scholarly journals Mesopotamian cylinder seal from Lori Berd (Armenia): An object in an unusual location?

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruben Davtyan
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Prestige Goods ◽  
Unusual Location ◽  
Middle Bronze Age

Archaeological Site: Lori Berd (Northern Armenia); cemetery, dating from Middle Bronze Age till Achaemenid period.Tomb No. 106: stone chamber. Ceramic and part of the finds date to Achaemenid period. Also a pinkish chalcedony cylinder seal with gold caps on gold pin. Iconography: standing figure, seizing two upstanding caprids surrounded by symbolic fillings.Dating: a Neo-Babylonian cylinder seal of late 8th till 7th century BC.Similar example: usage of Neo-Assyrian/Babylonian cylinder seal by Irtashduna (wife of Darius I) around 500 BC.Interpretation: suitable for reciprocity of gifts in prestige-goods system of Achaemenid period. Perhaps a gift from satrap to local chief.

scholarly journals Novos dados sobre os hipogeus do Bronze Pleno de Torre Velha 3 (Serpa): contextos sepulcrais e estudo do espólio osteológico humano

2016 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Daniel Ferreira Fidalgo ◽  
Eduardo Porfírio ◽  
Ana Maria Silva
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Human Remains ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Late Neolithic ◽  
Male Adult ◽  
Genetic Changes ◽  
Middle Bronze Age ◽  
Masticatory System

O presente trabalho incide sobre a análise antropológica do espólio ósseo humano recuperado de 21 hipogeus do arqueossítio de Torre Velha 3 (TV3; São Salvador, Serpa), datados entre os meados e a segunda metade do II milénio a.C.. Dezasseis hipogeus são individuais, três duplos (uma inumação in situ com uma redução associada) e um triplo (enterramento duplo com uma redução associada) e dois contextos funerários inconclusivos. Todos os restos ósseos humanos foram recuperados da câmara funerária. Para além destes, um hipogeu continha um enterramento com uma redução associada na câmara e uma inumação primária na antecâmara. Destes sepulcros foram exumados 28 indivíduos, 22 adultos (11 do sexo feminino, nove do masculino e dois casos indeterminados), cinco não adultos e um em que não foi possível atribuir uma faixa etária. Nas inumações primárias e individuais, as oferendas cárneas encontram-se associadas a adultos de ambos os sexos. Por sua vez as cerâmicas e punções surgem somente em enterramentos do sexo feminino, com a excepção de um punção associado ao adulto do sexo masculino [2007]. Recorrendo à análise estatística de componentes principais, foi possível observar que as diferenças na morfologia dentária de TV3 em comparação com outras amostras da Pré-História recente Peninsular são mínimas, e podem ser explicadas por mudanças genéticas associadas a possíveis contactos e interações interregionais. Foram ainda identificados padrões de desgaste dentário atípico que sugerem o uso parafuncional do sistema mastigatório de adultos do sexo feminino. Relativamente à patologia oral, a incidência de lesões cariogénicas na amostra é de 5,85% (29/495), e afecta cerca de 57% dos indivíduos analisados (n=21). Estes valores são superiores à maioria das amostras comparadas do Neolítico Final/Calcolítico do actual território Português, mas semelhantes aos registados para outras comunidades da Idade do Bronze. New data on the Middle Bronze Age hypogea of Torre Velha 3 (Serpa): burial contexts and the study of the human osteological remains - The present work focuses on the anthropological analysis of the human remains exhumed from 21 hypogea of the archaeological site of Torre Velha 3 (TV3; São Salvador, Serpa), which is dated between the middle and second half of the II millennium B.C. Sixteen hypogea were individual, three double (one in situ burial with an associated reduction) and one triple (double burial with associated reduction) and two inconclusive funerary contexts. The human remains were collected unearthed from the chambers of the tombs. Besides these, one hypogeum displayed an in situ burial with an associated reduction in the chamber and other in situ burial in theantechamber. From these tombs were exhumed 28 individuals, 22 adults (11 females, nine males and 2 inconclusive), five non adults and one unknown. In primary and individual burials, meat offering were found in association with adults from both sexes. Ceramic vessels and awls are found only in female burials, with the exception of one awl found in association with the male adult [2007]. Using a principal component analyses, it was possible to observe that the differences in dental morphological traits found in TV3, in comparison with other samples from the Iberian Peninsula’s recent pre-history, are minimal and can be explained by genetic changes derived from possible inter-regional contacts and interactions. Some atypical dental wear patterns were also identified, mostly in adult females, and these suggest the parafunctional use of the masticatory system. Finally, the incidence of cariogenic lesions found is 5.85% (29/495), affecting around 57% of the individuals analysed (n=21). These values are higher than Late Neolithic/Chalcolithic samples from nowadays Portugal, but similar to the values found in Bronze Age samples.

scholarly journals Provenance Study of Archaeological Ceramics from Syria Using XRF Multivariate Statistical Analysis and Thermoluminescence Dating

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Elias Hanna Bakraji ◽  
Rana Abboud ◽  
Haissm Issa
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Multivariate Statistical Methods ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Archaeological Ceramics ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Thermoluminescence Dating ◽  
Three Samples ◽  
Middle Bronze Age

Thermoluminescence (TL) dating and multivariate statistical methods based on radioisotope X-ray fluorescence analysis have been utilized to date and classify Syrian archaeological ceramics fragment from Tel Jamous site. 54 samples were analyzed by radioisotope X-ray fluorescence; 51 of them come from Tel Jamous archaeological site in Sahel Akkar region, Syria, which fairly represent ceramics belonging to the Middle Bronze Age (2150 to 1600 B.C.) and the remaining three samples come from Mar-Takla archaeological site fairly representative of the Byzantine ceramics. We have selected four fragments from Tel Jamous site to determinate their age using thermoluminescence (TL) method; the results revealed that the date assigned by archaeologists was good. An annular 109Cd radioactive source was used to irradiate the samples in order to determine their chemical composition and the results were treated statistically using two methods, cluster and factor analysis. This treatment revealed two main groups; the first one contains only the three samples M52, M53, and M54 from Mar-Takla site, and the second one contains samples that belong to Tel Jamous site (local).

scholarly journals METAL FROM THE SHUSHUK ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE (THE NORTHWEST CAUCASUS) IN THE LIGHT OF CHRONOLOGICAL AND MICROSCOPIC STUDIES

2021 ◽  
pp. 384-401
Author(s):  
Е. И. Гак ◽  
Ю. В. Попов ◽  
В. Р. Эрлих
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Metal Artifacts ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Metal Composition ◽  
Microscopic Studies ◽  
Middle Bronze Age ◽  
Production Technologies ◽  
Interdisciplinary Study

В статье представлены результаты междисциплинарного изучения металлических предметов из раскопок археологического комплекса Шушук в Адыгее. В комплекс входят погребения в ящиках-рамах и поселение. По аналогиям в курганных памятниках Восточной Европы и Кавказа, с учетом имеющихся радиоуглеродных дат, погребения разделены на три хронологические группы. К первой (начало средней бронзы, XXVIII-XXVII вв. до н. э.) относятся объекты с литой декоративной пластикой ранних форм (рис. 1; 2). В составе металла выявлены беспрецедентно высокие лигатуры мышьяка, что объясняется первичным использованием сплавов. Морфология предметов второй группы (XXVI-XXIV вв. до н. э.) имеет транзитные признаки второй половины раннего - первой половины позднего периодов среднего бронзового века. Состав металла иллюстрирует преемственность, новацией являются тройные сплавы медь-мышьяк-свинец (рис. 3; 4). В третьей хронологической группе (эпоха поздней бронзы, XVIII-XVI вв. до н. э.) выделены три типа медных сплавов с лигатурами олова и мышьяка, а также сурьма. Отмечена корреляция между видами, функциями, составом металла и технологией изготовления предметов (рис. 5; 6). Металл поселения Шушук, датированного финальным этапом эпохи бронзы (XII в.), не демонстрирует связи с какой-либо группой погребений (рис. 7). The paper presents results of the interdisciplinary study of metal artifacts from the Shushuk archaeological site in Adygea. The site includes burials in cists lined with stone and a settlement. Using analogies from kurgan sites in eastern Europe and the Caucasus and taking into account available radiocarbon dates, the burials are divided into three chronological groups. The first group (beginning of the Middle Bronze Age, 2800-2700 BC) contains items with cast decorative elements of earlier forms (Fig. 1; 2). The metal composition revealed an unexampled high content of arsenic which is explained by primary use of alloys. Morphology of the items referred to the second group (2600-2400 BC) shows transition characteristics typical for the second half of the Early Bronze Agefirst half of the later periods of the Middle Bronze Age. The metal composition demonstrates continuity, with triple alloys containing copper, arsenic and lead (Fig. 3; 4) being an innovation. The third chronological group (the Late Bronze Age, 1800-1600 BC) has three types of copper-based alloys containing tin and arsenic as well as antimony. The types, functions, metal composition and production technologies are correlated (Fig. 5; 6). The metal from the Shushuk settlement dating to the final stage of the Bronze Age (1200 BC) does not demonstrate any correlation with any group of burials (Fig. 7).

scholarly journals Study on the Middle Bronze Age Disc-Butted Axe Ornament from Archaeometallurgical Point of View

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (21) ◽  
pp. 9814
Author(s):  
Ioan Gabriel Sandu ◽  
Viorica Vasilache ◽  
Ion Sandu ◽  
Felix Adrian Tencariu ◽  
Andrei Victor Sandu
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Copper Alloys ◽  
Phase Variation ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Application Process ◽  
Preservation Condition ◽  
The Social ◽  
Middle Bronze Age ◽  
Surface Decoration

Our research was conducted on a copper disc-butted axe, with a surface decoration made of a tin-based alloy, which was found east of the Carpathian Mountains in the Moldavian Plateau. This unique piece is thought to belong to the Middle Bronze Age in the Western Carpathians—Wietenberg, Suciu de Sus and Otomani–Füzesabony cultures. In order to evaluate the application process and the origin of the ores used, the surface and volume phase variation of the concentration of the metal components of the basic alloy (copper) and of the ornament was analysed using optical microscopy (OM), stereomicroscopy (SM) and SEM-EDX. The archaeometric features, formed both during its use and during its lying in the archaeological site, were identified and later used in archaeometallurgical evaluations and in determining the preservation condition of the two components (axe and ornament) on the surface, interface and in stratigraphic section. Experimental data revealed that, after its casting in porous silicon stone moulds, the object was coated with a thin film by immersion in an easily fusible tin alloy, which included copper as the major alloying component and arsenic and iron as minor components. After finishing the shiny white coat, a beautiful decoration was applied by incision and engraving. Used as a battle axe, it also had a rank function, as it belonged to the community leaders. The data prove the ability of ancient craftsmen to design and process copper alloys to obtain authentic extremely beautiful artefacts, which provide new possibilities to reveal the social and symbolic function of certain ancient bronze objects.

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