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Bioarcheology Biogeochemistry Carbon isotope analysis Ireland Nitrogen isotope analysis Oxygen isotope analysis Radiogenic strontium isotope analysis a b s t r a c t During the early medieval period in Ireland, Dublin was established as... more

Bioarcheology Biogeochemistry Carbon isotope analysis Ireland Nitrogen isotope analysis Oxygen isotope analysis Radiogenic strontium isotope analysis a b s t r a c t During the early medieval period in Ireland, Dublin was established as the largest Viking settlement on the island in the ninth century AD. A previous biodistance study has suggested that the population of the town consisted of a polyethnic amalgam of immigrant and indigenous. In this study, we use biogeochemistry to investigate paleomobility and paleodiet in archeological human remains from the ninth to eleventh century levels at the sites at Fishamble Street II (National Museum of Ireland excavation number E172), Fishamble Street III (E190) and John's Lane (E173), as well as twelfth-century remains from Wood Quay (E132). Through radiogenic strontium isotope, stable oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen isotope, and elemental concentration analyses, we investigate the origins of the individuals who lived and died in early and late Viking Dublin. Mean archaeological human enamel and bone isotope values from Dublin are 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ¼ 0.70975 AE 0.00139 (2s, n ¼ 22), d 13 C carbonate(V-PDB) ¼ À14.8& AE 0.8& (1s, n ¼ 12), and d 18 O carbonate(V-PDB) ¼ À7.2& AE 1.0& (1s, n ¼ 12). Archaeological human bone samples exhibit mean d 13 C collagen(V-PDB) ¼ À20.8& AE 0.5& (1s, n ¼ 12) and mean d 15 N collagen(AIR) ¼ þ10.0& AE 1.7& (1s, n ¼ 12).

Hutian Kiln, located in Jingdezhen City of Jiangxi Province of China, is well-known for the productions of bluish white glazed porcelain (Qingbai) from Song Dynasties (AD 960 e AD 1279) and egg-white glazed porcelain (Luanbai) of Yuan... more

Hutian Kiln, located in Jingdezhen City of Jiangxi Province of China, is well-known for the productions of bluish white glazed porcelain (Qingbai) from Song Dynasties (AD 960 e AD 1279) and egg-white glazed porcelain (Luanbai) of Yuan Dynasty (AD 1271 e AD 1368). Luanbai with an opaque glaze is thought to have evolved from Qingbai, which has a transparent glaze; however, the precise technological details for this process have not been adequately studied. This paper presents the analyses of samples of Luanbai and Qingbai porcelains from Hutian Kiln using various microscopic studies, including visible light spectrometry and Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence. Some distinct technical changes have been identified that help to explain the evolution from transparent Qingbai to opaque Luanbai glaze. First, there is an increase in the proportion of potassium-rich ingredients in sherds dating to Late Song Dynasty, which suggests a change in the glaze recipe. Second, during Yuan Dynasty, both types of porcelain share the same chemical composition, but Luanbai products display distinct micro-structures and opacity in contrast to the Qingbai ware. Third, the overall firing temperature of Luanbai is around 1270 C which is generally around 100 C higher than that of Qingbai. The opacity of Luanbai ware may be the result of different firing techniques, including the higher firing temperature and a correspondingly longer time to heat and to cool the glazed porcelain. The results reveal new insights on the coloring mechanism of the two kinds of glaze and the transition from Qingbai of Song Dynasty to Luanbai of Yuan Dynasty.

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ABSTRACT We investigated the casting cores of twelve large bronze masterpieces of the Florentine Renaissance and Mannerism (artworks by Ghiberti, Donatello, Verrocchio, Rustici, and Danti). Materials were characterized in their... more

ABSTRACT We investigated the casting cores of twelve large bronze masterpieces of the Florentine Renaissance and Mannerism (artworks by Ghiberti, Donatello, Verrocchio, Rustici, and Danti). Materials were characterized in their mineralogical-petrographic features, chemical composition, organic content and fossil traces. The results achieved provide information on the main recipes employed for manufacturing the casting cores, which largely agree with written sources of the time, and shed light on the art foundry processes between the 15th–16th centuries. The data collected point out a pronounced affinity of natural raw materials used in all the casting cores investigated, consisting in silty-sandy clays with a suitable natural fine-grained temper component. A large use of organic fibres and matters of both animal and vegetal origin and a minor use of gypsum in selected workshops (Rustici, Verrocchio) were highlighted. Textural analyses allowed gaining information on direct vs indirect methods of casting, while firing temperatures up to about 1000 °C were estimated from mineralogical and microstructural observations. Despite the strong similarities, significant differences among the various samples analysed were pointed out, providing some initial analytical clues that suggest different practices in separate workshops. Finally, the whole petrographic, geochemical and paleontological data gave information on the provenance of the clayey raw materials. This work represents the first step of a systematic approach to the classification of the core materials used in Florentine foundries along the centuries and shows the significant contribution the petrographic analyses can provide to the interpretation of the execution processes of large bronzes.

Egyptlan mummies have captured the imagination of mankind for very many years. Modern analysis of mummies, using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and High Performance Liquid Chromatography, provides information on the type of orgamc... more

Egyptlan mummies have captured the imagination of mankind for very many years. Modern analysis of mummies, using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and High Performance Liquid Chromatography, provides information on the type of orgamc matter used in the embalming processes. A long standing controversy between modern archaeologists and ancient historians is the question of whether Dead Sea asphalt was exported to Egypt for this purpose. Analysis of biomarkers, and in particular of the steranes and pentacyclic triterpanes, allowed the unequivocal identification of Dead Sea asphalts in mummies younger than the 2nd century BC while it was absent from an older mummy. A possible interpretation for this is that export of asphalt to Egypt for embalming purposes in the last 2500 years began only after the reign of Alexander the Great when the economy of Palestme became incorporated into the Egyptian geopolitical sphere. The presence of beeswax, n-alkanes in the C,,-C,, range with odd over even preference and of aromatic compounds related to the higher plants in mummies provides an insight into the technology of embalming as utilized by the ancient Egyptians.

Rescue excavations in Prohear, southeast Cambodia, recently saved the last untouched graves of one of the richest prehistoric sites in Southeast Asia. Many Iron Age burials dating from the 2nd century BC to the 1st century AD contained... more

Rescue excavations in Prohear, southeast Cambodia, recently saved the last untouched graves of one of the richest prehistoric sites in Southeast Asia. Many Iron Age burials dating from the 2nd century BC to the 1st century AD contained gold and silver ornaments so far unknown from archaeological contexts together with indications for the presence of an immigrated elite. A first selection of 59 objects were analysed by LA-ICP-MS to obtain detailed information about the composition, as well as minor and trace elements. The majority of the ornaments consist of electrum and auriferous silver with low copper concentrations, and two main groups indicating different alluvial gold sources can be distinguished by different concentrations of Pt, Ir, Bi and different Pd/Pt ratios, one group being related to rich burials with non-local features. The SEM and EDX analyses of four objects revealed two different gilding techniques observed for the first time in Southeast Asian artefacts: foil-fusion gilding, related to special AgeAue(Cu) eSn alloys containing up to 4% tin, and depletion gilding.

Stone anchors have been recovered along the Indian coast as a part of the maritime archaeological studies at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa. Study of stone anchors provides clues to understand the ancient maritime trade... more

Stone anchors have been recovered along the Indian coast as a part of the maritime archaeological studies at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa. Study of stone anchors provides clues to understand the ancient maritime trade contacts of India with other countries. These anchors resemble those found in the Mediterranean Sea, Persian Gulf and Red Sea Coast. Underwater explorations at Bet Dwarka, Dwarka, Goa, Visawada and Somnath have yielded stone anchors of widely varying shapes, sizes and weights ranging between 16 and 410 kg. Sixteen (10 Indo-Arabian, 4 Ringstone and 2 Single hole type) of the total of 269 stone anchors have been studied to determine provenance of rock through petrographic analysis using thin section studies, X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), and Scanning Electron Microscope e Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (SEM-EDS).

Four blue-glazed faience jars, on exhibition in the Louvre Museum, are referred to as the canopic jars of Rameses II. Their recent typological re-examination rendered this original assignment questionable. In order to clearly determine... more

Four blue-glazed faience jars, on exhibition in the Louvre Museum, are referred to as the canopic jars of Rameses II. Their recent typological re-examination rendered this original assignment questionable. In order to clearly determine their use, a study of two successive organic residues from the canopic jars, using molecular biomarkers analysed by GC-MS and LC-MS and absolute dating by 14 C, was initiated. The results revealed that these two materials were not contemporary to the reign of Rameses II. The first one, scraped from the interior face of one jar, was identified as an unguent made of coniferous oil and animal fat and dated from the Third Intermediate Period. The second one, originally stored with glued linen inside one jar, is likely an embalming substance, made of pure vegetable resin (Pistacia) and dated from the Ptolemaic Period. These results clarify a controversy which has been lasting over a century. The famous blue-glazed faience jars are not the canopic jars of Rameses II but are confirmed as situlae which were reused at least two times: first to store unguents during the Intermediate Period and later to store embalming packages of an unknown person during the Ptolemaic period.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. All in-text references underlined in blue are added to the original document and are linked to publications on ResearchGate, letting you access and read them immediately. This... more

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. All in-text references underlined in blue are added to the original document and are linked to publications on ResearchGate, letting you access and read them immediately. This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues.

The application of physics to art history, art conservation and archaeology is currently a growing area of research. Astronomy and astrophysics have made significant contributions to imaging science which has in turn contributed to the... more

The application of physics to art history, art conservation and archaeology is currently a growing area of research. Astronomy and astrophysics have made significant contributions to imaging science which has in turn contributed to the developments of many other fields ranging from biological science to the study of art history, archaeology and art conservation. This paper will discuss how knowledge traditionally associated with astrophysics have made impact on the
study of cultural heritage. Examples will be drawn from recent research carried out in my research group.

Abstract Although there are many archaeological and ethnographic evidences for the use of slate and similar rocks for flaking purpose, they raised little interest among specialists, leading to a general ignorance of specific problems... more

Abstract Although there are many archaeological and ethnographic evidences for the use of slate and similar rocks for flaking purpose, they raised little interest among specialists, leading to a general ignorance of specific problems associated with these raw materials. ...

We report d 18 O and d 13 C data from modern carbonate in soils and dung samples from 3 recently abandoned livestock corrals in northern Kenya. Calcium carbonate content is higher within w5 cm depth that contains a mixture of dung and... more

We report d 18 O and d 13 C data from modern carbonate in soils and dung samples from 3 recently abandoned livestock corrals in northern Kenya. Calcium carbonate content is higher within w5 cm depth that contains a mixture of dung and surface soils of corrals than in soils below 5 cm depth. We radiocarbon dated carbonates from 0.5 to 40 cm depths in two corrals and one control site. Surface carbonates (0.5 cm) from the two corrals were formed from modern carbon (>1955) when the corrals were active, while all other carbon is >16,000 years (BP) old. Shallow carbonate is also enriched in 18 O (d 18 O up to 3.0&) and depleted in 13 C (d 13 C up to À12.0&) with respect to carbonate at deeper levels and at two control sites. The d 18 O and d 13 C of soil carbonates (d 18 O SC and d 13 C SC respectively) in corrals are inversely correlated for depths up to about 15 cm where organic carbon is greater than 0.5%. Below that depth, there is a positive correlation between d 18 O SC and d 13 C SC values, similar to that observed in a control site. In concordance with the increase in d 18 O SC and the decrease in d 13 C SC values in corral surface soils, the d 15 N of soil organic matter (SOM) (d 15 N SOM ) decreases with depth in corral soils, but in a control site shows a slight increase within the first 5 cm and then becomes relatively constant with depth. Dungladen organic matter at corral surfaces is enriched in 15 N by w5& relative to surface SOM of control sites. The d 15 N SOM values imply that dung enriches the surface soils of livestock corrals in 15 N. The observed d 15 N SOM and d 18 O SC trends suggest microbially-mediated carbonate precipitation in the dung, a conclusion that is supported by d 13 C SC and d 18 O SC trends and the radiocarbon data. The calcium carbonate from the dung is released in the soil as dung mixes with the mineral phases of the soil.

Correlating archaeological finds with their associated stratigraphic context is elementary to modern excavation methods. Although micro-contextual approaches can provide invaluable perspectives, ascribing primary depositional status and... more

Correlating archaeological finds with their associated stratigraphic context is elementary to modern excavation methods. Although micro-contextual approaches can provide invaluable perspectives, ascribing primary depositional status and associative context has traditionally been a qualitative exercise. To improve the empirical nature of this process as part of new excavations at the Cooper's Ferry site in western Idaho, we established a chemostratigraphic framework that enables us to quantitatively relate the elemental geochemistry of sediments associated with artifacts and other samples back to a master lithostratigraphic sequence. We subjected a total of 151 PXRF readings from six lithostratigraphic units to multiple discriminant function analysis, which led to the identification of characteristic elements. To test the site's chemostratigraphic framework, we collected PXRF readings from an infilled rodent burrow, which visually appeared to contain mixed sediments from multiple lithostratigraphic units. Statistical analysis could not relate the rodent burrow's sedimentary geochemistry well to any of the known lithostratigraphic units, thus marking it as potentially disturbed. This methodological approach allows us to make quantitative correlations between stratigraphic units across the site and most importantly, enables us to independently evaluate whether objects from any part of the site are in direct association with "anomalous" or "regular" sediments.

A cat skeleton from a Predynastic burial in Egypt that was previously labelled as Felis silvestris is re-identified as Felis chaus. This means that the previous claim needs to be withdrawn that the specimen represents early evidence for... more

A cat skeleton from a Predynastic burial in Egypt that was previously labelled as Felis silvestris is re-identified as Felis chaus. This means that the previous claim needs to be withdrawn that the specimen represents early evidence for taming of Felis silvestris that ultimately led to domestication. However, the statement that the small felid has been held in captivity for several weeks, based on the presence of healed fractures, is still valid.

The Hellenistic, Parthian, and Roman site of Dura–Europos (or simply “Dura”), dubbed the “Pompeii of the Syrian Desert” by Yale historian and archaeologist Michael Rostovtzeff, was jointly excavated by Yale University and the French... more

The Hellenistic, Parthian, and Roman site of Dura–Europos (or simply “Dura”), dubbed the “Pompeii of the Syrian Desert” by Yale historian and archaeologist Michael Rostovtzeff, was jointly excavated by Yale University and the French Academy of Inscriptions and Letters from 1928 to 1937. Given the outstanding preservation of art and architecture at Dura, it is not surprising that four obsidian artifacts have escaped attention, despite evidence that stone tools – including obsidian ones – continued to be used into and after the Iron Age in the Eastern Mediterranean. After more than eight decades, the character of Dura's connections to the Classical world remains a matter of debate. Pottery includes not only local ceramic wares but also North African and Aegean ones. Our nondestructive pXRF testing establish that the Dura artifacts match the three most widely used Eastern Anatolian obsidian sources: Nemrut Dağ volcano as well as the Bingöl A and B sources. If indeed obsidian arrived at Dura via long-standing mechanisms of Mesopotamian exchange, these Eastern Anatolian obsidians would be expected. Unfortunately, the artifacts' precise locations at Dura are unclear, the excavations lacked stratigraphic con- straints, and Near Eastern obsidian distribution patterns have been rarely studied beyond the Early Bronze Age. Keeping in mind these limitations, our findings are most consistent with past suggestions regarding the im- portance of local Mesopotamian influences and resources at the site.

We analyze statistically representative samples of radiocarbon dates from key Early Neolithic sites in Central Europe belonging to the Linear Pottery Ceramic Culture (LBK), and of pottery-bearing cultures on East European Plain... more

We analyze statistically representative samples of radiocarbon dates from key Early Neolithic sites in Central Europe belonging to the Linear Pottery Ceramic Culture (LBK), and of pottery-bearing cultures on East European Plain (Yelshanian, Rakushechnyi Yar, Buh-Dniestrian, Serteya and boreal East European Plain). The dates from the LBK sites form a statistically homogeneous set with the probability distribution similar to a single-date Gaussian curve. This implies that the duration of the spread of the LBK is shorter than the available temporal resolution of the radiocarbon dating; therefore, the rate of spread must be larger than 4 km/yr, in agreement with earlier estimates. The East European sites exhibit a broad probability distribution of dates. We identify in these data a spatio-temporal sequence from southeast to northwest , which implies the rate of spread of the initial pottery-making of the order of 1.6 km/yr, comparable to the average rate of spread of the Neolithic in Western and Central Europe. We argue that this spatio-temporal sequence is consistent with an idea that the tradition of the initial pottery-making on East European Plain developed under an early impulse from the Eastern Steppe.

Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, has been the focus of much research and speculation, particularly with reference to the island's hundreds of giant, enigmatic statues and the set of conditions that supported their construction and... more

Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, has been the focus of much research and speculation, particularly with reference to the island's hundreds of giant, enigmatic statues and the set of conditions that supported their construction and transportation. In this paper, we analyze an abundant class of lithic artifacts, mata'a, to study of patterns of cultural transmission with implications for the evolution of groups, competition, and scale of socio-political organization among this island population. While these kinds of studies often draw upon assemblages of decorated ceramics, here we show how analysis of variability unconstrained by performance allows us to measure aspects of inheritance related to the manufacture of these artifacts. In the case of mata'a from Rapa Nui, we demonstrate that it is possible to reach falsifiable conclusions about the evolutionary dynamics that shaped the remarkable archaeological record on Rapa Nui.

Communication routes are an important subject in the study of the human past. They allowed interactions between communities and the dispersal of goods and ideas. Their study, therefore, can shed light on the way in which communities... more

Communication routes are an important subject in the study of the human past. They allowed interactions between communities and the dispersal of goods and ideas. Their study, therefore, can shed light on the way in which communities inhabited the landscape, related to each other and were affected by macro-regional trends. Many methods, such as archaeomorphological analysis and Least Cost Route modelling (LCR), have been devised and are routinely employed for the reconstruction of ancient routes. Their analysis in terms of communication, trade or historical significance, however, has usually been left unexplored. This is probably due to the connected nature of routes, which form communication networks: these are shaped by interconnected nodes and extend over territories surpassing the regional scale in such a way that even a change in a single node or link can affect the whole network. Consequently, the partial reconstruction of communication networks provided by the aforementioned m...

The study of material culture generated by military engagements has created an emergent sub-discipline of archaeological studies centred on battlefields. This approach has developed a particular and sophisticated methodology that is able... more

The study of material culture generated by military engagements has created an emergent sub-discipline of archaeological studies centred on battlefields. This approach has developed a particular and sophisticated methodology that is able to deal with the fact that archaeologists will often not find either structures or a useful stratigraphical record on the site, as the material remains of the battle

Chemical analysis of archaeological objects is an important part of current investigations. In the presented study, a soil from an archaeological vessel from rescue excavation close to the village Držovice (Central Moravia Region, Czech... more

Chemical analysis of archaeological objects is an important part of current investigations. In the presented study, a soil from an archaeological vessel from rescue excavation close to the village Držovice (Central Moravia Region, Czech Republic; findings dated to Eneolithic period) was analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and firstly in archaeological science by atmospheric pressure solids analysis probe with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Miliacin, a chemical marker of a broomcorn millet, was unambiguously confirmed by both techniques. The obtained results can help to understand the diet habits of Corded Ware population and connection between Central Europe and Asia, where broomcorn millet has been domesticated. The identification of miliacin as a “chemical imprint” of millet from the end of Eneolithic period of Moravia is therefore extraordinarily important.

The aim of this proposal is to present an original approach to the study and preservation of rock art caves. A multidisciplinary study of cave wall alteration will be performed to understand the impact of environmental context on the... more

The aim of this proposal is to present an original approach to the study and preservation of rock art caves. A multidisciplinary study of cave wall alteration will be performed to understand the impact of environmental context on the evolution of wall surfaces. The approach involves the choice of a cave with characteristics similar to painted caves in the studied area (Vézère Valley in Dordogne, France): e.g., cave wall alteration, lithology, morphology, etc. This selected cave is intended to become a laboratory cave, monitored for the acquisition of chemical, physical and biological environmental data on bedrock, air and fluids along with their characteristics. A cave without art or archaeological interest has been chosen specifically to conduct experiments, to make in situ analysis and to obtain samples. The results are to be completed by specific observations in several other caves and compiled in a database.

Abric Romaní, a rock shelter located near Barcelona, Spain, contains a charcoal-bearing basal Aurignacian occupation level sandwiched between beds of moss-generated carbonate. The Aurignacian culture is the oldest artefact industry in... more

Abric Romaní, a rock shelter located near Barcelona, Spain, contains a charcoal-bearing basal Aurignacian occupation level sandwiched between beds of moss-generated carbonate. The Aurignacian culture is the oldest artefact industry in Europe with which anatomically ...

Non-destructive analysis by means of portable X-ray flourescence (pXRF) and Raman spectroscopy of color traces on sculptures and architectural parts from the Delphi Museum, Phokis, Greece, are presented. These sculptures and architectural... more

Non-destructive analysis by means of portable X-ray flourescence (pXRF) and Raman spectroscopy of color traces on sculptures and architectural parts from the Delphi Museum, Phokis, Greece, are presented. These sculptures and architectural parts are dated to the Archaic period (7th-6th c. B.C.). The main question to be answered is the mineral/pigment used for each part and therefore to reconstruct the color palette of the artists. For this research, sixteen archaeological exhibits of the Delphi museum were analyzed with two different spectroscopies, and the white, red, black, yellow and blue pigments were identified.

Ö z e t: Kestane (Castanea sativa Mill.), fındık (Corylus avellana L.) ve antepfıstığı (Pistacia vera) meyveleri bakımından değerlendirilen önemli ağaç türleridir. Meyveler, pastacılık, şekerleme, tatlı ve yağ sanayi vb. birçok alanda... more

Ö z e t: Kestane (Castanea sativa Mill.), fındık (Corylus avellana L.) ve antepfıstığı (Pistacia vera) meyveleri bakımından değerlendirilen önemli ağaç türleridir. Meyveler, pastacılık, şekerleme, tatlı ve yağ sanayi vb. birçok alanda değerlendirilmektedir. Bu ağaç türlerinin meyveleri kullanılırken meyve kabukları atıl olarak düşünülmekte ve yakılarak enerji üretimi amacı dışında pek fazla kullanım alanı bulunmamaktadır. Bu çalışmada kestane, fındık ve antepfıstığı meyve kabuklarının kimyasal analizleri yapılmıştır. Bu maksatla örneklerde hücre çeperi ana bileşenleri ve yan bileşenlerinin miktarları belirlenmiştir. Holoselüloz miktarı baz alındığında antepfıstığı meyve kabuklarının en yüksek değere sahip olduğu ( %78.46) tespit edilmiştir. Lignin miktarı ise fındık meyve kabuklarında (%45 .62) en yüksek değerdedir. Bunun yanısıra çözünürlük değerlerinde %1'lik NaOH çözünürlüğü en yüksek olarak kestane meyve kabuklarında (%56 .76), sonrasında fındık meyve kabuklarında (%19.78) en düşük olarak da antepfıstığı meyve kabuklarında (%10 .00) tespit edilmiştir.

Archaeoparasitology is increasingly being used as a tool in archaeological research to investigate relationships between past humans, environments, diets and disease. It can be particularly useful in contexts where parasite eggs preserve,... more

Archaeoparasitology is increasingly being used as a tool in archaeological research to investigate relationships between past humans, environments, diets and disease. It can be particularly useful in contexts where parasite eggs preserve, but human and faunal remains do not, including in the identification of disease and/or dietary items otherwise absent from the local archaeological record. We analyzed soil samples from the Late Mesolithic layers of the lake island site of Derragh in County Longford, Ireland. All samples were positive for the presence of Diphyllobothrium sp., an intestinal fish tapeworm that infects humans, causing diphyllobothriasis. Though fish are thought to be a staple food in Mesolithic Ireland, evidence for fishing and subsistence from this period is extremely fragmentary. Similarly, there is little available evidence for disease, primarily due to the lack of human remains. This finding represents the earliest known presence of human-derived parasites in Ireland, the earliest known finding of Diphyllobothrium sp. in Europe and the only finding of the tapeworm from hunter-gatherer contexts. It suggests parasitic infections, particularly those resulting from undercooked food, may be more common in ancient hunter-gatherer populations than previously suspected. The presence of these zoonotic parasites at huntergatherer sites can provide important insight into local environments, health and disease, and culinary practices. In locations like Mesolithic Ireland, the presence of parasites may assist in the identification of subsistence activities, such as fishing, and specific prey.

The remains are described of a guinea pig dated to the end of the 16th e beginning of the 17th c. AD. The animal was discovered at a site in Mons, Belgium, and is the first European archaeozoological find dated with certainty on the basis... more

The remains are described of a guinea pig dated to the end of the 16th e beginning of the 17th c. AD. The animal was discovered at a site in Mons, Belgium, and is the first European archaeozoological find dated with certainty on the basis of both the archaeological context and a radiocarbon dating of its bone. This find confirms that the guinea pig was introduced to Europe soon after the conquest of South America. The morphological and metrical analyses performed on the skeletal remains are in agreement with the icono- graphic and literary sources indicating the domestic status of the animals imported to Europe. While a previous discovery in England suggested that the guinea pig was a prestigious animal, the present study argues that it was accessible to several classes of the population which may be related to the rapid spread of this prolific animal after its introduction in Europe.

Direct dating of stone-walled fishtraps has been a methodological challenge in archaeology and is generally considered insurmountable. Dating is usually associative, linking traps to local archaeological sites and geomorphological... more

Direct dating of stone-walled fishtraps has been a methodological challenge in archaeology and is generally considered insurmountable. Dating is usually associative, linking traps to local archaeological sites and geomorphological features of known age. Limited excavation of sediments burying the lower sections of stone-walled fishtrap features has been previously undertaken with limited success. Recent fine-grained excavation and comprehensive AMS dating and analysis of channel in-fill sediments associated with an elaborate freshwater fishtrap complex at Lake Condah, western Victoria, yields reliable insights into the phased construction and use of the feature. An early phase of basalt bedrock removal to create a bifurcated channel was subsequently in-filled with flood sediments incorporating stone artefacts and charcoal dated to c.6600 cal BP. After a hiatus, basalt blocks were added to the sides of the channel to create multi-tiered walls within the past 600e800 years. This site provides the first direct insights into the antiquity of the elaborate fishtrapping and aquaculture system developed by Aboriginal people in the Lake Condah region, and may represent one of the world's oldest known fishtraps.

The Bremer Site lies along the shores of Spring Lake in southeastern Minnesota, and excavations in the 1950s uncovered evidence of Woodland and Mississippian occupation phases. In 2011, a new program of systematic survey and excavation... more

The Bremer Site lies along the shores of Spring Lake in southeastern Minnesota, and excavations in the 1950s uncovered evidence of Woodland and Mississippian occupation phases. In 2011, a new program of systematic survey and excavation began to better understand cultural patterning and diachronic changes at the Bremer Site. The investigations came to include microarcheaological methods, including sediment micromorphology and soil chemistry. No element has received more archaeological attention than P, which can reflect human and animal waste, organic refuse, burials, and ash. There has been interest in integrating soil chemistry into the workflow of fieldwork and in the potential of portable analytical instruments to yield data within the timeframe of an excavation season. The last few years have seen the rise and proliferation of portable XRF (pXRF) instruments in archaeological studies. The newest generation of pXRF instruments is able to quantify P at low concentrations, and our focus here is developing effective methods to do so in archaeological soils and sediments. Using sediments from the Bremer Site, we evaluate two preparation techniques in order to find which one best balances analytical quality and preparation time. To analyze as many specimens as possible during an excavation season, it is desirable to identify adequate preparation methods as well as the smallest number of analyses needed to attain reasonable confidence levels. Regarding repeatability, we show that, to attain P values with a standard error better than 10% or 20% of the mean, one or two analyses per specimen are sufficient in a majority of cases. Regarding repro-ducibility, we compare the pXRF data to two independent ICP-OES datasets. Ultimately, these tests aid in establishing methods that enable archaeologically significant pXRF analyses of soil P concentrations, even when working far from an analytical laboratory.

This paper discusses the results of the analysis of a female skull from a collective burial dated to the Ancient Bronze Age in Italy (Ballabio, LC). A virtual restoration and 3D reconstruction was also produced from the digitalized skull... more

This paper discusses the results of the analysis of a female skull from a collective burial dated to the Ancient Bronze Age in Italy (Ballabio, LC). A virtual restoration and 3D reconstruction was also produced from the digitalized skull to complete the damaged parts and to recreate the facial appearance of this young adult female from the Bronze Age. The skull shows clear evidence of post-mortem modifications, as some series of scraping marks on the external cranial vault cross the parietal bones longitudinally. The contemporaneous presence of taphonomic linear marks on the skull and periostitis on the frontal bone, as well as the provenance of the specimen from a secondary burial (a typical funerary habit documented in Italy during the Copper Age and Ancient Bronze Age), makes it difficult to interpret the case (scalping, surgery, or ritual practice linked to secondary burial). The advanced methods used to analyse the skull surface allowed us to discriminate intentional marks from modifications due to other taphonomic processes and to determine the timing of their formation (peri-or post-mortem). The possibility that the scraping marks are related to a ritual practice, conducted during the individual's life (with specific symbolic or social value) or after death or at the moment of secondary burial, is discussed.

Research into animal bone density has provided the foundation for the assessment of post-depositional destruction of archaeological faunal assemblages. This paper presents bone mineral density values for caprid long bones as determined by... more

Research into animal bone density has provided the foundation for the assessment of post-depositional destruction of archaeological faunal assemblages. This paper presents bone mineral density values for caprid long bones as determined by computed tomography (CT). Unlike photon densitometry, the technique employed in previous archaeological studies of bone density, CT provides precise assessments of the cross-sectional area of scan sites. Researchers using photon densitometry have been unable to factor out the marrow cavity in their determination of cross-sectional area, thereby significantly underestimating the density of long bone shafts. The density values obtained by CT are much higher, particularly for middle shaft portions, than those presented in previous studies and are more consistent with existing data on the material properties of bone. For two archaeological faunal assemblages that have been subject to post-depositional attrition, the CT density values show a much stronger correlation with long bone portion survival than those provided by photon densitometry. Given such advantages over photon densitometry, CT is a promising method for future archaeological investigations into bone density.

The development of agriculture is closely associated with the domestication of wheat, one of the earliest crop species. During domestication key genes underlying traits important to Neolithic agriculture were targeted by selection. One... more

The development of agriculture is closely associated with the domestication of wheat, one of the earliest crop species. During domestication key genes underlying traits important to Neolithic agriculture were targeted by selection. One gene believed to be such a domestication gene is NAM-B1, affecting both nutritional quality and yield but with opposite effects. A null mutation, first arisen in emmer wheat, decreases the nutritional quality but delays maturity and increases grain size; previously the ancestral allele was believed lost during the domestication of durum and bread wheat by indirect selection for larger grain. By genotyping 63 historical seed samples originating from the 1862 International Exhibition in London, we found that the ancestral allele was present in two spelt wheat and two bread wheat cultivars widely cultivated at the time. This suggests that fixation of the mutated allele of NAM-B1 in bread wheat, if at all, occurred during modern crop improvement rather than during domestication. We also discuss the value of using archaeological and historical plant material to further the understanding of the development of agriculture.

Paleoenvironmental reconstruction combining data from diatom, pollen, macrophytic, and archaeological analyses had not been attempted previously for coastal Peru. We analyzed two radiocarbondated sediment cores extracted from the "sacred"... more

Paleoenvironmental reconstruction combining data from diatom, pollen, macrophytic, and archaeological analyses had not been attempted previously for coastal Peru. We analyzed two radiocarbondated sediment cores extracted from the "sacred" Urpi Kocha Lagoon at the pre-Hispanic religious center of Pachacamac (ca. AD 350e1533), near Lima, to characterize the paleoenvironment of the site. The data reveal an environmental history characterized by alternating periods of severe drought and catastrophic flood. Recurrent pulses with distinctive sediment, diatom, pollen, and macrophytic characteristics reflecting variations in water depth, substrate, turbidity and salinity, usually contain a thick basal sandy storm deposit overlain by thin organic accumulations of peat, gyttja, and snails. The most intense of these disturbance pulses, when correlated with pollen, plant macrofossils, radiocarbon dates, and regional proxy data, provide local evidence of four major floods associated with sustained, catastrophic El Niño events, tsunamis and/or severe storms in the Andean highlands over the last 2000 years.

Several small seeded plants were domesticated as grain crops in the Near East and other domestication centers. In this study we investigate the potential of small seeded wild lentils, and chickpea as a food source for hunters-gatherers.... more

Several small seeded plants were domesticated as grain crops in the Near East and other domestication centers. In this study we investigate the potential of small seeded wild lentils, and chickpea as a food source for hunters-gatherers. The yield potential and the return in terms of grams of seeds per hour of collection time were evaluated in several wild populations in Israel. The yield figures never exceeded 50 g/h, and in most cases were below 20 g/h. These data reaffirm Ladizinsky's claim that wild lentils are unlikely to have been a staple resource for hunter-gatherers prior to plant domestication. The result presented herein may be significant vis-a-vis the role attributed to small seeded ('inefficient') plants in the Broad Spectrum hypothesis concerning late Paleolithic, pre-agricultural societies. It may also contribute to a more careful interpretation of plant remains recovered from pre-agricultural sites.

The analysis of carbon isotope discrimination ( ) in crop seeds from archaeological sites may help to assess yield during early agriculture. Wheat was among the first crops to be domesticated in the Near East. Here, a yield model based on... more

The analysis of carbon isotope discrimination ( ) in crop seeds from archaeological sites may help to assess yield during early agriculture. Wheat was among the first crops to be domesticated in the Near East. Here, a yield model based on in grains from present-day crops of durum wheat (Triticum durum Def.) is developed using a wide range of genotypes, most of which were cultivated in the Eastern Mediterranean basin (Syria). A strong positive linear regression (r 2 =0·72) between yield on a logarithmic basis and grain was observed. Initial estimates of ancient wheat yields were then obtained by fitting the values of archaeological grains to the above relationship. The yield estimates were subsequently corrected to take into consideration the two main differences between ancient and modern crops not accounted for by the of ancient samples: atmospheric CO 2 levels and grain/total above-ground biomass ratio. The model was then used to estimate yields of naked wheat (Triticum durum/aestivum) attained at Tell Halula, an early agricultural site, ranging from Middle Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (PPNB, c. 9550  calibrated) to Late Neolithic (Pre-Halaf, c. 8630  calibrated). This is the earliest archaeological settlement in the Middle Euphrates region (Rakka Governorate, Syria) at which the cultivation of domesticated naked wheat has been reported. Productivity, calculated from of wheat grains found at this site, was relatively high, with an average (mean ..) of 1·56 0·28 Mg ha 1 . Although these yields are well below those attained in this region by present-day wheat crops under irrigation (e.g. 3·83 Mg ha 1 , mean value for 1987-1996 period at Rakka Governorate), they are higher than those achieved for wheat under the current rainfed conditions of this semi-arid region (1·05 Mg ha 1 ) and suggest natural growing conditions were wetter than those than are prevalent today. In addition, our estimates for Tell Halula suggest that Neolithic agricultural practices may have produced greater yields than those to be expected from stands of wild cereals, which would have favoured the transition from gathering to cultivation.

In this paper we claim that during the First Temple period, no organized or fixed system of liquid volume measurements existed in Judah. The biblical bath, which has been understood to be the basic measurement of the system, was not a... more

In this paper we claim that during the First Temple period, no organized or fixed system of liquid volume measurements existed in Judah. The biblical bath, which has been understood to be the basic measurement of the system, was not a measurement at all but a well-known vessel – the Judahite storage jar–also known as the lmlk jar. The nēḇel and the kaḏ were two other vessels that had other uses. The lōḡ, hîn, and iśśārôn, which are usually termed “measurements” and considered part of the system of liquid volume measurements, were actually vessels that were part of the official Temple cult during the Second Temple period and were never part of the First Temple economy and administration.

X-ray fluorescence spectrometry is a common technique in determining the elemental composition of lithic materials. With the exception of glassy volcanic rocks like obsidian, most rock types are prepared for analysis by conversion of... more

X-ray fluorescence spectrometry is a common technique in determining the elemental composition of lithic materials. With the exception of glassy volcanic rocks like obsidian, most rock types are prepared for analysis by conversion of specimens to powder or glass in order to reduce the effects of irregular surface topography and internal inhomogeneity. Concern for artefact conservation necessitates a less destructive

This paper critically reviews the various approaches used to estimate the age of the rock art in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. They include: (i) the relative superimposition of styles; (ii) the use of diagnostic subject... more

This paper critically reviews the various approaches used to estimate the age of the rock art in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. They include: (i) the relative superimposition of styles; (ii) the use of diagnostic subject matter (depictions of extinct animals, stone tool technology, introduced European and Asian objects and animals); (iii) the recovery of a 'painted' slab from a dated archaeological unit; (iv) radiocarbon dating of beeswax figures, charcoal pigments, organic matter in overlying mineral deposits and 'accreted paint layers' (oxalate rich crusts and amorphous silica skin), pollen grains from an overlaying mud-wasp nest; and (v) optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of quartz grains from overlying mud-wasp nests. Future directions for rock art dating in the Kimberley include uranium-series dating of overlying and underlying mineral deposits.

The brick Chapel at St. Mary's City, Maryland, built around 1667, would have been an impressive structure on a colonial frontier where all the other buildings were built only of wood. While the building is no longer extant, the bricks... more

The brick Chapel at St. Mary's City, Maryland, built around 1667, would have been an impressive structure on a colonial frontier where all the other buildings were built only of wood. While the building is no longer extant, the bricks remaining in the buried foundations hold information about the technologies and materials used by brickmakers in the 17th-century Chesapeake region. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and petrographic analysis of thin sections were used to compare the Chapel bricks and other 17th-century bricks and tiles from several Chesapeake contexts to locally available clay sources. While the composition of the Chapel bricks is generally consistent with that of clays available in southern Maryland, these historic materials could not be linked to any one deposit, and may reflect the mixing of clays from multiple sources. In contrast, building materials from other 17th-century buildings at St. Mary's City could be more precisely ''matched'' to specific local clay deposits. This paper reports on our initial investigations toward understanding the technology of the Chapel bricks and their relationship to other bricks from St. Mary's City.

This work shows the preliminary results of an international project for the interdisciplinary study of the limestone used in the plasters of the ancient city of Teotihuacan. The limestone provenance was studied using a new approach based... more

This work shows the preliminary results of an international project for the interdisciplinary study of the limestone used in the plasters of the ancient city of Teotihuacan. The limestone provenance was studied using a new approach based on the chemical analysis of the lime lumps that were selected because they represent the composition of the original limestone rock. The results show that the applied methodology was successful and that the limestone used to produce the lime employed to make the floor of the main courtyard at Teopancazco (Teotihuacan), comes from the region near Tula (Hidalgo).

Pottery production was important to Latter-day Saint communities and distinguished these towns from their non-Mormon neighbors. The potters and workers left scant records that reveal how their wares fit into Utah’s theocratically... more

Pottery production was important to Latter-day Saint communities and distinguished these towns from their non-Mormon neighbors. The potters and workers left scant records that reveal how their wares fit into Utah’s theocratically organized economy. Potters and potteries of 19th-century Utah and the Mormon Domain were part of an archaeological survey conducted between 1999 and 2000. The research project yielded
examples of kiln wasters that could be subjected to instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The results demonstrate the utility of integrating primary records and archaeometric tools in the study of historical era economic processes. Data also indicate the applicability of the approach for potteries in close geographic proximity and to determine patterns of
variation within site assemblages. The authors propose an anthropological research program to explore the economics of religion in Mormon Utah, combining the analytical power of archaeometry with the contextualized questioning possible in historical archaeology.