Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences最新文献

Our studies focus on the production background of early standardized coinage in Qi state before Qin empire’s unification of currency. These mold samples have considerable clay content, possibly to limit thermal expansion and enhance casting strength. Slag types include plate slag and ceramic slag attached on blowpipes. The matrix composition of plate slag is characterized by a high content of iron and calcium, with significant quantities of matte (CuPbFeS) and bronze droplets. The matrix composition of ceramic slag exhibits low content of iron and calcium with some copper droplets. It may be inferred that a smelting process is utilized to extract matte from sulfur-containing copper-lead ores, with the addition of tin occurring nearly concurrently. It is also possible to introduce a distinct step that smelting and alloying are totally separated. The lead isotope ratios of slag and mold samples overlap with each other and concentrate in the range with high ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ratios. The change of lead resources in Qi knives was synchronized with the change of its alloy composition. We can’t exclude that the lead resources of high ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ratios used in Qi state came from local areas, and some uranogenic-rich lead resources might be brought in after Yan state’ s conquest. The above research demonstrates that the production of Qi knives exhibited a significant degree of standardization in terms of molding technology, smelting technology, alloying technology and ore source. The implementation of unified coinage system during the Tian Qi period can be seen as a strategic approach to monopolize the minting rights and foster the growth of the commodities economy.

Ancient fire gilding has been a longstanding traditional Chinese craft, utilizing the unique properties of gold and mercury through chemical methods to embellish a variety of objects with layers of gold. This technique, notably efficient compared to alternative gold decoration methods, showcases the adept utilization of precious resources, highlighting the advanced technological prowess of ancient China. The objective of this study is to replicate historical silver gilding technology within a controlled laboratory environment and conduct a comprehensive analysis of the resulting silver gilded products. Subsequently, a comparative analysis with research findings related to gilded cultural relics is undertaken to confirm and enhance the technological characteristics of the gilding process. The research findings indicate that the presence of residual mercury on the gold layer of gilded products is a consequence of employing gold-mercury alloys. Furthermore, the granular microstructure observed in the gold layer is a distinct outcome of the heating process, both representing typical technical features associated with traditional gilding techniques. Moreover, the Ag-Hg transition layer between the gold layer and the substrate results from the solid solution diffusion of atoms during the gilding process, serving as a unique process feature that securely bonds the two layers. Addressing the controversy surrounding heating temperatures, experimental findings indicate that exceptionally high temperatures are not necessary for the gilding process. The golden-yellow coating on gilded products is a blend of gold and various gold amalgam alloys, achievable through solid-phase transformation within the 122–419 ℃ range or solidification of gold amalgam after melting at temperatures exceeding 419 ℃. The phase composition of the gold layer provides crucial evidence for defining the appropriate heating temperature when exploring the formation mechanism of fire gilding.

Human feeding patterns have been reconstructed in Archaeology by analysing either oral pathology or stable isotope ratios in human skeletal remains. However, no clear agreement has been developed between these two methodologies. The main objective of this study is to determine if we can establish a link between them when analysing a population with a hyper-specialized diet, in this case marine resources (and millet/maize). To reach this goal we developed a conjoined multi-isotope analysis using collagen and bioapatite (δ¹³C_col, δ¹⁵N_col and δ¹³C_car) and a detailed study of oral health (caries, antemortem loss, periapical lesions, periodontal disease, calculus, and wear). All available skeletons with at least one preserved tooth from two cemeteries of the medieval town of Pontevedra (n = 34) were studied. The buried individuals belonged to the guild of fishers and artisans, professions which were dominant among the families of medieval Pontevedra. A detailed FTIR-ATR study of extracted bone bioapatite showed a high correlation between bioapatite carbonate content, carbonate typical vibrations, and FTIR-ATR indices related to bone diagenesis, which is in line with previous research. No significant correlations were found with bioapatite yield and isotopic composition (δ¹³C_car and Δ¹³C), ruling out possible diagenetic effects. The diet was based on marine fish protein with contributions of millets (e.g., δ¹³C_car -11.9 ± 1.8‰) that seems to be slightly higher in individuals linked to artisanal guilds. The oral pathology study shows severe dental wear from an early age (Grade 2–4 in permanent dentition for 20% of infants and 60% of juveniles in M1), as well as moderate-high presence of caries in permanent dentition (64%, 22/34) and dental calculus (72%, 24/33). Both the oral pathology and the isotopic signal differ from that observed in other areas of the Iberian Peninsula. This study points to the existence of connections between findings of the two methodologies, and specifically an association between intense dental wear and high consumption of marine resources and millet. At the same time, this analysis implies the necessity of caution in estimation of age by dental wear in populations linked to the sea.

The manufacturing and corrosion properties of metal artefacts are significant for archaeologists and conservators. In this study, non-destructive neutron-based techniques are applied on ancient copper-iron arrows. The archaeological samples were excavated from a Western Han tomb (202 BC - AD 8) near the Han Chang’an city site (the capital of Western Han dynasty) in China. This is the first time that the combination of neutron resonance capture analysis, neutron diffraction, neutron tomography, and Raman spectroscopy has been used in Chinese cultural heritage to obtain useful information about the arrows. The results indicate that one arrowhead is made of low-Sn, high-Pb bronze, while the other is composed of high-Sn, low-Pb bronze. These analyses also reveal the production method of these arrows, with the iron tangs likely being cast first and then connected to bronze arrowheads through casting. Furthermore, due to the variations in materials used, certain parts of the arrows were more susceptible to corrosion than others; specifically, those made of pure iron were more prone to corrosion than their bronze counterparts. Additionally, it is confirmed that the iron inside the arrowhead corroded less than the visible iron tang at its base. The corrosion products include cuprite, goethite, hematite, magnetite, cerussite, azurite, malachite and lepidocrocite. These findings are highly beneficial for understanding the making techniques, as well as conservation state and corrosion products associated with archaeological arrows.

Abstract

This paper offers an analysis of a group of glazed ceramics that comes from El Tolmo de Minateda site and have been dated in the second half of the ninth century and beginning of the tenth century, before the proclamation of the Umayyad Caliphate by Abderraman III (929 CE). Three technological groups have been distinguished: transparent glazes of one or two colours, transparent polychrome glazes (represented by two pieces) and opaque polychrome glazes (represented by two ceramics) studied by SEM-EDS analysis. After the study, different al-Andalus glaze workshops have been identified as providers of glazed ware to El Tolmo de Minateda site. The initial hypothesis was that the ware consumed in El Tolmo was manufactured in Pechina, the closest early production centre. However, after the archaeometric analysis, it has been discarded, and all the indications of this study seem to point to Córdoba as a significant supplier. The data of this study provides a new perspective on how the internal regional distribution and marketing of goods took place in Al-Andalus during the late Emiral period (c. 875–929 CE), a subject that has yet to be explored.

With this study we expand the glass data available for northeast Thailand through the analysis of elemental and isotopic (Sr-Nd-Pb) compositions of glass beads from Non Ban Jak. This site, located in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Northeast Thailand, yielded more than 3000 glass artifacts dating from the mid-late Iron Age (CE 200-850). A representative selection of sixty-five glass beads was analyzed for elemental compositions, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic data were obtained for 10 of these beads. Most of the beads belong to the mineral soda – high alumina (m-Na-Al) 1 glass group, which originated from either Sri Lanka or southern India. Three color-specific sub-groups were identified: m-Na-Al 1.1, m-Na-Al 1.2 and m-Na-Al 1.3. Two glass samples with an orange color have a mixed-alkali composition also associated with India. Two glass beads have a potash composition usually associated with the Early Iron Age period and the South China Sea exchange network. Translucent dark blue beads have a soda-lime composition suggesting import from the west (the Mediterranean area or the Middle East). Results for Non Ban Jak show strong similarities with results from the neighboring sites of Ban Non Wat and Noen-U Loke and seem to share a strong connection during the Late Iron Age with South India/Sri Lanka.

Bone retouchers, while often underrated, stand out as widespread tools throughout the Palaeolithic, typically linked to breaking bones for marrow extraction. Although bone retouchers are commonly considered a by-product of butchering activities, the possibility of intentional manufacturing has been rarely considered but should not be dismissed. In our experimental protocol, we explore decision-making processes involved in manufacturing bone retouchers, focusing on how these decisions are guided by intentional production rather than solely marrow extraction. The results indicate that individuals employ specific techniques and make technological decisions, rapidly acquiring experience in retoucher manufacturing that extends beyond mere intuition. The choice of bone-breaking technique(s) reflects the intention behind either marrow extraction or producing suitable bone fragments for retouchers. This decision-making process is heavily influenced by the morphology of the bone, presenting challenges that individuals learn to overcome during the experiment. The analysis of the experimental percussion marks suggests that certain marks on specific skeletal elements indicate intentional bone retoucher manufacturing. We then propose a likelihood grid to assess the reliability of traces on each skeletal element in inferring intentional manufacturing. Given the abundance of bone retouchers in Middle Palaeolithic contexts, a thorough investigation into the intentionality behind their manufacturing processes could significantly impact their relevance within other Palaeolithic bone industries.

The evolution of metallurgy is a fundamental aspect related to the knowledge of the technological level of ancient civilizations, for which the information was mostly part of an oral tradition. The ancient, preserved artefacts are the only keepers of this long gone knowledge. Most advanced non-invasive techniques provide us the key to access it. Neutron techniques are nowadays the only available approach for revealing, non-destructively and with good spatial resolution, the morphological and microstructural properties within the whole volume of densely composed artefacts such as bronze statues. Application of neutron methods allows us to learn about ancient artefact manufacturing methods and to study at a very detailed level the current conservation status in their different parts. As part of a research project dedicated to the study of ancient Asian bronzes led by the Rijksmuseum Metal Conservation Department, four statues from the Rijksmuseum Asian collection were analysed using non-invasive neutron techniques. In this work, we present the investigation of a South Indian bronze statuette depicting Shiva in the form of Chandrasekhara (AK-MAK-1291, c. 1000–1200 A.D.) by means of white beam tomography, energy-selective neutron imaging (performed on CONRAD-2 at HZB, DE, and on FISH at TU-Delft, NL), and neutron diffraction (on ENGIN-X at ISIS, UK). The application of neutron imaging revealed the inner structure of the statue and allowed us to investigate the conservation state and potential cracking on the surface and in the bulk, to understand the interconnection of the different sections of the statue, and to obtain clues about the manufacturing processes. These morphological and microstructural results were employed to guide neutron diffraction analyses that allowed us to precisely characterize compositional differences, the presence of dendrites and columnar growth peak structures related to casting. This work is a complete non-invasive analytical investigation on an archaeological bronze artefact, providing outstanding results: from a quantitative analysis of the composition and microstructure to an in-depth morphological analysis capable of unveiling details on the ancient casting methods of the statue.

Abstract

For geoarchaeologists the use of multiproxy and multimethod integrative approaches has become common for studying the sedimentary context of archaeological materials. In this paper, we introduce a novel approach that combines rock magnetic analysis with micromorphological analysis. We first conduct a brief examination of the magnetic properties of organic resins used in micromorphology to understand the potential impact of the resin and manufacturing process on the magnetic signature. It is crucial to understand the original production of the samples to ensure that endothermic reactions do not compromise the magnetic data. We illustrate the advantages of this approach through a case study of a pit hearth from the Neanderthal archaeological site of El Salt in Alcoi, Spain. This study utilises archived micromorphological samples of a pit hearth (combustion structure H77) initially described by Leierer et al. (J Archaeol Sci 123:105237, 2020). Rock magnetic analysis of multiple magnetic parameters—including magnetic susceptibility, natural remanent magnetization, and progressive isothermal remanent magnetization—reveals that each microfacies type exhibits a unique magnetic pattern, even if there is overlapping in signatures across some magnetic parameters. The interpretation of the magnetic data aligns with the results and microfacies descriptions previously provided by Leierer et al. (J Archaeol Sci 123:105237, 2020), further supporting the interpretation of the combustion feature as being in situ with a history of repeated use. The approach presented here offers an enhanced tool for micromorphologists to better understand the magnetic characteristics of microfacies units in higher resolution and establish direct connections to the micromorphological results.

Abstract

Shifts in projectile technology potentially document human evolutionary milestones, such as adaptations for different environments and settlement dynamics. A relatively direct proxy for projectile technology is projectile impact marks (PIM) on archaeological bones. Increasing awareness and publication of experimental data sets have recently led to more identifications of PIM in various contexts, but diagnosing PIM from other types of bone-surface modifications, quantifying them, and inferring point size and material from the bone lesions need more substantiation. Here, we focus on PIM created by osseous projectiles, asking whether these could be effectively identified and separated from lithic-tipped weapons. We further discuss the basic question raised by recent PIM research in zooarchaeology: why PIM evidence is so rare in archaeofaunal assemblages (compared to other human-induced marks), even when they are explicitly sought. We present the experimental results of shooting two ungulate carcasses with bone and antler points, replicating those used in the early Upper Paleolithic of western Eurasia. Half of our hits resulted in PIM, confirming that this modification may have been originally abundant. However, we found that the probability of a skeletal element to be modified with PIM negatively correlates with its preservation potential, and that much of the produced bone damage would not be identifiable in a typical Paleolithic faunal assemblage. This quantification problem still leaves room for an insightful qualitative study of PIM. We complement previous research in presenting several diagnostic marks that retain preservation potential and may be used to suggest osseous, rather than lithic, projectile technology.