Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences最新文献

This study presents the first comprehensive archaeometric investigation of Early Byzantine glass tesserae from the Sinop Balatlar Church excavation and represents the first detailed analysis of glass artifacts from Türkiye’s Black Sea region. The majority of the studied tesserae are dated to the 5th -6th centuries CE, providing insights into the composition, production technologies, and raw material sources of these tesserae. A combination of analytical techniques, including laser ablation - inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), was employed to determine major, trace, and rare earth element compositions, as well as crystalline phases, textural and microstructural features. The results indicate that the samples are soda-lime-silica glasses, with SiO₂ contents ranging between 51 wt% and 75 wt%. Most samples exhibit low levels of MgO and K₂O (< 1.5 wt%), suggesting the use of natron as a flux, while two samples display higher concentrations of MgO and K₂O, indicating the possible use of plant ash. The study also identifies various coloring, decoloring, and opacifying agents, including Cu, Fe, Mn, Sb, and Pb, which were used to achieve different hues and opacity levels. XRD and SEM-EDS analyses confirm the presence of crystalline phases such as metallic native copper, lead stannate, bindheimite, and hexagonal calcium antimonate, contributing to the coloration and opacity of certain tesserae. Additionally, Late Roman metal-leaf-covered tesserae- dated to the 4th century CE- were analyzed, revealing a relatively pure gold coating. Elevated Mn and Sb concentrations in several samples suggest that glass recycling was practiced during this period. Various forms of degradation were also observed.

Graphical abstract

African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) and canarium (Canarium schweinfurthii) were important oleaginous trees prehistorically exploited across tropical Africa. Both yield nutritious and calorically rich products that were valuable to prehistoric human populations in tropical zones where natural lipid sources were limited. In tropical Africa, archaeological evidence shows that canarium use predates oil palm use, but oil palm use increased relative to canarium use in the late Holocene among ceramic-using Bantu-speaking populations. The increase in oil palm representation in archaeobotanical, palynological, and archaeological contexts is often linked to late Holocene climate-driven vegetation changes and/or anthropogenic activities of food producers. We explore differences in handling costs and technology requirements associated with oil extraction as additional factors that may influence the representation of oil palm and canarium in the archaeological record. Ethnoarchaeological and ethnohistoric information on oil extraction shows that high handling costs and technological limitations, most notably the lack of heat-resistant vessels, may have constrained oil palm processing by prehistoric hunter-gatherers. Heat-durable ceramics associated with Bantu-speaking populations may have lowered the handling cost and allowed for the more effective exploitation. The antiquity and persistence of canarium use, especially among hunter-gatherers, may be linked to the low technical requirements and processing costs relative to oil palm. Explanations for variability in the representation of oleaginous trees species in archaeological contexts should consider differences in processing costs and technology as factors influencing human choice. Some of these differences also have implications for understanding the prehistoric contexts of gendered work effort, culinary traditions, and dietary intensification.

The excavation of the frozen tombs at Pazyryk in the Altai recovered well-preserved archaeological evidence of the Scythian material culture distinguished, among other things, by the early exploitation of iron and horses. The recent recovery of numerous iron objects from similar Pazyryk-type burials in the Mongolian Altai has made it possible to discuss pertinent iron technology and its application to making tools and horse gear, key artifacts defining the Scythian material culture. Metallographic analysis revealed they were made of bloomery iron, frequently carburized. In addition, radiocarbon measurements placed their chronology at around 400 BC, confirming them as one of the practical examples of iron use in the Altai region. We put this early iron technology and its chronology in comparative perspective to discuss the coming of iron, particularly in Mongolia, and its impact on later technological and sociopolitical developments.

The Xingfucheng (XFC) site, unearthed in Pengyang County, Guyuan City, Ningxia, China, in 2013, represents a significant archaeological discovery dating to the early Western Han Dynasty, no later than the 2nd century BC. This site, among the most prestigious unearthed in northwest China from this era, has excavated affluent iron artifacts. The comprehensive analysis of 15 iron artifacts from the XFC site, employing metallographic microscopy, alloy composition assessment, and the examination of slag inclusions, has elucidated the metallurgical technologies of the period. The findings indicate a predominance of cast iron products, including white cast iron, mottled cast iron, and solid-state decarburization of cast iron, at the site. Notably, most unearthed weapons and agricultural implements were made of solid-state decarburization of cast iron, manufactured using carburizing, decarburizing, and quenching processes to fine-tune their properties. An iron axe identified among the artifacts represents one of the earliest puddling steel technologies in the northwestern region before the 2nd century BC, marking a first for the Ningxia area. Additionally, the analysis shows that bloomery carburized steel was used to fabricate a hoop, further contributing to understanding ancient metallurgical practices in this region. These discoveries underscore Ningxia’s significance as a key hub for technological interactions, linking China and Central Asia and promoting the exchange of metallurgical advancements during the Han Dynasty.

The Xianbei confederation was the most powerful among the many historically documented nomadic groups to emerge in northern China. It played a pivotal role in the political, military, and historical landscape of ancient China and even the broader Eurasian region. Recent studies on the Xianbei have shed light on their origins and migration patterns, primarily focusing on Xianbei commoners. However, the genetic structure of Xianbei nobles and their kinship relationships remain insufficiently understood. In this study, we successfully obtained genomic data from four ancient individuals buried in a family tomb associated with Xianbei nobility at the Yihe Nur site in Inner Mongolia. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first recovery of ancient genomic data from the Xianbei nobles. Furthermore, new genomic data were also retrieved from an individual associated with the Liao Dynasty, excavated at the same site. We found that the Xianbei nobles generally carried ancestry components associated with early Xianbei populations. However, one female noble exhibited a predominant genetic profile derived from southern East Asian populations, with only a minor contribution from early Xianbei ancestry, suggesting potential population interactions and genetic influences between Xianbei nobles and other East Asian groups. We also identified a parent-child relationship among the Xianbei nobles, who were buried in close proximity, implying that genetic kinship may have played a role in shaping Xianbei funerary practices. Furthermore, a female servant interred in the passage of the YHNE5 tomb, however, was found to be genetically unrelated to the tomb owner. In addition, an individual from the Liao Dynasty, excavated at the same site, exhibited significant genetic affinity with agricultural populations from the Central Plains of China, indicating that the Xianbei was genetically influenced by the southern of China during the period from the Xianbei to Liao Dynasty.

Iron Age Central Thailand is a dynamic region that participated in Indo-Pacific exchange networks. Detailed study of the technological aspects of stone beads, one type of artifacts that circulated within the exchange system, can help  to better understand the nature of interactions. This research paper examines the manufacturing techniques of carnelian beads found at the Iron Age archaeological site of Noen Din (100 BCE to sixth century CE), in Lopburi province, Central Thailand. Studies of the carnelian raw material variety used to make the beads with their morphological and technological features of production are presented. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of the drill hole impressions reveals the use of two drilling technologies in the bead assemblage. Some of the beads were drilled with a metal drill and fine abrasive, a technology that is well documented in South Asia but has not been documented on carnelian beads at other sites in Southeast Asia. The other form of drilling seen in the bead assemblage involves the use of single and double diamond tipped drills, also a technology linked to South Asia. However, some of these diamond-drilled beads from Noen Din show drilling features so far undocumented elsewhere. The presence of carnelian beads with different technological features found at Noen Din could indicate that the beads were arriving in Thailand together or from different source areas in South Asia reflecting nuance interactions in the trade networks. The possibility of local production is also considered.

This paper analyses a metalworking area from the fortified site of A Cidá de Borneiro (Cabana de Bergantiños, Galicia, Spain). It is focused on a bronze and iron workshop (C9-12) where, in addition to abundant metallurgical evidence and production remains, a large number of thermally altered bone fragments have been documented. The present work proposes a multifactorial analysis to understand together these bones within the context of metalworking activities. For this purpose, an archaeological and functional analysis of the workshop is combined with a morphological study of the bone remains. First, a contextual analysis is defined, examining the archaeological evidence in order to define what kind of activities were developed in the area. Concurrently, a macroscopic analysis of the characteristics and conditions of the bones is carried out, with the aim of identifying thermal alteration processes. As will be demonstrated, this research will confirm that the bones were used as part of the operational production sequence, particularly during the hardening process of objects that require a strong and sharp edge. Finally, we will define and examine the characteristics of this technique from a point of view that encompasses both the technical and symbolic dimensions of metalworking.

The States of Wu and Yue were regional hegemons in China's late Spring and Autumn Period (fifth century BCE), centered in modern Jiangsu and Zhejiang. The weapons of these States stood at the pinnacle during this period, renowned for bronze swords like the Sword of Gou Jian. The rhombic-patterned swords and bimetallic swords are distinguished examples of bronze swords from the Wu-Yue region. Due to their rarity, obtaining suitable samples is extremely challenging. Fortunately, a rhombic-patterned bronze sword excavated from the Dahan Cemetery in Guanqiao Town, Tengzhou City, Shandong Province, provided viable samples amenable to systematic analytical characterization. Analytical investigations, including metallographic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), were conducted to examine the microstructural features and elemental composition of the material. The findings reveal that the rhombic pattern on the sword's surface consists of fine δ-phases. Moreover, a layer of corroded δ-phase is present on the surface of the blade edge. Due to honing and polishing during use, the thickness of the δ-phase on the sword's edge was only 1–2 μm. The δ-phase in the bronze alloy is a hard and brittle phase that can significantly increase the alloy's hardness. However, when the δ-phase content becomes too high, the plasticity and strength of the bronze alloy are markedly reduced. To address this challenge, the master swordsmiths of Wu and Yue states demonstrated remarkable innovation and technical expertise. They employed a unique technique to form a dense δ-phase-enhanced layer on the blade surface. This ingenious approach enhanced the hardness of the sword blade while preventing the loss of plasticity and strength caused by excessive δ-phase. Furthermore, this specialized treatment achieved an aesthetic breakthrough, with the practical function seamlessly blending with the artistic beauty of the sword body.

Archaeological textiles are rare in Sicily, except under specific environmental conditions, as the Sicilian climate is not conducive to the preservation of organic materials. Consequently, the study of textile culture in Sicily has primarily relied on the analysis of textile tools, which, in contrast, are both abundant and ubiquitous. This study presents the results of the analysis of textile remains recovered from the cemeteries of Vassallaggi (San Cataldo-Caltanissetta, Sicily) and Lipari (Aeolian islands, Sicily), located in central and northern Sicily, respectively. It offers the opportunity to examine the fifth-third century BC textile production at two sites on the island. The textiles have survived in a mineralised form as a result of direct contact with metal objects. The fabrics were mainly wrapped around grave goods — including urns containing cremated remains, the ashes, and items such as strigils and knives. The practice of wrapping grave objects was a well-documented funerary custom in Italy and Greece from as early as the Iron Age. In Sicily, it was observed among certain Greek and local communities during the Classical and Hellenistic periods. All textile fragments were examined using a digital microscope to analyse fabric structures, including weave types and thread characteristics. Fibre types were then identified through the use of a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The results allowed us to shed light on the textile culture in Classical and Hellenistic Sicily, placing it in the wider Mediterranean context. Moreover, the funerary practice of wrapping grave goods provided valuable insights into the role of textiles in contexts of cultural interactions, as well as the ways in which local communities expressed their social and cultural affiliations.

The use of experimentation within studies of early distillation technology has largely taken a methodological approach which aims to demonstrate how suggested technical evolutions and apparatus configurations operate. This paper examines the viability of the ‘Gandhāra still’ reconstruction for distillation within a unified campaign of comparative and exploratory experimentation, acting as a framework for critical evaluation. First generated from interpretations on the function of predominately 2nd c. BCE– 4th c. CE ceramic vessels found across South-Central Asia, the Gandhāra still has been a central component in the conceptualisation of an “ancient Indian distillation hypothesis” that has received considerable attention in the historiography of science. This uptake in interest has led to researchers from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds to reinforce the still’s existence and distilling capacity, including through the use of experimentation. In response, this paper details a new campaign of experimental trials which identified functional reasons as to why the apparatus does not operate. Crucially, trials demonstrated how the interpreted set of apparatus components together cannot sufficiently condense produced distilling vapour due to their morphology. In tandem, the campaign revealed practical issues associated with internal reflux actions and pressurisation in the still that had not been identified previously. Further analysing such a pervasive dialogue on technical innovation invites wider re-evaluations of distillation technology chartings and introduces a nuanced suite of considerations in discussing the inception of early distillation.