Pub Date : 2026-01-17DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2026.106486
Mike Lyons , Jeannine Langmann , Markus Reindel
This study explores the use of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to classify archaeological obsidian artifacts by their geological source using standard documentation photographs. Drawing on a dataset of images taken under varied field and laboratory conditions, we train and evaluate multiple CNN architectures to assess the feasibility of this approach as a low-cost alternative to geochemical sourcing. The models achieve high precision and recall for several well-represented sources, and Grad-CAM visualizations indicate that classification is often based on visually meaningful surface features. This work represents a first step towards developing a new sourcing methodology, as the technique demonstrates strong potential for scaling up obsidian sourcing in contexts where access to laboratory equipment is limited or cost-prohibitive. We argue that with a larger and more diverse image dataset—including a broader range of artifact types and source locations—image-based classification could become a practical and accessible tool for archaeological research in Middle America and beyond.
{"title":"Obsidian sourcing in Mesoamerica and the Isthmo-Colombian area using image-based machine learning","authors":"Mike Lyons , Jeannine Langmann , Markus Reindel","doi":"10.1016/j.jas.2026.106486","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jas.2026.106486","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study explores the use of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to classify archaeological obsidian artifacts by their geological source using standard documentation photographs. Drawing on a dataset of images taken under varied field and laboratory conditions, we train and evaluate multiple CNN architectures to assess the feasibility of this approach as a low-cost alternative to geochemical sourcing. The models achieve high precision and recall for several well-represented sources, and Grad-CAM visualizations indicate that classification is often based on visually meaningful surface features. This work represents a first step towards developing a new sourcing methodology, as the technique demonstrates strong potential for scaling up obsidian sourcing in contexts where access to laboratory equipment is limited or cost-prohibitive. We argue that with a larger and more diverse image dataset—including a broader range of artifact types and source locations—image-based classification could become a practical and accessible tool for archaeological research in Middle America and beyond.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50254,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science","volume":"187 ","pages":"Article 106486"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145995242","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-17DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2026.106471
Elzanne Singels , Tineke Kraaij , John Parkington , Karen Esler , Richard M. Cowling
A rich, abundant, and nutritious flora with underground storage organs (USOs) is deemed an important energy source for Stone Age hunter-gatherers in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of South Africa. Research on USO richness, abundance, and energetic returns is largely confined to the south coast of the CFR. We extend this research to the west and southeast coasts by surveying 212 sites equally in the growing (spring) and dormant (autumn) seasons and across three biomes in all three regions. We quantify USO apparency (visibility above ground) to foragers based on phenological patterns of 131 edible USO species across CFR coastal lowlands. Apparency is seasonally constrained to cooler months in the strongly winter-rainfall west coast but less seasonal along the bimodal-rainfall south coast, and non-seasonal-rainfall east coast, providing longer periods for foraging. In all the surveyed regions, richness, abundance, and energetic returns of edible USOs peaked in winter/spring and were dominated by high-energy cormous species. On an annual basis, energetic returns were highest on the south coast, owing to USO apparency peaking in autumn, a feature absent at the other sites. In all regions, hotspots of USO energetic returns were rare, but most common on the south coast. Energetic returns were mostly higher in Strandveld than in Fynbos and Renosterveld. We discuss the implications of these findings for forager mobility in the three regions of the Cape coastal lowlands.
{"title":"Spatial and temporal variation in the diversity, abundance, and energetic returns of underground storage organs on the coastal lowlands of the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa","authors":"Elzanne Singels , Tineke Kraaij , John Parkington , Karen Esler , Richard M. Cowling","doi":"10.1016/j.jas.2026.106471","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jas.2026.106471","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A rich, abundant, and nutritious flora with underground storage organs (USOs) is deemed an important energy source for Stone Age hunter-gatherers in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of South Africa. Research on USO richness, abundance, and energetic returns is largely confined to the south coast of the CFR. We extend this research to the west and southeast coasts by surveying 212 sites equally in the growing (spring) and dormant (autumn) seasons and across three biomes in all three regions. We quantify USO apparency (visibility above ground) to foragers based on phenological patterns of 131 edible USO species across CFR coastal lowlands. Apparency is seasonally constrained to cooler months in the strongly winter-rainfall west coast but less seasonal along the bimodal-rainfall south coast, and non-seasonal-rainfall east coast, providing longer periods for foraging. In all the surveyed regions, richness, abundance, and energetic returns of edible USOs peaked in winter/spring and were dominated by high-energy cormous species. On an annual basis, energetic returns were highest on the south coast, owing to USO apparency peaking in autumn, a feature absent at the other sites. In all regions, hotspots of USO energetic returns were rare, but most common on the south coast. Energetic returns were mostly higher in Strandveld than in Fynbos and Renosterveld. We discuss the implications of these findings for forager mobility in the three regions of the Cape coastal lowlands.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50254,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science","volume":"187 ","pages":"Article 106471"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145995219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-16DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2026.106472
Wataru Tatsuda , Ryo Hori , Kimiyasu Morikawa , Hayata Inoue
This study presents an innovative deep learning-based method for the morphological classification of 3D point cloud data of ceramics. It focuses on a case study of ancient pottery known as Sue ware from the Sanage kiln in Japan from the 8th to the mid-9th century. Our workflow — with a cutting-edge deep learning model, PointTransformer — outperforms previous 2D outline-based approaches, requiring only a lightweight point cloud dataset and reasonable hardware. Our model successfully classifies 917 vessel samples into labeled classes with high accuracy (average macro F1-score: 0.9320). Principal Component Analysis, hierarchical clustering, and 3D Grad-CAM saliency maps revealed the geometric cues underlying the network’s decisions, transforming it from a “black box” into an interpretable analytical tool. Additionally, we have open-sourced our dataset and code to support other researchers in customizing the model for broader archaeological applications. The study demonstrates that deep learning models can capture subtle morphological variation at scale, offering archaeologists a flexible, transparent, and reproducible method for ceramic classification that can be extended to other regions, periods, and research questions.
{"title":"Deep learning-based morphological classification of ceramics: A case study of 3D point cloud analysis for Sue ware, Japan","authors":"Wataru Tatsuda , Ryo Hori , Kimiyasu Morikawa , Hayata Inoue","doi":"10.1016/j.jas.2026.106472","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jas.2026.106472","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents an innovative deep learning-based method for the morphological classification of 3D point cloud data of ceramics. It focuses on a case study of ancient pottery known as Sue ware from the Sanage kiln in Japan from the 8th to the mid-9th century. Our workflow — with a cutting-edge deep learning model, PointTransformer — outperforms previous 2D outline-based approaches, requiring only a lightweight point cloud dataset and reasonable hardware. Our model successfully classifies 917 vessel samples into labeled classes with high accuracy (average macro F1-score: 0.9320). Principal Component Analysis, hierarchical clustering, and 3D Grad-CAM saliency maps revealed the geometric cues underlying the network’s decisions, transforming it from a “black box” into an interpretable analytical tool. Additionally, we have open-sourced our dataset and code to support other researchers in customizing the model for broader archaeological applications. The study demonstrates that deep learning models can capture subtle morphological variation at scale, offering archaeologists a flexible, transparent, and reproducible method for ceramic classification that can be extended to other regions, periods, and research questions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50254,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science","volume":"187 ","pages":"Article 106472"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145969394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A white layer composed of anhydrite, a calcium sulfate mineral, was identified in an archaeological context within a cave near the Dead Sea, radiocarbon dated to the Iron Age period. Under ambient conditions, anhydrite typically hydrates to gypsum, rendering its retention a notably rare phenomenon in an archaeological setting. This prompted questions regarding both its preservation and origin. Certain plants, such as tamarisk, are known to produce calcium sulfate hemihydrate, which dehydrates to anhydrite when burned. Similarly, geogenic gypsum converts to anhydrite upon heating, as occurs in gypsum plaster production. Based on this, we hypothesized that the archaeological layer formed as a result of thermal processes. In this study, we demonstrate that it is possible to distinguish between pyrogenic anhydrite derived from biological versus geological sources. To do so, we conducted controlled heating experiments on geological and synthetic calcium sulfates, as well as on various tamarisk tissues, including bark, green branches, and woody parts. These experiments enabled us to quantify changes in chemical composition, morphology, and atomic-scale structural disorder caused by heating. The structural disorder was assessed using a novel infrared spectroscopic approach we developed, which tracks changes in anhydrite vibrational bands. Our results indicate that the thick anhydrite layer in Qumran Cave 49 originated from the burning of green tamarisk branches circa 2800 years ago, providing new constraints on hydration processes in hyper-arid conditions. This conclusion is supported by evidence of disordered crystallinity, elevated sodium content, and irregular particle morphology of the crystals. The methodology presented here offers a new avenue for identifying the origin of calcium sulfate materials in archaeological contexts, including gypsum plaster found at sites distant from geological gypsum sources. It can help determine whether local biological sources were exploited or if geological materials were acquired through trade.
{"title":"Distinguishing biogenic from geogenic anhydrites in ash: a case study of Iron Age Qumran","authors":"Ilana Peters , Elisabetta Boaretto , Mark Cavanagh , Amos Frumkin , Ofer Sion , Yotam Asscher","doi":"10.1016/j.jas.2026.106477","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jas.2026.106477","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A white layer composed of anhydrite, a calcium sulfate mineral, was identified in an archaeological context within a cave near the Dead Sea, radiocarbon dated to the Iron Age period. Under ambient conditions, anhydrite typically hydrates to gypsum, rendering its retention a notably rare phenomenon in an archaeological setting. This prompted questions regarding both its preservation and origin. Certain plants, such as tamarisk, are known to produce calcium sulfate hemihydrate, which dehydrates to anhydrite when burned. Similarly, geogenic gypsum converts to anhydrite upon heating, as occurs in gypsum plaster production. Based on this, we hypothesized that the archaeological layer formed as a result of thermal processes. In this study, we demonstrate that it is possible to distinguish between pyrogenic anhydrite derived from biological versus geological sources. To do so, we conducted controlled heating experiments on geological and synthetic calcium sulfates, as well as on various tamarisk tissues, including bark, green branches, and woody parts. These experiments enabled us to quantify changes in chemical composition, morphology, and atomic-scale structural disorder caused by heating. The structural disorder was assessed using a novel infrared spectroscopic approach we developed, which tracks changes in anhydrite vibrational bands. Our results indicate that the thick anhydrite layer in Qumran Cave 49 originated from the burning of green tamarisk branches circa 2800 years ago, providing new constraints on hydration processes in hyper-arid conditions. This conclusion is supported by evidence of disordered crystallinity, elevated sodium content, and irregular particle morphology of the crystals. The methodology presented here offers a new avenue for identifying the origin of calcium sulfate materials in archaeological contexts, including gypsum plaster found at sites distant from geological gypsum sources. It can help determine whether local biological sources were exploited or if geological materials were acquired through trade.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50254,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science","volume":"186 ","pages":"Article 106477"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145978014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2026.106474
Solène Chevallier , Hannah F. James , Rebecca Peake , Christophe Snoeck , Estelle Herrscher
During the Bronze Age, the Upper Seine Valley, in northeastern France, was a dynamic region, at the confluence of two rivers and at the crossroads of two cultural entities. Initially aligned with the Atlantic cultural sphere, the area experienced an increasing influence from the Tumulus culture between the 14th and 11th centuries BCE. This interaction led to significant transformations in material culture and funerary practices, notably with cremations becoming the main rite. To understand the underlying factors behind these changes, the study focuses on human mobility and interactions during this period. Strontium isotope (87Sr/86Sr) analyses were conducted on 100 cremated human bones from eight archaeological sites in the Upper Seine Valley. In parallel, 96 modern plants were analysed to develop a high-density local bioavailable strontium isoscape. The results reveal the presence of two isotopically distinct human groups, each associated with different land-use strategies. While part of the population sourced their food from the southern Yonne river basin, others favoured the Seine-Yonne confluence area, suggesting structured patterns of resource acquisition. In addition, isotopic outliers indicate mobility between these groups, with one case likely reflecting maternal mobility during pregnancy. With a detailed local baseline and a method adapted to cremated remains, this study provides a refined understanding of population dynamics at the end of the Bronze Age. Working within a well-documented archaeological context and focusing on a restricted area enabled a new understanding of land-use dynamics in the Upper Seine Valley during a key period of cultural transition.
{"title":"Land management during the Bronze Age in the Upper Seine Valley (France): Isotopic evidence for selective land-use","authors":"Solène Chevallier , Hannah F. James , Rebecca Peake , Christophe Snoeck , Estelle Herrscher","doi":"10.1016/j.jas.2026.106474","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jas.2026.106474","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>During the Bronze Age, the Upper Seine Valley, in northeastern France, was a dynamic region, at the confluence of two rivers and at the crossroads of two cultural entities. Initially aligned with the Atlantic cultural sphere, the area experienced an increasing influence from the Tumulus culture between the 14th and 11th centuries BCE. This interaction led to significant transformations in material culture and funerary practices, notably with cremations becoming the main rite. To understand the underlying factors behind these changes, the study focuses on human mobility and interactions during this period. Strontium isotope (<sup>87</sup>Sr/<sup>86</sup>Sr) analyses were conducted on 100 cremated human bones from eight archaeological sites in the Upper Seine Valley. In parallel, 96 modern plants were analysed to develop a high-density local bioavailable strontium isoscape. The results reveal the presence of two isotopically distinct human groups, each associated with different land-use strategies. While part of the population sourced their food from the southern Yonne river basin, others favoured the Seine-Yonne confluence area, suggesting structured patterns of resource acquisition. In addition, isotopic outliers indicate mobility between these groups, with one case likely reflecting maternal mobility during pregnancy. With a detailed local baseline and a method adapted to cremated remains, this study provides a refined understanding of population dynamics at the end of the Bronze Age. Working within a well-documented archaeological context and focusing on a restricted area enabled a new understanding of land-use dynamics in the Upper Seine Valley during a key period of cultural transition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50254,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science","volume":"186 ","pages":"Article 106474"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145957354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2026.106473
Karen Hendrix , Swamy R. Adapa , Robert H. Tykot , Gregory O'Corry-Crowe , Andrea Vianello , Gloria C. Ferreira , Michael Decker , Rays H.Y. Jiang
Jerash (ancient Gerasa, in modern day Jordan) reached its demographic peak in the 3rd century CE with a population of roughly 25,000, but by the end of the 6th century this had declined to about 10,000, setting the stage for the urban vulnerabilities examined in this study. The W2 and W3 chambers of the Jerash hippodrome contain a densely layered mass burial of ∼230 individuals dating to the mid-6th to early 7th century AD. Through archaeological documentation, stable isotope analysis, and ancient DNA study, we present the first biomolecularly confirmed mass grave associated with the First Pandemic (Justinianic Plague) in the Eastern Mediterranean. The taphonomic pattern, rapid, high-density deposition with minimal funerary structuring, closely parallels catastrophic plague pits of the later medieval period, making Jerash a uniquely well-preserved example from Late Antiquity.
Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values from human bone collagen indicate diets dominated by C3 resources typical of the region. In contrast, oxygen isotope values from tooth enamel display a markedly wider range than those documented in long-term residential populations at Tell Dothan, Pella, or Faynan in the Levant. Although oxygen isotopes cannot specify geographic origin, the magnitude of variation, arising within a burial event deposited over only days or weeks, suggests that the individuals interred in the Jerash mass grave grew up in diverse childhood water ecologies. We interpret this pattern conservatively as evidence of heterogeneous lived experiences among the victims during the crisis.
Ancient DNA analysis has recently identified a single, uniform strain of Yersinia pestis, confirming a synchronous epidemic event. In this study, mitochondrial haplogroups H13 and L3e were detected among the victims and fall within the expected maternal diversity of the Byzantine Levant.
Taken together, the archaeological, isotopic, and genetic results establish Jerash as the earliest securely identified catastrophic plague burial in the Near East. The First Pandemic concentrated a potentially socially and geographically heterogeneous population into a single mortuary event, providing a rare empirical window into mobility, urban life, and vulnerability in Late Antiquity. Jerash thus offers a critical anchor point for reconstructing the demographic and epidemiological landscape of the early medieval Mediterranean.
{"title":"Bioarchaeological signatures during the Plague of Justinian (541–750 CE) in Jerash (ancient Gerasa), Jordan","authors":"Karen Hendrix , Swamy R. Adapa , Robert H. Tykot , Gregory O'Corry-Crowe , Andrea Vianello , Gloria C. Ferreira , Michael Decker , Rays H.Y. Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.jas.2026.106473","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jas.2026.106473","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Jerash (ancient Gerasa, in modern day Jordan) reached its demographic peak in the 3rd century CE with a population of roughly 25,000, but by the end of the 6th century this had declined to about 10,000, setting the stage for the urban vulnerabilities examined in this study. The W2 and W3 chambers of the Jerash hippodrome contain a densely layered mass burial of ∼230 individuals dating to the mid-6th to early 7th century AD. Through archaeological documentation, stable isotope analysis, and ancient DNA study, we present the first biomolecularly confirmed mass grave associated with the First Pandemic (Justinianic Plague) in the Eastern Mediterranean. The taphonomic pattern, rapid, high-density deposition with minimal funerary structuring, closely parallels catastrophic plague pits of the later medieval period, making Jerash a uniquely well-preserved example from Late Antiquity.</div><div>Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values from human bone collagen indicate diets dominated by C3 resources typical of the region. In contrast, oxygen isotope values from tooth enamel display a markedly wider range than those documented in long-term residential populations at Tell Dothan, Pella, or Faynan in the Levant. Although oxygen isotopes cannot specify geographic origin, the magnitude of variation, arising within a burial event deposited over only days or weeks, suggests that the individuals interred in the Jerash mass grave grew up in diverse childhood water ecologies. We interpret this pattern conservatively as evidence of heterogeneous lived experiences among the victims during the crisis.</div><div>Ancient DNA analysis has recently identified a single, uniform strain of <em>Yersinia pestis</em>, confirming a synchronous epidemic event. In this study, mitochondrial haplogroups H13 and L3e were detected among the victims and fall within the expected maternal diversity of the Byzantine Levant.</div><div>Taken together, the archaeological, isotopic, and genetic results establish Jerash as the earliest securely identified catastrophic plague burial in the Near East. The First Pandemic concentrated a potentially socially and geographically heterogeneous population into a single mortuary event, providing a rare empirical window into mobility, urban life, and vulnerability in Late Antiquity. Jerash thus offers a critical anchor point for reconstructing the demographic and epidemiological landscape of the early medieval Mediterranean.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50254,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science","volume":"186 ","pages":"Article 106473"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145962466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-10DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2026.106479
Danyang Ge , Chen Duan , Zhizhong Zhang , Hailun Zhang , Jiashuo Zhang , Jiaqi Jin , Ruiqi Zou , Quanchao Zhang , Xiaoting Jing , Jianing He , Chao Ning
The Xianbei were a prominent nomadic group in Chinese history, whose origins, cultural practices and subsistence strategies have long attracted scholarly attention. Despite previous studies, the genetic composition, migration history and integration of the Tuoba Xianbei into northern China remain poorly understood. To address these, we generated 39 ancient genomes, 66 stable carbon and nitrogen isotope measurements and 8 AMS radiocarbon dates from the Shanghuaju (SHJ) archaeological site in Datong, Shanxi, dating to the Pingcheng period of the Northern Wei dynasty. Our analyses reveal a complex genetic structure within the SHJ population, reflecting extensive admixture among local Han agriculturalists, ancient northeast Asian groups, Western Steppe herders and Near Eastern populations. While most individuals show ancestry related to Yellow River Basin populations, a subset retains genetic affinities with early Xianbei populations from the Greater Khingan Mountains, providing evidence for partial continuity with their ancestral lineage and supporting historical accounts of the Tuoba Xianbei's Donghu origin. Several individuals exhibit detectable Near Eastern ancestry, consistent with long-distance gene flow along the Eurasian Steppe during the Northern Wei dynasty. Stable isotope analyses indicate a predominantly C4-based diet supplemented with moderate animal protein, with males and females showing minor differences in intake, reflecting potential sex-biased dietary patterns. These findings highlight the high genetic diversity of the SHJ population and illustrate how migration, admixture and cultural integration shaped the demographic, dietary and cultural landscape of the Tuoba Xianbei in northern China.
{"title":"Multidisciplinary analysis reveals genetic heterogeneity and millet farmer ancestry in late Xianbei individuals","authors":"Danyang Ge , Chen Duan , Zhizhong Zhang , Hailun Zhang , Jiashuo Zhang , Jiaqi Jin , Ruiqi Zou , Quanchao Zhang , Xiaoting Jing , Jianing He , Chao Ning","doi":"10.1016/j.jas.2026.106479","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jas.2026.106479","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Xianbei were a prominent nomadic group in Chinese history, whose origins, cultural practices and subsistence strategies have long attracted scholarly attention. Despite previous studies, the genetic composition, migration history and integration of the Tuoba Xianbei into northern China remain poorly understood. To address these, we generated 39 ancient genomes, 66 stable carbon and nitrogen isotope measurements and 8 AMS radiocarbon dates from the Shanghuaju (SHJ) archaeological site in Datong, Shanxi, dating to the Pingcheng period of the Northern Wei dynasty. Our analyses reveal a complex genetic structure within the SHJ population, reflecting extensive admixture among local Han agriculturalists, ancient northeast Asian groups, Western Steppe herders and Near Eastern populations. While most individuals show ancestry related to Yellow River Basin populations, a subset retains genetic affinities with early Xianbei populations from the Greater Khingan Mountains, providing evidence for partial continuity with their ancestral lineage and supporting historical accounts of the Tuoba Xianbei's Donghu origin. Several individuals exhibit detectable Near Eastern ancestry, consistent with long-distance gene flow along the Eurasian Steppe during the Northern Wei dynasty. Stable isotope analyses indicate a predominantly C<sub>4</sub>-based diet supplemented with moderate animal protein, with males and females showing minor differences in intake, reflecting potential sex-biased dietary patterns. These findings highlight the high genetic diversity of the SHJ population and illustrate how migration, admixture and cultural integration shaped the demographic, dietary and cultural landscape of the Tuoba Xianbei in northern China.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50254,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science","volume":"186 ","pages":"Article 106479"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145978013","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study presents a methodological framework for early-stage archaeological landscape interpretation using light detection and ranging sensors (LiDAR) mounted to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). By integrating high-resolution digital terrain models (DTMs), topographic measurements, k-means clustering, and field validation, the approach moves beyond traditional LiDAR applications for feature detection and towards a usage in preliminary classification and interpretation. Applied to the Euganean Hills in northeastern Italy, a geochemically diverse volcanic region with an extensive history of stone material procurement, this method enabled the identification of 89 potential quarry features, of which 84.9 % of surveyed features were validated as quarries or anthropogenic cuts. Analysis of the region's quarry morphologies and distribution produced several distinct quarry groupings suggestive of phases of exploitation and two case study sites ideal for future provenance research on Euganean volcanic breccias, whose use in Roman construction is known but whose sourced quarries have yet to be identified. Clustering analysis of spatial and morphometric variables indicated the heterogeneity of quarries in the region, differentiated modern and premodern sites, and provided statistical support for the grouping of quarries. These findings demonstrate the interpretive potential of UAV LiDAR in contexts where manned airborne laser scanning (ALS) data is insufficient for confident archaeological analysis and where comprehensive archaeological surveys are impeded by terrain. Beyond this regional case study, the framework offers a high-resolution, cost-effective workflow applicable to rugged, forested landscapes where rapid interpretation of anthropogenic features is needed to inform broader research design like geoarchaeological research or excavation strategies.
{"title":"Enhancing quarry landscape interpretation with UAV LiDAR and morphometric clustering: A case study from the Euganean Hills, Italy","authors":"Josiah Olah , Cristiano Miele , Matthew Tryc , Filippo Carraro , Simone Dilaria , Jacopo Turchetto , Sebastiano Chiodini , Caterina Previato , Jacopo Bonetto , Michele Secco","doi":"10.1016/j.jas.2026.106478","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jas.2026.106478","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents a methodological framework for early-stage archaeological landscape interpretation using light detection and ranging sensors (LiDAR) mounted to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). By integrating high-resolution digital terrain models (DTMs), topographic measurements, k-means clustering, and field validation, the approach moves beyond traditional LiDAR applications for feature detection and towards a usage in preliminary classification and interpretation. Applied to the Euganean Hills in northeastern Italy, a geochemically diverse volcanic region with an extensive history of stone material procurement, this method enabled the identification of 89 potential quarry features, of which 84.9 % of surveyed features were validated as quarries or anthropogenic cuts. Analysis of the region's quarry morphologies and distribution produced several distinct quarry groupings suggestive of phases of exploitation and two case study sites ideal for future provenance research on Euganean volcanic breccias, whose use in Roman construction is known but whose sourced quarries have yet to be identified. Clustering analysis of spatial and morphometric variables indicated the heterogeneity of quarries in the region, differentiated modern and premodern sites, and provided statistical support for the grouping of quarries. These findings demonstrate the interpretive potential of UAV LiDAR in contexts where manned airborne laser scanning (ALS) data is insufficient for confident archaeological analysis and where comprehensive archaeological surveys are impeded by terrain. Beyond this regional case study, the framework offers a high-resolution, cost-effective workflow applicable to rugged, forested landscapes where rapid interpretation of anthropogenic features is needed to inform broader research design like geoarchaeological research or excavation strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50254,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science","volume":"186 ","pages":"Article 106478"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145927077","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2026.106476
Qian Wu , Qiong Zhang , Bingjian Zhang , Yulan Hu
The Forbidden City (Imperial Palace), the imperial architectural complex of the Ming and Qing dynasties, has stood for over six centuries since its completion in 1420. The mortar used in its construction—an organic-inorganic composite—played a crucial role in the preservation of these ancient structures. Traditional mortars often incorporated organic additives such as glutinous rice. Was glutinous rice used in the construction of the Forbidden City? Although previous enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) studies detected branched-chain amylopectin additives in the mortar—suggesting the possible use of glutinous rice—conclusive molecular evidence was lacking. However, the identification is complicated by the fact that other starchy plants (e.g., millet) produce similar amylopectin. This challenge is compounded by the geographic context, as Beijing is not a historic cultivation area for glutinous rice. DNA analysis can provide direct molecular evidence to confirm whether glutinous rice or other sticky plants were used. Glutinous rice, exhibits a low-amylose phenotype resulting from a 23 bp insertion in the second exon of the Waxy (Wx) gene. This locus has been confirmed as a key molecular marker for distinguishing between glutinous and non-glutinous varieties.This study aimed to provide direct molecular evidence to determine whether glutinous rice or other sticky plants were used in the mortar of the Forbidden City. Using universal primers, we amplified barcode fragments containing this mutation region via DNA barcode technology. We analyzed the mortar samples collected from Yangxindian and Lingzhao Xuan in the Forbidden City,and the results confirmed showed that glutinous rice was present in five samples from different locations. This indicates that, despite Beijing not being a traditional glutinous rice-producing region, royal construction projects during the Ming and Qing dynasties consistently employed glutinous rice as an organic additive in mortar—a finding consistent with historical records such as the Precedents of the Grand Qing Code.This study provides the first molecular biological evidence confirming the use of glutinous rice in the mortar of the Forbidden City. Accurately identifying the components of historic adhesives helps preserve the original information and value of cultural heritage and supports the principle of “repairing the old as it was” in conservation practice. The findings hold significant value for the restoration and preservation of the ancient architectural complex of the Palace Museum.
{"title":"Detection of rice-based additives in the Forbidden City's historical mortar using DNA barcoding technology","authors":"Qian Wu , Qiong Zhang , Bingjian Zhang , Yulan Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.jas.2026.106476","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jas.2026.106476","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Forbidden City (Imperial Palace), the imperial architectural complex of the Ming and Qing dynasties, has stood for over six centuries since its completion in 1420. The mortar used in its construction—an organic-inorganic composite—played a crucial role in the preservation of these ancient structures. Traditional mortars often incorporated organic additives such as glutinous rice. Was glutinous rice used in the construction of the Forbidden City? Although previous enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) studies detected branched-chain amylopectin additives in the mortar—suggesting the possible use of glutinous rice—conclusive molecular evidence was lacking. However, the identification is complicated by the fact that other starchy plants (e.g., millet) produce similar amylopectin. This challenge is compounded by the geographic context, as Beijing is not a historic cultivation area for glutinous rice. DNA analysis can provide direct molecular evidence to confirm whether glutinous rice or other sticky plants were used. Glutinous rice, exhibits a low-amylose phenotype resulting from a 23 bp insertion in the second exon of the Waxy (Wx) gene. This locus has been confirmed as a key molecular marker for distinguishing between glutinous and non-glutinous varieties.This study aimed to provide direct molecular evidence to determine whether glutinous rice or other sticky plants were used in the mortar of the Forbidden City. Using universal primers, we amplified barcode fragments containing this mutation region via DNA barcode technology. We analyzed the mortar samples collected from Yangxindian and Lingzhao Xuan in the Forbidden City,and the results confirmed showed that glutinous rice was present in five samples from different locations. This indicates that, despite Beijing not being a traditional glutinous rice-producing region, royal construction projects during the Ming and Qing dynasties consistently employed glutinous rice as an organic additive in mortar—a finding consistent with historical records such as the Precedents of the Grand Qing Code.This study provides the first molecular biological evidence confirming the use of glutinous rice in the mortar of the Forbidden City. Accurately identifying the components of historic adhesives helps preserve the original information and value of cultural heritage and supports the principle of “repairing the old as it was” in conservation practice. The findings hold significant value for the restoration and preservation of the ancient architectural complex of the Palace Museum.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50254,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science","volume":"186 ","pages":"Article 106476"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145927078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2025.106462
Janaína N. Ávila , Arkadiusz Sołtysiak , Christine Austin , Hojjat Darabi , Nicole D. Leonard , Hassan Fazeli Nashli , Ian S. Williams , Jian-xin Zhao , Tanya M. Smith
Previous studies have demonstrated that enamel oxygen isotope values (δ18O) reflect rainfall variability experienced by wild primates and ancient humans, providing insights into local climatic conditions. However, it remains less clear whether seasonal patterns can be consistently detected in premodern human communities experiencing different local water dynamics, or how these patterns may vary regionally. Here we present 1958 ion microprobe δ18O measurements linked to enamel growth increments in 15 molars from 13 individuals, representing a combined total of 48 years of enamel formation sampled at approximately weekly resolution. We additionally integrate 87Sr/86Sr and trace-element datasets, contextualized by the δ18O enamel profiles, to assess seasonal adaptation and the likelihood that observed isotopic patterns reflect local rather than non-local signatures. Our dataset spans three Neolithic archaeological sites characterized by distinct water sources: Ali Kosh, Iran (ca. 7,500–6,500 cal BCE); Nemrik 9, Iraq (ca. 8,000–6,500 BCE); and Tepe Sialk North, Iran (ca. 5,800–4,900 BCE). Individuals from Ali Kosh exhibited the highest δ18O values in the dataset along with substantial intra-individual variability, consistent with reliance on evaporatively enriched transient and isotopically diverse water sources—possibly shaped by local mobility or water management strategies. In contrast, individuals from Nemrik 9 displayed clear, large-amplitude annual cycles in their enamel δ18O values, a pattern consistent with a settlement situated near a perennial river subjected to pronounced climatic seasonality. Tepe Sialk North individuals exhibited the lowest δ18O variability, consistent with consumption of isotopically buffered sources such as springs or artesian-fed systems. Predicted drinking water δ18O values for most of the Nemrik 9 and Ali Kosh individuals align well with modern regional rainfall isotope values, while those from Tepe Sialk North underestimate local precipitation δ18O values, as expected for groundwater-fed sources. Additionally, site-specific seasonal patterns were observed in Ba/Ca and Li/Ca elemental ratios, likely shaped by the interplay of regional geology and hydrology. Together, our findings provide valuable insights into Neolithic water access strategies in arid regions, while also underscoring the limitations of identifying bioarchaeological migrants based solely on δ18O values from tooth enamel.
{"title":"Seasonality and water source strategies in the Neolithic Near East (ca. 8,000–5,000 BCE): Insights from multi-proxy isotopic and elemental analyses","authors":"Janaína N. Ávila , Arkadiusz Sołtysiak , Christine Austin , Hojjat Darabi , Nicole D. Leonard , Hassan Fazeli Nashli , Ian S. Williams , Jian-xin Zhao , Tanya M. Smith","doi":"10.1016/j.jas.2025.106462","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jas.2025.106462","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Previous studies have demonstrated that enamel oxygen isotope values (δ<sup>18</sup>O) reflect rainfall variability experienced by wild primates and ancient humans, providing insights into local climatic conditions. However, it remains less clear whether seasonal patterns can be consistently detected in premodern human communities experiencing different local water dynamics, or how these patterns may vary regionally. Here we present 1958 ion microprobe δ<sup>18</sup>O measurements linked to enamel growth increments in 15 molars from 13 individuals, representing a combined total of 48 years of enamel formation sampled at approximately weekly resolution. We additionally integrate <sup>87</sup>Sr/<sup>86</sup>Sr and trace-element datasets, contextualized by the δ<sup>18</sup>O enamel profiles, to assess seasonal adaptation and the likelihood that observed isotopic patterns reflect local rather than non-local signatures. Our dataset spans three Neolithic archaeological sites characterized by distinct water sources: Ali Kosh, Iran (ca. 7,500–6,500 cal BCE); Nemrik 9, Iraq (ca. 8,000–6,500 BCE); and Tepe Sialk North, Iran (ca. 5,800–4,900 BCE). Individuals from Ali Kosh exhibited the highest δ<sup>18</sup>O values in the dataset along with substantial intra-individual variability, consistent with reliance on evaporatively enriched transient and isotopically diverse water sources—possibly shaped by local mobility or water management strategies. In contrast, individuals from Nemrik 9 displayed clear, large-amplitude annual cycles in their enamel δ<sup>18</sup>O values, a pattern consistent with a settlement situated near a perennial river subjected to pronounced climatic seasonality. Tepe Sialk North individuals exhibited the lowest δ<sup>18</sup>O variability, consistent with consumption of isotopically buffered sources such as springs or artesian-fed systems. Predicted drinking water δ<sup>18</sup>O values for most of the Nemrik 9 and Ali Kosh individuals align well with modern regional rainfall isotope values, while those from Tepe Sialk North underestimate local precipitation δ<sup>18</sup>O values, as expected for groundwater-fed sources. Additionally, site-specific seasonal patterns were observed in Ba/Ca and Li/Ca elemental ratios, likely shaped by the interplay of regional geology and hydrology. Together, our findings provide valuable insights into Neolithic water access strategies in arid regions, while also underscoring the limitations of identifying bioarchaeological migrants based solely on δ<sup>18</sup>O values from tooth enamel.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50254,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science","volume":"186 ","pages":"Article 106462"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145927076","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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