Archaeological Studies Research Articles

Comparison of Quantitative and Qualitative EDXRF Analysis for Provenance Study of Archaeological Ceramics.

The most common scientific analysis of archaeological ceramics aims to determine the raw material source and/or production technology. Scientists and archaeologists widely use XRF-based techniques as a tool in a provenance study. After conducting XRF analysis, the results are often analyzed using multivariate analysis in addition to interpretation and conclusions. Various multivariate techniques have already been applied in archaeological ceramics provenance studies to reveal different raw material sources, identify imported pieces, or determine different production recipes. This study aims to evaluate the results of multivariate analysis in the provenance study of ceramics that belong to three cultures that settled in the same area during various prehistoric periods. Portable energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pEDXRF) was used to determine the elemental composition of the ceramic material. The ceramic material was prepared in two different ways. The ceramic body material was ground into powder, homogenized, and then pressed into tablets. After that, the same fragments are polished in suitable places. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed on the tablets and polished pieces. The results were subjected to both unsupervised and supervised multivariate analysis. Based on the results, it was concluded that qualitative analysis of the well-prepared shards' surface using EDXRF spectrometry could be utilized in provenance studies, even when the ceramic assemblages were made of similar raw materials.

Maiolica seen by Vis–NIR hyperspectral imaging spectroscopy: the application of an ultraportable camera at the Museo Nazionale del Bargello

An ultraportable hyperspectral camera operating in the Vis–NIR range (400–1000 nm) was used in this study for the non-invasive analysis of a selection of Italian maiolica wares and sherds from the Museo Nazionale del Bargello in Florence, Italy. The studied objects included authentic archaeological sherds, nineteenth-century forgeries, and ceramics of uncertain origin. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis for examining highly refractive and three-dimensional glazed ceramic artefacts within the constraints of a museum environment, including imperfect lighting conditions. Two data processing pipelines were tested: one based on principal component analysis (PCA) with score plots and the other on spectral angle mapper (SAM) classification obtained through the ENVI Spectral Hourglass Wizard (ENVI-SHW). The analyses enabled the discrimination between original parts and/or restored parts and additions. Among others, a complex assemblage of original sherds, restored parts, and non-ceramic parts was observed in a Renaissance pastiche vase. Furthermore, the method enabled the identification of the various chromophores providing clues on the artistic colour palette. In particular, the identification of chromium in the blue and green glazes of two objects of uncertain chronology suggested that they were not made before the nineteenth century. The acquisition of a larger and more detailed database of HSI data on maiolica glazes is strongly encouraged to improve the applicability of this method in authenticity, art-historical and archaeological studies.

Sedimentary biomarkers and bone specimens reveal a history of prehistoric occupation on Somerset Island (Arctic Canada).

Archaeological studies of pre-historic Arctic cultures are often limited to artefacts and architecture; such records may be incomplete and often do not provide a continuous record of past occupation. Here, we used lake sediment archives to supplement archaeological evidence to explore the history of Thule and Dorset populations on Somerset Island, Nunavut (Canada). We examined biomarkers in dated sediment cores from two ponds adjacent to abandoned Thule settlements (PaJs-3 and PaJs-13) and compared these to sediment cores from two ponds without past human occupation. Coprostanol and epicoprostanol, δ15N measurements, sedimentary chlorophyll a and the ratio of diatom valves to chrysophyte cysts were elevated in the dated sediment profiles at both sites during Thule and Dorset occupations. Periods of pronounced human impact during the Thule occupation of the site were corroborated by 14C-dated caribou bones found at both sites that identified intense caribou hunting between ca 1185 and 1510 CE. Notably, these sediment core data show evidence of the Dorset occupation from ca 200 to 500 CE at sites where archaeological evidence was heretofore lacking. We highlight the utility of lake sediments in assisting archaeological studies to better establish the timings, peak occupations and even lifestyle practices of the Dorset and Thule Arctic peoples.

FORTIFICATION LINE OF THE GRAND DUCHY OF LITHUANIA: A NEW STAGE OF DEFENSE ARCHITECTURE OF THE EASTERN EUROPE SPACE

The theme of the history of medieval defensive architecture in the Northern Black Sea region becomes extremely relevant in the realities of the modern history of Ukraine, when the Russian invaders try to capture the southern lands of Ukraine and defend the idea of belonging of these territories to Russia with pseudo-historical concepts of «Russian peace». The results of the historical and archaeological study of the South of Ukraine, especially in recent decades, demonstrate other circumstances of the development of the South. They make it possible to highlight the main trends of the evolution of the region in direct continuity with the previous history of Russia in new historical circumstances. This is the time when the Kyiv principality became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Russia and Zhemaitia, the borders of which reach the Black Sea coast in the late 14th — early 15th century. Here the turbulent activity of the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas unfolds in the construction of fortresses, customs houses, the arrangement of crossings and port facilities. The defensive architecture of the Southern region of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Russia and Zhemaitia takes place during the formation of a new map of Eastern Europe, with the presence of Lithuania, the formation of early Ukraine on the heritage of Russia, the formation of the Crimean Tatar people and its statehood, the active activity of the Principality of Moldavia in connection with the presence and influences of Genoa, contacts with Poland, influence of Ottoman Empire and other states of that time. It was the time of construction of the castle fortification, which belonged to the first stage of adaptation of military affairs to the artillery of the contemporary world, which covers the time of the 14th— 16th centuries. The comparative castellology gave the possibilities to study some regularity in the typological model of fortresses. This method was used in the course of study of fortresses of Vitovt’s fortification line, such as Tiagin fortress. It allows establishing the common features of the planning structure of the fortification architecture of the Northern Black Sea region — a new stage of evolution, which was characterized by stone castle architecture. In turn, they met the needs of the stage of development of artillery at the end of the 14th and the beginning of the 16th centuries. Medieval Europe, in which the influences of various cultures of the East and the West intersect, new defense opportunities and prospects are developing.

Enhancing Archaeological Research Through Immersive Virtual Reality.

Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly employed in archaeology to showcase reconstructions of ancient sites to the general public, yet its utilization for professional purposes by archaeologists remains less common. To address this gap, we introduce a VR application specifically designed to streamline the storage and access of critical data for archaeological studies. This application provides experts with an immersive visualization of excavation sites and related information during the postexcavation analysis phase. The application interface facilitates direct interaction with 3-D models generated through photogrammetry and modeling techniques, enabling detailed examination of collected data and enhancing research activities. We applied this system to the case study of excavations at the Temple of Juno in Agrigento, Italy. In addition, we present the findings of a pilot user study involving archaeologists, which evaluates the effectiveness of immersive technologies for professionals in documenting, preserving, and exploring archaeological sites, while also driving potential future developments.

Japanese Oracle Bone Divinations during the Yayoi to Heian Periods: A Review of Studies of the Last Seventy Years

Although often thought to be mostly relevant to Bronze Age China, oracle bone divination also has a rich history in Japan, primarily documented through literature and ethnographic records. In recent decades, the discovery of oracle bones spanning from the Early Yayoi (1000-400 B.C.) to Heian (A.D. 794-1185) periods has opened new avenues for research in pyro-osteomancy. These archaeological findings provide fresh perspectives on the social and cultural influences on oracle bone divination in Japan and East Asia more broadly. In this study, we review the historical, ethnographic, and archaeological studies of oracle bone divination in Japan, offering a comprehensive overview of divination practices and their broader significance.

Ethics and applications of isotope analysis in archaeology

AbstractThis synthesis explores specific ethical questions that commonly arise in isotopic analysis. For more than four decades, isotope analysis has been employed in archeological studies to explore past human and animal dietary habits, mobility patterns, and the environment in which a human or animal inhabited during life. These analyses require consideration of ethical issues. While theoretical concepts are discussed, we focus on practical aspects: working with descendant communities and other rights holders, choosing methods, creating and sharing data, and working mindfully within academia. These layers of respect and care should surround our science. This paper is relevant for specialists in isotope analysis as well as those incorporating these methods into larger projects. By covering the whole of the research process, from design to output management, we appeal broadly to archaeology and provide actionable solutions that build on the discussions in the general field.

Этноархеологическое изучение памятников эпохи бронзы Центрального Предкавказья (на примере Камлюкского кургана)

The article discusses the problems of ethnogenetic interpretation of archaeological cultures and the chronological determination of burial complexes using the example of the Kamlyuk mound. The source used is materials stored in the scientific archive of the Institute for Humanitarian Re-search of the Kabardino-Balkarian Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. A short historiographical review of the history of the study and discovery of archaeological monuments on the territory of Kabardino-Balkaria is presented. The study applies methods of ethnographic and archaeological study, and uses the concept of “ethnoarchaeology”. Typological features of burials are highlighted, similar and distinctive features are compared and analyzed, and an ethnographic description of the funeral rite is given. The question of the relationship between the concepts of “archaeological culture” and “ethnicity” is considered. The ethnicity of burial complex builders is discussed in relation to ancient Bronze Age archaeological cultures (Maikop and North Caucasus) and the ethnic communities that have lived in this territory since antiquity. Attention is focused on the need for additional research, considering an interdisciplinary approach.

An Archaeological Comparative Study on Ice-storage in Korea, China and Japan

An Archaeological Comparative Study on Ice-storage in Korea, China and Japan

Agricultural implements of medieval Novgorod: systematization, chronology

Over a long period of archaeological study of Novgorod, a rich collection of medieval antiquities was accumulated, which reflects all areas of activity of its inhabitants in the Middle Ages. In particular, household items are widely represented, among which a small group of agricultural implements stands out, which makes it possible to trace the history of the development of agricultural technology for the territory of Novgorod. The article provides a detailed description of the collection of agricultural implements, and the necessary research has been carried out to systematize them based on classifications developed by domestic archaeologists. The chronological framework of the work covers the period from the mid-10th to the 15th centuries, which is due to the peculiarities of the preservation of the cultural layer on the territory of Novgorod. Written, visual and ethnographic materials were also analyzed as part of this study.

Geometric morphometric analysis of new zealand rabbit cranium

This study, aimed to determine the shape features of the New Zealand rabbit skull and to reveal the differences between individuals and genders in terms of shape features. For this purpose, the geometric morphometry method was used. A total of 10 female and 10 male New Zealand Rabbit craniums were used. The skulls were photographed in a dorsal, ventral and lateral view, and the mandible was photographed in a lateral view. Homologous landmarks were marked on the photographs. Consensus graphs were created by the TpsRelw (Version 1.70) program. Additionally, principal component analysis and relative warp analysis were performed. As a result of the study, principal components explained 34.813%, 57.225% and 42.427% of the total shape difference in the dorsal, ventral and lateral views of the skull, respectively. In the first principal component graph obtained as a result of principal component analysis, no significant clustering was observed between genders. According to the graphics obtained in the MorphoJ program, inter-individual variation was detected mainly in the viscerocranium, followed by the neurocranium. This study will contribute to morphological and archaeological studies on rabbit skulls.

Tracking of Infectious Diseases in Shahr-i Sokhta (Burnt City) during the Bronze Age (ca. 3200-2200 BCE) through Anemic Signs Observed in Excavated Human Skeletons

Background: The intriguing area of paleopathology merges the disciplines of archeology and biological studies. Using this line of research, it is possible to identify diseases that have left skeletal traces in the past. In addition, diseases such as various anemia that occur in childhood, when bone tissue is soft and retains evidence, can be identified in ancient bones. Cribra orbitalia (Co), cribra cranii (Cc), and porotic hyperostosis (Ph) were ancient skeletal remains' most common degenerative anomalies. Methods: Shahr-i Sokhta dated back to 3200-1800 BCE, is the subject of our research; it is located in Sistan and Baluchistan province (Iran). The research was done on the archaeological data collected during the MAIPS expeditions at Shahr-i Sokhta (2017–2021) kept at the storage of the excavated materials on the site. The skeletal remains were examined for bone abnormalities such as Co, Cc, and Ph. These symptoms were analyzed to obtain traces of anemia-related diseases at this site. Data has been utilized following the Data Collection Codebook Results: Ninety-six adults were studied while the anemic signs of CC and Co are respectively seen in 27/72 (37.5 %) and 10/57 (17; 5 %), and these samples have been kept for future analysis. Conclusion: Bones may narrate a person's life, their gender and how old they were when they died besides the diseases they had. Some of the skeletons show signs of anemia, Classical paleopathology lets us to reconfirm studying diseases by further targeted sampling using molecular methods.

The “Annunziata” Garden in Cammarata (Sicily): Results of integrated geophysical investigations and first archaeological survey

A multi-method geophysical investigation was carried out in the context of a recovery project for the “Annunziata” Garden located in the town of Cammarata (Sicily), near to the homonymous church (Chiesa dell'Annunziata). In this area, according to the scarce historical sources, there was a Benedictine convent, probably demolished in the 18th century, but the area was probably inhabited even in earlier periods. Preliminarily, a series of 2D electrical resistivity tomographies (2D-ERT) were carried out approximately parallel to each other, some of which highlighted resistivity anomalies that could be attributed to buried archaeological structures. Consequently, in a smaller area where these anomalies were evident, a 3D electrical resistivity tomography (3D-ERT) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) parallel profiles were carried out aimed at a detailed 3D reconstruction of the subsoil. Despite the unclear correspondence between the 3D-ERT inverse model and the GPR one, the 3D ERT confirmed the anomalies found with the previous 2D-ERT surveys, better defining its contours and geometries. The geophysical reconstructions served to indicate to the archaeologists the most promising areas for excavation tests that were carried out subsequently and confirmed the presence of archaeological structures, such as defensive walls whose origin and dating are still the subject of further archaeological studies.

House and the utility buildings of the Cathedral Chapter in Wrocław in the light of architectural and archaeological studies

Detailed architectural studies of the 14th-century House of the Cathedral Chapter in Wrocław conducted in the course of the current renovation works of the Archdiocese Museum complex shed a new light on the architecture pf the building and the way it functioned in the Middle Ages. Parallel archaeological studies carried out in the basement of the building and in the courtyard revealed utility buildings, furnaces, a latrine shaft, and cobblestones from the medieval era and the subsequent period. The article presents the history of the construction of the buildings that comprise the chapter complex including the adjacent utility buildings divided into 3 medieval phases and 3 modern phases, as well as selected archaeological artefacts.

Ancient DNA study of Cervus canadensis unearthed from the Royal Sacrificial Site of the Northern Wei Dynasty in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China

The practice of animal sacrifice was widespread in ancient societies, and the study of sacrificial animals holds significant importance. In this study, three samples excavated from the Royal Sacrificial Site of the Northern Wei Dynasty in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China were initially identified as Cervinae subfamily animal based on their morphology. Through alignment analysis and principal component analysis, these samples were identified as belonging to the species Cervus canadensis. Meanwhile, through phylogenetic analyses and genetic distance calculations, it was determined that all three samples were of the Cervus canadensis alashanicus subspecies, proving the utility of ancient DNA technology in accurate subspecies identification. The analysis of the mitochondrial D-loop region revealed that the ancient Cervus canadensis alashanicus dated to 3800 BP and 5100 BP differed significantly from the modern ones in opposition to 1500 BP samples which were similar to them. The low genetic diversity of modern Cervus canadensis alashanicus was formed at least 1500 years ago and have lasted till today. In addition, as suggested by historical documents and archaeological studies, it is evident that the reverence for deer within the Tuoba Xianbei population had become a significant element of their culture and belief system. The identification of Cervus canadensis species in this study serves as evidence of the Northern Wei Emperor’s utilization of totem animals as sacrificial offerings to heaven.

Formation of a Sacred Urban Landscape: Study on the Spatial Distribution of Pagodas in Mrauk-U, Myanmar

Studying the correlation between religions and cities is conducive to understanding the role of worship in shaping human settlements. Mrauk-U, the capital of the Arakan Kingdom in Southeast Asia during the 15th–18th centuries, was once a regional Buddhist center, and the pagodas distributed throughout this city demonstrate the visible influence of Buddhism. The purpose of this study is to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the significance of Buddhism in Mrauk-U by exploring the correlation between the pagodas and the urban space. Based on first-hand spatial data, historical maps, and archaeological studies, the spatial distribution characteristics of the pagodas in Mrauk-U were analyzed using the methods of spatial and literature analysis. Their relationships with the urban structure, mountains, water systems, and open space were visualized and examined using the GIS platform; then, the hidden historical mechanisms were investigated. This study concludes that Mrauk-U’s pagodas, as urban images, have shaped its sacred urban landscape system, revealing that Buddhism played an important role in shaping Mrauk-U’s physical space and social and cultural characteristics.

Broken Buddhas, burials, and sanctuary-adjacent sanctuaries: the ancestral animist archaeologies of Angkor’s ancient places and things

ABSTRACT A growing body of scholarship exploring Cambodia’s cultural-religious environment alongside reinterpretations of ancient Angkorian epigraphy has illuminated the enduring sacredness of Cambodia’s ancient religious places and objects. This assertion comes despite apparent dissociation of these elements from their original ascribed identities (Brahmano-Buddhist) and disuse as focal points of politico-religious congregation at some point in the past. Although documented within Cambodian archaeological studies since the 20th century, fieldwork conducted at ancient Theravāda Buddhist monasteries (vihāra/praḥ vihār) within the Khmer civic-ceremonial center of Angkor Thom between 2017 and 2023 have substantiated that these ancient statues and holy spaces continued to serve as equivalently spiritual, highly localized arenas of ancestral animist practices and cultural-historical negotiation over time. This paper assesses several categories of these archaeological data within the framework of reidentification, reuse, and transformation beyond initial discard, including the deposition of statuary and acts of place-making in the vicinity of older ruins.

Водные объекты в архитектурном и социокультурном пространстве города (на примере средневекового Дербента)

Derbent is the southernmost and the most ancient city of Russia. Extensive archaeological studies confirm the 5,000-year history of the city, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003. Being an ‘open-air museum’, it has many architectural objects that have not yet been fully explored. The article analyses historical and cultural sources. These sources confirm that water objects are a city-forming factor that determined the organisational development and architecture of the city. The purpose of the paper is to analyse the objects related to water resources of medieval Derbent and to identify their significance in relation to the organisation of socio-cultural space. The author pays much attention to the description of urban water bodies that have survived to the present day. The water facilities examined show that the architectural style and materials used for construction created a unified urban environment and were part of the organisational planning of the city's development.

Dietary and homeostatic controls of Zn isotopes in rats: a controlled feeding experiment and modeling approach.

The stable isotope composition of zinc (δ66Zn), which is an essential trace metal for many biological processes in vertebrates, is increasingly used in ecological, archeological, and paleontological studies to assess diet and trophic level discrimination among vertebrates. However, the limited understanding of dietary controls and isotopic fractionation processes on Zn isotope variability in animal tissues and biofluids limits precise dietary reconstructions. The current study systematically investigates the dietary effects on Zn isotope composition in consumers using a combined controlled feeding experiment and box-modeling approach. For this purpose, 21 rats were fed one of seven distinct animal- and plant-based diets and a total of 148 samples including soft and hard tissue, biofluid, and excreta samples of these individuals were measured for δ66Zn. Relatively constant Zn isotope fractionation is observed across the different dietary groups for each tissue type, implying that diet is the main factor controlling consumer tissue δ66Zn values, independent of diet composition. Furthermore, a systematic δ66Zn diet-enamel fractionation is reported for the first time, enabling diet reconstruction based on δ66Zn values from tooth enamel. In addition, we investigated the dynamics of Zn isotope variability in the body using a box-modeling approach, providing a model of Zn isotope homeostasis and inferring residence times, while also further supporting the hypothesis that δ66Zn values of vertebrate tissues are primarily determined by that of the diet. Altogether this provides a solid foundation for refined (paleo)dietary reconstruction using Zn isotopes of vertebrate tissues.

Utilize Geographic Information Systems to Find the Rates of Extinction of Archaeological Site Case study (Clover-leaf site)

Utilize Geographic Information Systems to Find the Rates of Extinction of Archaeological Site Case study (Clover-leaf site)