Dyes from the Tumilaca and Chiribaya Cultures, South Coast of Peru

During the terminal stages of the Tiwanaku state at the end of Middle Horizon, at least two new cultural groups appeared in the archaeological record of the coastal Osmore valley in southern Peru. The cultures are now known as Tumilaca and Chiribaya. Radiocarbon dating, as well as stylistic and technological comparison of textile remains, established the coexistence and close relationship between both cultures. Chemical and physical examination of textiles from both cultures was undertaken to gain a better understanding of the dyestuffs and techniques used. Attempts were made to identify dyestuff mordants by energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDXRF). Dyestuffs were analysed by the complementary use of UV-vis absorption spectrophotometry (UVAS), thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and a number of microchemical tests.Distinct differences were found in the dyestuffs and textile techniques used in both cultures.     

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF STONE ARTEFACT MATERIALS AND THE EFFECT OF HEAT TREATMENT*

Mechanical testing of lithologies used for stone tool manufacture has shown that fracture toughness is the most objective measure of the quality of raw materials shaped by either flaking or pecking/grinding. Materials amenable to pressure flaking and blade manufacture have low values of fracture toughness, whereas those shaped by pecking/grinding have high values. The fracture toughness test is also the most definitive for quantifying the improvement in flaking properties of materials subjected to intentional heat treatment. Cryptocrystalline and macrocrystalline siliceous lithologies demonstrate a well-defined, gradual reduction in fracture toughness with increased temperature. When heated to optimum temperatures, their fracture toughness approaches that of obsidian, the lithology generally regarded as having the best flaking properties.     

Black Gloss Pottery: Production Sites and Technology in Northern Etruria,Part I: Provenance Studies

The object of the present study is an assemblage of 149 black gloss pottery samples found in northern Etruria (Tuscany, Italy), at Arezzo, Volterra, Chiusi and Populonia. Complete chemical analyses have been performed for the whole set of samples, whereas mineralogical characterization has been provided for most of the Volterra, Chiusi and Populonia samples. The Chiusi‐Marcianella production site has been the further object of a detailed study aimed at the creation of a complete reference group. Moreover, several trade routes have been reconstructed, shedding light on the import and export of these ceramics from inland Etruria to the coast and vice versa.     

REVIEW ARTICLE USE-WEAR ANALYSIS: THE STATE OF THE ART

This paper is a review of the recent developments in use-wear analysis. The focus is on some key issues: polish formation, quantification of use-wear, residue analysis and the way these related themes have affected methods of use-wear analysis. A brief history of the development of use-wear analysis is presented and a discussion of blind tests, expert systems (explained at length in the ‘Appendix’) and how use-wear analysis can be incorporated into the chaîne opératoire approach to the interpretation of Stone Age sites.     

AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION OF GEOTECHNICAL SOUNDINGS UNDER THE METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL,MEXICO CITY

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City has undergone alarmingly large differential settlings. An extensive geotechnical investigation programme was performed in its subsoil, as part of the studies required in an ongoing salvage project. The results of many of the soundings performed can be interpreted from the viewpoint of the archaeologist. This paper shows, based upon the framework provided by previous archaeological research performed in the cathedral, that the geotechnical investigations allow the unique opportunity of establishing hypotheses regarding the extent and distribution of some of the structures that existed in the ritual precinct of Tenochtitlan, as well as of its foundation.