Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences最新文献

Technological choices in pottery production, particularly the selection of raw materials, are much discussed for prehistoric periods but have received little scholarly attention in the case of Late Imperial China. In this paper, zisha teapots, which became China’s main tea preparation vessels over the course of the 15th–twentieth century, are presented as a case study to explore the complexity underlying potters’ raw material selection in historic periods. A total of 187 excavated zisha sherds was analysed using optical microscopy, semi-quantitative chemical analysis via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and ImageJ analysis of SEM backscatter spectrum images. These zisha sherds date from the Ming dynasty to the Republican period (1368–1949) and were recovered from Shushan kiln site. SEM–EDX analysis combined with image manipulation in ImageJ revealed changes in the clay recipe over time, including an increase in iron oxide variation and increasing fineness of clay particle sizes, suggesting an expanded colour range and refinement of the clay paste. Combining these findings with an examination of the geological setting of the mining locations, the clay procurement sequence, the clay-processing techniques used by the potters, and texts discussing clay colour and texture appreciation, this study demonstrates the complexity of the potters’ raw material choices in Late Imperial China and illustrates how these factors can be elucidated through a combination of scientific analysis of archaeological material, examination of geological samples, visual analysis, and reference to historical sources.

This study presents the analytical results of iron implements from Han tombs in the Youxian area of eastern Hunan, a region within the southern territories of the Han empire that has received limited attention in archaeological and archaeometallurgical research. The findings indicate that most of these objects were made using the solid-state decarburization of cast iron. Two objects containing slag inclusions were identified within the assemblage, though further study is required to confirm their manufacturing techniques. The results reveal a manufacturing system primarily based on cast iron technology. Despite the small sample size, comparison with analytical results from other areas in present-day Hunan demonstrates that iron implements from this region were predominantly manufactured using the solid-state decarburization of cast iron, with relatively scarce evidence of fined iron. This pattern contrasts with contemporary findings from Lingnan, which include not only bloomery iron but also a higher proportion of objects potentially related to fined iron. The factors underlying these regional variations are discussed, highlighting the importance of additional case studies to better understand the “mosaic” of the iron-making techniques across the southern frontiers of the Han empire.

This study investigates human behavior and site formation processes at the submerged fisher-hunter-gatherer’s camp of Ohalo II (ca. 23,500 − 22,500 cal BP). Combining breakage pattern analysis, use-wear studies, and contextual taphonomy, we analyze bladelets and microliths from three distinct contexts: a brush hut floor (Locus 1), an area with open-air hearths (Locus 7), and a small pit (Locus 8). Despite excellent preservation, artifacts show very high frequencies of breakage caused by intentional activities (e.g., knapping, tool use) and unintentional processes (e.g., trampling, accidental exposure to fire). Use-wear analysis reveals that bladelets and microliths were primarily used as projectile inserts, but also for processing wood, bone, and leather, indicating diverse domestic tasks. Spatial and functional analyses of the artifacts and of the various breakage patterns were used to identify activity locales: the floor of Locus 1 served as a multifunctional domestic space, showing evidence of intense trampling and exposure to fire; open air hearths in Locus 7 were focal locales of tool maintenance and wood-working, with primary refuse and secondary cleaning; and Locus 8, containing dense debris, is interpreted as a secondary dump. Our integrative methodology—linking functional, spatial, experimental, and taphonomic data—provides new insights into the details and sequences of a variety of past activities, their spatial distribution, and the interplay of multiple intentional and unintentional human actions affecting the flint assemblages. This approach offers a replicable framework for interpreting the causes of damage to delicate laminar elements, and for better understanding Epipalaeolithic open-air camps with structures and other features.

This study investigates copper ores from the Pre-Pottery Neolithic (PPN) site of Gre Fılla, Turkey, employing a multi-analytical approach to understand the challenges in characterizing altered archaeological materials. The chemical and mineralogical properties of seven copper ore fragments and the effects of burial alteration were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy SEM-EDS, handheld portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF), and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) to reconstruct their original composition. Results revealed a diverse assemblage of copper minerals, including copper oxides, sulphides, and mixed phases. Element maps visualized the distribution of Cu, Si, Ca, Al, and O, and SEM imaging revealed the micro-structural features of the matrix, including evidence of malachite dissolution and secondary patina formation. The patina of the samples is characterized by elevated Cu content, with XRD identifying malachite (Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂), quartz (SiO₂), calcite (CaCO₃), and magnetite (Fe₃O₄) among secondary phases. The diversity of copper minerals identified suggests that the inhabitants recognized and engaged with materials of different properties.

A group of copper-based artifacts in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, lacking clear archaeological provenance, has been attributed to early and pre-modern Islamic Iran based on their stylistic features and forms. To gain insight into the materials and metalworking techniques used in their production, these artifacts were subjected to microanalytical investigation. A non-invasive micro-XRF technique was employed to characterize the alloy composition of the artifacts and their decorative inlays. Additionally, the microstructure of a selected group of artifacts was examined using scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and metallography techniques. The results revealed that the artifacts were produced with a range of copper-based alloys, including leaded ternary (Cu-Zn-Sn-Pb), high-tin bronze, and brass. The inlays consisted of silver (alloyed with copper), impure copper, and alloyed gold. The leaded ternary artifacts exhibited a cored cast microstructure with evidence of cold-working and numerous large lead globules, while the tin bronze and brass artifacts displayed signs of the thermo-mechanical operations used to shape them. Based on these findings, Iranian copper-based metalworking in the Islamic period is shown to have employed a variety of compositions as well as a range of shaping and decorative techniques.

Canchas Uckro is one of several settlements surrounding the ceremonial and urban center of Chavín de Huántar (c. 1100 − 400 BCE). In this paper, we explore the relationship between these two sites through an archaeometric study of pottery production at Canchas Uckro (c. 1100 − 800 BCE). Specifically, we combine thin-section petrography and portable X-ray fluorescence to characterize technological style based on a sample of 56 sherds. Our analyses identified 12 distinct petro-groups, with most of the pottery (85% of the assemblage) reflecting two local technological styles. A small percentage of ceramic fine wares representing both geochemical and technological outliers (2–4%) point to probable interregional exchange, while a larger group of undecorated ceramics (~ 10%) suggests more frequent intraregional interactions. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that Canchas Uckro’s ceramic production was independent of Chavín de Huántar, with its inhabitants participating in distinct social and economic networks.

Multidisciplinary micro- and bioarchaeological analyses of late medieval deposits from suburban Cártama, Málaga, Spain, have, for the first time, confidently identified open air fumier deposits, which are supported by preliminary analysis of the faunal assemblage. This demonstrates that Andalusi livestock husbandry practices included periodically burning animal dung within corrals and pens, which is a long-standing practice in the Mediterranean region also observed in prehistoric transhumance. These techniques have commonly been applied to prehistoric fumier or pastoral sites and now demonstrate the importance of expanding micro- and bioarchaeological work to fumier sequences from other periods. This research from Cártama offers a window into the so-called medieval “Green Revolution” associated with Arab migrations and highlights the necessity of identifying in situ penning deposits on archaeological sites and of applying high resolution analyses to examine them. The analyses reveal data on animal feeds, including pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) which are rare in the Iberian Peninsula at this time, the use of plant resources in livestock husbandry, and the preparation of fertiliser, which are central to understanding farming practices in Al-Andalus.

The δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of human collagen from ancient human bones can be used to learn about sources of protein in their diet. Isotopic analysis was performed on collagen from the skeletal remains of people living along the Pacific Coast between Point Conception and western Los Angeles, as well as offshore islands and sites deeper inland beyond coastal mountain ranges. Graphs of the δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of these data produced line segments with little dispersion along these lines (average variance r² = 0.79 ± 0.14). This indicates that the diet of the people at each site consisted of mixtures of two principal components: marine mammals and fish; and terrestrial foods, mainly C₃ plant foods. There is no evidence of significant consumption of invertebrate marine foods (e.g., shellfish). As was previously shown by Walker and DeNiro (1986), people living on the islands favored consumption of marine foods. Because only two food components contributed to the diet, we could treat the data as one-dimensional arrays and determine the fraction of terrestrial and marine foods. At coastal sites most people consumed about 40% terrestrial foods while at island sites they consumed ~ 20% terrestrial foods. At sites deep inland (isolated from the sea by low mountain ranges) people consumed on average about 30–40% marine protein. This may represent either frequent migration to coastal regions or transport of fish to inland sites.

The behaviour, skills, and cognition of past hominins can be reconstructed from the traces of their technologies preserved in the archaeological record. Stone tools are one of the most abundant sources of this information. However, stone toolmaking expertise in the archaeological record is most frequently explored at the two extremes of skill, either the most remarkable feats of lithic technology, or the most obvious mistakes. Here, we instead explore knapper skill via the more frequent and more mundane aspects of lithic technology: unretouched flakes. We use a suite of 3D geometric methods to quantify higher versus lower skill in recurrent Levallois flakes. First, we demonstrate that these methods reliably differentiate the group of flakes made by an expert and an intermediate experimental knapper, and then we apply them to a pilot sample of recurrent Levallois flakes of three Middle Palaeolithic sites (Nesher Ramla, Qafzeh, and Kebara) belonging to three populations of Homo. Our results show that Middle Palaeolithic Levallois knapping was highly skilled, with careful control of Levallois flake volume, shape, edges, and symmetry. The Levallois flakes we examined from Kebara and Qafzeh were indistinguishable in how skilfully they were made, suggesting that, at least according to the metrics used here, these populations of Homo shared comparable levels of Levallois-making skill.

Black-and-white glass beads, designed to imitate banded agate beads, offer valuable insight into the history of ancient glass beadmaking. However, efforts to reconstruct ancient glass production techniques are hindered by a limited understanding of their chemical and physical properties. This study investigated several glass beads from the Phromthin Tai site, Central Thailand during the Iron Age (~ 2000 BP). Two different glass types were utilized (m-mixed-Ca-Al and m-Na-Ca-Al). Tin oxide, a relatively uncommon opacifier in contemporary Southeast Asian glass, was responsible for white coloration. The black hue was caused by the presence of Fe-S chromophores and Mn⁴⁺. The evidence of both winding and drawing shaping methods challenges previous assumptions regarding the exclusive use of folding methods. The manufacture and popularity of these banded glass beads were closely connected to the intensified maritime trade networks extending to South India and Sri Lanka, which served to satisfy the Southeast Asian demand for South Asian banded agate.