Showing papers in "Antiquity in 2003"
TL;DR: This paper showed how declassified military photographs of north-eastern Syria are revealing the routeways, and by inference the agricultural systems of Mesopotamia in the early Bronze Age, by inferring the agricultural system from military photographs.
Abstract: Middle-eastern archaeologists are winning new information from declassified military photographs taken 25 years ago. This study shows how pictures of north-eastern Syria are revealing the routeways, and by inference the agricultural systems of Mesopotamia in the early Bronze Age.
229 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors make use of a new database of radiocarbon dates from Mesolithic and Neolithic sites to map the transition in Europe from the south-east to the north-west.
Abstract: Understanding the introduction of farming and the adoption of Neolithic culture continues to be a major research objective in Europe. The authors make use of a new database of radiocarbon dates from Mesolithic and Neolithic sites to map the transition. While the overall effect is still a diffusion into Europe from the south-east, detailed spatial analysis reveals fascinating local variations: in some places change was rapid, and one population replaced another, in others it was gradual and owed to incoming ideas rather than people.
215 citations
TL;DR: The first direct scientific evidence for the beginnings of agriculture in the Korean peninsula was reported by as discussed by the authors, who reported the first direct evidence that agriculture began in the Korea peninsula in the early 1800s.
Abstract: The authors report the first direct scientific evidence for the beginnings of agriculture in the Korean peninsula.
162 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used a log of celery pine from within Kaharoa deposits to derive a new precise date for the eruption via "wiggle-matching" -matching the radiocarbon dates of a sequence of samples from the log with the Southern Hemisphere calibration curve.
Abstract: Dating initial colonisation and environmental impacts by Polynesians in New Zealand is controversial. A key horizon is provided by the Kaharoa Tephra, deposited from an eruption of Mt Tarawera, because just underneath this layer are the first signs of forest clearance which imply human settlement. The authors used a log of celery pine from within Kaharoa deposits to derive a new precise date for the eruption via “wiggle-matching” – matching the radiocarbon dates of a sequence of samples from the log with the Southern Hemisphere calibration curve. The date obtained was 1314 ± 12 AD (2σ error), and the first environmental impacts and human occupation are argued to have occurred in the previous 50 years, i.e. in the late 13th – early 14th centuries AD. This date is contemporary with earliest settlement dates determined from archaeological sites in the New Zealand archipelago.
149 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors summarise the archaeological evidence and suggest some of the routes taken by the earliest humans coming out of Africa, including one implying the use of boats, suggesting that early populations adapted to a hospitable environment, but had later to adapt to the advance of the desert.
Abstract: The Middle Palaeolithic record of the Arabian Peninsula can provide crucial evidence for understanding human dispersal. The authors summarise the archaeological evidence and suggest some of the routes taken by the earliest humans coming out of Africa, including one implying the use of boats. Early populations adapted to a hospitable environment, but had later to adapt to the advance of the desert.
123 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors showed how hafting arrangements can be recognized from macro-and microwear traces on the stone objects, based on experimental evidence, and showed how the haft arrangement can be identified from macro and microwave traces.
Abstract: How were stone tools hafted? Based on experimental evidence the author shows how hafting arrangements can be recognised from macro-and microwear traces on the stone objects.
110 citations
TL;DR: The famous upper Palaeolithic (Gravettian) burial with shell ornaments known as “Il Principe” was discovered in Italy sixty years ago.
Abstract: The famous upper Palaeolithic (Gravettian) burial with shell ornaments known as “Il Principe” was discovered in Italy sixty years ago. Here the authors present recent scientific research on his skeleton, leading to new assessments of the date of the burial and indications of diet.
95 citations
TL;DR: Thomas as mentioned in this paper argued that the British Neolithic was a take-it-or-leave-it "package" which included building monuments and giving up fish, and there was some room for creative packaging on the home front.
Abstract: Was the British Neolithic a take-it-or-leave-it “package” which included building monuments and giving up fish? Julian Thomas thinks there was some room for creative packaging on the home front.
93 citations
TL;DR: This paper used examples from Andean archaeology to show how different foodstuffs perform ceremonial roles in different sectors of society, while the elite may put significance on a variety of consumables, including human blood.
Abstract: Certain kinds of food can be classed as “luxurious” because they are difficult to procure and reserved for an elite – but luxury foods can be more surely defined from their context of use. Using examples from Andean archaeology the author shows how different foodstuffs perform ceremonial roles in different sectors of society. Many ordinary people use them to feed the ancestors, while the elite may put significance on a variety of consumables, including human blood.
87 citations
TL;DR: New discoveries of cave art at Chauvet and elsewhere have produced radiocarbon dates which may seem startlingly early and demand dramatic revision to the traditional stylistic sequence as discussed by the authors, which may themselves need better validation.
Abstract: New discoveries of cave art at Chauvet and elsewhere have produced radiocarbon dates which may seem startlingly early and demand dramatic revision to the traditional stylistic sequence. The authors warn that the radiocarbon dates may themselves need better validation.
82 citations
TL;DR: This new view of Iron Age society in Kazakhstan breaks away from the old documentary and ethnic framework and offers an independent archaeological chronology as mentioned in this paper, showing that nomadism and cultivation were practised side by side.
Abstract: This new view of Iron Age society in Kazakhstan breaks away from the old documentary and ethnic framework and offers an independent archaeological chronology. Excavated house types and new environmental data show that nomadism and cultivation were practised side by side. Scholars had previously tended to emphasise the ability of documented Saka leaders to plunder and collect tribute from sedentary agriculture groups through military aggression. But what really gave them a political and economic edge over other steppe groups was a dual economy based upon farming and herding.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show how technical studies of beads made of agate and carnelian are informative indicators of social conditions and contacts between regions, and the beads in question throw new light on the relations between India and South-east Asia in the first millennium BC.
Abstract: The author shows how technical studies of beads made of agate and carnelian are informative indicators of social conditions and contacts between regions. The beads in question throw new light on the relations between India and South-east Asia in the first millennium BC.
TL;DR: The authors reported the oldest human skeletal assemblage found so far in the pacific islands: at the site of Chalechol Ra Orrak on Palau, Micronesia.
Abstract: The author reports the oldest human skeletal assemblage found so far in the pacific Islands: at the site of Chalechol Ra Orrak on Palau, Micronesia.
TL;DR: From their research in Jordan, the authors show that the appearance of early farming and herding communities in western Asia coincided with a large expansion in stone bead production, reflecting a new social role for personal ornament.
Abstract: From their research in Jordan, the authors show that the appearance of early farming and herding communities in western Asia coincided with a large expansion in stone bead production. This reflects a new social role for personal ornament.
TL;DR: A recent workshop on dark earth, the homogeneous soil layer that often separates Roman from Early Medieval and Medieval strata in towns, prompted the authors to show how this concept, which developed in England, became altered when employed in mainland Europe as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: A recent workshop on ‘dark earth’, the homogeneous soil layer that often separates Roman from Early Medieval and Medieval strata in towns, prompted the authors to show how this concept, which developed in England, became altered when employed in mainland Europe. They present new research on what is actually a widespread phenomenon, and warn that uncritical assumptions about such layers made on the ground are losing important information.
TL;DR: Sillitoe et al. as discussed by the authors described some of the last direct evidence from users of stone tools and showed how procurement, manufacture, use, storage and the relative roles of men and women in the process was dependant on what other materials were available.
Abstract: This paper represents the joint work of two very different specialists. The fieldwork was undertaken by Sillitoe as part of his ethnographic research in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the interpretative work was done by an archaeologist, Hardy. The work described here represents some of the last direct evidence from users of stone tools. It shows how procurement, manufacture, use, storage and the relative roles of men and women in the process was dependant on what other materials were available – material often sadly elusive in the archaeological record. Discard did not reflect use, but was often guided by the thoughtful wish to avoid cut feet.
TL;DR: A new Upper Palaeolithic occupation layer has been discovered in 2000 at the site of Markina Gora (Kostenki 14) on the River Don (the Voronezh Oblast), in Russia.
Abstract: A new Upper Palaeolithic occupation layer has been discovered in 2000 at the site of Markina Gora (Kostenki 14) on the River Don (the Voronezh Oblast), in Russia. The layer was sealed by volcanic ash, suggesting that a natural catastrophe had put an end to a human settlement there, just as Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae were destroyed and buried following the powerful eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79. The Palaeolithic site is notable for its assemblage of ornaments
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reveal the symbolic role of cranes at Neolithic Catalhoyuk, Turkey and interpret the worked bones of the Common Crane (Grus grus) as coming from a spread wing used in dances, a ritual practice perhaps connected with the celebration of marriage.
Abstract: In this article, the authors reveal the symbolic role of cranes at Neolithic Catalhoyuk, Turkey. Worked bones of the Common Crane (Grus grus) are interpreted as coming from a spread wing used in dances, a ritual practice perhaps connected with the celebration of marriage.
TL;DR: In this article, isotopic data from cemeteries reveal a picture of increasing subtlety at local level, while early farmers may have been initially newcomers in the upper Rhine they may also have soon intermarried with contemporary hunter-gatherers in the uplands.
Abstract: Genetic studies of modern populations are raising many interesting questions about how far the modern gene pool is owed to incoming populations during the agricultural revolution in Neolithic Europe. But, as the authors show, studies of isotopic data from cemeteries reveal a picture of increasing subtlety at local level. While early farmers may have been initially newcomers in the upper Rhine they may also have soon intermarried with contemporary hunter-gatherers in the uplands.
TL;DR: Early Neolithic graves at Jiahu, Henan Province, China, include tortoise shells which are incised with signs as mentioned in this paper, some of which anticipate later Chinese characters and may be intended as words.
Abstract: Early Neolithic graves at Jiahu, Henan Province, China, include tortoise shells which are incised with signs – some of which anticipate later Chinese characters and may be intended as words. Is this the earliest writing? The authors decide rather that the signs in this very early period performed as symbols connected with ritual practice, but they presage a long period of sign use which led eventually to a writing system.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors use Bayesian methods to model a chronology and thus arrive at a sequence with clear assessments of uncertainty, showing that the regions of Europe, from the Upper Rhine to Britain, saw the return of humans.
Abstract: How and when was northern Europe reoccupied at the end of the last Ice Age? Radiocarbon dates from the earliest post-glacial contexts provide one answer: they offer a sequence in which the regions of Europe, from the Upper Rhine to Britain, saw the return of humans. The authors use Bayesian methods to model a chronology and thus arrive at a sequence with clear assessments of uncertainty.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors consider the impact that trees would have had on the visibility of the landscape from and around Neolithic monuments and suggest that woodland may have been an integral part of the way monuments were experienced.
Abstract: The authors consider the impact that trees would have had on the visibility of the landscape from and around Neolithic monuments. It is suggested that woodland may have been an integral part of the way monuments were experienced.
TL;DR: In this paper, the evidence for Mesolithic dwelling places surviving as posts, floors and assemblages is presented, which can be used to show how space was organised, where men and women slept, and how some of the implied family relationships anticipated Neolithic practice.
Abstract: In this paper the author assembles the evidence for Mesolithic dwelling places surviving as posts, floors and assemblages. This evidence can be used to show how space was organised, where men and women slept, and how some of the implied family relationships anticipated Neolithic practice.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors draw on archaeological and documentary evidence to show how African spiritual spaces were created in houses and gardens in the form of coded landscapes that were often hidden in view.
Abstract: How did enslaved African people in North America use material culture to create and signal their own identity? In a paper that has much significance for many other periods and places, the authors draw on archaeological and documentary evidence to show how African spiritual spaces were created in houses and gardens in the form of coded landscapes that were often hidden – though in view.
Abstract: The article by Bahn and Pettitt (above) carries the suggestion that the diverse dates obtained for Candamo in some way throw doubt on those for Chauvet and by implication on the performance of the Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement (LSCE) at Yvette-sur-Gif (Gif). The authors respond. Readers might also like to note the article by Marian Scott and colleagues which follows.
TL;DR: Multi-spectral imaging (MSI) has been adapted to read and record faded or burnt manuscripts as mentioned in this paper, which has potential for investigating the degraded ornamental surfaces of other artefacts.
Abstract: Multi-spectral imaging (MSI), which was developed to explore the surface of the earth and other planets from space, has been adapted to read and record faded or burnt manuscripts. The authors show how MSI achieved new readings from carbonised and damaged fragments of papyrus scrolls from Herculaneum, Petra and the Judean Desert. The method has potential for investigating the degraded ornamental surfaces of other artefacts.
TL;DR: Radiocarbon dating of organic resin found on some of the sherds at Spirit Cave, Thailand gave a date of around 3000 BP, another example of improved precision in dating by pin-pointing the context and using AMS.
Abstract: Pottery found at Spirit Cave, Thailand, has been claimed as among the earliest ceramics in the world – a radiocarbon date of 7500 BP being obtained from associated charcoal. However radiocarbon dating of organic resin found on some of the sherds gave a date of around 3000 BP. This is another example of improved precision in dating by pin-pointing the context and using AMS. The authors describe how it was done and assess its validity
TL;DR: In this paper, shell middens in the Algarve region of southern Portugal show continuity of marine exploitation from the Mesolithic into the early Neolithic periods, where the Neolithic period is defined by the appearance of pottery in c 5500BC.
Abstract: New research on shell middens in the Algarve region of southern Portugal shows continuity of marine exploitation from the Mesolithic into the early Neolithic periods, where the Neolithic period is defined by the appearance of pottery in c 5500BC. The authors propose that either shellfish remained important to Neolithic people in Portugal or that Mesolithic and Neolithic subsistence strategies co-existed in this area for a relatively long time.
TL;DR: In this article, the question of whether iron working was brought to India during supposed immigrations in the second millennium BC, or developed independently was raised again, based on radiocarbon dates between 1800 and 1000 BC.
Abstract: Recent excavations in Uttar Pradesh have turned up iron artefacts, furnaces, tuyeres and slag in layers radiocarbon dated between 1800 and 1000 BC. This raises again the question of whether iron working was brought to India during supposed immigrations in the second millennium BC, or developed independently
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used a computer simulation incorporating the performance characteristics of sailing rafts to study prehistoric sea travel along the coast between West Mexico and Ecuador using a computer simulator.
Abstract: The author studies prehistoric sea travel along the coast between West Mexico and Ecuador using a computer simulation incorporating the performance characteristics of sailing rafts. The model predicts that while northward voyages may have taken as little as two months, southward voyages would have entailed at least five months and may have required a strategy that took the rafts offshore for as long as a month.