The color of transformation: Investigations into heat treatment of Natufian artifacts from Hayonim Terrace (Israel)

In the Natufian lithic component at Hayonim, both in the cave and the terrace, numerous artifacts of pink/red color may be recognized. Cherts with similar appearance are not present in the geological environment surrounding the site in Northern Israel. Pink chert available in Jordan is shown to be of different nature. Thus this leaves us with the hypothesis of intentional heat treatment of locally available iron-rich yellow chert, of Cenomanian age. Based on experimental replication of chert firing and SEM analysis, we argue that a well-mastered and controlled use of fire was practiced by some skilled craftsmen at Hayonim throughtout the Late Epipalaeolithic

Multi-analytical study of ceramic materials from the archaeological site of Khirbet al-Batrawy (Jordan)

Nel presente lavoro sono riportati i risultati di uno studio multianalitico finalizzato alla caratterizzazione archeometrica di frammenti ceramici del sito archeologico di Khirbet al-Batrawy, Giordania, datati tra il 3000 e il 2000 a.C. con lo scopo di definirne la provenienza, le tecnologie di produzione e la relativa evoluzione tecnologica nel tempo. L’obiettivo principale è stato quello di identificare e caratterizzare dal punto di vista mineralogico-petrografico e composizionale i manufatti ceramici rinvenuti ed i materiali utilizzati nella loro produzione. Tali informazioni risultano indispensabili per uno studio approfondito sull’insieme di influenze e contatti che le popolazioni del Levante possono aver subito nel corso dei secoli. Ci si è proposto, inoltre, di contribuire a definire con maggior dettaglio il livello tecnologico raggiunto: eventuali azioni di selezione della materia prima e tipologia di rivestimento, massima temperatura e controllo delle condizioni redox durante la cottura. A questo scopo sono stati analizzati i frammenti provenienti da quattro differenti contesti stratigrafici datati tra il 3000 e il 2000 a.C. e rappresentativi delle diverse produzioni ceramiche rinvenute nel sito: ceramica comune, ceramica dipinta, ceramica lucidata, ceramica da trasposto, ceramica da cucina, la cosiddetta ceramica metallica ed una produzione specializzata caratteristica del Levante definita Khirbet Kerak Ware. I campioni ceramici sono stati caratterizzati mediante analisi macroscopiche, micro-Raman e Spettroscopia Infrarossa (FTIR) per identificare gli inclusi, le decorazioni superficiali dei frammenti e per caratterizzare la matrice. I campioni ceramici sono stati successivamente analizzati mediante microscopia ottica in sezione sottile per definire gruppi petrografici omogenei in termini di microstruttura, massa di fondo e compo-sizione degli inclusi. Analisi micromorfologiche sono state effettuate mediante SEM-EDS per definire la struttura della pasta di fondo, la natura degli inclusi e il grado di vetrificazione della matrice. Parte dei campioni è stata analizzata mediante XRD per definire la composizione mineralogica ed identificare la possibile presenza di fasi di neoformazione originatesi in seguito alla cottura. La composizione chimica delle ceramiche è stata determinata mediante ICP-MS e i risultati sono stati elaborati applicando l’analisi statistica multivariata con lo scopo di distinguere se le ceramiche fossero prodotte localmente o se vi fossero elementi che potessero permettere di ipotizzare un’importazione su scala regionale. Sulla base dei risultati dell’analisi minero-petrografica è stato possibile identificare dodici fabrics caratterizzate da inclusi di dimensione grossolana disposti nella matrice secondo una distribuzione unimodale; ciò suggerisce la mancanza di qualsiasi intervento o processo di purificazione della materia prima durante le fasi di preparazione dell’impasto ceramico. I risultati delle indagini minero-petrografiche supportano l’ipotesi di un approvvigionamento locale delle materie prime. In particolare, la presenza di inclusi di feldspato alcalino, zircone, apatite e barite è da correlare al contributo delle rocce ignee e metamorfiche del basamento cristallino Pre-Cambriano. La presenza di frammenti di rocce basaltiche è da ascriversi agli estesi affioramenti di tali rocce in prossimità del sito archeologico. Pertanto, questi risultati suggeriscono che le ceramiche di Batrawy probabilmente furono prodotte localmente. Le medesime conclusioni possono essere dedotte anche per i frammenti di Khirbet Kerak Ware, un gruppo ceramico tipologicamente differente dalle altre produzioni del sito di Khirbet al-Batrawy caratterizzato da una superficie di rivestimento lucida di colore rosso/nero. Le analisi chimiche, e in particolare il trattamento statistico dei dati, mostrano che i frammenti ceramici appartengono ad un unico cluster, suggerendo l’impiego di materie prime composizionalmente simili, probabilmente estratte nelle medesime aree. La presenza di calcite primaria, illite, gehlenite e diopside permette di ipotizzare che il materiale di partenza fosse un mix composto prevalentemente da illite e carbonati, cotto a temperature inferiori a 950°C. Un leggero incremento nella temperature di cottura è stato osservato nelle ultime fasi della storia di Khirbet al-Batrawy, suggerendo una possibile evoluzione delle conoscenze del processo di cottura del materiale ceramico. Per quanto concerne l’evoluzione della produzione ceramica, non sono stati osservati significativi cambiamenti durante la lunga storia della città di Batrawy. Questi risultati supportano l’ipotesi che durante i mille anni di vita della città il background tecnologico di queste popolazioni non abbia subito variazioni significative. Tuttavia, la variabilità osservata nelle fabrics petrografiche suggerisce una certa evoluzione tecnologica nel corso del tempo. La correlazione tra fabrics e tipologia ceramica osservata nel primo periodo storico è indice della fase di start-up della produzione ceramica a Batrawy. La presenza di numerose fabrics petrografiche non direttamente correlabili ad una specifica tipologia ceramica nel secondo periodo testimonia una diffusa sperimentazione nella scelta dei materiali di partenza e delle procedure di lavorazione. Nelle ultime fasi storiche si osserva una sorta di standardizzazione degli impasti, testimoniata dal minor numero di fabrics identificate e dalla evidente correlazione tra fabrics e tipologia ceramica, ed un miglior controllo della fase di cottura. Questi segnali di lento miglioramento starebbero ad indicare anche una maggiore attenzione rivolta alla specializzazione di particolari classi ceramiche

Hand Held 3D Scanning for Cultural Heritage: Experimenting Low Cost Structure Sensor Scan.

In the last years 3D scanning has become an important resource in many fields, in particular it has played a key role in study and preservation of Cultural Heritage. Moreover today, thanks to the miniaturization of electronic components, it has been possible produce a new category of 3D scanners, also known as handheld scanners. Handheld scanners combine a relatively low cost with the advantage of the portability. The aim of this chapter is two-fold: first, a survey about the most recent 3D handheld scanners is presented. As second, a study about the possibility to employ the handheld scanners in the field of Cultural Heritage is conducted. In this investigation, a doorway of the Benedictine Monastery of Catania, has been used as study case for a comparison between stationary Time of Flight scanner, photogrammetry-based 3D reconstruction and handheld scanning. The study is completed by an evaluation of the meshes quality obtained with the three different kinds of technology and a 3D modeling reproduction of the case-study doorway

Archaeological, Geophysical, and Geospatial Analysis at David Crockett Birthplace State Park, in Upper East Tennessee

A geophysical survey was conducted at David Crockett Birthplace State Park (40GN205, 40GN12) using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetometry. The data indicated multiple levels of occupation that were investigated by Phase II and Phase III archaeological excavations. New cultural components were discovered, including the remnants of a Protohistoric Native American structure containing European glass trade beads and Middle Woodland artifacts that suggest trade with Hopewell groups from Ohio. A circular Archaic hearth was uncovered at one meter below surface and similar deep anomalies were seen in the GPR data at this level. A semi-automated object-based image analysis (OBIA) was implemented to extract Archaic circular hearths from GPR depth slices using user-defined spatial parameters (depth, area, perimeter, length to width ratio, and circularity index) followed by manual interpretation. This approach successfully identified sixteen probable hearths distributed across the site in a semi-clustered pattern

Material Expressions of Social Change: Indigenous Sicilian Responses to External Influences in the First Millennium B.C.

Following the arrival of Greek colonists and Phoenician traders in the seventh century BC, indigenous Iron Age Sicilian populations underwent an intensive process of social transformation. As a result, many new behaviors, including those associated with Greek-style feasting and commensality, were introduced to indigenous Sicilians, together with the associated material culture. This study explores Iron Age indigenous Sicilian social responses to these interactions, focusing on the feast as a conduit of change and the concomitant transformation of feasting accoutrements. Vessel form, manufacturing technique, and surface treatment impact the emblemic ceramic styles used to communicate ethnic affiliations in the various social middle grounds that developed to mitigate cultural differences. These morphologic variables are compared in order to identify mixed-style vessels resulting from social entanglement. Social as well as economic interpretations of the development of mixed-style pottery are posited. Compositional X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and ceramic petrography of a sub-sample of pottery vessels from seven sites across the island are used to model and map the production and manufacture of mixed-style feasting vessels. The results of this study suggest that economic as well as social forces led to the development of mixed-style vessels manufactured at multiple population centers in response to interactions with foreign colonists and merchants

The Homestead of James Taylor White II: Historical, Archaeological, and Geophysical Investigations at Two Proposed Safety Rest Areas, Interstate Highway (IH) 10, Chambers County, Texas

Personnel from Coastal Environments, Inc. (CEI), Moore Archeological Consulting, Inc. (MAC), and the University of Mississippi conducted archaeological and geophysical investigations at the locations of two proposed safety rest areas on opposite sides of Interstate Highway (IH) 10 in Chambers County, Texas. The research was carried out from late August 2006 until late February 2007, under contract to the Environmental Affairs Division of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). MAC archaeologists had previously examined the two rest area tracts in 2001. Their research indicated that the north tract contained a late-nineteenth- through early-twentieth-century cemetery, identified as the Broussard Cemetery site (41CH370). Buried within the cemetery are the remains of several members of the locally prominent White family and relatives. The south tract included the remains of a below-ground cistern that likely marked the location of the main house associated with the homestead and ranch of James Taylor White II. It was estimated that this house location, labeled the White Family Cistern site (41CH371), was occupied from ca. 1854 until sometime in the early 1900s. The field investigations examined three specific areas within the two tracts: (1) A small 20-by-45-m area situated about 10 m north of the Broussard Cemetery site where a truck-entrance road is to be built. It was considered possible that unmarked graves located outside the cemetery proper might be present in that area. (2) A 40-by-40-m area within the south tract where MAC personnel had located a piece of whiteware during their earlier investigations. It was thought that a possible outbuilding related to the White homestead might be present in that area. (3) A 110-by-115-m area in the south tract where the main house and most of the White family occupation occurred. The area in the north tract was examined by ground-penetrating radar, resistivity surveys and mechanical stripping of anomalies recognized by the geophysical research. The small square area in the south tract was examined by systematic shovel tests. The large area in the south tract was investigated by systematic shovel tests, a metal detector survey, a geophysical search that included magnetometer and electromagnetic susceptibility surveys, a limited ground-truth assessment of selected anomalies that had been identified by the geophysical surveys, mechanical stripping of other anomalies recognized by the geophysical research, plus the controlled excavation of a few small units in locations where the stripping uncovered potential cultural features. Overall, the various investigations identified the location, orientation, and dimensions of the White family house and its associated kitchen, a rich sheet midden situated to the rear of the house, and several possible outbuildings located to the sides of the structure. Numerous artifacts indicative of the period of suspected occupation were collected, including hundreds of pieces of metal, ceramic fragments, and glass. A few animal bones and plant remains also were obtained. Although the present study did not call for a detailed analysis of these items, such should prove useful in the future. Given these results, it is clear that site 41CH371 is eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Additional archaeological investigations at selected portions of the site are recommended, along with further archival and historical research. Accordingly, construction of the rest area in the south tract should be delayed until the recommended investigations are completed. The small area examined in the north tract near site 41CH370 failed to yield any evidence of burials. Since the cemetery itself will be avoided during construction, no further archaeological work is considered necessary in the north tract. Thus, construction of the rest area within the north tract may proceed as planned

Victorian Splendor: Analysis of the Late 19\u3csup\u3eth\u3c/sup\u3e Century Decorative Ceiling at Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion in Germantown, Pennsylvania

The decorative ceiling in the Stevenson Bedroom of the Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion in Philadelphia is one of the most outstanding examples of post-Centennial ornamental designs. The exotic, stylized, geometric pattern of the ceiling illustrates ideals set forth during the Centennial International Exhibition, held in Philadelphia in 1876, and emphasizes Victorians’ predisposition to live à la mode. However, as a result of harsh treatment conducted in the 1970’s and ‘80s and damaging environmental conditions, the ceiling design only partially remains today. This thesis considers an approach for interpreting decorative paintings where the original fabric is altered or missing. It argues that, in the absence of material evidence, an accurate estimation of decorative painting can be achieved by consulting a wide range of sources. Recommendations provided in this thesis incorporate raw data to create an authentic representation of a late 19th century interior, contributing to the historic interpretation of the site

Woodland Pottery Sourcing in the Carolina Sandhills

Research Report No. 29, Research Laboratories of Archaeology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Reports in this series discuss the findings of archaeological excavations and research projects undertaken by the RLA between 1984 and present