scholarly journals Sharing the Agrarian Knowledge with Archaeology: First Evidence of the Dimorphism of Vitis Pollen from the Middle Bronze Age of N Italy (Terramara Santa Rosa di Poviglio)

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2287
Author(s):  
Anna Maria Mercuri ◽  
Paola Torri ◽  
Assunta Florenzano ◽  
Eleonora Clò ◽  
Marta Mariotti Lippi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitis Vinifera ◽  
Bronze Age ◽  
Pollen Morphology ◽  
Pollen Dispersal ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Pollen Dimorphism ◽  
History Of ◽  
Inaperturate Pollen ◽  
Female Flowers

The recovery of inaperturate pollen from functionally female flowers in archaeological layers opens the question of a possible pollen-based discrimination between wild and domesticated Vitis vinifera in prehistoric times. Pollen analysis applied to archaeology has not routinely considered the existence of pollen dimorphism in Vitis, a well-known trait in the field of agrarian studies. Therefore, the inaperturate shape of grapevine pollen is ignored by studies on the archaeobotanical history of viticulture. In this paper we investigate pollen morphology of the domesticated and wild subspecies of V. vinifera, and report the first evidence of inaperturate Vitis pollen from an archaeological site. We studied exemplar cases of plants with hermaphroditic flowers, belonging to the subspecies vinifera with fully developed male and female organs, cases of dioecious plants with male or female flowers, belonging to the wild subspecies sylvestris and cases of V. vinifera subsp. vinifera with morphologically hermaphroditic but functionally female flowers. The pollen produced by hermaphroditic and male flowers is usually trizonocolporate; the pollen produced by female flowers is inaperturate. This paper reports on the inaperturate pollen of Vitis found in an archeological site of the Po Plain, Northern Italy. The site dated to the Bronze Age, which is known to have been a critical age for the use of this plant with a transition from wild to domesticated Vitis in central Mediterranean. Can the inaperturate Vitis pollen be a marker of wild Vitis vinifera in prehistoric times? Palynology suggests a possible new investigation strategy on the ancient history of the wild and cultivated grapevine. The pollen dimorphism also implies a different production and dispersal of pollen of the wild and the domesticated subspecies. Grapevine plants are palynologically different from the other Mediterranean “cultural trees”. In fact, Olea, Juglans and Castanea, which are included in the OJC index, have the same pollen morphology and the same pollen dispersal, in wild and domesticated plants. In contrast, the signal of Vitis pollen in past records may be different depending on the hermaphroditic or dioecious subspecies.

scholarly journals Sites of archaeology in Ulvivok and its surroundings in the research of Lviv scientists

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 337-361
Author(s):  
Dmytro Pavliv
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Iron Age ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Large River ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Archaeological Heritage ◽  
History Of ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Xix Century ◽  
The Village

The old village of Ulvivok, located above the Bug River in Sokal district, Lviv region, is extremely rich with archaeological sites. Relief, favourable for living, fertile soils, large river have contributed to appearing of human settlements on this area since ancient times. This fact is witnessed by finds of numerous archaeological artifacts near Ulvivok and discovery of significant archaeological sites – cemeteries and settlements, which have an interesting history of research since the late XIX century and till nowadays, associated with many famous Lviv scientists. An important role in the preservation and study of local archaeological finds was played by Dzieduszycki Museum. The first references to finds from Ulvivok and the surrounding villages – Horodylovychi, Stargorod, Skomorokhy and Telyazh – are found at the works of local historian B. Sokalski and geologist A. Lomnitcki, published in 1899. J. Nykorovych – the owner of the village and amateur archaeologist contributed noticeably preservation and research of sites during XIX – beginning of XX century. The first extensive exploration in Ulvivok in 1923 was conducted by archaeologist and local historian, guardian of the prehistoric monuments of Lviv district B. Janusz, who discovered a tomb of Globular Amphorae culture and part of the burials of the most famous archaeological sites near Ulvivok – inhumation cemetery from the end of Bronze Age of “Ulvivok-Rovantsi type”. The same cemetery was investigated in 1931 by archaeologist T. Sulimirski, who published the results of excavations. Local archaeological finds were studied by famous Ukrainian archaeologist J. Pasternak, J. Bryk, K. Żurowski, J. Dąmbrowski, I. Sveshnikov, L. Krushelnytska. Nowadays, the exploration work was conducted by N. Wojceschuk, surveys in Ulvivok, Horodylovychi, Stargorod and excavation of Early Iron Age site were carried out by D. Pavliv. At least 14 archaeological sites (8 settlements and 6 cemeteries) and about 100 individual finds have been found on the territory of the village and surrounding area. This territory on the western part of Ukraine is extremely rich with archaeological sites of almost all epochs. It is witnessed by the great historical importance of this region and requires continuation of professional archaeological examinations and protective actions for the preservation of archaeological heritage. Key words: Ulvivok, archaeological site, Lviv scientists, Globular Amphorae culture, burial complex of Ulvivok-Rovantsi type.

scholarly journals Sosnovyi Mys Burial Ground in the Northern Angara Region: Analysis of the Mortuary Tradition and the Results of Radiocarbon Dating

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 3-37
Author(s):  
N. A. Saveliev ◽  
◽  
S. P. Dudarek ◽  
A. A. Timoshchenko ◽  
D. N. Lokhov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Nitrogen Isotopes ◽  
Late Phase ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
High Ratio ◽  
Burial Ground ◽  
History Of ◽  
Freshwater Reservoir

The article presents the results of the study of 8 burial complexes of the Sosnovyi Mys burial ground. The article contains all the information about the history of the discovery and study of this archaeological site. We describe the geographical location and geomorphological structure of the burial ground deposits and give a complete description of the burial complexes No. 1–8 (excavation # 1, archaeological works of 2011). The analysis of individual elements of the mortuary tradition is carried out. Some similarities and differences with synchronous burials on the territory of the Southern Angara region have been revealed. All burials were divided into three groups based on the analysis of the mortuary tradition elements: 1) burials # 2, 4, 5, 7, 8; 2) burial # 3; 3) destroyed burials # 1 and 6. Published in the article radiocarbon dating results showed the Neolithic age of most burial complexes. The exception is burial No. 3, which belongs to the Early Bronze Age. Analyzing the radiocarbon AMS dates, we can state the high ratio of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes ( δ 13 C and δ 15 C ) obtained for a human bone sample. These data indicate a high trophic level of the humans, which points out the presence of a freshwater reservoir effect (FRE). A special study of this problem has not been conducted yet for the Northern Angara Region, so it is not possible to determine the radiocarbon offsets. The complexes of the Sosnovyi Mys burial ground may be synchronous with the late phase of the Kitoi burial tradition (the finale of the Early Neolithic). However, if the value of the correction for the FRE is ever calculated and turns out to be the same as in the Baikal region (or more significant), then the age of the burials may be determined by the beginning of the Middle Neolithic, which is determined by the period 7027 ± 33 – 5571 ± 88 cal BP. The search for analogies to the features of the mortuary tradition and categories of grave goods with the materials of the Southern Angara region is carried out. The main problem of further study of the burial ground materials is the determination of the correction value of the FRE based on the dating of human bones, as well as finds and individual animal bones directly related to the burial complexes for the entire territory of the Northern Angara region.

scholarly journals NEW TECHNIQUES FOR SAMPLING AND CONSOLIDATION OF SEDIMENTS: APPLICATION TO BURNT SOILS FROM AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE IN AUSTRIA

2004 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 1129
Author(s):  
E. Aidona ◽  
R. Scholger ◽  
H. J. Mauritsch
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Susceptibility ◽  
Bronze Age ◽  
Remanent Magnetization ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Natural Remanent Magnetization ◽  
New Techniques ◽  
Stable Component ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Times ◽  
The Stability

An archaeomagnetic study requires samples to be oriented very precisely prior to the removal from the site and to be transported safely since most of the times the collected samples are very soft and fragile. In this study we present new techniques for sampling and consolidation of sediments and unconsolidated soils, which are useful tools for palaeomagnetic and archaeomagnetic investigations. An application of the above techniques has been performed in burnt soils (roastbeds) in an archaeological site near Eisenerz (Austria), which used to be a cooper-smelting place in Bronze Age (around 1450 b.c.) Several roast beds have been collected and consolidated in order to investigate the distribution and the stability of the magnetization of these materials. We obtained around 350 samples and the natural remanent magnetization and the magnetic susceptibility of all these samples have been measured with a 2G squid cryogenetic magnetometer and a GEOFYSIKA KLY-2 susceptibility meter, respectively. Plots of the natural remanent magnetization and magnetic susceptibility versus depth indicate different layers of heating and give some first evidences for the use of these soils during the smelting procedure. Higher values of the intensity of the magnetization as well as of the magnetic susceptibility represent the more intense heating layer. Magnetic cleaning (thermal and Af demagnetization) of pilot samples revealed the presence of a stable component of magnetization. It seems, therefore, that these types of materials are suitable for an archaeomagnetic investigation, since they are able to record and preserve all the necessary magnetic information and provide important knowledge concerning the recent history of the Earth's magnetic field.

scholarly journals Absolute Dating of Copper and Early Bronze Age Levels at the Eponymous Archaeological Site Bubanj (Southeastern Serbia)

Radiocarbon ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 1047-1065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandar Bulatović ◽  
Marc Vander Linden
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Early Bronze Age ◽  
Southeastern Europe ◽  
History Of Research ◽  
History Of ◽  
Absolute Dating ◽  
Southeastern Serbia

AbstractThis paper reports the first radiocarbon (14C) dates obtained for the Eneolithic/Bronze Age site of Bubanj, Serbia. Despite featuring prominently in the existing typo-chronological schemes for southeastern Europe, the history of research and recent large-scale destruction of the site had prevented so far the acquisition of samples from secure archaeological contexts. We fill this documentary gap by presenting 10 new14C dates, covering the late 5th, 4th, and 3rd millennia cal BC. These dates are compared to the existing documentation from the literature, in order to assess the placement of Bubanj within its wider archaeological context.

scholarly journals Pollen Morphology in Various Life-form of Aquatic Macrophytes

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ratchaneekorn Sangsuk ◽  
Henrik Baslev ◽  
Arunothai Jampeetong
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Plants ◽  
Pollen Morphology ◽  
Aquatic Macrophytes ◽  
Pollen Dispersal ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Glass Slides ◽  
Exine Ornamentation ◽  
Related Plant ◽  
Inaperturate Pollen

Ability of angiosperms to produce flowers and seeds for the sexual reproduction is important also in aquatic plants. Pollination in aquatic plants is facilitated by insects, wind, and water, however, pollen morphology related to the plant’s life forms and pollen dispersal are not well described. This study investigates pollen morphology of selected aquatic macrophytes. Plants were collected and preserved as dried specimens. Mature pollen grains of each species were separated from the anthers and then placed on glass slides and mounted with distilled water. Pollen shape and size were observed under a light microscope (LM). Number of apertures and exine ornamentation were examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Closely related plant species had similar pollen morphology. Among the 28 species studied, pollen size varied from small to very large (range 10–200 µm) and their shapes were prolate-spheroidal, prolate, oblate, suboblate, and oblate-spheroidal. Some species had inaperturate pollen grains; the remainders were monoaperture, triaperture or polyaperture. Both colpate and porate apertures were found. The pollen surfaces were echinate, fovelate, granulate, lophate, plicate, regulate, regulate-fovelate, reticulate, striate, and verrucate, respectively. Keywords: Aquatic plants, Palynology, Pollen ornamentation, Pollination, SEM

Nuragic Settlement Dynamics

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cezary Namirski
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Iron Age ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Early Iron Age ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Settlement Dynamics ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Bronze Age

The book is a study of the Bronze Age and Early Iron Age Nuragic settlement dynamics in two selected areas of the east coast Sardinia, placing them in a wider context of Central Mediterranean prehistory. Among the main issues addressed are the relationship between settlement and ritual sites, the use of coastline, and a chronology of settlement.

scholarly journals Ancient genomic time transect from the Central Asian Steppe unravels the history of the Scythians

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (13) ◽  
pp. eabe4414
Author(s):  
Guido Alberto Gnecchi-Ruscone ◽  
Elmira Khussainova ◽  
Nurzhibek Kahbatkyzy ◽  
Lyazzat Musralina ◽  
Maria A. Spyrou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Iron Age ◽  
Gene Pools ◽  
Social Rules ◽  
Eurasian Steppe ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Genome Wide Data ◽  
History Of ◽  
First Millennium

The Scythians were a multitude of horse-warrior nomad cultures dwelling in the Eurasian steppe during the first millennium BCE. Because of the lack of first-hand written records, little is known about the origins and relations among the different cultures. To address these questions, we produced genome-wide data for 111 ancient individuals retrieved from 39 archaeological sites from the first millennia BCE and CE across the Central Asian Steppe. We uncovered major admixture events in the Late Bronze Age forming the genetic substratum for two main Iron Age gene-pools emerging around the Altai and the Urals respectively. Their demise was mirrored by new genetic turnovers, linked to the spread of the eastern nomad empires in the first centuries CE. Compared to the high genetic heterogeneity of the past, the homogenization of the present-day Kazakhs gene pool is notable, likely a result of 400 years of strict exogamous social rules.

scholarly journals Multitemporal–Multispectral UAS Surveys for Archaeological Research: The Case Study of San Vincenzo Al Volturno (Molise, Italy)

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 2719
Author(s):  
Nicodemo Abate ◽  
Alessia Frisetti ◽  
Federico Marazzi ◽  
Nicola Masini ◽  
Rosa Lasaponara
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ages ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Medieval Art ◽  
Archaeological Data ◽  
History Of ◽  
Close Range ◽  
Low Altitude

Unmanned aerial vehicles are currently the most used solution for cultural heritage in the field of close range and low altitude acquisitions. This work shows data acquired by multitemporal and multispectral aerial surveys in the archaeological site of San Vincenzo al Volturno (Molise, Italy). The site is one of the most important medieval archaeological sites in the world. It is a monastic settlement that was particularly rich during the early Middle Ages, and is famous for its two full-frescoed crypts which represent a milestone in the history of medieval art. Thanks to the use of multispectral aerial photography at different times of the year, an area not accessible to archaeological excavation has been investigated. To avoid redundancy of information and reduce the number of data to be analysed, a method based on spectral and radiometric enhancement techniques combined with a selective principal component analysis was used for the identification of useful information. The combination of already published archaeological data and new remote sensing discoveries, has allowed to better define the situation of the abbey during the building phases of the 8th/9th century and 11th century, confirming and adding new data to the assumptions made by archaeologists.

Late-glacial and Post-glacial history of the Chalk escarpment near Brook, Kent

1964 ◽  
Vol 248 (745) ◽  
pp. 135-204 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Iron Age ◽  
Late Glacial ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Valley Floor ◽  
Glacial Period ◽  
Late Neolithic ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Arable Farming ◽  
History Of

This paper describes the morphology of a small piece of the Chalk escarpment near Brook in east Kent, and reconstructs its history since the end of the Last Glaciation. The escarpment contains a number of steep-sided valleys, or coombes, with which are associated deposits of chalk debris, filling their bottoms and extending as fans over the Gault Clay plain beyond. Here the fans overlie radiocarbon-dated marsh deposits of zone II (10 000 to 8800 B.C.) of the Late-glacial Period. The debris fans were formed and the coombes were cut very largely during the succeeding zone III (8800 to 8300 B.C.). The fans are the products of frost-shattering, probably transported by a combination of niveo-fluvial action and the release of spring waters; intercalated seams of loess also occur. The molluscs and plants preserved in the Late-glacial deposits give a fairly detailed picture of local conditions. The later history of one of the coombes, the Devil’s Kneadingtrough, is reconstructed. The springs have effected virtually no erosion and have probably always emerged more or less in their present position. In the floor of the coombe the periglacial chalk rubbles of zone III are covered by Postglacial deposits, mainly hillwashes. They are oxidized and yield no pollen, but contain rich faunas of land Mollusca, which are presented in the form of histograms revealing changing local ecological and climatic conditions. During most of the Post-glacial Period, from the end of zone III until about the beginning of zone VIII, very little accumulation took place on the coombe floor. But below the springs there are marsh deposits which span much of this interval. They yield faunas of considerable zoogeographical interest. The approximate beginning of zone VII a (Atlantic Period) is reflected by a calcareous tufa, which overlies a weathering horizon, and represents an increase in spring flow. Two clearance phases are deduced from the molluscan record. The first may have taken place at least as early as the Beaker Period (Late Neolithic/earliest Bronze Age); the second is probably of Iron Age ‘A’ date. In Iron Age times the subsoil was mobilized and a phase of rapid hillwashing began. As a result the valley floor became buried by humic chalk muds. The prime cause of this process was probably the beginning of intensive arable farming on the slopes above the coombe; a possible subsidiary factor may have been the Sub-Atlantic worsening of climate. The muds yield pottery ranging in date from Iron Age ‘Kentish first A’ ( ca . 500 to ca . 300 B.C.) to Romano-British ware of the first or second centuries A.D. Evidence is put forward for a possible climatic oscillation from dry to wet taking place at about the time of Christ. In the later stages of cultivation, possibly in the Roman Era, the valley floor was ploughed and given its present-day form.

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