bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing archaeological evidence for seismic catastrophies
Authors: Rapp George 
Published: February 2007

AbstractArchaeologists frequently ascribe “destruction” layers uncovered during excavation to the effects of earthquake‐induced phenomena. Undoubtedly, ancient societies that lived in active seismic zones were as plagued by seismic destruction as we are today. However, other geological phenomena can account for many observed features. This paper reviews the geologic and archaeological background for assessing the evidence for prehistoric earthquake destruction.
Contemporary archaeomagnetic results and the accuracy of archaeomagnetic dates
Authors: Eighmy Jeffrey L. , Hathaway J. Holly 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWhen multiple archaeomagnetic samples are collected from the same site or component, it is tempting to look for evidence of temporal differences between the collected features. This paper addresses the issue of the practical limits to confidently identifying temporal differences based on archaeomagnetic sample information. Three controlled data sets suggest that when the specimen polar projections of the samples compared have substantially overlapping ranges and when sample mean projections are less than five degrees apart, statistical comparisons do not support conclusions about probable age differences. These results suggest that temporal differences less than 50 to 100 years (depending on the rate of directional change in the geomagnetic field) between features within a site or component will be difficult to confidently identify. Additional analysis leads to the hypothesis, however, that the averaged results from sets of archaeomagnetic samples might provide the basis for making fine scale temporal distinctions between sites or components from which multiple archaeomagnetic samples have been collected.
Thermoluminescence dating of an upper pleistocene site, Northern Pakistan
Authors: Rendell H. M. , Dennell R. W. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThermoluminescence (TL) dates are presented for the Upper Pleistocene loess sequence that overlies a Paleolithic site 14.5 km southeast of Rawalpindi, northern Pakistan (lat. 33° 30′ 30″ long. 73° 10′ 40″). These dates provide the first dating of Pleistocene blade assemblages in Pakistan, and also indicate that the loess is associated with the last, and not just the penultimate, glaciation of the Himalayas as had been previously thought. The site includes the remains of a structure and numerous blade tools, and may have been used for skin‐working or some comparable activity. The ten TL dates presented span the age range 64–24 ka, and imply an early date for blade industries in the northern part of the Indian sub‐continent of ca. 45–42 ka.
A spatial analysis of neolithic chambered cairns on the island of Arran, Scotland
Authors: Perry Christine M. , Davidson Donald A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe island of Arran, located to the west of central Scotland, has a dense concentration of Neolithic chambered cairns. The aim of this study is to determine by using a simulation analysis the extent to which thirteen factors influenced the distribution of cairns. Overall, proximity to arable land is shown to be of particular importance but the influence of stream order, coastal type, amplitude of relief, and aspect are also demonstrated to have been of relevance. Since there is little evidence from absolute dating, subdivision of cairns on typological grounds provides the only means for analyzing cairn distributions at three different phases. Results from simulation and cluster analysis indicate variation through time in importance of particular factors. Early cairns are only associated with low relief areas. For cairns of intermediate and later age, the factors as listed above are shown to have been of importance, with proximity to arable land becoming particularly relevant in the last phase. The paper discusses these results in terms of an increasing agricultural component to the Neolithic economy of Arran.
Mining for the lowest grade ore: Traditional iron production in northern Malawi
Authors: Wenner David B. , Van Merwe Nikolaas J. Der 
Published: February 2007

AbstractTwo contrasting, well preserved Iron Age mines are described from the Nyika Plateau of Malawi. At the first, Ncherenje, about 1600 m3 of material was mined over a linear distance of about 3 km from numerous shallow pits, several large excavations, and a number of underground shafts and horizontal tunnels. Here, low grade ore, ranging from 6.6 to 21.3 wt % Fe2O3 with small quantities of Fe‐ennched ironstone averaging about 36%, was excavated from the regolith which had developed upon gneissic bedrock. The second mine at Mbiri, is a single excavation where about 15.5 m3 of magnetite‐rich, partially weathered gneiss averaging 58% Fe2O3 was mined. Ethnographic studies as well as evidence from the mines themselves indicate that the low grade ore from Ncherenje was preferred by the smelters. The Mbiri ore contains insufficient silica to make a fayalite slag, a problem which can be overcome by adding old slag and lower grade material to the charge. Their two stage smelting technology, however, employs a primary natural draft furnace which essentially cannot produce high enough temperatures to melt high grade magnetite; it was apparently designed to process only low grade ore.
Prehistoric coastal ecologies: A view from outside Franchthi Cave, Greece
Authors: Thomas K. D. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractShackleton and van Andel have raised the question of past human selectivity in the collection of shellfish resources. They reconstruct, for the changing coastlines near Franchthi Cave during the post‐glacial transgression, changes in availability of various species of shellfish. The model of availability is compared with the archaeological record of shellfish from the cave. Shackleton and van Andel conclude that selectivity is demonstrated and that this was, in part, “idiosyncratic”.A critical analysis of the model leads to the conclusion that, while the reconstructions of the likely positions of past coastlines may be acceptable, the reconstructions of mollusc availability at various times in the past are highly improbable. Sea‐level change is not the only important determinant of past coastal ecology although it will, of course, have an impact on the ways in which coastal ecosystems developed. Other factors (including the physical and chemical properties of the substratum, levels of productivity, and biological interactions), operating at various spatial and chronological scales, cannot be ignored or even subordinated.The shellfish remains from the cave are the only objective evidence of man's exploitation of past coastal resources. Taphonomic analyses of the shells from the site would allow a number of important questions to be addressed, including the reasons for their collection and the possibility of over‐exploitation of certain species in the past.
A magnetic study of Etruscan bucchero pottery: An application of rock magnetism to archaeometry
Authors: Moskowitz Bruce M. , Lindsay Joel , Hemphill Pamela , Judson Sheldon 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe have applied techniques used in rock magnetism to the study of possible temporal changes in provenance and firing conditions of a collection of Etruscan bucchero pottery fragments representing the interval between 800 B.C. to 400 B.C. To our knowledge, this is the first time that such procedures have been applied to ancient ceramic wares. Our preliminary magnetic measurements demonstrate that this approach can provide useful archaeological information, as exemplified by the following results: (1) Bucchero ceramic styles sottile, spesso, and possibly pesante, contained magnetic particles of similar grain sizes, which suggested a common provenance and similar firing conditions for these pot typologies. (2) Ceramic styles buccheroid impasto and grey bucchero each had magnetic characteristics different from those in (1). However, too few samples of these were available for any definite conclusions. (3) The occurrence of magnetite, and not hematite, in all samples indicated that firing conditions were effectively reducing. (4) Variations in the amount of magnetite in different samples indicated that slight inhomogeneities must have existed in the iron oxide/hydroxide content of the local clay source.Most magnetic techniques are fast, easy, and generally nondestructive. Some magnetic properties, such as initial susceptibility, saturation remanent magnetization, and coercivity of remanence, can even be measured in the field. At the least, magnetic measurements can be used initially to discriminate among different groups of potsherds. Selected samples can then be analyzed with more elaborate methods of archaeometry.
Soil, archaeological, biotic, and climatic relationships for the late holocene of the Wyoming basin: The case of the Garrett Allen (Elk Mountain) site (48CR301)
Authors: Reider Richard G. , Hayter Michael A. , Zeimens George M. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSoils at the Garrett Allen (Elk Mountain) site (48CR301) along Quealy Spring in Carbon County, Wyoming, indicate nearly continuous, although episodic, meadow soil formation during much of Neoglacial or post‐Altithermal time at a mountain‐basin edge (elev. 2237 m) of the Wyoming Basin. Seven relict and buried meadow soils now under sagebrush (Haplaquents or Fluvaquents, Haplaquolls, and Argiaquolls) of the T1 terrace date less than 200 B.P. as well as around 200, 600, 900, 1700, and two soils at greater than 3100 B.P. Composite‐superposed soils of two or more of the individual soils are common. Some soils have E horizons and the older ones have intensely gleyed cambic or argillic subsoils. Development of meadow soils and deposition of their respective parent materials seem to coincide with glacial episodes in the region when the climate may have been somewhat humid. Occupations of the meadow by Archaic and younger cultural groups, whose artifacts occur mainly in A(O?) horizons of meadow soils, appear to coincide with these humid–glacial climates when the meadow grew and flourished. Changes in subsistence and settlement of these peoples may have been partly influenced by humid climates during glacial episodes when rangeland and habitat were able to support large human and animal populations. However, four major erosional unconformities separate some soils. These unconformities may coincide with times of lessened glacial activity when the climate may have become drier and the meadow decreased in size. During these times, human groups may have abandoned the meadow, left the region, or only sparsely occupied the plains and basins. The youngest unconformity developed when Quealy Spring cut from T1 to the T0 level in the last century. This appears to coincide with sagebrush invasion across portions of the meadow, although a small relict meadow still exists. Sagebrush invasion and downcutting of the drainage may relate to climatic drying in the last century. Fluvents are now forming in alluvium of the T0 level along the Quealy Spring drainage.
Late quaternary paleogeography of Middle Europe and the Northcentral United States: A framework for comparative studies of prehistoric man‐land relationships
Authors: Bower John , Kobusiewicz Michal 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe work summarized in this paper is an important component of a larger study concerned with the responses of prehistoric hunting‐gathering cultures to long term environmental change. the general approach involves comparing cultural systems and their transformations in Middle Europe and the northcentral United States during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene transition from glacial to interglacial conditions. This paper is specifically aimed at identifying ecological factors that may help account for similarities and differences in the cultural successions on opposite sides of the Atlantic. We conclude that, despite broadly similar environmental histories in both regions, important differences are evident in, for example, trajectories of climatic amelioration. These, together with differences in human demography, can be seen to have contributed toward shaping divergent cultural adaptations in Europe and North America.
Neo‐boreal climatic influences on the late prehistoric agricultural groups in the upper Mississippi Valley
Authors: Penman John T. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractArchaeological research in the Upper Mississippi River valley between 43°EN and the St. Croix River confluence (44.7°EN) has produced a series of large Oneota villages from which corn (Zea mays) has been recovered. Radiocarbon determinations indicate that the sites in the northern reach of this study area date from AD 1010 to 1440. These sites are characterized by large village areas and associated mound groups. Unlike villages in the northern region, sites in the LaCrosse area are more extensive, and burial mound complexes are absent. the southern villages have 14C dates ranging from AD 1030 to 1520. Based on the differences in community plans and artifact assemblages, it is suggested that the northern Oneota groups are not ancestors of the neighboring LaCrosse variant. Historical documents for Europe indicate that at similar latitudes, the climate began to deteriorate after AD 1300. With the onset of cooler summers characteristic of the Neo‐Boreal climatic episode, corn agriculture became unreliable in the northern portion of the Mississippi basin after AD 1400. In response to the unfavorable climatic conditions, large semi‐permanent villages were abandoned and an outward migration began. the peak cold at ca. AD 1550 (the “Little Ice Age”) caused the collapse of agriculture in the LaCrosse region as well. Historical documents, archaeological evidence, and palynological data indicate that the climatic “recovery” did not ensue in this region for more than two centuries. After AD 1750 climatic conditions were again favorable for the cultivation of aboriginal corn.
Late pleistocene paleoenvironmental studies from the Rocky Mountain Region: A comparison of pollen and insect fossil records
Authors: Elias Scott A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA regional paleoenvironmental reconstruction is presented for a north‐south transect of late glacial pollen and insect fossil sites from the Rocky Mountain region. Altitudinal treelines were depressed by an average of 671 m and summer temperatures were an average of 5.4° lower. the interpretation of paleoenvironmental conditions based on insect fossil evidence tends to show stronger departures from modern parameters than that based on palynology. While clear evidence for late glacial occupation of the region by Paleoindians is scarce, montane conditions were not so severe as to preclude human occupation, at least on a seasonal basis. Newly discovered sites of early occupation would benefit greatly from inter‐disciplinary studies.
The Bolton spring site, Connecticut; Early holocene human occupation and environmental changes in southern New England
Authors: Thorson Robert M. , McBride Kevin 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe recent discovery and excavation of the Bolton Spring Site, located in the glaciated uplands of eastern Connecticut, presents an enigma to archaeologists and geologists interested in dating and interpreting prehistoric human habitation sites. A single discrete charcoal‐bearing occupation level at the site was characterized by artifacts of the Middle Archaic Period (8000‐6000 B.P.) and contained an abundance of small‐mammal remains typical of the Holocene woodland fauna. Although the site seemed to present a clearcut opportunity for radiocarbon‐dating, C13‐corrected radiocarbon dates from the cultural horizon span nearly three thousand years. Our interpretation is that occupation occurred near the end of a depositional hiatus during which noncultural charcoal accumulated. Subsequent burial of the cultural layer by eolian sediments may have resulted from deflation of pre‐existing eolian sediments in the Connecticut River Valley during drier, mid‐Holocene conditions. Substantial rockfall activity and rubble movement on adjacent slopes may have been restricted to late Holocene time.
ESR dating of level L 2/3 at La Micoque (Dordogne), France: Excavations of Debénath and Rigaud
Authors: Schwarcz H. P. , Grün R. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractElectron spin resonance (ESR) dates have been obtained on enamel from horse teeth found in Layer L 2/3 of the lower Paleolithic archaeological site of La Micoque. the age given by six of the seven samples analyzed is between 241 ± 15 and 288 ± 10 ka, the ages given by models that postulate early or continuous (linear) uptake of uranium by the tooth, respectively.
A fractal technique for the classification of projectile point shapes
Authors: Kennedy Stephen K. , Lin Wei‐Hsiung 
Published: February 2007

AbstractCertain cultural information is expressed in the morphology of projectile points. the present paper presents a technique that can extract a large amount of information in the shape of these points. Using a concept from fractal geometry, the degree of shape irregularity is quantified. This technique can be used to document variability in shape of individual points within a point type, or among point types. In this paper, the shapes are segmented into two components (structural and textural), and points of similar characteristics plot closely in bivariate plots of these components. If necessary, the method can be modified to provide information at more than two scales.
Holocene settlement in the rio de la plata littoral (argentina): A methodological approach
Authors: Salemme Monica , Miotti Laura , Aquirre Marina 
Published: February 2007

AbstractCultural and faunal remains from archaeological sites of the Rio de La Plata littoral, Argentina, have been studied, attempting to verify their primary associations and occupations during the Holocene. the sites were localized within shell beach ridges more or less parallel to the present shore and are composed of bivalves, gastropods, scarce barnacles, and sandy sediments. the thanatocoenosis found could be equivalent to a transitional area between fluviomarine (mixohaline) and oceanic (polyeuhaline) gradients, i.e., an environment with greater salinity conditions than that of the adjacent coast in the present estuary. These deposits correspond to the Las Escobas Formation (Holocene).Archaeological remains were found from the base of the shell ridge up into the overlying sediments. the hypothesis proposed here is that the human occupation is not contemporaneous with the formation of the shell ridge. the cultural sequence in this kind of site can be altered by disturbances of the stratigraphy as a consequence of environmental and geological events.
The rockwall in rockwall, texas: A study of unusual natural magnetic effects in geoarcheological surveys produced by mineral oxidation
Authors: Ellwood Brooks B. , Payne Jana , Long Gary J. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe city council of Rockwall, Texas, decided in 1985 to build a park containing an exposure of the “famed” rockwall after which the city and county of Rockwall derive their names. This wall, thought to be man‐made because of it's unusual brick‐like appearance, was first discovered in 1851. As a result of weathering, the wall has no surface exposure and crews working for the city had not been able to find it. Geological studies, published between 1927 and 1950, clearly demonstrate that the rockwall is one of a series of sandstone dikes with a carbonate cement and some unusual material constituents.Geoarchaeological methods, including magnetic and electrical resistivity surveys, and Mössbauer studies were used in identifying the precise location of the rockwall. This was possible because of strongly magnetic secondary minerals produced within the wall by weathering of two primary mineral constituents, siderite and marcasite. the resulting natural magnetic anomaly pattern made it possible to pinpoint the wall's location. This pattern closely resembles those identified in association with historic or prehistoric cultural activity. Our observations may help explain why some archeological excavations, at sites associated with well defined magnetic anomalies, do not yield clear sources for those anomalies, i.e., buried cultural material. These anomalies may result from weathering or from other natural processes, and in some cases interpretation of such ambiguities can be resolved using mineralogical and geochemical data.
Geomorphic investigation of the terrebonne marsh, louisiana: Foundation for cultural resource surveys
Authors: Britsch L. D. , Smith L. M. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA geomorphic investigation of Terrebonne Marsh in south‐central Louisiana was conducted to establish a framework for subsequent cultural resource investigations. the investigation consisted of an initial phase of detailed geomorphic mapping, subsequent field investigations, sedimentological, biostratigraphical, and chronological analyses of field samples, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the area. the investigation substantiated and refined previous interpretations of the progradation of three Mississippi River deltas through the area. the earliest known Holocene delta, the Maringouin, was probably active in the area from 7000 to 6000 years before present (YBP). the Teche delta prograded through the area from 4500 to 3500 YBP. From approximately 2000 to 1000 YBP the Lafourche delta partially buried the Teche delta. the periods of approximately 6000‐4500, 3500‐2000, and 1000 YBP to present were characterized by deltaic subsidence and erosion. Distributary natural levees and beach ridges appear to be sites of major cultural focus in Terrebonne Marsh. Due to high rates of subsidence, older cultural components are either buried or disturbed by erosion.
A geoarchaeological reconstruction of cowpen slough, a late archaic site in east central louisiana
Authors: Debusschere K. , Miller B. J. , Ramenofsky A. F. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe reconstruct the depositional history of a late Holocene archaeological site, Cowpen Slough (16 CT 147) in the Catahoula Lowlands of east Central Louisiana, and we place that history in regional context. Procedures including grain‐size analysis, field descriptions of soil horizons, x‐ray diffraction of clay minerals, and total element analysis are employed to build a description of depositional units and parent material present in onsite sediment samples and off‐site subsurface core samples. to infer source, results of tests are integrated with radiocarbon dates and Saucier's chronology for this section in the Lower Mississippi Valley. We suggest that between 6000 and 4790 B.P. the Arkansas was the source of sediment present in the archaeological deposit. After 4790 B.P., sediments were deposited by the Mississippi river system.
Experimental thermal discoloration and heat conductivity studies of caliche from eastern new mexico
Authors: Lintz Christopher 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThermal experiments under laboratory conditions examined caliche discoloration and thermal conductivity/shock. the results provide information about caliche behavior under thermal conditions, which in some environmental settings will assist archaeologists in identifying discolored caliche from cultural activities as opposed to that from natural range fires. Generally, temperature intensity affects discoloration more than heat exposure duration. Sample colors change markedly towards darker values with carbon reduction between 300° and 700° C caliche glows during heating as the carbon oxidizes; the samples tend towards paler colors, lighter weight, and increased fissures. the thermal conductivity experiment compared heat transference of caliche with other lithic resources of the Llano Estacado, while the thermal shock measured caliche resilience. Metaquartzites and cherts from the Llano Estacado are better heat conductors than caliche, but caliche is far more resilient to repeated thermal shock.