Showing papers in "Environmental Archaeology in 2005"
TL;DR: In this paper, the significance of the analysis of archaeological wood charcoal macro-remains as a tool for the reconstruction of woodland vegetation and its exploitation is discussed, drawing from both older and more recent publications a number of theoretical and methodological approaches are examined.
Abstract: In this paper the significance of the analysis of archaeological wood charcoal macro-remains as a tool for the reconstruction of woodland vegetation and its exploitation is discussed. Drawing from both older and more recent publications a number of theoretical and methodological approaches are examined. It is suggested that greater integration of charcoal and archaeological data is needed when evaluating charcoal preservation and sample composition, and that a more coherent theory of the complex ecological and cultural processes affecting species availability and firewood management needs to be developed.
296 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report on the zooarchaeological and archaeobotanical remains from the initial season of excavations at the Norse period site at Undir Junkarinsflotti in the Faroe islands.
Abstract: This paper reports on the zooarchaeological and archaeobotanical remains from the initial season of excavations at the Norse period site at Undir Junkarinsflotti in the Faroe islands. These remains represent the first zooarchaeological analysis undertaken for the Faroes and only the third archaeobotanical assemblage published from the islands. The excavated deposits are described and the key findings from the palaeoenvironmental remains highlighted within the context of the wider North Atlantic environmental archaeology of the Norse period.
60 citations
TL;DR: Palaeotransfer functions from dinoflagellate cyst assemblages provide quantitative estimates of changes in sea surface temperature (SST) and sea ice cover (SIC) with the accuracy of historical measurements as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Climate warming of >1.5°C over three decades has diminished Arctic sea ice and forced drastic changes on Inuit people of the Canadian Arctic. Discontinuities in archaeological records also suggest that climatic changes may have caused site abandonment and life style shifts in Paleo- and Neo-eskimo societies. We therefore examine the decadal-scale palaeoclimatic changes recorded by quantitative palynological data in marine records from Coburg Polynya, near Palaeo- and Neo-eskimo settlements on the North Devon Lowlands, and from the North Water Polynya between Canada and Northwest Greenland. Palaeotransfer functions from dinoflagellate cyst assemblages provide quantitative estimates of changes in sea surface temperature (SST) and sea ice cover (SIC) with the accuracy of historical measurements.Both sites record temperature variations of 2–4°C corresponding to changes in hunting modes and occupation-abandonment cycles on Devon and Ellesmere Islands. Our data show that from ∼6500 to 2600 BP, there we...
38 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a zooarchaeological analysis of the two largest radiocarbon dated contexts, and places the Akurvik collections in the wider context of intra-Icelandic and inter-regional trade in preserved fish.
Abstract: Excavations in 1990 in North-West Iceland documented a stratified series of small turf structures and associated midden deposits at the eroding beach at Akurvik which date from the 11th–13th to the 15th–16th centuries AD. The site reflects a long series of small discontinuous occupations, probably associated with seasonal fishing. The shell sand matrix had allowed excellent organic preservation and an archaeofauna of over 100,000 identifiable fragments was recovered. The collections are dominated by fish, mainly Atlantic cod, but substantial amounts of whale bone suggest extensive exploitation of strandings or active whaling. This paper briefly summarizes the excavation results, presents a zooarchaeological analysis of the two largest radiocarbon dated contexts, and places the Akurvik collections in the wider context of intra-Icelandic and inter-regional trade in preserved fish. Analysis of the Akurvik collection and comparison with other Icelandic collections from both inland and coastal sites d...
30 citations
TL;DR: The number of vegetables, herbs and spices that have been recovered from Greek archaeological contexts (dated between 900 and 400 B.C.) allow a discussion of the status of these plants as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The number of vegetables, herbs and spices that have been recovered from Greek archaeological contexts (dated between 900 and 400 B.C.) allow a discussion of the status of these plants. Although not all plants are preserved equally well or recovered systematically, it is clear that a variety of vegetables, herbs and spices was known and widely used in antiquity. Literary references to these species need to be studied with reference to their archaeobotanical evidence. This paper summarises the data currently known for the remains of vegetables, herbs and spices, retrieved from historical contexts, together with literary evidence (when it is available).
28 citations
TL;DR: Carbonised plant remains discovered in the Early Bronze Age (II) levels of Yenibademli Höyük on Gökçeada, one of offshore islands of west Anatolia, yielded a broad spectrum of crop plants comprising cereals and legumes, the latter of which appears to be of greater importance in both range and abundance.
Abstract: Carbonised plant remains discovered in the Early Bronze Age (II) levels of Yenibademli Hoyuk on Gokceada, one of offshore islands of west Anatolia, are presented Archaeobotanical analysis of the plant remains dating from ca 2900–2600 BC yielded a broad spectrum of crop plants comprising cereals and legumes, the latter of which appears to be of greater importance in both range and abundance Deliberate crop mixtures (maslins) consisting of bitter vetch/wheat, fava bean/barley and wheat/barley are deduced from the pattern of crop storage on the site It is considered that the seeds of Lathyrus clymenum L (Spanish vetchling) recovered in large amounts are the most ancient archaeobotanical samples of this domesticated legume found in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean sites so far
17 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a first order dry stream channel located in a valley east of the main site was surveyed and soil pits excavated in selected locations, showing that the small valley is filled with soil to a depth of more than 3 m above bedrock.
Abstract: As part of the long-term archaeological project being conducted at Tell e-Sâfi/Gath in the semi-arid foothills of the Judean Mountains, a first order dry stream channel located in a valley east of the main site was surveyed and soil pits excavated in selected locations. A ditch, 10 m in length, was dug perpendicular to one of the agricultural terraces, showing that the small valley is filled with soil to a depth of more than 3 m above bedrock. The fill dates mainly to the Byzantine period (ca. 4th-7th cent. CE), according to the ceramic sherds. Three check-dam walls and related terraces were found across the width of the valley. Surprisingly, the base of the check-dam does not go deeper than 50 em into the uppermost part of the fill, well above bedrock or gravel layers, while covering only the upper part of the terrace step. Thus we use the term “floating terrace wall” or “floating check-dams”. Each of the terrace walls is about 0.5 m high and 50 m long. The valley is bound by two slopes: (1) a no...
13 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present new data on ringed seal hunting in the Early Palaeoeskimo period (ca. 4000-3500 B.P.) in the eastern Canadian Arctic.
Abstract: This paper presents new data on ringed seal hunting in the Early Palaeoeskimo period (ca. 4000–3500 B.P.) in the eastern Canadian Arctic. Skeletal age schedules, thin sections of ringed seal canine teeth and skeletal element frequency analysis, provides the means to reconstruct specific seal hunting strategies, especially as regards the selection of particular age classes, season of hunt, and locations for hunting. The zooarchaeological data indicate a human predation pattern similar to the winter hunting pattern of polar bears. Most remains are from seals between the skeletal ages of four and seven/ eight – indicating the selection of juvenile and young adult seals from along ice leads and at refrozen cracks. Skeletal element representation allows for the tentative identification of sharing among households.
12 citations
TL;DR: Five Coleoptera faunas recovered from modern non-cereal roofing thatches were analysed to determine whether phytophage taxa contained in the thatch would correspond to the material used, and the absence of matching phytophile species suggests these insects would have limited potential to allow the identification of these types of roofing material in the archaeological record.
Abstract: Five Coleoptera faunas recovered from modern non-cereal roofing thatches (potato stem, bracken, water reed, heather and gorse) were analysed to determine whether phytophage taxa contained in the thatch would correspond to the material used. The absence of matching phytophage species suggests that these insects would have limited potential to allow the identification of these types of roofing material in the archaeological record.
10 citations
TL;DR: Ervynck et al. as discussed by the authors presented an attempt to deal with the problems outlined on a theoretical basis, and uses a number of case studies to elucidate the methodological problems involved.
Abstract: It has been proposed that the detailed recording of tooth eruption and wear (following Grant 1982) could shed light on the evaluation of seasonal slaughtering patterns in medieval domestic pig populations (Ervynck 1997). However, justifiable criticisms have been raised against the methodology proposed, necessitating a review of data obtained and an evaluation of possible methodological biases. The present contribution presents an attempt to deal with the problems outlined on a theoretical basis, and uses a number of case studies to elucidate the methodological problems involved. The results of the analysis indicate that the reliability of the Grant method could well differ per species, most probably including fewer inherent problems for domestic pigs than for sheep (and cattle).
10 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, Maney et al. present a survey of the state of the art in environmental archaeology, focusing on the following areas of interest: environment, ecology, and sustainability. www.maneypublishing.com/journals/env and www.ingentaconnect.com
Abstract: Made available with permission from Maney Publishing / Environmental Archaeology. www.maneypublishing.com/journals/env and www.ingentaconnect.com/content/maney/env.
TL;DR: New evidence is presented to challenge the accepted view that both the house mouse Mus musculus domesticus and the field mouse Apodemus sylvaticus were introduced to Shetland by the Vikings.
Abstract: This paper presents new evidence to challenge the accepted view that both the house mouse Mus musculus domesticus and the field mouse Apodemus sylvaticus were introduced to Shetland by the Vikings. Archaeological remains of both Mus and Apodemus have been recovered from the site of Old Scatness Broch. While both mice were present in deposits dating to around the period of early Viking incursions, Apodemus has also been identified in a number of deposits dated to the middle Iron Age (200 BC–AD 400), while Mus bones have also been recovered from two well sealed contexts also of middle Iron Age date.
TL;DR: The Animal Bone Metrical Archive Project (ABMAP) as mentioned in this paper is a database of animal bone measurements from the Neolithic to the 19th century AD from assemblages in England, most from southern England.
Abstract: A database of animal bone measurements, the Animal Bone Metrical Archive Project (ABMAP), is now available on the Web at http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/specColl/abmap. The measurements can be downloaded and imported into a spreadsheet. They are of bones of domestic animals from the Neolithic to the 19 th century AD from assemblages in England, most from southern England. An example is given of the retrieval of measurements of cattle metacarpals and their application in a scatter diagram. The database is a resource for zooarchaeologists and others concerned with research into prehistoric and early historic domestic livestock and animal husbandry.
TL;DR: In this paper, the analysis of plant macrofossils from peat deposits is a common procedure, but little work has been undertaken to assess the chemical and mechanical methods of disaggregating samples mentioned by researchers in their methodologies.
Abstract: The analysis of plant macrofossils from peat deposits is a common procedure, but little work has been undertaken to assess the chemical and mechanical methods of disaggregating samples mentioned by researchers in their methodologies. Experimental work was carried out on material from a peat monolith from the Faroe Islands to ascertain the effectiveness of processing using a sonic bath, sodium carbonate and potassium hydroxide for disaggregating the samples. The amount of damage caused to different modern plant parts was also assessed. The results indicate that sodium carbonate and potassium hydroxide are the most effective methods of disaggregation. Damage to plant parts was caused more quickly by potassium hydroxide than sodium carbonate.
TL;DR: In this paper, the fill of a Late Bronze Age well on the archaeological site of Sint-Gillis-Waas/Kluizemolen (Flanders, Belgium), a black mulberry pollen grain was identified.
Abstract: During the palynological investigation of the fill of a Late Bronze Age well on the archaeological site of Sint-Gillis-Waas/Kluizemolen (Flanders, Belgium), a black mulberry (Morus nigra L.) pollen grain was identified. Although this find still represents the only evidence available, it could imply that the tree was grown locally in late prehistoric times. Macrobotanical remains of black mulberry (especially seeds) are only known as Roman introductions in nearby regions such as France, Germany and the British Isles.