Pub Date : 2026-01-26DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105507
Symeon Gkinoudis , Trevor Van Damme , Brendan Burke , Bryan Burns , Evi Margaritis
Eleon is located in east Boeotia, on mainland Greece. Research conducted by the Eastern Boeotia Archaeological Project has revealed a long-lasting occupational sequence at the site. At the beginning of the Late Bronze Age, a monumental burial enclosure, the Blue Stone Structure, was constructed on the east side of the plateau. Settlement remains from both the Palatial and Post-Palatial periods have been documented, with the latter being more extensively explored and better understood. This study presents new archaeobotanical macroremains recovered from MH III-LH I burial and LH IIIA-C settlement contexts. In the Blue Stone Structure, the plant remains retrieved—mainly cereal crops, but also pulses, and tree fruit/nuts—indicate deliberate destructions by fire, as part of mortuary customs and feasting events. A diverse, but very fragmented, plant assemblage was retrieved from Palatial period contexts (Structure A and the Northwest Complex). This fact does not allow us to determine in detail the nature of agricultural practices or to identify shifts in production that occurred during the Post-Palatial times. A more significant and better preserved archaeobotanical assemblage was recovered from the Post-Palatial period contexts (Northwest Building, Structures B and C). During this period, diversification in production is implied, with an emphasis on cereals and, to a lesser extent, pulses.
{"title":"Feeding the dead, sustaining the living: an archaeobotanical study of Mycenaean Eleon in Boeotia, Greece","authors":"Symeon Gkinoudis , Trevor Van Damme , Brendan Burke , Bryan Burns , Evi Margaritis","doi":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105507","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105507","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Eleon is located in east Boeotia, on mainland Greece. Research conducted by the Eastern Boeotia Archaeological Project has revealed a long-lasting occupational sequence at the site. At the beginning of the Late Bronze Age, a monumental burial enclosure, the Blue Stone Structure, was constructed on the east side of the plateau. Settlement remains from both the Palatial and Post-Palatial periods have been documented, with the latter being more extensively explored and better understood. This study presents new archaeobotanical macroremains recovered from MH III-LH I burial and LH IIIA-C settlement contexts. In the Blue Stone Structure, the plant remains retrieved—mainly cereal crops, but also pulses, and tree fruit/nuts—indicate deliberate destructions by fire, as part of mortuary customs and feasting events. A diverse, but very fragmented, plant assemblage was retrieved from Palatial period contexts (Structure A and the Northwest Complex). This fact does not allow us to determine in detail the nature of agricultural practices or to identify shifts in production that occurred during the Post-Palatial times. A more significant and better preserved archaeobotanical assemblage was recovered from the Post-Palatial period contexts (Northwest Building, Structures B and C). During this period, diversification in production is implied, with an emphasis on cereals and, to a lesser extent, pulses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports","volume":"70 ","pages":"Article 105507"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"历史学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105598
Jean-Marc Pétillon , Eugénie Gauvrit Roux
In the study of prehistoric projectile points, the tip cross-sectional area method (TCSA) is often used to hypothesize about projectile delivery mode. In a recent article, Langley and Lombard applied this method, combined with point mass, to Magdalenian antler points from southwest France. Their results suggest the likelihood of bowhunting at some sites, and one point subtype, the Lussac-Angles point, is particularly highlighted as possible arrow tip because of its low TCSA and mass. However, the methods used in this study underestimate TCSA and mass, particularly when composite weapon tips are considered. Experimental evidence shows that Lussac-Angles points can be used with the spearthrower, and there is also archeological and experimental evidence of use with the spearthrower for fork-based points, another type of Magdalenian antler point that has a TCSA similar to the Lussac-Angles points. These findings refute the evidence of bowhunting in Magdalenian antler points and offer another example of the problems raised by the use of the TCSA method to reconstruct past weapon systems..
{"title":"No evidence of bowhunting in Magdalenian antler points: Comment on Langley and Lombard (2025)","authors":"Jean-Marc Pétillon , Eugénie Gauvrit Roux","doi":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105598","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105598","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the study of prehistoric projectile points, the tip cross-sectional area method (TCSA) is often used to hypothesize about projectile delivery mode. In a recent article, Langley and Lombard applied this method, combined with point mass, to Magdalenian antler points from southwest France. Their results suggest the likelihood of bowhunting at some sites, and one point subtype, the Lussac-Angles point, is particularly highlighted as possible arrow tip because of its low TCSA and mass. However, the methods used in this study underestimate TCSA and mass, particularly when composite weapon tips are considered. Experimental evidence shows that Lussac-Angles points can be used with the spearthrower, and there is also archeological and experimental evidence of use with the spearthrower for fork-based points, another type of Magdalenian antler point that has a TCSA similar to the Lussac-Angles points. These findings refute the evidence of bowhunting in Magdalenian antler points and offer another example of the problems raised by the use of the TCSA method to reconstruct past weapon systems..</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports","volume":"70 ","pages":"Article 105598"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146025340","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"历史学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105583
V.V. Panagiotidis , M. Kylafi
This paper presents the design, development, and pilot deployment of a lightweight, open-source, web-based tool tailored to the digital documentation needs of archaeological fieldwork. Developed with modern web technologies and grounded in an offline-first, browser-native architecture, the system provides a portable and highly accessible solution for recording, organizing, and preserving excavation data in a structured, interoperable format. It supports stratigraphic unit-based input, automated geolocation tagging, integration of photographs and schematic drawings, and local export of data in both CSV and JSON formats, enabling seamless compatibility with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), databases, and broader digital research infrastructures. Its client-side functionality eliminates the need for server installation or internet access, making it ideal for use in field conditions with limited technological support. Emphasis was placed on modularity, adaptability, and ease of use, ensuring that researchers can customize the interface and recording schema according to the methodological needs of each excavation context.
The tool was evaluated in active archaeological environments, where it was used alongside conventional recording methods. Through this hybrid implementation, researchers were able to assess its effectiveness in supporting systematic documentation, enhancing spatial accuracy, and enabling immediate visualization and archival of excavation data. Particular attention was given to its integration potential with existing workflows, including stratigraphic interpretation, topographic analysis, and post-excavation processing. The findings demonstrate that such a digital approach not only improves data reliability and accessibility in the field but also fosters more transparent, reflexive, and collaborative research practices. By reducing technical barriers and offering an extensible framework for digital recording, this contribution marks a step toward the broader adoption of scalable, open-source solutions in archaeological documentation and heritage management.
{"title":"ANASKAFI: a lightweight open-source tool for the digital documentation of archaeological data☆","authors":"V.V. Panagiotidis , M. Kylafi","doi":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105583","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105583","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper presents the design, development, and pilot deployment of a lightweight, open-source, web-based tool tailored to the digital documentation needs of archaeological fieldwork. Developed with modern web technologies and grounded in an offline-first, browser-native architecture, the system provides a portable and highly accessible solution for recording, organizing, and preserving excavation data in a structured, interoperable format. It supports stratigraphic unit-based input, automated geolocation tagging, integration of photographs and schematic drawings, and local export of data in both CSV and JSON formats, enabling seamless compatibility with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), databases, and broader digital research infrastructures. Its client-side functionality eliminates the need for server installation or internet access, making it ideal for use in field conditions with limited technological support. Emphasis was placed on modularity, adaptability, and ease of use, ensuring that researchers can customize the interface and recording schema according to the methodological needs of each excavation context.</div><div>The tool was evaluated in active archaeological environments, where it was used alongside conventional recording methods. Through this hybrid implementation, researchers were able to assess its effectiveness in supporting systematic documentation, enhancing spatial accuracy, and enabling immediate visualization and archival of excavation data. Particular attention was given to its integration potential with existing workflows, including stratigraphic interpretation, topographic analysis, and post-excavation processing. The findings demonstrate that such a digital approach not only improves data reliability and accessibility in the field but also fosters more transparent, reflexive, and collaborative research practices. By reducing technical barriers and offering an extensible framework for digital recording, this contribution marks a step toward the broader adoption of scalable, open-source solutions in archaeological documentation and heritage management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports","volume":"70 ","pages":"Article 105583"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146025339","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"历史学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105576
Aldana Tavarone , Josefina González , Francisca Urrutia , Francisca Santana-Sagredo , Mauricio Uribe , María José Herrera-Soto
Inspired by a non-anthropocentric and relational approach, as well as by social bioarchaeology and other ontologies, this study presents the results obtained from the analysis of 18 coprolite samples of human and animal origin, recovered from the Iluga Túmulos archaeological site in the Tarapacá region, Chile (49 BCE–1900 CE). These ancient remains provide a valuable source of information by offering direct evidence of the selection and consumption of various plants by human and camelid communities that coexisted in the region. The goal was to identify the preserved plant content within the coprolites to reconstruct the diet and the lifestyles of the analyzed individuals. The results suggest that both humans and camelids consumed wild fruits from the carob tree (Neltuma sp.) and plants from the Poaceae family (grasses), particularly from the Chloridoideae, Danthonioideae, Pooideae, and especially Panicoideae subfamilies, which includes maize (Zea mays). Additionally, cultivated tubers such as the potato (Solanum tuberosum) were identified in human coprolites. The presence of pollen grains associated with the Amaranthaceae–Chenopodiaceae complex— possibly related to the genus Atriplex—along with various species of diatoms, was also recorded, providing additional insights into the selection and management of water sources in the region. This study allows us to better understand the symmetrical interrelationships between plants, animals and humans that allude to the agency of each one and the mutual breeding in the Andean cosmology.
{"title":"Archaeobotanical evidence from coprolite analysis: Interactions between humans, camelids, and plants at Iluga Túmulos (Atacama Desert, Chile)","authors":"Aldana Tavarone , Josefina González , Francisca Urrutia , Francisca Santana-Sagredo , Mauricio Uribe , María José Herrera-Soto","doi":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105576","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105576","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Inspired by a non-anthropocentric and relational approach, as well as by social bioarchaeology and other ontologies, this study presents the results obtained from the analysis of 18 coprolite samples of human and animal origin, recovered from the Iluga Túmulos archaeological site in the Tarapacá region, Chile (49 BCE–1900 CE). These ancient remains provide a valuable source of information by offering direct evidence of the selection and consumption of various plants by human and camelid communities that coexisted in the region. The goal was to identify the preserved plant content within the coprolites to reconstruct the diet and the lifestyles of the analyzed individuals. The results suggest that both humans and camelids consumed wild fruits from the carob tree (<em>Neltuma</em> sp.) and plants from the <em>Poaceae</em> family (grasses), particularly from the Chloridoideae, Danthonioideae, Pooideae, and especially Panicoideae subfamilies, which includes maize (<em>Zea mays</em>). Additionally, cultivated tubers such as the potato (<em>Solanum tuberosum</em>) were identified in human coprolites. The presence of pollen grains associated with the <em>Amaranthaceae</em>–<em>Chenopodiaceae</em> complex— possibly related to the genus <em>Atriplex</em>—along with various species of diatoms, was also recorded, providing additional insights into the selection and management of water sources in the region. This study allows us to better understand the symmetrical interrelationships between plants, animals and humans that allude to the agency of each one and the mutual breeding in the Andean cosmology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports","volume":"70 ","pages":"Article 105576"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146025336","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"历史学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105560
Joanna Ostapkowicz , Alex C. Widenhoeft , Fiona Brock , Christophe Snoeck , Caroline Cartwright , Jeremy Uden , Claudia Baittinger , Mille Gabriel , Julie Gordon , Pascale Richardin , Catherine Lavier , Thibault Clauzel , Ronny Friedrich , Doris Döppes , Martin E. Berger , Marcony Lopes Alves , John Pouncett , Rachel Wood , Rick J. Schulting
This paper presents the results of the first systematic study aimed at defining the chronology, provenience and material components of 14 distinctive wood carvings featuring jaguar and raptorial bird imagery broadly attributed to northeastern South America, centred on Brazil’s Trombetas River region. These carvings, largely confined to drug-related paraphernalia and ceremonial objects (trumpets, rattles, staffs/sceptres and a hafted anchor axe), were part of antiquarian collections deposited in European museums mainly in the 19th century, with very little associated information.14C AMS dating of their wood, cotton and resins shows that they have deeper histories, spanning the 14th to late 17th/early 18th centuries. Wood identification indicates a relatively narrow range of taxa, mainly from the genera Brosimum and Swartzia, likely selected for their hardness and striking “snakeskin” or “leopard skin” patterns. Bindings of human hair are identified on a ceremonial weapon. Strontium isotope (87Sr/86Sr) analysis of the wood is used to explore the possible provenience of the carvings, with the results divided into two groups, one from a more radiogenic region consistent with the Trombetas, and the other from a less radiogenic region, possibly the Amazon floodplain.
{"title":"Jaguars and raptorial birds: The ancient wood carving arts of Northeastern South America (Trombetas River region, Brazil)","authors":"Joanna Ostapkowicz , Alex C. Widenhoeft , Fiona Brock , Christophe Snoeck , Caroline Cartwright , Jeremy Uden , Claudia Baittinger , Mille Gabriel , Julie Gordon , Pascale Richardin , Catherine Lavier , Thibault Clauzel , Ronny Friedrich , Doris Döppes , Martin E. Berger , Marcony Lopes Alves , John Pouncett , Rachel Wood , Rick J. Schulting","doi":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105560","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105560","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper presents the results of the first systematic study aimed at defining the chronology, provenience and material components of 14 distinctive wood carvings featuring jaguar and raptorial bird imagery broadly attributed to northeastern South America, centred on Brazil’s Trombetas River region. These carvings, largely confined to drug-related paraphernalia and ceremonial objects (trumpets, rattles, staffs/sceptres and a hafted anchor axe), were part of antiquarian collections deposited in European museums mainly in the 19th century, with very little associated information.<sup>14</sup>C AMS dating of their wood, cotton and resins shows that they have deeper histories, spanning the 14th to late 17th/early 18th centuries. Wood identification indicates a relatively narrow range of taxa, mainly from the genera <em>Brosimum</em> and <em>Swartzia</em>, likely selected for their hardness and striking “snakeskin” or “leopard skin” patterns. Bindings of human hair are identified on a ceremonial weapon. Strontium isotope (<sup>87</sup>Sr/<sup>86</sup>Sr) analysis of the wood is used to explore the possible provenience of the carvings, with the results divided into two groups, one from a more radiogenic region consistent with the Trombetas, and the other from a less radiogenic region, possibly the Amazon floodplain.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports","volume":"70 ","pages":"Article 105560"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146025449","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"历史学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105595
Iratxe Boneta Jiménez
Iberian Peninsula extant terrapins, the European Pond Turtle (i.e. Emys orbicularis) and the Spanish Terrapin (i.e. Mauremys leprosa), are relatively frequent within Bronze Age archaeofaunal assemblages. Specifically, its remains appear to concentrate in southeastern sites, at times related to El Argar settlements. The available data and firsthand detailed study of some of the terrapin remains from twenty-two peninsular Bronze Age sites are here presented. This update on the knowledge concerning the Iberian Peninsula archaeological turtle record provides new justified taxonomic evidence regarding the Iberian turtle taxa distribution during the second millennium BC. Also, new interpretations in cultural terms that deepen into the relationship between human southeastern populations and these reptiles are discussed. Results show that terrapins were mainly captured as local freshwater food resource, depicting the dynamics between human populations and marsh, river, and other freshwater bodies ecosystems.
{"title":"Terrapins as a dietary resource for Bronze Age populations in the Southeast Iberian Peninsula","authors":"Iratxe Boneta Jiménez","doi":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105595","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105595","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Iberian Peninsula extant terrapins, the European Pond Turtle (i.e. <em>Emys orbicularis</em>) and the Spanish Terrapin (i.e. <em>Mauremys leprosa</em>), are relatively frequent within Bronze Age archaeofaunal assemblages. Specifically, its remains appear to concentrate in southeastern sites, at times related to El Argar settlements. The available data and firsthand detailed study of some of the terrapin remains from twenty-two peninsular Bronze Age sites are here presented. This update on the knowledge concerning the Iberian Peninsula archaeological turtle record provides new justified taxonomic evidence regarding the Iberian turtle taxa distribution during the second millennium BC. Also, new interpretations in cultural terms that deepen into the relationship between human southeastern populations and these reptiles are discussed. Results show that terrapins were mainly captured as local freshwater food resource, depicting the dynamics between human populations and marsh, river, and other freshwater bodies ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports","volume":"70 ","pages":"Article 105595"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146025450","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"历史学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105597
Jenny Marcus , Nimrod Wieler , Shulamit Terem , Noam Greenbaum , Tami Zilberman , Gal Yasur , Yotam Asscher , Pablo Betzer , Daniel Varga , Oren Ackermann
Ancient agricultural soils contain geochemical and physical indicators of past cultural practices, often reflecting nutrient accumulation due to agricultural activities. Studying soil chemistry can therefore help identify ancient agrarian sites, yet few studies examine the elemental composition of soils tied to historical agriculture. This study uses potential proxies for identifying and mapping ancient agricultural activities within buried soil in Tel Yavne hinterlands, Israel.
Employing a multidisciplinary approach—including sedimentology, portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), total organic carbon (TOC) content (%C) and its isotopic composition (δ13C values), portable luminescence measurement (pOSL), and high-resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) analysis—this study analyzed soil profiles in the vicinity of Tel Yavne. Profiles revealed interbedded clay and quartz sand layers, capped by a sandy Anthrosol containing Byzantine/Early Islamic artifacts. The Anthrosol exhibited high levels of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and silica, comparable to modern fertilized soils, indicating nutrient enrichment from biomass ash and organic waste. These findings map an 18-dunam (1.8 ha) agricultural area, underscoring the value of integrated geochemical and sedimentological methods for reconstructing ancient land use.
{"title":"Identifying buried byzantine-early Islamic agricultural soils in the Yavne Hinterlands, Israel: a multi-proxy approach","authors":"Jenny Marcus , Nimrod Wieler , Shulamit Terem , Noam Greenbaum , Tami Zilberman , Gal Yasur , Yotam Asscher , Pablo Betzer , Daniel Varga , Oren Ackermann","doi":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105597","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105597","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ancient agricultural soils contain geochemical and physical indicators of past cultural practices, often reflecting nutrient accumulation due to agricultural activities. Studying soil chemistry can therefore help identify ancient agrarian sites, yet few studies examine the elemental composition of soils tied to historical agriculture. This study uses potential proxies for identifying and mapping ancient agricultural activities within buried soil in Tel Yavne hinterlands, Israel.</div><div>Employing a multidisciplinary approach—including sedimentology, portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), total organic carbon (TOC) content (%C) and its isotopic composition (δ<sup>13</sup>C values), portable luminescence measurement (pOSL), and high-resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) analysis—this study analyzed soil profiles in the vicinity of Tel Yavne. Profiles revealed interbedded clay and quartz sand layers, capped by a sandy Anthrosol containing Byzantine/Early Islamic artifacts. The Anthrosol exhibited high levels of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and silica, comparable to modern fertilized soils, indicating nutrient enrichment from biomass ash and organic waste. These findings map an 18-dunam (1.8 ha) agricultural area, underscoring the value of integrated geochemical and sedimentological methods for reconstructing ancient land use.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports","volume":"70 ","pages":"Article 105597"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146025337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"历史学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105582
Michela Scanu , Filippo Barattolo , Carmela Capaldi , Antonella Ciotola , Francesco D’Uva , Vincenzo Morra , Maria Verde , Alberto De Bonis
The aim of this work is to define the provenance and the production technology of nineteen samples of African Amphorae found in the forum of the ancient Cumae in the Bay of Naples.
These materials were used to transport goods from the North Africa, where several regions were involved in the amphora production, including the Zeugitania and Byzacena (S Tunisia), Tripolitania (S Tunisia/W Libya), and Mauretania Caesarensis (between Morocco and Algeria).
The archaeometric investigation was performed via mineralogical-petrographic techniques. Polarized light microscopy (PLM) highlights two different groups of samples and some outliers according to their petrographic composition, which shows affinity with the geological features of the supposed area of production. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) revealed that quartz is the prevalent mineralogical phase along with calcite, feldspar, hematite, sporadic mica, and neoformed Ca-silicates that provided useful information about the EFTs (Equivalent Firing Temperatures) estimation. Confirmed by the FESEM analysis as well.
The chemical analysis via X-ray fluorescence (XRF) shows that most samples have a high concentration of CaO (>6 wt.%) and comparison with literature data show that they are linked to the Tunisian area.
Thanks to the comparison with reference data of archaeological samples from North African productive centers (such as kiln refuses, large number of fragments of the same ceramic class, mainly from the Tunisian coasts) and local geological features, each group of samples can be ascribed to a specific atelier.
{"title":"Provenance and first technological insights of African amphorae from the Roman Forum of Cumae, Southern Italy","authors":"Michela Scanu , Filippo Barattolo , Carmela Capaldi , Antonella Ciotola , Francesco D’Uva , Vincenzo Morra , Maria Verde , Alberto De Bonis","doi":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105582","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105582","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The aim of this work is to define the provenance and the production technology of nineteen samples of African Amphorae found in the forum of the ancient Cumae in the Bay of Naples.</div><div>These materials were used to transport goods from the North Africa, where several regions were involved in the amphora production, including the Zeugitania and Byzacena (S Tunisia), Tripolitania (S Tunisia/W Libya), and Mauretania Caesarensis (between Morocco and Algeria).</div><div>The archaeometric investigation was performed via mineralogical-petrographic techniques. Polarized light microscopy (PLM) highlights two different groups of samples and some outliers according to their petrographic composition, which shows affinity with the geological features of the supposed area of production. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) revealed that quartz is the prevalent mineralogical phase along with calcite, feldspar, hematite, sporadic mica, and neoformed Ca-silicates that provided useful information about the EFTs (Equivalent Firing Temperatures) estimation. Confirmed by the FESEM analysis as well.</div><div>The chemical analysis via X-ray fluorescence (XRF) shows that most samples have a high concentration of CaO (>6 wt.%) and comparison with literature data show that they are linked to the Tunisian area.</div><div>Thanks to the comparison with reference data of archaeological samples from North African productive centers (such as kiln refuses, large number of fragments of the same ceramic class, mainly from the Tunisian coasts) and local geological features, each group of samples can be ascribed to a specific atelier.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports","volume":"70 ","pages":"Article 105582"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146025452","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"历史学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105594
Haifeng Liu , Tingting Ma , Hongli Chen , Guisen Zou , Wei Qian , Jianli Chen
From the Western Zhou to the Han Dynasty, the Qigucheng Site was an important centre in eastern Shandong. This site contains a rich collection of long-lasting cast iron and ceramic industrial remains from the Han Dynasty. Although researchers have gained a comprehensive understanding of ancient Chinese ironmaking technology, such work has mainly focused on iron artifacts and slag, with few studies examining the ironmaking furnace itself, which includes facilities for smelting, melting, forging iron, and other high-temperature processes for heat treatment. Research exploring the origins and development of China’s unique cast iron smelting technology through the analysis of furnace wall materials has not been fully carried out. To address this gap, this study used petrographic analysis and chemical analyses to investigate the cast iron production-related ceramic materials in the Han dynasty through archaeological excavation and scientific analyses, and revealed the possible material and technological connections between metallurgical and ceramic industries at that time. The findings suggest that craftsmen at the time had mature technical choices for metallurgical ceramics. Further, despite variations in functional properties, metallurgical ceramics might share a common geological origin, as indicated by the consistent mineral composition of clay matrix and quartz silt across samples, indicating that different categories of technical ceramics may have shared technological practices.
{"title":"Ceramic technology used in the cast iron industry during the Han dynasty: A case study of the Qigucheng Site, Linzi, Shandong, China","authors":"Haifeng Liu , Tingting Ma , Hongli Chen , Guisen Zou , Wei Qian , Jianli Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105594","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105594","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>From the Western Zhou to the Han Dynasty, the Qigucheng Site was an important centre in eastern Shandong. This site contains a rich collection of long-lasting cast iron and ceramic industrial remains from the Han Dynasty. Although researchers have gained a comprehensive understanding of ancient Chinese ironmaking technology, such work has mainly focused on iron artifacts and slag, with few studies examining the ironmaking furnace itself, which includes facilities for smelting, melting, forging iron, and other high-temperature processes for heat treatment. Research exploring the origins and development of China’s unique cast iron smelting technology through the analysis of furnace wall materials has not been fully carried out. To address this gap, this study used petrographic analysis and chemical analyses to investigate the cast iron production-related ceramic materials in the Han dynasty through archaeological excavation and scientific analyses, and revealed the possible material and technological connections between metallurgical and ceramic industries at that time. The findings suggest that craftsmen at the time had mature technical choices for metallurgical ceramics. Further, despite variations in functional properties, metallurgical ceramics might share a common geological origin, as indicated by the consistent mineral composition of clay matrix and quartz silt across samples, indicating that different categories of technical ceramics may have shared technological practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports","volume":"70 ","pages":"Article 105594"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146025451","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"历史学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105571
Fei Han , Jixiang Song , Zhanwei Du , Dan Zhao , Mengzhou Yu , Qianqian Wang , Wei Du , Qian Ma , Qiang Zhen , Liqun Bai
The Northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (NETP) represents a critical zone for understanding agricultural adaptation in China. However, while archaeological research has significantly advanced our knowledge of prehistoric farming systems in this region, the agricultural practices during the historically pivotal Han Dynasty remain poorly understood due to a scarcity of archaeobotanical data. This paper presents new systematic evidence from the Han-period deposits at the Lajia site, revealing its agricultural economy dominated by millet crops, complemented by barley, wheat and minimal soybean. The flotation results demonstrate that this millet-based system represents the continuation of a long-standing local tradition. Its persistence is interpreted as the outcome of both external drivers and internal societal choices. Crucially, this millet-dominated subsistence strategy contrasts with contemporary barley/wheat-dominated regimes of most parts of northwest China.
{"title":"Continuity of Millet-Dominated Farming: Archaeobotanical evidence of Han Dynasty at Lajia Site, Northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau","authors":"Fei Han , Jixiang Song , Zhanwei Du , Dan Zhao , Mengzhou Yu , Qianqian Wang , Wei Du , Qian Ma , Qiang Zhen , Liqun Bai","doi":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105571","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105571","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (NETP) represents a critical zone for understanding agricultural adaptation in China. However, while archaeological research has significantly advanced our knowledge of prehistoric farming systems in this region, the agricultural practices during the historically pivotal Han Dynasty remain poorly understood due to a scarcity of archaeobotanical data. This paper presents new systematic evidence from the Han-period deposits at the Lajia site, revealing its agricultural economy dominated by millet crops, complemented by barley, wheat and minimal soybean. The flotation results demonstrate that this millet-based system represents the continuation of a long-standing local tradition. Its persistence is interpreted as the outcome of both external drivers and internal societal choices. Crucially, this millet-dominated subsistence strategy contrasts with contemporary barley/wheat-dominated regimes of most parts of northwest China.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports","volume":"70 ","pages":"Article 105571"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146025445","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"历史学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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