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The article in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology discusses the socioeconomic changes in European Iron Age societies. It highlights the emergence of urban settlements, political centralization, and economic specialization during this period. The text emphasizes the importance of analyzing animal and human remains to understand cultural, social, and economic changes in different regions of Europe during the Iron Age. The research presented in the article aims to explore questions related to mobility, cultural transfer, and networks within Iron Age communities, providing insights into how these changes affected humans and animals in various model regions. [Extracted from the article]

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]

In addition to his astronomical observations the famous Renaissance astronomer Tycho Brahe (1546–1601) was known also for his interest in alchemy. He equipped his castle Uraniborg on the island of Ven with a state-of-the-art alchemical laboratory when it was erected around 1580. After Brahe's death Uraniborg was demolished upon a royal decree from 1601, a process which was completed around 1650. In the present study we have analysed four glass shards and one ceramic shard most likely from the alchemical laboratory and retrieved during an archaeological excavation in 1988–90. Cross sections of the shards have been analysed for 31 trace elements by Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma with Mass Spectrometry with the aim of detecting any traces of the chemical substances on the inside or outside of the shards used in the laboratory. Four of the elements found in excess on the exterior surfaces of the shards, Cu, Sb, Au, and Hg, are in accordance with the reconstructed recipes of the three Paracelsian medicines for which Brahe was famous—Medicamenta tria. This is the first experimental data casting light on the alchemical experiments that took place at Uraniborg 1580–1599. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The progress of field research and studies of archaeological sites from southern Poland (Małopolska) and experimental activities related to salt-making in the Bronze Age and Early Iron Age in the last two decades have created conditions for attempting to recreate the chaîne opératoire of this branch of prehistoric production. The use of ceramic containers for evaporating brine and drying and portioning salt means that we are dealing with two operational sequences (production of ceramics and salt) intertwined at some stage – from obtaining raw materials (clay and brine) to the distribution of transportable product and discarding of disposable containers. We conducted multi-aspect studies on the characteristics of materials related to each stage, including their spatial location, based on all available material from western Małopolska, in particular several large-scale benchmark sites (Podłęże 17, Brzezie 17 and Kraków-Bieżanów 11). This allowed us to identify certain differences in production sites. A comprehensive review of the source database also allowed us to establish a rather limited scope of both the degree of craft specialisation of the brewers and the scale of the centre’s influence. Nevertheless, in some periods, as in the beginning of the Urnfield period, this centre gained supra-regional importance, as evidenced by, among others, certificates of weight standardization of finished products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 28 July 2016, Jabhat al-Nusra announced its disengagement from militant international Islamist organization al-Qaeda and became Jabhat Fatah al-Sham. In January 2017, Jabhat Fatah al-Sham rebranded yet again when it merged with several other Syrian groups to establish Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). HTS formed a civilian ‘Syrian Salvation Government’ to manage its regions. Among the transformations was in its attitudes towards the looting and destructions of antiquities, which had become endemic in Syria. HTS had targeted archaeological sites for destruction and looting. After its disengagement from al-Qaeda, HTS reopened the Idlib Museum in 2018, and claimed to protection of antiquities. This article aims to study the reasons and motives for the transformation in strategy of HTS regarding Syrian tangible heritage during the ongoing war in Syria and argues that this strategy remains one in which Syrian heritage is exploited for political gain within the context of a larger conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The history of rare diseases is largely unknown. Research on this topic has focused on individual cases of prominent (historical) individuals and artistic (e.g., iconographic) representations. Medical collections include large numbers of specimens that exhibit signs of rare diseases, but most of them date to relatively recent periods. However, cases of rare diseases detected in mummies and skeletal remains derived from archaeological excavations have also been recorded. Nevertheless, this direct evidence from historical and archaeological contexts is mainly absent from academic discourse and generally not consulted in medical research on rare diseases. Results: This desideratum is addressed by the Digital Atlas of Ancient Rare Diseases (DAARD: https://daard.dainst.org), which is an open access/open data database and web-based mapping tool that collects evidence of different rare diseases found in skeletons and mummies globally and throughout all historic and prehistoric time periods. This easily searchable database allows queries by diagnosis, the preservation level of human remains, research methodology, place of curation and publications. In this manuscript, the design and functionality of the DAARD are illustrated using examples of achondroplasia and other types of stunted growth. Conclusions: As an open, collaborative repository for collecting, mapping and querying well-structured medical data on individuals from ancient times, the DAARD opens new avenues of research. Over time, the number of rare diseases will increase through the addition of new cases from varied backgrounds such as museum collections and archaeological excavations. Depending on the research question, phenotypic or genetic information can be retrieved, as well as information on the general occurrence of a rare disease in selected space–time intervals. Furthermore, for individuals diagnosed with a rare disease, this approach can help them to build identity and reveal an aspect of their condition they might not have been aware of. Thus, the DAARD contributes to the understanding of rare diseases from a long-term perspective and adds to the latest medical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study presented focuses on material research of La Tène rivets and represents the very first study conducted into this class of archaeological finds from the Bohemian region. The rivets examined come from two significant archaeological sites situated in this geographical area—a hillfort Kolo near Týnec nad Labem and an oppidum in Stradonice. The sets of the rivets selected for the study were dated to the Late La Tène period (second–first century BC)—in the context of Western Europe, the term Celtic period can also be found. Thorough material research of the objects utilised a range of methods such as scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive analyser, atomic absorption spectrometry, X-ray micro-tomography scanning, laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and Raman spectrometry. As a result, the research has identified and described three different technologies used to produce the rivets. The rivets uncovered there were mostly produced by casting from a bronze alloy or by putting wrought iron pins into the bronze melt of rivet heads. In addition, a minority of the rivets were produced using forged wrought iron with their heads plated with a very thin bronze plate. The results of the elemental analysis showed that several of the rivets and most of the rivet heads were made of bronze alloys with a tin content of 2–10 wt.%. The lead content of bronze alloy rivets from both sites varies from 0.2 to 10.1 wt.%. It can be assumed, that lead was intentionally added to the bronze melt used to produce the majority of the artefacts examined. Also, several bronze rivet heads were found to be decorated with enamel, which is a type of soda-lime-silica high lead glass coloured with crystals of Cu2O (the Colour of the enamel was predominantly red). In conclusion, two different groups of enamels were distinguished: (a) enamels with PbO up to 20% and (b) enamels with a higher content of PbO reaching up to 40%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Landscape‐scale LiDAR‐based studies are becoming increasingly prevalent in archaeology, mainly focusing on detecting archaeological sites to create datasets for spatial analysis. However, the representativeness of these datasets in accurately reflecting the surviving distributions of archaeological sites has often been overlooked. This paper discusses issues of sampling and representativeness in LiDAR‐derived datasets, particularly within the scope of large‐scale landscape studies in Mediterranean contexts. Drawing insights from the Ancient Hillforts Survey, which analysed 15 296 km2 in south‐central Italy, the study examines the variability in the visibility of different site typologies in open‐source but low‐resolution LiDAR data. Through an examination of hillforts, platform farms, settlements, field systems, traces of Roman centuriation, and transhumance routes, the paper highlights significant variability in the identification and mapping within and across different site types. Recognizing the need to account for this variability in the development of spatial analysis, the paper discusses the use of sampling areas to address this variability. This approach aims to effectively mitigate potential biases in analysis, emphasizing the necessity for nuanced methodologies in interpreting LiDAR data for archaeological research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to uncover the chronology and production technologies of ancient bricks unearthed from various locations in Upper Assam, Northeast India. To achieve this goal, complementary spectroscopic techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS), as well as Thermoluminescence (TL) and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL/IRSL) dating, were applied. FTIR and XRD analyses revealed the presence of quartz, feldspar (microcline, orthoclase, albite), kaolinite, chlorite, cerussite, palygorskite, magnetite, hematite, and organic carbon. The mineralogical composition indicates two distinct groups with firing temperatures below 650 °C and above ~800 °C. These two groups could be the first indication of the presence of two civilizations or at least two different production technologies involving different firing temperatures and kiln atmospheric conditions. Further, the SEM-EDS study suggests that both calcareous and non-calcareous clays were used in brick making, which have low and high refractory properties, respectively. The internal morphology of the samples shows the existence of micropores and microfractures, indicating the influence of higher-temperature firing. Absolute dating techniques associate the two brick groups with different age ranges: a firing temperature above ~800 °C indicates a superior technology corresponding to a production period between the 7th and 10th centuries CE. In contrast, a temperature below 650 °C indicates a technologically less advanced group of people, with the age group dated between the 11th and 14th centuries CE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archaeological excavations led by Yung-jo Lee and Jong-yoon Woo were carried out twice at the Sorori paleolithic site, Cheongju, in the Republic of Korea, at the upper stream of the Geumgang river, the Miho riverside. A total of 127 rice seeds were excavated, including 18 ancient rice and 109 Quasi-rice, in 1998 and 2001. At the first excavation, eleven short japonica-type ancient rice and one slender smooth ancient rice with two kinds of Quasi-rice were excavated. The average length of the 11 short rice grains obtained from the first and second excavation was 7.19 mm and the average width was 3.08 mm, respectively. The Quasi-rice are apparently different from the rice and do not have bi-peak protuberances on their glume surface. At the second excavation, six short ancient rice chaffs and some Quasi-rice 2 were found. These short-grained ancient rice were comparable to the ancient rice that were excavated at the Illsan Neolithic site. Geologists and radiologists confirmed that the peat layer in which the rice found was older than 15,000 years. In this study, the morphological characteristics, crushing, and DNA band patterns related to the genetic polymorphism of rice grains in Cheongju Sorori were compared and analyzed for genetic similarities and differences with wild rice, weed rice, and modern rice. The morphological, ecological, and physiological variations in rice grains excavated from the Sorori site were presumed to denote the origin of rice domestication in Korea. It is also suggested that the results of the DNA sequencing of excavated rice are very important clues in estimating the origin of the early domestication of rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant resources have been widely relied upon by past hunter-gatherer societies; their remains uncovered at archaeological sites can serve as precious archives of the lives of past humans. However, while faunal remains are generally well preserved, botanical materials are usually charred, and less commonly preserved under conditions of desiccation, imbibition or freezing. Bonneville Estates Rockshelter (BER), Nevada, was intermittently occupied by humans from the end of the Pleistocene to recent times and has yielded a rich archaeobotanical corpus consisting of both charred and dessicated remains that have been only partially studied. The present work is an analysis of about 2500 wood charcoal fragments recovered from the PaleoIndigenous (ca. 13 000–10 500 cal. BP) and Early Archaic (ca. 8200–4800 cal. BP) strata of the site. We present the plants selected for firewood during different occupations, question whether this selection is related to cultural and/or environmental factors and compare our results with data on current firewood use by the native populations of the arid American West. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work represents the first archaeometric study carried out on white marble artefacts coming from several areas of the archaeological site of S. Omobono, located in a central area of Rome (Italy). The study was performed on a total of nineteen marble items, sampled from several areas of the site, by combining different laboratory techniques - including optical microscopy (OM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) of C and O - with the aim to characterise them and to determine their provenance. The minero-petrographic features observed, together with the C and O stable isotopes ratios recorded, the evaluation of the Sr and Mn contents, and the XRD refinement of the calcite unit-cell parameters, allowed us to prove that the marbles used in the S. Omobono site mainly come from the Apuan Alps basin (Carrara) and, in few cases, from continental (Mt. Penteli) and insular (Paros-Lakkoi or Thasos-Aliki district) Greek quarries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3D photogrammetric modeling has brought about a revolution in archaeological documentation and illustration: 3D models allow one to interact and work with images and hold a vast amount of information. In this article we explore the development, characteristics and advantages of the various methods of archaeological illustration: artistic illustrations, technical drawings, photographs, video and computer-generated images. We explore the possibilities opened up by photogrammetric models, as well as the characteristics and differences entailed by the modeling of artifacts, contexts, sites and regions. The second part of this article will explore the different methods and strategies used in 3D modeling of archaeological sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Roman aqueducts in Cherchell, built in the second century AD, are a remarkable engineering achievement that spans over 130 kilometers and has historical significance. Today, the aqueducts have five easily accessible bridges. However, there is a lack of coordination among stakeholders involved in managing the cultural heritage in Cherchell. The 2014 strategic plan aimed to safeguard and enhance archaeological monuments and historic buildings by promoting and advertising the Cherchell aqueducts. The Protection and Enhancement Plan for Archaeological Sites with their protected zones (PPMVSAZP) focuses on tackling tourism through various measures and attributes. Two methodological techniques were used for this case study: Researching accounting values through design (RtD) and the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach. Consulting examples of Gallo-Roman aqueducts in France allowed for a critical comparison of strategies required for managing development projects with all stakeholders. The main focus of this paper is to establish a critical analysis of the current situation by situating dysfunctions in the collaborative relationships between different stakeholders. The paper aims to emphasize how stakeholders, community organizations, and professionals can work together to designate, enhance, and manage the case study, proposing an efficient collaborative assessment as a potential opportunity for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pottery data is largest found scattered on the sites of Indus Valley Civilization. This data helps us to understand the period and nature of site even before conducting any type of diagnostic excavation. This research is based on the archaeological survey of District Khushab, Punjab, Pakistan, carried out by the Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad during 2018-2020. Recent attempts for investigating Khushab archaeology opens new phase of explorations in this area, under which a team documented number of archaeological sites. This paper is a part of this comprehensive survey and is dedicated to the studies of the archaeological site dated contemporary to other sites of this Civilization, known as Nari. This study is primarily focusing on its pottery and types based on structural design. We can explore more about the dominant cultural phase by examining the structural design, the paper provides a preliminary understanding of the cultural significance of Nari pottery. Generally, in this study we tentatively explored six types of pottery sherds, on these types we can classify the set of pottery of data so far found of the surface of the site, which relate this site to the Kot Diji phase of regionalization era beside the existence of integrated phases are also visible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the large number of petroglyph sites known in Peru, in this paper we deal with those located in an extensive archaeological area located in the southernmost part of the country, extending through the high mountains of the Illomas ravine (District of Chuquibamba. Province of Condesuyos. Department of Arequipa), conforming an extensive archaeological complex different from the known sites in the south of Peru, when allowing an approximation to the correlation that existed between the rupestrian engravings and the human settlements. That characteristic makes it singularly important to try to fix the chronological-cultural contexts and their meaning, starting from the consideration that these must have constituted a unit with its archaeological and geographical environment, forming an integral part of the daily life of the communities that settled and developed in the region of Illomas. Undoubtedly, it constitutes an archaeologically singular geographic area in terms of type of archaeological site and rock representations, evidence that make it possible to attempt an approximation to the model of adaptation that the ancient settlers of Peru developed in this geographic environment and the mentality that surrounded it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until recently, the Church of Our Lady of Consolation has received limited attention from heritage conservation specialists, with archaeological excavations in the church and its immediate surroundings starting only in 2020. Previous excavations have revealed the existence of earlier settlements in the area, and it is known that a pre-existing Eastern Orthodox church stood on the site before the construction of the Catholic church in the 18th century. Archaeological excavations were initiated in preparation for the repair and reconstruction of this unique single-tower Baroque church, which deviated from the typical architecture of Vilnius, and had been converted into a storage facility during the Soviet era. The works will involve excavating the ground during construction, thus one of the primary objectives of the ongoing archaeological excavation, initiated in 2020, is to understand the archaeological situation of this site. In 2020, five exploratory trenches were dug. The subsoil in the explored area lies at a depth ranging from 0.8 to 2.2 meters and more, and could not be reached in all trenches, with the cultural layer extending from 0.8 meters to over 3.4 meters thick. The earliest cultural layer horizons, dating from the end of the 14th century and the 15th century, were exclusive to trench 3. In trench 1, our excavations unearthed a bell from the 18th century, alongside human bones from disinterred graves. We were unable to reach the subsoil even at a depth of 2.4 meters from the basement floor. Meanwhile, trench 2 revealed a fragment of a brick-paved floor from the first half of the 20th century, which was left undisturbed. In the southern part of trench 3, the subsoil was reached at a depth of 80 cm. However, in another section, early cultural layer horizons were compromised by a farm pit or another excavation. Our excavation efforts revealed arched foundations of the church, complete with a bricked-up opening under the span of the arch. A small fragment of pavement or natural stone paving was found at the lower part of the foundation. Trench 4 proved fruitful, uncovering a previously unknown brick underground structure measuring 2 meters in width at an unknown length, potentially designed for burial, at a depth of approximately 1 m. Two graves from the 18th or 19th century were discovered in an expanded segment of trench 4, reaching the subsoil from a depth of 2.2 meters. Lastly, in trench 5, we encountered relatively well-preserved remains of a brick building dating back to the 16th century or the first half of the 17th century. The excavation further unveiled horizons of a cultural layer, believed to have formed in the 17th or 18th century. The subsoil was not reached in this particular trench. In 2021, extensive archaeological excavations were conducted near the southwestern part of the church. Employing advanced archaeological methods, the primary objective was to pinpoint the foundation site of the no longer existing winter sacristy. The goal was to ascertain the precise location of this former church extension. Two digs were explored, revealing brick structures from the sacristy that aligned with the contemporary masonry of the church. Consequently, the quite accurate location of the sacristy could be determined. While the cultural layer and potentially archaeological structures in the church's proximity suffered damage during the installation of underground engineering networks, there is a renewed focus on uncovering remnants of other structures once connected to the church. An all-encompassing research approach is considered the most promising avenue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is the creation of a tourist route in the rural parishes of Guasaganda and Pucayacu, located in the canton of La Maná, one of the seven cantons of the province of Cotopaxi, taking into consideration its geographical, cultural, natural, and socioeconomic aspects. The aim is to offer an integral vision of the tourist potential of this area and its use by the local community and visitors. Tourist points of interest have been identified and mapped, then a route has been created with two variants in order to have two options for tourists, considering that there are people who like the cultural aspect and others who like nature. As a result, a general route with two variants has been created, the first variant ends at a waterfall focusing on nature, the second variant is related to the cultural aspect since at the end of the route you will find an archaeological site. The purpose of creating an agrotourism route is for the socioeconomic development of the parishes, as well as to have a different tourism potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camp Douglas existed from September 1861 through early 1866, when the military decommissioned it. During this time, the camp grew to encompass 60 acres located on the southern outskirts of Chicago where it served as a recruitment and training center and, later, beginning in February 1862, a Confederate POW facility. Before the end of 1865, the federal government began auctioning off camp structures and materials, and thereafter, the camp began to fade from physical view, while Northern interests actively sought to expunge Camp Douglas, as well as other federal POW camps, from popular memory. The erasure of the camp was all but complete by the early twentieth-first century, when a group of individuals formed the Camp Douglas Restoration Foundation, Inc., in order to tell the story of the camp and determine if subsurface remains of the site existed. Since 2012, the foundation has sponsored 11 archaeological investigations of the camp. These excavations, which relied on volunteers drawn from the public, exposed camp deposits, raised public awareness about the site, and highlighted the site's connection to twentieth-century events, while demonstrating that developed urban areas may harbor significant archaeological remains. The results of the archaeological research reaffirm that Camp Douglas is a significant Chicago site whose story is worth investigating and telling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The GPR method was used to determine the depth and extent of the subsurface archaeological features at the archaeological site of Borsippa. The extensions of the archaeological walls were identified through the creation of three-dimensional maps. The LMX200 device conducted the survey using a 250 MHZ antenna. sixty parallel profiles were collected and processed by GPR Slice software. Several reflections of possible archaeological walls buried at different depths and extensions of 2, 4, 6, 11, and 20 m were identified. The 250 MHz antenna gave clear reflections of the archaeological walls, with a penetration depth of up to 4 meters. The time slice map identified a buried archaeological structure at 1-1.1 m deep, consisting of many rooms with thick walls up to 2-3 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey was conducted to investigate buried archaeological remains at Tingambato, a pre‐Tarascan classic‐epiclassic archaeological site located in the north‐central part of the State of Michoacán in western Mexico, using ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). The aim of this study was to detect the foundations (ancient buried walls) and cavities (tombs), define the geometry of the foundations and correlate construction style and depth with relative chronological buried structures. The survey was carried out on two grids of 15 m × 37 m (Zona Verde) and 10.25 m × 36.5 m (Ballgame court), using a 200 MHz antenna for GPR and Schlumberger‐Wenner arrays for ERT. GPR 3D acquisition was carried out along parallel lines spaced 0.25 m apart in a single direction. In the first area, considering the geometric shape found at a depth of 1.35 m, we can assume the existence of a buried structure, probably wall remains. In the second area, a very diffractive zone coincides with a resistive anomaly (> 2000 ohm·m). In order to refine the GPR results, synthetic modelling and a comparison with real traces were carried out. The 1D GPR modelling allows us to precise the presence of a cavity with a rectangular cross section. Since the type of volcaniclastic avalanche deposits of the subsoil do not allow the formation of cavities of that size, we infer that it may be the remains of a tomb or an anthropogenic cavity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Copyright of Journal of Al-Tamaddun is the property of University of Malaya, Department of Islamic History & Civilization and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Chilena de Antropologia is the property of Universidad de Chile and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The archaeological site of Tyndaris (currently Tindari, municipality of Patti, province of Messina, Italy) served as the backdrop for an important technological and cultural initiative organized by mediaGeo on May 30, 2024: the "Technology for All on the Road 2024". The event brought together university professors, experts in geomatics, archaeology, and engineering, as well as industry professionals engaged in applying advanced surveying methodologies. The main objective was to create precise and detailed digital documentation of a site useful for conservation, study, and tourism enhancement. During the event, a series of state-of-the-art surveying technologies were employed to map and meticulously document the topography and monuments of the ancient Greek, and later Roman, city in Sicily--an area for which a complete survey is still lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "Johannes" project represents an innovative intersection of archaeology and artificial intelligence, aiming to reconstruct and simulate the consciousness of a medieval individual based on extensive archaeological data. By utilizing AI, specifically a ChatGPT model, the project seeks to bridge the gap between material culture and digital self-awareness. The AI is populated with data from the archaeological site of Miranduolo, integrating information about the village's historical context, material culture, and societal structures from the 7th to the early 14th century. This project explores the challenges of limiting the AI's knowledge to what would have been known by a 12th-century individual, thereby enriching the AI's "memories" with sensory experiences and historically plausible narratives. The project raises significant questions about the potential of AI in historical reconstruction, particularly in the simulation of emotions, empathy, and self-awareness. Ultimately, "Johannes" is not merely an intelligent collection of data but an experimental artificial being capable of critical thought, subjective experiences, and emotional expression. The implications of this project extend beyond archaeology, offering new perspectives on the use of AI in understanding the past and its potential as a teaching tool and a medium for theoretical exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Americanía. Revista de Estudios Latinoamericanos is the property of Revista Americania - Universidad Pablo de Olavide and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The seismically active Singida region in central Tanzania lies at the edge of the East African Rift System (EARS) which is locally designated the Gregory Rift. The archaeological record of the region, especially in the eastern part of the Ikungi District, unlike that of northern Tanzania, is comparatively unknown, despite early archaeological expeditions hinting at its potential. Recent research in the eastern area suggests that it preserves a long record of hominin occupation spanning the Early to Late Stone Age. This interdisciplinary field work, carried out between August 2022 to August 2023, resulted in the discovery of a relatively deep package of Quaternary deposits, revealing assemblages of artifacts dating from Early Stone Age (ESA) to Middle Stone Age (MSA) periods. This testifies, for the first time, to a long term and more scattered human occupation in this part of this central region close to the famed Oldupai Gorge, since other sites were found across the Gregory scarp and the nearby Singida-Arusha highway. We also utilized magnetic surveys acquired with a Cesium vapor magnetometer coupled with magnetic susceptibility measurements using a SM-30 device in the sites, which revealed ancient fireplaces potteries, furnaces, Iron ore and other metallic materials of various ages, hence proving the success of multiple applications of rock magnetism combined with archaeological approaches in the region. We provide evidence of pedological and archaeological records of the end of the African Humid Period (AHP) in this eastern part of the region and possibly other later abrupt arid events which exhibit synchronicity with similar events recorded in sediment archives from Lake Victoria or further South (i.e., Lake Nyasa). This promising venue of investigation bears much potential and calls for further study. Finally, we question the potential drivers that could possibly explain human settlements or migration pathways in conjunction with the shift from hunting-gathering to pastoralism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]