Geoarchaeological evaluation of the soil profiles and collapsed Neolithic structures in Trenches XIX, XXII and XXIII at Drenovac, Serbia

Evaluative geoarchaeological investigations using thin section micromorphology, physical, geochemical and infrared spectroscopy analyses of the Neolithic structures in Trenches XIX, XXII and XXIII at Drenovac have revealed that the site was built on disturbed clay-enriched brown forest soils. The collapsed structures were highly burnt and appear to have been kept very clean and free from the buildup of settlement-derived rubbish material, both inside and outside the buildings. These promising results suggest that further systematic geoarchaeological investigations of the floor and ground surfaces inside and outside the structures will provide very valuable new information on the use of space and activity areas in this Neolithic settlement

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

A provenance investigation on Middle–Upper Paleolithic chipped chert tools from North Bosnia

Publication status: PublishedFunder: Cambridge Humanities Research GrantFunder: McBurney Laboratory, Department of ArchaeologyFunder: Isaac Newton Trust; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004815AbstractThis study presents the results of a provenance study on Middle–Upper Paleolithic chert tools from North Bosnia. It is part of a larger geoarchaeological research dedicated to using interdisciplinary methodologies to collate and review the known Middle–Upper Paleolithic archaeological record of North Bosnia. Chert is a raw material commonly used in prehistory for tool crafting and this region is known to have abundant geological sources. However, there is a lack of detailed data, especially regarding the geochemical characteristics and composition of these sources. The Middle‐Upper Paleolithic lithic assemblages found in North Bosnia are dominated by chert and there is an untested theory suggesting the exploitation of local sources. The presented research uses macroscopic examination and laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to distinguish the different chert varieties and identify groups with specific geochemical characteristics/signatures in the assemblages. The field‐ and lab‐based work suggests multiple sources but most importantly, presents strong evidence of chert tools having almost identical geochemical signatures with specific chert sources from North Bosnia. These are the first results confirming the exploitation of Indigenous chert sources and subsequently providing insights into hominan activity and raw‐material networks during the Middle–Upper Paleolithic in the region.</jats:p