Borremose Reconsidered: The Date and Development of a Fortified Settlement of the Early Iron Age

Borremose Reconsidered: The Date and Development of a Fortified Settlement of the Early Iron Ag

Vejene i Borremose: Danmarks ældste vejsystem

I en højmose i det centrale Himmerland findes spor af Danmarks ældste vejsystem. Ud fra mange års udgravninger fortælles historien om bl.a. de første stenlagte veje

Settlement Archaeology in Southern Scandinavia. Preconditions and Prospecting Methods

Iron Age (500 BC-1000AD) settlements have been excavated in large numbers in Denmark and Scandinavia, and not only the houses but the layout of the farms and villages are well illuminated themes. Since this is not the case everywhere in Europe, this paper focuses on the important first step in order to get to grips with this problem; the archaeological prospecting. There are a number of methods at hand and they work best in combination. While prospecting, the archaeologist has to work in a source critical manner in order not simply to reproduce already known facts

Reviews

Reviews: H. Goransson: Neolithic Man and the Forest Environment around Alvastra Pile Dwelling (by Sv.Th. Andersen) L. Blomqvist: Megalitgravarna i Sverige (by F. Kaul) A. Saville (et al.): Hazleton North (by D. Liversage) T. Dabrowska: Wczesne Jazy kultury przeworskiej (by Jes Martens)M. Beskow Sjoberg (ed.): Olandsjernilldersgravfiilt (by Lotte Hedeager) Danmarks længste udgravning (by Torsten Capelle

Marine Incursion: The Freshwater Herring of Lake Tanganyika Are the Product of a Marine Invasion into West Africa

The spectacular marine-like diversity of the endemic fauna of Lake Tanganyika, the oldest of the African Great Lakes, led early researchers to suggest that the lake must have once been connected to the ocean. Recent geophysical reconstructions clearly indicate that Lake Tanganyika formed by rifting in the African subcontinent and was never directly linked to the sea. Although the Lake has a high proportion of specialized endemics, the absence of close relatives outside Tanganyika has complicated phylogeographic reconstructions of the timing of lake colonization and intralacustrine diversification. The freshwater herring of Lake Tanganyika are members of a large group of pellonuline herring found in western and southern Africa, offering one of the best opportunities to trace the evolutionary history of members of Tanganyika's biota. Molecular phylogenetic reconstructions indicate that herring colonized West Africa 25–50MYA, at the end of a major marine incursion in the region. Pellonuline herring subsequently experienced an evolutionary radiation in West Africa, spreading across the continent and reaching East Africa's Lake Tanganyika during its early formation. While Lake Tanganyika has never been directly connected with the sea, the endemic freshwater herring of the lake are the descendents of an ancient marine incursion, a scenario which may also explain the origin of other Tanganyikan endemics

From Ultima Thule to the Hellespont. Som remarks on the bone points of the Iron Age

Taking the outset in two finds of bone points in Norway, the distribution and use of the artefact type is discussed. Points of bone and antler are frequently found at settlements and in wetlands in Northern Europe. However, the exact distribution of the artefact type is hard to determine because its modest design makes it easy to overlook. This is also the reason why it is usually looked upon as a sign of poverty and as second rate. It seems the artefact type had more than one area of use; as a tool, as an implement for fishing and hunting, and as a combat weapon. Concerning the latter, it is argued that the points of bone and antler were valued and efficient weapons that more likely served as spears rather than javelins. This is confirmed by ancient written sources