scholarly journals Archaeological Sites and Ethnocultural Areas of Medieval Karelia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana Kochkurkina
Keyword(s):  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Archaeological Materials

The paper defines ethnocultural zones of medieval Karelia and describes the process of forming the largest areas. The paper is based on archaeological materials, historical documentation, toponymic, ethnography and anthropology sources.

scholarly journals Predicting wildfire impacts on the prehistoric archaeological record of the Jemez Mountains, New Mexico, USA

Fire Ecology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan M. Friggens ◽  
Rachel A. Loehman ◽  
Connie I. Constan ◽  
Rebekah R. Kneifel
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Fire Severity ◽  
Fire Effects ◽  
Burn Severity ◽  
Fire Season ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Archaeological Record ◽  
Human Environment ◽  
Jemez Mountains ◽  
Archaeological Materials

Abstract Background Wildfires of uncharacteristic severity, a consequence of climate changes and accumulated fuels, can cause amplified or novel impacts to archaeological resources. The archaeological record includes physical features associated with human activity; these exist within ecological landscapes and provide a unique long-term perspective on human–environment interactions. The potential for fire-caused damage to archaeological materials is of major concern because these resources are irreplaceable and non-renewable, have social or religious significance for living peoples, and are protected by an extensive body of legislation. Although previous studies have modeled ecological burn severity as a function of environmental setting and climate, the fidelity of these variables as predictors of archaeological fire effects has not been evaluated. This study, focused on prehistoric archaeological sites in a fire-prone and archaeologically rich landscape in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico, USA, identified the environmental and climate variables that best predict observed fire severity and fire effects to archaeological features and artifacts. Results Machine learning models (Random Forest) indicate that topography and variables related to pre-fire weather and fuel condition are important predictors of fire effects and severity at archaeological sites. Fire effects were more likely to be present when fire-season weather was warmer and drier than average and within sites located in sloped, treed settings. Topographic predictors were highly important for distinguishing unburned, moderate, and high site burn severity as classified in post-fire archaeological assessments. High-severity impacts were more likely at archaeological sites with southern orientation or on warmer, steeper, slopes with less accumulated surface moisture, likely associated with lower fuel moistures and high potential for spreading fire. Conclusions Models for predicting where and when fires may negatively affect the archaeological record can be used to prioritize fuel treatments, inform fire management plans, and guide post-fire rehabilitation efforts, thus aiding in cultural resource preservation.

scholarly journals Potential of the Radiocarbon Method for Dating Known Historical Events: The Case of Yaroslavl, Russia

Radiocarbon ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 54 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 615-624
Author(s):  
A V Engovatova ◽  
G I Zaitseva ◽  
M V Dobrovolskaya ◽  
N D Burova
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ages ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Historical Events ◽  
Methodological Question ◽  
Archaeological Material ◽  
Central Russia ◽  
Archaeological Materials ◽  
Dating Method ◽  
Academy Of Sciences ◽  
The City

We address here the methodological question of potentially using the radiocarbon method for dating historical events. The archaeological investigations in Yaroslavl (central Russia) provide an example. The Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IARAS) has been conducting excavations at the site for many years, and many archaeological complexes dating to different times have come to light. The most interesting of these are connected with the founding of the city by Prince Yaroslav the Wise in AD 1010 (the first fortifications) and with the devastation of the city by the Tatar Mongols in 1238 (evidenced by sanitary mass burials of Yaroslavl's inhabitants). We have conducted a certain experiment, a “reverse” investigation of the chronology of the events. The dates of the events are known from chronicles, archaeological materials, and dendrochronological data for several assemblages. We have taken a large series of 14C samples from the same assemblages, dated them in 2 different laboratories, and compared the data. The accuracy of the 14C dates proved to be compatible with dates found via the archaeological material. The article shows the potential for 14C dating of archaeological assemblages connected with known historical events. The results of the research conducted by the authors serve as an additional argument for the broader use of the 14C dating method in studies of archaeological sites related to the Middle Ages in Russia.

Ethics, the antiquities trade, and archaeology

1998 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Ede
Keyword(s):  
Historical Review ◽  
Black Market ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Legal Systems ◽  
Archaeological Materials ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Antiquities Trade ◽  
The Many

This article presents the perspective of a long-time dealer in ancient art and antiquities on the many attacks on the antiquities trade. After a brief historical review of collecting and the different national approaches to control of export of archaeological materials, the author presents an analysis of why the more draconian of the legal systems defeat their intended purposes and are themselves unethical in that they promote the destruction of archaeological sites and the black market in antiquities.

Bird Bones, Burials, and Bundles in Plains Archaeology

1975 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 444-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas H. Ubelaker ◽  
Waldo R. Wedel
Keyword(s):  
Missouri River ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Museum Collections ◽  
Archaeological Remains ◽  
Time Perspectives ◽  
Archaeological Materials ◽  
Plains Archaeology ◽  
Minor Portion ◽  
Important Time ◽  
Indian Medicine

Plains archaeologists have usually devoted little attention to the bird remains that normally comprise a relatively minor portion of the yield from their excavations. Bird bones from several archaeological sites on the Missouri River are shown to have been purposefully and selectively modified by man. They exhibit a remarkable similarity to prepared bird skins and other ceremonial objects found in Omaha, Osage, Arikara, and other Plains Indian medicine bundles in various museum collections. The ethnographic specimens are believed to identify the archaeological remains as to function; conversely, the archaeological materials add important time perspectives to native use of the ritual items in museum collections and in the documentary record.

scholarly journals Archaeology of Semirechye at the End of the 19th Century (Based on the Materials of the Expedition Led by Ch.-E. Ujfalvy)

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 44-51
Author(s):  
Alisa Yu. Borisenko
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Aral Sea ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
The North ◽  
Archaeological Materials ◽  
French Author ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The 19Th Century ◽  
Illustrative Material ◽  
Archaeological Objects

Purpose. This article analyzes the archaeological materials gathered by French explorer of Hungarian descent Charles-Eugène Ujfalvy in the course of his expedition into Semirechye (Jetysu). In 1879 his work “French scientific expedition to Russia, Siberia and Turkestan” (“Expédition scientifique française en Russe, en Sibérie et dans le Turkestan”) was published in Paris, where the author expounded extensive and diverse materials on the history, demography, natural economic and cultural specificities of Central Asia. Results. Activities of the European explorers, French in particular, in the territory of Central Asia not once have been the subject of attention and research by specialists. However, only a few mentions in scientific literature can be found about the work of Ch.-E. Ujfalvy in the territory of Jetysu. They are particularly small in number and contain either mentions about the fact of that journey or general descriptions of the expedition. Analysis of archaeological materials gathered by scientists has not been carried out before. The expeditionary route passed through territories that the French author called the Russian Turkestan, by limiting it to Semey in the north, Zarafshan in the south, Fergana Valley in the east and Aral Sea in the west. Ch.-E. Ujfalvy was one of those whose work was distinguished by a great variety and volume of collected material on the history, geography, and traditional culture of the peoples living in the studied territories. Conclusion. Ch.-E. Ujfalvy’s monograph includes not only texts, but also illustrative material. He also outlined the archaeological sites and findings among the landscaping and natural attractions described by the explorer. He has covered some of them in text and some are simply sketched and attached as illustrations to the monograph. The scientist highlights several types of archaeological objects. The article provides a data review about archaeological antiquities of the Jetysu region, gathered by Ch.-E. Ujfalvy in the course of his expedition.

Hunting of Game Fowl by the Russian Population of the Tarsky Irtysh Region in the 17th-19th Centuries: written and archaeological sources

2021 ◽  
pp. 75-86
Author(s):  
Larisa Tataurova ◽  
◽  
Aleksey Nekrasov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Activity ◽  
Russian Population ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Archaeological Materials ◽  
Cultural Layers ◽  
Rural Sites ◽  
Written Sources

Bird hunting as a type of economic activity of the Russian population in the 17th—18th centuries is analyzed on the basis of archeozoological collections and complexes from the cultural layers of rural sites. The composition and ratio of different types of commercial birds, methods of passive and active hunting are determined. The results obtained are compared with written sources of the 19 th century and archaeological materials from other regions. As part of the inventory of archaeological sites, in addition to the bow and arrowheads, a set of clay balls of different sizes and weights was identified, which were used as projectiles for slingshot in hunting flocking birds.

Site Summaries

1950 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 23-35
Author(s):  
Marian W. Smith
Keyword(s):  
The State ◽  
Early Data ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Stone Age ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Systematic Description ◽  
Poor Region ◽  
Archaeological Materials ◽  
Western Washington ◽  
Eastern Washington

Before turning to a systematic description of the archaeological sites of the Columbia-Fraser region, it will be well to review briefly the main sources of information. It may then be possible to bring together various of the sites and, with considerable tentativeness to be sure, associate them according to the cultural phases they represent. Some framework for the prehistory of the region may thus be obtained.Judge Wickersham's early data for western Washington led him to believe that it was a poor region “for the development of the Stone Age,” and that the Indian “made his implements of bone, shell, or wood, and these soon decayed.” He goes on, however, to mention mauls, adz blades, clubs, and pipes of polished stone, in addition to chipped points among which “ … local forms are rare, but so distinct in character from others, which are so clearly traced to eastern Washington, as to admit of but little doubt as to their local origin.” He apparently thought the archaeological materials were closely related to the objects used by living Indians. Ties between the peoples east and west of the Cascades were obvious on the ethnological level and Wickersham was, consequently, not surprised to find arrow points on the Sound which were reminiscent of the eastern section of the state.

No Surprises? The Reliability and Validity of Test Pit Sampling

1986 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 457-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack D. Nance ◽  
Bruce F. Ball
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Clustering ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Regional Survey ◽  
Archaeological Materials ◽  
Probabilistic Survey ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Logistic Regressions ◽  
Survey Designs ◽  
Reduced Surface

In attempts to implement probabilistic survey designs in areas of reduced surface visibility, archaeologists have turned to shovel testing or Test Pit Sampling (TPS). Characteristically TPS involves excavation of small, systematically spaced test pits within larger survey units as a method of searching for archaeological materials that would otherwise go undiscovered. While TPS has been the subject of considerable study most studies have been theoretical in nature. As a result, while the characteristics of TPS are understood generally, it is not known how well the method functions in known archaeological contexts. This article describes the results of research directed at estimating the reliability and validity of the test pit method when carried out on known archaeological sites under varying conditions of artifact density and spatial clustering. Split-half correlations and logistic regressions show that TPS is reliable in the sense that it produces replicable results, but is biased against discovery of small, low-density sites, especially when these sites exhibit high degrees of spatial clustering of artifacts. A model relating TPS to regional survey in general is presented and a means of estimating potential biases of the method is illustrated.

Field-Based Decisions on the Collection of Archaeological Materials: Monitoring and Ethics

Collections ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 155019062095154
Author(s):  
Ellen Brennan
Keyword(s):  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Cultural Resource ◽  
Resource Managers ◽  
Archaeological Materials ◽  
Park Service ◽  
Archaeological Artifacts ◽  
Ways Of Life ◽  
Monitoring Information

Cultural resource managers are faced with increasing challenges regarding decisions to collect archaeological artifacts from site contexts. Increased visitation, information sharing through social media, and recreation contribute to challenges to preserving archaeological sites and the undisturbed artifacts they contain. Many National Park Service cultural resource managers and staff are directed to manage archaeological resources in-situ. To our tribal colleagues, archaeological sites and artifacts represent links to their oral histories and their ancestors. To others, artifacts provide insights to past ways of life and add an intangible and irreplaceable quality to archaeological sites. Under normal circumstances materials gathered during data recovery projects are curated as they should be. Grab-samples and artifacts from unexcavated archaeological contexts, that is surface collection, must be carefully evaluated prior to gathering archaeological materials, otherwise we run the risk of storing artifacts for decades that are not analyzed, curated, or used to further our knowledge about the past. This article presents a case study of how monitoring information and field-based decision-making guided the collection, but not the accession, of an archaeological artifact from an in-situ context.

A Progress Report on the Dating of Archaeological Sites by Means of Radioactive Elements

1948 ◽  
Vol 13 (4Part1) ◽  
pp. 281-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert S. Merrill
Keyword(s):  
Large Field ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Archaeological Remains ◽  
Radioactive Elements ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Dating Methods ◽  
Archaeological Materials ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Ancient Rock ◽  
Rock Strata

The importance of being able to date accurately the remains of past societies has long been recognized by archaeologists. The problem has always been to find methods that work in the absence of historical records. Recent developments, such as tree-ring dating, have been great contributions, but they are not applicable everywhere. There is still a great need for new methods to supplement and extend the range of present dating procedures.A large field of knowledge so far largely unexplored for possible dating methods is the physics and chemistry of archaeological remains. One area in this field is the study of naturally occurring radioactive elements. Some of these elements have been used by geologists to date ancient rock strata, but applications to archaeological materials have not been made. Recently, however, two possible methods for using radioactive elements to date archaeological remains have been proposed on theoretical grounds. It is not yet definitely known whether they will work, or how well. Further research is necessary.

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