A Taphonomic Approach to Late Classic Maya Mortuary Practices at Xuenkal,Yucatán,Mexico

Abstract

Following a brief introduction to mortuary practices in Prehispanic Maya society, we outline the analytical procedures followed during the excavation and laboratory investigation of five burial assemblages from the Late Classic period site of Xuenkal, Yucatán, Mexico. A detailed account of a sequence of primary and secondary interments is provided with a focus on taphonomic and biovital information, emphasizing the importance of an interdisciplinary approach, especially human taphonomy, for the reconstruction of complex Maya mortuary treatments. Our results show that bodies of the dead or their parts followed surprisingly long and complex funerary paths.     

Identifying Chemical Activity Residues on Prehistoric House Floors: A Methodology And Rationale For Multi‐Elemental Characterization of a Mild Acid Extract of Anthropogenic Sediments

Archaeologists have employed sediment chemistry in site prospection for nearly a century. For example, phosphorus is a good indicator of human occupation, because it is a generic indicator of human activity. Recently, multi‐element studies of sediments have successfully identified specific activity areas by analysing other elements in addition to phosphorus. To reach its full potential, however, sediment chemistry must be undertaken with an understanding of how these residues are formed and of the chemical indicators that can be used to identify specific activities. Methodologies that optimize the extraction of specific residues must be employed. Not to do so is a naïve application of the technique.     

ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL RESEARCH ON SEDIMENTS AND CERAMICS AT POLIDEPORTIVO (SPAIN): AN INTEGRATED APPROACH*

This paper proposes a preliminary approach to the integration of archaeological evidence and various chemical analyses (phosphorus and lipid) on sediments and ceramics. Phosphorus and organic matter analyses are, thus, used for the study of sediments, and lipid analyses for pottery from structure 19 of the Late Neolithic—Early Copper site known as ‘Polideportivo’, Martos, southern Spain. The results of both types of analysis point to a predominantly domestic function for this structure.     

The Application of Steroidal Biomarkers to Track the Abandonment of a Roman Wastewater Course at the Agora (Athens,Greece)*

A subterranean, stone‐built, sediment‐filled culvert discovered during excavations at the Agora (Athens, Greece) was dated to the Roman period on the basis of its characteristic construction and associated finds, including coins. The location of the culvert relative to other adjacent watercourses and an ancient river bed suggested that the structure was a sewer. This was confirmed through a multi‐molecular biomarker approach based on analysis of the bile acids associated with sediment filling the sewer, using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The acid fraction contained predominantly deoxycholic and lithocholic acids, while the neutral steroid fraction comprised a complex mixture of Δ⁵ sterol and 5β‐ and 5α‐stanols, dominated by coprostanol, suggesting the presence of faecal matter of predominantly human origin. The concentrations of neutral and acidic faecal biomarkers were observed to vary in tandem, with the highest concentrations being found in the sediment at the base of the fill in the culvert. A reduction in concentration occurred with decreasing depth of the fill, with concentrations in the uppermost samples being little different from control samples of sediment taken beyond the confines of the culvert. The enhanced concentration of bile acids relative to 5β‐stanols compared with fresh human faeces must reflect the enhanced diagenetic stability of the former, thereby making bile acids the possibly preferred biomarker for this type of study. The quantitative data obtained suggest that the culvert fell rapidly out of use, possibly coinciding with the Slavic incursion in AD 582–3.     

NEW ARCHAEOMAGNETIC STUDIES NEAR XI'AN,CHINA*

Archaeomagnetic and mineral magnetic studies were made of known-age samples from fired structures and sediments from archaeological sites near Xi'an, China. The fired materials retained a stable record of the direction of the past geomagnetic field, which compared well with previous investigations and could contribute to an archaeomagnetic calibration curve. However, discrepancies with documented observations of the field were noted.     

Microscopic study of Chinese bronze casting moulds from the Eastern Zhou period

Piece mould casting technology, as a hall mark of the central plains of China during the Bronze Age, has attracted scholars' interest globally. Bronze ritual vessels found in this area were produced in large quantities and generally cast with the moulds composed of three or more sections. This enormous industry certainly required workers to have had professional knowledge to ensure the success of every single cast. Mould making technology was one of its most important parts. This research looks into the microstructure of bronze casting moulds of the Eastern Zhou period, which was a rarely studied topic in previous research. Through comparison with local pottery, it is shown that casting moulds in this period were produced with quite specialized sand-rich material, and clay was only a minor component. It is then discussed how this unique material can be beneficial to the bronze casting process and how this technology was integrated as a crucial part of the Chinese bronze casting system. These analyses might be able to portray mould makers in the ancient bronze foundries as a group of specialized people with their own traditions and professional knowledge.     

居延遗址T129烽燧出土纺织品分析

居延遗址与汉代丝绸之路兴盛密切相关,是历代丝绸之路开拓与畅通的重要历史见证。在人迹罕至的居延遗址T129烽燧附近的地面发现了纺织品残片,伴随发现的有汉代木简和五铢钱。为了了解织物成分和编织工艺,进行了相关的科学分析。使用红外光谱分析确定了纺织材料为丝,通过视频显微镜和扫描电镜观察,确定纺织品采用平纹织法,未经染色,根据织做工艺可定名为汉代常见的绡。该纺织品可作为汉代戍边士卒衣装的标本之一,对于研究汉代西北地区的丝绸之路物质交流和文化传播具有一定的意义。     

铁器文物保护中锈层化学稳定转化的研究

出土铁器文物在脱盐清洗后,运用化学稳定转化处理的方法将表面不稳定的铁锈转化成稳定、致密的锈层,然后进行钝化封闭,提高耐蚀性,最后进行防锈封护和表面消光处理。通过各种腐蚀性能测试,证明耐腐蚀性能有显著提高,综合处理的结果达到了文物铁器的保护要求。     

山东沂源出土战国皮革文物的材质鉴别

山东沂源发掘的一座战国晚期墓葬,保存完好,随葬品丰厚。其中有皮革制品,这在北方考古发掘中十分罕见。对出土皮革文物的研究,为研究北方地区战国时期的皮革制品提供了重要的实物依据。因此,本研究利用衰减全反射—傅里叶变换红外光谱(ATR-FTIR)和扫描电子显微镜(SEM)对战国皮革文物材质进行了分析鉴别,初步判定沂源出土战国皮囊为羊皮革制品。研究结果对皮革文物材质的科学鉴别提供了借鉴,为科学、有效保护奠定了基础。     

古墨的制作工艺及保存问题的探讨

采用近代分析方法研究墨坯锤打过程中的物理化学机理,结合古墨的结构形貌分析,对其保存问题进行初步探讨。     

ELEMENTAL ANALYSES OF A GROUP OF GLAZED TERRACOTTA ANGELS FROM THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE,AS A TOOL FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A COMPLEX CONSERVATION HISTORY*

A group of Italian glazed terracotta sculptures, attributed to the della Robbia workshop of Florence, is partly displayed in the Louvre Museum. Analyses of the apparently homogeneous sculptures by techniques such as PIXE, SEM, ICP/AES and ICP/MS have identified differences in the materials used. The data provide a subdivision of the sculptures, which is compatible with what is known from historical documents and artistic considerations, and suggest a date for this ensemble at the end of the 15th century, when the della Robbia family was involved in the decoration of the San Frediano church in Florence.