в Восточном Крыму

The study of ancient settlements in Eastern Crimea is of great scientific importance. In 2017, Ivanovka Severnaya settlement was studied on the route of the Kerch — Feodosia highway under construction. Here, a series of pits was excavated, dating to the middle of the 4th — beginning of the 3rd centuries BC. Excavations most likely affected the outskirts of the ancient settlement. The osteological materials are very interesting. They are represented by the bones of horses, cows, sheep; the number of pig bones is relatively small. The settlement had a well-developed poultry. It is assumed that this is an agricultural settlement in the distant surrounding of the capital of the Bosporus Kingdom.

Formation of undulating topography and gravel beds at the bases of incised valleys: Last Glacial Maximum examples beneath the lowlands facing Tokyo Bay

Recent studies using well density distributed borehole logs have revealed undulating topography at the bases of incised valleys formed during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). In this study, from analysis of 4702 borehole logs, undulating topography forming a series of pits 1–2 km long, < 1 km wide, 5–10 m deep, and spaced at 1–2-km intervals was discovered at the bases of LGM incised valleys beneath the Tama River Lowland on the west coast of Tokyo Bay. This undulating topography can be attributed to scouring at braided river channel confluences. In the study area, single borehole logs are available within each 187 m × 187 m grid cell, and the logs sample both the bottom and marginal portions of the scouring, which suggests that this undulating topography is not an artifact of erroneous values arising from mathematical interpolation. The morphologies and incision depths of two incised valleys in the study area show a cover effect of the gravel bed at the base of the post-LGM incised-valley fills. The basal age of this basal gravel bed (BG) is confirmed at < 30 ka because the LGM incised valleys dissect the MIS 3 Tachikawa buried terrace overlain by the AT tephra dated 30.0 ka. This means that the BG, which represents braided-river sediments, is interpreted as resulting from the LGM sea-level lowstand after 30 ka.

Medieval Activity at Mill Lane, Leeming, North Yorkshire

Two phases of medieval activity were identified during excavation within three fields at Mill Lane, Leeming (centred at SE 290 890) in 2009 in advance of widening works during upgrading of the A1 to motorway status.The earlier phase, dating probably to the later eleventh or twelfth century, included an area containing truncated remains of a series of pits, gullies, and ditches containing large, unabraded sherds of pottery and carbonised plant assemblages considered indicative of domestic activity. Although no structures were identified, the evidence suggests the presence of a small farmstead undertaking mixed arable cultivation and possibly dairying. Nearby was a large ditched enclosure containing a series of smaller enclosures possibly associated with stock-handling. In the thirteenth century, perhaps in association with a new settlement at Leeming first documented in c. AD 1200, the whole area was divided by ditches into a series of strip-fields containing ridge-and-furrow. These cut across the features of the earlier settlement, indicating either that these had already been abandoned or were cleared for the new agricultural regime. The large enclosure was retained but converted to arable use.

A probability distribution model of tooth pits for evaluating time-varying mesh stiffness of pitting gears

Abstract Tooth damage often causes a reduction in gear mesh stiffness. Thus time-varying mesh stiffness (TVMS) can be treated as an indication of gear health conditions. This study is devoted to investigating the mesh stiffness variations of a pair of external spur gears with tooth pitting, and proposes a new model for describing tooth pitting based on probability distribution. In the model, considering the appearance and development process of tooth pitting, we model the pitting on the surface of spur gear teeth as a series of pits with a uniform distribution in the direction of tooth width and a normal distribution in the direction of tooth height, respectively. In addition, four pitting degrees, from no pitting to severe pitting, are modeled. Finally, influences of tooth pitting on TVMS are analyzed in details and the proposed model is validated by comparing with a finite element model. The comparison results show that the proposed model is effective for the TVMS evaluations of pitting gears.

Microbial Origin of Early Animal Trace Fossils?

Abstract Elongate surface trails that abound in late Ediacaran and early Paleozoic sandstone and siltstone are often attributed to early animals. These trails commonly exist on the same beds as wrinkle structures (millimeter- to centimeter-size ridges and pits that are interpreted as evidence of the former presence of microbial mats). Here we show that interactions between oscillatory flow and centimetric microbial aggregates produce elongate trails on the surface of a sediment bed. Trails left by moving microbial aggregates share a number of characteristics with some presumed trace fossils of the earliest animals: elevated edges, zig-zag patterns, smooth curves, reversals, intersections with other trails, series of pits, and paths that terminate abruptly and restart nearby. Under the same flow conditions, millimetric microbial aggregates generate wrinkle structures. Thus, the interaction between flow and microbial aggregates on a sediment bed can produce a number of structures that are commonly interpreted as evidence of early animal locomotion.

Microstructural defects and enamel hypoplasia in teeth of Toxodon Owen, 1837 from the Pleistocene of Southern Brazil

Enamel hypoplasia is characterized by reduction in the enamel thickness, resulting from a disruption of ameloblast activity due to systemic physiological stress. The euhypsodont teeth of Toxodon, a notoungulate from the Pleistocene of South America, often exhibit signs of enamel hypoplasia, in the form of continuous grooves or a series of pits where the enamel is thinner than in normal areas. These defects alternate with areas of normal enamel, and sometimes more than one form of enamel hypoplasia is present on the same tooth. This study analysed teeth of Toxodon from the Pleistocene Touro Passo Formation and the coastal plain of State of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. Six types of enamel hypoplasia were observed. Upper teeth present mainly superficial grooves on the buccal surface, and the defects are less severe than those observed in the lower teeth. In the lower incisors, deep grooves with mesiodistal rows of pits were observed, showing clearly cyclical changes, which to a lesser degree, exist in all teeth. These changes are likely related to the continuous growth of euhypsodont teeth. Seven specimens were analysed under scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy, which showed the occurrence of microstructural changes associated with the macroscopic enamel defects. Enamel underlying in the vicinity of hypoplastic defects was aprismatic and associated with prominent pathologic striae. These pathological findings might indicate that toxodonts were exposed to some stressing conditions or that their teeth were more easily abraded due to a change in diet items, related to shifting climatic conditions.

Weapons at the battlefield of Kalkriese

Archaeological investigations have been taking place at the Kalkriese Hill in Northern Germany since 1987. Roman coins and military equipment are the result of a battle between Romans and Germans, probably the Varus Battle (A.D. 9). It is the aim of our research project to reconstruct the course of the battle. It has become apparent that one cannot deduct the intensity of fighting by the number of finds. Instead, we have to take into account the impact of post-battle processes on the archaeological record, such as rescuing of wounded soldiers, looting by the victors and body-stripping. This paper illustrates the finds and features from Kalkriese, especially from the main site «Oberesch», where most of the Roman artefacts as well as a rampart built by Germans as an ambush against Roman troops, and a series of pits containing the bones of the dead Roman soldiers were found. In addition, new methodological approaches for the interpretation of ancient battlefields are presented.

Excavation of Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement features at Lamb's Nursery, Dalkeith, Midlothian

Excavation identified the remains of at least two timber roundhouses, one of which was dated to the mid second millennium BC. The site also contained a Neolithic structure and series of pits, some of which contained fragments of Grooved Ware pottery. Includes separately authored reports on:

Wood and bark anatomy of Schisandraceae: implications for phylogeny, habit, and vessel evolution

Qualitative and quantitative features are reported for mature wood and bark of two species of Kadsura and five species of Schisandra. Newly reported for the family are predominance of simple perforation plates (all species); presence of pit membrane remnants in vessels of first-formed secondary xylem; two to three series of pits per facet on tracheids; diffuse axial parenchyma (Kadsura); multiseri- ate rays more than three cells wide at the widest point (all species); ethereal oil cells in axial xylem; and certain details of comparative bark anatomy. Differences in wood anatomy between Illiciaceae and Schisandraceae are nearly all differences of degree. These differences relate to the shrubby to arboreal habit in Illicium as opposed to the scandent habits in Schisandraceae. Larger pits on tracheids, wider and shorter vessel elements, and a high figure for conductive area per mm2 of transection are features related to the scandent habit of Schisandraceae; opposing character states in Illicium relate to the self-supporting nature of growth forms in that genus.

Chiselling effects on the vertical distribution of rock fragments in the tilled layer of a Mediterranean soil

When a mixture of dry particles with different diameters is disturbed, a segregation will occur with the finest particles moving downwards and the largest particles moving upwards. The objective of this paper was to determine whether this principle could be used to explain the high stoniness of topsoils of cultivated fields in the Mediterranean. A dense cover of rock fragments reduces soil erosion and promotes infiltration and hence, maintaining a coarse top layer may be an important management practice in areas threatened by desertification. Field experiments were conducted to determine the change in vertical rock-fragment size distribution after a certain number of tillage passes, until steady state (no more change) was reached. Soil pits were prepared and filled with four layers of rock fragments. Each 4-cm-thick layer contained a known distribution of rock-fragment sizes. One series of pits contained the coarsest layer initially at the bottom and the finest on top, while a second series showed an even distribution of coarse and fine particles throughout the profile. The pits were subjected to different tillage frequencies (max. of eight passes, all to a depth of 16 cm) by a caterpillar tractor pulling a chisel with a duckfoot. After the tillage operations, rock-fragment content (by mass) of each layer was determined by sieving and weighing, and rock-fragment cover (percentage) at the soil surface was assessed by photographical interpretation respectively. The experiments, conducted under dry conditions, demonstrated that there was a strong tendency for the coarsest fraction to accumulate in the top layers and for the finest fraction to accumulate at the bottom of the tilled layers. After two events, the coarsest fraction was already the dominant fraction in the surface layer for the first series of experiments (coarsest rock fragments initially at bottom). For the second series (equal distribution of rock-fragment sizes with depth), this already occurred after one event. The photographical interpretation of the surface rock fragment cover showed initially a rapid increase of intermediate sized fragments (0.6–5.0 cm) during the first series of experiments. After five tillage passes, the coarsest rock fragments were dominant at the surface. The rapid grading due to tillage observed in these experiments may explain the high rock fragment content of the topsoil in many cultivated shallow soils in the Mediterranean area. These results also suggest that in soils in which rock fragments on the surface are known to improve soil and water conservation, these benefits may be obtained after only one or two tined tillage operations in dry soil.

Excavation of a kerbed funerary monument at Stoneyfield, Raigmore, Inverness, Highland, 1972–3

Rescue excavation at Stoneyfield was undertaken on behalf of the then Ministry of Public Buildings and Works (Scotland) in 1972–3. The results suggest that this multi-period monument can be divided broadly into three major phases of construction. In Phase 1 a series of pits were dug in the early third millennium BC, one containing Grooved Ware and a second a cup-marked stone. In Phase 2 further pits were dug, again some with Grooved Ware. Two of these antedated a central rectangular post setting, but the recovery of sherds, similar to those from the pits, suggest the structure belongs to the same general period. To this phase also belongs the construction of a massive kerb of graded stones, the tallest to the south-west enclosing a platform cairn in the Clava tradition. Finally, Phase 3 involved the construction of a series of cists, one with a Food Vessel, and the digging of a pit through the platform cairn containing a cremation beneath an inverted Cordoned Urn. There was also evidence of Iron Age and early medieval activity on the site.

Upper Carboniferous ammonoid embryonic shell clusters: transported accumulation or in situ nests?

Clusters of ammonoid embryonic shells have been discovered in several carbonate concretions from a dysoxic, relatively deep water shale (Heebner Shale-Oread Formation) of Virgilian (U. Carboniferous) age near the community of Pomona, Kansas. The concretions from a single outcrop display four distinct units. Unit 1 is the lowest unit and has an evenly laminated fabric with scattered embryonic and juvenile ammonoids, gastropods, and bivalves. The bedding fabric of this unit is interrupted and truncated by a series of pits that form the base of Unit 2, which is a sharply bounded discontinuity. Within the pits there are embryonic ammonoid clusters up to 2.5 cm thick containing as many as 250 individuals per cm3. Some juvenile ammonoids and shell fragments (mostly of ammonoids) are also present. These clusters are capped by Unit 3 which has a gradational boundary with Unit 2. Unit 3 consists in places of a packstone of fossil debris including ammonoid body chamber and phragmocone fragments, three genera of juvenile ammonoids, embryonic ammonoids, and more rarely brachiopods, bivalves, and orthoconic nautiloids. Elsewhere, fossils of Unit 3 are well separated by matrix, which lacks the bedding fabric characteristic of Unit 1. The ammonoids in Unit 3 include mature to sub-mature fragments of Aristoceras and sub-mature phragmocones of Glaphyrites and Shumardites. The brachiopods (articulate and inarticulate) and the bivalves are probably sub-mature or mature. Planktonic bivalves are extremely rare. The number of shell fragments of embryonic and postembryonic ammonoids and other shell fragments decreases upwards from the upper contact of Unit 2. The boundary of Units 3 and 4 is more-or-less gradational; Unit 4 has a sedimentary fabric and faunal content like that observed in Unit 1.One set of hypotheses to explain the embryo clusters in Unit 2 emphasizes sedimentological processes such as selective transportation and accumulation by currents, turbidity transport and storm deposits. Another set of hypotheses favors biological activities such as reproductive activity and egg-laying. If this second set of hypotheses is correct, these clusters would provide the first documentation of ammonoid reproductive activity and would represent a find as significant in its way as that of the nests of embryo bearing dinosaur eggs.

Excavations at Grandtully, Perthshire

The site is defined by a series of pits and scoops dug into a gravel terrace. Two phases of activity are represented, a Late Neolithic phase with pottery deposited, perhaps ritually, in a number of pits and a subsequent Early Bronze Age flat cemetery containing urned and simple cremation deposits. Includes a report on the cremations by C B Denston. Au

The Vasilikos Valley and the Chalcolithic Period in Cyprus

Information concerning the Chalcolithic occupation of the Vasilikos valley has been derived principally from excavations at Kalavasos-Ayious and from the field survey of the valley. Limited data were also obtained by excavation at Kalavasos-Tenta. At Ayious no standing structures were found, only a series of pits of varied shapes, sizes, and purposes. The site probably represents a settlement of lightly built huts, most traces of which have been lost through erosion. A complex of pits and associated subterranean tunnels is of uncertain purpose. Small pits were also found in the Tenta excavations. The field survey revealed Early, Late, and probably Middle Chalcolithic sites in most of the valley. The density of settlements is not great, but uncertainty exists concerning the attribution of certain pottery types to a specific phase. The Chalcolithic occupation of the valley began as early as in western Cyprus, but the continuity of occupation throughout the period remains to be established.

Reflex bleeding in the lampyrid Photinus pyralis: Defensive function

Adults of the firefly Photinus pyralis exhibit reflex bleeding when tactually stimulated. Bleeding occurs along the elytral and pronotal margins and around the antennal sockets. The blood, which is discharged from a series of pits with weak underlying cuticle, coagulates very rapidly. The viscid blood is an effective deterrent against invertebrate predators such as ants. Lizards reject adults of P. pyralis probably because pungent and bitter constituents in the blood render these beetles unpalatable. These results are discussed in terms of the defensive mechanisms of lampyrid adults.

The Economy of Medieval Tuscania: The Archaeological Evidence

A large sample of animal bones and shells was recovered from the excavations of medieval deposits carried out in the centre of Tuscania in 1971 and 1972. The main part of the sample came from a series of pits orpozzifilled with domestic refuse. The sixpozzidiscussed in this report, designated Pits P1, P2, P3, P4, M4 and M20, span the greater part of the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Table 1 gives the basic analysis of the sample: the numbers of identifiable fragments are listed for thepozzi, which are arranged in chronological order.

Infrared receptors in the facial pits of the Australian python Morelia spilotes.

There is a series of pits in the scales of the rostrum and posterior portion of the lower lips in some pythons and boas. In the Australian python Morelia spilotes, these pits are innervated by the maxillary and mandibular branches of the trigeminal nerve. Structural and neurophysiological evidence indicate that in the pits there are receptors that function as detectors of radiant heat flux.

Pit Silos for the Storage of Atlas Sorgo Grain and of Soft Corn

Newly-threshed Atlas sorgo grain, and chopped and unchopped heads from the same sorgo crop, were stored separately with and without water in a series of pits. Chopped and unchopped, soft, snap corn also were stored in pits. Each pit was 4 feet in diameter and 5 feet deep. The pits were dug in silty clay loam and silt loam soil which was at its maximum field moisture holding capacity. Each pit was lined with a single thickness of burlap. These studies at the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station were supplemented by observations with sorghums in similar pits at the Colby and Garden City substations. The feeds were placed in storage for 8 months, beginning on or about November 28. Chemical analyses were made of samples of feed before and after storage. Temperatures of the feeds and of the soil were recorded during storage. Some observations were made on the feeding value of the resulting concentrates for dairy heifers. Storage periods of 7 and 9.5 months, respectively, were used at the Colby and Garden City substations. The principal conclusions drawn from these studies are summarized as follows: 1. Sorgo grain, sorgo heads and soft corn can be stored with moderate losses as feed in pits in the ground for periods of at least 8 months after the end of the growing season. 2. Flooding sorgo grain is unnecessary and may be objectionable when using this type of storage. 3. Chopping and flooding with water promoted better packing and less heating of sorgo heads in small pits. 4. Chopping promoted better packing and less heating of soft snap corn in small pits. 5. The proportionately large losses encountered from spoilage in some of the small experimental pits used in these studies probably can be reduced to much lower percentages by using larger storage pits, and by feeding during the same season.