Search

The passing of Russell Coope in 2011 brought an end to a vigorous, dynamic research career that launched the field of Quaternary entomology. This issue of Quaternary International is composed mostly of papers given in his honour in June, 2012 at Royal Holloway University of London. It comprises 21 papers that cover a wide range of topics. The reconstruction of British Pleistocene environments was arguably Coope's most important contribution to science. Three papers containing previously unpublished Middle and Late Pleistocene beetle faunas and their interpretations are included here. A discussion paper on the origins of the insect faunas of North Atlantic islands echoes another of Coope's research interests, as do two studies of late glacial climates of northwest Europe. A suite of several papers discussing the environmental archaeology of sites ranging in age from the Bronze Age to the early 20th century honour Coope's pioneering work in this field. Pleistocene research from sites in North America and Japan complete the volume, followed by descriptions of two large-scale insect fossil databases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A fully digital methodology for pottery sherd analysis is proposed. • The method consists of two main parts: 3D acquisition and geometric model processing. • 3D acquisition method is based on the structure for motion technologies. • The processing implements elements of archeologists' knowledge to analyze sherds. • The method was applied to 133 Phoenician amphorae sherds excavated at Tell el-Burak. • The results show the potential for objectively analyzing large amounts of sherds. • New morphological features are introduced for fragments classification. Over the last few years, significant interest has been addressed in developing computer-based methods to document and analyze fragments of ceramics sherds in archaeology. This is because traditional manual processes do not allow for an objective, repeatable, and reproducible analysis of the large quantities of material needed to fully understand and explain human practices in various cultural contexts, such as the economy, daily life, and the material expression of religious beliefs. In that context, this paper proposes a fully digital methodology resulting from the constitution of an international research group coming from different scientific backgrounds: archaeologists with specific skills and experience in fast 3D geometry acquisition methods and researchers who developed and published the only available computer-based process for recognizing the geometric and morphological sherds features analyzed by archaeologists. The proposed methodology consists of two main parts: 1. 3D acquisition of sherds with the construction of the discrete 3D manifold model based on the Structure for Motion technologies; 2. recognition, segmentation, and dimensional characterization of morphological and geometrical features based on the codification and algorithmic implementation of the knowledge used by the archeologists in the traditional method. The method was applied to analyze a set of 133 sherds excavated at Tell el-Burak (Lebanon) to obtain, through the analysis of the namely Phoenician carinated-shoulder amphorae, new insights into the economic organization of the Phoenician homeland. The method demonstrated the potential for objectively, repeatedly, and reproducibly analyzing large quantities of sherds. Furthermore, it allowed studying sherds by generating new high-level knowledge from those acquired from 3D models; in particular, this paper introduces new morphological features that help the archaeologist classify fragments from an analysis of the rim's shape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• It is necessary for experts to evaluate their conservation proposals by examining how non-professionals perceive them. • Luminance changes better support recognizing new elements than textural distinctions. • Eye-tracker responds better to scientific needs than to design needs of architects and conservators. • Consultation based on simpler methods of research should be conducted prior to the use of an eye-tracker. Eye trackers are more and more often employed by scientists willing to learn more about how cultural heritage is perceived. However, designers very seldom make use of this technology, primarily perhaps due to its expensive and time-consuming nature. By choosing not to employ eye trackers they limit themselves to their own ideas and choices, at the same time forfeiting all the potential advantages of social consultations with non-professionals. One can easily imagine that their work and its effects would only benefit should a way be found to make eye-tracking tests more logistically and financially feasible or if another measure was established that would make it possible to learn the visual reactions of regular people. This paper focuses on perception of anastylosis. There are numerous types of damaged structures that get reassembled and multiple ways of doing that. While most doctrinal documents assert that the original object and the added elements should be easily distinguishable, the two solutions, most often chosen by designers is to make the cavity fillings differ in either texture or luminance from the original material. It is obvious that this results in a large range of solutions to choose from – from shallow indentations in the stone surface to deep ones, from stone just a shade brighter than the original to a distinct cream-white one. Since it is impossible to test all the possible variations using eye trackers, the authors of this paper tried a different approach. Eleven different virtual images were prepared of the same reassembled ionic column. They varied in the level of modifications applied to either the texture or the luminance of the cavity fillings. The entire set of eleven stimuli was then shown to a group of professionals in the field of architecture and/or conservation of monuments. They were asked to choose the best stimuli, that is those that facilitate the differentiation of the old and new parts of the structure by non-professionals. Thus, reduced set of three stimuli was then used in an eye-tracking tests involving over 100 participants. The eye-tracking data, combined with the results of previous research on the perception of anastylosis allowed the authors to formulate several conclusions. It turned out that the images selected by the professionals were far from those that would potentially stimulate and help non-professionals the most. However, the obtained information allowed formulating a few basic guidelines as to the use of differences in texture and luminance in anastylosis. It also made it possible to find a financially and logistically feasible alternative to the demanding eye-tracking tests when it comes to introducing social consultations into the designing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isotopic analysis has become one of the most popular arenas of archaeological science, in part due to its versatility to uncover intriguing insights from a range of organic and inorganic archaeological materials. However, alongside an increase in popularity, the field has seen the rise of dissemination of publications that do not pass quality control, do not apply robust interpretative frameworks, or do not report data in ways that would make them amenable to critical evaluation or inclusion in large meta-analyses. This paper represents an effort to clarify some of the most pressing weaknesses and misconceptions in 'traditional' applications of isotopic techniques in archaeology: measurement of stable carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen isotope values of organic and inorganic materials (bulk bone collagen, bulk tooth dentine, seeds; bulk and incremental tooth enamel, molluscan shells), and strontium isotope ratio analysis of tooth enamel and cremated bone. The discussion centers on three key aspects of research: (1) Selecting samples, with advice on building comparative baselines (or more appropriately 'base intervals ') and words of caution on interpreting stable carbon isotope values measured during AMS radiocarbon dating. (2) Handling data, including tips on exploratory data analysis, graphical visualization, and statistical assessment of differences between groups; with particular reference to the Statement on p -values published by the American Statistical Association. (3) Reporting results, with advice on using correct terminology and decimal points, calculating measurement precision and accuracy, and communicating results using effective scientific language. The advice provided in this paper does not cover all aspects of project design and dissemination but will hopefully provide clarification within the above key areas and inspire further discussion of effective and impactful applications of isotopic techniques in archaeology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to examine the exploitation of salt and its economic implications in Baden-Württemberg during the Iron Age as well as some wider perspectives on the subject from other areas of Germany. Salt is an important raw material that can have great economic implications and create long-term networks. The salt springs in the area are exploited using the briquetage method. It allows the production not only of salt but also of salt blocks, calibrated objects. The paper presents data on the production and distribution of salt around Schwäbisch Hall, some hypotheses on commercial competition between production centres. It also includes a more general discussion of the impact of the salt economy in the area. • This paper provides an overview of research of production and distribution of salt in Baden-Württemberg during the Iron Ages. • Spatial analysis approach of salt distribution allows to understand economic dynamics of salt. • Emphasis on the role of lowland settlements in the network of salt economy. • It addresses economic archaeology (trade networks, distribution mechanisms, social embeddedness of economic processes). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the first general portrait of the members of the Worked Bone Research Group (WBRG), a worldwide community of archaeologists interested in artefacts made of bone, antler, teeth, ivory, and shell. Using bibliometric data and the results of an online survey addressed to the WBRG members in early 2022, it focuses on three aspects of the WBRG members: 1) their personal and academic background; 2) the kind of research they do, how they get it funded and where they publish it; and 3) how their work was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and how they see the future of their subdiscipline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degree of preservation and the extractability of organic molecules in both archaeological and paleontological skeletal material has been the objective of many studies during the last decades and have shown extremely promising and interesting results (Schweitzer et al., 1997, 2007; Poulakakis et al., 2002; Schmidt-Schultz & Schultz, 2004; Dotsika et al., 2011). Studies on such molecules via various protocols of extraction as well as isotopic and spectroscopic analyses (Stathopoulou et al., 2008; Dotsika et al., 2011; Kontopoulos et al., 2019) have led to important information concerning evolutionary, environmental and diagenetic issues. Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins in skeletal material and its preservation in fossil material may indicate the preservation of other extremely important biomolecules such as DNA (Turner-Walker et al., 2008). This paper aims to present results concerning the evaluation of organic preservation as well as the extraction and quantification of collagen in samples from the Quaternary locations of Tilos and Dispilio (Greece) and Aghia Napa (Cyprus). Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR and NIR) was applied to all samples, prior to extraction in means of collagen prescreening and following extraction (where successful), to study the exact composition of the extracts and examine the correlation between collagen preservation and the samples' diagenetic profile (Stathopoulou et al., 2008; Kuczumow et al., 2010; Cleland et al., 2015; Stathopoulou et al., 2019). The extraction of collagen was attempted via modifications of the Longin (1971) method and specifically those of Maspero et al. (2011), Semal and Orban (1995) and Ambrose (1990). According to our results, only the Ambrose method led to successful collagen extraction and specifically only in the Dispilio samples. The collagen yield values for this material varied significantly (0,3–6,1% w/w) and seemed to strongly correlate to the different contexts found within the archaeological site. The IR analysis of the extracted Dispilio collagen indicated the presence of impurities such as carbonates and subsequently raised questions relating to the efficacy of the extraction method. Issues concerning geochemical and diagenetic parameters within the strata of the waterlogged site of Dispilio that could be connected to the different collagen yield as well as the methodological problems that emerged during the attempted extraction in all samples are discussed as well as the applicability of these methods on samples with reduced organic content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the first results of archaeological fieldwork carried out in the estuaries of the province of Bizkaia. Such estuaries have been used and transformed since ancient times yet little is known after the medieval period. Much of the evidence located is from the last 100 years or slightly earlier. In fact, many of the remains are results of the use of the riparian zone from the beginning of the 20th century. Nevertheless, they are the results of the use of an area which should be recorded to understand better what they represent and the impact that human activities have had on the archaeological record since. Although jetties, docks, dykes and other structural features were found in the survey, this paper also deals with some wrecks which were excavated and recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of the study of raw material procurement on two late Middle Paleolithic sites, Katta Sai 1 and Katta Sai 2, located in the western Tian Shan piedmont. The previous studies allowed to identify an unknown Levallois variant of human cultural adaptation in the regional Middle Paleolithic. Predetermined flake technology focused on obtaining the thin triangular flakes or even blades. At the same time, the river pebbles of effusive rocks brought from the nearby river gorges were used for knapping. The paper analyses the sources of the raw material collected, and its knapping quality together with the technological features indicating how the manufacturing scheme was adjusted to the quality of used raw material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the first palaeodemographic results of a newly assembled region-wide radiocarbon record of the Arctic regions of northern Norway. The dataset contains a comprehensive collection of radiocarbon dates in the area (N = 1205) and spans the 10,000-year period of hunter-gatherer settlement history from 11500 to 1500 cal BP. Utilizing local, high-resolution palaeoclimate data, the paper performs multi-proxy correlation testing of climate and demographic dynamics, looking for hunter-gatherer responses to climate variability. The paper compares both long-term climate trends and short-term disruptive climate events with the demographic development in the region. The results demonstrate marked demographic fluctuations throughout the period, characterized by a general increase, punctuated by three significant boom and bust-cycles centred on 6000, 3800 and 2200 cal BP, interpreted as instances of climate forcing of human demographic responses. The results strongly suggest the North Cape Current as a primary driver in the local environment and supports the patterns of covariance between coastal climate proxies and the palaeodemographic model. A mechanism of climate forcing mediation through marine trophic webs is proposed as a tentative explanation of the observed demographic fluxes, and a comparison with inter-regional results demonstrate remarkable similarity in demographic trends across mid-Holocene north and west Europe. The results of the north Norwegian radiocarbon record are thus consistent with independent, international efforts, corroborating the existing pan-European results and help further substantiate super-regional climate variability as the primary driver of population dynamics regardless of economic adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how significant are the ecological and climatic variables to influence the stable isotopes of guanacos. Lama guanicoe bone collagen carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios are assumed as a macro regional average value in west Argentina, mostly as a baseline to model archaeological human diet. If stable isotopes on mammals reflex ecology and climate, we need to know how those variables influence mammals bone stable isotope ratio. This paper analyses the 13C/12C and 15 N/14N ratio on bone collagen on 122 guanacos from Northwest Patagonia during the Holocene. The results confirm significant variation in both isotopes between Monte and Andean-Patagonian specimens. Guanacos from Monte shows higher δ13C and δ15N than those from Andean-Patagonian. Temporal trends indicate variation through Holocene but this variation is not spatially homogeneous. In this paper we suggest that Medieval Climatic Anomaly had stronger effect in Monte desert than in Patagonia desert, generating driest and/or hottest conditions between 1250 and 600 years BP. Those variations need to be considered to reconstruct human diet at least during the second part of the Holocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• State of art of archeometric analyses of ancient fired and mud bricks is reviewed. • Research aims and results obtained over the years are critically discussed. • Pros and cons of each analytical technique are reported. • A guideline for future analyses of bricks is proposed. Unfired and fired bricks were widely used as building materials in Antiquity across many geographically and temporally distant cultures. Studies on archaeological bricks have long focused on bricks from either an architectural or, where possible, epigraphic point of view. Only recently have bricks attracted the interest of material sciences to investigate aspects such as the origin and processing of raw materials, firing conditions and physical-mechanical performance. Archaeometric analyses of bricks are not yet as widespread or developed as those of other materials or artefacts. By reviewing the whole literature available on Neolithic to Byzantine bricks from all over the world, this paper aims to sketch a guideline for future analyses and emphasise their potential in shedding light on the bricks' life cycle, which in turn can serve as a basis to develop suitable conservation measures and new forms of sustainable architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alexandria's archaeological sites face a threat of segregation between their vitality as cultural-touristic sites and the community, and so is the case with Kōm al-Nāḍūra archaeological site and its historic urban setting. It is inaccessible and unrecognisable to the public, despite its multi-layered history of the Fatimid and Mamluk eras, Ottomans, the French Expedition and Muḥammad 'Alī's reign. Kōm al-Nāḍūra area is overshadowed by the Greco-Roman archaeological remains, including the Catacombs of Kōm al-Shokāfa, Pompey's Pillar and Kōm ad-Dikka. Also, the site does not connect with other tangible historical assets of cisterns, Arab city wall remains and Sufi mosques. Following the notion of contemporary archaeology for Kōm al-Nāḍūra to endorse it as a catalyst to connect the surrounding traditional activities and integrate its multi-layered heritage to achieve sustainable urban conservation. It promotes intercultural dialogue and connects the spatial-conceptual urban dots. Also, the absence of scientific publications documenting the historic urban setting of Kōm al-Nāḍūra area; raised this paper to investigate its chronological evolution from the Fatimid era until nowadays. It highlights forms of practice and addresses gaps within the political ecologies of urban heritage. If managed by practitioners, collaborations between individuals and the constitution of the heritage of local policies may take place, thus linking culture with sustainable urban development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Resilience is used worldwide to responsibilise individual citizens and local networks. • This paper analyses how resilience has been established in the safety discourse. • The paper analyses effects of the normative resilience discourse. Abstract There seems to be a worldwide push, through policy and Government campaigns, to emphasise a local and decentralised responsibility for societal safety and security. Often, this push is argued for using the notion of resilience. Using an archaeological approach this paper sets out to analyse the conditions of possibility for resilience to get established as an object of knowledge within the discourse of societal safety and security. Three such conditions of possibility are analysed: a scientific availability of resilience language and theory which offers an academic credibility to claims for resilience, a political need to decentralise initiatives (and costs) for societal safety and security to local actors and networks, and a number of events defining the need for such an approach. Critical questions are raised regarding the transfer of responsibility to citizens for societal safety and security, the normative use of resilience language as well as whether the resilience object of knowledge actually provides new language or whether it rather repackages previously present objects of discursive knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Hyperspectral images (HSI) of the well-known Gough map or Britain are the main data used in this project. • Some artifacts of the map such as handwriting texts are illegible despite the decent spatial resolution of the HSI. • A method called Pan-sharpening, previously used in remote sensing field, is introduced here to the cultural heritage community. The Pan-sharpening process improves the spatial resolution of the HSI without losing spectral fidelity. The spatial sharpening is performed by integrating the HSI with high spatial resolution digital images that are available for the Gough map. • Because the spectral resolution of the HSI is practically the same after the Pan-sharpening, transformation methods used in hyperspectral processing are applied to the pan-sharpened data in order to get complimentary results where spatial features are enhanced. • Enhancement of particular details of the map and faded text are shown in the paper as examples that the proposed methodology works. Abstract The Gough map has been recognized as the earliest surviving map of Great Britain. The map, dated to late 14th or early 15th century, depicts many and sophisticated cartographical local details, which was unusual in European medieval maps. Moreover, the rewriting and re-inking of some names or areas could indicate the map was re-touched after its original production. The Gough map, today with restricted access and in a conservation environment, was displayed for some time at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, where it was frequently in contact with scholars. Despite this familiarization, the Gough map has not been widely researched and inquiries about the original purpose of the map or the context in which it was made remain unknown. Recent interest in the map has lead to the use of new technologies to image the map and produce sophisticated data that allows scholars and scientists to examine it taking advantage of the new information. In this paper, a technique for Pan-sharpening hyperspectral images (HSI) is introduced to the cultural heritage community. The Pan-sharpening process is applied specifically to HSI images of the Gough map of Great Britain with the purpose of using relatively low spatial resolution hyperspectral analysis techniques on its very fine features. The Pan-sharpening technique is based on Nearest-neighbor diffusion (NNDiffuse) and the spatial enhancing is aimed at faded features such as handwriting and some distinctive details that are only visible in high-resolution conservation photographs. It is shown here that the use of the NNDiffuse Pan-sharpening improves spatial features in HSI of historical artifacts without impacting the spectral fidelity, and that the findings in the analysis of these features could contribute to the understanding of the Gough map and its importance in the historical context of Great Britain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of the degradation state of an unearthed ancient artefact concerns the identification of the material composition and of the corrosive compounds that are present at the surface. The standard investigation makes use of a combination of invasive and non-invasive techniques and complex devices, while it also relies on the extensive experience of the restorer. The current paper puts forward a new possibility of employing an alternative computational solution with the support of deep learning that recognizes and delineates all the corrosive compounds from stereo microscope images of the surface of a metal item. With the input received from a portable microscope, such a fast non-destructive tool would provide straightforward assistance at the excavation site, as well as a second opinion for novice investigators. Iron archaeological objects are considered and four corrosion compounds are identified and outlined by the deep learning models, i.e. Fe 2 O 3 , FeSO 4 , FeCl 3 and FeO. The results show that the deep computational identification and delimitation of the four corrosive types is meticulous even with a minimal annotation provided for training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Development of a technique to simulate mass loss in waterlogged archaeological wood. • Development of a non-destructive method for testing archaeological waterlogged wood. • Derivation of empirical equations for degradation versus compressional wave velocity for waterlogged wood. Abstract Often cultural conservators are asked to assess the preservation state of waterlogged wooden artefacts whose identity and rarity place an ethical barrier on the use of destructive analysis techniques. In addition, conservators are continually being challenged to find new ways of assessing the preservation of the underwater heritage, such as wooden shipwrecks, whilst in situ, and thus assist the process of managing such sensitive archaeological sites. Ultrasound compressional (p-) wave velocity has been researched in the past as a potential tool for estimating the preservation state of wooden artefacts and timbers. Its non-invasive principal complies with conservators’ working ethics, while it has shown the potential of mapping and imaging submerged wooden archaeological heritage objects, as well as estimating the in situ preservation state. The aims of this paper are to present a viable non-destructive assessment method for cultural conservators for working on laboratory samples of waterlogged wood and to provide data for the analysis of in situ sites. This paper outlines the approach for the preparation of samples; the generation of controlled test-pieces for systematically quantitatively assessing the relationship between mass loss expressed as basic density and p-wave measurements; acoustic measurement; and the initial empirical results. Mass loss is achieved in a controlled and reproducible way for testing with ultrasound. The process incorporates a set of increasing wood degradation levels by gradually removing wood mass from waterlogged oak and pine test-pieces via drilling holes along the grain (longitudinal wood growth axis). This is followed by a chemical treatment with alkaline of the fully drilled wood test-pieces. The same test-pieces are used from zero to maximum degradation. This allows consistent observations, restricts variability and enhances interpretation of the results. The study considers wood both as a raw material and an artefact, here exemplified as the hull components of ancient wooden ships. Dimensions and cutting orientations of the test-pieces respect those noted in archaeological records. The focus is set on the RL and TL planes (radial and tangential axis respectively) and TL (tangential axis) planes, the main planes expected to be insonified with ultrasound considering timber conversion techniques in ancient shipbuilding. Ultrasound testing is performed within a reinforced polyethylene water tank, with the wood test-piece placed in between the transmitter and the receiver in good alignment. Using the trough-transmission immersion technique the time it takes a p-wave to travel through the test-piece together with the latter's thickness, are used to calculate the propagation velocity. Results demonstrate that ultrasound waves travel faster in the radial than in the tangential direction; although advancing the degradation, wood becomes more isotropic across the grain as indicated by the reduction of V Radial /V Tangential ratio. Ultrasound velocity is unaffected by the structural differences between ring-porous oak and pine allowing quantitative results for a density range between 0.567 gcm−3 (fresh) and 0.292 gcm−3 (degraded) irrespective of wood species used. Two significant empirically derived equations can be used by the cultural conservator to derive a wood density level, a common bench mark for assessing archaeological wood degradation level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper describes the results of an experimentation concerning the joint use of active thermography and eddy current pulsed thermography to assess the conservation state of historical and archaeological discoveries. The preservation of historical and archaeological heritage is today an open issue due to the amount of finds and to the costs of the current methodologies and technologies used. As a consequence, interventions are made only when a deterioration process is in progress. The use of non-invasive techniques is essential for such applications in order to not compromise the integrity of the find. Thermography has been used to measure the thermal response of a metallic historical artifact (an iron oil lamp) during the application of thermal solicitations. The authors propose the use of a hybrid technique combining the standard active thermography with the eddy current pulsed thermography. This hybrid technique is non-invasive and contactless and allows to detect surface cracks and defects which are not visible at naked eye. Results have shown clearly how the proposed thermographic technique allows to improve the effectiveness of the standard techniques to detect surface defects. The defects are more easily detectable because of the more accentuated contrast and better resolution of the thermographic images. The final aim of the paper is to describe how this improved technique can be used to diagnose, monitor and preserve the conservation state of historical or archaeological discoveries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the study of ancient diet, lipid analysis of archaeological pottery residues has become a major investigative tool. Lipids absorb readily into clay vessels during cooking or processing of foodstuffs and are preserved, although not completely unchanged, for millennia. These can be linked directly to plant and animal resources used by past societies and can be valuable for understanding culinary practices, diet, and foodways. Identifying 'old food' via organic residue analysis has steadily developed since its inception last century, but growth has intensified in the past several years in many areas from modern reference comparisons to data interpretation. This paper will discuss current developments in the field of dietary studies using archaeological lipid analysis. Advancements in extraction methods, instrumentation, experimental ground-truthing, data processing, and interpretive frameworks are significantly boosting the explanatory power of lipid analysis for reconstructing ancient foodways and amplifying the importance of biomolecular-level data even further. • Lipids in archaeological ceramics provide information about past human diet. • New instrumental approaches provide higher sensitivity and coverage. • Reference and cooking experiments are pivotal for reliable identification of commodities. • Advanced analytical techniques and interpretive frameworks enable us to address new and complex research questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that the Rocky Mountains played a significantly more important role in the process of the peopling of the New World than archaeologists have traditionally recognized. Although First Americans did not reach the Rockies before they set foot in any other New World region—they could not have, regardless of their point of entry—by Clovis time, evidence suggests that Clovis people knew the Rocky Mountain landscape intimately. Archaeologists should have long anticipated this, given the many resources the Rocky Mountains offer that adjacent, albeit archaeologically better-known regions such as the Plains and some parts of the Far West do not; at least not as ubiquitously. These include plentiful water in the form of streams, lakes, snowpack, and glaciers; high-quality sources of obsidian, chert, quartzite and other knappable stone; and a vertically oriented landscape that maximizes floral and faunal diversity within comparatively condensed space. Two other non-economic characteristics likely contributed significantly to the appeal of the Rocky Mountains to some First Americans: the power and sanctity nearly all humans attribute to mountains, and the seemingly little-recognized fact that northeast Asian Upper Paleolithic people who populated the New World during the terminal Pleistocene occupied mountainous landscapes for some 45,000 years prior to their departure. For many First Americans, mountains—not the flat, windswept tundra of Siberian stereotypes—had always been home. Evidence for the familiarity of Clovis groups with the Rocky Mountain landscapes comes principally from three Clovis caches: Anzick, Fenn, and Mahaffy. All three caches are located in the Rockies, collectively contain artifacts made from ten of the highest-quality stone raw materials available in the Southern, Central and Northern Rockies, and at least one of the caches accompanies the burial of a young child who appears to have been interred intentionally on a prominent and likely sacred landform in a mountain valley. Bringing the paper's argument full circle, that same child's genetic profile shows a direct link to that of another youngster buried thousands of years earlier at the Late Glacial Maximum Mal'ta site in the mountainous Trans-Baikal region of Siberia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Panis quadratus represents without doubt one of the most famous breads dated to the Roman period. The exceptional preservation of complete loaves both in Pompeii and Herculaneum enabled scholars, archaeologists and bakers around the world to reconstruct this particular type of bread, and put forward multiple proposals for how it could have been produced in the past. Whilst the contributions made until now are invaluable in many ways, this paper aims to highlight some of the key aspects that have been taken for granted, and propose alternative views for some of the stages in its elaboration. To achieve this aim, we first compile and critically revisit the available primary sources of data, including some of the key references to the panis quadratus found in ancient Roman literature, the available archaeological evidence related to bread making in Pompeii and the actual panis quadratus loaves preserved. We then interpret the empirical evidence taking into consideration the basic principles for bread-making, and using ethnographic information on traditional bread production. We conclude that, unlike most of the reconstructions done so far, the panis quadratus loaves from Pompeii would have been made with a stiffer dough than most contemporary reconstructions assume (probably due to low hydration); the use of a string to carve its characteristic horizontal groove would not have been necessary; and the baking process would have been shorter than previously assumed. Overall, this paper provides a revisited view of the chaîne opératoire for this particular type of bread, and sets the agenda for further research into this unique archaeological find. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent discovery of a Thermopolis in Regio V of the archaeological site of Pompeii in December 2020, still completely intact and complete with decorations and kitchenware, has recalled the important role of archaeological sites that preserve and pass on the historical, artistic and architectural value of populations. Therefore, it appears even more evident, that there is the need to identify suitable methodologies to preserve intact the archaeological heritage, consistent with their peculiar characteristic of being in a state of ruin and, therefore, even more vulnerable to external actions, such as those induced by an unexpected earthquake, as compared to a complete building. Moreover, the very fact of being a protected heritage, also necessarily requires the use of special interventions such as not to alter the structures themselves and to guarantee reversibility. In this context, in this paper the seismic vulnerability of the remains of the colonnade of the forum of Pompeii is evaluated with the methods of kinematic analysis that allows the identification of the collapse mechanisms activated by an earthquake. To increase the capacity to withstand seismic actions, a non-invasive, reversible and non-impact reinforcement system has been proposed and validated carrying out numerical analyses conducted by means of a calculation code developed specifically for the study of these structural types consisting of an assemblage of rigid blocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a review article focussing on the research on past environments of Zimbabwe. The paper synthesises the current knowledge on palaeo-climates and other environmental parameters that inform debates and discussions on climate change and human adaptation. The study of palaeoenvironments provides environmental knowledge that chronologically goes beyond the range of written climatic records that are available in the country. The palaeoenvironmental data now available shows that our human ancestors in Zimbabwe have survived numerous climatic upheavals since the beginning of the Stone Age. However, limited research in the Stone Age and the variety of proxy data available creates a less coherent record. Extrapolation of evidence from the region makes the data less reliable for archaeological interpretations. The paper shows conflicting signals across the region at some specific periods. There are numerous gaps in the record. The paper concludes by calling for multidisciplinary research on the past environments of Zimbabwe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The restoration of archaeological artefacts is naturally utterly important for preserving the cultural heritage. The first step that is undertaken in this process is the chemical analysis of the object, in order to decide the best procedures for its restoration. The gold standard in approximating the concentration of the elements in its composition (in percentages, between 0 and 100) is performed through an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) machine. While this is a non-invasive approach, it comes at substantial financial and training costs, and possible radiation exposure of the investigator. In this context, the present paper explores the potential of a deep learning regression model to give an estimate on the concentration of a given element from stereo microscopy slides of historical artefacts, as an alternative means to the XRF. Two problems with different degrees of complexity are examined in turn. The first one is represented by the consideration of iron objects, where the metal is strongly dominant in the chemical structure. The second comes both as a complement to the other, in order to expose the model also to non-iron items, and as a more difficult task of identifying the degree of copper that is present only as part of an alloy constitution. While for iron the one absolute value prediction of the model is always very close to the XRF approximation, copper has a wider distribution of its concentration among objects, which is more challenging to learn; hence, performance for a singular absolute estimation can rise only with the increase in the amount of data. A window of error acceptability was also implemented and it allows for an approximation that is sufficient for grasping the degree of the metal in the composition that is necessary for the restoration procedures. The findings therefore provide a first step in putting forward a computational support tool that represents a less expensive and less dangerous alternative for approximating the elemental analysis before artefact reinstatement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amazonia constitutes one of the most ethnically diverse regions in the world. However, our understanding of the arrival and historical trajectories of people in Amazonia is still poorly understood. Our recent excavations in the Serranía de la Lindosa have begun to fill this gap and provide new insights into the first human societies that settled in the Colombian Amazon region during the Younger Dryas (YD) period of the late Pleistocene. This paper details the stratigraphy, taphonomy and chronological framework of two rock shelters, Cerro Montoya 1 and Limoncillos, from excavations carried out by the LASTOURNEY project between 2021 and 2022. Based on radiocarbon dates from five multicomponent sites (Cerro Azul, Cerro Montoya 1, Limoncillos, Angosturas II and Casita de Piedra), four distinct phases of occupation are modelled using OxCal program (v.4.4). late Pleistocene-early Holocene (12.6–10. 0 cal ka BP); early to middle Holocene (9.5–5. 9 cal ka BP); initial late Holocene (4.1–3. 7 cal ka BP), and late Holocene (3.0–0. 3 cal ka BP). We establish the arrival date of the first human groups to the Colombia Amazon by ∼12. 6 cal ka BP , who settled in a tropical rainforest environment, practised a generalised subsistence, had an expedient unifacial technology, and began to paint with ochre on the walls of the mesa-top tepuis by at least ∼10. 2 cal ka BP. The chronology indicates gaps in the sequence during the middle Holocene, between 5.9–4. 1 cal ka BP , likely representing periods of abandonment. • We report several new evidences of early peopling of Amazonia River basin. • We report new evidences of human occupations of the Serranía La Lindosa (Colombian Amazon). • We report the data of two rock shelters, Cerro Montoya 1 and Limoncillos. • We report several lines of evidence on the human adaptability to the Colombian Amazon lowlands. • The humans who settled in the Serrania La Lindosa "humanized" the territory by rock art. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Star Carr and other Mesolithic sites in the Vale of Pickering, North Yorkshire, UK, have seen long-standing interest from archaeologists since the 1950's, and offer a vivid picture of various aspects of post-glacial hunter–gatherers in Northwest Europe. However, answers to several important aspects of prehistoric behavior still remain unclear, particularly concerning local subsistence and settlement strategies. This paper develops a comparative approach to these questions, and draws structured analogies between the British Mesolithic and the Jomon period of Holocene hunter–gatherer archaeology in Japan, both of which occupied similar temperate/sub-boreal woodland environments. Thus the purpose of this paper is to better understand early Mesolithic socio-economic strategies in the Vale of Pickering, by: 1) re-considering the organization of subsistence at Star Carr via careful comparison with the Jomon period site of Awashimadai in Kanto District, paying renewed attention to the two main features of Star Carr, i.e. the organization woodland deer hunting and the lack of evidence for use of aquatic resources; and 2) by re-examining overall land use strategies in the Vale of Pickering by re-analysis of faunal remains first recovered from excavations conducted in the late 1970's and 1980's. The results of this comparative analysis indicate that Star Carr was a summer hunting camp organized for deer, probably occupied exclusively by people socially specialized in hunting, and that Mesolithic land-use strategies probably extended well beyond the Vale of Pickering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the dispersals of Homo sapiens out-of-Africa and discusses the succession of ‘Out-of-Africa’ and ‘Back-to-Africa’ movements from a North African perspective, as a major corridor of dispersal. Specifically, the consequences of anatomically modern human (AMH) dispersals both from North Africa into Eurasia and from there back into North Africa are investigated, and the archaeological and genetic outcomes of such forward and back migrations subsequently considered. In order to achieve these aims, this paper focuses on the dispersals of early modern humans out of North Africa during the Upper Pleistocene, explores possible hypotheses of interbreeding between AMH and Neanderthals, and analyzes the Back-to-Africa movement which appears to have occurred during the final Pleistocene. The debate on the possibilities, timing, and location of interbreeding has recently emphasized the importance of the encounters and genetic admixture between African AMH and Neanderthals when they met as a result of dispersal out of North Africa. The genetic evidence has also suggested a Back to-Africa migration by some AMH who had interbred with Neanderthals outside of Africa before resettling in North Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the methodological and practical issues relevant to the ways in which natural scientists, historians and archaeologists may collaborate in the study of past climatic changes in the Mediterranean basin. We begin by discussing the methodologies of these three disciplines in the context of the consilience debate, that is, attempts to unify different research methodologies that address similar problems. We demonstrate that there are a number of similarities in the fundamental methodology between history, archaeology, and the natural sciences that deal with the past (“palaeoenvironmental sciences”), due to their common interest in studying societal and environmental phenomena that no longer exist. The three research traditions, for instance, employ specific narrative structures as a means of communicating research results. We thus present and compare the narratives characteristic of each discipline; in order to engage in fruitful interdisciplinary exchange, we must first understand how each deals with the societal impacts of climatic change. In the second part of the paper, we focus our discussion on the four major practical issues that hinder communication between the three disciplines. These include terminological misunderstandings, problems relevant to project design, divergences in publication cultures, and differing views on the impact of research. Among other recommendations, we suggest that scholars from the three disciplines should aim to create a joint publication culture, which should also appeal to a wider public, both inside and outside of academia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces the reader to a special issue of articles that explores links and processes behind societal change, climate change and environmental change in a Holocene perspective in the Mediterranean region. All papers are, by purpose, co-authored by scientists representing different disciplines. The cross-cutting theme has been to reach beyond simple explanations of potential climate-society relationships and advance our understanding on how to improve research methods and theories in the field. The thirteen papers in this issue address these questions in three different ways, by i) conceptual/methodological approaches; ii) review papers; and iii) case studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews paleo- and archaeoparasitology publications to date, from Iran. The primary focus is the importance of differential diagnosis and the crucial role of interdisciplinary collaborations among parasitologists and other specialists. All relevant articles and theses published in Iran through October 2020 are included and evaluated, with particular emphasis on the diagnostic process. Archaeoparasitic studies in Iran have identified a number of parasites that provide insight into the past. Misidentification, however, due to incomplete differential diagnosis, remains an issue, as does incomplete description and problematic images. Identification of paleoparasites to the species level must be supported with accurate morphology and morphometry. Rigorous differential diagnosis is essential. Caution must be exercised when interpreting observations of ova recovered from coprolites. In these instances, precise identification of host animals and aligning parasite ranges with host specificity is critical. The possibility of incidental parasite presence must be evaluated, including non-specificity of parasite tropisms, transport hosting, or contamination. Lastly, differential diagnosis must include consideration of intentional consumption of parasites. Thus, parasitological findings must be placed in geographical, historical, and cultural contexts. Archaeoparasitological research in Iran has elucidated the presence of faunal and human disease in the past and has, through this reevaluation of the published works, contributed to precise description and diagnosis of ova of roundworms, tapeworms, thorny-headed worms, and recognition of larval stages of tapeworms in recovered remains of mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Color fading is not usually undertaken in rock-art archaeological sites. • Microfading Tester (MFT) measurements is used to monitor the light-stability on spot samples. • Gaussian processes are suitable to characterize and map spectral variations overtime. Rock art documentation is a complex task that should be carried out in a complete, rigorous and exhaustive way, in order to take particular actions that allow stakeholders to preserve the archaeological sites under constant deterioration. The pigments used in prehistoric paintings present high light sensitivity and rigorous scientific color degradation mapping is not usually undertaken in overall archaeological sites. Microfading spectrometry is a suitable technique for determining the light-stability of pigments found in rock art paintings in a non-destructive way. Spectral data can be transformed into colorimetric information following the recommendations published by the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE). The fading degree can be evaluated through the color changes produced, computing both color and chromatic differences. Microfading Tester (MFT) measurements on spot samples are time-consuming and difficult to materialize on-site. This paper presents the results of statistical Gaussian process interpolation to map the potential MFT spectral variations overtime on a scene full of prehistoric rock art paintings. In addition, a descriptive analysis of color variations that may suffer the rock art motifs over time has been carried out. The advanced statistical methodology implemented can highlight potential changes on some rock support areas, and stable conditions on the painted red motifs over time, which can help to establish future conservation actions in the archaeological site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface lithic scatters are relatively common in arid environments worldwide and attest to human occupation and use of desert environmental resources over long (104–106-year) time scales. A recent paper by Hardaker (2020) describes Early to Middle Stone Age lithic scatters in desert environments in Namibia, and deduces their spatial patterns and the relative age of individual lithic artifacts. Here, we challenge the results of Hardaker's study based on (1) the methodology that was employed to map the scatters and analyse lithic age, and (2) the spatial interpretation applied to the lithic scatters and the derived ages of individual artifacts. This re-evaluation of Hardaker's study provides a better conceptual basis for documenting and interpreting lithic scatters worldwide, which should apply established geoarchaeological methods and be set in the context of desert geomorphological processes and environments during the Quaternary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bass Strait divides mainland Australia from Tasmania (Fig. 1). During much of the Pleistocene, lowered sea levels meant there was a land bridge joining these land masses. It is now generally accepted that the formation of the Strait by post-glacial sea rise effectively separated the human populations of Tasmania from those of mainland Australia, leading to one of the most extreme cases of isolation known on the global scale. The Tasmanian Aborigines were separated for some 12,000 years from their nearest neighbours in Southeast Australia. None of the larger islands of Bass Strait appears to have been occupied at the time of European contact, and the archaeological record sees this lack of occupation stretching back centuries, and millennia in some cases. Some 35 years ago, Rhys Jones (1977) presented a complex model relating to the past human occupation of the Bass Strait Islands. Using biogeographical concepts and principles he concluded that there were critical points of size and distance that led to the abandonment of these islands, with the exception of the Hunter group in northwest Tasmania. Archaeological research carried out since 1977 does not militate against the broad strokes of this model – there is still no evidence for more recent contact between Australia and Tasmania, or for any recent occupation of most of the abandoned islands. There is however scope for a more nuanced consideration of their occupation and abandonment, in the light of more recent research which this paper will attempt. In general, archaeologists have not considered in this framework the latest phase of Aboriginal occupation in the Bass Strait Islands; there has been an ongoing Aboriginal population since the early 19th century, continuing many of the traditions of Tasmanian Aboriginal society. This paper attempts a continuous narrative from archaeology and history of the Tasmanian Aborigines and the Bass Strait Islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past two decades, the combined electron spin resonance (ESR) and U-series dating method has been widely applied to date fossil teeth for archaeological studies through the use of the US-ESR model. The obtained age, compatible with both the ESR and U-series data determined in all dental tissues and the burial environment, is more flexible and reliable than the parametric uptake ages (by early, linear or recent uptake models), for which selection was often based on the expected age of the site. In this paper, the mathematical basis of the US-ESR model is described in detail, from the U-uptake description to the calculation of accumulation dose in the sample and the US-ESR age determination. An example is used to illustrate the calculation of the US-ESR age, associated dose rates and U-uptake parameters. While the description in this paper is specific to US-ESR model and more largely combined ESR/U-series dating of fossil teeth, we expect that some of the principles can be used in other applications of U-series dating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preservation of palaeoenvironmental and archeological records in cave and rock shelter contexts is often called into question for Pleistocene sequences. Records are always fragmentary and the preservation of sediments and archaeological remains is partial and differential, according to site history. The karst deposits are often frequently described as disturbed due to post-depositional processes and phases of erosion over time. However, taphonomical analyses and some very well-preserved evidence attest to the capacity of caves to record data. Systematic and interdisciplinary fieldwork and studies allow for the reconstruction of some characteristics of Neanderthal occupations in their biostratigraphical and geochronological context. The geographic area under consideration here is the Rhône Valley. The right bank of the Middle Rhône Valley has yielded more than ten Middle Palaeolithic sites. Some of them have been studied recently through interdisciplinary fieldwork, providing new data on the end of the Middle Pleistocene and the beginning of the Upper Pleistocene. For this paper, we focus on four sites dated from the end of MIS 5, MIS 4 and the beginning of MIS 3, containing layers with evidence of Neanderthal occupations: Saint-Marcel, Abri du Maras, Abri des Pêcheurs and Le Figuier. All these sites are rock shelters or cave chambers and porches belonging to a karst system. The aim of our research program is to provide as much data as possible on Neanderthal occupations in their environmental contexts, in order to describe subsistence strategies and land use throughout time and potential links with climatic changes. In this paper, we evaluate the feasibility of assessing the relationship between climatic change and behaviour during the Middle Palaeolithic by describing the main archaeological material and palaeoenvironmental records of these four sites. Then, in the discussion, we conjointly examine the data from each site to assess this key question, even though the low resolution of cave and rock shelter records makes it difficult to establish an accurate chronology for human occupations and to provide a detailed description of the environment around the site for each human occupation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the framework of the French Research Agency program “Entrepôts et lieux de stockage dans le monde gréco-romain antique”, a multidisciplinary study on the archaeological, historical, constructive and architectural characteristics of Ostia and Portus’ warehouses is ongoing. The final aim of the project is to understand the role these warehouses played in the process of storage and distribution of food supplies. The starting point is the study of the degree of knowledge the ancient people had in storage techniques. Numerical predictive computational models, supported by in situ measurements to characterize dimension, geometry and materials, are in this paper considered as essential “tools” for the historical, archaeological and functional interpretation of the roman store buildings. In this paper, different hypotheses of the architecture of Portus’ store buildings are analysed and compared using computer fluid-dynamic models in order to support archaeologists in their effort to better understand how ancient warehouses were built, managed and used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research project ‘Response of Humans to Abrupt Environmental Transitions’ (RESET) used tephra layers to tie together and synchronise the chronologies of stratigraphic records at archaeological and environmental sites. With the increasing importance of tephra as chronological markers in sedimentary sequences, both in this project and more generally, comes a requirement to have good estimates for the absolute age of these volcanic horizons. This paper summarises the chronology of the key tephra in the RESET tephra lattice in the time range 10–60 ka BP, from the existing literature, from papers produced as part of the RESET project, and reanalysis conducted for this paper. The paper outlines the chronological approach taken to the dating of tephra within the RESET project, and the basis for further work, as part of the INTIMATE (INTegrating Ice core MArine and TErrestrial records) initiative. For each of the tephra layers in the lattice, the existing literature is discussed and, where relevant date estimates updated using the latest radiocarbon calibration curves (IntCal13 and Marine13) and methods. Maps show the approximate extent of tephra finds, giving a visual indication of the coverage of the lattice in different time-periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces the aims and scope of the RESET project ( RES ponse of humans to abrupt E nvironmental T ransitions), a programme of research funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (UK) between 2008 and 2013; it also provides the context and rationale for papers included in a special volume of Quaternary Science Reviews that report some of the project's findings. RESET examined the chronological and correlation methods employed to establish causal links between the timing of abrupt environmental transitions (AETs) on the one hand, and of human dispersal and development on the other, with a focus on the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic periods. The period of interest is the Last Glacial cycle and the early Holocene (c. 100–8 ka), during which time a number of pronounced AETs occurred. A long-running topic of debate is the degree to which human history in Europe and the Mediterranean region during the Palaeolithic was shaped by these AETs, but this has proved difficult to assess because of poor dating control. In an attempt to move the science forward, RESET examined the potential that tephra isochrons, and in particular non-visible ash layers (cryptotephras), might offer for synchronising palaeo-records with a greater degree of finesse. New tephrostratigraphical data generated by the project augment previously-established tephra frameworks for the region, and underpin a more evolved tephra ‘lattice’ that links palaeo-records between Greenland, the European mainland, sub-marine sequences in the Mediterranean and North Africa. The paper also outlines the significance of other contributions to this special volume: collectively, these illustrate how the lattice was constructed, how it links with cognate tephra research in Europe and elsewhere, and how the evidence of tephra isochrons is beginning to challenge long-held views about the impacts of environmental change on humans during the Palaeolithic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the analysis of a radiocarbon database of the North Coast of Santa Cruz (central Patagonia, Argentina), is presented. Dated archaeological samples were obtained from 56 different types of archaeological sites (open-air -residential sites and burials-, and also rock shelters). The objective of this paper is assessing the continuities and discontinuities in the chronological signal of the area and identifying tendencies along the Holocene. The database currently contains 75 radiocarbon dates falling between ca. 8000 and 300 BP. The radiocarbon data base provides information on the chronological, spatial and contextual variability of the archaeological record of North Coast of Santa Cruz. By means of different analysis of sum of probabilities, we present three different chronological moments of human use of the coast and intermediate zone can be identified. A first moment is represented by early evidence of settlement during Middle Holocene. A second moment corresponds to a hiatus between ca. 5800 and ca. 3900 BP without archaeological evidence. Finally, a third moment is where an increasing of chronological signal occurred, related to greater artifactual variability and an increase in the intensity of human settlement in the Patagonian region. The causes that could have influenced in the discontinuity of the chronological signal of the study area, and the characteristics of the different moments identified are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern Arctic Indigenous peoples face many interconnected pressures, not the least of which is anthropogenic climate change, which is emerging as one of the most dramatic drivers of social and economic change in recent memory. In this paper, we investigate whether or not insights into premodern strategies for coping with climate change—and especially the "deeper histories" of traditional ways-of-knowing—can play a useful role in future planning, management and mitigation efforts. We do this in two ways. First, we assess this special issue's 17 archaeological case studies, in order to determine whether they are conducted within a framework that is consistent with approaches to resilience in studies of modern Arctic communities. Second, we focus on three climate-driven challenges faced by Canadian Arctic Inuit: safe travel, food security and food safety. For each, we identify specific ways in which studies of past social-ecological systems intersect with modern climate adaptation. We conclude that since archaeological insights highlight the operation of decision-making processes within long-term culture-adaptive trajectories, they can offer unique insights into the much shorter-term processes currently underway. While we highlight many potential directions for productive collaboration, much more work is required in local and regional settings to demonstrate the full potential of archaeology for future-oriented planning and mitigation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present and assess human isotopic data (δ13C and δ15N) available for Southern Chile. We analyze 24 cases from six different geographical zones, dated 200-1850 AD. This new information allows us to characterize individuals who had different subsistence patterns, social organization and historical trajectories, vis-a-vis phenomena like the adoption of ceramics (150 BC), cultigens (750-1000 AD) and the arrival of Europeans (1550 AD). This is complemented by a regional baseline of 45 archaeological faunal and plant resources. Based on our results, three dietary patterns can be identified over time (from 1000 to 1850 AD): one oriented towards marine resources, another towards C 3 plants and terrestrial protein, and the last focused on a mixed consumption of C 3 and C 4 plants, complemented by intake of terrestrial and marine protein. These cases show significant intra-zone consistency over time, and high inter-zone variability. This heterogeneous situation is evident even in synchronous individuals ascribed to the same cultural-historical unit or inhabiting the same geographical macro-zone (valley, coast, islands). It also contrasts with results from adjacent areas to Southern Chile. This highlights the complex diet variability that existed in societies which otherwise appear to be extremely alike in their archaeological record (burials, pottery) and ethnographic features (language, rituals). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archaeology has been using stable oxygen as an isotopic tracer linked with water consumption for decades, and it has been demonstrated to be a powerful tool to assess paleomobility in bioarchaeology. Central-eastern North Patagonia (Argentina) is an especially appropriate region to apply it since it presents a high density of hunter-gatherer burials, it was a nodal zone criss-crossed by an extensive network of important routes, and it is characterized by a high environmental fragmentation due to the scarcity of fresh water sources. The aim of this paper is to build an empirical stable oxygen isotope baseline of terrestrial surface waters to assess the potentiality of tracing past human movement. We analyzed 46 water samples from 13 locations with permanent sources (rivers, springs, streams), compared it with predictions of precipitation and evaluated it considering seasonal variation, altitude and distance from the coast. Our results show that different post-precipitation processes change the isotopic signal from the sources with respect to the local precipitation, and highlight the relevance of analyzing terrestrial water sources. According to their oxygen isotope values we defined five hydrologic zones: Colorado River, Negro River, Closed Basins and Plains, Eastern and Western Somuncurá Foothills. Their identification shows the potential to address past human movement using stable oxygen water baselines in central-eastern North Patagonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the beginning of 21st century, a new stage began in investigations of the Central Asian Palaeolithic. The main concern is to re-study the key regional sites, applying modern excavation techniques and up-to-date laboratory methods (including chronometric dating) in order to clarify the rationale and chronology of the local cultural sequences. This research allowed some crucial corrections about the chronological and cultural interpretations of the lithic industries in western Central Asia. This paper presents the first results obtained during our reexcavation of Sel'Ungur cave – usually assumed to be one of the earliest Paleolithic sites in Central Asia, described in the late 1980s as belonging to the early Acheulian technocomplex. Sel'Ungur cave is among the most important pre-Upper Palaeolithic site for our understanding of the Pleistocene inhabitants of Central Asia, as did not only yield rich lithic collections found stratified context but also numerous fossil faunal and even some hominin remains. Re-started at 2014, the new excavations at the site have provided enough evidence to refuse an Acheulian interpretation of site's assemblages. Based on detailed technological and typological analyses of the new lithic collection we argue that Sel'Ungurian complex fits better into the early stage of the regional Middle Paleolithic cultural variability. The previously available U-series date of around 126 ka (albeit without a reliable stratigraphic and spatial context), the new TL date 112 ± 19 ka establishing the lower limit, paleontological analyses of newly obtained material as well as the re-examination of the available information on macro- and microfaunal remains excavated in the earlier excavations, as well as the re-study of the anthropological finds support this assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bracketed by the Zagros, Hindukush, Altai, and Himalaya Mountains, Central Asia was a likely a migration route for early people moving into North and East Asia. Because of its central geographic setting, the area also channeled cultural and technological influences and exchange between adjoining regions in early prehistory. In this paper we analyze techno-typological characteristics of stone tool assemblages assigned to Early and Late Epipaleolithic industries from two key archaeological sites in Tajikistan – Tutkaul and Obi-Kiik. We compare –these industries with preceding Upper Paleolithic assemblages from the same region, as well as with cultural entities from the Levant and Zagros which share technological traits. Our study reveals key similarities, suggesting that the Tutkaul and Obi-Kiik techno-complexes belong to a single Epipaleolithic culture – which we refer to as the Tutkaulian – split into a three-stage developmental sequence. We argue that the Tutkaulian, defined by bladelet-based primary reduction and an abundance of geometric microliths, with a chronological progression from trapeze-rectangle to lunate forms, has its origins in the local Upper Paleolithic culture (Kulbulakian) emerging through repeated episodes of cultural exchange with earlier or synchronous Levantine and Zagros industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combined shell growth pattern and oxygen isotope analysis has become a powerful approach in palaeoclimate and archaeological studies for reconstructing palaeoclimate conditions and littoral exploitation patterns, respectively. Recent investigations have shown that the gastropod Phorcus lineatus (da Costa, 1778) forms its shell in conditions of near equilibrium with the oxygen isotope signature of the seawater environment, demonstrating the utility of this species for reconstruction of sea surface temperature and determination of the season of harvest in archaeological studies. In contrast, the shell growth patterns of this species have received virtually no attention despite providing information on the rate and timing of shell growth that is crucial for correctly interpreting environmental proxies derived from shell geochemistry. In this paper, we compare microgrowth patterns and isotopic profiles of four modern individuals of the gastropod P. lineatus from northern Iberia to determine the timing and periodicity of subannual growth markers within the shells. Results of this sclerochronological study showed the presence of two types of growth lines/increments: i) large-scale accretionary units formed with variable periodicity, and ii) small-scale accretionary units formed by micro growth lines and increments determined by semidiurnal tidal cycles. Results suggest that shells grew uninterruptedly during early ontogeny. However, older specimens exhibited growth cessation/slowdown during summer and winter/spring. Therefore, shell growth rate is not only controlled by environmental conditions, but also by ontogenetic age and/or endogenous rhythms. A high correlation was found between seawater temperature derived from shell oxygen isotopes and instrumental seawater temperature (r2 = 0.88–0.98; p-values < 0.0001). This study shows that establishing accurate growth patterns of the topshell P. lineatus is essential for correctly reconstructing past seawater temperature conditions in palaeoclimate studies and for determining with higher precision the season(s) when the subfossil shells were collected by humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With Angle Resolved XRF (AR-XRF) the sample is investigated at different angles of detection and irradiation. The geometry of analysis indeed affects the intensity of the characteristic elemental fluorescence signal of the sample, which depends on the element distribution inside the sample. This technique has already proved to be very useful in analyzing metallic bilayer samples. In this paper, we applied AR-XRF to study a real case in the field of Cultural Heritage, with the analysis of a glazed ceramic coming from Puebla, Mexico. The analysis of the decorations, which present different thicknesses and compositions, has shown the limits of the technique, especially in the case of thick and diffused layers, and the importance of a priori knowledge to retrieve structural information in the case of a complex system with a great number of variables. [Display omitted] • Angle Resolved XRF is a new technique to analyze Cultural Heritage layered samples. • For low mass-thickness layers it allows their characterization. • In case of elemental diffusion or thick layers the characterization is not possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Les amas coquilliers existent dans toutes les îles Bliss (e.g. Niomoune, Hitou, Kandé) au Sénégal. Ils sont aujourd'hui menacés par les activités anthropiques et par les effets du dérèglement climatique. Dans la perspective d'une archéologie préventive, notre étude porte sur les amas coquilliers de Niomoune qui sont les plus menacés. Parmi les huit amas trouvés à Niomoune, deux sont sacrés (Arch 06 et Arch 08). Ces amas, malgré leur remaniement, seraient antérieurs au peuplement actuel de Niomoune. Nos travaux de prospection et de fouille nous ont permis de reconstituer une culture matérielle passée comprenant entre autres de la céramique, du fer et du verre. Les cinq échantillons de charbon datés au radiocarbone situent les débuts de l'occupation de Niomoune entre 21AD et 204AD. Cette séquence chronologique appartient à l'âge du Fer au Sénégal qui débute en 1100 BC à Dialowali, dans la vallée du fleuve Sénégal. Le présent article vise à déterminer les périodes des différentes dynamiques de peuplements humains à Niomoune sur la base des données archéologiques et à caractériser les artefacts récoltés en les replaçant dans les ensembles culturels de la Basse Casamance. Anthropogenic shellfish mounds exist in all the Bliss Islands (e.g., Niomoune, Hitou, Kandé), in Senegal. They are now threatened by anthropic activities and by the effects of climate change. In the perspective of rescue archaeology, our study focuses on the Niomoune shell mounds which are the most threatened. Of the eight clusters found at Niomoune, two are sacred (Arch 06 and Arch 08). Despite being reworked, these shell mounds are thought to predate the current settlement of Niomoune. Our prospecting and excavation work has enabled us to establish a material culture history including remains of ceramic, iron, and glass. The five charcoal samples dated by radiocarbon place the beginning of the occupation of Niomoune between 21AD and 204AD. This chronological sequence belongs to the early Iron Age in Senegal, which began in 1100 BC at Dialowali, Senegal River valley. This paper aims to determine the periods of the different human settlement dynamics at Niomoune based on the archaeological data, and to characterize the artefacts collected by placing them in the cultural ensembles of the Lower Casamance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The earliest stages of the MSA show the emergence of a number of technical innovations accompanying the appearance of uni-bifacial pointed tools that are the hallmarks of this period. Within the oldest sites of Gademotta and Kulkuletti, a specific technical process applied on convergent tools has been identified: the lateral tranchet blow technical process. This paper questions the value of this process in terms of technical skills and functional purpose and to a broader extent, its value as a chrono-cultural marker. The first clue of this study is to provide an accurate evidence of the intentionality of the tranchet blow process based on the identification of the recurrent technical stages implied in this process. With regards to the study of the emergence of projectile technology in the literature, the morpho-functional significance of this process is also questioned. The hypothesis supported in this paper favor the interpretation of the use of the tools with tranchet blow scars as cutting tools rather than hunting weapons. Therefore, the penetration function of those MSA triangular tools may precede their function as projectile. The discussion shows that, so far, the use of the tranchet blow process was restricted to the oldest sites of Gademotta and Kulkuletti. Since it has been recognized in Tiya surface collections, this process may be considered as a chrono-cultural marker for the Ethiopian MSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A series of charcoal analyses for nine Upper Palaeolithic caves in northern Spain chronologically placed in MIS 2 (19.6–10.3 ka uncal BP) is presented in this paper. Juniperus, Fabaceae and Salix, together with Hippophae and minor occurrences of Betula, Corylus and deciduous Quercus are recorded in some sites dated prior to 13 ka BP. This open vegetation was still dominant between 13 and 11 ka BP, although the sharp increase of Betula and deciduous taxa indicates greater environmental diversity. Pinus, Betula and deciduous Quercus are dominant between 11 and 10 ka BP. However, the manifestation of charcoal data is conditioned by the interaction of several natural and human factors that are the focus of anthracology. This paper discusses the vegetal landscape surrounding Cantabrian archaeological sites in relation with the major vegetation dynamics outlined in MIS 2 high-resolution pollen records from SW Europe, the available woody resources, and the human exploitation of these plant communities throughout the Late Upper Palaeolithic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]