The 4th-century B.C. shipwreck at Mazotos,Cyprus: New techniques and methodologies in the 3D mapping of shipwreck excavations

Abstract

Well preserved ancient shipwrecks are rare in the archaeological record, but when discovered, they can provide valuable information on a wide range of research issues if analyzed and documented properly. In this paper we discuss the significance, potential, and constraints of mapping methods applied during the underwater excavation of shipwreck sites with special emphasis on stratigraphy, documentation of finds, and reconstruction of site formation processes. As a case study, we present the digital photogrammetry and computer vision software programs used in the excavation of the 4th-century b.c. shipwreck at Mazotos, Cyprus. Our goal is to develop a targeted documentation and mapping method of ongoing shipwreck excavations so that others can address complex research questions concerning this unique discipline of archaeology.     

Anticipated mobility and its archaeological signature: A case study of Folsom retooling strategies

This essay highlights the value of anticipated mobility for untangling variability in prehistoric stone tool manufacture. To do so, it explores the organization of weaponry production at a series of Folsom campsites via the highly visible archaeological signature of Folsom fluting. A model of weaponry replacement based on deep planning and anticipation of needs is proposed, according to which Folsom hunters commonly replace their projectile points as they wear down, break or are lost, but on fewer occasions engage in the mass production of fluted points. This technological organization is consistent with a highly mobile way of life in which advanced planning buffers the risk associated with limited or stochastic access to good quality lithic raw materials. The model is then put to the test at the Lindenmeier site in northern Colorado. The spatial patterning of fluting activities in two discrete areas of the site demonstrates contrasting strategies of point manufacture: conservation versus gearing up (creation of a surplus). It is argued that these patterns represent distinct facets of a single technological organization.     

Characterization of dyes in ancient textiles from Yingpan,Xinjiang

In this paper we analyzed the natural dyes in well-preserved, ancient textiles from Yingpan, an important archaeological site on the Silk Road, using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array and mass spectrometric detection. Dyes were removed from textile fibers using a soft extraction method (pyridine, water and oxalic acid). Two species of madder-type plants, Rubia tinctorum and Rubia cordifolia were identified as the dye sources in red and brown samples. We also were able to detect unusual flavonoid glycosides in yellow and green woolen yarns, although we have not been able to pinpoint with certainty a specific plant that may have been used to produce this dye(s). On the other hand, we found that yellow and green silk threads had been colored with protoberberine-type dyes, probably obtained from species of cork tree, Phellodendron spp., and/or other protoberberine producing plant. We propose that the textile dyes found at Yingpan reflect a merging of Eastern and Western practices and technologies during the 800-year period (206 BCE–618 CE) encompassing the early years of the Silk Road.     

SOIL DAMPING FORMULATION IN NONLINEAR TIME DOMAIN SITE RESPONSE ANALYSIS

Nonlinear time domain site response analysis is used to capture the soil hysteretic response and nonlinearity due to medium and large ground motions. Soil damping is captured primarily through the hysteretic energy dissipating response. Viscous damp-ing, using the Rayleigh damping formulation, is often added to represent damping at very small strains where many soil models are primarily linear. The Rayleigh damping formulation results in frequency dependent damping, in contrast to experiments that show that the damping of soil is mostly frequency independent. Artificially high damp-ing is introduced outside a limited frequency range that filters high frequency ground motion. The extended Rayleigh damping formulation is introduced to reduce the over-damping at high frequencies. The formulation reduces the filtering of high frequency motion content when examining the motion Fourier spectrum. With appropriate choice of frequency range, both formulations provide a similar response when represented by the 5% damped elastic response spectrum.

The proposed formulations used in non-linear site response analysis show that the equivalent linear frequency domain solution commonly used to approximate non-linear site response underestimates surface ground motion within a period range relevant to engineering applications. A new guideline is provided for the use of the proposed formulations in non-linear site response analysis.     

孟州城址所反映的问题

现在的孟州是延续金代的孟州城发展而来,旧城区在民国时期还保留了比较完整的四门十字街的棋盘式布局.金代孟州城是仿照金大定之前的老城建造的,文献考证和近年来的考古发现都可以证明金大定之前的老城沿袭了隋唐城址,从而解决了孟州城棋盘式布局的来源问题,也纠正了几百年来关于金大定之前老城建造年代的错误认识.     

大冶五里界春秋城址及周围遗址考古的主要收获

为配合武汉至九江铁路提速工程建设,湖北省物考古研究所于2003年6月至2004年4月重点对大冶市五里界城进行了考古调查、勘探、发掘。按事先设计的方案,这次工作在课题思想指导下,还对五里界城周围的21处遗址和大冶市境内的鄂王城、草王嘴城进行了详细调查与勘探。本重点介绍了五里界城址考古工作的主要收获,并对城址的时代、功能、废弃原因和与周边遗址的关系提出了看法。     

湖北丹江口市连沟旧石器遗址调查

本文对湖北丹江口市连沟遗址Ⅲ、Ⅱ级阶地所发现的 201件石制品进行了详细的介绍, 并对其时代和文化特征进行了初步研究, 得出它们的时代分别为旧石器时代早期和中期, 在文化面貌方面, 其同属于南方砾石石器工业的范畴。该遗址的发现对研究南方砾石器工业的时代以及认识该工业的早、中期遗存之异同具有重要的意义。     

山东章丘市大康遗址发掘简报

2001年 9月, 山东省章丘市博物馆对章丘市大康遗址进行了发掘, 发掘面积 50平方米, 发现龙山文化、岳石文化等遗存。该遗址面积较大, 为章丘市境内一处较为重要的古文化遗址。     

江苏高淳固城遗址的现状与时代初探

位于江苏高淳固城镇的固城遗址,分罗城和子城两部分,从历年不同时代遗物出土地点看,春秋时吴筑“固城”的具体分布范围在“子城’’之西,现在的固城遗址是汉代向城东重新扩建的一处城邑。     

安徽含山凌家滩祭坛的初步研究——兼及良渚文化祭坛

本剖析凌家滩祭坛的构造,对比良渚化祭坛性质的研究,通过解读为祭坛定性的诸因素,认为“祭坛”一说有待进一步的探讨。此外,凌家滩祭坛和墓葬分布之间的关系,似无法引证该遗址所处的社会形态。