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For over a century, archaeologists have investigated the vast network of prehistoric Hohokam canal irrigation systems in the lower Salt River and middle Gila River valleys, as well as in other areas of southern Arizona. However, documentation of the agricultural fields in which prehistoric farmers irrigated their crops generally was lacking until the last 25 years. This is largely a result of the difficulty in identifying ancient fields, since they are not visible on the surface and have been obscured or destroyed by natural landscape processes as well as historic and modern disturbances. More recent archaeological investigations have revealed ancient irrigated fields through innovative methods and excavation techniques. The fields were constructed both by Hohokam irrigators (450–1450 CE) as well as by farmers from preceding cultural traditions during the Early Agricultural period (2100 BCE–50 CE). These discoveries occurred during projects conducted in compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act. In this chapter, I highlight these important studies that have expanded the view of ancient agricultural landscapes in southern Arizona. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raised garden beds were once among the most common Native American earthworks in eastern North America. Typically located on prime agricultural land, they are now among the rarest. However, previously unrecorded archaeological raised beds can still be uncovered, especially in more marginal agricultural settings. This chapter details the discovery of a previously unrecorded ancestral Native American ridged agricultural field site in Juneau County, Wisconsin, USA. The site was first identified in 2020 by the authors using publicly available historical aerial imagery and a recent lidar survey. Here we describe its confirmation as a ridged field archaeological site and emplace it within broader anthropogenic landscapes of Wisconsin. Methods described herein can be employed globally to locate and document raised bed agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a critical review of all published data on findings of the skeletal elements of sturgeons (Acipenseridae) during archaeological excavations conducted in the territory of Ukraine. Sturgeon remains are present in materials from 41 archaeological sites, the age of which covers the stage from the Neolithic (4 kyr bc) up to the Modern Period (17th century ad). Five species (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, Acipenser nudiventris, Acipenser ruthenus, Acipenser stellatus, and Huso huso) are recognized. Of them, the Russian sturgeon, the sterlet, and the stellate sturgeon are the most abundant, while beluga is somewhat less numerous, and the fringebarbel sturgeon is represented by the smallest number of remains. The presence of the latter species (and the absence of the European sturgeon Acipenser sturio) in the historical past of Ukraine is discussed. We also highlight the importance of original and published data accessibility in archaeozoological research and discuss the issues of species identification, body length, and weight reconstruction of sturgeons based on skeletal elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of archaeological, historical and geoarchaeological records represents a significant contribution to research into the medieval landscape. This study focuses on the medieval field system in the deserted village of Debrné, located in northeastern Bohemia, Czechia. The village features a well‐preserved croft plužina field system, a typical historical landscape of central Europe. The main and most visible elements of the field system are the earthen field boundaries, which were the focus of the geoarchaeological investigations. Archaeological excavations in trench S1 revealed a collection of larger stones at a depth of 1 m, potentially serving a drainage function akin to the observed plužina. Additionally, a boulder paving, identified as a remnant of a path between fields, provided insights into the historical use of the area. In trench S2, positioned closer to the village's core, layers with increasing stone content were recorded at a depth of 130 cm. However, the drainage structure observed in trench S1 was not replicated. The dating of earthen field boundaries indicated the creation of the terrace in the second half of the 16th century in trench S1. In trench S2, radiocarbon dating at a depth of 70 to 80 cm ranged from 1025 to 1175 A.D., predating the first written source about Debrné. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating in trench S2 suggested exposure to sunlight during the third century A.D. Archaeobotanical analysis of charred macroremains from trench S1 revealed 236 plant macroremains belonging to approximately 20 taxa, showcasing wild‐growing, collected useful species such as raspberry, blackberry and elderberry. Trench S2 yielded 23 plant macroremains belonging to 11 taxa, with similar species as trench S1. Pedological and micromorphological examinations displayed distinct layering in both trenches, showing up to six layers. Micromorphological analysis unveiled vuggy microstructures, varying grain sizes and elemental patterns, shedding light on different periods of occupation. Multidisciplinary investigations of the buried soils forming the earthen field boundaries discovered that the original soil cover comprised automorphic lixisols and cambisols, which also form under present conditions. These results underscore the importance of integrating pedological, geoarchaeological, archaeobotanical and physical data to comprehend the intricate nature of anthropogenic landscape changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The policy of the Neo-Assyrian empire in the Levant has been extensively debated, and at least three different views have been suggested. Some scholars have argued that the empire invested in the Levant after it was annexed and that most of it prospered due to the imperial policy. However, others have claimed the opposite, suggesting that the Assyrians neglected the area and did not have any real interest in its economic rehabilitation. A third view holds that Assyrian investment was partial and that prosperity due to deliberate imperial policy can be seen mostly in the north. In the current paper I will present each of these views, which will then be challenged based on the degrees of prosperity evident from archaeological excavations in different provinces. Finally, an updated interpretation for Assyrian imperial policy in the Levant will be suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Excavating the Land of Jesus: How Archaeologists Study the People of the Gospels" by James R. Strange is a comprehensive and accessible book that explores the field of archaeology in relation to first-century CE Galilee. The book provides valuable insights for both gospel specialists and laypersons, offering new perspectives on the data used in their research. It covers various topics such as understanding first-century Roman Galilee, the process of excavation, the relationship between texts and archaeology, ancient technologies, and ancient values. With its rich illustrations and maps, this book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding Jesus in his historical context. [Extracted from the article]

Shellfish remains are ubiquitous to coastal archaeological sites in the Marquesas but have seldom been the focus of dedicated investigations into their contribution to past diet and daily life. On the island of Ua Huka, in the northern group of the archipelago, people have consumed a variety of shellfish since their arrival on the island around the early 12th century AD. By analysing assemblages from five coastal sites spanning from the early settlement until the 18th century and using an archaeomalacological approach (precise taxonomic identification, coupled quantification methods, observation of taphonomic processes, biometry), we attempt to recount the exploitation processes of this resource, from the initial gathering stage to the final discarding of the shell. We further explore inter‐site and temporal variability in prey choice. Coupled with ethnographic accounts from European observers and insightful testimonies from current inhabitants of the island regarding present‐day practices, we highlight the persistence of choices regarding species selection, breakage patterns and cooking processes on an island that has seen major subsistence changes since European contact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pig and dog were highly valued animals in pre‐contact Polynesia. In this paper, I focus on pig and dog use in the resource rich, and hierarchically complex, pre‐contact Society Island chiefdoms. Utilizing ethnohistoric data and human‐centred use‐webs data, I provide a preliminary study of the diverse ways that pigs and dogs were used in pre‐contact Mā'ohi life across 13 use categories. Ethnohistoric analyses indicate that pigs, and to some extent dogs, were intimately associated with elite ceremonial use, yet pigs were commonly associated with war and fertility rituals, while dogs were commonly associated with peacekeeping events. Preliminary comparison of pig and dog frequencies at eight excavated archaeological sites suggests pig bones far outnumber dog bones. There is also differential recovery of pig and dog bone in terms of site function and site status, with high status temples dating to the Centralization Phase having the highest incidence of both species. It is highly likely that the advent of the 'Oro war cult led to intensified pig husbandry, given this animal's robust associations with ritual use, moral notions of chiefly power and cosmology. Why dog husbandry was less intensified in the Society Islands, and why this animal was perhaps accessed largely through long‐distance trade relationships, is an ongoing question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extractivist archaeological practices have been carried out in the Atacama Lickanantay territory, Antofagasta region, northern Chile, ever since the 19th century, excluding or denying the voice and/or participation of members of the local indigenous community. However, the beginning of the 21st century saw a change in this sense bringing new experiences of collaboration between Atacameños and archaeologists. Our goal is to reflect on the definitions and applications of collaborative methodologies in archaeological projects, through discussion focusing on the global, through the national and finally the local, from where we approach a particular collaborative project. The research, conducted between early 2021 and mid 2024, studies the history of the collection and patrimonialization of indigenous bodies in the Atacameño Lickanantay territory, and socializes this information among the local communities. Based on this work, we conclude that all research in the territory must involve and be authorized by the Atacameño communities. Also, we consider that the Atacameños should stop being the object of research and instead become researchers who lead or collaborate in the studies within their communities and in their territory. The originality of this paper lies precisely in the fact that it brings a global discussion of contemporary archaeology to a concrete case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hasandağ volcano (Central Anatolia, Turkey) has recently underwent an increase in local seismicity and fumarolic activity since 2013. In the past, this volcano has produced multiple large explosive eruptions during the last million years. The Belbaşhanı Pumice is the product of a sub-Plinian to Plinian eruption dated at ~ 417 ± 20.5 ka (40Ar/39Ar). Here, we present a complete volcanological study including stratigraphy, glass chemistry, pumice morphology, geochronology, and eruption source parameters with the associated uncertainties, to characterize the Belbaşhanı Pumice eruption. The eruption involved a column of 18–29 km in height, with the main dispersal axis towards the northeast. A pumice layer up to ~ 17-m-thick accumulated in proximal deposits along the Belbaşhanı path, and up to 2-m-thick in medial-distal areas (~ 18 km northeast from the vent). The high and tubular vesicularity of the pumice clasts indicates that the Belbaşhanı eruption was predominantly magmatic. The bulk volume of the Belbaşhanı Pumice fallout deposit has been estimated as 0.5 and 8 km3 (with ~ 2 km3 being the mean value), which corresponds to Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of at least 4 and up to 6. Both isopach and isopleth maps indicate that the volcanic vent may have been located at the intersection of the Tuz Gölü fault and Ulukışla caldera, within the Hasandağ volcanic complex. The glass composition of Belbaşhanı Pumice confirms that the eruption belongs to the Hasandağ magmatic system. The reconstruction of the Belbaşhanı Pumice eruption represents an essential baseline in providing volcanological constraints for further investigations of tephra fallout hazard assessment in Central Anatolia, especially considering that a new Plinian eruption cannot be ruled out at Hasandağ volcano in the future. The chemical and geochronological datasets presented here could aid in refining tephrochronological correlations, with the goal of synchronizing paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic records alongside archaeological sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As interests in material rhetoric continue to evolve among communication scholars, questions persist about how durability impacts the rhetorical dimensions of objects. To more fully understand how such objects participate in suasive activity during their lifetimes, I examine multiple aspects of material rhetoric in an encounter with the ruins of an abandoned Saturn dealership. By seeking ways to perceive how such a desolate place speaks and advancing a concept of ruin rhetoric that is sensitive to matters of time and durability, I argue that Saturn's ruins assemble a rhetorical perspective of a distinctively "American" car company and its consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the prehistoric period on the Balkan Peninsula, the technology of white decoration underwent a drastic change. At the beginning of the Neolithic white pigment was applied as paint on a polished surface. At the end of the epoch, white paste was inlaid in incised channels on the surfaces of vessels. This study is focused on the identification of mineral pigments used for white decoration of Neolithic and Chalcolithic pottery from the territory of Bulgaria. The aim of this work is to answer the question of whether the composition of the white pigment varies according to the technique of decoration (paint and inlay). A set of 41 pottery fragments from 11 archaeological sites on the territory of Bulgaria was analyzed utilizing two spectroscopic techniques: laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Additionally, the experimental data from the LIBS were statistically treated with the multivariate technique, principal component analysis (PCA). The results from the spectral analysis indicated that the main constituent in the white decorated sherds is calcite in various combinations with carrier materials like quartz, feldspars, and metal oxides. The statistical analysis revealed that the primal constituent in the inlaid sherds is calcite while in the painted part, the carrier material is dominant. In some particular sherds, gypsum, hydroxylapatite, kaolinite, and aragonite were also detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archaeometry can help archaeologists in many ways, and one of the most common archaeometric objectives is provenance analysis. Volcanic rocks are often found in archaeological sites as materials used to make grinding tools such as millstones and mortars or as building materials. Petrographic characterization is commonly applied to identify their main mineralogical components. However, the provenance study of volcanic stones is usually undertaken by comparing geochemical data from reference outcrops using common descriptive statistical tools such as biplots of chemical elements, and occasionally, unsupervised multivariate data analysis like principal component analysis (PCA) is also used. Recently, the use of supervised classification methods has shown a superior performance in assigning provenance to archaeological samples. However, these methods require the use of reference databases for all the possible provenance classes in order to train the classification models. The existence of comprehensive collections of published geochemical analyses of igneous rocks enables the use of the supervised approach for the provenance determination of volcanic stones. In this paper, the provenance of volcanic grinding tools from two archaeological sites (Iulia Libica, Spain, and Sidi Zahruni, Tunisia) is attempted using data from the GEOROC database through unsupervised and supervised approaches. The materials from Sidi Zahruni have been identified as basalts from Pantelleria (Italy), and the agreement between the different supervised classification models tested is particularly conclusive. In contrast, the provenance of the materials from Iulia Libica remained undetermined. The results illustrate the advantages and limitations of all the examined methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proposed research work presents a comprehensive approach to assessing the seismic vulnerability of archaeological sites. This approach aims to be a quick and easy-to-use investigation procedure that enables accurate and large-scale evaluations. While the methods employed are well-established in the literature and have been widely applied to buildings, this study contributes by proposing a structured framework that integrates different assessment procedures at different levels of analysis, specifically tailored to archaeological sites. The analysis is divided into three stages within the conceptual framework: (i) the application of the Masonry Quality Index; (ii) seismic vulnerability assessment and prediction of expected damage; and (iii) analysis of individual walls' structural response through strength domain, capacity and fragility curves. Specifically, the study explores and adapts four Vulnerability Index methods, i.e. GNDT, Formisano, Vicente and Ferreira methods, to suit the specific characteristics of archaeological sites. To this end, a simplified procedure is proposed to estimate the conventional strength in the methods' forms. The comparison of the index-based methods is then crucial for critically evaluating the reliability of vulnerability estimations. The paper illustrates the application of this framework through a detailed case study, i.e. the archaeological site of Wupatki Pueblo in Arizona (US), demonstrating its effectiveness in evaluating the seismic risk and defining the vulnerability distribution of the site. Consequently, this approach facilitates the identification of the most sensitive areas, which necessitate further investigation, providing useful outcomes for the decision-making process concerning the conservation and protection of archaeological sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The book "Pompeii and Herculaneum between Two Worlds. The Reception of a Myth between Spain and America" is the result of a research project that seeks to debunk the idea that Spain did not participate in the archaeological studies of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The book, written by researchers from various countries, is divided into five parts that address different aspects of the reception of these archaeological sites. It analyzes the experiences of travelers in the Vesuvian cities and the influence of Pompeii on culture and art in Brazil, Latin America, the United States, and Spain. It also examines the reception of archaeological findings in Pompeii in Mexico during the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as the influence of Pompeii on the remodeling of Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City. Finally, it highlights the technological advances in archaeology in the digital era. [Extracted from the article]

Premise: The domestication of wild plant species can begin with gathering and transport of propagules by Indigenous peoples. The effect on genomic composition, especially in clonal, self‐incompatible perennials would be instantaneous and drastic with respect to new, anthropogenic populations subsequently established. Reductions in genetic diversity and mating capability would be symptomatic and the presence of unique alleles and genetic sequences would reveal the origins and ancestry of populations associated with archaeological sites. The current distribution of the Four Corners potato, Solanum jamesii Torr. in the Southwestern USA, may thus reflect the early stages of a domestication process that began with tuber transport. Methods: Herein genetic sequencing (GBS) data are used to further examine the hypothesis of domestication in this culturally significant species by sampling 25 archaeological and non‐archaeological populations. Results: Archaeological populations from Utah, Colorado and northern Arizona have lower levels of polymorphic loci, unique alleles, and heterozygosity than non‐archaeological populations from the Mogollon region of central Arizona and New Mexico. Principle components analysis, Fst values, and structure analysis revealed that genetic relationships among archaeological populations did not correspond to geographic proximity. Populations in Escalante, Utah were related to those on the Mogollon Rim (400 km south) and had multiple origins and significant disjunctions with those populations in Bears Ears, Chaco Canyon, and Mesa Verde sites. Conclusions: Movement of tubers from the Mogollon region may have occurred many times and in multiple directions during the past, resulting in the complex genetic patterns seen in populations from across the Four Corners region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the bioclimatic and landscape characteristics of summer camps of modern transhumant herders from North Neuquén to generate a distribution model of upland areas suitable for herding and project their spatial distribution throughout the Holocene. With this aim, we analyzed ethnographic, bioclimatic and landscape data using habitat suitability models. The location of different types of archaeological sites was then compared with the projected models. The results for the current data show that the bioclimatic variables have a central role in determining the location of summer camp areas, showing a better capacity of explanation than the solely use of landscape variables as altitude. The projection of the bioclimatic model into the past showed significant temporal and spatial variation, although the archaeological sites are consistently localised in the limit between annually available and summer areas. For the Late Holocene, burial and rock art sites are mainly placed in areas available annually and in areas characterised as summer camps, respectively. Our findings show the usefulness of studying the ways of life and use of space of modern transhumant herders as a valid resource to generate hypotheses or expectations about the distribution of the archaeological sites from the same region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the amplitude attribute analysis of ground penetrating radar (GPR) data, this paper applies GPR to the identification of internal damages and abnormal objects in stone walls of Tibetan ruins. The corresponding relationship between the characteristics of internal damages and abnormal objects and the radar data is explored through the Tibetan stone walls (TSWs) simulation test. The identification of location and size of the damages and abnormal objects in TSWs is realized based on the Mahalanobis distance abnormal data discrimination method. Using the normal distribution and the noncentral chi-square distribution, the identification law of types of the damages and abnormal objects is constructed, which takes root mean square (RMS) amplitude and interface reflection coefficient as the characteristic values. The field detection results of TSWs at three Tibetan sites are taken as an extension and supplement to the simulation results, and a set of identification atlas for the location, size and type of the internal damages and abnormal objects in TSWs is established. The application results of the identification atlas were verified by the field detection and the results show that the atlas has a high accuracy, which can significantly improve the efficiency of the identification, and can provide a basis for the performance research, protection and maintenance of TSWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Herein, the gilt-bronze Gaigongmao (chariot parasol components) were excavated in the Dafenbao cemetery, Pengshan county, Sichuan province, China. This paper illustrates the parasols virtual restoration pictures and infers its usage. The samples were characterized by combining ultra-depth three-dimensional microscope (Ultra-depth 3D microscope), attenuated total internal reflectance fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), scanning electron microscope (EDS), element mapping, and wood species identification. The fibers around the Gaigongmao were detected as cotton threads, and the woods inside was bamboo, thus, the type of the parasol was indicated to be the San type. The gilding technology of the gilt-bronze was resulted of traditional mercury amalgam technology, and the traditional "Yaguang" technique can be observed in the SEM images. By comparing with the other data, the lead isotope date of the Gaigongmao was determined to be within the range of the Yangtze River basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muography is a rapidly developing and non-destructive tomographic technology that uses cosmic ray muons. Due to the natural presence and deeper penetration of cosmic ray muons, scientists have performed various pioneer studies in fields, such as customs security, the internal imaging of volcanoes, scientific archaeology, and others. With unique advantages, muography has gained increasing attention from archaeologists as a novel and innovative tool to investigate large-scale archaeological sites. This approach may be especially helpful for identifying endangered cultural relics and monuments. In the work, we employ a compact, rugged, and portable muon imaging system, CORMIS (COsmic Ray Muon Imaging System), deployed at up to six measurement locations to perform a case study of three-dimensional muography in Xi'an city, China. Cultural cities, such as Xi'an, have long histories and could benefit from innovative techniques used to investigate, conserve, and protect large historical sites. In this paper, we present in detail a high resolution survey on a rampart of a Xi'an defensive wall in demand of urgent protection. The survey data are carefully processed with advanced statistical methods newly introduced in muography, and the results indicate density anomalies inside the rampart with unprecedented levels of precision. The density anomalies are potential safety hazards and need to be eliminated as soon as possible. The successful implementation of this survey significantly encourages more engagement on the tangible application of high-precision 3D muography in archaeological investigations and protection projects around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The history of the rise, prosperity, decline and heritage of the Golden Horde has been in the center of attention of Russian and foreign specialists for many decades. In the XIV century the power of the khans of the Golden Horde covered the territory of a large part of modern Russia (except for Eastern Siberia, the Far East and the Far North), northern and western Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Moldova, part of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The modern Penza region territory was part of the Mukhsha Ulus, the northwestern district of the Golden Horde, bordering the Principality of Ryazan. Trade caravans to Rus and back from Bolgar, the Lower Volga cities and Khwarazm moved through the region. The study of archaeological sites of the Golden Horde period in the Penza Oblast began in the late XIX and continued in the early XX century. V.M. Teryokhin, A.A. Spitsyn, I.F. Sadin and A.A. Krotkov were the fi rst to identify the scientific potential of the Narovchat settlement and the nearby burial grounds for future generations of archaeologists and historians. Later, new settlements of the Golden Horde period, trade routes were found, and artifacts – jewelry, ceramics, numismatic finds were studied. Research results over the past thirty years were presented in scientifi c articles by G.N. Belorybkin, V.A. Vinnichek and K.M. Vinnichek, O.V. Golubev, Yu.A. Zeleneyev, E.D. Zilivinskaya, and O.V. Melnichenko. The study of already discovered and the search for new Golden Horde archaeological sites continues.

The monumental architectural structures built by Amir Timur and his descendants, the Timurids, are widely known as masterpieces of world architecture and urban planning culture. The bulk of the monumental buildings built by representatives of this dynasty are concentrated mainly in Samarkand and Kesh-Shakhrisabz. Architectural structures of the Timurid period have been studied for more than a hundred years by famous scientists in the fi eld of architecture. Hundreds of monographs and scientific articles have been published on this issue in Uzbekistan, the CIS and abroad. Against the background of studies of monumental monuments of the Timurid period, the dwellings and way of life of populace, especially rural one, were not studied absolutely because the remains of residential buildings of urban and rural populace of that time were practically not found on the territory of Uzbekistan. Written sources did not provide any information about rural populace of that time. Archaeological excavations carried out by the authors of this article in the Khodja Rushnoi settlement, located in the Mubarek district of the Kashkadarya region of Uzbekistan, for the first time provided the opportunity to examine the homes and lifestyle of a simple rural population of the Timurid period. It turned out that the topography of settlements and material culture, especially pottery of the Timurid period, are very different from the rural settlements of the pre-Mongol period.

In the context of global warming, the dynamics of East Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM) are of great significance for predicting future climate change. The variations of humidity indicated by various climate proxies in Central China are controversial. This study relies on pollen data retrieved from lacustrine sediment at the Anshang site in Anyang archaeological area, Central Plains of China to quantitatively reconstruct the change in PANN (mean annual precipitation). The results show that the region experienced three distinct dry-wet intervals during the ∼8.54 to ∼3.26 cal ka BP: the earlier portion of the mid-Holocene (∼8.5–∼6.0 cal ka BP) witnessed the higher PANN; the latter portion of the mid-Holocene (∼6.0–∼3.6 cal ka BP) enjoyed the highest PANN of the past ∼8500 years with a noticeable cold and dry event occurred around 4.2 cal ka BP; the late Holocene (∼3.6–∼3.2 cal ka BP) experienced the lower PANN. Periodic analysis on pollen-based precipitation further reveals ∼500-year and ∼800-year cycles, matching well with regional climate records. Our regional comparison suggests that the Central Plains of China shared similar climatic controls with the southern region of China during the ∼8.54 to ∼3.26 cal ka BP. Shifts of Western Pacific Subtropical High (WPSH), driven by the ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) conditions and SST (Sea Surface Temperatures) in the western tropical Pacific, regulated the positioning of the EASM-related rain-belt during ∼8.54 to ∼3.26 cal ka BP. This study provides more reliable variations of humidity in the Central Plains under the influence of the EASM, which is helpful to predict future climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 3‐month excavation conducted in Area G at Sarūq al‐Ḥadīd yielded novel insights into the historical occupation, abandonment and utilisation patterns of the site. The archaeological strata unearthed during our excavation dating span a significant timeframe, ranging from the fourth to the first millennium BC. Employing a stratigraphical approach, we systematically established a relative chronological sequence for the area supported by C14 absolute dating. This methodological framework enabled us to discern the temporal evolution of the site, unveiling pertinent information regarding the nature of occupation, the construction phase of the well and its temporal utilisation and the occurrences of natural phenomena such as climatic disruption, alluvial processes and sand accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating archaeobotanical data from over 3.9 million seeds and 124,300 charcoal fragments across 330 archaeological site phases in Southwest Asia, we reconstruct the history of olive and grape cultivation spanning a period of 6,000 years. Combining charcoal and seed data enables investigation into both the production and consumption of olive and grape. The earliest indication for olive and grape cultivation appears in the southern Levant around ca. 5000 BC and 4th millennium BC respectively, although cultivation may have been practiced prior to these dates. Olive and grape cultivation in Southwest Asia was regionally concentrated within the Levant until 600 BC, although there were periodic pushes to the East. Several indications for climate influencing the history of olive and grape cultivation were found, as well as a correlation between periods of high population density and high proportions of olive and grape remains in archaeological sites. While temporal uncertainty prevents a detailed understanding of the causal mechanisms behind these correlations, we suggest that long distance trade in olives, grapes and their associated products was integral to the economic, social, and demographic trajectories of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This paper presents, to the best of our knowledge, the first documented instance of a specific pathological lesion found in a Late Iron Age (La Tène period) horse. This discovery was made in the CX 143 pit in Alba Iulia, Romania, during archaeological rescue excavations conducted in 2022. In addition to the standard morphological features of the horse, comprehensive investigations revealed an unusual lesion on the left scapular neck. This lesion was evaluated both macroscopically and radiologically and has been interpreted as periarticular and supraarticular hyperostosis. A series of hypotheses were proposed regarding the cause of this specific type of injury, including the possibility of it being traumatic in nature, and potentially influenced by particular conformational aspects of the identified horse. The reconstruction of past life based on archaeozoology is a challenging domain that offers a range of valuable details concerning former human and animal populations. Additionally, the ancient era is a source of information for human and veterinary medicine, as well as for other biological sciences. This report highlights a pathological lesion identified during the investigation of a horse skeleton from a pit dated La Tène in Alba County (Romania). The left scapula with lesions was collected from the skeleton of a buried 7–8-year-old male horse. The aforementioned bone underwent gross, radiological, and computerized tomography evaluation. Macroscopically, a collar of supraarticular cancellous hyperostosis was detected, most likely as a consequence of an invasive chronic phlegmonous periarthritis and/or bursitis of the infraspinate muscle following probably a penetrating cutaneous wound in the shoulder region. A suppurative periarthritis\bursitis of the infraspinate muscle situated nearby caused, apparently, supraglenoidian periosteitis responsible for osteophytes and exostoses formation in the neck region of the scapula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Museum legacy collections, often derived from large-scale archaeological excavations, can serve as paleoenvironmental archives of Late Pleistocene megafaunal composition and dynamics. Many of these collections, however, contain large quantities of highly fragmented and morphologically indistinct bones that cannot be identified to a specific taxon and are therefore of limited use to paleoenvironmental and archaeological analyses. Here, we explore the potential of Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS) to identify fossil bone fragments and complement morphological identifications in legacy collections housed at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. To undertake this work, we collected fragmented bone specimens of Late Pleistocene megafauna from six archaeological sites in Colorado that are currently housed in the Department of Anthropology, and then performed pilot ZooMS screening. Our analysis successfully retrieved taxonomic information from 80% of the analyzed material, highlighting the potential of future ZooMS studies on museum collections to investigate human-megafaunal interactions in late Pleistocene North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until recently, the identification of the species of origin for skin and fur materials used in the production of archaeological clothing has been based on the analysis of macro- and microscopic morphological features and on the traditional knowledge of Indigenous groups. This approach, however, is not always applicable due to the deterioration of the archaeological objects. Paleoproteomics was used as an alternative approach to identify the species of origin of fifteen samples of various tissues from approximately 600-year-old garments found in Nuulliit, northern Greenland. Proteomics revealed that a limited group of marine and terrestrial mammals were used for clothing production. The results obtained from the analysis of multiple types of clothing and elements, such as sinew thread and gut skin, suggest that their applications were based on their properties. When conclusive assignment of a sample to a species via proteomics was not possible, the observation by transmitted light microscopy of feather and hair micromorphology, if not affected by diagenesis, was used to improve the identification. The proteomic characterization of animal materials used for clothing production in the Nuulliit archaeological context provides an insight into the practical knowledge and the strategies adopted by the local Indigenous community to exploit natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ancient wooden constructions, also known as wooden cultural relics, refers to ancient wood that has been modified or crafted by human activities. To ensure its preservation, it is crucial to gain further understanding of the decomposition mechanisms affecting archaeological wood. In this study, we investigated the microbiome diversity and cellulose decomposition processes in a 6300-year-old ancient wooden construction at the Tianluoshan site (7000–6300 cal BP) in Zhejiang Province, China. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) was employed to analyze the metagenomic functions, specifically focusing on the microbial communities' cellulose-degrading pathways using bioinformatic approaches. The findings revealed that the excavation of archaeological wood significantly altered the environment, leading to an accelerated deterioration process. This degradation was primarily influenced by carbohydrate metabolism and xenobiotic biodegradation and metabolism pathways within the complex ecosystem consisting of bacteria, archaea, fungi, microfauna, plants, and algae. Proteobacteria, actinobacteria, ascomycota, and basidiomycota were identified as the main sources of bacterial cellulose-degrading enzymes. The results obtained from this evaluation will provide valuable insights for the development of targeted conservation strategies and prioritization of preservation efforts for the ancient wooden constructions found in different regions of the Tianluoshan site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hastinapur is one of the prominent painted grey ware archaeological sites in the Ganga Valley. In the present communication, we report the results of the metallurgical analysis of the excavated slag samples from the site. The existence of a large number of iron objects for this site can be dated between c. 6th century BCE and c. 16th century CE, with early iron from the 8th century BCE. The morphological, microstructural and elemental studies of the excavated slag indicate a high amount of carbon in iron, indicating crucible carburization activities at this site. In addition, the presence of niobium, cobalt, etc. in the slag indicates the usage of non-traditional iron ores in the primary ironmaking stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along the western coastal plain of the Red Sea, the discovery of lithic tools proved that the occurrence of archaeological remains belonged to the Stone Age era. Unfortunately, until recently, most of the Stone Age site plans in the western Red Sea periphery have been unknown because of change in climate in addition to covering these sites with a large layer of sand. Recently, remote sensing (RS) data have proven to be effective at identifying buried archaeological sites using radar satellite imagery due to their ability to penetrate the land surface. This paper aims to identify and reconstruct several potential Stone Age sites using radar satellite images in the Tokar region, North-Eastern Sudan, on the western plain of the Red Sea. Radar (Sentinel-1 SAR GRD: C-band) data were processed utilizing the advantages of the Google Earth Engine platform and Snap software. The results of this research showed that some potential settlements belonging to the Stone Age era (expectedly dating back to the end of the Pleistocene and/or the initial phase of the Holocene) have subcircular shapes with some interior subcircles. These results shed new light on the potential construction technique, size, and function of the settlement in the Stone Age era and can provide some initial insights into the ancient lifestyle in this region. Additionally, this study can aid in future archaeological surveys and excavation missions in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Umm Tawabin (‘Mother of Bread Ovens’ in Arabic) is a large fortress overlooking the Wadi ‘Arabah and southern Dead Sea in Jordan. From the time of its discovery by a Palestine Exploration Fund (PEF) expedition in the late 19th century, Umm Tawabin had not been excavated, nor published extensively in spite of its strategically elevated location with panoramic views on all sides, its monumental fortification and numerous and varied archaeological remains until the Ghor as-Safi Project survey (Ariotti 2017) and excavations (Ariotti 2022; 2021; Politis and Ariotti 2020). The goal of this investigation was to determine the extent, function (or multiple functions) and dating of the site, along with the subsistence practices and diet of its inhabitants based on its topographical, architectural and excavated material culture, botanical and faunal remains (Ariotti 2021, Edwell 2023, Hansen and Heinrich, in press). This paper presents an overview of the chronological development and strategic importance of Umm Tawabin from the Hellenistic to Roman periods in view of its stratigraphic evidence, radiocarbon dates and pottery. It also presents some fragmentary remains dated to the Iron Age II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a list of individuals who participated in the archaeological excavation at the Theban Temple of Pharaoh-Queen Tausret from 2012 to 2016. It includes the names of staff members, such as archaeologists, Egyptologists, and photographers, as well as the names of the workforce, including masterine, toria, and basketmen. The purpose of this list is to record the individuals involved in the excavation for the benefit of future scholars. The document appears to be a comprehensive record of the diverse group of individuals who participated in the archaeological expeditions in Egypt during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the discovery of mud-brick structures in the Tausret Temple concession in Egypt. The structures, labeled Features 5 and 7, were found beneath a later funerary enclosure and are believed to be part of a single structure. The mud-brick structure is approximately 14 meters long and 3.25 meters wide, with two niches or rooms built into it. The function of the structure is unclear, but it may have been part of a mud-brick enclosure wall for the New Kingdom temple. The structure was later reused during the Third Intermediate Period and the Late Period for funerary purposes. Several faience objects and stamped mud bricks were found in the vicinity of the structure, as well as wooden furniture pieces. The text also discusses clusters of ceramics found in different areas surrounding a mud-brick structure in the TC area. The clusters contain a variety of pottery, including storage jars, incense burners, and offering vessels, dating from the New Kingdom to the Byzantine Period. Some clusters are associated with specific periods, such as the Saite-Persian Period, while others show a mix of ceramics from different periods. The assemblages suggest possible cultic activity and may be related to embalming practices during the Saite Period. The ceramics found in TC78 are unique and may indicate an earlier date than the other clusters. The text further discusses the discovery of two mud-brick structures at the Tausret temple complex. The first structure [Extracted from the article]

The archaeological record of the Lower Mississippi Valley represents a long history of Indigenous people making wide and variable use of the region's exceptionally rich ecosystems. Often, archaeological interpretations of these interactions focus on subsistence and do not take into consideration non-food uses of plants and animals. Our excavations at two Coles Creek (AD 750–1000) mound centers, Feltus and Smith Creek, yielded curious concentrations of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) in addition to the expected suite of plants. We first discuss the archaeological context of sweetgum on these sites, then outline our methods of identifying the plant in archaeological samples. We detail the process of identifying sweetgum both in-field and from flotation and water-screening samples and provide identification criteria that can be used by other analysts. Finally, we review what we know about sweetgum use from the broader archaeological, ethnohistoric, and ethnographic records. Drawing these lines of evidence together, we synthesize pre – and post-colonial ethnobotany to hypothesize about how and why Coles Creek people used this plant in ceremonial activities taking place at mound centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron palaeometallurgy was carried out on three artefacts, classified as nails and excavated from the archaeological site of Loiola (La Arboleda, Biscay, northern Spain), to investigate Roman manufacturing techniques. Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) coupled with Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM) and micro-Raman spectroscopy were used to obtain elemental composition and structural characterization of mineral phases. Metallurgical properties and crystallographic texture were studied by combining microscopic methods such as optical microscopy (OM), Electron Backscatter Diffraction realized in environmental mode (EBSD) and measurements of local Vickers microhardness. The three artefacts had different microstructures, distinguished by a large gradient of carbon content, although important segregations (inclusions) were observed in all of them. Two pearlite-rich artefacts showed a high density of structural defects (geometrically necessary dislocations and large crystallographic orientation gradients in pearlitic ferrite, curved pearlitic cementite) resulting from a high level of plastic deformation that occurred during the manufacturing process. The third artefact consisted of pure ferrite without structural defects. This one was clearly manufactured differently from the two others, so it probably had another functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regions densely populated with archaeological monuments pose significant challenges for construction investors and archaeologists during the planning stages of major construction projects. Recognising the archaeological potential of these areas is crucial for planning effective rescue excavations, which have become a standard procedure in construction. This study explores the utility of non-invasive prospection techniques, including artefact field surveys, multispectral imaging, and magnetic surveys, in assessing the area chosen for the I/16 Slaný–Velvary road construction. We specifically focused on the contributions these methods make towards understanding the archaeological context of the proposed construction site. The findings from the magnetic survey were compared with the results of actual archaeological excavations. Through manual visual analysis and statistical spatial correlation, we assessed the effectiveness of the magnetic survey. The ability of magnetic survey to locate different types of archaeological objects proved to be dependent on various factors. The variability of the environmental setting, particularly pedological and geological conditions, is essential. However, the modern anthropogenic impact and the very nature of individual archaeological objects, especially their dimensions, also play an essential role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern technology was applied to the data recorded during the excavation of Santo António de Tanná in the 1970s. The original recording techniques and the subsequent attempts, in the 1980s, to extract further information from the data are described. With the advent of modern and extremely powerful desktop computers this information has now been reprocessed, enabling three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of control points on the site to be determined and a 3D rendered model of the site created. Using this model of the internal hull of the ship, measurements can be made to determine the shape and form of the ship. This paper examines the original methodologies used and compares the modern measurements with the manual measurements taken over 50 years earlier. An investigation to determine the accuracy of the two systems is described together with an analysis of the techniques involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The necropolis of Heliopolis in Egypt has not been systematically explored and is not yet fully excavated. During the excavations of Ard Neqabet El-Muhamin in the years 1987-88, three tombs were discovered, dating back to the Greek-Roman period. The tombs contain various objects from different time periods and materials. The aim of this research is to examine these objects in detail and publish their archaeological information in order to date and illuminate them. [Extracted from the article]

This paper discusses three large, almost identical oval breverls from the eighteenth century burial contexts in present-day Republic of Croatia. Two of them were discovered during archaeological excavations in Žuberak and Prozorje, while the third one from Ližnjan had not been defined as breverl until now. Breverls are the rarest and most enigmatic devotional objects but the three analysed in this paper have a common link other than their appearance. They all contained religious medals from pilgrim sites and papers with the prayer against all evils and demonic attacks on one side and the blessings of saints, the prayer for the identification of those tortured by evil spirits, and the Prologue to John's Gospel on the other. This article compares the papers discovered in them, studies the motifs from the mentioned breverls and analyses other finds from them to provide answers to the questions of their place of production, the identity of the people who wore them and why. Tentative correlation of different bioarchaeological factors, such as age, sex, and health condition of the deceased can give us much information on who breverl bearers were. Apparently, they were the vulnerable members of society, such as pregnant women, people suffering from poor health, or, as prayers from the breverls suggest, individuals believed to be tortured by demons or evil spirits. Taking that into account, breverls were devotional objects believed to provide universal protection, a sort of medicine case for both physical and spiritual problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excavations in advance of redevelopment in two areas either side of Old Bread Street, Bristol, revealed remains dating from the eighteenth century including those of three clay tobacco pipe kilns and other structural remains. An assemblage of clay tobacco pipes and kiln furniture was also recovered amongst other finds. The structural remains are described and the development of the site is examined. The process of clay pipe manufacture is briefly outlined, and the clay pipes are described and placed within their local context. It has been established that the kilns were the clay pipe manufactory of James Winchester, who was making clay pipes here between at least 1834 and 1856. Documentary sources have been used to further illuminate the archaeological evidence from this site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Caminho da Caiçara II archaeological site is located in the village of Cadoz Velho, a rural area in the municipality of Piripiri, Piauí, Brazil. It consists of a large vertical wall and a small sandstone block containing 101 rock paintings in red and yellow colors. There are abstract figures and human handprints, as well as a bird's footprint and a spear-thrower. There are rock engravings in the shape of cupules. This paper reports the results of in situ monitoring of environmental parameters such as ambient air temperature and relative humidity, rock temperature in areas with and without rock paintings, as well as the speed of the winds that reach the archaeological site under investigation. The experimental data obtained indicate that the thermal action on the pictorial films of the rock paintings from the Caminho da Caiçara II site is clearly more intense than in other nearby archaeological sites. Direct sunlight on the rock paintings for most of the day and year is the main agent responsible for the high heating of the pictorial films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]