Pub Date : 2017-01-01DOI: 10.1080/20548923.2016.1275477
E. Webb, J. Lewis, Anika Shain, E. Kastrisianaki-Guyton, Noah V. Honch, A. Stewart, B. Miller, J. Tarlton, R. Evershed
ABSTRACT In recent years, it has become evident that limitations exist in our ability to meaningfully assess palaeodiet using stable isotope compositions. These limitations in part arise because many of the fundamental assumptions about tissue-diet relationships are poorly understood. In order to redress this deficiency, a controlled feeding experiment was undertaken to define the impact of terrestrial- vs. marine-derived dietary protein consumption on consumer tissue carbon isotopic compositions (δ13C). Two generations of pigs were raised on one of five feeds with varying proportions of terrestrial (soy) and marine (fish meal) protein. A comprehensive range of tissues and fluids from 49 pigs was submitted for δ13C analysis. The observed tissue–whole diet and tissue–dietary protein carbon isotopic offsets were found to be highly dependent on the percentage of marine protein in diet. We suggest that the trend in δ13C offsets most likely derives from the increased routing of non-essential amino acids, especially glycine, with the increasing proportion of marine protein in the diet. These findings demonstrate that solely using bulk δ13C compositions not only masks considerable information about diet, but may also lead to erroneous representations of marine and terrestrial resource consumption in the past.
{"title":"The influence of varying proportions of terrestrial and marine dietary protein on the stable carbon-isotope compositions of pig tissues from a controlled feeding experiment","authors":"E. Webb, J. Lewis, Anika Shain, E. Kastrisianaki-Guyton, Noah V. Honch, A. Stewart, B. Miller, J. Tarlton, R. Evershed","doi":"10.1080/20548923.2016.1275477","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20548923.2016.1275477","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT In recent years, it has become evident that limitations exist in our ability to meaningfully assess palaeodiet using stable isotope compositions. These limitations in part arise because many of the fundamental assumptions about tissue-diet relationships are poorly understood. In order to redress this deficiency, a controlled feeding experiment was undertaken to define the impact of terrestrial- vs. marine-derived dietary protein consumption on consumer tissue carbon isotopic compositions (δ13C). Two generations of pigs were raised on one of five feeds with varying proportions of terrestrial (soy) and marine (fish meal) protein. A comprehensive range of tissues and fluids from 49 pigs was submitted for δ13C analysis. The observed tissue–whole diet and tissue–dietary protein carbon isotopic offsets were found to be highly dependent on the percentage of marine protein in diet. We suggest that the trend in δ13C offsets most likely derives from the increased routing of non-essential amino acids, especially glycine, with the increasing proportion of marine protein in the diet. These findings demonstrate that solely using bulk δ13C compositions not only masks considerable information about diet, but may also lead to erroneous representations of marine and terrestrial resource consumption in the past.","PeriodicalId":21858,"journal":{"name":"STAR: Science & Technology of Archaeological Research","volume":"60 1","pages":"28 - 44"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76702271","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 : 2017-01-01DOI: 10.1080/20548923.2017.1388551
Marcela Sandoval-Velasco, I. Lundstrøm, N. Wales, María C. Ávila-Arcos, H. Schroeder, M. Gilbert
ABSTRACT DNA extraction and library preparation are crucial steps in any ancient DNA study. Although palaeogenomic researchers are facing a growing choice of DNA extraction and sequencing library preparation methods, how their performance varies with DNA preservation remains unclear. To help elucidate this question, we compared the performance of two common DNA extraction and Illumina library preparation methods on a set of archaeological human samples, considered to contain ancient DNA of intermediate to good preservation (5–50% endogenous DNA). Results indicate that while the levels of contamination and endogenous DNA recovered are comparable for both silica-in-solution and silica-column based extractions, the ability of the former to accommodate larger starting quantities of sample material confers notable benefits with regards to library complexity, and furthermore seems to aid with the recovery of shorter endogenous DNA molecules. While our observations gained from comparing the single-stranded with double-stranded DNA library construction methods largely replicate earlier observations, the combination of our data with previously published datasets demonstrate that the benefits gained using single-stranded methods are inversely proportional to the endogenous DNA content in the ancient sample.
{"title":"Relative performance of two DNA extraction and library preparation methods on archaeological human teeth samples","authors":"Marcela Sandoval-Velasco, I. Lundstrøm, N. Wales, María C. Ávila-Arcos, H. Schroeder, M. Gilbert","doi":"10.1080/20548923.2017.1388551","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20548923.2017.1388551","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT DNA extraction and library preparation are crucial steps in any ancient DNA study. Although palaeogenomic researchers are facing a growing choice of DNA extraction and sequencing library preparation methods, how their performance varies with DNA preservation remains unclear. To help elucidate this question, we compared the performance of two common DNA extraction and Illumina library preparation methods on a set of archaeological human samples, considered to contain ancient DNA of intermediate to good preservation (5–50% endogenous DNA). Results indicate that while the levels of contamination and endogenous DNA recovered are comparable for both silica-in-solution and silica-column based extractions, the ability of the former to accommodate larger starting quantities of sample material confers notable benefits with regards to library complexity, and furthermore seems to aid with the recovery of shorter endogenous DNA molecules. While our observations gained from comparing the single-stranded with double-stranded DNA library construction methods largely replicate earlier observations, the combination of our data with previously published datasets demonstrate that the benefits gained using single-stranded methods are inversely proportional to the endogenous DNA content in the ancient sample.","PeriodicalId":21858,"journal":{"name":"STAR: Science & Technology of Archaeological Research","volume":"48 1","pages":"80 - 88"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78204383","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 : 2017-01-01DOI: 10.1080/20548923.2017.1368821
E. Webb, J. Newton, J. Lewis, A. Stewart, B. Miller, J. Tarlton, R. Evershed
ABSTRACT Sulphur-isotope determinations are becoming increasingly useful for palaeodietary reconstruction, but knowledge of isotopic discrimination between diet and various tissues remains inadequate. In this study, we explore the sensitivity of δ34Stissue values to changes in δ34Sdiet values, sulphur isotopic discrimination between diet and consumer, and the potential impact of terrestrial vs. marine protein consumption on these discrimination offsets. We present new δ34S values of bone collagen, muscle, liver, hair, milk and faeces from ten mature sows, ten piglets and fifteen adolescent pigs from a controlled feeding study. The δ34Stissue values were found to co-vary with the δ34Sdiet values, the δ34Stissue – δ34Sdiet isotopic offsets (Δ34Stissue-diet) are small but consistent, and dietary protein source does not systematically alter the Δ34Stissue-diet isotopic discrimination. The outcomes of this study are of particular relevance to questions that are difficult to resolve using carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes alone, and will also be useful in regions where terrestrial, freshwater, and marine resources could have all potentially contributed to human diet.
{"title":"Sulphur-isotope compositions of pig tissues from a controlled feeding study","authors":"E. Webb, J. Newton, J. Lewis, A. Stewart, B. Miller, J. Tarlton, R. Evershed","doi":"10.1080/20548923.2017.1368821","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20548923.2017.1368821","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Sulphur-isotope determinations are becoming increasingly useful for palaeodietary reconstruction, but knowledge of isotopic discrimination between diet and various tissues remains inadequate. In this study, we explore the sensitivity of δ34Stissue values to changes in δ34Sdiet values, sulphur isotopic discrimination between diet and consumer, and the potential impact of terrestrial vs. marine protein consumption on these discrimination offsets. We present new δ34S values of bone collagen, muscle, liver, hair, milk and faeces from ten mature sows, ten piglets and fifteen adolescent pigs from a controlled feeding study. The δ34Stissue values were found to co-vary with the δ34Sdiet values, the δ34Stissue – δ34Sdiet isotopic offsets (Δ34Stissue-diet) are small but consistent, and dietary protein source does not systematically alter the Δ34Stissue-diet isotopic discrimination. The outcomes of this study are of particular relevance to questions that are difficult to resolve using carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes alone, and will also be useful in regions where terrestrial, freshwater, and marine resources could have all potentially contributed to human diet.","PeriodicalId":21858,"journal":{"name":"STAR: Science & Technology of Archaeological Research","volume":"60 1","pages":"71 - 79"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87729945","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 : 2017-01-01DOI: 10.1080/20548923.2016.1258825
F. Welker, M. Soressi, Morgan Roussel, I. van Riemsdijk, J. Hublin, M. Collins
Abstract Peptide mass fingerprinting of bone collagen (ZooMS) has previously been proposed as a method to calculate the extent of the non-enzymatic degradation of glutamine into glutamic acid (deamidation). Temporal and spatial variation of glutamine deamidation at a single site, however, has not been investigated. Here we apply ZooMS screening of Châtelperronian and Early Holocene bone specimens from Quinçay, France, to explore temporal and spatial variation in glutamine deamidation. Our results indicate that chronological resolution is low, while spatial variation is high. Nevertheless, our analysis allows the identification of bone specimens that have undergone diagenetic histories remarkably different (either in length or in type) from spatially related bone specimens. Therefore, ZooMS ammonium-bicarbonate screening is capable of testing bone assemblage homogeneity, which could guide subsequent analysis and interpretation. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
{"title":"Variations in glutamine deamidation for a Châtelperronian bone assemblage as measured by peptide mass fingerprinting of collagen","authors":"F. Welker, M. Soressi, Morgan Roussel, I. van Riemsdijk, J. Hublin, M. Collins","doi":"10.1080/20548923.2016.1258825","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20548923.2016.1258825","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Peptide mass fingerprinting of bone collagen (ZooMS) has previously been proposed as a method to calculate the extent of the non-enzymatic degradation of glutamine into glutamic acid (deamidation). Temporal and spatial variation of glutamine deamidation at a single site, however, has not been investigated. Here we apply ZooMS screening of Châtelperronian and Early Holocene bone specimens from Quinçay, France, to explore temporal and spatial variation in glutamine deamidation. Our results indicate that chronological resolution is low, while spatial variation is high. Nevertheless, our analysis allows the identification of bone specimens that have undergone diagenetic histories remarkably different (either in length or in type) from spatially related bone specimens. Therefore, ZooMS ammonium-bicarbonate screening is capable of testing bone assemblage homogeneity, which could guide subsequent analysis and interpretation. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT","PeriodicalId":21858,"journal":{"name":"STAR: Science & Technology of Archaeological Research","volume":"14 1","pages":"15 - 27"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91365081","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 : 2017-01-01DOI: 10.1080/20548923.2018.1443548
C. King, A. Millard, D. Gröcke, V. Standen, B. Arriaza, S. Halcrow
ABSTRACT The use of incremental carbon and nitrogen isotopic analysis is gaining momentum as a way of establishing infant feeding practices in the past. Here we examine the differences in information gleaned through incremental isotopic techniques applied to individuals, relative to more commonly-used bulk isotopic sampling of a cross-section of a population. We use bulk sampling methods, which use bone collagen isotope values from multiple individuals, to construct Bayesian weaning curves for our samples. We then compare these results to individual weaning times established through incremental isotopic analysis of single deciduous teeth. Our results highlight that in contexts with high adult dietary variation it may not be possible to interpret weaning behaviour using cross-sectional techniques, and incremental isotopic analysis may be the only way of interpreting weaning behaviours. Our findings also suggest that cross-sectional analyses are the most useful way of creating population-scale interpretations of weaning behaviour within a sample. Incremental techniques, however, are necessary if we want to tell individual weaning stories and investigate the variation in infant-feeding present within the past.
{"title":"A comparison of using bulk and incremental isotopic analyses to establish weaning practices in the past","authors":"C. King, A. Millard, D. Gröcke, V. Standen, B. Arriaza, S. Halcrow","doi":"10.1080/20548923.2018.1443548","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20548923.2018.1443548","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The use of incremental carbon and nitrogen isotopic analysis is gaining momentum as a way of establishing infant feeding practices in the past. Here we examine the differences in information gleaned through incremental isotopic techniques applied to individuals, relative to more commonly-used bulk isotopic sampling of a cross-section of a population. We use bulk sampling methods, which use bone collagen isotope values from multiple individuals, to construct Bayesian weaning curves for our samples. We then compare these results to individual weaning times established through incremental isotopic analysis of single deciduous teeth. Our results highlight that in contexts with high adult dietary variation it may not be possible to interpret weaning behaviour using cross-sectional techniques, and incremental isotopic analysis may be the only way of interpreting weaning behaviours. Our findings also suggest that cross-sectional analyses are the most useful way of creating population-scale interpretations of weaning behaviour within a sample. Incremental techniques, however, are necessary if we want to tell individual weaning stories and investigate the variation in infant-feeding present within the past.","PeriodicalId":21858,"journal":{"name":"STAR: Science & Technology of Archaeological Research","volume":"47 1","pages":"126 - 134"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82234780","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 : 2017-01-01DOI: 10.1080/20548923.2018.1431863
K. Robertson, J. Yarrow, N. Rowland, John Krigbaum
ABSTRACT One important question with respect to past health and disease is the identification of patterns of caloric inadequacies. Given the substantial literature (animal and human) linking caloric inadequacy to reduced bone mass, microarchitectural deterioration, and changes in stable isotope values, we utilized a rodent model to examine whether integrating these data might help discern episodes of caloric insufficiency. Bone stable isotope values and bone morphometric data were analyzed from a sample of adult male rats in a controlled feeding study. Three-dimensional micro-computed tomography revealed substantial impacts to femoral bone mass and microarchitecture among calorie-restricted animals compared to controls, and we found significant correlations between those parameters and δ13Capatite values. Results support consideration of caloric inadequacy in differential diagnoses of bone loss within archaeological populations, and suggest that similar relationships among stable isotope signatures and bone morphometric parameters delineated within past human populations may help illuminate periods of food insufficiency.
{"title":"A rodent model of caloric restriction using bone mass, microarchitecture, and stable isotope ratios: implications for revealing chronic food insufficiency in archaeological populations","authors":"K. Robertson, J. Yarrow, N. Rowland, John Krigbaum","doi":"10.1080/20548923.2018.1431863","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20548923.2018.1431863","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT One important question with respect to past health and disease is the identification of patterns of caloric inadequacies. Given the substantial literature (animal and human) linking caloric inadequacy to reduced bone mass, microarchitectural deterioration, and changes in stable isotope values, we utilized a rodent model to examine whether integrating these data might help discern episodes of caloric insufficiency. Bone stable isotope values and bone morphometric data were analyzed from a sample of adult male rats in a controlled feeding study. Three-dimensional micro-computed tomography revealed substantial impacts to femoral bone mass and microarchitecture among calorie-restricted animals compared to controls, and we found significant correlations between those parameters and δ13Capatite values. Results support consideration of caloric inadequacy in differential diagnoses of bone loss within archaeological populations, and suggest that similar relationships among stable isotope signatures and bone morphometric parameters delineated within past human populations may help illuminate periods of food insufficiency.","PeriodicalId":21858,"journal":{"name":"STAR: Science & Technology of Archaeological Research","volume":"8 1","pages":"100 - 111"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77648841","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 : 2016-12-12DOI: 10.1080/20548923.2016.1209055
K. A. Anusha Kasthuri
Abstract The historical framework for the discussion is the chronology of Sri Lankan culture, which, based on the most recent archaeological evidence and radiocarbon dates, has been defined by three major periods: Early Historic (500 BC-300 AD), Middle Historic (300 AD-1200 AD) and Late Historic (1200 AD-1815 AD). A classification for the evolution of bronze sculpture with reference to the established historical chronology for Sri Lanka has been proposed by Reedy (2007) who sets out the following four major developmental periods of Late Anuradhapura (ca.432–993 AD), Polonnaruva (late 10th to early 13th century), Divided Kingdoms (13th to late 16th century), and Kandyan (17th to 19th century). This technical study investigated thirty sculptures including 25 tin bronzes in The Metropolitan Museum of Art and five from the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka, representing all four major historic periods. The methods used to analyse the manufacture, composition, and condition of the statues were examination under magnification and Ultraviolet light, X-ray radiography, elemental analysis using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and metallography. The results of the study included the finding that all the statues in the sample were cast using the lost-wax technique. Size does not seem to have had a bearing on whether statues were cast solid or hollow. Many of the small seated figures in the sample were solid cast, while a few were hollow cast. In addition the radiographs indicate that a variety of armatures of different thickness, size, and shape were present inside the hollow figures, irrespective of the size of the statues. Generally, metal of low porosity and few casting defects are observed in most of the radiographs, indicating that the castings are generally of good quality. Traces of five gates (or vents) observed on the backs of a group of five Lokapala figures examined, indicated that they were cast face-down in a horizontal position. Ten figures, particularly those from the later periods, show traces of gilding or intact gold layers. In all but one case, gold was found in association with mercury, confirming that they were amalgam gilded. Metallurgical studies were carried out on four figures in the sample: a Buddha, a Bodhisattva and two Hindu deities. A sample from a tang that was cast onto the goddess figure in antiquity proved to be quenched high-tin bronze, as evident from its microstructure; a tin content of 24.8 w/o was confirmed using X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy in a scanning electron microscope. The four statues were from different historical periods and showed different microstructures, reflecting dissimilarities in composition, thermal history, and state of preservation.
{"title":"Preliminary Investigation of Sri Lankan Copper-alloy Statues","authors":"K. A. Anusha Kasthuri","doi":"10.1080/20548923.2016.1209055","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20548923.2016.1209055","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The historical framework for the discussion is the chronology of Sri Lankan culture, which, based on the most recent archaeological evidence and radiocarbon dates, has been defined by three major periods: Early Historic (500 BC-300 AD), Middle Historic (300 AD-1200 AD) and Late Historic (1200 AD-1815 AD). A classification for the evolution of bronze sculpture with reference to the established historical chronology for Sri Lanka has been proposed by Reedy (2007) who sets out the following four major developmental periods of Late Anuradhapura (ca.432–993 AD), Polonnaruva (late 10th to early 13th century), Divided Kingdoms (13th to late 16th century), and Kandyan (17th to 19th century). This technical study investigated thirty sculptures including 25 tin bronzes in The Metropolitan Museum of Art and five from the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka, representing all four major historic periods. The methods used to analyse the manufacture, composition, and condition of the statues were examination under magnification and Ultraviolet light, X-ray radiography, elemental analysis using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and metallography. The results of the study included the finding that all the statues in the sample were cast using the lost-wax technique. Size does not seem to have had a bearing on whether statues were cast solid or hollow. Many of the small seated figures in the sample were solid cast, while a few were hollow cast. In addition the radiographs indicate that a variety of armatures of different thickness, size, and shape were present inside the hollow figures, irrespective of the size of the statues. Generally, metal of low porosity and few casting defects are observed in most of the radiographs, indicating that the castings are generally of good quality. Traces of five gates (or vents) observed on the backs of a group of five Lokapala figures examined, indicated that they were cast face-down in a horizontal position. Ten figures, particularly those from the later periods, show traces of gilding or intact gold layers. In all but one case, gold was found in association with mercury, confirming that they were amalgam gilded. Metallurgical studies were carried out on four figures in the sample: a Buddha, a Bodhisattva and two Hindu deities. A sample from a tang that was cast onto the goddess figure in antiquity proved to be quenched high-tin bronze, as evident from its microstructure; a tin content of 24.8 w/o was confirmed using X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy in a scanning electron microscope. The four statues were from different historical periods and showed different microstructures, reflecting dissimilarities in composition, thermal history, and state of preservation.","PeriodicalId":21858,"journal":{"name":"STAR: Science & Technology of Archaeological Research","volume":"7 1","pages":"159 - 176"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87906267","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 : 2016-11-22DOI: 10.1179/2054892315Y.0000000004
S. Solongo, A. Ochir, S. Tengis, K. Fitzsimmons, J. Hublin
Abstract The spectacular royal tomb “Ulaankhermiin Shoroon Bumbagar” was discovered in Bulgan province, Mongolia, in 2011. Excavation of the site revealed its internal structure; a slope of 42 meters in length leading down to the underground mausoleum at a depth of 7 m below the ground. Archaeological investigations provided the site with an independent age control suggesting the construction date of the Royal tomb to the last quarter of the VII century. In this study, we directly date different materials from the site, such as terracotta figurines, mortar and host sediment, using infrared-stimulated (IR50) and postinfrared infrared stimulated (pIRIR) luminescence techniques. The most accurate estimate of 670 ± 70AD and 550 ± 110AD was obtained for terracotta figurines using IR50 and pIRIR on aliquots of 4–11 µm polymineral grains. By comparison, sand-sized quartz single grain measurements on the embedded sediment yielded normal equivalent dose (De) distributions with a few outliers, justifying the use of the central age model (CAM) for age calculation, and yielded construction dating to the 780 ± 140AD. Finally, sand-sized quartz single grain measurements on wall mortar revealed incomplete bleaching of grains, requiring detailed analysis using statistical approaches; from this we identified the most well bleached population age of 740 ± 130AD, using the lowest 5%. The luminescence ages are in general agreement with the historically expected age. Statement of significance The archaeological site at Ulaankhermiin Shoroon Bumbagar, Mongolia (with an independent age control) offers a great opportunity to apply luminescence dating methods, such as pIRIR on 4–11 µm polymineral fine grains, and single grain measurements on 200–250 µm quartz grains, to various materials, such as terracotta figurines, mortar-like limestone which covered the walls and embedded sediment in order to test the accuracy of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating techniques. Compared to all other datable archaeological materials, mortar has the advantage of being intentionally manufactured at each stage of construction, since it cannot be recycled. However, dating of the well bleached grains of mortar, which provided the greatest challenge in this study, was achieved using the lowest 5% estimate, yielding an age of 740 ± 130AD. pIRIR on heated polymineral (feldspar-bearing) fine grain aliquots from terracotta figurines was tested, yielding IR50 and pIRIR180 dates in agreement with the CAM estimate from the host sediment. Cite this article Solongo, S., Ochir, A., Tengis, S., Fitzsimmons, K., and Hublin, J.-J. Luminescence dating of mortar and terracotta from a Royal Tomb at Ulaankhermiin Shoroon Bumbagar, Mongolia. STAR 2015; 1(2), STAR2015122054892315Y.0000000004 Data availability The authors confirm that all data underlying the findings are fully available without restriction. All relevant data are contained within the paper. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
{"title":"Luminescence dating of mortar and terracotta from a Royal Tomb at Ulaankhermiin Shoroon Bumbagar, Mongolia","authors":"S. Solongo, A. Ochir, S. Tengis, K. Fitzsimmons, J. Hublin","doi":"10.1179/2054892315Y.0000000004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1179/2054892315Y.0000000004","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The spectacular royal tomb “Ulaankhermiin Shoroon Bumbagar” was discovered in Bulgan province, Mongolia, in 2011. Excavation of the site revealed its internal structure; a slope of 42 meters in length leading down to the underground mausoleum at a depth of 7 m below the ground. Archaeological investigations provided the site with an independent age control suggesting the construction date of the Royal tomb to the last quarter of the VII century. In this study, we directly date different materials from the site, such as terracotta figurines, mortar and host sediment, using infrared-stimulated (IR50) and postinfrared infrared stimulated (pIRIR) luminescence techniques. The most accurate estimate of 670 ± 70AD and 550 ± 110AD was obtained for terracotta figurines using IR50 and pIRIR on aliquots of 4–11 µm polymineral grains. By comparison, sand-sized quartz single grain measurements on the embedded sediment yielded normal equivalent dose (De) distributions with a few outliers, justifying the use of the central age model (CAM) for age calculation, and yielded construction dating to the 780 ± 140AD. Finally, sand-sized quartz single grain measurements on wall mortar revealed incomplete bleaching of grains, requiring detailed analysis using statistical approaches; from this we identified the most well bleached population age of 740 ± 130AD, using the lowest 5%. The luminescence ages are in general agreement with the historically expected age. Statement of significance The archaeological site at Ulaankhermiin Shoroon Bumbagar, Mongolia (with an independent age control) offers a great opportunity to apply luminescence dating methods, such as pIRIR on 4–11 µm polymineral fine grains, and single grain measurements on 200–250 µm quartz grains, to various materials, such as terracotta figurines, mortar-like limestone which covered the walls and embedded sediment in order to test the accuracy of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating techniques. Compared to all other datable archaeological materials, mortar has the advantage of being intentionally manufactured at each stage of construction, since it cannot be recycled. However, dating of the well bleached grains of mortar, which provided the greatest challenge in this study, was achieved using the lowest 5% estimate, yielding an age of 740 ± 130AD. pIRIR on heated polymineral (feldspar-bearing) fine grain aliquots from terracotta figurines was tested, yielding IR50 and pIRIR180 dates in agreement with the CAM estimate from the host sediment. Cite this article Solongo, S., Ochir, A., Tengis, S., Fitzsimmons, K., and Hublin, J.-J. Luminescence dating of mortar and terracotta from a Royal Tomb at Ulaankhermiin Shoroon Bumbagar, Mongolia. STAR 2015; 1(2), STAR2015122054892315Y.0000000004 Data availability The authors confirm that all data underlying the findings are fully available without restriction. All relevant data are contained within the paper. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT","PeriodicalId":21858,"journal":{"name":"STAR: Science & Technology of Archaeological Research","volume":"47 1","pages":"235 - 242"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90559056","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 : 2016-11-17DOI: 10.1080/20548923.2016.1247512
T. Kalayci
Abstract Archaeological data from Upper Mesopotamia provide ample information on the extent of agricultural production territories around tell-based nucleated settlements as well as site sizes —as a proxy for ancient populations. In following, this study investigates the potential relationship between settlement sizes and food production levels during the Early Bronze Age. To start with, CORONA imagery is used to document landscape evidences of past production and settlement sizes. Second, a biological crop-growth model is built over AVHRR-NDVI data, coupled with precipitation values from the region. This model makes it possible to estimate annual production amount at sample locations. Finally, modern day production analogies are constructed in order to explore modelling data and to understand rain-fed agricultural strategies in the Early Bronze Age. CORONA-AVHRR remote sensing survey results reveal no significant relationship between archaeological sites and their production territories (r=0.40). Likewise, the relationship between site areas and estimated staples production is also a weak one (r=0.30). On the other hand, if one considers biennial fallowing as a production strategy, the relationship becomes significant (r=0.85). Furthermore, model data suggests only settlements smaller than 50 hectares were potentially practicing biennial fallowing —suggesting population pressure on production at larger settlements. Statements of significance The study challenges the normative assumption that there is a direct relationship between populations and local agricultural production. The analysis is possible only when the production landscapes are considered as dynamic environments, responding to changes in the environment, but also influenced by the choice of production strategies. Data availability Production statistics (tons/ha) are available for the years between 1982 and 2006 in shp format as a supplement to this paper. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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Pub Date : 2016-10-20DOI: 10.1080/20548923.2016.1239868
E. Palamara, N. Zacharias, L. Papakosta, D. Palles, E. Kamitsos, J. Pérez-Arantegui
Abstract In a rescue excavation of a Roman funerary complex located at the city of Patras, Achaia, Greece, an assemblage of high quality glass vessels of the 2nd-3rd c. AD was recovered. Here we present the results from the physicochemical examination of the collection using a combination of non-destructive techniques, namely optical microscopy, portable X-Ray Fluorescence, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Infrared spectroscopy (IR) techniques. The analyses resulted in the chemical characterization of the glass samples and the identification of a rare example of soda plant-ash glass. Moreover, madder lake was identified as the original content of several glass vessels. Finally, the effect of the original content on the corrosion processes was investigated, along with issues of biocorrosion. Statement of significance The interdisciplinary study of an assemblage of 2nd-3rd c. AD Roman funerary vessel glasses from Patras, Greece is reported. The archaeological and archaeometric study of Roman glass in south and central Greece has so far been limited. The present work is the first attempt to examine the complete chaîne opératoire of Roman funerary glass vessels, using a multi-technique approach. More specifically, the basic aims of the study were (1) the chemical characterization of the glass and the determination of the raw materials used; (2) the determination of the original content of the vessels; and (3) the examination of the corrosion effects on the glass.
在希腊亚该亚(Achaia)帕特雷市(Patras)的一个罗马墓葬遗址的抢救发掘中，发现了一组公元2 -3世纪的高质量玻璃器皿。在这里，我们展示了使用非破坏性技术，即光学显微镜，便携式x射线荧光，扫描电子显微镜和红外光谱(IR)技术组合对收集的物理化学检查的结果。分析结果对玻璃样品进行了化学表征，并鉴定出一种罕见的纯碱植物灰玻璃。此外，madder lake被确定为几个玻璃容器的原始内容。最后，研究了原始成分对腐蚀过程的影响，以及生物腐蚀问题。本文报道了对希腊帕特雷出土的公元2 -3世纪罗马丧葬器皿玻璃的跨学科研究。到目前为止，对希腊南部和中部罗马玻璃的考古和考古研究是有限的。目前的工作是第一次尝试使用多种技术方法来检查罗马丧葬玻璃器皿的完整cha ne opacimatoire。更具体地说，研究的基本目的是:(1)玻璃的化学特性和所用原料的确定;(二)容器原含量的确定;(3)对玻璃腐蚀效果的检查。
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