Pub Date : 2017-12-15DOI: 10.1080/20548923.2017.1417781
Marco Serra, V. Mameli, C. Cannas
ABSTRACT During the 2nd millennium BC anthropomorphic menhirs belonging to a 3rd millennium BC sanctuary were reused as building material in the Arasseda Nuraghe (Sardinia, Italy). To analyse the Arasseda menhirs and the local Monte Ironi geological samples (presenting similar visual features), chemical (pXRF, ICP-OES, ICP-MS), mineralogical-chemical (PXRD) and physical (Mohs hardness) measurements were performed. Through the experimental data, the menhirs source provenance and the technological properties (workability, durability) of the raw material chosen for sculptural purposes during Copper Age were investigated. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first archaeometric study on the Arasseda menhirs (the third on Sardinian menhirs) and one between the few recently developed on European megaliths.
{"title":"Geo-material provenance and technological properties investigation in Copper Age menhirs production at Allai (central-western Sardinia, Italy)","authors":"Marco Serra, V. Mameli, C. Cannas","doi":"10.1080/20548923.2017.1417781","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20548923.2017.1417781","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT During the 2nd millennium BC anthropomorphic menhirs belonging to a 3rd millennium BC sanctuary were reused as building material in the Arasseda Nuraghe (Sardinia, Italy). To analyse the Arasseda menhirs and the local Monte Ironi geological samples (presenting similar visual features), chemical (pXRF, ICP-OES, ICP-MS), mineralogical-chemical (PXRD) and physical (Mohs hardness) measurements were performed. Through the experimental data, the menhirs source provenance and the technological properties (workability, durability) of the raw material chosen for sculptural purposes during Copper Age were investigated. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first archaeometric study on the Arasseda menhirs (the third on Sardinian menhirs) and one between the few recently developed on European megaliths.","PeriodicalId":21858,"journal":{"name":"STAR: Science & Technology of Archaeological Research","volume":"5 1","pages":"391 - 404"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89460089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2017-12-15DOI: 10.1080/20548923.2018.1424302
K. Tsatsouli, E. Nikolaou
ABSTRACT The 1995–1996 rescue excavation at the northern cemetery of Ancient Demetrias (Volos, Greece) unearthed a large number of clay figurines of the Hellenistic period (3rd - 2nd c. B.C.). The objects exhibit rich polychrome surfaces and represent well-known figurine types of women and children used as grave gifts. This paper aims to present the preliminary results of a new investigation on the study of the materials used to create the polychromy and decorate the figurines. Optical microscopy, portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (p-XRF) and ultraviolet illumination (UV) were employed. Among the pigments identified are red ochre, cinnabar, calcite, lead white, madder and copper-based blue. Of special interest is the detection of conicalchite and manganese black as pigments, as well as the identification of tin foil and the determination of its application as a decoration technique. Overall trends are presented on the application of each pigment on specific parts of the objects.
{"title":"The ancient Demetrias figurines: new insights on pigments and decoration techniques used on Hellenistic clay figurines","authors":"K. Tsatsouli, E. Nikolaou","doi":"10.1080/20548923.2018.1424302","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20548923.2018.1424302","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The 1995–1996 rescue excavation at the northern cemetery of Ancient Demetrias (Volos, Greece) unearthed a large number of clay figurines of the Hellenistic period (3rd - 2nd c. B.C.). The objects exhibit rich polychrome surfaces and represent well-known figurine types of women and children used as grave gifts. This paper aims to present the preliminary results of a new investigation on the study of the materials used to create the polychromy and decorate the figurines. Optical microscopy, portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (p-XRF) and ultraviolet illumination (UV) were employed. Among the pigments identified are red ochre, cinnabar, calcite, lead white, madder and copper-based blue. Of special interest is the detection of conicalchite and manganese black as pigments, as well as the identification of tin foil and the determination of its application as a decoration technique. Overall trends are presented on the application of each pigment on specific parts of the objects.","PeriodicalId":21858,"journal":{"name":"STAR: Science & Technology of Archaeological Research","volume":"24 1","pages":"341 - 357"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90062864","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2017-12-15DOI: 10.1080/20548923.2018.1433269
Fatiha Hourri, A. Dekayir, Mohamed Makdoun
ABSTRACT Six slags from Volubilis archaeological site roman period (II-III centuries AC) and Jabal Awam ancient mine have been examined for their mineral and chemical compositions by a multi-technique approach (Optical and metallographical microscopies, XRD, ICP-AES and XRF). Mineralogical analyses have emphasised the occurrence of iron oxi-hydroxide, quartz, pyroxene and calcite). The bulk chemical compositions of slags are similar and related to a refining of a homogeneous ore. The very low contents of metals plead for well mastered pyrometallurgical methods. The metal composition of the treated ore is close to a polymetallic ore deposit probably similar to that of Awam mine (Lead and Silver). GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
{"title":"Mineralogy and chemical compositions of ancient slags from Volubilis archaeological site and Awam ancient mine (Morocco)","authors":"Fatiha Hourri, A. Dekayir, Mohamed Makdoun","doi":"10.1080/20548923.2018.1433269","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20548923.2018.1433269","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Six slags from Volubilis archaeological site roman period (II-III centuries AC) and Jabal Awam ancient mine have been examined for their mineral and chemical compositions by a multi-technique approach (Optical and metallographical microscopies, XRD, ICP-AES and XRF). Mineralogical analyses have emphasised the occurrence of iron oxi-hydroxide, quartz, pyroxene and calcite). The bulk chemical compositions of slags are similar and related to a refining of a homogeneous ore. The very low contents of metals plead for well mastered pyrometallurgical methods. The metal composition of the treated ore is close to a polymetallic ore deposit probably similar to that of Awam mine (Lead and Silver). GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT","PeriodicalId":21858,"journal":{"name":"STAR: Science & Technology of Archaeological Research","volume":"258 1","pages":"238 - 244"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75968871","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2017-12-15DOI: 10.1080/20548923.2018.1428408
Olivia A. Jones, J. van der Plicht, Lena Papazoglou-Manioudaki, M. Petropoulos
ABSTRACT Reuse in Mycenaean tholoi (bee-hive shaped tombs) has been studied for centuries. Initially, bodies are interred on tomb floors, but moved after decomposition to make space for later burials. Extensive reuse can produce burial levels that are poorly understood often due to a lack of absolute dating. The Petroto tholos is a prime case study for dating multiple burial levels because all eight levels were sequential as later burials did not disturb previous depositions. The initial burial phase has been dated by ceramic chronology to the Late Helladic IIB-IIIA (ca. 1440–1400 BC). Radiocarbon dating of human bone samples yield for Level 7 (middle burial level) 3105 +/− 35 BP (1420–1305 cal BC) and for Level 3 (final burial) 2965 +/− 35 BP (1255–1120 cal BC). The ceramic and radiocarbon dates show that the tomb was used over for approximately 300 years during the Mycenaean period and never used again.
迈锡尼tholoi(蜂箱形状的坟墓)的再利用已经研究了几个世纪。最初,尸体被埋在坟墓的地板上,但在腐烂后移动,为以后的埋葬腾出空间。由于缺乏绝对的年代测定,大量的重复使用会产生难以理解的埋藏水平。Petroto tholos是测定多个埋葬水平年代的主要案例研究,因为所有八个水平都是连续的,因为后来的埋葬没有扰乱先前的沉积。根据陶瓷年表,最初的埋葬阶段可以追溯到希腊晚期IIB-IIIA(约公元前1440-1400年)。人类骨骼样本的放射性碳定年结果显示,第7级(中期埋葬水平)为3105 +/ - 35 BP(公元前1420-1305 cal BC),第3级(最终埋葬水平)为2965 +/ - 35 BP(公元前1255-1120 cal BC)。陶瓷和放射性碳年代测定表明,这座坟墓在迈锡尼时期被使用了大约300年,再也没有被使用过。
{"title":"Timing is everything: radiocarbon dating multiple levels in the Mycenaean tholos tomb of Petroto, Achaia, Greece","authors":"Olivia A. Jones, J. van der Plicht, Lena Papazoglou-Manioudaki, M. Petropoulos","doi":"10.1080/20548923.2018.1428408","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20548923.2018.1428408","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Reuse in Mycenaean tholoi (bee-hive shaped tombs) has been studied for centuries. Initially, bodies are interred on tomb floors, but moved after decomposition to make space for later burials. Extensive reuse can produce burial levels that are poorly understood often due to a lack of absolute dating. The Petroto tholos is a prime case study for dating multiple burial levels because all eight levels were sequential as later burials did not disturb previous depositions. The initial burial phase has been dated by ceramic chronology to the Late Helladic IIB-IIIA (ca. 1440–1400 BC). Radiocarbon dating of human bone samples yield for Level 7 (middle burial level) 3105 +/− 35 BP (1420–1305 cal BC) and for Level 3 (final burial) 2965 +/− 35 BP (1255–1120 cal BC). The ceramic and radiocarbon dates show that the tomb was used over for approximately 300 years during the Mycenaean period and never used again.","PeriodicalId":21858,"journal":{"name":"STAR: Science & Technology of Archaeological Research","volume":"88 1","pages":"456 - 465"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79160060","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2017-12-15DOI: 10.1080/20548923.2018.1426273
Laura Burigana, L. Magnini
ABSTRACT This contribution proposes an evaluation of lidar and radar data processing and its potential in revealing archaeological features within a level plain environment, the southern lowland of Verona (Italy), focusing on evidences dating back to the Bronze Age. Many archaeological sites in the research area, including some of the most outstanding settlements of Terramare Culture, were identified or at least examined through aerial photo observation. Even if in several occasions modern agricultural activities contributed to the discoveries, bringing to the surface artifacts and scrapes of buried layers, this kind of impact has also been progressively deteriorating the archaeological record, hence the proto-historic landscape is now discernible through evanescent marks which cannot be always detected using customary optical sensors. Lidar and radar data analysis has then been considered as an alternative, non-invasive method of investigation on such a vast area. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
{"title":"Image processing and analysis of radar and lidar data: new discoveries in Verona southern lowland (Italy)","authors":"Laura Burigana, L. Magnini","doi":"10.1080/20548923.2018.1426273","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20548923.2018.1426273","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT This contribution proposes an evaluation of lidar and radar data processing and its potential in revealing archaeological features within a level plain environment, the southern lowland of Verona (Italy), focusing on evidences dating back to the Bronze Age. Many archaeological sites in the research area, including some of the most outstanding settlements of Terramare Culture, were identified or at least examined through aerial photo observation. Even if in several occasions modern agricultural activities contributed to the discoveries, bringing to the surface artifacts and scrapes of buried layers, this kind of impact has also been progressively deteriorating the archaeological record, hence the proto-historic landscape is now discernible through evanescent marks which cannot be always detected using customary optical sensors. Lidar and radar data analysis has then been considered as an alternative, non-invasive method of investigation on such a vast area. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT","PeriodicalId":21858,"journal":{"name":"STAR: Science & Technology of Archaeological Research","volume":"3 1","pages":"490 - 509"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73673449","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2017-12-15DOI: 10.1080/20548923.2018.1450130
E. Palamara, N. Zacharias, S. Germanidou, K. Gerolymou, D. Palles, E. Kamitsos
ABSTRACT This study focuses on the analysis of a post-medieval assemblage of glass vessels and tableware, recovered from an Ottoman bathhouse in Kyparissia, SW Peloponnese, Greece. The chemical composition of the samples was estimated using SEM/EDS, whereas minor and trace elements were identified by qualitative XRF analysis. Raman spectroscopy was applied in order to examine the connectivity of the silicate glass matrix in more detail. The acquired data indicate significant chemical variations among the samples, especially in regards to the alkali source and the decolourant used. Moreover, one high-lead glass has also been identified. The provenance analysis, which was based on the statistical treatment of the resulted and published analytical data, indicated that the different glass types originated both from the eastern regions of the Ottoman Empire and from glassmaking centres in central and northern Europe. The determination of technology and provenance of the assemblage provided with valuable new information regarding the production and trading network of glass in mainland Greece during the Ottoman rule.
{"title":"Technology and Provenance Analysis of Glass Fragments from an Ottoman Bathhouse (Hamam) in Kyparissia, Peloponnese, Greece","authors":"E. Palamara, N. Zacharias, S. Germanidou, K. Gerolymou, D. Palles, E. Kamitsos","doi":"10.1080/20548923.2018.1450130","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20548923.2018.1450130","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT This study focuses on the analysis of a post-medieval assemblage of glass vessels and tableware, recovered from an Ottoman bathhouse in Kyparissia, SW Peloponnese, Greece. The chemical composition of the samples was estimated using SEM/EDS, whereas minor and trace elements were identified by qualitative XRF analysis. Raman spectroscopy was applied in order to examine the connectivity of the silicate glass matrix in more detail. The acquired data indicate significant chemical variations among the samples, especially in regards to the alkali source and the decolourant used. Moreover, one high-lead glass has also been identified. The provenance analysis, which was based on the statistical treatment of the resulted and published analytical data, indicated that the different glass types originated both from the eastern regions of the Ottoman Empire and from glassmaking centres in central and northern Europe. The determination of technology and provenance of the assemblage provided with valuable new information regarding the production and trading network of glass in mainland Greece during the Ottoman rule.","PeriodicalId":21858,"journal":{"name":"STAR: Science & Technology of Archaeological Research","volume":"4 1","pages":"376 - 390"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90722638","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2017-12-15DOI: 10.1080/20548923.2018.1439137
B. Török, Á. Kovács, P. Barkóczy, Frigyes Szücsi
ABSTRACT Metallographic analyses were performed on several types of early medieval iron axes (hammers) and on a piece of a belt set, found in Hungary, using optical and SEM-EDS microscopes. The examinations were focusing on defining structural constituents, determining their distribution and grain size. Inclusions were also investigated. On the basis of the result traces and characteristics of different technological methods of forging could have been detected. The examined axes were supposedly forged from a piece of inhomogeneous iron without folding, kept at high temperature for a longer period and forged the edges multiple times, not intensely. The belt accessories were covered by an iron oxide layer, however, the complex investigation revealed that these belt ornaments are made of various metals. Sandwich-type iron-tin plates, thin iron wires as well as brass and bronze plates have been used in the product. We were able to reconstruct the steps of the production process.
{"title":"Tradecraft of the Avars’ metalworking – manufacturing of iron axes and a special multi-metallic method used for belt accessories","authors":"B. Török, Á. Kovács, P. Barkóczy, Frigyes Szücsi","doi":"10.1080/20548923.2018.1439137","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20548923.2018.1439137","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Metallographic analyses were performed on several types of early medieval iron axes (hammers) and on a piece of a belt set, found in Hungary, using optical and SEM-EDS microscopes. The examinations were focusing on defining structural constituents, determining their distribution and grain size. Inclusions were also investigated. On the basis of the result traces and characteristics of different technological methods of forging could have been detected. The examined axes were supposedly forged from a piece of inhomogeneous iron without folding, kept at high temperature for a longer period and forged the edges multiple times, not intensely. The belt accessories were covered by an iron oxide layer, however, the complex investigation revealed that these belt ornaments are made of various metals. Sandwich-type iron-tin plates, thin iron wires as well as brass and bronze plates have been used in the product. We were able to reconstruct the steps of the production process.","PeriodicalId":21858,"journal":{"name":"STAR: Science & Technology of Archaeological Research","volume":"24 1","pages":"258 - 269"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84031208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2017-12-15DOI: 10.1080/20548923.2018.1478429
Y. Maniatis
The International Symposium on Archaeometry (ISA) is a biennial meeting organized to promote the development and use of scientific techniques in order to extract archaeological and historical information from the cultural heritage and the paleoenvironment. ISA is a unique symposium as it provides the only international forum for all activities in Archaeological Sciences, both individually and integrated. It involves all natural sciences and all types of objects and materials related with human activity. The beginning of the ISA can be retraced as early as to the 1960s, when the applications of natural sciences in archaeology started to gain more and more importance. During the early years the Symposium was organized in Oxford and the main focus of the meetings was on archaeological prospection by geophysical methods. Since 1976 it started travelling all over the World. The topics now include research and applications in scientific dating, geophysical methods, field studies, palaeoenvironment, biomaterials, ceramics, glass, vitreous materials, metals, lithics, plasters, pigments, textiles, paper, and so on. The 41 Symposium, the proceedings of which are presented in this volume was organized in May 15-21, 2016 at the city of Kalamata in Greece by Professor Nikos Zacharias and his team of the Department of History, Archaeology and Cultural Resources Management, The University of Peloponnese. They did an excellent job in organizing this global gathering of all Archaeological Science experts. The participation was very high reaching a number of over 500, specialists in different topics, scholars and students. The papers presented at the Symposium were both in oral and poster form, equally interesting and stimulating. The participants enjoyed the sea front of Kalamata, music in the city and an excursion to Ancient Messene. As it is usually the case not all papers presented at the Symposium were submitted for publication in the Proceedings. Hence, this ISA 2016 Proceedings volume presents a selection of papers submitted by the authors, which are nevertheless characteristic of most subjects of the Symposium. All papers submitted went a peer reviewing process by a team of international and independent reviewers and those finally accepted are published in this volume. The subjects covered in this meeting were generally grouped in the following topics which form the regular and special sessions in which both oral and poster papers were presented:
{"title":"Title of Special Issue: International Symposium on Archaeometry 2016 (Kalamata, Greece): Proceedings","authors":"Y. Maniatis","doi":"10.1080/20548923.2018.1478429","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20548923.2018.1478429","url":null,"abstract":"The International Symposium on Archaeometry (ISA) is a biennial meeting organized to promote the development and use of scientific techniques in order to extract archaeological and historical information from the cultural heritage and the paleoenvironment. ISA is a unique symposium as it provides the only international forum for all activities in Archaeological Sciences, both individually and integrated. It involves all natural sciences and all types of objects and materials related with human activity. The beginning of the ISA can be retraced as early as to the 1960s, when the applications of natural sciences in archaeology started to gain more and more importance. During the early years the Symposium was organized in Oxford and the main focus of the meetings was on archaeological prospection by geophysical methods. Since 1976 it started travelling all over the World. The topics now include research and applications in scientific dating, geophysical methods, field studies, palaeoenvironment, biomaterials, ceramics, glass, vitreous materials, metals, lithics, plasters, pigments, textiles, paper, and so on. The 41 Symposium, the proceedings of which are presented in this volume was organized in May 15-21, 2016 at the city of Kalamata in Greece by Professor Nikos Zacharias and his team of the Department of History, Archaeology and Cultural Resources Management, The University of Peloponnese. They did an excellent job in organizing this global gathering of all Archaeological Science experts. The participation was very high reaching a number of over 500, specialists in different topics, scholars and students. The papers presented at the Symposium were both in oral and poster form, equally interesting and stimulating. The participants enjoyed the sea front of Kalamata, music in the city and an excursion to Ancient Messene. As it is usually the case not all papers presented at the Symposium were submitted for publication in the Proceedings. Hence, this ISA 2016 Proceedings volume presents a selection of papers submitted by the authors, which are nevertheless characteristic of most subjects of the Symposium. All papers submitted went a peer reviewing process by a team of international and independent reviewers and those finally accepted are published in this volume. The subjects covered in this meeting were generally grouped in the following topics which form the regular and special sessions in which both oral and poster papers were presented:","PeriodicalId":21858,"journal":{"name":"STAR: Science & Technology of Archaeological Research","volume":"5 1","pages":"147 - 147"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86951376","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2017-12-15DOI: 10.1080/20548923.2018.1441695
D. Tanasi, R. Tykot, A. Vianello, S. Hassam
ABSTRACT The study and reconstruction of ancient dietary habits has become a very significant topic in archaeological research. Most chemical analysis studies for diet at Greek sites are limited to prehistory, with very few examples of studies for the Classical period. This paper represents a pilot study of stable isotope analysis carried out on a group of 15 individuals selected among the population interred in the Archaic necropolis of Scala Greca at Syracuse (Sicily), a cemetery discovered in 2010-2011. Based on the funerary assemblages and certain features such as shape, dimensions, coverage system and architectural features, a preliminary distinction has been made based on apparent wealth on a diagnostic sample of 15 tombs to test possible variations in diet. Carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses were conducted on bone collagen, which represents dietary protein, and bone apatite, which represents the whole diet. The highly negative collagen carbon isotope values indicate little if any seafood in the diet, and this is supported by the nitrogen isotope modest values, which are consistent with terrestrial foods and do not suggest higher trophic level fish.
{"title":"Stable isotope analysis of the dietary habits of a Greek community in Archaic Syracuse (Sicily): a pilot study","authors":"D. Tanasi, R. Tykot, A. Vianello, S. Hassam","doi":"10.1080/20548923.2018.1441695","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20548923.2018.1441695","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The study and reconstruction of ancient dietary habits has become a very significant topic in archaeological research. Most chemical analysis studies for diet at Greek sites are limited to prehistory, with very few examples of studies for the Classical period. This paper represents a pilot study of stable isotope analysis carried out on a group of 15 individuals selected among the population interred in the Archaic necropolis of Scala Greca at Syracuse (Sicily), a cemetery discovered in 2010-2011. Based on the funerary assemblages and certain features such as shape, dimensions, coverage system and architectural features, a preliminary distinction has been made based on apparent wealth on a diagnostic sample of 15 tombs to test possible variations in diet. Carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses were conducted on bone collagen, which represents dietary protein, and bone apatite, which represents the whole diet. The highly negative collagen carbon isotope values indicate little if any seafood in the diet, and this is supported by the nitrogen isotope modest values, which are consistent with terrestrial foods and do not suggest higher trophic level fish.","PeriodicalId":21858,"journal":{"name":"STAR: Science & Technology of Archaeological Research","volume":"43 1","pages":"466 - 477"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80240404","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2017-12-15DOI: 10.1080/20548923.2018.1470218
R. Hazenfratz, C. Munita, E. Neves
ABSTRACT Artificial neural networks represent an alternative to traditional multivariate techniques, such as principal component and discriminant analysis, which rely on hypotheses regarding the normal distribution of the data and homoscedasticity. They also may be a powerful tool for multivariate modeling of systems that do not present linear correlation between variables, as well as to visualize high-dimensional data in bi- or trivariate structures. One special kind of neural network of interest in archaeometric studies is the Self-Organizing Map (SOM). SOMs can be distinguished from other neural networks for preserving the topological features of the original multivariate space. In this study, the self-organizing maps were applied to concentration data of chemical elements measured in archaeological ceramics from Central Amazon using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The main objective was testing the chemical patterns previously identified using cluster and principal component analysis, forming groups of ceramics according the multivariate chemical composition. It was verified by statistical tests that the chemical elemental data was not normally distributed and did not present homogeneity of covariance matrices for different groups, as requested by principal component analysis and other multivariate techniques. The maps obtained were consistent with the patterns identified by cluster and principal component analysis, forming two chemical groups of pottery shards for each archaeological site tested. Finally, it was verified the potential of SOMs for testing if failures in underlying hypotheses of traditional multivariate techniques might be critically influencing the results and subsequent archaeological interpretation of archaeometric data.
{"title":"Neural Networks (SOM) Applied to INAA Data of Chemical Elements in Archaeological Ceramics from Central Amazon","authors":"R. Hazenfratz, C. Munita, E. Neves","doi":"10.1080/20548923.2018.1470218","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20548923.2018.1470218","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Artificial neural networks represent an alternative to traditional multivariate techniques, such as principal component and discriminant analysis, which rely on hypotheses regarding the normal distribution of the data and homoscedasticity. They also may be a powerful tool for multivariate modeling of systems that do not present linear correlation between variables, as well as to visualize high-dimensional data in bi- or trivariate structures. One special kind of neural network of interest in archaeometric studies is the Self-Organizing Map (SOM). SOMs can be distinguished from other neural networks for preserving the topological features of the original multivariate space. In this study, the self-organizing maps were applied to concentration data of chemical elements measured in archaeological ceramics from Central Amazon using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The main objective was testing the chemical patterns previously identified using cluster and principal component analysis, forming groups of ceramics according the multivariate chemical composition. It was verified by statistical tests that the chemical elemental data was not normally distributed and did not present homogeneity of covariance matrices for different groups, as requested by principal component analysis and other multivariate techniques. The maps obtained were consistent with the patterns identified by cluster and principal component analysis, forming two chemical groups of pottery shards for each archaeological site tested. Finally, it was verified the potential of SOMs for testing if failures in underlying hypotheses of traditional multivariate techniques might be critically influencing the results and subsequent archaeological interpretation of archaeometric data.","PeriodicalId":21858,"journal":{"name":"STAR: Science & Technology of Archaeological Research","volume":"27 1","pages":"334 - 340"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74683691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}