FRAGMENTATION ANALYSIS OF ANIMAL BONE SAMPLES FROM ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

Frequency distributions of the lengths of the bone fragments are plotted for a number of archaeological sites. Down to a certain critical length, the distributions prove to be very similar for all the sites. Below this length, failure to recover fragments during excavation becomes the predominant factor and the frequencies decline. Distributions of diagnostic bones of sheep/goat, pig and cattle are plotted separately and the preferential recovery of the bones of larger animals is demonstrated. A method is suggested for using data from water-sieved sites to estimate and correct the effect of this preferential recovery on the figures for the relative proportions of different species at unsieved sites.     

PROVENANCE OF OBSIDIAN EXCAVATED FROM LATE CHALCOLITHIC LEVELS AT THE SITES OF TELL HAMOUKAR AND TELL BRAK,SYRIA*

X‐ray fluorescence and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) analyses conducted on 40 obsidian samples from the Late Chalcolithic 2 levels at Tell Hamoukar and Tell Brak in north‐east Syria have shown trends towards the exploitation of obsidian sources in the eastern Taurus. While the Bingöl region appears to provide the majority of obsidian to both sites, there is also evidence of more minor exploitation of a source in the Lake Van area and an altogether unknown source (X). This paper presents the data acquired from the analyses of the archaeological obsidian and situates these results within their chronological and regional contexts.     

SHEEPSHEAD COUNTRY: COASTAL WOODLAND SUBSISTENCE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF MACK BAYOU AND OTHER NORTHWEST FLORIDA SITES

Abstract

Zooarchaeological analysis of faunal remains from the Mack Bayou site produced new data related to coastal Woodland subsistence on the northern Gulf Coast of Florida. When the Mack Bayou data are compared with data from other Woodland sites on the northern Gulf Coast, a strong pattern of estuarine and shallow coastal waters utilization is evident, with notable but fairly minor site by site variation. It is also evident from these data that sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) are a consistently important dietary component across the northern Gulf Coast, particularly on coastal sites in the Panhandle region of northwestern Florida.     

CHEMICAL COMPARISON OF RARE CHINESE WHITE POTTERY FROM FOUR SITES OF THE ERLITOU STATE: RESULTS AND ARCHAEOMETRICAL IMPLICATIONS

White pottery is among the most significant finds from China's earliest state, Erlitou (c. 1900–1500 bc ). Samples were primarily discovered in small numbers from elite tombs of a few sites, leading to the hypothesis that they were made at only a few locations and then circulated regionally as prestige items. To facilitate determining provenances, we compare the ICP–MS trace elements and TIMS Sr isotopes of whiteware with two soil samples from Nanwa, a possible manufacturing site, and with shards found at three other sites: Erlitou, Huizui and Nanzhai. The Nanwa shards demonstrate special elemental and Sr isotopic features. Considering the chemical observation and archaeological background together, we propose that Nanwa was a centre for whiteware production, although the two soil samples we collected there were probably not the exact materials used. Some whiteware pieces from Erlitou, Huizui and Nanzhai fall in the chemical field defined by Nanwa samples, indicating that they were possibly made at Nanwa. Many other samples from these three sites plot outside the Nanwa field, implying they were probably not Nanwa products. This study demonstrates that while chemical sourcing is very useful, firm archaeological context must remain the cornerstone of such research.     

PAPERS ON GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF WOODLAND AND CADDO SITES IN THE CADDO AREA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

Abstract

Geophysical investigations on archaeological sites in the Caddo area of the Southeastern United States have become in recent years a critical part of the investigation of prehistoric and early historic Caddo sites, from small farmsteads and hamlets to large mound centers. The various articles gathered here provide substantive examples of the range of geophysical research that has been undertaken on Woodland and Caddo sites in southwestern Arkansas, eastern Oklahoma, and East Texas, and how that research has led to a better understanding of the spatial structure and internal organization of habitation sites and mound centers.     

A MACROSCOPIC INVESTIGATION OF TECHNOLOGICAL STYLE AND THE PRODUCTION OF MIDDLE TO LATE ARCHAIC FISHHOOKS AT THE CHIGGERVILLE,READ, AND BAKER SITES,WESTERN KENTUCKY

Abstract

Manufacturing trajectories represent a series of choices made by artisans in the process of transforming a raw material into a useful object. In some cases these choices explicitly communicate a message; in others, patterned behaviors may result in a kind of technological style that can be used to make inferences about the manufacturer’s identities. Investigation of bone tools from the Chiggerville, Read, and Baker sites in the Green River region of western Kentucky has resulted in the identification of four distinct methods of manufacturing single-piece fishhooks. Additionally, small pointed implements may represent the barbs of composite fishhooks, indicating the use of a technologically distinct fifth style. These fishhook types are interpreted as evidence for the movement of individuals throughout the mid-South in the process of social interaction and exchange and support the hypothesis that Shell Mound Archaic groups in western Kentucky were complex hunter-gatherers.     

THE SEARCH FOR THE ORIGIN OF BITUMEN EXCAVATED FROM ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN THE NORTHERNMOST ISLAND IN JAPAN BY MEANS OF STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF FI–MS DATA*

The origin of bitumen excavated from archaeological sites in Hokkaido, the northernmost island in Japan, was sought by means of field‐ionization mass spectrometry (FI–MS) and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC–MS) of the hydrocarbon components. The field‐ionization mass spectra were decomposed by Z‐numbers into several components, where the Z‐number refers to z in the formula C _n H _2n+z . This is equivalent to the deficit number of H atoms, when compared to the corresponding saturated hydrocarbon, which is related to the number of saturated hydrocarbon rings in alkanes. By use of the spectral intensities of the seven alkane components in each sample, multiple discriminant analysis was employed for the data of raw bitumen samples and excavated samples from archaeological sites. Based on this method and the gas chromatogram type, the following bitumen trade in the prehistoric age of Japan was elucidated: bitumen from Niigata, one of the main sources on the main island of Japan, spread to the north in 2000 bc , probably via the coastal zone, and reached a small island near the north end of Hokkaido. Bitumen from Sakhalin reached the central lowland in Hokkaido, but it went no further. Bitumen from Akita, another main source on the main island, spread over northern Honshu much earlier and reached the Oshima peninsula, the southwestern part of Hokkaido. The Akita bitumen scattered into the central lowland after the Niigata and Sakhalin bitumen. This area is believed to be the place where people from the south and the north met in those periods.     

DATA ON 61 CHEMICAL ELEMENTS FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION OF THREE MAJOR GLASS COMPOSITIONS IN LATE ANTIQUITY AND THE MIDDLE AGES

Sets of 20 soda ash, 16 soda lime and 23 wood ash glasses mainly from excavations in Europe were analysed by microprobe and LA–ICP‐MS for 61 elements and are presented as average concentrations with standard deviations. Concentrations of sodium, potassium and magnesium allow the major glass type to be identified. Specific compositions of the raw materials of glass production indicate certain sources, technical processes and ages. Heavy minerals etc. of quartz sands contain rare earth elements (REE) from crustal fractionations that are different for the three major glass types. Accumulations of P, B, Ba, Mn and K in wood from soils by organic processes can characterize glass from certain regions.     

URANIUM-SERIES DATING OF BONES AND TEETH FROM CHINESE PALAEOLITHIC SITES

The reliability of uranium-series dating of fossil bones and teeth is studied. On this basis the first absolute chronology for about 20 important Chinese palaeolithic sites is proposed. A two-stage model for open-system samples is discussed.     

空间理论解读:基于人文地理学的透视

对空间概念的认识至今仍处于不断的争论中,人文地理学不同流派对空间的理解多种多样。空间究竟是什么?人文地理学该怎么理解和认识空间,以及怎样对空间进行研究?对上述问题的回答必然涉及对空间概念的讨论和对空间本体论和认识论的再认识。为此,本文从人文地理学中的空间的哲学透视、空间的流派解读、空间的主、客观研究以及空间的辩证法等几方面解读空间理论,认为存在的三元辩证法是空间本体论,空间性的三元辩证法是空间认识论,而社会空间辩证法是空间生产论。     

CHEMICAL MAPPING OF BASALT FLOWS AT PALEOLITHIC SITES

In the northern Golan Heights, which is built up from volcanic ejections, paleolithic artifacts are found embedded between basalt flows, and in other stratified ejecta. The archaeological objective is to describe the styles of artifacts which belong to particular cultures, which means particular periods. This can be done if different rock stratigraphic units can be mapped in areas where the exposures of strata are not continuous. The present study made use of neutron activation analysis (NAA) to map flows by their chemical compositions. It was found that there is no difficulty in telling one rock unit from another. In addition, it was possible to show that some aspects of earlier geological mapping were deficient or faulty.     

CHEMICAL AND LEAD ISOTOPE ANALYSES OF GREEK LATE NEOLITHIC AND EARLY BRONZE AGE METALS

Results of a combined archaeological and analytical project of Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age copper, bronze and lead artefacts from four distinct areas of mainland Greece are presented. The aim of the study is to understand better the stages of technological development of each region, their possible ore sources and also to assess any external contribution to or internal evolution of their metallurgy. Interesting results which could challenge the established view of Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age metallurgy in the Greek mainland are presented.     

《人文地理》1986—2015年载文分析与研究热点

《人文地理》期刊是我国唯一专门介绍和研究人文地理学的综合性学术期刊,是反映我国人文地理学学科发展和研究热点的重要平台。利用能够显示知识发展进程与结构关系的可视化工具CiteSpace与文献管理工具NoteExpress,对《人文地理》期刊自1986年创刊至2015年30年间刊载的3522篇论文的选题、资助情况、作者及机构情况、论文被引情况等进行了计量分析,绘制了作者所属机构合作共现网络,甄选出了核心作者和高引论文,通过关键词的频率、中心性、突变性等指标探讨了近30年间《人文地理》期刊载文反映出的学科研究热点及阶段性特征,并依据发文量演变趋势将学科前沿领域划分为趋弱型、渐高型和回落型三种类型。     

OXYGEN AND CARBON ISOTOPE ANALYSIS OF HUMAN TOOTH ENAMEL FROM THE NEW KINGDOM SITE OF TOMBOS IN NUBIA

This study examines the feasibility of using oxygen isotope analysis of tooth carbonate to identify immigrants from the New Kingdom site of Tombos in Nubia (n = 30). In comparison with published data, the results (δ¹⁸O_ca,VSMOW = 31.4‰) imply a substantial presence of immigrants. However, further analysis of these data strongly suggests the need to consider hydrological and cultural factors such as the contribution of aquifer waters to the Nile, use of groundwater sources, and differences in handling and storage of water. The carbon isotope analysis, in conjunction with published ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr data, provides additional support for the presence of immigrants at Tombos.     

ELECTRON SPIN RESONANCE ANALYSIS OF MARINE GASTROPODS FROM COASTAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

Shell samples of the marine gastropod Turbo sarmaticus have been examined to assess their potential for electron spin resonance (ESR) dating. The shells were found to be composed of aragonite. ESR analysis shows the presence of three radiation sensitive peaks. Equivalent dose (ED) values for two of the peaks have been determined for thirteen samples. When the two sets of ED values are plotted against each other, four distinct clusters are found that appear to represent four different age groups. The apparent age groups determined here are consistent with the stratigraphic record of the sites.     

THERMOLUMINESCENT DATING OF NEOLITHIC AND CHALCOLITHIC POTTERY FROM SITES IN CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Samples of Neolithic and Chalcolithic pottery from nine sites in the Upper Alentejo and Estremadura regions of Portugal have been dated by the thermoluminescence method (quartz inclusion technique). The project was designed to help establish an absolute chronology for the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods in this area, and to try to elucidate the chronological relationships between settlement sites and burial sites (‘dolmens’) in the same area. Portugal was confirmed, together with Brittany, as being one of the earliest foci of megalith builders.