Search results for "lithic"
showing 10 items of 392 documents
Wandering through the Mesolithic. An archaeostatistical approach to explore the mobility patterns in eastern Iberia
2019
Abstract Tracing hunter-gatherer's mobility has been a recurring topic both in anthropological and archaeological literature. Following Binford's approach (1980), ethnographic comparisons have been brought out in order to better understand mobility patterns among Palaeolithic and Mesolithic groups, and how they relate with their environment, thus formulating a system where a main difference in mobility structure is pronounced on the distinction between residential and logistical camps. After some efforts made in order to relate the lithic record with such model (Clark and Barton, 2017), in this work we explore how lithic industry can be a reliable proxy for understanding the mobility patter…
Neanderthal firewood management: Evidence from Stratigraphic Unit IV of Abric del Pastor (Eastern Iberia)
2015
This paper presents anthracological data from Abric del Pastor (Alcoi, Spain), a Middle Paleolithic rock shelter site. Analysis of 1077 wood charcoal remains from Stratigraphic Unit IV (S.U. IV), collected within archaeological combustion structures and from loose sediment outside of structures, allowed us to characterise the local landscape, as well as to approach the interaction between Neanderthal groups and their local environment. Taxonomic identification suggests that firewood was gathered from nearby sources, with predominance of juniper (Juniperus sp.) followed by thermophilous shrubby taxa. Additional analysis focussing on post-depositional processes affecting charcoal have shown f…
IS THE MACROSCOPIC CLASSIFICATION OF FLINT USEFUL? A PETROARCHAEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FLINT RAW MATERIALS FROM THE IBERIAN NEOLIT…
2009
Casa Montero is a mining complex located outside Madrid (Spain), dated from the Early Neolithic (c. 5400-5000 cal bc). An area of some 4 ha has been investigated and some 4000 shafts recorded, of which 324 have been excavated. The characterization of its raw flint materials and the establishment of its diagnostic features are indispensable in the reconstruction of the distribution of the mine's products beyond the immediate site. This work reports the geological study of the mine's Miocene flint layers and their petrological characterization. Archaeological samples from the mine's shafts were classified according to macroscopic features and petrological characteristics.
Abric de la Ratlla del Bubo (Crevillent, Alicante). Results of the 1986-1991 campaigns. New data on its palaeolithic sequence
2022
El Abric de la Ratlla del Bubo (Crevillent, Alicante) es uno de los yacimientos clave para el conocimiento del Paleolítico superior en el área central del Mediterráneo ibérico, especialmente en lo que a sus fases iniciales se refiere. El yacimiento ha sido objeto de varias intervenciones arqueológicas, tanto clandestinas como científicas. Sin embargo, hasta este trabajo, la información disponible era parcial y, en muchos casos, remitía a materiales sin referencia estratigráfica. En este estudio se exponen los resultados del análisis del material lítico, del registro vegetal y de la fauna recuperada en las campañas de 1986 a 1991. Además, se presenta una amplia serie de dataciones radiocarbó…
The ‘grave of the Court Pit’, A rediscovered Bronze Age tomb from Carchemish
2014
This paper examines the British Museum unpublished records related to an Early Bronze (EB) Age pithos burial uncovered a century ago in the Inner Town at Carchemish. The grave, cursorily cited and variously dated (Chalcolithic, EB or even LBA) in the final reports, was described in some detail by Hogarth and Thompson; a precise dating is, however, possible today thanks to the information of paramount importance given by T. E. Lawrence who identified and took a picture of the associated finds, which was recently rediscovered in the Carchemish Archives. The pithos can be now ascribed to the third quarter of the third millennium BC and helps to confirm the recent theory according to which the …
NEW FRAMES OF ARCHAEOMETRICAL DESCRIPTION OF SPINDLE WHORLS: A CASE STUDY OF THE LATE ENEOLITHIC SPINDLE WHORLS FROM THE 1C SITE IN GRÓDEK, DISTRICT …
2010
The essential role of yarn spinning in textile production is indisputable. In this context, spindle whorls, the basic spinning accessories that can be found in the archaeological record, are commonly discussed. Even though the importance of the technical specification of spindle whorls has been already recognized by some authors, their functional characteristics are usually limited to the basic parameters affecting their usage range (i.e., weight, diameter and height). And since the mass moment of inertia of spindle whorls is considered to be a salient index when discussing their technical variability, the descriptions are deficient. With this short study, we intend to implement further res…
Fauna e industria en materia dura de origen animal del lugar sagrado de la Cultura de las Motillas: Castillejo del Bonete (Terrinches, Ciudad Real)
2020
En los últimos años revistas científicas han publicado diversos estudios (cerámica, metal, material lítico, etc.) sobre Castillejo del Bonete. Este trabajo presenta datos inéditos sobre la industria ósea, micro y macromamíferos encontrados en este yacimiento. La industria elaborada sobre materia dura de origen animal está constituida principalmente por piezas elaboradas con hueso, asta o dientes, que fueron utilizados como medios de producción o complementos para vestir y adornar a los difuntos, o tallar ídolos. El estudio de los micromamíferos aporta información sobre el final del uso de estos túmulos, así como sobre aspectos ambientales. Los perfiles de mortalidad de los grandes mamíferos…
Pottery decoration in the Neolithic of Kaf Taht el-Ghar (Tetouan, Morocco). AGRIWESTMED Works 2012
2021
Presentamos el estudio de los restos cerámicos de la fase neolítica de Kaf Taht el-Ghar (Mechrouha, Tetuán, Marruecos), enfocado principalmente en el análisis de técnicas y patrones decorativos. Ello cuenta con el interés añadido de corresponder, en su fase antigua, a las cerámicas asociadas a las primeras evidencias de agricultura y ganadería en el Magreb Occidental, encuadradas en el tercer cuarto del VI milenio cal AC. En dichas decoraciones dominan impresiones variadas, en particular las realizadas con concha estriada y lisa, peine y de cypraea. El uso de tales técnicas podría incluir estas primeras producciones cerámicas dentro del mundo impresso-cardial de la Europa mediterránea centr…
Materiales del Paleolítico Superior en Cova Negra (Xàtiva) y su interés para establecer los procesos de su secuencia estratigráfica
2017
En este trabajo se analizan los materiales líticos adscritos al Paleolítico Superior obtenidos en Cova Negra a lo largo de las campañas de excavación de los años 30, 50 y 80 del pasado siglo y en las campañas de 2013-2016. La atención se centra en el estudio de los soportes, los núcleos y el material retocado, y se efectúa una primera aproximación con respecto a la cronología y periodos a los que remiten las piezas retocadas. El principal interés de estos materiales reside en confirmar que la ocupación de la cavidad no se limitó al Paleolítico Medio, ni a momentos iniciales de la secuencia del Paleolítico Superior, lo que facilita una evaluación del alcance de los procesos de alteración pos…
Spectroscopic analysis used to uncover the original paint colour of the Helsinki Government Palace tower clock faces
2016
The paint stratigraphy of the two clock faces from the tower clock of the Government Palace in Helsinki (Finland) was analysed in order to determine their original colour before restoration works. Paint cross-section samples from both clock faces were analysed by confocal Raman microscopy and scanning electron microscopy coupled to an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS). The results revealed the complex superimposition of paint layers applied over the original black colour. FTIR/ATR analyses proved that the original paint was prepared with linseed oil-resin media. Most likely not all of the different layer colours were visible. Some of the layers were likely to have been a primer…