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"Archaeological dating"
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Bayesian age models and stacks: combining age inferences from radiocarbon and benthic delta.sup.18O stratigraphic alignment
Previously developed software packages that generate probabilistic age models for ocean sediment cores are designed to either interpolate between different age proxies at discrete depths (e.g., radiocarbon, tephra layers, or tie points) or perform a probabilistic stratigraphic alignment to a dated target (e.g., of benthic [delta].sup.18 O) and cannot combine age inferences from both techniques. Furthermore, many radiocarbon dating packages are not specifically designed for marine sediment cores, and the default settings may not accurately reflect the probability of sedimentation rate variability in the deep ocean, thus requiring subjective tuning of the parameter settings. Here we present a new technique for generating Bayesian age models and stacks using ocean sediment core radiocarbon and probabilistic alignment of benthic [delta].sup.18 O data, implemented in a software package named BIGMACS (Bayesian Inference Gaussian Process regression and Multiproxy Alignment of Continuous Signals). BIGMACS constructs multiproxy age models by combining age inferences from both radiocarbon ages and probabilistic benthic [delta].sup.18 O stratigraphic alignment and constrains sedimentation rates using an empirically derived prior model based on 37 .sup.14 C-dated ocean sediment cores (Lin et al., 2014). BIGMACS also constructs continuous benthic [delta].sup.18 O stacks via a Gaussian process regression, which requires a smaller number of cores than previous stacking methods. This feature allows users to construct stacks for a region that shares a homogeneous deep-water [delta].sup.18 O signal, while leveraging radiocarbon dates across multiple cores. Thus, BIGMACS efficiently generates local or regional stacks with smaller uncertainties in both age and [delta].sup.18 O than previously available techniques. We present two example regional benthic [delta].sup.18 O stacks and demonstrate that the multiproxy age models produced by BIGMACS are more precise than their single-proxy counterparts.
Journal Article
Large Terrace Structure Unearthed in the Heart of the City Zone of Īśānapura: Could It Be the ‘Great Hall’ Described in the Book of Sui?
The archaeological complex of Sambor Prei Kuk is identified with Īśānapura, the capital of the Chenla Kingdom in the early 7th century, a political predecessor to the Angkor Empire. Previous studies have largely focused on the eastern temple zone, where numerous Hindu religious structures are concentrated, while the western moated city area—presumably the core of urban and political activity—has remained underexplored. This paper presents the results of recent archaeological excavations at a large central mound within the city zone, which is hypothesized to have functioned as a key administrative facility. The excavation revealed a large-scale and uniquely configured terraced structure, unprecedented within the site, and radiocarbon dating suggests its construction dates from the mid 6th to mid 7th century. Notably, a Chinese historical source from the same period, the Book of Sui, describes a “Great Hall” in Īśānapura where the king administered state affairs. The characteristics and spatial context of the excavated structure suggest a possible correspondence with this account. In addition, LiDAR-derived topographic data identified multiple linear and structural features extending eastward from the mound, indicating that it may have stood at the rear of a more extensive administrative compound. These findings offer new insights into the urban structure of Īśānapura and the political architecture of early Khmer civilization.
Journal Article
Provenancing 16.sup.th and 17.sup.th century CE building timbers in Denmark-combining dendroprovenance and Sr isotopic analysis
Dendrochronology (tree-ring analysis) allows us to precisely date and identify the origin of timber from historic contexts. However, reference datasets to determine the origin can include timber of non-local origin. Therefore, we have applied Sr isotopic on timbers from three buildings in Jutland, Denmark, mostly dating from the late 16.sup.th and early 17.sup.th centuries CE to improve and refine the provenance identification. The dendrochronology suggested that some timbers analysed were imported from the Swedish side of Øresund/Kattegat while others were local, and others again might be from south Norway. By adding the Sr isotopic analysis, a far more detailed interpretation of the origin of these timbers can be presented for non-Danish timbers. In this paper we suggest that Danish ports in the provinces of Halland and Skåne played a major role in the timber trade between the Danish and Swedish parts of the Danish kingdom. For Danish timbers dendroprovenancing proved better than Sr isotopic analysis. Furthermore, a small number of Sr isotopic analyses were performed to contribute to the base-line along the Göta-river in Southern-Sweden.
Journal Article
The Southern African stone age sequence updated (II)
A decade ago, we summarised the South African and Lesotho Stone Age technocomplex sequence as a heuristic exercise, anchored in 242 dated assemblages (Lombard et al. 2012). Following Clarke (1968), Sampson (1974) and Deacon (1980), we defined a technocomplex as a group of industries characterised by assemblages that have many, but not all, properties in common. Spatiotemporal changes and shifts in artefact design and frequencies owing to material use/availability and socio-economic factors are built into the framework. The accompanying dataset was intended to serve as a useful resource to both students and professionals, and to fuel research and debate.
Journal Article
Early Holocene ice on the Begguya plateau revealed by ice core .sup.14C age constraints
Investigating North Pacific climate variability during warm intervals prior to the Common Era can improve our understanding of the behavior of ocean-atmosphere teleconnections between low latitudes and the Arctic under future warming scenarios. However, most of the existing ice core records from the Alaskan and Yukon region only allow access to climate information covering the last few centuries. Here we present a surface-to-bedrock age scale for a 210 m long ice core recovered in 2013 from the summit plateau of Begguya (Mt. Hunter; Denali National Park, Central Alaska). Combining dating by annual layer counting with absolute dates from micro-radiocarbon dating, a continuous chronology for the entire ice core archive was established using an ice flow model. Calibrated .sup.14 C ages from the deepest section (209.1 m, 7.7 to 9.0 ka cal BP) indicate that basal ice on Begguya is at least of early Holocene origin. A series of samples from a shallower depth interval (199.8 to 206.6 m) were dated with near-uniform .sup.14 C ages (3 to 5 ka cal BP). Our results suggest this may be related to an increase in annual net snow accumulation rates over this period following the Northern Hemisphere Holocene Climate Optimum (around 8 to 5 kyr BP). With absolute dates constraining the timescale for the last 8 kyr BP, this paleo-archive will allow future investigations of Holocene climate and the regional evolution of spatial and temporal changes in atmospheric circulation and hydroclimate in the North Pacific.
Journal Article
Returning to Makekur: Re-evaluating the Occupational Sequence of the Early-Middle Lapita Site of Makekur (FOH), Arawe Islands, Papua New Guinea
The site of Makekur, located in the Arawe Islands of Papua New Guinea, has for some years been considered unique amongst the sites of the Lapita distribution. Representing one of the earliest Lapita sites in the region to have evidence of long-term continuing occupation from the Early through to at least the Middle Periods, the radiocarbon and pottery records of Makekur form a key foundation for understanding not just the lives of the Lapita people that called it home, but also the emergence of the Lapita Cultural Complex and the changes it underwent over time and space. However, a new chronology proposed by Specht and Gosden (2019) has raised doubts as to the validity of these original interpretations. This study uses Bayesian statistical analysis and stylistic analysis to re-assess the radiocarbon chronology, form, and decoration of pottery assemblages from Makekur. It looks to understand whether a multi-phase occupation spanning the Early to Middle Periods can be identified within both the radiocarbon and ceramic records, and in so doing evaluates the reliability of the stylistic attributes used to differentiate deposits of differing ages. The study concludes that Makekur was occupied during the Early Period between 3274 – 2803 cal. B.P. and continued into the Middle Period starting between 3059 – 2889 cal. B.P., followed by slightly later occupational events in the same period between 2998 – 2855 cal. B.P. and approximately 2709 – 1402 cal. B.P. Finally, it further concludes that pottery of the Early and Middle Periods was stylistically unique, and clearly delineated between deposits of differing ages.
Journal Article
Unravelling the function of funerary pottery vessels of the 2.sup.nd-1.sup.st millennia BC in the Dailaman Province through typology, petrography, and organic residue analyses
Pottery vessels often comprise major burial goods at archaeological sites, thus providing valuable information for reconstructing past mortuary practices. However, because of the uncertainty of its function or use, which has been interpreted mostly through typological studies alone, the analytical potential of pottery as a burial good has not been fully exploited. This study applied bio-chemical and geochemical analyses for the first time to funerary pottery vessels of the Iron Age of North Iran to examine their function and use. The study materials are from the necropolis of Ghalekuti, Dailaman, excavated in the 1960s. Direct radiocarbon dating conducted on human and animal bones in the graves and typological analysis of the pottery anchored the chronological position of the pottery materials to the 2nd and 1st millennium BC. A petrographic analysis revealed that pottery vessels can be classified into six fabric types, including those with coarse tempers that are effective for cooking. Pottery pastes with finer inclusions less suited for cooking appeared during the early first millennium BC (Iron Age III). To obtain further insight into the function of the pottery, we conducted organic residue analyses. The results demonstrated that the vessels retained remains of botanical and animal origin. In particular, jars with tubular spouts, characteristic of the Iron Age III period, were likely specialised for botanical products. Interestingly, both carcass and dairy products from ruminant animals (cattle and caprine) were processed in short-neck jars and bowls, including spouted bowls, suggesting their use in a liquid state. Products from ruminants, particularly dairy products, may have played a significant role in the daily and ritual use of pottery vessels during the study period in Northern Iran. These results indicate that a range of pottery vessels used for specific purposes before the burial was offered for graves, helping us better understand the mortuary practices of Iron Age Iran.
Journal Article
Unravelling the function of funerary pottery vessels of the 2.sup.nd-1.sup.st millennia BC in the Dailaman Province
Pottery vessels often comprise major burial goods at archaeological sites, thus providing valuable information for reconstructing past mortuary practices. However, because of the uncertainty of its function or use, which has been interpreted mostly through typological studies alone, the analytical potential of pottery as a burial good has not been fully exploited. This study applied bio-chemical and geochemical analyses for the first time to funerary pottery vessels of the Iron Age of North Iran to examine their function and use. The study materials are from the necropolis of Ghalekuti, Dailaman, excavated in the 1960s. Direct radiocarbon dating conducted on human and animal bones in the graves and typological analysis of the pottery anchored the chronological position of the pottery materials to the 2nd and 1st millennium BC. A petrographic analysis revealed that pottery vessels can be classified into six fabric types, including those with coarse tempers that are effective for cooking. Pottery pastes with finer inclusions less suited for cooking appeared during the early first millennium BC (Iron Age III). To obtain further insight into the function of the pottery, we conducted organic residue analyses. The results demonstrated that the vessels retained remains of botanical and animal origin. In particular, jars with tubular spouts, characteristic of the Iron Age III period, were likely specialised for botanical products. Interestingly, both carcass and dairy products from ruminant animals (cattle and caprine) were processed in short-neck jars and bowls, including spouted bowls, suggesting their use in a liquid state. Products from ruminants, particularly dairy products, may have played a significant role in the daily and ritual use of pottery vessels during the study period in Northern Iran. These results indicate that a range of pottery vessels used for specific purposes before the burial was offered for graves, helping us better understand the mortuary practices of Iron Age Iran.
Journal Article