Testing Times: an Evaluation of the Radiocarbon Chronology for Early Ceramic Vessel Production at Ust’-Karenga

This paper presents the initial results of a new phase of absolute dating at Ust'-Karenga. Three Optically-Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dates were obtained on quartz grains extracted from Ust'-Karenga type ceramic sherds from Layers 4, 6 and 7 at Ust'-Karenga XII. These dates are used to test the reliability of the existing radiocarbon sequence and evaluate counter claims that sought to reject early dates for ceramics in the Transbaikal on the basis of a putative carbon cycle anomaly in the Transbaikal region. Our results strongly uphold the excavator's original interpretation of the site and independently confirm both the Late Pleistocene age and the long duration of the Ust'-Karenga pottery phase. The paper demonstrates the value of using independent absolute dating methods to test contested radiocarbon chronologies

Iron Age and Romano-British Occupation at Craven Arms Enclosure B, Shropshire: Investigations in 2013

The investigations at Craven Arms B exposed the north-western corner and a length of the northern ditches for a square enclosure, associated with external activity which spanned approximately 200 years. A double-ditched enclosure, external oven and V-shaped ditch for a timber stockade are interpreted as representing the first phase of activity, dating to late prehistoric times. During the first century AD the outer enclosure ditch was recut, and subsequent activity during the first to second centuries was evidenced by infill of the enclosure ditch, two corn-drying ovens, two possible timber structures, a ditch and a pit. The alignment and regularity of these features indicate a planned element to the site. Activity continued in the second to third centuries with a remodelling of the outer enclosure ditch, gullies indicating a fence line (possibly a parallel enclosure) and compacted surfaces around the entrance, other ditch features and decommissioning of the ovens and structures. The site appears to have been abandoned in the third century, with evidence for possible flooding interspersed with archaeological features across much of the site. Post-medieval activity consisted of two different types of land drain, indicating that water management on the site has been a recurring theme over the centuries

The recent contribution of scientific techniques to the study of Nokalakevi in Samegrelo, Georgia

The site of Nokalakevi, in western Georgia, has seen significant excavation since 1973, including, since 2001, a collaborative Anglo-Georgian project. However, the interpretation of the site has largely rested on architectural analysis of standing remains and the relative dating of deposits based on the study of ceramics. Since 2013, the Anglo-Georgian Expedition to Nokalakevi has collected a diverse dataset derived from multiple scientific techniques including optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of ceramics, radiocarbon dating, δ13C and δ15N analysis and 87Sr/86Sr analysis. The full results of these analyses are reported here for the first time along with implications for the interpretation of the archaeology, which include greater detail in the site chronology but also indicators of diet and migration. Batı Gürcistan’daki Nokalakevi yerleşim yerinde, 2001’de başlamiş olan bir İngiliz-Gürcü ortak projesi de dahil olmak üzere, 1973’ten beri önemli kazılar yapılmıştır. Bununla birlikte, yerleşimin yorumlanması büyük ölçüde ayakta kalmış olan kalıntıların mimari analizine ve seramik çalışmalarına dayanarak yapılmış olan, tabakaların göreceli tarihlendirmesine dayanmaktadir. Nokalakevi’de yapılan İngiliz-Gürcü ortak kazıları 2013’ten bu yana seramikleri, optik uyarmalı lüminesans (OSL) tarihlemesi, radyokarbon tarihlemesi, δ13C ve δ15N analizi ve 87Sr/86Sr analizleri dahil olmak üzere birçok bilimsel teknikten yararlanarak incelemiş ve çeşitli verilere ulaşmıştir. Bu analizlerin tam sonuçları, arkeolojinin yorumlanmasına yönelik çıkarımlarla birlikte ilk kez burada rapor edilmektedir. Bu rapor, yerleşimin kronolojisiyle ilgili daha fazla ayrıntıya ve aynı zamanda beslenme ve göç göstergelerini de içeren bazı çıkarımlara sahiptir

Nouvelles données sur le site majeur d’Écalgrain : datations radiométriques et occupations humaines de la Pointe de la Hague (Cotentin, Normandie)

Il y a à la Pointe de la Hague deux principaux niveaux de plages perchées reposant sur deux plates-formes d’abrasion marine : la plage inférieure de 4 à 6 m NGF et la plage supérieure entre 12 et 18 m. Ces paléoplages sont recouvertes par des heads périglaciaires (dépôts de gélifluxion) et par des loess. La plage inférieure date le plus souvent de l’Eemien et ses dépôts de couverture du Weichselien. La plage supérieure correspond à l’optimum du stade isotopique 7. Cependant, dans la baie d’Ecalgrain, l’âge de la basse plage est discuté. Les formations de couverture sont complexes, avec deux séquences head-loess séparées par un sol brun lessivé interglaciaire. La tourbe et les argiles grises au-dessus de la paléoplage (5 m NGF), sous les heads, contiennent une flore et des coléoptères témoignant d’un lent retrait de la mer à la fin d’un interglaciaire et au début d’une période froide. Les datations absolues (IRSL) sont en accord avec la stratigraphie. La paléoplage, constituée de graviers surmontés de sables rouges, est attribuée à la fin du stade isotopique 7 (190 ka), la séquence inférieure au Saalien (140 ka, pour le loess ; stade 6), le paléosol au sommet à l’Eemien (sol brun lessivé), et la séquence supérieure (head-loess) au Weichselien. La base de la séquence a livré en deux secteurs distincts, au moins deux ensembles lithiques, le premier associé à la partie sommitale d’une plage de galets, dans la partie sud de la baie, le second, incorporé à des sables rouges, localement indurés et recouvrant une plage de galets, dans sa partie centre-sud, un peu plus au nord. Dans les deux assemblages, seul le silex est mis en oeuvre. Le premier ensemble se rapporte à la fin du dernier interglaciaire et / ou au début du dernier glaciaire, se définit par une production d’éclats et d’enlèvements laminaires obtenus soit par débitage direct, soit par la méthode Levallois, soit enfin, pour les lames, par une « gestion volumétrique ». Le second, rapporté au Saalien, se caractérise par un débitage orienté vers la production d’éclats et de pointes, obtenus soit par débitage direct soit par la méthode Levallois. Ces deux séries s’inscrivent dans la variabilité du Paléolithique moyen cotentinois et par extension de France septentrionale.There are in The Hague peninsula two main levels of raised beaches associated with two marine platforms: the lower beach from 4 to 6 m OD and the upper beach (12-18 m OD). They are covered by periglacial heads (gelifluxion) and loess. The lower beach is mainly eemian and the cover of head and loess weichselian. The upper beach corresponds to the optimum of the MIS 7. However in the Ecalgrain bay the age of the lower beach (5 m OD) is discussed. The cover deposits are complex, with two sequences head-loess separated by an interglacial soil. The peat and humic silt above the beach, below the main sequences head-loess, contains flora and coleoptera witch indicate a slow sea regression at the end of an interglacial and at the beginning of a cold period. The absolute datings (IRSL) are in agreement with the stratigraphy. So the paleo beach is situated at the end of the MIS 7 (marine regression; 190 Ky) and the lower head and loess correspond to the Saalian (MIS 6; 140 Ky for the loess) with a remnant of an eemian forest paleosol, and the upper head and loess are weichselian. Two lithic assemblages have been found below the heads: in the raised beach, the first at the top of the lower unit (sand and gravels), is located in the southern part of the bay; the second, associated to the upper unit (reddish sands), is located between this site and the section 2. There are flints only in the two assemblages. The first dated to the end of the last interglacial and/or during the beginning of the last glacial period, is characterized by flake production and blade removal obtained either by direct debitage, the Levallois method, or for the blades, by core-volume organization. The second, (Saalian) seems oriented towards the production of flakes and points, obtained either by direct debitage or by the Levallois method. These two series correspond to the variability of the Cotentin Middle Palaeolithic, and by extension, to that of northern France

An early MIS 3 pluvial phase in Southeast Arabia: climatic and archaeological implications

Climatic changes in Arabia are of critical importance to our understanding of both monsoon variability and the dispersal of anatomically modern humans (AMH) out of Africa. The timing of dispersal is associated with the occurrence of pluvial periods during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5 (ca. 130–74 ka), after which arid conditions between ca. 74 and 10.5 ka are thought to have restricted further migration and range expansion within the Arabian interior. Whilst a number of records indicate that this phase of aridity was punctuated by an increase in monsoon strength during MIS 3, uncertainties regarding the precision of terrestrial records and suitability of marine archives as records of precipitation, mean that the occurrence of this pluvial remains debated. Here we present evidence from a series of relict lake deposits within southeastern Arabia, which formed at the onset of MIS 3 (ca. 61–58 ka). At this time, the incursion of monsoon rainfall into the Arabian interior activated a network of channels associated with an alluvial fan system along the western flanks of the Hajar Mountains, leading to lake formation. Multiproxy evidence indicates that precipitation increases intermittently recharged fluvial systems within the region, leading to lake expansion in distal fan zones. Conversely, decreased precipitation led to reduced channel flow, lake contraction and a shift to saline conditions. These findings are in contrast to the many other palaeoclimatic records from Arabia, which suggest that during MIS 3, the latitudinal position of the monsoon was substantially further south and did not penetrate the peninsula. Additionally, the occurrence of increased rainfall at this time challenges the notion that the climate of Arabia following MIS 5 was too harsh to permit the further range expansion of indigenous communities

Les occupations du Paléolithique moyen et supérieur d’Épouville (Pays de Caux) en contexte loessique

Le site archéologique d’Epouville (vallée de la Lézarde) se situe sur un grand glacis dominé par un versant en pente forte. La stratigraphie des loess weichseliens est pratiquement semblable à celle des plateaux avoisinants (Saint-Romain, Goderville) mais les processus périglaciaires de versant ont été ici plus nombreux et plus actifs. Les industries sont localisées dans le « limon grumeleux » placé juste au dessus du Sol de Mesnil-Esnard (gley sur la première partie du loess récent inférieur carbonaté). Cette lame boueuse a étalé l’industrie du Paléolithique moyen. Juste après sa mise en place, les Hommes du Paléolithique supérieur se sont installés. Puis, avant la poursuite de la sédimentation éolienne du loess récent inférieur, de petits lobes de solifluxion ont déplacé cette dernière industrie de façon très limitée. L’âge de l’industrie du Paléolithique moyen n’est pas défini précisément (du stade isotopique 6 au Weichselien ancien inclus), l’industrie du Paléolithique supérieur se place vers 26 ka. L’occupation du Paléolithique moyen (série grise) correspond à un site d’habitat où les Hommes ont taillé le silex afin d’obtenir, d’une part des éclats allongés, d’autre part des éclats plus larges. Le débitage Levallois est majoritaire, le débitage semi-tournant est représenté. L’outillage est composé d’éclats retouchés (grattoirs, racloirs) et de bifaces. L’interprétation culturelle de cette série est double : soit une industrie homogène du Moustérien de tradition acheuléenne de type B, soit le mélange d’un niveau moustérien avec un niveau micoquien. La série vert-marron du Paléolithique supérieur ancien semble quant à elle correspondre à un atelier de débitage. Les Hommes ont taillé de grandes lames élancées, unipolaires, à l’aide de percuteurs tendres. Lorsque les nucléus ne le permettaient plus, les tailleurs ont détaché opportunément des lames plus courtes, moins régulières, au percuteur dur. L’absence d’outils retouchés diagnostics rend l’interprétation culturelle malaisée même si plusieurs indices favoriseraient une attribution à l’Aurignacien. D’après le scénario géologique proposé et en reprenant la répartition spatiale des vestiges, il est possible de reconstituer la position initiale de chaque occupation : l’habitat des Hommes du Paléolithique moyen devait se trouver en position de knick-point entre le glacis et le versant à pente forte et a subi trois vagues de remaniements. L’atelier des Hommes du Paléolithique supérieur ancien se trouvait plus en aval sur le versant et n’a connu qu’un déplacement d’ampleur limitée.The loessic archaeological site of Epouville (Lezarde valley) is located on a great glacis at the base of a steep slope. The stratigraphy of the younger loess is identical to that of the surrounding plateaux (Saint-Romain, Goderville) but the slope periglacial processes have been more numerous and more active. The industries are located in the “limon grumeleux” (granular loam) which covers the Mesnil-Esnard soil (gleyification of the first part of the Lower Younger loess). This mud sheet reworked the Middle Palaeolithic industry. Soon after, Upper Palaeolithic Men settled here for a while. Artifacts were slightly disturbed by small gelifluxion lobes, before the loess sedimentation began again (Lower Younger loess, second part). The Middle Palaelothic industry cannot be dated with precision (between the end of the MIS 6 and the end of the Early Weichselian). The Upper Palaeolithic industry is situated around 26 Ky. The Middle Paleolithic occupation (grey series) corresponds to a habitat site where flint was knapped in order to obtain, on one hand, long flakes, and on the other hand, wider flakes. Levallois debitage dominates, semi-rotating debitage is represented. The tool assemblage is composed of retouched flakes (end and side scrapers) and bifaces. There is a dual cultural interpretation of this series: it is either a homogenous B type MTA industry, or it is a mixture of a Mousterian level with a Micoquian level. The green-chestnut Early Upper Palaeolithic series, however, seems to correspond to a debitage workshop. Large, long, unipolar blades were produced with soft hammer percussion. When the cores could no longer yield these, opportunistically shorter, less regular blades were detached, using hard hammer percussion. The absence of retouched diagnostic tools impedes cultural interpretation, even if several indicators point to an Aurignacian attribution. According to the geological scenario put forward, and considering the spatial distribution of the remains, we can reconstitute the initial position of each occupation: the habitat of Middle Palaeolithic man must have been in a knick-point position between the glacis and the steep slope, and experienced three phases of disturbance. The Upper Palaeolithic workshop was situated further down the slope and thus only experienced limited displacement

Terrace reconstruction and long profile projection: a case study from the Solent river system near Southampton, England

River terrace sequences are important frameworks for archaeological evidence and as such it is important to produce robust correlations between what are often fragmentary remnants of ancient terraces. This paper examines both conceptual and practical issues related to such correlations, using a case study from the eastern part of the former Solent River system near Southampton, England. In this region two recent terrace schemes have been constructed using different data to describe the terrace deposits: one based mainly on terrace surfaces; the other on gravel thicknesses, often not recording the terrace surface itself. The utility of each of these types of data in terrace correlation is discussed in relation to the complexity of the record, the probability of post-depositional alteration of surface sediments and comparison of straight-line projections with modern river long profiles. Correlation using age estimates is also discussed, in relation to optically-stimulated luminescence dating of sand lenses within terrace gravels in this region during the PASHCC project. It is concluded that the need for replication at single sites means that this approach has limited use for correlative purposes, although dating of sediments is important for understanding wider landscape evolution and patterns of human occupation

Chronometric data and stratigraphic evidence support discontinuity between Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens in the Italian Peninsula

: The process by which Palaeolithic Europe was transformed from a Neanderthal-dominated region to one occupied exclusively by Homo sapiens has proven challenging to diagnose. A blurred chronology has made it difficult to determine when Neanderthals disappeared and whether modern humans overlapped with them. Italy is a crucial region because here we can identify not only Late Mousterian industries, assumed to be associated with Neanderthals, but also early Upper Palaeolithic industries linked with the appearance of early H. sapiens, such as the Uluzzian and the Aurignacian. Here, we present a chronometric dataset of 105 new determinations (74 radiocarbon and 31 luminescence ages) from four key southern Italian sites: Cavallo, Castelcivita, Cala, and Oscurusciuto. We built Bayesian-based chronometric models incorporating these results alongside the relative stratigraphic sequences at each site. The results suggest; 1) that the disappearance of Neanderthals probably pre-dated the appearance of early modern humans in the region and; 2) that there was a partial overlap in the chronology of the Uluzzian and Protoaurignacian, suggesting that these industries may have been produced by different human groups in Europe