Copper supply during the Final Neolithic at the Saint-Blaise/Bains des Dames site (Neuchâtel, Switzerland)

The Saint-Blaise/Bains des Dames stratified site in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, contains several occupations that span the Late through Final Neolithic, including the Horgen, Lüscherz, and Auvernier-Cordé periods. As part of a study on prehistoric metallurgy in western Switzerland, we compare the lead isotope ratios (multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer) and elemental compositions (instrumental neutron activation analysis) of the site’s numerous copper finds to a database of corresponding measurements for copper ores throughout Europe. The results show a considerable variation in copper compositions present at the site, suggesting complex economic relationships and multiple chaînes opératoires during the time in question. Specifically, during the Final Neolithic, we distinguished ten coherent clusters, confirmed by both the elemental compositions and lead isotope ratios. When compared to the Europe-wide database of copper ores, we observed significant changes in the provenance of the copper through time that reflect equally significant changes in social, cultural, and economic interactions.     

The Planking Clamp from Tårnby: a Medieval Danish Boatbuilding Tool

At the bottom of a well on a medieval farm on the Danish island of Amager, archaeologists found a planking clamp dated by dendrochronology to 1405 AD. ¹ The clamp is of great importance: very few examples have been found or recognised in Northern Europe to date, and this is the best preserved, and thus provides data about its shape and use; and the size of boat it was used in the construction of. It is discussed whether the clamp was used exclusively for boatbuilding or whether it might also have been used in other crafts. It is suggested that copies of the Tårnby planking clamp might be used in future experimental boatbuilding projects.
© 2004 The Nautical Archaeology Society     

Millet cultivation history in the French Alps as evidenced by a sedimentary molecule

We report on the detection, in a sediment core drilled in Lake Le Bourget (French Alps), of a fossil molecule (miliacin) that was synthesized by broomcorn millet cultivated in the watershed, and then exported to the sediment. The variation in abundance of this molecule allows us reconstructing the history of millet cultivation around Lake Le Bourget. Our results support the introduction of millet around −1700 BC in the region. After an intensive cultivation during the Late Bronze Age, the failure of millet cropping during the Hallstatt period coincides with a phase of climatic deterioration. Millet cultivation recovers during the Roman and Mediaeval periods before falling most probably due to the introduction of more productive cereals. These pioneering results constitute the first continuous record of an agrarian activity covering the last 6000 years and emphasize the close relationships between local hydrology, land use and agro-pastoral activities around Lake Le Bourget.     

Extraits de la Semaine de Synthèse <Emphasis Type="Italic">Civilisation. Le Mot et L’idée</Emphasis> (1930)

Sans résumé éric Brian est directeur d’études à l’école des hautes études en sciences sociales. Marie Jaisson est ma?tre de conférences à l’université de Tours.     

The Port‐Vendres 4 Shipwreck Cargo: evidence of the Roman wine trade in the western Mediterranean

The Port‐Vendres 4 shipwreck is evidence of coastal export trade between Hispania Citerior and Narbonne in 40/30 BC. The cargo is made up of a particular assemblage of Roman wine amphoras (Pascual 1, Dressel 1B and Lamboglia 2) destined for Gallic markets. Archaeological and archaeometric analyses conducted on a selection of the amphoras allowed the provenance of the cargo to be identified as Hispania Citerior and the central‐southern Tyrrhenian coast of Italy. Iluro and/or Baetulo are proposed as the ports of departure, enabling the reconstruction of the trade route and the historical and economic significance of this shipwreck.     

Land Uses and Environmental Conflicts in the Arcachon Bay Coastal Area: An Analysis in Terms of Heritage

Abstract

Coastal zones are specific areas which usually have natural resources of particular interest from ecological and heritage points of view. They are nevertheless subject to considerable pressure because of their attractiveness. Integrated coastal zone management is supposed to take into account these multiple factors in order to preserve natural resources and to allow for coastal development. In this context, land-use conflicts may emerge. This study aims to identify such conflicts and to explain them in terms of heritage conventions. An interesting methodology is implemented, using both focus groups' representations and daily press articles concerning the specific coastal zone of Arcachon Bay in the south west of France. The results raise questions on the link between water and land in coastal land-use management.     

Reconstructing dietary and environmental history from enamel isotopic analysis: time resolution of intra‐tooth sequential sampling

The carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of the mineral phase of tooth enamel is linked to diet and environment. Enamel is not remodelled once formed. Several studies of intra‐tooth isotopic variability in hypsodont mammal teeth have involved sequential sampling of enamel in order to detect changes in diet and environment during tooth formation. The possibility of exploring individual history opens the door to many applications, particularly in palaeoenvironment and herd management reconstruction. However, previous histological investigations have shown that enamel mineralization is a progressive and discontinuous process. The goal of the present study is to determine if this pattern significantly influences the time resolution of an intra‐tooth sequential sampling. Isotopic analyses (δ¹³C) were performed on tooth enamel from steers (Bos taurus) that had changed from a C₃ plant‐based diet to a C₄ plant‐based diet with very different carbon isotopic compositions. The change of diet was reflected in the mineral phase of enamel. The pattern of intra‐tooth isotopic variation suggests that completion of enamel mineralization required six to seven months. Such a lag in enamel mineralization will decrease the time resolution of enamel sequential sampling. The effects of prolonged mineralization of enamel have to be considered when interpreting patterns of intra‐tooth isotopic variations. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.