Hasil untuk "Prehistoric archaeology"

Jenny Baur

The Ishango Bone, a prehistoric artifact dated to approximately 20,000 years ago and discovered near the Semliki River in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo, has intrigued researchers for the past 75 years. The artifact displays sixteen groups of notches arranged in three columns. While its function remains debated, this study suggests that the first two columns consist exclusively of all prime or odd numbers between 9 and 21, with the exception of 15, which appears only in the third column as two grouped pairs. Five groupings totaling 30 could be identified, and their arrangement may follow a consistent pattern. Additional numerical relationships between all three columns can be interpreted to support all four basic arithmetic operations. It is hypothesized that the notches may have served as reference marker to lay out their values for storytelling or teaching in the form of mathematical art. This study aims to broaden perspectives on the Ishango Bone and its traditional interpretation as a simple tallying device, and to encourage a re-evaluation of the mathematical capabilities of prehistoric humans.

Mathias Bellat, Jordy D. Orellana Figueroa, Jonathan S. Reeves et al.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in archaeology have increased significantly in recent years, and these now span all subfields, geographical regions, and time periods. The prevalence and success of these applications have remained largely unexamined, as recent reviews on the use of machine learning in archaeology have only focused only on specific subfields of archaeology. Our review examined an exhaustive corpus of 135 articles published between 1997 and 2022. We observed a significant increase in the number of publications from 2019 onwards. Automatic structure detection and artefact classification were the most represented tasks in the articles reviewed, followed by taphonomy, and archaeological predictive modelling. From the review, clustering and unsupervised methods were underrepresented compared to supervised models. Artificial neural networks and ensemble learning account for two thirds of the total number of models used. However, if machine learning models are gaining in popularity they remain subject to misunderstanding. We observed, in some cases, poorly defined requirements and caveats of the machine learning methods used. Furthermore, the goals and the needs of machine learning applications for archaeological purposes are in some cases unclear or poorly expressed. To address this, we proposed a workflow guide for archaeologists to develop coherent and consistent methodologies adapted to their research questions, project scale and data. As in many other areas, machine learning is rapidly becoming an important tool in archaeological research and practice, useful for the analyses of large and multivariate data, although not without limitations. This review highlights the importance of well-defined and well-reported structured methodologies and collaborative practices to maximise the potential of applications of machine learning methods in archaeology.

Vahe Gurzadyan, Arsen Bobokhyan

Vishaps, or dragon stones, are prehistoric stelae discovered in the high-altitude mountainous regions of modern-day Armenia and adjacent regions. The first statistical analysis of their elevation distribution and size reveals that their construction was intentionally labor-intensive rather than arbitrary. The findings support the hypothesis that vishaps were closely associated with an ancient water cult, as they are predominantly situated near water sources, including high-altitude springs and discovered prehistoric irrigation systems. Furthermore, the unexpected bimodal distribution of their altitudes suggests specific placement patterns, potentially linked to seasonal human activities or ritual practices. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the symbolic and functional significance of vishap stelae within the framework of prehistoric social and religious systems.

Yan Benhammou, Erez Etzion, Yuval Gadot et al.

We present a novel underground imaging system that utilizes cosmic-ray muons to explore the subsurface environment at the City of David archaeological site in ancient Jerusalem. This report details the initial findings from measurements conducted at a large cistern, commonly called "Jeremiah's cistern" (referenced in Jeremiah 38:6). The system aims to locate and map hidden voids and structural anomalies within the overburden. Our primary outcome is the derivation of the angular ground depth, which serves as a proxy for understanding the integrated density distribution of the overburden. This work represents a significant interdisciplinary effort to deepen our understanding of this historically important site.

Maciej Sykut, Jens-Christian Svenning, Alejandro Gloria Ordonez et al.

The red deer (Cervus elaphus) is one of the few remnant species of the European Pleistocene megafauna. It occupies a wide range of habitats across the Holarctic, yet the factors shaping the species’ realized ecological niche over time remain poorly understood. To investigate these dynamics, we analysed published stable carbon and nitrogen isotope data from 623 bone collagen samples spanning 21,000 years in Europe. The δ13C values, considered as a proxy for feeding habitat, demonstrate that red deer foraged in open landscapes during the Late Pleistocene, whereas in the Holocene they primarily inhabited forested environments. Although δ15N was expected to reflect dietary changes associated with this habitat shift, our analysis reveals that its variability was more strongly associated with climatic fluctuations. Notably, the species’ isotopic niche expanded from the Late Pleistocene to the Holocene but has since contracted toward the present. To assess the factors shaping these niche dynamics, we modelled the influence of mean annual temperature, precipitation, human population density, and elevation. Our results demonstrate that temperature, precipitation, and human activity best explain isotopic variability. Yet, while environmental changes conditioned niche dynamics in the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene, the marked human demographic expansion of the Middle Holocene led to anthropogenic pressures becoming the dominant driver. Against this backdrop, we propose potential future scenarios for this species, considering its ecological plasticity, human encroachment, and the implications of ongoing environmental change for conservation and rewilding.

Alexia Decaix, Lucie Martin, Lucie Martin et al.

This paper examines the subsistence economy in the South Caucasus during the Early Chalcolithic (c.4700–4300 BC) through bioarchaeological analyses of the Bavra Ablari rock shelter site. This region, rich in biodiversity and characterized by a variety of climates and landscapes, has a history of agropastoral occupation dating back to the beginning of the 6th millennium BC. Up to now, archaeological studies have mainly focused on the valleys and lowlands, leaving the mountainous areas less explored. Recent excavations at Bavra Ablari, located at an altitude of 1,650 m, have enabled new bioarchaeological analyses to be carried out, providing data on the faunal and botanical assemblages of this period. These analyses reveal a mixed agro-pastoral exploitation, with a predominance of caprine (sheep and goats) rearing and cultivation of cereals, such as barley and einkorn. Faunal remains and evidence of hunting and fishing reveal extensive use of several biotopes. The study highlights the importance of pastoralism, attested to as far back as the Neolithic period, with herds moving seasonally to higher pastures in summer. Early Chalcolithic occupations, such as those at Bavra Ablari, show the persistence of pastoral activities in these mountainous regions despite severe winter conditions and suggest seasonal occupation of the site.

Pavel Burgert, Petr Šída, František Trampota et al.

In the 20 years since the important discovery of metabasite quarrying in the Jizerské hory Mountains (northern Bohemia, Czech Republic) a wealth of knowledge has been gathered on this raw material used to make Neolithic polished stone tools. A synthesis of these results now gives a more comprehensive view of how this raw material was employed in different periods and extracted directly at the source sites. The overview is at the same time a springing board for further research. Exploitation of metabasite and its widest spatial distribution was in the Linear Pottery culture (LBK; 5400–5000/4900 BC). In the post-LBK period of regionalisation, the sources of raw materials for the production of polished tools were diversified and the degree of utilisation of Jizera Mountains-type metabasite is demonstrably varied by region.

Mieczysław Bienia, Grzegorz Śnieżko

Artykuł dotyczy skarbu wczesnośredniowiecznych grzywien srebrnych z miejscowości Bużyska, gm. Korczew, w pobliżu Drohiczyna. Przedmioty ukryte w 2 poł. XII lub 1 poł. XIII stulecia odnaleziono w 2005 r., podczas badań wykopaliskowych na terenie wielokulturowej osady (stan. 10/54, na obszarze AZP 53–81). Zespół składał się z 11 grzywien srebrnych, z których 10 należy do tzw. typu  czernihowskiego, a jedenasta to sztabka litewska, zwana też zachodnioruską. W tekście zamieszczono opis okoliczności odkrycia oraz charakterystykę typologiczną i dane metryczne (wymiary i wagę) odnalezionych sztabek. Zaprezentowano również wyniki analiz składu pierwiastkowego metalu, z którego odlano przedmioty. Badania wykonane metodą SEM-EDS, ze względu na niewielką liczbę przeprowadzonych dotychczas analiz specjalistycznych, będą miały duże znaczenie dla przyszłych studiów nad grzywnami.

Shahin Garakani Dashteh, Mohammad Mortezaei, Parnia Garakani Dashteh

Seasonal settlements of the Mongol rulers fall into the two general classes of temporary and permanent settlements, which were scattered across the territory under their influence. According to historical reports and archaeological documents, permanent settlements were constructed using building materials in certain Yaylaqs (summer quarters) and Qishlaqs (winter quarters) or on the outskirts of urban centers, and were periodically used by Mongol rulers. Historical texts from the Ilkhanid period use three different names of Qarshi, Kushk and Saray to refer to such settlements, highlighting the differing structures of the pertaining settlements. The present study aims to offer a classification for permanent settlements of the Mongol and Ilkhanid rulers via semantically and functionally interpreting the terms Qarshi, Kushk and Saray. To this end, apart from archaeological documents, Chinese terms referring to the permanent settlements of the Mongol rulers are invoked. The results of this analytical-historical research show that in light of the prefixes used in the Persian texts deriving from the Ilkhanid period, the permanentsettlements of the Mongol empires and Ilkhans split into two categories: Saray and Kushk. Sarays were a series of ceremonial buildings located mostly in the main cities or important seasonal residences and are comparable to the Gongchengs of the Mongols in China. Kushk mainly denoted a midway residence, where the sole existing building was a single Kushk or Qarshi.

Martin Kuna, Roman Křivánek, Ondřej Chvojka et al.

The archaeological site of Březnice (Czechia) represents one of the large settlements of the Late Bronze Age (Ha A2/B1, 14C: 1124–976 BC) in Bohemia. The site became known mainly for a high number of so-called ‘trenches’, oblong pit features (breadth around 1 m, length 4–7 m), remarkable not only for their specific shape but also for their contents (unusual amounts of pottery, daub, loom weights and other finds, often with traces of a strong fire).In 2018–20, a research project focusing on the study of the site was realized. Magnetometer survey became an integral part of the project since it represented a way to obtain an overall image of the site. A 5-channel fluxgate gradiometer from Sensys (Germany) was used; the vertical gradient of the Z component of the Earth magnetic field was measured. In total, the survey covered an area of over 17 hectares and included over 1.8 million measurements. Profiles were orientated from east to west and data taken bidirectionally (alternate lines in opposite directions), in a 0.5 × 0.2 m grid.The site is extraordinary due to the fact that all archaeological features discovered so far belong to a single archaeological period (Late Bronze Age). This makes the acquired data set exceptional. It can be further used by archaeologists and geophysicists, both to create alternative models of the dynamics of prehistoric settlements and to better understand the nature and interpretive possibilities of the magnetometer data in archaeology as such.

V. Steponaitis

G. Hiebel, Gert Goldenberg, Caroline O. Grutsch et al.

This paper presents an approach how to create FAIR data for prehistoric mining archaeology, based on the CIDOC CRM ontology and semantic web standards. The interdisciplinary Research Centre HiMAT (History of mining activities in the Tyrol and adjacent areas, University of Innsbruck) investigates mining history from prehistoric to modern times with an interdisciplinary approach. One of the projects carried out at the research centre is the multinational DACH project “Prehistoric copper production in the eastern and central Alps”. For a specific geographical region of the project, the data transformation to open and re-usable data is investigated in a separate Open Research Data pilot project. The methodological approach will use the FAIR principles to make data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable. Every archaeological investigation in Austria has to be documented according to the requirements of the Austrian Federal Monuments Office. This documentation is deposited in the CERN-based EU supported research data repository ZENODO. For each deposited file, metadata are created through the application of the conceptual metadata schema CIDOC CRM, an ISO standard for Cultural Heritage Information, which was adopted by ARIADNE, the European Union Research Infrastructure for archaeological resources. Concepts specific to mining archaeology research are organized with the DARIAH Back Bone Thesaurus, a model for sustainable interoperable thesauri maintenance, developed in the European Union Digital Research Infrastructure for the Arts and Humanities. Metadata are created through the extraction of information from the documentation and the transformation to a knowledge graph using semantic web standards. To facilitate usage, graph data are exported to hierarchical and tabular formats representing sites and objects with their geographic locations, temporal and typological assignments and links to the research activities and documents. Metadata are deposited together with the documentation into the repository.

E. Garrison, Jessica W. Cook Hale

Abstract Here, we present a historical review of important published studies of submerged prehistoric sites in North America prior to 1990. Prior to that point, a review of mid-twentieth century literature on the subdiscipline demonstrates that “prehistoric” was not a significant element in practice. In the U.S.A. and Canada, very few professional papers or articles were published on the topic of submerged prehistoric archaeological sites until mid-century or later. Most early studies were written by avocational archaeologists or specialists from other disciplines interested in archaeology. This changed in the 1970s, when formal surveys, reports, and publications written by academically trained archaeologists increasingly appeared in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes. By the 1980s the establishment of underwater prehistoric archaeology as new sub-discipline was well underway. This review is designed to give the reader a brief overview of the discipline as it matured, though we lack the space to provide a full critical analysis here.

International Space Station Archaeological Project, :, Alice C. Gorman et al.

This paper outlines some of the difficulties faced by archaeologists studying human activity in outer space. The International Space Station Archaeological Project has identified solutions to these problems, including the use of historic photographic archives and documentation of discard practices such as processes associated with the return of space-flown items to Earth.

Tom Froese, Emiliano Gallaga

Prehistoric rock art is often analyzed predominantly as the product of artists intentions to create public representations of their perceptual experiences and mental imagery. However, this representation-centered approach tends to overlook the performative role of much material engagement. Many forms of rock art are better conceived of as traces from artists repeated engagement with a surface, including with previous traces. For these artists, a potentially more relevant intention was ritualized interaction, such as communion and petition, which were realized as materially mediated transactions with the agencies that were believed to animate specific areas of the environment. If so, we can expect the motifs to be strongly clustered on ritually attractive areas, rather than to be evenly distributed on canvas-like surfaces that would maximize their visibility as public representations. Here we propose a novel way of testing the interaction-centered approach in terms of preferential attachment, which is a concept from network science that describe the well-known social phenomenon that popular agents tend to attract more followers. We applied this approach to a case study of an archaic site in Chihuahua, Mexico, and found that its petroglyph distribution has the form of a power law, which is consistent with preferential attachment. We conclude that this approach could be developed into a measure of the entanglement between ritual processes and products in prehistoric material engagement.

Holly Ellen Smith, Mike W. Morley, Julien Louys

Karst-derived breccia is the most analysed deposit in fossil-bearing Southeast Asian caves due to its superior preservation potential for human, faunal, archaeological, and palaeontological data. The study of breccia can provide a better understanding of human and faunal histories, and an opportunity to investigate site taphonomy and insights into environments of deposition and post-depositional processes. We review the literature on approaches used to improve the taphonomic understanding of cave deposits in Southeast Asia and how these deposits fit into a cave’s life history. We discuss common methods used to extract taphonomic data retained in Southeast Asian cave deposits and the associated opportunities to discern the mechanisms of cave formation, depositional history, and faunal accumulation. While attempts have previously been made to discern the taphonomic characteristics of Pleistocene vertebrate remains in the region, there has been no comprehensive review outlining methods used to understand taphonomic histories and the biases introduced through these processes. We illustrate the challenges of researching cave breccias in Southeast Asia and the knowledge gaps brought about by conventional methodologies. Uncertainties exist about the extent to which breccia can be examined to infer the taphonomic history of a vertebrate assemblage. These uncertainties exist in part because of dating complexities. This review demonstrates that a taphonomic analysis of breccia in complex long-term accumulations requires a multi-disciplinary approach. We recommend using digital techniques to record spatial distribution data for a thorough interpretation of taphonomic characteristics.

Makoto Tomii

H. Allen

University Departments employing prehistoric archaeologists have a long history in the United States and the United Kingdom, going back to the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth. Developments in prehistoric archaeology in Australia and New Zealand, however, began only in the 1950s, generally within Anthropology or History Departments. The initial appointments of prehistoric archaeologists in New Zealand and Australia are considered here, involving the Universities of Auckland, Melbourne, Sydney, New England and the Australian National University. While circumstances and influences varied between these places, there was also considerable cross-fertilization. British Universities, particularly the University of Cambridge and the London School of Economics were the main influences on developments in Australia and New Zealand. Individuals, such as Raymond Firth, were also important. Similarly, Gordon Childe played an unacknowledged role in the creation of a position in prehistoric archaeology at the Australian National University.

Clodoaldo Roldán, Sonia Murcia-Mascarós, Esther López-Montalvo et al.

The Iberian Mediterranean Basin is home to one of the largest groups of prehistoric rock art sites in Europe. Despite the cultural relevance of prehistoric Spanish Levantine rock art, pigment composition remains partially unknown, and the nature of the binders used for painting has yet to be disclosed. In this work, we present the first omic analysis applied to one of the flagship Levantine rock art sites: the Valltorta ravine (Castell{ó}n, Spain). We used high-throughput sequencing to provide the first description of the bacterial communities colonizing the rock art patina, which proved to be dominated by Firmicutes species and might have a protective effect on the paintings. Proteomic analysis was also performed on rock art microsamples in order to determine the organic binders present in Levantine prehistoric rock art pigments. This information could shed light on the controversial dating of this UNESCO Cultural Heritage, and contribute to defining the chrono-cultural framework of the societies responsible for these paintings.