Archaeometry

Technological style, chaine opératoire and labor investment of early Neolithic pottery

by Sarah McClure

with Joan Bernabeu

Strontium Isotope & Tree-Ring Signatures of Cedrus brevifolia in Cyprus

by Sara Rich

Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, themed issue: Archaeometry, 2012

Digitization of the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Archaeometric Archives: Status Update and Availability Announcement

by Matthew Boulanger

Published in 'Society for Archaeological Sciences Bulletin' 35(2): 4-7

The Nuclear Archaeology Program at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) was one of the first-generation... more The Nuclear Archaeology Program at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) was one of the first-generation archaeometry laboratories in the world, operating between the 1960s and early 1990s. During operation, the Berkeley program generated compositional data for over 12,000 archaeological and geological specimens. Most of these data were generated using neutron activation analysis and X-ray fluorescence. Though primarily known for their studies of pottery from the Near East and Mediterranean, the Berkeley program analyzed over 300 ceramic specimens from the Americas and over 800 specimens from Africa. Irradiation of archaeological specimens ended at LBNL shortly after the decommissioning of the Berkeley reactor in 1989; however, archaeometric research continued at the laboratory through the irradiation of specimens at other facilities, and through expanded and refined use of XRF. Following retirement, Frank Asaro transferred the archives of the LBNL program to the University of Missouri (MURR) Archaeometry Laboratory in 2006. Since receiving the LBNL archives, the MURR laboratory has worked to preserve these compositional, descriptive, and contextual data so as to facilitate their preservation and potential use with new and ongoing archaeometric research. Efforts have focused primarily on stabilizing the archives and generating a digital versions for public distribution. Here, I present a summary of the present status of the LBNL archive project and an announcement concerning the availability of a large portion of the archives.

MARBRES LOCALS A HISPÀNIA. ESTAT DE LA QÜESTIÓ AL BIENNI 2008-2009

by Isabel Rodà de Llanza

published in 'TARRACO: CONSTRUCCIÓ I ARQUITECTURA D’UNA CAPITAL
PROVINCIAL ROMANA. ACTES DEL CONGRÉS INTERNACIONAL EN HOMENATGE A THEODOR HAUSCHILD (Tarragona 2009). Butlletí Arqueològic d ela Reial Societat Arqueològica Tarraconsense núm 31, 2012, 227-240.

We present a synthesis of the knowledge and latest findings in marbles and other stone materials in Antiquity, focused... more We present a synthesis of the knowledge and latest findings in marbles and other stone materials in Antiquity, focused in the roman territory of Hispania in 2007-2009. These findings were produced by field archaeology as well as scientific publications and specialized congresses. We analyze the results
of all this research that allow us to determinate better the origin of some materials and the exploitation areas, as well as the local uses and spread of hispanic marmora. This subject has experienced a dramatic growth in our country with a continuous application of interdisciplinarity.

Characterisation of five coins from the archaeological heritage of Portugal

by Andre Carneiro

Co-authored with: Ana L. Mata, M. Manuel M. Neto, Luís A. Proença, M. Manuela L. Salta, M. Helena Mendonça and Inês Teodora Elias Fonseca

Abstract  This paper reports a study carried out on three Roman and two Portuguese coins found in the... more Abstract  This paper reports a study carried out on three Roman and two Portuguese coins found in the archaeological site of São Pedro, in Fronteira (Alentejo, Portugal). The three Roman coins have been identified as a Follis, an AE 2 and an AE 3 (bronze alloys), while the Portuguese coins have been identified as a Ceitil (copper) and the “6 vinténs” (Ag–Cu alloy). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled to energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) has allowed the semi-quantitative determination of the elemental composition of both the corrosion products and the alloy used in the manufacture of the coins. The crystalline corrosion products constituents of the patinas were identified by X-ray powder diffraction spectroscopy (XRD). The more deteriorated coin, the AE 3, was submitted to electrochemical studies in Na2SO4 aqueous solution and the corresponding data analysed. After 3 weeks, the E OCP was still quite stable, ranging between −0.050 and −0.070 V vs. SCE; the corrosion resistance, R p, was of the order of 5 to 3 × 103 Ω. Chemical treatment of the sample by 1-h immersion in 0.1 M NaOH produced a more active surface, with R p showing a decrease of a factor of about ten. On the other hand, it was concluded from voltammetric data that polarisations of E a ≥ 0.050 V vs. SCE led to copper oxidation, with no reduction of the other corrosion products.

The lithic industry of the Neolithic sites of Szarvas and Endrőd (South-eastern Hungary): techno-typological and archaeometrical aspects

by Elisabetta Starnini

Co-authored with Szakmány Gy., published in "Acta Archaeologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae", n. 50, 1998, pp. 279-342

R. Jung - Ι. Μόσχος - M. Mehofer, Φονεύοντας με τον ίδιο τρόπο: Οι ειρηνικές επαφές για τον πόλεμο μεταξύ δυτικής Ελλάδας και Ιταλίας κατά τη διάρκεια των όψιμων μυκηναϊκών χρόνων, in Σ.Α. Παϊπέτης – Χ. Γιαννοπούλου (eds.), Πολιτισμική Αλληλογονιμοποίηση Νότιας Ιταλία και Δυτικής Ελλάδας Μέσα από την Ιστορία, Πρακτικά Συνεδρίου Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών, Πάτρα 2008, pp. 85-107.

by Ioannis Moschos

R. Jung - I. Moschos - M. Mehofer, Killing in the Same Way: Peaceful Relations on War between Western Greece and Italy... more R. Jung - I. Moschos - M. Mehofer, Killing in the Same Way: Peaceful Relations on War between Western Greece and Italy during the Late Mycenaean Times (in greek)

Western Achaea and the Ionian Islands are of strategic importance for maritime traffic and communication of all kinds between Greece and Italy. Controlling this region means to control the goods exchange between central and eastern Mediterranean. At the same time it also means to be the first area affected by military aggressors which originate in and operate from the Adriatic Sea.
Thus, it is not surprising to detect strong influence from Italy in the local Achaean and Cephalonian weapons technology during the 12th and 11th centuries BC and particularly in Naue II swords of types Cetona and Allerona, spearheads with cast socket, a dagger of Pertosa type and greaves with wire fittings.
A fundamental issue related to the weapons of relative Italian typology is their provenance, on which all further perspectives of interpretation depend. One of our research aims is to answer precisely the question if these Italian-type bronzes are imports from the Adriatic regions or local products made according to central Mediterranean prototypes. We do not study these weapons based only on their typology, but we also try to answer these questions taking in consideration the technological knowledge as well as the respective methods of the era.
On the one hand EDXRF as well as lead isotope analyses are made to get an overview over the chemical composition of the objects. These can give us information about the provenance of the metal and at least about the location of the ore deposit used for the production of the metal. On the other hand, we analyse the construction schemata of these weapons which are directly connected to the combat style. By these analyses of typology, archeometry and technology we aim at explaining the changes in fighting techniques from the 13th to the 11th century BC.

Large scale smelting of speiss and arsenical copper at Early Bronze Age Arisman, Iran

by Loïc Boscher

Analyse et spéculation. Quelques deniers carolingiens reconsidérés

by Guillaume Sarah

Published in the Bulletin de la Société Française de Numismatique 67(1), 2012, p. 17-24.

Estudio arqueometalúrgico del punzón de Cova de la Pesseta (Torrelles de Foix, Barcelona). Datos composicionales, metalográficos, isotópicos y funcionales

by Ignacio Soriano

Co-authored with Jorge Chamón.
Published in MARQ Arqueología y Museos 5 (in press)

Abstract:
This paper provides archaeometallurgical data of a copper awl from Cova de la Pesseta, a funerary cave... more Abstract:
This paper provides archaeometallurgical data of a copper awl from Cova de la Pesseta, a funerary cave located in Torrelles de Foix (Alt Penedès, Barcelona). The tool was located in a multiple burial level attached to the Late Neolithic (Véraza Group) although we can not ruled out that it belongs to a later mortuary use during the Early Bronze Age. Both uses have radiocarbon AMS dates. The study deals with issues relating to the process of production of the object, through its compositional (ED-XRF) and metallographic analysis. The origin of raw material is suggested from lead isotopes data and its comparison with similar data existing elsewhere in Iberian Peninsula and Europe. It should be noted that it is the oldest metal object of the Northeastern Iberian Peninsula with isotopic data. Finally we propose a hypothesis in relation to its functionality through the characteristics of the tool and binocular magnifier study.

Keywords: Archaeometallurgy; awl; ED-XRF; lead isotopes; metallographic data; functionality; Late Prehistory; Northeastern Iberian Peninsula

Investigating diagenesis and the suitability of porcine enamel for strontium (87Sr/86Sr) isotope analysis.

by Richard Madgwick

MADGWICK, R., MULVILLE, J. and EVANS, J., 2012. Investigating diagenesis and the suitability of porcine enamel for strontium (87Sr/86Sr) isotope analysis Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry 27: 733-742.

Population origins, animal movements, and the presence of non-local individuals have all been addressed through the... more Population origins, animal movements, and the presence of non-local individuals have all been addressed through the analysis of strontium isotope ratios in dental tissues. There has been extensive research regarding the preservation of biogenic Sr in various human tissues: bone, tooth enamel and
dentine, but little into non-human species. The applicability of this methodology to pigs in particular may be problematic with some studies considering there to be no differences between porcine and human enamel and others suggesting differences do exist. As a result it remains unclear whether porcine enamel is more susceptible to diagenetic processes and re-equilibration with diagenetic fluids from the local burial environment. Whilst several programmes of strontium isotope analysis have included pig enamel samples, very few have produced samples of allocthonous origin and the validity of the technique for reconstructing movement of pigs remains in question. This study tests the validity of using strontium isotope ratios in porcine enamel for tracking the movement of pigs in two ways. Firstly,
the susceptibility of modern and archaeological pig and cattle teeth to diagenetic changes was assessed by submerging enamel samples in a solution of known strontium isotope composition for a period of up to 10 months and measuring the level of uptake as a proxy for diagenetic alteration. Secondly, the
strontium isotope ratios of porcine enamel samples from five archaeological assemblages, identified as likely to contain imported, non-local pigs, were analysed to determine whether individuals that are allocthonous in origin could be identified.

Early mining and metallurgy on the Western Central Iranian Plateau: Magnetic prospection

by Jorg W.E. Fassbinder

Fassbinder, J.W.E.; Becker, H.; Schlosser, M. (2011) Archäologie in Iran und Turan, Vol. 9, p.19-27

Provenance and compositional analysis of marbles from the medieval Abbey of San Caprasio, Aulla (Tuscany, Italy)

by Domenico Miriello

M. Lezzerini, G. Di Battistini, D. Zucchi and D. Miriello, in press on "Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing", 2012, DOI: 10.1007/s00339-012-6917-3

A compositional study of twenty-two marble artefacts from the medieval Benedictine Abbey of San Caprasio at Aulla... more A compositional study of twenty-two marble artefacts from the medieval Benedictine Abbey of San Caprasio at Aulla (North-western Tuscany, Central Italy) has been carried out. The mineralogical and petrographic analyses, the estimation of the maximum grain size of the calcite crystals, and the determination of carbon and oxygen stable isotopes support a provenance of most marbles from the Apuan Alps quarries (Italy). Only some marbles indicate a probable provenance from the islands of Paros and Thasos in the eastern Mediterranean area.

Provenance and compositional analysis of marbles from the medieval Abbey of San Caprasio, Aulla (Tuscany, Italy)

by Domenico Miriello

M. Lezzerini, G. Di Battistini, D. Zucchi and D. Miriello, in press on "Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing", 2012, DOI: 10.1007/s00339-012-6917-3

A compositional study of twenty-two marble artefacts from the medieval Benedictine Abbey of San Caprasio at Aulla... more A compositional study of twenty-two marble artefacts from the medieval Benedictine Abbey of San Caprasio at Aulla (North-western Tuscany, Central Italy) has been carried out. The mineralogical and petrographic analyses, the estimation of the maximum grain size of the calcite crystals, and the determination of carbon and oxygen stable isotopes support a provenance of most marbles from the Apuan Alps quarries (Italy). Only some marbles indicate a probable provenance from the islands of Paros and Thasos in the eastern Mediterranean area.

Zur Problematik der multivariaten statistischen Analyse umfangreicher p-RFA-Datenmengen phönizischer Keramik

by Dirk Paul Mielke

Co-authored with Sonja Behrendt, Hans-Joachim Mucha / Hans-Georg Bartel, published in: F. Schlütter / S. Greiff / M. Prange (Hrsg.), Archäometrie und Denkmalpflege 2012. Jahrestagung an der Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, 28.-31. März 2012. Metalla 2012, Sonderheft 5, 157-159.

Grundlagenforschungen zur Etablierung der p-RFA in der Keramikforschung

by Dirk Paul Mielke

Co-authored with Oliver Mecking and Sonja Behrendt, published in: F. Schlütter / S. Greiff / M. Prange (Hrsg.), Archäometrie und Denkmalpflege 2012. Jahrestagung an der Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, 28.-31. März 2012. Metalla 2012, Sonderheft 5, 154-156.

Pigment Identification in Greek Pottery by Raman Microspectroscopy, Archaeometry 46 , 4 (2004) 607–614.

by Rafael Esteve

Co-authored with J.M Pérez

Raman microspectroscopy (RMS) is now established as a key technique for the identification of pigments of... more Raman microspectroscopy (RMS) is now established as a key technique for the identification of pigments of archaeological pottery that permits the in situ study of art objects by a nondestructive procedure. The information obtained represents a great aid to restoration and conservation techniques. In this work, the chemical nature of the red, black and white pigments of five samples of Greek pottery from the end of the fifth century and the first half of the fourth century BC, exhumed from the Iberian necropolis of Cabezo Lucero (Guardamar del Segura, Alicante, Spain), has been identified. The black and the red pigments are found to be magnetite (Fe3O4) and hematite (α-Fe2O3), respectively. The white pigment is found, for the first time, to be composed of alumina (α-Al2O3 and γ-Al2O3) probably yielded by the thermal decomposition of Greek bauxite.

CALL FOR PAPERS - Craft and People - Conference at the British Museum 1-2 Nov 2012

by Sara Strack

Call for papers for upcoming conference at the British Museum, 1-2.11.2012:
CRAFT AND PEOPLE - Agents of Skilled Labour in the Archaeological Record
Organized by Sara Strack, Marion Uckelmann, and Ben Roberts

DIFFERENCES OF SCALE - SIMILARITIES OF RESEARCH PROCEDURES: ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROSPECTION IN THE SHANGQIU AREA, NORTHERN CHINA & ITANOS, SOUTHERN GREECE

by Sophia Topouzi

co-authored with Gao, L., Murowchick, E. R., Reidy, M. D., Cist, B. D., Di, Q., Dolychuck, J.,& Sarris, A., Vafeidis, A., Gkiourou, A., Kevgas, V., Soetens, S. / 32nd International Symposium ARCHAEOMETRY / Mexico 2000

Social Stratification in the Early Middle Ages - Evidence by Demography, Physical Stress and Nutrition (Dissertation 2011 in German)

by Andrea Czermak

Soziale Stratifizierung im frühen Mittelalter - Aussage- und Nachweismöglichkeiten anhand von biologischen Indikatoren