Journal of Archaeological Science最新文献

Natural terrestrial corridors have been shown to have influenced the positioning of past settlements. The scale at which this pattern-process relationship operates is often un-estimated and thus remains unclear. This paper proposes the comparison of multiple point process models as an approach for estimating the optimal scale at which this relationship is strongest. With this approach, it is revealed that the positioning of Roman forts used during the conquest of Wales was most influenced by natural terrestrial corridors at a scale of 1,100m. At this scale, the Roman army stationed at these forts could control natural corridors – both via on-the-ground response as well as through overseeing movements by the native communities of Wales. Comparing multiple scenarios, it is also shown that the control of river-systems did not influence the positioning of Roman forts at the expense of controlling these natural terrestrial corridors used by those on foot. With archaeological interpretations susceptible to change as a result of the scale at which this pattern-process relationship is measured, the estimation of the optimal scale is pivotal for non-biased inferences on the processes thought to have influenced the positioning of settlements in the past.

In China, it is a conclusive fact that domestic horses had already appeared by the Late Shang period. Regarding their utilisation by humans, osteological and pathological analyses have been carried out at multiple sites, but the spatial and temporal characteristics are still unclear, and the archaeological context of the horse bones can provide a perspective for examining this issue. In this study, we systematically collected archaeological and coexistence information of horse bones excavated in China from the Late Shang to the Warring States periods (1300–200 BCE), and sorted out the horse equipment coexisting with the bones, and the burial treatment of horses. Subsequently, we analysed this information in the context of the geographic environment and the human subsistence strategies in northern China. The analysis results showed that, due to the influence of geography, livelihood conditions, and social development, horses were mainly used for pulling chariots in the farming societies of the monsoon region during the pre-Qin period, and for riding in the nomadic societies of the arid region. The burial treatment of horses was mainly the whole-horse burial in the monsoon zone, and the partial-bone burial in the arid region.

Lothal is situated approximately 30 km inland from the Gulf of Khambhat on the western coast of India in Gujarat. It served as a bustling port during the Bronze Age Harappan period (2600 BCE to 1900 BCE) and was connected to a series of Harappan production and distribution centres dotted along the Gulf of Kachchh and the Rann of Kachchh. Artefacts of foreign nature found in Lothal attest to its intercultural trade relation. Further, Lothal is renowned for its well-preserved brick-walled dockyard and warehouse. However, different views for and against the dockyard are available in archaeological literature. This study revisits the dockyard theory from the landscape perspective and integrates information extracted from early maps, multi-spectral and multi-temporal satellite data of different spatial resolutions, and Digital Elevation Models to understand the larger context of the palaeolandscape around Lothal, including both fluvial and coastal areas. The findings offer fresh perspectives on the hydrographic dynamics of the region, highlighting an evident direct connection between Lothal and the former course of River Sabarmati, one of the major rivers in Gujarat that currently flows 20 km east of Lothal. The reconstruction of the palaeolandscape, both fluvial and coastal, complements and verifies certain interpretations related to the dockyard theory, partially bridging the ‘credibility gap’ in the broader discussion and strengthening the arguments in favour of the dockyard theory. Additionally, the study underscores the significance of integrating various types of geospatial data to understand past landscapes. Further investigation of the reconstructed palaeolandscape, particularly the complex hydrographic network including rivers and creeks, of this historically important region has the potential to contribute to new insights into existing archaeological and geomorphological interpretations and may guide us about the past human adaptation to the natural dynamics.

The origin of the lead materials containing highly radiogenic lead (HRL) isotopes found in bronzes dating back to the 4th–2nd century BCE in Korea and Japan remains enigmatic. The lead isotope analysis conducted on 111 bronzes, slags, and lead ores from Shandong, China, has provided valuable insights into the establishment of the metal trade network in Northeast Asia. The findings reveal a notable transition in the source of lead material used in Shandong from the early to the middle and late Warring States periods. Initially, Shandong bronzes heavily relied on imported lead materials from Central China; however, during the middle and late Warring States periods, there was a shift towards the utilization of HRL (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb range: 18.6–23.1) and lead with low ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios, which were uncommon in other regions of China contemporaneously. The isochron relationship (2.29 Ga) between the ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb-²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb of the HRL bronzes from Shandong, Japan-Korea, and the HRL lead ores of the Xiliang lead mine in Yishui, Shandong, demonstrates a strong correlation, suggesting that the HRL metal materials prevalent in Northeast Asia during the 4th–2nd century BCE likely originated from the Tai-Yi Mountains in Shandong Province.

Methods for provenancing copper, lead, and silver using the isotopic composition of lead are well-established. Lead isotope analysis holds promise for the study of tin metal as well, as long as one accounts for the U-Th-Pb systematics of cassiterite (SnO₂) and chaîne opératoire of tin production. Although Precambrian cassiterite may contain 10s of ppm Pb or more (predominantly radiogenic ²⁰⁶Pb), Phanerozoic examples typically contain only a few parts per million Pb. However, all but one of the 133 raw tin ingots excavated from European Bronze Age shipwrecks contains more Pb than could have come from cassiterite alone, as do six of the twelve analyzed tin objects interpreted to have been derived from the ores of southern Africa. Accordingly, almost all tin objects must contain Pb from external cassiterite sources and interpretation of LIA must account for this contamination. The nature of the contaminant (sulfides, U-Th-bearing minerals, silicates) can be inferred from patterns in Pb concentration and LI values. The 3 major sources of Pb that can typically be identified in tin artifacts are original Pb from the tin ore, radiogenic Pb produced in-situ due to U decay, and external Pb added during the cassiterite smelting and ingot production. As cassiterite has high U/Pb but low Th/Pb, the ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb may be representative of the initial Pb incorporated in the mineral. This is assuming either that no external Pb is added during the ore processing or that the added Pb is from coeval sulfides from the same Pb ore provenance. In such cases 208Pb/204 Pb can be used to estimate a Pb model age, which in turn can be used for provenance estimate of the ingots. If the addition of Pb is from U-Th-mineral contaminants to the ore concentrate, then this will also increase ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and point to erroneously young model Pb ages. In such cases, the problem would be evident in positively correlated values of ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb. If Pb concentrations are above a certain threshold (approximately 5 ppm). LIA typical common Pb isotope ratios will be clear indication that external, non-cassiterite Pb, is added to the tin artifact. This tin could be from impurities in the ore (e.g., inclusions in cassiterite, impurities in the ore concentrate, or added during ore smelting and/or metal processing. Overall, elevated Pb concentrations accompanied with non-radiogenic Pb isotopes typical for common Pb, is a clear indication that significant amount of external (contaminant) Pb is added to the tin artifact.

Chronic frontal sinusitis (CFS) has afflicted humanity throughout history and continues to be a significant global health issue today. In bioarchaeology, sinusitis is often diagnosed through the identification of bone alterations within the maxillary sinus cavities by macroscopic and/or endoscopic examination. However, due to the inaccessible nature of frontal sinuses, CFS specifically has not been studied extensively archaeologically yet. This paper aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of diagnosing CFS through computed tomography (CT), highlighting the potential of radiographical imaging for future advancements in paleopathological research.

We conducted a CT examination of 41 crania from the rural community of Middenbeemster, the Netherlands (AD 1829–1866) to assess the presence of CFS. Criteria for identifying CFS included bone formation and/or thickening of the sinus walls. Our analysis revealed that 14 individuals (34.1%) exhibited signs of CFS in one or both frontal sinuses. We found that males exhibited a slightly higher CFS prevalence (38%) than females (32%), although no significant correlation between sex and sinusitis occurrence was found. This lack of correlation suggests equal exposure to risk factors (e.g., indoor air quality, environmental pollution, allergens, and cold weather) among both sexes.

To our knowledge, this study is the first of its kind to confirm the presence of CFS through CT scanning in an archaeological skeletal collection. It demonstrates that computed tomography allows for a straightforward and non-destructive detection of sinusitis in archaeological assemblages. Considering the currently limited bioarchaeological research on frontal sinusitis, our findings should be considered relevant and promising for future osteoarcheological studies on upper respiratory diseases.

Cocaine hydrochloride salts are one of the most commonly used drugs of our days, yet there is very little hard evidence regarding when people started consuming such an extensively popular drug in Europe. In this paper, we report the exceptional finding of Erythroxylum spp. in human remains dated to the 1600's in Milan, Italy.

Toxicological analyses were performed on preserved human brains revealing the first evidence of Erythroxylum spp. use in Europe before the 19th century, backdating our understanding of the presence of the plant by almost two centuries. Specifically, the alkaloid of cocaine was detected in two separate biological samples and can be associated to Erythroxylum spp. consumption. Given that the plant was not listed inside the detailed hospital pharmacopeia, it may not have been given as a medicinal remedy but may have been used for other purposes. This study demonstrates the importance and the potential of the application of toxicological analyses to archaeological contexts and allows to backdate the arrival of the Erythroxylum spp. in Europe by almost two hundred years.

How food globalization in the Bronze Age influenced the economies and societies of regions along the Eurasian continent has attracted widespread attention. As an integral part of this food globalization, previous studies have focused on the impact of the westwards spread of millet crops on the human populations of East-Central Eurasia. However, the relationship between millet crops and key subsistence economies, such as animal husbandry, which humans rely on in East-Central Eurasia, remains unclear. Here, we carry out a new stable isotope study of 68 domesticated faunal bones from Bronze Age Jirentai Goukou site, Xinjiang, and combine about 1500 published stable isotope data of human and faunal bones to explore systemically the relationship between animal husbandry and millet agriculture in Bronze Age East-Central Eurasia. Our study reveals first the integration of animal husbandry and millet agriculture in Bronze Age Xinjiang, which is indicated by the adoption of C₄ millet byproducts to feed domesticated sheep/goats and cattle. Further wide-range stable isotopic analysis in Bronze Age East-Central Eurasia highlights the existence of two different patterns in the relationship between animal husbandry and millet agriculture: the Central Plains pattern and the Inner Asia pattern. These differences can be expressed clearly in several aspects, including the species of domesticated herbivores fed, the degree, method and seasonality of feeding sheep/goats and cattle, and the composition of fodder. On this basis, the possible reasons for the different patterns in the relationship between millet agriculture and animal husbandry in East-Central Eurasia are further explored, such as the different histories of agricultural and pastoral development between the Central Plains and Inner Asia, the distinct characteristics of agriculture and pastoralism (sedentary and mobile), and the specific social, economic/political and geographical environments. Our study provides important information for understanding the specific impact of the globalization of millet agriculture on the animal husbandry economy in Bronze Age Eurasia.

In recent years, the field of archaeological dermatoglyphics has sought to use the ridges of ancient fingerprint impressions to infer demographic information about their creators. Although such a pursuit is inherently challenging, a recent method used in publications (the “Age-Sex Identification Matrix'' approach) relies on flawed assumptions that produce unacceptably inaccurate results. Among other issues, basic mathematics, the literature cited as ostensibly supporting this method, and even the authors’ own published data contradict fundamental assumptions underlying their approach. The two types of fingerprint measurements used in the Age-Sex Identification Matrix approach as proxies for age and sex respectively—mean ridge breadth (distance per ridge) and ridge density (ridges per distance)—are reciprocal values that are not independent. Additionally, in opposition to the methodological thesis of this approach, the previous studies cited in support of this method demonstrate, on the contrary, that both age and sex vary with both mean ridge breadth and ridge density. The published data used in this method also highlight the non-independent nature of the two measures. We caution other researchers to disregard the results of these studies until the data are re-analyzed with a more accurate methodology. Finally, we offer a methodology from the field of Bayesian statistics as an alternative that is able to disentangle the effects of age and sex on fingerprint ridge measurements.

A comprehensive analytical protocol was undertaken to elucidate the yellow colorants employed in wall paintings from the Kizil Grottoes, the Taojia Tomb, the Baiyangzhai Tomb, and polychrome figurines from the Astana Tombs, all positioned along the historical Silk Road and dating to the 6th-10th centuries AD. To unequivocally identify these colorants, multi-analytical techniques were deployed, encompassing digital microscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), micro-Raman spectroscopy, and ultra-performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Triple TOF-MS/MS). This comprehensive approach facilitated the unambiguous identification of both inorganic pigments, specifically vanadinite, and plant-derived colorants, including gamboge (Garcinia sp.) and Chinese cork tree (Phellodendron chinense), within these archaeological artifacts. These findings not only significantly enhance our scientific understanding of the materials and techniques utilized in the creation of these wall paintings and polychrome figurines, but also shed light on the vibrant exchange of materials and technological advancements that flourished along the ancient Silk Road.