More than Samad in Oman: Iron Age pottery from Şuhār and Khor Rorī1

The publication of field work in central Oman has lagged behind the excavations themselves. Whereas the pioneer archaeologists in Oman could identify sites and finds only as “Iron Age”, the work of the past 10 years has enabled a clear conceptual distinction to be made between the Early and Late Iron Age assemblages, as well as their regional characters. Using as a point of departure the Samad Complex, for which most intact contexts exist, the less well-known Late Iron Age of the North and South of Oman is compared by means of newly recorded material from old excavations, there, as well as from a recent survey. There were contacts between central Oman and the South Province, Dhofar although such are elusive. Despite, archaeologically speaking, undeniable trade and ethnic contacts with the outside world, central Oman has a distinctive character of its own which has not been properly credited by specialists of the final Pre-Islamic Period.     

Neutron Activation Analyses of ‘Falke‐Group’ Stoneware*

Fragments of late medieval highly decorated Falke‐group stoneware have been found in excavations all over central and northern Europe. The distribution of the finds points to an origin in Saxony, but the exact centre of production is still unknown. Therefore, a set of samples has been analysed with Neutron Activation and the data compared with Saxon reference groups. The results point to production in a single workshop. The data can be clearly distinguished from all reference groups in our databank. However, the most similar group is that of Zittau, Saxony. Also, one sherd, which is typologically very similar to the Falke group, and which was made in Zittau, suggests that production was based there.     

Khirbat al‐Mana‘iyya: an early Islamic‐period copper‐smelting site in south‐eastern Wadi ‘Araba,Jordan

Recent excavations in south‐eastern Wadi ‘Araba in Jordan have revealed the first early Islamic‐period copper‐smelting site known in the eastern side of the valley, which extends south of the Dead Sea to the Gulf of ‘Aqaba. Five test pits were excavated in 2012 at Khirbat al–Mana‘iyya, a prominent copper‐smelting camp in south‐eastern Wadi ‘Araba, Jordan. The results of these excavations demonstrate that the site was primarily active in the seventh–ninth century AD. Its distance from the copper sources of south‐west ‘Araba suggests that its location was chosen based on proximity to wood and water resources, rather than copper ore deposits. The discovery that the site dates to the early Islamic period has implications for previous and future work in south‐east ‘Araba. In particular, it challenges the common—until now—view of the region as virtually devoid of settlement during this period.     

Bilad al‐Qadim revisited: recent archaeological research at the Al‐Khamis Mosque,Ain Abu Zaydan and Abu Anbra,Bahrain

In comparison to our understanding of pre‐Islamic occupation and land use on Bahrain, that of the Islamic period has remained less well known. In connection with the building of a visitor centre at the Al‐Khamis Mosque and the planning of an associated heritage trail, renewed archaeological research has taken place in Bilad al‐Qadim, an archaeologically important area of Islamic settlement in the north‐east of the main island of Awal. This has involved excavations in the Abu Anbra cemetery, at Ain Abu Zaydan and at the Al‐Khamis Mosque. The results of these excavations are reported here and these contribute to our understanding of Islamic settlement on Bahrain by supporting the interpretation that Bilad al‐Qadim was the main centre of Islamic settlement in the eleventh–thirteen century AD.     

Al-Guraf in the Wâdî 'Idim

This is the second article in a series of publications on the pre-Islamic sites in Wâdî Hadramawt investigated by the Russian (former Soviet-Yemeni Joint) Expedition in 1983–1994. Some of the objects from the 1981 Yemeni excavations at al-Guraf, as well as two decorative stone slabs found there subsequently, are published here for the first time.     

Determining the Provenance of Cayo Pottery from Grenada,Lesser Antilles,Using Portable X‐Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

Portable XRF was used to analyse the chemical composition of 52 indigenous Cayo ceramics from excavations and from private collections on Grenada, Lesser Antilles. Initially, a comparative baseline of data representing three different islands (Grenada, St Vincent and Trinidad) was created by analysing with pXRF ceramic material that had previously been analysed both chemically and petrographically. The field data, when compared to the laboratory baseline data, indicated that the majority of the ceramics were made with clay local to Grenada. Four samples were potentially made with clay from another, as yet unidentified, source.     

Sôtélès l'Athénien

A second Greek-inscribed sherd mentioning Soteles the Athenian was discovered in stratified context during the excavations at Failaka (ancient Ikaros), Kuwait. It gives a short list of three Greek personal names, Soteles, Dionysios and Agatharchos. It also provides a secure date for the activity of this Seleucid officer in the first half of the third century BC. The other sherd pertaining to Soteles is re-examined. Both were parts of inscribed vases offered to the deities of the temples inside and outside the fortress, during the process of settlement of the first Greek garrison.     

Origins of Specialization: The Ceramic Chaîne Opératoire and Technological Take‐Off at Vinča‐Belo Brdo,Serbia

This paper presents scientific analyses of Neolithic pottery from Miloje Vasi?’s 1930 –34 excavations at Vin?a‐Belo Brdo, which has long been a key site in south‐eastern European prehistory. Results show a series of changes in the chaîne opératoire of pottery production, both between the early Neolithic Star?evo and middle–late Neolithic Vin?a periods, and between Vin?a A and Vin?a B phases. Unlike in Star?evo assemblages, Vin?a pottery fabrics probably served specific functions, but cult objects (an anthropomorphic figurine and several prosopomorphic lids) were made locally using the same raw materials and technology used to make Vin?a fine ware. In contrast to the uniformity of Star?evo pottery technology, Vin?a pottery production was geographically diverse and evolved over time. Higher firing temperatures of Vin?a pottery apparently preceded the development of metallurgy by more than a century.     

THE FORMATION OF EARLY NEOLITHIC COMMUNITIES IN THE CENTRAL ZAGROS: AN 11,500 YEAR‐OLD COMMUNAL STRUCTURE AT ASIAB

Communal buildings have been reported from a number of early Neolithic sites from the Levant and Anatolia, but none were known from the central Zagros. Here we report on the recent excavations at Asiab, Kermanshah province, Iran, and argue that the principal feature found during Robert Braidwood’s excavation at the site in 1960 should be interpreted as an example of a communal building. We discuss the results of the previous and recent excavations, highlight the key features of this building, and the implications for our understanding of the early Neolithic in the ‘eastern wing’ of the Fertile Crescent.     

Notes and News

Abstract

Most parts of Israel were excavated intensively, and most of the country was also covered by surveys. Our knowledge of settlement patterns and distribution during the various periods is very comprehensive — probably more so than in any other region in the world. Using data from the numerous excavations and from the detailed surveys, many studies have made use of various and sundry methods, in order to learn about the settlements and the population of the country, about changes in settlement patterns and distribution, and about periods of crises, decline, or growth.

Past studies, however, have ignored an entire array of findings that could have improved, refined, and even changed the familiar picture of the settlement history of ancient Israel. Thousands of salvage excavations ('rescue digs') were carried out over the years, and especially in the last decade, but these have not been dealt with systematically. These excavations provide comprehensive and reliable information, which is likely to change the picture of the history of settlement in some periods. While a comprehensive project of collecting and analysing the published data on these excavations is now in progress, the present article aims at drawing attention to this neglected source of information. We will demonstrate the advantages of this analysis as compared to other sources of information, and will show how this information, when combined with other sources of information, is changing our understanding of the settlement history of certain periods, including the transition from the Iron Age I–II and the formation of the Israelite monarchy, the nature of the Neo-Babylonian period, and the outcomes of the Jewish revolts against the Romans. The paper ends with a discussion of the advantages and limitations of the various sources of information, i.e., planned excavations, surveys, and salvage excavations.     

Les pointes de flèches en fer des sites préislamiques de Mleiha et ed-Dur, E.A.U.

Recent excavations at Mleiha in the Emirate of Shajah and ed-Dur in the Emirate of Umm al-Qaiwain (U.A.E.) have yielded a sizable body of iron arrowheads dating from the last centuries BC and the first centuries AD. The present article is a typological and chronological analysis of this material.     

Conspicuous Consumption and Outward Opulence as Seen in Two Victorian-Period Colorado Midden Assemblages

Historical Archaeology - Recent excavations in western Colorado Springs recovered a variety of discarded items dating to the Victorian period. The excavations occurred at the Glen Eyrie middens,...     

Technical Studies on the Bronze Age Metal Artefacts from the Graveyard of Deh Dumen,South‐Western Iran (Third Millennium BC)

During the excavations of the graveyard at the site of Deh Dumen in south‐western Iran, 15 graves from the Early/Middle Bronze Age were uncovered that contained a variety of metallic artefacts. This paper reports on the analysis of nine metal artefacts, including eight broken vessels and a decorative strip that covered the handle of a dagger. The ICP–MS results showed that the bodies of the vessels are made of tin bronze alloy with variable amounts of tin, while the internal piece of the base of one vessel is made from an arsenical copper alloy. Further, the metallic strip is a thin sheet manufactured with partially pure silver. Microanalytical and microstructural information yielded by SEM–EDS revealed elongated Cu–S inclusions and lead globules as various phases formed in bronze solid solution. This study presents some information about the transition from arsenical copper to bronze metallurgy in the third millennium bc in south‐western Iran.     

湖北巴东义种地墓葬发掘报告

2001年秋冬,武汉市文物考古研究所对巴东义种地墓地进行了发掘,发现了几座砖、石室墓.墓葬被破坏严重,年代从六朝、隋唐到宋代.从发掘中可见,宋代墓葬明显是利用了早期的墓室.墓葬出土文物丰富,是近年来三峡考古中少见的.     

London-Bahrain Archaeological Expedition: 1991–2 excavations at Saar

Preliminary results are presented of the third season of excavations at Saar, Bahrain, by the London-Bahrain Archaeological Expedition. Research at this second millennium BC site continued in the temple, as well as in parts of the upper town. Bedrock was reached at a depth of approximately 5.45 metres in the sondage below the temple. Several new buildings were found and work was completed in houses discovered in previous seasons. The article goes on to discuss the numerous seals and seal impressions found this season.     

陕西长安县沣西新旺村西周遗址1982年发掘简报

1982年年初,陕西省长安县沣西新旺村的村民在村南土壕取土时,挖出西周窖藏铜鼎2件[1]。当年春季,我队即在新旺村村南约150米处出土的铜鼎土壕边布方发掘,共开探方6个,编号为SCXT1～T6,发掘面积216平方米。秋季继续发掘,布探方8个,编号为SCXT151～T158,发掘面积200平方米。全年发掘面积共计416平方米,发现的遗迹有房址、窖穴、烧坑、井、灰坑、墓     

DEVELOPMENT‐DRIVEN ARCHAEOLOGY: BANE OR BOON FOR BIOARCHAEOLOGY?

Summary.   Through much of the world there is a move towards policies of in situ preservation of the buried archaeological heritage, typically supported by small-scale investigative excavations (often called 'evaluations'). In this review we attempt to judge the success of these policies in England and Wales, from the standpoint of bioarchaeology. We consider particularly the value of data for plant and insect macrofossils from trial excavations associated with development (a) in producing information which contributes towards research agendas, and (b) as a guide to the preservational condition of organic archaeological deposits.     

REFLECTIONS ON 'AN ARCHAEOLOGY OF GREECE': SURVEYS AND EXCAVATIONS

Summary. In his Sather Lectures, Professor Snodgrass maintains that circumstances in Greece will compel archaeologists to pursue field surveys instead of excavations. He, moreover, questions the value of excavations mainly on the grounds of imcompleteness, uncertainties regarding dating and the ambiguities of interpretation. The excavations at Lefkandi are cited on several occasions as an example and, where not referred to, are open to the same questioning.
In reply, reasons are given for continuing excavation in spite of difficulties, and the validity of the criticisms brought against excavation are considered with special reference to those carried out at Lefkandi.     

韩城出土一件镂空、粉碎性青铜盒修复的实例

2012年5月在上海博物馆展出的"金玉华年—陕西韩城出土周代芮国文物珍品展"陈列陕西省韩城市梁带村两周墓地的考古成果。其中,有一件出土镂空、粉碎性青铜盒,破损非常严重,不成器型,铜胎胎质氧化严重。由于其所具有的艺术和学术价值,急需修复。为此,根据文物自身的特点,用传统修复方法对碎片进行编号、查找拼对、拼接、补缺、篆刻纹饰、打底、作色做旧,并做了临时的框架,在短时间内修复。从修复的结果看,本次修复取得了良好的效果,其修复思路和方法可给同类器物的修复研究工作提供一个借鉴和参考。