Iron Age hydraulic plaster from Tell es-Safi/Gath,Israel

Hydraulic plasters or mortars prior to the Roman period are rare. Here, we report the identification and characterization of 3000 year old (Iron Age) hydraulic plaster surfaces from the site of Tell es-Safi/Gath. This site, located in central Israel, was occupied almost continuously from prehistoric through modern times, and is identified as the Canaanite and Philistine city of Gath. A survey using an on-site Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) identified the presence of amorphous silicates, in addition to calcite, in each of two superimposed plaster layers. This suite of minerals is characteristic of hydraulic plaster. An in-depth characterization of the plasters using FTIR, acid dissolution, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray powder diffractometry (pXRD), heating experiments and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS), shows that special silicate-containing minerals were brought from some distance to the site in order to produce these plaster surfaces. We therefore conclude that the plasters were deliberately produced, and were not the result of a fortuitous addition of local silicate minerals. A layer of around 150 μm thick enriched in carbonate hydroxylapatite was found in both plaster surfaces, and the same mineral was identified by infrared spectrometry in the surrounding sediments. This suggests that organic materials were used on these surfaces. These surfaces are among the oldest hydraulic plasters known.     

The 9th century BCE destruction layer at Tell es-Safi/Gath,Israel: integrating macro- and microarchaeology

Destruction events in multi-period sites are valuable marker horizons that represent time-synchronous events across the site and sometimes between sites. Destruction layers often preserve rich finds that provide insights into site use. Here we use both macro- and microarchaeological methods to study a destruction event from the late 9th century at Tell es-Safi/Gath in Israel. A major conflagration at this specific location resulted in the consolidation of parts of the roof construction materials, thus enabling us to differentiate between roof, walls and floor materials. We could reconstruct the events which lead to the formation of an approximately 80 cm thick layer. The base of this layer that overlies the floor surface is a thin charred organic material-rich ash layer. As the clays in this layer were not altered by heat and the ceramics still have preserved residues, we conclude that the ash was produced elsewhere and was redistributed to this location. Ceramics that are associated with burnt roof sediments do not have preserved residues. We also estimate the time that each of the accumulation events might have taken, and conclude that this accumulation occurred over decades. The architecture and artifacts found within and beneath the destruction do not allow us to unequivocally identify the function of this area prior to destruction. We do however identify an unusual bin and associated stone pavement, and a corner rich in artifacts, phytoliths and charred organic material. We also show that a wall was built of fired mud bricks; a most unusual occurrence for this time period in the Levant. This study demonstrates well the usefulness of an integrated macro- and microarchaeological approach to understanding the archaeological record, as well as the benefits of using an on-site laboratory.     

Deep-Water Shipwreck Initial Site Formation: The Equation of Site Distribution

Deep-water shipwrecks and associated debris often sit on the bottom with relatively little disturbance, except for the natural bio-chemical deterioration. The distribution of shipwreck material can often be calculated mathematically as a function of heading, speed, time, and water depth. The Equation of Site Distribution is a method aimed to better understand deep-water site formation and the wrecking events themselves. With the use of a few relatively simple formulas, key elements of a site can be discovered, as well as greater insight of the overall wrecking event achieved.     

禹会村遗址的发掘收获及学术意义

禹会村遗址是淮河流域一处较大型的龙山文化遗址,也是中国古代文明探源工程中关键时期的关键遗址,对其发掘,为考证与相邻地区同类文化的关系,提供了直接的证据,同时也弥补了龙山文化的地域性空白,更重要的是为求证大禹治水史绩、探索江淮地区文明起源的进程以及后来如何汇聚、如何加速王朝国家的形成过程,具有重大意义。     

陕西神木县寨峁遗址发掘简报

寨峁遗址位于神木县店塔乡寨峁村,座落在窟野河与其支系——考考乌素河交汇处的三角形阶地上,南距神木县城约16公里,距店塔乡约1公里。寨峁村(旧村)位于遗址的北部,遗址东侧是窟野河,西、南两面是考考乌素河(图一)。阶地东、西、南三面是陡峭的石崖,高出河床一百余米。阶地上地势南低北高。但起伏不大,较     

阿巴嘎旗丹仑土仑遗址调查

锡林郭勒盟阿巴嘎旗汗贝庙东北90公里为伊和高勒苏木所在地沙漠拉计,在其西北约28公里为伊和高勒和巴格高勒两河发源地,当地有一座黄土小山,高约20米,山上有许多黑色玄武岩,故当地蒙古族居民称此山为“哈拉锡勒”,汉语为“黑石山坡”之意。遗址在丹仑土仑(蒙语,“七十个水泉”之意),位于哈拉锡勒东南向阳坡地上,即大河之源、山坡之上及河源两侧。其处有大小石丘分布着,在此山丘间,有当地早年的喇嘛垒石及经文石刻,并立旗杆于垒石上,故遗址所在地被名之为“打其格图”(蒙语“旗杆脑包”之意)。图一丹仑土仑遗址位置示意图遗址周围的自然环境…     

丹阳凤凰山遗址第二次发掘

凤凰山遗址第二次发掘300平方米,化内涵与宁镇地区的湖熟化有着明显的共性特征,时代为西周后期至春秋早期。