Identification of activity area signatures in a reconstructed Iron Age house by combining element and lipid analyses of sediments

One promising analytical method used in household archaeology in addition to inorganic (element) geochemical analysis is that of organic (lipid) analysis applied to anthropogenic sediments. We use both methods here to review chemical imprints that might be useful for recognizing space use and identifying daily activities in a reconstructed Iron Age village at Lejre, Denmark. As documented in many previous studies, element analysis enabled separate activity areas to be distinguished, but the results could not be used to identify the specific activities pursued in the areas. A more qualitative identification of activity areas was possible through lipid analysis, however. The carbon chain distribution, studied for Average Chain Length (ACL), Carbon chain Diversity Index (CDI) and Carbon Preference Index (CPI), enabled a similar separation to be achieved as by element analysis, so that the same areas could be discerned in addition to the reference samples. The stable was distinguished by a substantial input of coprostanol and even more so by 24-ethylcoprostanol, indicating a faecal input from herbivores. Trace levels of these markers were also identified at the entrance, where the animals had passed through. The dwelling area, consisting of two adjacent rooms, could be identified by the sterol ratio (cholesterol/[stigmasterol + β-sitosterol + campesterol]). Lipids from an archaeological context have decayed further toward simpler compounds and become more difficult to identify. Some markers have however a better potential for survival. The results emphasize the importance of further studies on ethnoarchaeological material in order to recognize past activities by element analysis. Moreover, the combination of element and lipid analyses provided a tool that enabled all the separate areas to be identified and provided positive identification of the activities concerned in all areas except the smithy.     

Integrated Visions (Part I): Methodological Framework for Long-term Regional Design

The growing complexity of regional planning and design, in combination with increasing concerns about climate change and resource depletion, has revived the discussion on strategic thinking. Spatial planning and landscape architecture develop long-term visions to facilitate the gradual adaptation of the physical environment. Despite accomplishments in both disciplines, the two domains have yet to exploit the full potential of a joint approach to long-term regional design. The objective of the multidisciplinary study reported in this paper was to explore alternative means of developing imaginative yet robust long-term visions. The study combined literature study with the development of several long-term visions for the creation of sustainable energy landscapes. This paper focuses on the emerging methodological framework for long-term regional design, and argues that three modes of change should be integrated into the design process: change due to current projected trends, change due to critical uncertainties and intended change. Subsequently, a five-step approach to the development of long-term visions is derived and illustrated in this paper. The second paper of this two-part series, which will be published in the April 2012 issue of European Planning Studies, centres on the application and the discussion of the five-step approach to integrated visions.     

Organic Geochemical Evidence for Pine Tar Production in Middle Eastern Sweden During the Roman Iron Age

Several funnel-shaped features of unknown function were discovered at excavations related to a new stretch of the highway E4 in middle Sweden during 2002–2003. These features could be sub classed into two categories: large funnel-shaped pits dated to 600–1100 AD (Vendel period – Viking Age) and small funnel-shaped pits dated to 240–540 AD (late Roman Iron Age – Migration period) respectively. Soil samples were analysed for diterpenoids derived from abietic acid (mainly retene, abietic acid, dehydroabietic acid and methyl dehydroabietate) by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) in order to test the hypothesis that the features might be connected to pine tar manufacture. For comparison, samples from historically known pine tar and charcoal production features were analysed. The resinous fraction in the larger funnel-shaped features were very similar to those of the historical pine tar and charcoal production features, while the composition in the small funnel-shaped pits was dominated by retene and methyl dehydroabietate. The biomarker, methyl dehydroabietate, could be identified in several of the soil samples from the funnel-shaped pits. We suggest that both of these features have been used for pine tar production, which makes the smaller funnel-shaped features the oldest known tar production features in Europe.