Journal of Archaeological Science最新文献

Archaeological data provide a potential to investigate the diffusion of technological and cultural traits. However, much of this research agenda currently needs more formal quantitative methods to address small sample sizes and chronological uncertainty. This paper introduces a novel Bayesian framework for inferring the shape of diffusion curves using radiocarbon data associated with the presence/absence of a particular innovation. We developed two distinct approaches: 1) a hierarchical model that enables the fitting of an s-shaped diffusion curve whilst accounting for inter-site variations in the probability of sampling the innovation itself, and 2) a non-parametric model that can estimate the changing proportion of the innovation across user-defined time-blocks. The robustness of the two approaches was first tested against simulated datasets and then applied to investigate three case studies, the first pair on the diffusion of farming in prehistoric Japan and Britain and the third on cycles of changes in the burial practices of later prehistoric Britain.

The chemical diagenesis and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of the Palaeolithic sequence of Theopetra Cave have been studied extensively, but little information is available regarding the details of its combustion structures. The cave is characterized by extensive beds of multi-sequence combustion layers dated between 140 and 50 ka BP, and thick, often stratigraphically complex bodies of ash and charred remains dated between 16 and 13 ka BP. All combustion features contain large amounts of charred and partially charred fibrous organic matter of non-wood plant material and very little charcoal. The structure, fabric, composition, and chemistry of these remains suggest that a mixture of peat and dung was used as a fuel, occasionally enriched with amounts of wood fuel. The integrity of the sequence of combustion structures precludes the possibility that dung was produced by animals inside the cave as their traffic on its wet substrate would have destroyed the burnt layers and homogenized the sediment. The mixture of peat and dung was most likely collected from peatlands associated with swamps of the former so called Karditsa Lake that probably existed in the area until the beginning of the Holocene. Peat and dung were used as a fuel when wood fuel was not available, during the relatively cold intervals of the glacial periods, but also during the last interglacial when the area close to the cave was wooded. Of great interest is that this same fuel was used during both the Middle and the Upper Palaeolithic, presumably by different human species. Although Theopetra appears to be the first site that peat and dung was used as a fuel during the Middle Palaeolithic, it is suggested that other sites may have used this fuel as well. This has important consequences in understanding the evolution of human pyrotechnology particularly during glacial periods.

Previous approaches to earthquakes in archaeology, characterizing the geoarchaeological subfield archaeoseismology, have focused on types of seismic destructions and anti-seismic constructions in architectural remains. A challenge often raised in archaeoseismology relates to issues of equifinality since other human or environmental factors can also cause the archaeoseismc types in question. Furthermore, geological markers of earthquakes are rarely identified directly, i.e., stratigraphically, with archaeoseismic evidence. To address these challenges, this paper offers a methodological innovation through the geoarchaeological subfield of soil micromorphology to investigate earthquakes in the form of seismically triggered soft sediment deformation structures (SSDS) in direct stratigraphic association with architecture. Applications to the case of Helike in Greece — infamous victim of a major earthquake in 373 BCE — reveal not only key evidence for three earthquake events in the form of seismically triggered SSDS but also other geological hazards, including flooding and rapid coastal change, in association with Hellenistic period (late fourth to second century BCE) architecture. The results offer advancements for archaeology and suggest that geoarchaeology and soil micromorphology applications become standard in archaeology, particularly archaeoseismology, for the identification and interpretation of earthquakes. These advancements offer new avenues for exploring geological aspects of the human past.

Lead Isotope Analysis (LIA) has been applied most often as a means of provenancing copper at the macro scale. Here we use LIA at the regional scale to expose the relationship between long-distance communication and local metal management strategies. We conducted lead isotope and chemical analysis on 82 objects and ingots from Late Bronze Age hoards of the south Carpathian Basin, a node in long distance networks. From a social perspective, results indicate the presence of a community of practice of metalworkers that went beyond socio-political boundaries. Analyses of ingots demonstrate that communities imported copper from a variety of distant sources, but local circulation and specific mixing and recycling practices created a characteristic chemical signature unique to this region. Moreover, metalworkers' choices of copper sources were tailored to specific object types. From an analytical perspective, we demonstrated that the frequent mixing of copper from different sources with varying lead concentrations to make objects resulted in the masking of LIA signatures for some sources – we termed these ‘ghost fractions’ in mixtures – by others with more lead.

Birch bark tar was used extensively throughout human history. While later ceramic-based production technologies are known, prehistoric aceramic techniques leave little to no archaeological evidence. Experimental tar production attempts to fill this gap and suggest potential techniques. However, their archaeological relevance is unclear. Through an in-depth biomolecular analysis using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, this study attempts to differentiate tars produced using four experimental aceramic techniques: condensation, ash mound, pit roll, and raised structure. In doing so we publish the largest collection of GC-MS results of aceramic birch tars. The results show that pentacyclic triterpenoids, characteristic of birch bark, vary between the production techniques in relation to heating exposure and perhaps the tar collection method. This allows for a tentative identification of tars produced through the condensation and ash mound techniques, which were formed consistently using short periods of heating and collected systematically by scraping. In contrast, tars produced using the pit roll and raised structure techniques do not have consistent molecular signatures. Despite the partial success of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, the archaeological relevance is questioned because this technique is only applicable to samples from optimum lipid preservation conditions when a high number of pentacyclic triterpenoids are preserved. Therefore, using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry to determine the transformation methods of organics, like birch bark, may not be an appropriate standalone technique to fairly discuss the technological capabilities of past populations.

Anemia is a globally significant condition, both today and throughout history. Studying how it affected past communities contributes to understanding its impact on vulnerable groups. However, anemia diagnosis in skeletal remains is challenging, and improving methods for diagnosis is necessary for moving forward. In current clinical practice, sternal bone marrow undergoes anemia-related changes, which could affect underlying bone structure, but the sternum has never been investigated as a skeletal marker of anemia. We used a cohort of individuals with known hematological data (N = 23) to investigate whether there are quantitative bone changes in the sternum of individuals clinically diagnosed with anemia. Sternal bone features were measured using CT imaging to calculate a ratio of the relative cortical bone to trabecular space sample. The sample was separated into non-anemic and anemic cohorts based on World Health Organization diagnostic parameters. We found significant differences in ratios between those with and without anemia, suggesting that sternal bone ratio measurements could be used as a diagnostic parameter. In individuals without clinically-diagnosed anemia, ratios never exceeded 3.6 in the manubrium and 2.3 in the sternal body. We repeated these ratio measurements using micro-CT analysis on a sample of archaeological sternums and found that the ratio diagnostic parameter could also be used in this sample to identify those who could have experienced anemia. These results demonstrate the utility of quantitative methods for diagnosing anemia in skeletal remains and suggest that sternal ratio measurements can be used as part of anemia diagnosis in past contexts.

Neanderthal diet has been on the spotlight of paleoanthropological research for many years. The majority of studies that tried to reconstruct the diet of Neanderthals were based on the analysis of zooarchaeological remains, stable isotopes, dental calculus and dental microwear patterns. In the past few years, there have been a few studies that linked dental macrowear patterns of Neanderthals and modern humans to diet and cultural habits. However, they mostly focused on maxillary molars. Although mandibular molars have been widely used in microwear dietary research, little is known about their usage at the macroscopic scale to detect information about human subsistence strategies. In this study, we compare the macrowear patterns of Neanderthal (NEA), fossil Homo sapiens (FHS), modern hunter-gatherers (MHG), pastoralists, early farmers and Australian Aborigines from Yuendumu mandibular molars in order to assess their utility in collecting any possible information about dietary and cultural habits among diverse human groups. We use the occlusal fingerprint analysis method, a quantitative digital approach that has been successfully employed to reconstruct the diet of living non-human primates and past human populations. Our results show macrowear pattern differences between meat-eater MHG and EF groups. Moreover, while we did not find eco-geographical differences in the macrowear patterns of the fossil sample, we found statistically significant differences between NEA and FHS inhabiting steppe/coniferous forest. This latter result could be associated with the use of distinct technological complexes in these two species, which ultimately could have allowed modern humans to exploit natural resources in a different way compared to NEA.

Textiles unearthed along the Silk Road are important material evidence of the spread and exchange of cultures in ancient Eurasia. This paper examines fibers and natural dyes in archaeological textiles from the Wei and Jin dynasties (220–420 CE) unearthed in Bazhou, a major route in the Xinjiang region of the ancient Silk Road. Optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and proteomics analysis were used to examine and compare ancient and modern fibers. The result showed that the ancient textile samples tested consisted of silk, wool and cotton. Two species of silk were accurately identified, Bombyx mori silk and Bombyx mandarina silk. In addition, dyes were extracted from textile artifacts using a mild extraction method and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector and a mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS). As a result, the identified red dyes can be divided into plant dyes and insect dyes, such as Rubia cordifolia, Rubia tinctorum and Kermes vermilio. The yellow dyes identified were derived from plants such as Reseda luteola, Phellodendron chinense, Phellodendron amurense, Berberis spp. The blue dyes identified in these textiles indicate the presence of indigo. These dyes are not only local, but also many exotic dyes from central or eastern China, and even from the Mediterranean coast. This study reveals the diversity of fibers and natural dyes used in the historic Lop Nor area of Bazhou, providing insights into their species origination and distribution.

Glazed steatite beads represent one of the earliest vitreous materials, and their appearance and diffusion signal prehistoric important developments of technology exchange and globalization. However, little is known about their early spread in East Asia. In this study, we present a comprehensive characterization of glazed/fired steatite beads unearthed from the Xiaohe Cemetery (1980-1450 BCE) in northwest China using multi-analysis techniques. In particular, the potential of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for rapid and in situ characterization of fired steatite beads is demonstrated. The remaining glaze is successfully identified by SEM-EDS and optical photothermal infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy. The results indicate that these beads were fired and exhibit some connections with the Indus Valley, thereby proposing a potential spread route of artifacts and technology from the Indus Valley to northwest China. Moreover, the introduction of fired steatite beads and faience beads into China has presented different spread patterns, which were linked to climate change. When fired steatite and faience beads were introduced into central China, they played a significant role in the ritual revolution during the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 BCE).

Pollen-based quantitative vegetation reconstructions using multiple sedimentary basins from the same area, along with their quantified relevant pollen source areas, are a powerful means to study how long-term human impact has affected vegetation and shaped the currently protected heritage landscapes at different spatial scales. Our study presents the outcome of a palynological investigation in Karula Upland, south Estonia, for the last 6500 years. Centennial-resolution pollen records from one large (175 ha) and three small (5 ha) lakes, and one small bog (0.1 ha) were used to reconstruct the vegetation at different spatial scales using the Landscape Reconstruction Algorithm. The results are discussed in combination with archaeological sites and historical knowledge.

The first signs of small-scale forest clearings connected to local human settlements are already visible in the Middle Stone Age (3100–4100 BCE). The first finds of cereal pollen (2500 BCE) from Lake Ähijärv suggest that grain crops were introduced to south Estonia during the Late Stone Age. The evidence of local crop farming in Karula is traceable since the Bronze Age. The widespread practice of slash-and-burn agriculture led to a major shift in land-cover with replacement of old-growth forests with the early-successional birch, occupying long-term fallows, during Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age (700–250 BCE). A notable regression in farming is visible during the second part of the Early Iron Age (100–600 CE), with the most prominent change taking place around 500 CE, roughly coinciding with the 6th century Northern Hemisphere climate cooling and Migration Period. Permanent fields gained importance alongside slash-and-burn cultivation, during the Late Iron Age, ca 600–700 CE, shifting the vegetation composition towards more open land-cover. The ∼50 % open mosaic land-cover of the heritage landscape, protected today in Karula Upland, was formed during the Late Iron Age.

The current study shows that sedimentary basins as close as ca 2 km from each other sometimes tell different stories, highlighting the need to quantify the size of the pollen source area to combine successfully archaeological, historical, and palynological evidence. Quantitative pollen-based vegetation reconstructions provide an environmental context for known, and possibly unknown, archaeological evidence within the pollen source area.