Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences最新文献

This study evaluates geochemical variation in archaeological ceramics from three pre-Columbian sites in La Altagracia, Dominican Republic. We compare compositional variation of ceramics between a submerged site and two terrestrial sites using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) trace element analysis supplemented with thin section microscopy. Contrary to expectations, greater variation in trace element concentrations of the metals vanadium (V), copper (Cu), tantalum (Ta), zirconium (Zr), and uranium (U) exist between submerged and terrestrial sites in close geographic proximity to one another than between more distant terrestrial sites. Thin section analysis identified more void space in submerged than terrestrial samples but no major mineralogical differences. While precise mechanisms driving geochemical variation between sites remain unclear, post-depositional ion exchange between ceramics and the fluid in which they are submerged may have resulted in significant changes to their composition, reflected in discrepancy between ceramics from terrestrial and submerged contexts. Results of this research emphasize the need to consider post-depositional alteration in ceramic provenance studies, especially in submerged contexts.

The Middle Neolithic lakeshore site of Molino Casarotto (4700 − 4400 cal BCE; Vicenza province, northern Italy) preserves some of the most informative deposits related to Neolithic daily life in Italy. The organisation and use of space within the Neolithic domestic contexts remain poorly understood, largely due to the limited preservation of archaeological evidence. At Molino Casarotto, however, these aspects can be explored thanks to the presence of domestic hearth rake-out layers and shell middens, which form substantial accumulations interdigitating with repeatedly renovated cooking plates. Several heated stones were recovered in association with these combustion structures. High-resolution sediment analyses (micromorphology, micro-FTIR, and XRD) allowed for the characterisation of the sediments used to construct the cooking plates, the reconstruction of combustion temperatures, and gave insights into mollusc cooking techniques. In particular, the discarded shells were likely boiled or roasted at low temperatures (< 200 °C), as indicated by the absence of microstructural alterations and the preservation of aragonite, possibly using heated stones. In contrast, thermally altered shells embedded in ash layers suggest exposure to post-depositional heating events. Eventual isotopic analyses should therefore take into account the taphonomic history of the specimens, as differential preservation may occur even across short distances. Finally, although structural remains at the site were limited, microarchaeological evidence indicates that the cooking plates were used within a sheltered area characterised by rapid and continuous sediment accumulation, with no evidence of abandonment.

The Mudejares, a Muslim minority living in the Iberian Christian kingdoms during the Late Middle Ages, progressively lost rights and were segregated to rural areas, until they forcefully converted to Christianity on the 15th century and were expelled from Spain at the beginning of the 17th century. Some moderate language editing would add to the clarity of the text throughout, the highlighted area is only one example. Their minority status led to substantial changes in their daily life and access to resources. This work reconstructs the diet of one of the largest Mudejar settlements in the Kingdom of Valencia, Uixó, through stable isotopes in caprine (n = 5) and human bone (n = 27) samples. Although all caprines ate C₃ plants, two groups can be distinguished most likely due to different management strategies. Meanwhile, human δ¹³C_col points towards a terrestrial mixed diet with direct intake of C₄ plants, which are traditionally associated with lower economic strata. δ³⁴S values further support little consumption of marine resources. δ¹⁵N values suggest a non-restricted access to animal products, further indicating the lack of extraordinary periods of food scarcity found by a previous paleopathological study. The observed variability in C₄ plants consumption is also found in other Andalusi and Mudejar communities of the region, for which reason this work discusses the observed dietary patterns taking various factors into account, such as cultural preferences related to the influence of North-African culinary traditions, modification of farming strategies perhaps related to climate deterioration, but also to an imposition linked to the ruralization of these communities and their minority status.

During the late Bronze and Early Iron Age, population dynamics in central Italy gave rise to nucleated settlements that went on to become some of western Europe’s earliest and most powerful cities. Between 1000 and 500 BCE, these centres transformed from village agglomerations into organised urban settlements as part of a regional political system. While the key archaeological features and architectural transformations that characterise this period are well established, site formation processes and the intra-settlement spaces and activities underpinning them are less defined, especially for the earliest phases. To gain new insights on the transformation into urban settlements in a Mediterranean context, this research systematically investigates – for the first time – the micromorphology of archaeological sediments of an urban settlement of the first half of the first millennium BCE. Here we present a micro-contextual analysis from Tarquinia (central Italy), one of the most important sites for understanding central Mediterranean urbanisation and community formation, a prominent pre-Roman city and centre of the Etruscan religion and political activity. On-going excavations have unravelled an extensive part of the city and yielded important evidence of ritual activity around the so-called ‘monumental complex’ (1st millennium BCE). Targeting 4 areas with high preservation of deposits of the city’s early formative processes, this work integrates archaeological soil micromorphology, physico-chemical and geochemical analyses to reconstruct the depositional and post-depositional processes of the archaeological layers across the ‘monumental complex’ of Tarquinia. This study sheds new light on fills of earthen pits, linking them to the dumping of occupational and production debris and accumulation of animal penning residues. It also adds detailed insights into the composition of traffic surfaces and highlights the integration of ritual spaces within urban formation processes. Results demonstrate the variability of sedimentary microfacies that can occur in protohistoric sites of Central Italy and adds significant micro-contextual evidence to the understanding of urban, ritual, and socio-economic across Etruscan settlements, ultimately highlighting the critical role of archaeological sediments in tracing shifting phases of use at the emergence of early urbanisation in the Mediterranean region.

This study presents a pilot systematic analysis of rotative grinding stones from the highland site of El Castellot de Bolvir (La Cerdanya, eastern Pyrenees), occupied continuously from the Late Bronze Age to the Roman Republican period. Focusing on the transitional phase between the Late Iron Age and early Roman influence (3rd–2nd centuries BCE), the research combines typological and microbotanical (phytolith) records to investigate domestic food production strategies and the role of grinding technologies. The assemblage reveals a standardized and specialized use of granite rotative grinding stones (namely catilli and metae), indicative of cereal processing practices. Phytolith results indicate the nature of the processed matter, including hulled barley, free-threshing wheat, and broomcorn millet, consistent with macrobotanical records at the site suggesting broader regional patterns of intensified agriculture and technological adaptation. This work fills a critical gap in Pyrenean archaeobotanical and technological studies and contributes to a more nuanced understanding of household economies and food technologies during a critical period of socio-political transformations driven by Romanization in northeastern Iberia.

In southeastern Iberia use-wear analyses have not been explored as a proxy for a better understanding of the social, economic and cultural meanings of prehistoric lithic tools. The recent excavation of nine dolmens in the Panoría cemetery (3600 − 2100 cal BC), four of them largely undisturbed, offers an excellent opportunity for a fine-grained study of lithic grave goods. Blades, arrowheads and geometric microliths were the types of objects selected to be deposited at the Panoría dolmens. Use-wear analysis shows the deposition of blades previously used in farming and textile activities or with no evidence of use but in optimal working conditions. Arrowheads and microliths use-wear indicate their use as projectiles. However, some arrowheads are also found without use-wear, probably having been specifically crafted for ritual purposes, especially those with extremely developed barbs. Cross-referencing lithic typology, frequency and use-wear from each tomb with the osteological analysis reveals a positive correlation between the activities identified by the blade use-wear analysis and the intense physical effort evidenced by musculoskeletal stress markers. In contrast, there is a negative correlation between the projectiles and traumatic injuries. Lithic tools found at Panoría can be linked to different social realms, from daily activities to more restricted ritual purposes.

During the Middle and Late Bronze Age (c. 1650 − 1150 cal yr BCE), the Terramare culture played a crucial role in the development of both regional and interregional trade networks of the Po Plain of northern Italy, particularly through the production and exchange of metal artefacts. While substantial research has focused on the bronze objects themselves, the technical aspects of metal production, such as refining, alloying and recycling methods, remain underexplored. This study addresses this gap by analysing a series of metallurgical by-products from the Terramara Santa Rosa di Poviglio site, including crucible fragments, and secondary metal remains. Utilising Digital Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy combined with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), we investigate the technical practices involved in copper and bronze production at the site. The results indicate the local processing of partially refined copper ingots, intentional alloying of copper and tin, and the recycling of bronze, demonstrating specialised metallurgical expertise. Moreover, these findings suggest that Santa Rosa di Poviglio was deeply integrated into long-distance trade networks, acquiring raw copper and tin for alloying and production of high-quality metal objects. Overall, this research enhances our understanding of Middle and Late Bronze Age metalworking practices and the socio-economic dynamics of the Terramare culture, paving the way for further studies on metallurgical techniques at other Bronze Age sites of the area to explore regional variations and broader economic connections.

Ancient paper artifacts in China are exceedingly rich, encompassing a variety of ancient papers from different historical periods, including the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD) to the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911 AD). The Dove Cave site, located approximately 200 km north of Beijing in Longhua (隆化) county, has unearthed paper fragments dating to the late Yuan Dynasty (Yuan Dynasty, 1271–1368 AD; the latest date of the site’s documents is 1362 AD). This was the first systematic archaeological excavation of ancient papers in areas surrounding the metropolis of Beijing, providing valuable samples for understanding papermaking and paper usage in the late fourteenth century in northern China. With aims to decode its manufacturing crafts, this study was carried out via SEM‒EDS, FTIR, and Py-GC/MS to investigate the utilization of papermaking fibers and the composition of sizing reagents. The results revealed that the paper fragments utilized paper mulberry and hemp fibers and were treated with egg white as sizing glue, a first discovery and report of such sizing agent in ancient Chinese handmade paper treatment. As a result, through the micro-damage analysis for the conservation and research of paper artifacts, a deeper understanding of the raw materials and manufacturing processes of ancient paper was obtained, which provides additional insights for substantiating the development of ancient papermaking.

Manthai served as a port emporium on the Maritime Silk Roads and an intermediary between the Near and Far Eastern realms for over 1000 years. The 1980–1984 excavations conducted by the late Professor John Carswell yielded material goods supporting the importance of Manthai within this extensive trade network. These included glass, some thought to have been produced locally and some believed to be imported from the Islamic world. To better understand the role of Manthai in provisioning glasses for the Silk Roads, 21 8th -13th century AD samples were analysed by LA-ICP-MS for major, minor and trace elements. Results have provided evidence for varied compositions within the Manthai glass samples. There is a m-Na-Al 1 subgroup, to which a sample of raw crucible glass, other raw glass samples and a bangle fragment belong. Samples made using plant ash glass exhibit greater compositional variability, including two subgroups linked to the site of Samarra, some broadly ‘Mesopotamian’ glasses and two samples likely produced in Central Asia. The results have demonstrated that finished objects were imported from the Islamic World and that glass, possibly produced in the region around Manthai, was used in secondary glass working to supply the Maritime Silk Road. This adds to the evidence for the multi-faceted activities conducted at Manthai including the production and/or shipment of glasses through Manthai, for the Maritime Silk Roads. We have contributed to the overall evidence for glasses travelling along the maritime and terrestrial Eurasian Silk Roads and helped to define interactions across them.

The Painted Decorated Ware (hereafter PDW) tradition in Western Anatolia represents distinctive ceramic production techniques and decorative styles, featuring a large number of geometric motifs. Originating at the beginning of the 16th century BCE, this tradition gained increasing importance during the Late Bronze Age, particularly from the 14th to the 12th centuries BCE. This study discusses the production and technological characteristics of Late Bronze Age PDW from Aşağıseyit Höyük, located in the Çal district of Denizli Province, Western Anatolia. As the first comprehensive archaeometric analysis of PDW from the Upper Meander Basin, this research provides valuable insights into local ceramic traditions and technological practices. A representative selection of 35 samples from a collection of 150 PDW fragments from Aşağıseyit Höyük was analyzed through a multidisciplinary archaeometric methods, including petrographic, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), and X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) analyses. The results revealed five distinct fabric groups, indicating varied strategies for raw material procurement, with a predominant use of local clay sources. XRPD analyses indicated that the ceramics were primarily fired at temperatures ranging between 800 and 850 °C, under both oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. The results demonstrate the presence of a well-established local tradition of painted ceramics, characterized by regional stylistic preferences rather than by direct external influences such as Mycenaean or Hittite ceramic production.