Archaeometry最新文献

The discovery of a specific form of Late Neolithic object in northeast Poland, commonly interpreted as reed arrowshaft straighteners, prompted investigation into the possible use of reed for archery in the European past. To examine the archery qualities of this raw material, and thus the likely rationale behind the manufacture and use of reed arrowshafts, a number of mechanical and experimental analyses were conducted. The results presented here indicate that reed was well suited for prehistoric archery. This is demonstrated above all by the arrowshaft stiffness required by this discipline, defined as the spine-force, but also both the technological ease of production of arrows and their ballistic capabilities.

In this study, we compare the patterns of demographic changes in populations from Northwest Patagonia and central-south Chile throughout the Late Pleistocene–Holocene obtained from absolute dates with those resulting from molecular genealogies. We have found that temporal distributions of frequencies of absolute dates constitute a more sensitive demographic indicator than molecular data to make inferences at small spatial scales in the region. Moreover, even though the latter has proven to be very informative about old demographic processes, it represents a less reliable source of information for more recent ones.

The Monastery of Alcobaça houses in reserve the ceramic tiles that adorned the floor of the church's apse. These tiles were removed during rehabilitation works and many preserve part of their original fixing mortars. A comprehensive analysis of 21 samples was conducted using a multi-analytical approach (X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, μ-Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis, optical microscopy, and colorimetry). Results suggest compositional variations in the samples from the back and sides of the ceramic tiles; however, the mineralogy and general characteristics of the aggregates remained consistent between the samples and are coherent with the local geology, suggesting a shared historical origin.

We present a study of a selection of metal ornaments belonging to archaeological funerary goods from Patagonic Indigenous groups. They are part of the ‘Andrés Giai’ Collection, under the guard of the Museum of Patagonia (Nahuel Huapi National Park [PNNH]; National Parks Administration [APN]), Argentina. The absence of contextual information and its current conservation status motivated the design of an interdisciplinary methodology to develop an Integral Conservation Plan that considered the selection of analytical techniques. Here, we implemented complementary nondestructive characterisation techniques such as particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). We developed a methodology enabling us to characterise each piece with respect to its metallic composition and degradation products, and in certain cases, their manufacturing process. These findings have contributed with essential information for the tailored conservation treatment proposal. Moreover, they provided key information in regard to the reconstruction of contextual data for each piece. In addition, the methodology proposed for the Integral Conservation Plan takes into account an optimisation of the techniques to be used in order to minimise unnecessary handling of goods whilst ensuring an appropriate use of technological and economic resources whilst minimising time on potentially unconclusive measurements and results.

The primary objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges involved in detecting ancient ayahuasca, a traditional hallucinogenic drink from the Amazon region, which is prepared using Banisteriopsis caapi liana and other plants, by utilizing advanced analytical techniques. The presence of harmine and harmaline in Andean archaeological findings has led certain authors to speculate that the Banisteriopsis liana may have been the source plant responsible for their occurrence. Consequently, the utilization of this liana can be traced back to at least 500 CE. However, a combination of archaeological, ethnobotanical, biochemical and analytical chemistry considerations has rendered uncertain the true origins of the presence of harmine and harmaline in ancient mummies and artifacts. Thus, the archaeological evidence does not convincingly prove the ancient usage of ayahuasca.

Late and Inca period pottery in the Northwestern Argentine region present two or three characteristic prefiring colors (red, black, and white or cream) in their decoration. Sanagasta and Belén vessels from Late Period are characterized by a bichrome black-on-red/cream and black-on-red painted decoration, respectively, whereas Inca vessels exhibit a black-on-red painted decoration. Analytical results obtained by μRaman, FT-IR, and XRD analyses on a relatively large number of samples show that the pre-Hispanic potters during Late and Inca periods used a manganese-based technique to obtain black colours in these large vessels fired in an oxidising atmosphere. Black paints were produced by the systematic use of different mineral complex mixtures of Mn (pyrolusite, bixbyte, and hausmannite) and hematite. As a result, spinel phases like jacobsite (a Fe-Mn compound) and magnetite were formed at different firing temperatures. Red paints were obtained using the mineral hematite. A detailed discussion is presented concerning the firing conditions to obtain these black hues.

Raman spectroscopy and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry were used to characterize the chemical composition of 34 red garnet beads from Lower Nubian sites, dated between about 3200 BCE and 600 CE. All beads from the A-Group to the Meroitic period feature a similar calcium-poor almandine composition (69%–78% almandine, 15%–22% pyrope, 2%–6% grossular, 3%–9% spessartine), which differs from other calcium-poor almandine garnet types, sourced mostly from Indian deposits in Antiquity. The Nubian beads constitute a new garnet type, named “cluster I”, featuring high yttrium (180 to 1205 ppm), moderately low chromium (13–70 ppm), and high scandium (119–213 ppm) concentrations. Their compositions match with previous and two new analyses from two alluvial garnet deposits, Wadi El-Haraz and Wadi Abu Dom, near the Fourth Cataract of the Nile in Upper Nubia, about 670 km as the crow flies from the Lower Nubian graves. Garnet trade between the Bayuda desert and Lower Nubia sites, and possibly even Egypt, flourished for almost four millennia. Northeastern Africa is the cradle for the oldest use of a gemstone that is harder than quartz—the red almandine garnet.

A Post-Meroitic bead, the youngest in the assembly, displays an unusual faceting, a diamond tipped drill hole, excellent polish, distinct short- and long-prismatic colorless mineral inclusions, and a calcium- and manganese-poor pyrope composition. This suggests that it was not of a local, Nubian, production, but imported, most probably from a South Asian site.

Although the ornamentation of the Lascaux cave seems relatively homogeneous in style, the analysis by scanning and transmission electron microscopy of 32 microsamples from the figures of the Hall of the Bulls (Bull Rotunda) and one desquamated sample from the soil highlighted different paint pots. The black and red paint matters with their associated mineralogical phases were extensively characterized. Considering previous stylistic and superimposition studies, we were eventually able to confirm five creation steps of monothematic figures (‘assemblages’) based on the chemical and mineralogical characteristics. Further interpretations in terms of the rhythm and temporal framework of the Hall of the Bulls (Bull Rotunda) of the Lascaux cave could be reinforced. Some particular representations such as the black cave bear and one of the cross-shaped signs were shown to be likely added at later moments by different hands because their paint pots were different from those of the Bull Rotunda and similar to that of other representations in deeper rooms of the Lascaux cave. We also found that the paint matter of the Bull Rotunda was different than those of other Palaeolithic cave sites on a more regional scale indicating a very local sourcing.

This paper is a pilot study using lead isotope analysis to source native copper in the Lake Superior Basin. Forty Pb isotope samples are sampled from native copper deposits across the Lake Superior Basin and analyzed via MC-ICP-MS at Indiana University's Metal Isotope Lab. The result of this analysis demonstrates that there is a significant overlap between Pb signatures of native copper sources within the Lake Superior Basin. As a result, lead isotope analysis is not recommended as an alternative for sourcing native copper within the Lake Superior Basin.

Reinforcement is a critical aspect in the preservation of waterlogged wooden artifacts to ensure their long-term stability. In this study, we investigated the use of bacterial cellulose compounded with xylitol as a reinforcement material for simulated waterlogged wooden artifacts at varying concentrations. Evaluation of the reinforcement effects was based on indicators such as antishrinking efficacy, mechanical strength, and microscopic morphology. Our findings revealed that bacterial cellulose alone had limited effectiveness but showed enhanced reinforcement when mixed with xylitol. Optimized conditions resulted in remarkable improvements in bending strength (94.5 MPa) and deformation (20 mm) of the reinforced wood. This study offers novel insights and a scientific foundation for the reinforcement of waterlogged wooden artifacts, with potential implications for their preservation in cultural heritage conservation practices.