Geological reconnaissance and provenancing of potential Neolithic lithic sources in the Maltese Islands

This study aims to identify the petrological characteristics of Neolithic chert artefacts associated with the Temple Period (c. 4000-2500 cal BC) and their probable sources from the local Maltese chert formation as well as the main possible chert sources in Sicily. Were the chert and flint materials used by prehistoric Maltese peoples obtained from local sources or imported from abroad? In particular, the archaeological literature just assumes that the chert/flint and cultural attributes of the Temple period came from Sicily; this assumption has never been tested or proved. There are also a number of important subsidiary questions which will stem from the implications of this investigation. These include: 1) to what extent were the Maltese people isolated or part of an extended Mediterranean network through trade or exchange relationships; 2) if they were isolated, how would they be able to survive in such a seemingly restricted environment?; 3) if they were more connected to external cultural groups, what was the impact of these connections on Maltese identity?; 4) were they deliberately sourcing raw stone material for specific purposes?; 5) was there a link between the properties of the rocks (quality) with the usage of the rock artefact? and how did Neolithic Maltese people understand and assess rock ‘quality’? This last question has further related implications: 6) is the chaîne opératoire the same for all raw stone materials or does the quality and the type of rock have a significant effect on the process? These questions are not all definitively answerable in this thesis, but have a significant bearing on the results of the ERC-funded FRAGSUS project and other archaeological projects dealing with the islands’ cultural development. In addition to the above thematic lines of inquiry, this research investigates to what extent a scientific perspective on sourcing lithic artefacts can provide conclusive evidence of resource exploitation sources. Traditional archaeological methodologies for stone sourcing (largely based on macroscopic qualitative assessments) are often subjective and unreliable, or produce un-verifiable results. Therefore, a more scientific methodology designed for examining rock outcrops is a necessary addition to this process, and is the reason why I have selected a methodology based on the geological and petrological properties derived from the geological formation of the rock outcrops. The approach consists of both traditional and new geological techniques, including: a) macroscopic examination, b) Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), c) Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIRS) d) X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), and e) Laser ablation - Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). All of these strands of evidence have contributed to an over-arching chaîne opératoire approach to link source – choice - manufacturing process – tool – use – discard aspects of the life of chert artefacts recovered from several key Neolithic sites in Malta and Gozo, namely from Xagħra Circle, Ġgantija, Taċ-Ċawla, Santa Verna, Kordin and Skorba. Thus a major outcome of this research is to propose a specific methodology for the analysis and sourcing of chert artefacts for the wider Mediterranean region, which can be reliably used in future archaeological projects. To date, the geological and archaeological literature has suggested a long list of potentially informative techniques for sourcing lithic assemblages. However, there has not yet been any investigation which indicates the most informative and reliable combination of appropriate techniques. It is believed that the chosen techniques as applied to the Maltese Islands have produced reliable results on sourcing chert assemblages, as each method approaches a different, yet related quality of the rock. In conclusion, the macroscopic, microscopic and geochemical characteristics of the chert sources and artefact assemblages have suggested a combination of mainly local chert sources during the Temple period of the Neolithic, as well as a more minor component of imported material from Sicily and another unknown source altogether. Moreover, the type of tools and manufacturing techniques have provided strong evidence of a distinct local craft tradition employed on the Maltese Islands during the late Neolithic. It further confirms the interaction with neighbouring societies and gives a possible indication of cultural influence and exchange. Finally, this study has presented a beneficial methodology for lithic analysis for all archaeological researchers working on the provenance of lithic material elsewhere in the Mediterranean area and the wider world

Connecting chert sources of Sicily with the Neolithic chert artefacts of Malta.

This article presents the results of a provenance study between late-Neolithic chert artefacts from Malta and chert sources of Sicily. It is part of a larger geoarchaeological research dedicated to investigate whether the cherts used for stone artefacts represent indigenous exploitation or results from longer-distance networks. Chert is a raw material commonly used in prehistory for tool crafting and with abundant geological sources in the broader Mediterranean region. However, the features of most of these sources are unknown and no detailed data regarding their geochemical characteristics and composition are available. The lithic assemblages of late Neolithic Malta are abundant with non-local chert finds and their origin will contribute to inferences about the role of Malta within the broader Mediterranean social landscape and raw-material network of this period. The paper uses macroscopic examination to distinguish the different chert varieties in the assemblages and the non-destructive LA-ICP-MS technique to identify groups with specific geochemical characteristics/signature. The field and lab-based work suggest multiple sources for the chert artefacts and most significantly, presents strong evidence of artefacts having almost identical geochemical signature with specific chert sources from southeast Sicily. These are the first highly reliable results confirming a connection between these two locations and strongly suggests the existence of seafaring in this area during the late Neolithic.ER

Investigating the pottery firing techniques in western Slovenia during the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages using FTIR and petrographic analysis

This study focuses on the analysis of pottery firing techniques during the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages in the Karst region of Slovenia. Given the absence of archaeological structures, we adopted an alternative research approach, employing FTIR and ceramic thin-section analysis. The archaeological material underwent study using a model derived from archaeological experiments, which encompassed firing techniques in both pits and pottery kilns. Our research successfully identified that various firing structures were utilized during the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages

Petrology and Provenance of Lithic Raw Materials used to knap stone: A Case Study From the Inner Ionian Sea

Η μελέτη εξετάζει τη λιθολογία και την προέλευση των πρώτων υλών των λαξευμένων λίθινων τεχνέργων από προϊστορικές θέσεις στο Μεγανήσι Λευκάδος, τα οποία εντόπισε και περισυνέλλεξε η αρχαιολογική έρευνα επιφανείας στο Εσωτερικό Αρχιπέλαγος του Ιονίου. Η ερευνητική δραστηριότητα εγγράφεται στην ευρύτερη αρχαιολογική έρευνα με το διεπιστημονικό της χαρακτήρα και είχε διπλό στόχο. Στο πεδίο πραγματοποιήθηκε επιτόπια μελέτη της γεωλογίας του νησιού και συλλογή γεωλογικών δειγμάτων και στο εργαστήριο, πραγματοποιήθηκε πετρολογική εργασία χρησιμοποιώντας τις ενόργανες αναλυτικές μεθόδους LM (οπτική μικροσκοπία), XRD (περιθλασιμετρία ακτίνων-X), SEM (ηλεκτρονική μικροσκοπία σάρωσης) και ICP-MS (φασματοσκοπία μάζης με επαγωγικά συζευγμένο πλάσμα). Το μεγαλύτερο ποσοστό των υλικών που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν για την κατασκευή των εργαλείων συνίστανται σε σχεδόν καθαρό SiO2, με μορφή στρωσιγενών ή κονδυλωδών πυριτολίθων ηλικίας κυρίως Μαλμίου-Τουρωνίου και Ηωκαίνου. Οι πυριτόλιθοι συλλέχθηκαν από προϊστορικούς λιθοξόους από τοπικές πηγές πλησίον των αρχαιολογικών θέσεων. Οι πατίνες που εμφανίζουν τα τέχνεργα είναι κυρίως περιοχές ατελούς πυριτικής διαγένεσης εμπλουτισμένες σε ασβεστιτικό υλικό, και δευτερευόντως προϊόν ύστερης αποσάθρωσης και εξαλλοίωσηςThis paper examines the lithology and raw material provenance of knapped stone artifacts recovered from prehistoric sites on Meganisi in the course of the Inner Ionian Sea Archipelago survey. Research was twofold: in the field to map the geology of the island and collect raw material samples, and in the laboratory to conduct a petrological study using LM, XRD, SEM and ICP-MS techniques. The greater part of the materials used to produce stone tools consists of almost pure SiO2, bedded or nodular cherts mainly of Malm–Turonian and Eocene ages. The cherts were collected by prehistoric knappers from local sources. Patinas present on the artifacts are relatively enriched in calcite material of incomplete silica diagenesis and subsequently a product of late weathering and alteration

An integrated geoarchaeological approach to the investigation of multi-period prehistoric settlements – the case of Neolithic Drenovac

A multi-method geoarchaeological investigation was performed to reconstruct multi-phase Neolithic settlement. Invasive and non-invasive surveys showed potential for providing archaeological and environmental landscape data in this complex setting. Large-area geophysical surveys showed potential for deriving stratigraphic information

Optically detected spin-orbit torque ferromagnetic resonance in an in-plane magnetized ellipse (article)

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from AIP Publishing via the DOI in this recordThe dataset associated with this article is available in ORE at: https://doi.org/10.24378/exe.3343Time-resolved scanning Kerr microscopy has been used to perform optically-detected, phaseresolved spin-orbit torque ferromagnetic resonance (SOT-FMR) measurements on a microscale CoFeB ellipse at the centre of a Pt Hall cross subject to RF and DC current. Time-resolved polar Kerr images revealed localized dynamics with large amplitude at the center, and weaker amplitude at the edges. Therefore, field swept SOT-FMR spectra were acquired from the so-called center mode to probe the SOTs active at the center of the ellipse, thus minimising non-uniform edge contributions. When the magnetic field was applied at 30° from the hard axis of the ellipse and a DC current applied, a marked asymmetry was observed in the amplitude and linewidth of the FMR peaks as the applied field was reversed. Both absorptive and dispersive parts of the spectra were in good agreement with a macrospin calculation. The damping parameter (α) and the Slonczewski torque parameter (ST) were determined to be 0.025 and (6.75±0.75)×10-7 Oe A-1 cm2 respectively. The hard axis SOT-FMR linewidth was found to be almost independent of the DC current value, suggesting that the SOT has minimal influence in the hard axis configuration and also that thermal effects were insignificant. This study paves the way to spatially-resolved measurements of SOT probed using localized modes of microscale devices that go beyond the spatially averaged capability of electrical measurement techniques.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC

HBM4EU-MOM: Prenatal methylmercury-exposure control in five countries through suitable dietary advice for pregnancy – Study design and characteristics of participants

Background: Seafood is a major source of vital nutrients for optimal fetal growth, but at the same time is the main source of exposure to methylmercury (MeHg), an established neurodevelopmental toxicant. Pregnant women must be provided with dietary advice so as to include safely fish in their diet for nutrition and mercury control. The aim of this work is to present the design of a multicentre randomized control trial (RCT), which combines human biomonitoring (HBM) with dietary interventions using seafood consumption advice to pregnant women for MeHg control, and to collect information about other possible sources of exposure to mercury. It also presents the materials developed for the implementation of the study and the characteristics of the study participants, which were self-reported in the first trimester of pregnancy. Methods: The "HBM4EU-MOM" RCT was performed in the frame of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) in five coastal, high fish-consuming European countries (Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Iceland). According to the study design, pregnant women (≥120/country, ≤20 weeks gestational age) provided a hair sample for total mercury assessment (THg) and personal information relevant to the study (e.g., lifestyle, pregnancy status, diet before and during the pregnancy, information on seafood and factors related to possible non-dietary exposures to mercury) during the first trimester of pregnancy. After sampling, participants were randomly assigned to "control" (habitual practices) or "intervention" (received the harmonized HBM4EU-MOM dietary advice for fish consumption during the pregnancy and were encouraged to follow it). Around child delivery, participants provided a second hair sample and completed another tailored questionnaire. Results: A total of 654 women aged 18-45 years were recruited in 2021 in the five countries, primarily through their health-care providers. The pre-pregnancy BMI of the participants ranged from underweight to obese, but was on average within the healthy range. For 73% of the women, the pregnancy was planned. 26% of the women were active smokers before the pregnancy and 8% continued to smoke during the pregnancy, while 33% were passive smokers before pregnancy and 23% remained passively exposed during the pregnancy. 53% of the women self-reported making dietary changes for their pregnancy, with 74% of these women reporting making the changes upon learning of their pregnancy. Of the 43% who did not change their diet for the pregnancy, 74% reported that their diet was already balanced, 6% found it difficult to make changes and 2% were unsure of what changes to make. Seafood consumption did not change significantly before and during the first trimester of pregnancy (overall average ∼8 times per month), with the highest frequency reported in Portugal (≥15 times per month), followed by Spain (≥7 times per month). During the first-trimester of pregnancy, 89% of the Portuguese women, 85% of the Spanish women and 90%) were unaware of safe procedures for handling spillage from broken thermometers and energy-saving lamps, though >22% experienced such an incident (>1 year ago). 26% of the women had dental amalgams. ∼1% had amalgams placed and ∼2% had amalgams removed during peri-pregnancy. 28% had their hair dyed in the past 3 months and 40% had body tattoos. 8% engaged with gardening involving fertilizers/pesticides and 19% with hobbies involving paints/pigments/dyes. Conclusions: The study design materials were fit for the purposes of harmonization and quality-assurance. The harmonized information collected from pregnant women suggests that it is important to raise the awareness of women of reproductive age and pregnant women about how to safely include fish in their diet and to empower them to make proper decisions for nutrition and control of MeHg, as well as other chemical exposures.We acknowledge funding for HBM4EU from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement #733032 and the national governments of the participating countries. This publication reflects only the authors’ views, and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the in formation it contains.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

HBM4EU-MOM: Prenatal methylmercury-exposure control in five countries through suitable dietary advice for pregnancy - Study design and characteristics of participants

Background: Seafood is a major source of vital nutrients for optimal fetal growth, but at the same time is the main source of exposure to methylmercury (MeHg), an established neurodevelopmental toxicant. Pregnant women must be provided with dietary advice so as to include safely fish in their diet for nutrition and mercury control. The aim of this work is to present the design of a multicentre randomized control trial (RCT), which combines human biomonitoring (HBM) with dietary interventions using seafood consumption advice to pregnant women for MeHg control, and to collect information about other possible sources of exposure to mercury. It also presents the materials developed for the implementation of the study and the characteristics of the study participants, which were self-reported in the first trimester of pregnancy. Methods: The "HBM4EU-MOM" RCT was performed in the frame of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) in five coastal, high fish-consuming European countries (Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Iceland). According to the study design, pregnant women (≥120/country, ≤20 weeks gestational age) provided a hair sample for total mercury assessment (THg) and personal information relevant to the study (e.g., lifestyle, pregnancy status, diet before and during the pregnancy, information on seafood and factors related to possible non-dietary exposures to mercury) during the first trimester of pregnancy. After sampling, participants were randomly assigned to "control" (habitual practices) or "intervention" (received the harmonized HBM4EU-MOM dietary advice for fish consumption during the pregnancy and were encouraged to follow it). Around child delivery, participants provided a second hair sample and completed another tailored questionnaire. Results: A total of 654 women aged 18-45 years were recruited in 2021 in the five countries, primarily through their health-care providers. The pre-pregnancy BMI of the participants ranged from underweight to obese, but was on average within the healthy range. For 73% of the women, the pregnancy was planned. 26% of the women were active smokers before the pregnancy and 8% continued to smoke during the pregnancy, while 33% were passive smokers before pregnancy and 23% remained passively exposed during the pregnancy. 53% of the women self-reported making dietary changes for their pregnancy, with 74% of these women reporting making the changes upon learning of their pregnancy. Of the 43% who did not change their diet for the pregnancy, 74% reported that their diet was already balanced, 6% found it difficult to make changes and 2% were unsure of what changes to make. Seafood consumption did not change significantly before and during the first trimester of pregnancy (overall average ∼8 times per month), with the highest frequency reported in Portugal (≥15 times per month), followed by Spain (≥7 times per month). During the first-trimester of pregnancy, 89% of the Portuguese women, 85% of the Spanish women and 90%) were unaware of safe procedures for handling spillage from broken thermometers and energy-saving lamps, though >22% experienced such an incident (>1 year ago). 26% of the women had dental amalgams. ∼1% had amalgams placed and ∼2% had amalgams removed during peri-pregnancy. 28% had their hair dyed in the past 3 months and 40% had body tattoos. 8% engaged with gardening involving fertilizers/pesticides and 19% with hobbies involving paints/pigments/dyes. Conclusions: The study design materials were fit for the purposes of harmonization and quality-assurance. The harmonized information collected from pregnant women suggests that it is important to raise the awareness of women of reproductive age and pregnant women about how to safely include fish in their diet and to empower them to make proper decisions for nutrition and control of MeHg, as well as other chemical exposures.We acknowledge funding for HBM4EU from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement #733032 and the national governments of the participating countries. This publication reflects only the authors’ views, and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.S

Economy, environment and resources in prehistoric Malta

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Raziskovanje tehnik žganja keramike v zahodni Sloveniji v pozni bronasti in starejši železni dobi na podlagi FTIR in petrografskih analiz

This study focuses on the analysis of pottery firing techniques during the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages in the Karst region of Slovenia. Given the absence of archaeological structures, we adopted an alternative research approach, employing FTIR and ceramic thin-section analysis. The archaeological material underwent study using a model derived from archaeological experiments, which encompassed firing techniques in both pits and pottery kilns. Our research successfully identified that various firing structures were utilized during the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages.Študija je usmerjena v analizo tehnik žganja keramike v pozni bronasti in starejši železni dobi na Krasu v Sloveniji. Zaradi odsotnosti arheološki struktur smo uporabili alternativni raziskovalni pristop, in sicer FTIR in keramične petrografske analize. Arheološki material smo analizirali s pomočjo modela, ki smo ga razvili pri arheološkem raziskovalnem delu, žganju v jami in žganju v peči. S pomočjo raziskave smo uspešno prepoznali različne tehnike žganja, ki so bile v uporabi v pozni bronasti in starejši železni dobi