INVESTIGATING SEASONALITY AND SEASON OF BIRTH IN PAST HERDS: A REFERENCE SET OF SHEEP ENAMEL STABLE OXYGEN ISOTOPE RATIOS

Intra‐tooth sequential analysis of enamel δ¹⁸O is currently used to investigate birth seasonality in past animal populations, offering new insights into seasonal availability of animal resources, herd management and seasonality of site occupation. Reference data sets are still required to address two major difficulties: (1) that inter‐individual variability in the record of the seasonal cycle is affected by tooth size; and (2) that the season of birth cannot be directly estimated from the timing of tooth growth, because of a delay in enamel mineralization. We present a data set acquired on the lower second molar of 10 modern sheep from Rousay (Orkney) born within a few weeks of each other in April/May and submitted to the same environmental conditions until death. All sheep have recorded a sinusoidal pattern of δ¹⁸O variation spanning approximately a year. From the difference between the expected and the measured time sequence, the delay of enamel mineralization is estimated to be 5–6 months. The data set is then described using a model mainly based on a cosine function. The period, corresponding to the length of the M2 crown formed over a year, averaged 35.8 mm. A very slight variation of tooth growth rate with time and no attenuation of the isotopic signal towards the cervical margin of the crown could be detected in this data set. The lowest δ¹⁸O values, corresponding to the sheep's first winter, were tracked at a distance from the enamel/root junction that varied between 23.0 and 30.3 mm (x_min mean = 27.6 mm); the highest δ¹⁸O values, corresponding to the sheep's second summer, were between 6.3 and 11.6 mm (x_max mean = 9.9 mm). Most of the variability can be attributed to tooth size. When normalized on the period, x_min and x_max are 0.28 (± 0.05) and 0.78 (± 0.05) on average, meaning that the Rousay sheep have recorded the minimum and maximum δ¹⁸O values on average at 78% and 28%, respectively, of the end of the periodic cycle recorded in the second molar.     

GAS CHROMATOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF FATTY MATERIAL FROM A THULE MIDDEN

Fatty material from a Thule Eskimo site on Herschel Island, Yukon Territory, Canada was analysed by gas chromatography and thin layer chromatography. The fatty acid composition of the samples was then compared with published data for a number of marine species which could have been food sources for the Thule peoples. The samples appear to be derived from seal or whale, or a mixture of these, but what is more surprising is that the fats have changed so little over the 1000 year period of their burial.     

GEOGRAPHICAL PATTERNS IN BIOLOGICALLY AVAILABLE STRONTIUM,CARBON AND OXYGEN ISOTOPE SIGNATURES IN PREHISTORIC SW GERMANY*

In order to interpret strontium and oxygen isotope values in Neolithic human skeletons analysed previously, we begin to map the biologically available strontium, carbon and oxygen isotopic signatures of prehistoric southern Germany by analysing tooth enamel of pigs from archaeological sites distributed around the region. The mapping shows a marked upland–lowland difference in biologically available ⁸⁷ Sr/ ⁸⁶ Sr values, ranging between 0.7086 and 0.7103 in the sedimentary lowlands, and from 0.710 to as high as 0.722 in the crystalline uplands of the Odenwald, the Black Forest and the Bavarian Forest. In addition, carbon isotopes in the carbonate fraction of pig enamel were generally about 1–2 more enriched in ¹³ C in the uplands. Despite the expected depletion of ¹⁸ O with altitude, oxygen isotopes in pig enamel showed little correlation with site altitude, although for pig samples not older than the Iron Age there was some geographical correlation withδ¹⁸O patterns in modern precipitation.     

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.     

NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS OF PREHISTORIC FLINT MINE PRODUCTS

Specimens of flint from English and Continentai prehistoric factory/mine sites have been analysed using neutron activation and element compositions compared. The possible use of element concentration patterns as a means of characterising such sites is discussed.     

DETERMINING THE SEASON OF MISSISSIPPIAN HOUSE CONSTRUCTION FROM PLANT IMPRESSIONS IN DAUB

Abstract

It has been suggested that Mississippian farmsteads in some parts of the Southeast were abandoned in the late fall/early winter, with concomitant population concentration in large, palisaded villages. This assertion is contradicted by published data on plant impressions in daub which indicate farmstead house construction during the fall. Missing from this debate has been information on the season of house construction at mound centers. Plant impressions in daub from a structure at the Lyon’s Bluff site (22OK520) in Mississippi indicate that house construction took place during early to midspring. When coupled with other data, year-round construction at this mound and village complex is suggested. Although these results do not solve the question of the season of house construction at farmsteads, they do suggest that house construction at mound sites was not confined to any particular season of the year, as might be expected with seasonal influxes of farmstead inhabitants.     

PREHISTORIC FLINT MINES AND THEIR IDENTIFICATION AS SOURCES OF RAW MATERIAL

This paper is a statistical and geological study of the results of analysis of flint from British and West European flint mines, carried out by emission and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Groups of flint specimens were studied from each geographically separate flint mining area. Flints were analysed for a group of easily measured trace elements shown by previous work to be generally present. The ratios between the trace elements form a consistent pattern for each flint mine and statistically valid differences of pattern can be recognized between different flint mines. A geological investigation shows that the measured trace elements may be derived from clay minerals and explains geographical and statistical variation in the composition of flint in terms of its mode of origin in the chalk. An advanced statistical technique allows individual flint specimens of unknown origin to be attributed by their composition to one or other of the identified flint sources. The archaeological implications of this study are discussed.     

TECHNOLOGY AND PROVENANCE OF A COLLECTION OF ISLAMIC COPPER‐BASED OBJECTS AS FOUND BY CHEMICAL AND LEAD ISOTOPE ANALYSIS*

Chemical and lead isotope analyses were utilized to determine the composition, technology and origin of a collection of Islamic copper‐based objects found in Jordan. The atomic absorption spectrometry results show that the objects were made of different types of copper‐base alloys that contain various amounts of zinc, tin and lead. The use of brass, highly leaded brass and quaternary alloys of Cu‐Zn‐Sn‐Pb in the manufacture of everyday, household objects strongly points to Islamic traditions. The lead isotope compositions of the objects match very well that of the copper ore mined from the Dolomite‐Limestone‐Shale unit of the Arabah copper mines.     

FIELDWALKING WITHOUT FLINTS: WORKED QUARTZ AS A CLUE TO THE CHARACTER OF PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT

Although the collection and analysis of lithic artefacts plays an increasing role in studies of prehistoric settlement in the British Isles, almost all this work has been conducted in regions with local sources of flint. This is not the case over large parts of highland Britain. This paper outlines a methodology for investigating the character of prehistoric activity using the evidence of worked quartz and illustrates these procedures with a case study from the Scottish Highlands     

BRONZE AGE CHILDHOOD MIGRATION OF INDIVIDUALS NEAR STONEHENGE,REVEALED BY STRONTIUM AND OXYGEN ISOTOPE TOOTH ENAMEL ANALYSIS*

Contrasting lifestyles are recorded by the isotope composition of Bronze Age Beaker people (c. 2500–2000 bc ) from three burial sites (Boscombe Down, Normanton Down and the ditch around Stonehenge) at or near to the Stonehenge monument in Wiltshire, southern England. Seven individuals (three adults, a sub‐adult, two juveniles and an infant) were recovered from a single grave at Boscombe Down. Strontium and oxygen isotope analysis of tooth enamel from two teeth (a premolar and third molar) from each of three of the adults in this grave (referred to as Boscombe Bowmen) show that they had all shared a pattern of mobility and migration during their lives. The three adult males spent their early childhood (as represented by data from the premolar teeth) in an area with a radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope signature of around 0.7135. They each then moved, during early adolescence (as represented by the third molar results), to a less radiogenic area, where they acquired an ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr signature of around 0.7112. This implies that they must then have travelled to the Stonehenge area of Wiltshire at a later time in their lives. Wales provides the closest area with rocks that supply suitable ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios and δ¹⁸O isotope compositions for these individuals, although other areas of Palaeozoic rock, such as Scotland and parts of Europe, cannot be ruled out. Enamel from the two juveniles from the Boscombe Down burial yields ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7098 and 0.7099, and strontium concentrations for both of 55 ppm. The very close match of the data for the two juveniles supports the possibility that they were raised in the same environment. The difference in strontium isotope data between the juveniles and three adult males described above shows that the children did not come from the same homeland as the adults with whom they share a grave. The two adult males from the single burials at Normanton Down, and from Stonehenge itself, had static lifestyles and show no evidence of migration, in contrast to the Boscombe Bowmen. Their oxygen and strontium data are consistent with a childhood in the Stonehenge area.     

ANALYSING THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE AS A MEANS OF PROBING THE NON-MATERIAL DIMENSION OF REALITY

The paper analyses in detail the way in which the spatial organization of settlements and the architectural form of buildings and other structures can be interpreted as the expression of the values and beliefs of the people responsible for them. In doing this, it draws on recent developments in linguistics and physiological psychology. The procedure, while not completely objective, does provide for the presentation of verifiable evidence and the testing of hypotheses.     

K/AR DATING AS A MEANS OF SOURCING LEVANTINE EPIPALAEOLITHIC BASALT IMPLEMENTS

Through K/Ar dating of basalt implements from two Mount Carmel late Epipalaeolithic sites and samples of locally occurring basalts, it was possible to demonstrate clearly that the prehistoric inhabitants of these sites did not utilize the locally available Upper Cretaceous (88–77 My) basalts. The dates of the basalt implements are of Tertiary-Quaternary age (3.7-<0.250 My) which suggests the exploitation of basalt exposures at least 60 km east of the sites. This is the first direct evidence for long-distance exchange/trade of an essential raw material in the Levant as early as 13000 BP.     

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.     

THE APPLICATION OF INSTRUMENTAL NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS TO A STUDY OF PREHISTORIC STEATITE ARTIFACTS AND SOURCE MATERIALS

A study of the trace and minor element content of steatite artifacts from the Eastern United States has been carried out. Samples from both quarry and habitation sites ranging from New York to North Carolina have been analyzed through the use of instrumental neutron activation analysis. The most successful method of evaluating data has involved the study of a very coherent group of elements known as the Rare Earths. Geological processes cause fractionation of this group and it is this fractionation which is of use in terms of characterizing the source deposits of this material. Promising but less definitive results have been obtained with the elements scandium, chromium, cobalt and others. Sufficient variations have been found to be present in the source deposits of steatite in this area to enable differentiation, and the successful linking of samples from habitation sites to their quarry deposits has been achieved in some cases. This paper discusses the results of this study to date, the methods employed, and the potential value of this work in helping to reconstruct prehistoric trading systems.     

PATTERNS OF DIURNAL VARIATION OF GROWING SEASON PRECIPITATION ON THE CANADIAN PRAIRIES: A HARMONIC ANALYSIS

We analyze the spatial variation in diurnal daytime-nighttime precipitation amounts and event frequency, using 24 years (1965-88) of hourly growing season precipitation records for 24 stations on the Canadian Prairies. Harmonic analysis indicates that both maximum amount of precipitation and maximum frequency of precipitation events occur during late night to early morning throughout the agricultural areas. Comparison of drier and wetter season precipitation patterns indicates further that the nocturnal maximum is weak in the drier and strong in the wetter growing seasons. Identification of these patterns might be helpful for more reliable forecasting of not onlyprecipitation probabilities for various times of day during the growing season in general, but also those for drier vs. wetter seasons in particular.
Nous analysons la variation spatiale de la frequence et de la quantitk depre'cipitations diurnales utilisant des observationsCchelonne'essurunepe'riode de24 anne'es (I 965- 88) et recueillies toutes les heures durant la saison de croissance pour 24 stations des prairies Canadiennes. Une analyse harmonique rnontre qu'ti travers ces re'gions agricoles, la quantite' rnaxirnale de pre'cipitations ainsi que la frkquence rnaxirnale de ces evhernents seproduisent tard la nuit jusqu'ti t8t le rnatin. De plus, la cornparaison des rnoddes de prtkipitations recueillis durant les saisons les plus sPches et les plus hurnides rnontre que le rnaxirnurn nocturne est faible durant les saisons les plus seches et Clev6 durant les saisons les plus hurnides. L'identification de ces tendences devrait aider ti I'elaboration de predictions plus exactes concernant non seulernent les probabilite's de prkcipitations ti toute heuredu jour et de la nuit durant la saison de croissance, mais aussi, et plus particulisrernent, les probabilite's de precipitations attache'es ti I'identification des saisons les plus seches et des saisons les plus hurnides.     

CHARACTERIZATION OF SAMIAN WARE SHERDS BY MEANS OF NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS

Neutron activation analysis has been employed for the characterization of Samian ware sherds. The analysed samples were classified in ten groups, seven of which belonged to the Arretine production, according to archaeological evidence. By means of high resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy, 22 elements have been identified and analysed. Compositional characterization was looked for by taking counting rate ratios of different nuclides in the samples. The compositional pattern of the sherds was found to be fairly uniform both for each pot and for each group so that, at least in the examined cases, it can be assumed to be characteristic of a given workshop.