CERAMIC SEQUENCE, CHRONOLOGY, AND CULTURAL DYNAMICS OF THE UCAREO-ZINAPÉCUARO, MICHOACÁN OBSIDIAN SOURCE AREA

This article presents the ceramic sequence and chronology resulting from a multi-year program of survey, excavation, and analysis of pre-Hispanic settlement and exploitation within the Zinapécuaro-Ucareo (“U-Z”), Michoacan obsidian source area. Pottery analysis and classification aided by seriation analysis identified nine ceramic complexes and seven ceramic phases and sub-phases that both expand and refine the ceramic sequence previously established for the region by Gorenstein's (1985) investigations at nearby Acámbaro, Guanajuato. Initially established by ceramic cross-dating, the U-Z ceramic chronology has been largely confirmed by 30 radiocarbon dates and spans over 2,000 years of pre-Hispanic settlement, which included at least two notable episodes of trait-unit and site-unit intrusion from the eastern El Bajío and central Mexico. One of these episodes involved the appearance of two enclaves settled by individuals from the Acambay valley c. 90 km to the East, most likely from the site of Huamango, which our data indicate would have been occupied during the Middle Postclassic period.

Combining quantitative analysis with an elliptic Fourier descriptor: A study of pottery from the Gansu-Zhanqi site based on 3D scanning and computer technology

Pottery is an important material in archaeological studies, and the accurate classification of pottery shapes largely depends on the experience and knowledge of archaeologists. In this thesis, pottery taken from the Gansu-Zhanqi site is used for sampling. Three-dimensional models of the pottery were obtained by three-dimensional scanning, and a computer-assisted pottery typology was studied through quantitative analysis and elliptic Fourier analysis. This method can enhance and supplement the traditional methods of classifying pottery in archaeology, thereby enriching the parameters and breadth of pottery analysis. This method represents a new means for exploring and experimenting with objective classification and provides a new tool for traditional archaeological analysis methods.traditional methods of classifying pottery in archaeology, thereby enriching the parameters and breadth of pottery analysis. This method represents a new means of exploring and experimenting with objective classification and provides a new tool for traditional archaeological analysis methods.

On study of the Dyakovo culture vessel shapes and capacities

The article relates results of study of shapes and capacities of the Dyakovo culture pottery. Analysis of vessel shapes has been carried in accordance of procedure developed by A.A. Bobrinsky. The data on construction peculiarities and general proportionality of vessel forms obtained from Mutenkovkoye, Starshee Kashirskoye, Korystovskoie, Dyakovo and Nastas’ino fortified settlements. 9 types of construction have been separated. Among these types there are original Dyakovo culture vessels constructions as well as types that emerged due to the impact of other cultural traditions. These last mentioned types have such functional part as a “cheek” in structure of their construction. Forms that are results of various pottery traditions of vessel shapes creation amalgamation are detached. The due attention has been paid to difference of proportions within various types of construction. It is established that vessels that have cheeks posses a higher proportions. It is understood that the impact of other traditions took place from the second and the first centuries B.C. to the second century A.D. On the basis of data on capacities, proportions and constructions of forms a suggestion is put forward that at least two different functional groups of pottery existed within the framework of the original Dyakovo culture tradition. The first group consists of pot-like forms of low proportions and dish-pots of predominantly constructions of types 1 and 2. Capacity of these pots was less than 3 litres. Pot-like forms of higher proportions represent the second group. Capacity of pottery of the second group exceeds 3 litre. Constructions of these pots belong predominantly to types 3 and 5. At the same time it should be noted that there is no abrupt borders between these groups. That indicates a low differentiation of vessel forms and functions and is peculiar for pottery of the original Dyakovo culture tradition.

Metsamor (Armenia): preliminary report on the excavations in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Appendix: Anthropological examination of burials from Metsamor in seasons 2013–2015

The Metsamor excavation project is a Polish–Armenian effort to investigate a Bronze Age citadel site located about 35 km west of Yerevan, on a hill dominating the Ararat plain. Fieldwork started in 2013 and was aimed during the first three seasons at clarifying site chronology in the citadel as well as the northern lower town. An unbroken sequence from the Kura Araxes culture (Early Bronze Age) to medieval times was confirmed. Settlement remains of Early Iron Age buildings included an almost square structure NSB 2 and a dwelling NSB 1, furnished with a relatively large storage room. Four human skeletons, two of young men, were also recorded, suggesting they were victims of a raid on the settlement. The results of recent field observations coupled with pottery analysis postulate occurrence of two destructive events, first during the Urartian invasion led by Argishti I and the second one at the beginning of the 6th century BC.