THERMAL ALTERATIONS IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL BONES*

Archaeological bones, found close to Mexico City (Tlatelcomila), with alterations due to probable thermal exposure attributed to a possible case of cannibalism, have been characterized by XRD, SAXS and SEM. It is shown how these non‐destructive techniques, which are not conventionally used in archaeological research, may provide useful information. The deterioration degree of the bone structure is quantified through parameters such as gyration radius or fractal dimension. As some of the reported modifications could be attributed to diagenesis, a discussion is presented in terms of bone crystallinity and ionic exchange. Furthermore, the hydroxyapatite crystallite size increased depending on colour: this feature is not explained by diagenesis—it can only be attributed to temperature. We conclude that the samples were thermally treated. Indeed, thermal treatment alters the structure and morphology of bone at a very fine level (microscopic and nanometric), while morphology follows the structural modifications. It is determined that the studied human bones were treated at three different temperatures close to 100, 250 and 600°C. Therefore, they were either boiled (barbacoa) or grilled.     

Archaeometry and materiality: materials‐based analysis in theory and practice*

Due to the diversity of contemporary archaeology, the aims and approaches of archaeological scientists and archaeological theorists are often at odds. I suggest that this position is problematic, both intellectually and methodologically, as both groups are fundamentally engaged in the same task: an understanding of past societies through the medium of material culture. This paper offers a review of the intellectual positions of both groups, with a brief discussion of the history of archaeological theory and an appraisal of its current trajectory. I will discuss how and why contemporary theoretical perspectives have fundamentally diverged from the perspectives of archaeological scientists and how the recent theoretical emphasis upon materiality offers a rapprochement between theoreticians and archaeological scientists.     

Note

Abstract

On the basis of archeological data presented in Finkelstein 2008, 8–13, it is concluded that the settlements of returnees listed in Ezra 2:20–30 and Nehemiah 7:25–33 reflect an actual socio-political reality of the late 6th century BCE. As Finkelstein draws the opposite conclusion on the basis of the same data, this study describes how he construed relevant data and evaluates the validity of his argumentation. Additionally, locations are proposed for some heretofore unidentified settlements, the complex literary history of the lists is examined, and how the vague term 'Persian Period' has confused both archaeological and historical discourses is explored.     

Administration of parks with rack art: A symposium and workshop in Jujuy Argentina,December 2003

Abstract

Visits to archaeological sites, within school, a history or archaeology club, or a family group, are the main means for young people to engage with the archaeological historic environment. The majority of archaeological sites easily accessible for such groups are those that have been 'sanitized' for public consumption. These are often devoid of explanation of the archaeological process which made them accessible. This paper looks at the contribution that working archaeological sites can make to young people's understanding of archaeology, with particular reference to visits made by branches of the Young Archaeologists' Club, based in the UK.     

A NEW METHOD FOR EXTRACTION,ISOLATION AND TRANSESTERIFICATION OF FREE FATTY ACIDS FROM ARCHAEOLOGICAL POTTERY

This paper presents evidence for increased recovery of organic residues from archaeological pottery through use of a microwave‐assisted liquid chromatography protocol. C_16:0 and C_18:0 saturated fatty acids were obtained from archaeological potsherds recovered from nine Neolithic settlements in the Middle East dating between 4700 and 7300 cal bc , including materials that had not produced evidence for the survival of any lipid species through use of ‘conventional’ solvent extraction techniques. Compound‐specific isotopic analyses of C_16:0 and C_18:0 fatty acids in potsherd extracts subsequently revealed δ¹³C/δ¹²C compositions consistent with modern subcutaneous fats of wild boar and goats pastured on lands adjacent to the Jordan Valley, and residues from a modern pottery vessel used in the manufacturing of butter, cheese and yogurt in central Turkey. These results are presented as an illustration of capabilities of the microwave‐assisted recovery protocol. The reclamation of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids from archaeological pottery fragments recovered from a number of the earliest ceramic horizons in the Middle East is herewith reported, and the extraction methods and instrumental analytical techniques are described.     

ORTHOIMAGE‐BASED DOCUMENTATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL STRUCTURES: THE CASE OF A MEDIAEVAL WALL IN PONTEVEDRA,SPAIN

During the completion of the expansion works at the Museum of Pontevedra (Spain), a stretch of about 60 m of the medieval walled enclosure surrounding the historic city centre was discovered. Due to its value as a heritage element, the discovery of this archaeological structure required the implementation of preservation activities and exhaustive documentation so that future generations will be able to know and enjoy this piece of history. This paper presents digital models that reproduce the original structure of the wall using close‐range digital photogrammetry, as well as orthophotos, which thoroughly document the dimensional and textural characteristics of the archaeological site. In addition to analysing the accuracy and validity of photogrammetry in the conservation of archaeological heritage, a methodology of data capture, processing and photogrammetry representation is evaluated.     

PHYSICO‐CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ACQUALADRONE ROSTRUM

The archaeological discovery of the Acqualadrone rostrum (an offensive naval weapon mounted on the prow at the waterline), off the Italian coast near Messina in 2008, has led to the need for scientific research in order to plan the conservation treatment of this artefact. The discovery is exceptional because of the presence of a wooden section from the original ship. This paper describes the physico‐chemical characterization of a metallic and two wooden samples by inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹³C {¹H} cross‐polarization magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, gas chromatography – mass spectrometry and X‐ray diffraction. The results reveal the use of leaded bronze (Cu, 70%; Pb, 20%; Sn, 10%) in the manufacturing process of the alloy and the use of lead whose isotopic composition is referable to either Spanish or Cypriot mines. The analysis of the results relating to the wooden samples indicates their different state of preservation and, at least in some places, the spreading of caulking on the wood, probably using a vegetable resin.     

REPRODUCIBILITY OF ELEMENTAL ANALYSES OF BASALTIC STONE ARTEFACTS BY QUADRUPLE ICP–MS USING DIFFERENT SAMPLE SIZES AND DIGESTION METHODS,WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH

Using high‐precision inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS), we measured >40 elements in basalts sampled by diamond micro‐drills to evaluate the effectiveness of different digestion methods and the reproducibility of elemental analysis for different sample sizes from 5 mg to 100 mg. The results indicate that those elements that are most suitable for geochemical characterization, such as rare earth elements (REE), high‐field strength elements (HFSE) and certain mobile elements (Rb, Sr, Th, U), show excellent reproducibility with an average relative standard deviation (RSD) of 3% between open‐beaker and pressured ‘bomb’ digestion methods. This observation rules out the presence of refractory phases such as zircon, which can only dissolve in pressured ‘bombs’, and suggests that the results from open‐beaker digestion are reliable. The ICP–MS data for powders of different weights ranging from 10 to 100 mg collected from two fine‐grained basalt artefacts display excellent reproducibility, with a RSD of <5% for the most important elements. The reproducibility is reduced when including the 5 mg weight fraction (RSD of ～2–9%), which is still sufficient for archaeological applications. Our results demonstrate the usefulness of 10 mg samples for elemental measurement, which is valuable for geochemical characterization and sourcing of fine‐grained basalt artefacts from museum collections that require minimal destructive sampling.     

ELECTROCHEMISTRY AND AUTHENTICATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL LEAD USING VOLTAMMETRY OF MICROPARTICLES: APPLICATION TO THE TOSSAL DE SANT MIQUEL IBERIAN PLATE

An essentially non‐invasive electrochemical methodology addressed to the authentication of archaeological lead is described. The method is based on the record of the voltammetric response of nanosamples from the archaeological artefact mechanically transferred to a graphite ‘pencil’ electrode in contact with aqueous buffers. Three diagnostic criteria for authentication are described based on the appearance of: (i) oxidative dissolution signals for trace metals like copper, arsenic, antimony and, often, tin and silver accompanying stripping peaks for lead, (ii) peak potential shifts for reduction peaks for patination products, and (iii) the presence of reduction peaks for PbO₂. The method is applied to the authentication of an Iberian lead plate from the Tossal de Sant Miquel (Llíria, Spain) site using a series of genuine and false pieces from different provenances in the Valencian region (Spain).     

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE AMPHORAE,STONE BALLAST AND STOWAGE MATERIALS OF THE SHIPS FROM THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF PISA–SAN ROSSORE,ITALY: INFERENCES ON THEIR PROVENANCE AND POSSIBLE TRADING ROUTES*

In December 1998, during excavation for the construction of a new building near San Rossore railway station in Pisa, the remains of ancient ships were discovered. These findings have been dated (radiocarbon) to between the end of the 10th century bc and the fifth century ad ( Belluomini et al. 2002 ). Several transport amphorae belonging to the Hellenistic ship, samples of rocks (stone ballast) belonging to ships B, D and the Hellenistic ship, and stowage materials belonging only to ship B have been analysed. The mineralogical and petrographic data of the investigated samples provided information on the possible provenance of the raw materials utilized in the manufacture of the ceramic amphorae, as well as on the provenance of the rock materials found in the ships as ballast and stowage. The compositional data (obtained through XRD, XRF, OM and EPMA) and their statistical analyses suggest that the provenance of the Dressel amphorae belonging to the Hellenistic ship was the Middle Tyrrhenian coast of Italy, and more precisely the area between Tarquinia and Naples, according to the numerous kilns and wine production sites found in this area. The provenance of the volcanic rocks was from southern Tuscany, northern Latium and possibly the Pontine Islands, whereas the intrusive rock possibly comes from the Calabrian–Tyrrhenian coast and/or the Peloritani area. The impure limestones and the dolostone come from southern Tuscany and the Latium coast; the semi‐metamorphic rocks could come from the coast of southern Tuscany, the Tuscan Archipelago or possibly also from the Ligurian coast; only the sample of mylonitized granitoid possibly comes from either the Calabria–Peloritani arc or the Tuscan Archipelago. The stowage materials, consisting of lapilli and scoria of a pyroclastic nature, are sourced from the Neapolitan area. These data might shed some light on the centres of production of the amphorae and of the trading routes followed by the ships, according to the ports of call.