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This report aims to show the results of the second excavation campaign at Dvin/Dabīl (Armenia), conducted by the Italian-Armenian research group in Autumn 2022. The excavations involved three areas in distinct sectors of the city: the southern portion of the Lower Fortress, where the 2021 square was deepened and enlarged; the so-called ‘Market’ area, where the 2021 excavations were expanded and a micro-stratigraphic trench was opened; the area southeast of the central district, where an exploratory trench was dug to investigate the archaeological evidence at the site of the future building of the Dvin Museum. Additionally, the last paragraph shows the chemical analysis of pottery samples carried out between 2021 and 2022.

The Bell Beaker site near Brodek u Prostějova (Czechia) has yielded remains of a large timber construction accompanied by four symmetrical ritual deposits with numerous artefacts, including more than fifty ceramic vessels. Their decoration consists of incised patterns, in nineteen cases with preserved white inlaid incrustations. To investigate the social relations at this extraordinary site, a multi-analytical and micro-destructive approach was employed to determine the provenance and technology of the pottery and the composition of the white incrustations. The results indicate various origins for the pottery within the region and the presence of extra-regional fabrics and graphitic temper. The main raw materials for the white inlays were calcium carbonate (calcite), hydroxyapatite (bone), and bright clay. The mixing of decorative motifs and the variation in the shape and size of the beakers suggest unique manufacturing processes. These results lend support to the monumental site of Brodek serving as a ritual place for several communities from both local and wider areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of freshwater carbonates, such as travertines and speleothems, provides valuable insights into the regional biases of mid-Holocene climate development in Central-Eastern (CE) and South-Eastern (SE) Europe. The formation of a lake in the travertine deposition system of the Santovka site, located at the transition of the Western Carpathians and the Pannonian Basin, has led to the preservation of a valuable record. We analyzed the litho- and microstratigraphy, chemical composition, including δ18O and δ13C stable isotopes, and geochronology of the Santovka-village section. We then compared these palaeoclimatic records with reference records from Central-Eastern and South-Eastern Europe in terms of significant climate shifts. The prevalent part of the section studied, which spans between 8200 and 6400 cal BP, is represented by fluvial/fluvio-lacustrine sediments and lake marl. The 8.2 ka BP event was only detected in the δ13C record from the nearby Santovka-PB section. However, we found an abrupt change in both isotopic records around 7400–7200 cal BP, which is likely connected to increased detrital input and some minor palaeoecological changes in the Santovka-village section. These changes are most likely associated with the drying of the lake. The 8.2 event in Central-Eastern (CE) and South-Eastern (SE) Europe is well reflected in the δ13C records, while the change in δ18O was insignificant. In contrast, the newly suggested climate shift around 7400–7000 ka BP was detected at most sites in both δ18O and δ13C records. This development could be connected to a change in air mass circulation, synchronous with declining solar irradiance and increased evidence of drift ice in the North Atlantic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluvial archives are a rich source of information about the environmental impact of the local industry in the past. This research is focused on Holocene fluvial sediments that were excavated in the area of Křenová Street in Brno, Czech Republic. The area was researched during the rescue archaeological excavations, which unearthed the defunct Svitava river channel and its banks together with wooden constructions and archaeological artifacts from the 13th to the 16th century. Three profiles were documented and lithostratigraphically described. Samples for the palaeoecological and chemical analyses and granulometry were taken from the excavated trench S11. The finding of the rivers´ point bar and the shape of the riverbed allowed us to determine that the river was meandering. Analysed pollen profile of the medieval riverbed shows species-rich vegetation in close proximity of the medieval town and progressing urbanization. Results from chemical analyses shows that the area was not significantly polluted. The source of most of the probable contamination were surrounding sumps, as is indicated by slightly elevated concentrations of phosphorus in the sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]