- Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Zentrale Abteilung
Referat Naturwissenschaften
Im Dol 2-6, 14195 Berlin - +49 30 187711-308
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University of Basel, Institute of Prehistory and Archaeological Science, Faculty Member add
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Archaeological Method & Theory, Medieval Archaeology, Neolithic Archaeology, Zooarchaeology, Archaeological Science, Medieval Islam, and 37 moreArchaeobotany, Neolithic Europe, Origins of Agriculture, Prehistoric Archaeobotany, Prehistoric Archaeology, Experimental Archaeology, Anthropology of Food, Environmental Archaeology, Taphonomy, Cooking and Food Preparation (archaeology), Anthropology Of Technology (Anthropology), Traditional Environmental Knowledge, Seed Morphology, Anthropomorphic Figurines, Prehistoric Figurines, zoomorphic Figurines, Terracotta Figurines, Household Archaeology, Archaeology of Caves and Caverns (Archaeospeleology), Wetland Archaeology, Cambodia, Bread History, Iberian Prehistory (Archaeology), Archaeology Of Wetlands, Bayesian Radiocarbon Dating, Tim Ingold, Traditional and subsistence agriculture, Ethnography, Geometric Morphometrics, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Food Storage, Agroecology, Food Sovereignty, Radiocarbon Dating (Archaeology), Feasting and Fasting, Feasting, and Stable Isotope Analysis edit
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I am interested in small-scale farming populations and how they organize their economic system, social networks and d... moreI am interested in small-scale farming populations and how they organize their economic system, social networks and distribution of labour in order to increase resilience. I am also interested in the mechanisms through which more extensive farming methods enter into these systems and how they affect farmers. The Neolithic period in Europe (ca. 6th to 3rd millennium cal. BC) offers a perfect setting for the study of their evolution over a long period of time. My current project (SNSF Professorship 2018-2021) is called "Small seeds for large purposes: an integrated approach to agricultural change and climate during the Neolithic in Western Europe" and it will allow me and my team to perform interdisciplinary investigations of (primarily) waterlogged deposits dated to ca. 5600-2300 cal BC in Switzerland, SE France, N Italy and NE Spain, with the aim of understanding agricultural decision-making in relation to climate variability during the Neolithic period. Since 2019, I am also collaborating in projects focusing on the 6th and 5th millennia BC in North Macedonia, which is an exciting new research area for me, and allows me to study early farmers living in tell sites and pile-dwellings and to compare the crops and wild plants found to those from Central and Western Europe. edit
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Publication in Ed. Barkhuis of the revised version of my PhD.
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A combined archaeobotanical and micro-refuse analysis is being implemented at two Early Neolithic tells currently under excavation in the Pelagonia Valley: Vrbjanska Čuka and Veluška Tumba. The first results suggest similarities with... more
A combined archaeobotanical and micro-refuse analysis is being implemented at two Early Neolithic tells currently under excavation in the Pelagonia Valley: Vrbjanska Čuka and Veluška Tumba. The first results suggest similarities with Greek sites that show a relatively broad crop spectrum.
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This paper explores the first maritime westward expansion of crops across the Adriatic and the northern coast of the western Mediterranean. Starting in Greece at c.6500 cal BC and following the coastline to the Andalusian region of Spain... more
This paper explores the first maritime westward expansion of crops across the Adriatic and the northern coast of the western Mediterranean. Starting in Greece at c.6500 cal BC and following the coastline to the Andalusian region of Spain to c.4500 cal BC, the presence of the main cereal, pulse, oil and fibre crops are recorded from 122 sites. Patterns in the distribution of crops are explored through ubiquity scores, correspondence analysis and Simpson's diversity index. Our findings reveal changes in the frequencies of crops as farming regimes developed in Europe, and show how different crops followed unique trajectories. Fluctuations in the diversity of the crop spectrum between defined areas are also evident, and may serve to illustrate how founder effects can explain some of the patterns evident in large-scale spatio-temporal evaluations. Within the broader westward expansion of farming, regionalism and multi-directional maritime networks described through archaeological materials are also visible in the botanical records.
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Excavations at Can Sadurní Cave since 2012 have uncovered a complex stratigraphy for the Middle Neolithic phase (ca. 4700-4000 cal. BC). This was not in agreement with our expectations from the previous excavation of a trial trench, where... more
Excavations at Can Sadurní Cave since 2012 have uncovered a complex stratigraphy for the Middle Neolithic phase (ca. 4700-4000 cal. BC). This was not in agreement with our expectations from the previous excavation of a trial trench, where only 4 layers (10, 10b, 11 and 11b) were uncovered. After excavating a funerary layer with several in situ burials and further deposits containing multiple layers of burnt dung (fumier), the stratigraphy was revised and 5 episodes within layer 11 were detected. It became necessary to find a tool to refine the chronological sequence of these uses, under the premise that it is unlikely that the cave was used as a funerary area and a byre at the same time. Bayesian modelling allowed distinguishing these two phases, establishing an earlier use of the cave for animal herding purposes (ca. 4700-4450 cal. BC) and a funerary use of the cave in a more recent period (ca. 4400-4200 cal. BC).
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The excavation and study of the archaeological materials recovered in the 8 postcardial Neolithic layers of cova de Can Sadurní give proof of the mining activity that the group was carrying out since the beginning of the Middle Neolithic... more
The excavation and study of the archaeological materials recovered in the 8 postcardial Neolithic layers of cova de Can Sadurní give proof of the mining activity that the group was carrying out since the beginning of the Middle Neolithic (what we call Middle Neolithic I and until recently was considered as belonging to the late early Neolithic).
This mining activity, initially focused on the exploitation of quartz in the outcrops found in the Garraf Massif, particularly in the area known as Garraf negre (“black Garraf”), ended up with the discovery of variscite and other green-coloured minerals present in the same geological context. These groups started exploiting the green stone along with quartz.
The first distribution networks were developed. Prestige goods arrived to Can Sadurní thanks to the exchange networks connected to the green stones (also called callaite). There was a population increase. Suddenly, around the change of millennium, the presence of the community in the cave stopped. From this moment onwards, the mining community of Can Tintorer, now in the Middle Neolithic II phase or Sepulcres de Fossa culture, appears and grows, which makes us think of a population migration from Can Sadurní Cave to Can TIntorer, which are ca. 8 km apart, within the same territory. This is one of the working hypotheses with which the CIPAG is working within the running research project (2014-2017) “Les comunitats prehistòriques del massís de Garraf nord. Orígens, genètica, patrons d’assentament, trets culturals, recursos i mobilitat durant la prehistòria recent” [The prehistoric communities of the Northern Garraf Massif. Origins, genetics, settlement patterns, cultural traits, resources and mobility during recent prehistory].
This mining activity, initially focused on the exploitation of quartz in the outcrops found in the Garraf Massif, particularly in the area known as Garraf negre (“black Garraf”), ended up with the discovery of variscite and other green-coloured minerals present in the same geological context. These groups started exploiting the green stone along with quartz.
The first distribution networks were developed. Prestige goods arrived to Can Sadurní thanks to the exchange networks connected to the green stones (also called callaite). There was a population increase. Suddenly, around the change of millennium, the presence of the community in the cave stopped. From this moment onwards, the mining community of Can Tintorer, now in the Middle Neolithic II phase or Sepulcres de Fossa culture, appears and grows, which makes us think of a population migration from Can Sadurní Cave to Can TIntorer, which are ca. 8 km apart, within the same territory. This is one of the working hypotheses with which the CIPAG is working within the running research project (2014-2017) “Les comunitats prehistòriques del massís de Garraf nord. Orígens, genètica, patrons d’assentament, trets culturals, recursos i mobilitat durant la prehistòria recent” [The prehistoric communities of the Northern Garraf Massif. Origins, genetics, settlement patterns, cultural traits, resources and mobility during recent prehistory].
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Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic Transition, Neolithic Europe, Mesolithic/Neolithic, Neolithic, and 10 moreEarly Neolithic, Middle Neolithic, Late Neolithic, The callais in Europe SW, ANALISIS MINERALÓGICO DE CALAÍTAS, LA CALAÍTA EN EUROPA, Middle Neolithic, Middle Neolithic Catalan, Middle neolithic pottery technology, Middle European Neolithic, Variscite/callais, and Callais
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The archaeobotanical record of 24 sites from the Neolithic period (5400–2300 cal bc) in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula is evaluated. Remarkable amounts of data have recently been obtained for the early and middle Neolithic... more
The archaeobotanical record of 24 sites from the Neolithic period (5400–2300 cal bc) in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula is evaluated. Remarkable amounts of data have recently been obtained for the early and middle Neolithic phases. Most of the studied sites were dry and they only yielded charred plant material. Among dry sites, several types of context were evaluated: dwelling areas, hearths, roasting pits and byres. Material was also analysed from a waterlogged cultural layer of one early Neolithic lakeshore site, La Draga. Quercus sp. (acorns), Corylus avellana L. (hazelnuts), Pistacia lentiscus L. (mastic fruits) and Vitis vinifera L. var. sylvestris (wild grapes) were among the most frequently encountered fruits and seeds. Their presence in the archaeobotanical record clearly maps their past ecological distribution in the region. There are differences observed between the charred dry-land material and the waterlogged uncharred material. Wild fruits were mostly present in an uncharred state in La Draga. Therefore, their consumption could go unnoticed in dry sites when fruits were eaten raw or without roasting. Larger amounts of charred remains of certain wild fruits like acorns and hazelnuts found in mountain areas are highlighted as potential evidence of the regular practice of roasting, potentially indicating regional traditions. All in all, our results support an intensive wild plant use at least during the first 1,300 years of the Neolithic period. Evidence of wild plant food consumption becomes scanty towards the second phase of the middle and the late Neolithic (4th and 3rd millennium cal bc). This, however, might also be due to taphonomic reasons.
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This paper was written in 2011.
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This paper was written in 2011.
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Darreres troballes de prehistòria recent a l’Alt Empordà. Dos assentaments a l’aire lliure: la Serra del Mas Bonet (Vilafant) i els Banys de la Mercè (Capmany)
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In this paper we review the archaeological and archaeobotanical information available on agriculture during the neolithic in the Garraf region (including sites: Can Tintorer, Can Sadurní, Pou Nou-2, Pujolet de Moja). It is somewhat... more
In this paper we review the archaeological and archaeobotanical information available on agriculture during the neolithic in the Garraf region (including sites: Can Tintorer, Can Sadurní, Pou Nou-2, Pujolet de Moja). It is somewhat outdated, since it was actually written in 2009...
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This is an attempt for an interdisciplinary evaluation of environmental proxies (botanical macroremains, charcoal, pollen, microfaunal and macrofaunal remains) from the Garraf Massif in order to evaluate the management of woodland... more
This is an attempt for an interdisciplinary evaluation of environmental proxies (botanical macroremains, charcoal, pollen, microfaunal and macrofaunal remains) from the Garraf Massif in order to evaluate the management of woodland resources from the Mesolithic to the Late Neolithic. I wrote it in 2009, just after my Master Thesis.
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"Cova Fosca is located in el Maestrat, an area that is very well-known for its richness in archaeological sites dating from the Upper Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic periods. The archaeobotanical macro remains found after the... more
"Cova Fosca is located in el Maestrat, an area that is very well-known for its richness
in archaeological sites dating from the Upper Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic
periods. The archaeobotanical macro remains found after the excavation of the site
has led us to an initial understanding concerning the strategies of forest management
of both the last hunters and gatherers and the first farmers of the area. Carpological
remains mainly consist of wild fruits, especially Quercus sp., but also several types of
Rosaceae. Among the charcoal remains, both deciduous and evergreen Quercus and
Pinus sylvestris-nigra types are the most frequent taxa in all these periods. Our aim is to
evaluate the economical significance of these remains, with especial attention to the
signification of carbonized wild fruit in the archaeological context."
in archaeological sites dating from the Upper Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic
periods. The archaeobotanical macro remains found after the excavation of the site
has led us to an initial understanding concerning the strategies of forest management
of both the last hunters and gatherers and the first farmers of the area. Carpological
remains mainly consist of wild fruits, especially Quercus sp., but also several types of
Rosaceae. Among the charcoal remains, both deciduous and evergreen Quercus and
Pinus sylvestris-nigra types are the most frequent taxa in all these periods. Our aim is to
evaluate the economical significance of these remains, with especial attention to the
signification of carbonized wild fruit in the archaeological context."
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Site report with a pluridisciplinary approach. The site is from the Late Neolithic and so far, it is the only open air occupation from the period in the western plain of Catalonia (Lleida region).
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Short report on the low number of seed and fruit remains that were obtained after the flotation of sediments from the neolithic mines of Gavà (Ferreres sector).
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Layer taphonomy is one of the major questions in the archaeological research of lakeshore settlements. How fast did these deposits develop? Were they exposed to periodic droughts and decay? Which amount of the originally deposited remains... more
Layer taphonomy is one of the major questions in the archaeological research of lakeshore settlements. How fast did these deposits develop? Were they exposed to periodic droughts and decay? Which amount of the originally deposited remains survived until present? Plant macroremains have a great potential as indicators of preservation quality, since they are short-lived and particularly sensible to changes in preservation conditions. This paper reviews previous attempts to use similar proxies to understand layer taphonomy and provides a compilation of almost 50 variables (that include plant macroremains and other remains found in sediment samples) as indicators for preservation quality. Two late Neolithic lakeshore sites located in Central Switzerland were used as tests and more than 100 samples per site were investigated. Samples were grouped into meaningful groups (according to sediment type or their location in the stratigraphy, etc.) and ubiquities were calculated for each variable in each group of samples. Correspondence Analysis was applied in order to establish connections between groups of variables and groups of samples. GIS was used in one of the cases to look at preservation at a site scale. The method proved to be useful and differences in preservation conditions were observed in both sites, not only regarding the location of the samples in the stratigraphy and in relation to their proximity to the lake, but also in connection to sediment type. It is suggested that such studies are necessary before any palaeoeconomic analysis is undertaken.
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This paper provides a reference to estimate the representation of large-sized items (seeds and fruits, mainly) in samples of larger and smaller volume in wetland sites with the aim of proposing a minimum sample size to recover these... more
This paper provides a reference to estimate the representation of large-sized items (seeds and fruits, mainly) in samples of larger and smaller volume in wetland sites with the aim of proposing a minimum sample size to recover these remains in a representative way. For this, almost 100 samples from a late Neolithic settlement phase found at the lakeshore site of Parkhaus Opéra (Zürich, Switzerland) were subsampled into one larger subsample (A-sample, of ca. 3 l of volume) and one smaller subsample (B-sample, of ca. 0.3 l of volume). We compared how large and small-sized items were represented in the different fractions of large and small subsamples on the basis of ubiquity, concentration and proportions between the taxa. Large-sized remains (like Prunus spinosa or charred fragments of Corylus avellana) and some medium-sized remains (Najas, Aethusa cynapium) were more often represented in larger subsamples and therefore are considered to be underrepresented in smaller samples. Average concentration values were similar in both groups of samples (and therefore comparable) but large differences were observed on a one-to-one sample basis, finding no positive monotonic correlation between them. Our observations also prove that in order to obtain data that are comparable to dryland sites concerning charred remains (including cereals and large-seeded wild fruits), large volume samples of at least ca. 3 l are needed. Counting units per taxon in each fraction were redefined on the basis of the results obtained. Finally, some clues to interpret results concerning large-sized items in sites with samples of small volume are also proposed following our observations.
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The sieving process has a considerable influence on the subsequently retrieved archaeobotanical data. As known from earlier work, the wash-over method is the most suitable method to extract plant macroremains from waterlogged sediments.... more
The sieving process has a considerable influence on the subsequently retrieved archaeobotanical data. As known from earlier work, the wash-over method is the most suitable method to extract plant macroremains from waterlogged sediments. This paper presents an experiment in which it was tested if different sievers using this method produced comparable results.
Some systematic differences between sievers were found in the larger fractions (≥ 2 mm), namely the varying presence of small remains. This problem can be avoided if detailed instructions are given to the sievers and guidelines for counting remains are used during analysis. In the small fraction (> 0.35 mm), differences between sievers were not substantial anymore. In addition to differences caused by the sieving technique we could also show that the patchy pattern of clumpy waterlogged sediments complicates a statistically relevant subsampling. We can state that only large differences between samples should be interpreted in palaeoeconomic terms, but that it is no disadvantage if several sievers work on the same project.
It is our purpose to raise awareness of the fact that the methodology has a strong impact on the results obtained and should therefore always be revealed on a detailed level, especially if data from one site will later be used for comparisons with other sites.
Some systematic differences between sievers were found in the larger fractions (≥ 2 mm), namely the varying presence of small remains. This problem can be avoided if detailed instructions are given to the sievers and guidelines for counting remains are used during analysis. In the small fraction (> 0.35 mm), differences between sievers were not substantial anymore. In addition to differences caused by the sieving technique we could also show that the patchy pattern of clumpy waterlogged sediments complicates a statistically relevant subsampling. We can state that only large differences between samples should be interpreted in palaeoeconomic terms, but that it is no disadvantage if several sievers work on the same project.
It is our purpose to raise awareness of the fact that the methodology has a strong impact on the results obtained and should therefore always be revealed on a detailed level, especially if data from one site will later be used for comparisons with other sites.
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"In this paper a definition of the properties of the archaeological seeds and fruits is proposed in order to formulate a systemized method for their description, in the most quantitative way as possible, according to what the state of... more
"In this paper a definition of the properties of the archaeological seeds and fruits is proposed in order to formulate a
systemized method for their description, in the most quantitative way as possible, according to what the state of
research allows to. This description is materialized in a database that is subsequently presented. Further lines of investigation
are drawn eventually and consequently with the previous work, with special emphasis on experimentation."
systemized method for their description, in the most quantitative way as possible, according to what the state of
research allows to. This description is materialized in a database that is subsequently presented. Further lines of investigation
are drawn eventually and consequently with the previous work, with special emphasis on experimentation."
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"Seed analysis is a key source of information of the dialectical relationship between society and environment. This paper begins with the elaboration of a theoretical background on our object of knowledge: the perception, the... more
"Seed analysis is a key source of information of the dialectical
relationship between society and environment. This paper begins
with the elaboration of a theoretical background on our object of
knowledge: the perception, the implementation of labor and the
consume of plant resources by prehistoric societies. A consequent
methodology is presented, specially oriented to the taphonomical
processes suffered by the remains, which are basic when establishing
their archaeological representativity. Eventually, the study of the
interaction between society and environment is proposed, according
to the phases of the process of production, since these ones are
directly evidenced by the seed remains, once their representativity
has been evaluated."
relationship between society and environment. This paper begins
with the elaboration of a theoretical background on our object of
knowledge: the perception, the implementation of labor and the
consume of plant resources by prehistoric societies. A consequent
methodology is presented, specially oriented to the taphonomical
processes suffered by the remains, which are basic when establishing
their archaeological representativity. Eventually, the study of the
interaction between society and environment is proposed, according
to the phases of the process of production, since these ones are
directly evidenced by the seed remains, once their representativity
has been evaluated."
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In this paper we propose a methodological systematisation for the qualitative and quantitative characters and numerical description of carbonised cereal remains (basically caryopses) found at archaeological sites. The aim of this... more
In this paper we propose a methodological systematisation for the qualitative and quantitative characters and numerical description of carbonised cereal remains (basically caryopses) found at archaeological sites. The aim of this methodology is to study such remains after evaluating the significance of taphonomic processes, such as the degree of fragmentation, cause of fragmentation, overrepresentation of certain taxa, processes of erosion, transport and deposition, and combustion intensity. Attention is also paid to the fragmentation of the caryopses prior to charring, and a new method is presented for the calculation of the minimum numbers of individuals (MNI) of cereal caryopses. This methodology requires a seed-by-seed description in order to obtain fully quantified data of taphonomic importance, which is therefore time consuming, but at the same time achieves precise information of great value for the evaluation of the assemblage. Our case study has been the remains found in Layer 18 at the archaeological cave site of Can Sadurní (Begues, Barcelona province, Spain), one of the most important early Neolithic cereal assemblages on the Iberian Peninsula.
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The archaeological site of A Mourela has yielded several archaeological structures related with agricultural, pastoral and woodland activities in the hills of Northern Galicia. In this paper a synthesis of the wood and seed/fruit... more
The archaeological site of A Mourela has yielded several archaeological structures related with agricultural, pastoral and woodland activities in the hills of Northern Galicia. In this paper a synthesis of the wood and seed/fruit identification results is presented.
The fuel management in A Mourela is based on a few taxa, especially deciduous Quercus sp. and Erica sp. It has been possible to document some evidences of charcoal production or slash and burn activities in the Early Middle Ages. The exploitation of the trees and shrubs is also attested in the late medieval and modern period.
Several cereal taxa were cultivated in the site, being rye and oat the best represented taxa (naked wheat, broomcorn millet and barley are also present). The taphonomic and taxonomic analysis of the assemblage has allowed us to define activity areas in the dwelling pit and some structures that were probably related to slash and burn activities.
The fuel management in A Mourela is based on a few taxa, especially deciduous Quercus sp. and Erica sp. It has been possible to document some evidences of charcoal production or slash and burn activities in the Early Middle Ages. The exploitation of the trees and shrubs is also attested in the late medieval and modern period.
Several cereal taxa were cultivated in the site, being rye and oat the best represented taxa (naked wheat, broomcorn millet and barley are also present). The taphonomic and taxonomic analysis of the assemblage has allowed us to define activity areas in the dwelling pit and some structures that were probably related to slash and burn activities.
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The aim of this paper is the definition of the farming and pasture areas that existed around the Andalusian city of Tortosa, how they were created and which sorts of plants were cultivated there. The impact of the feudal conquest (1248)... more
The aim of this paper is the definition of the farming and pasture areas that existed around the Andalusian city of Tortosa, how they were created and which sorts of plants were cultivated there. The impact of the feudal conquest (1248) is also studied. For these purposes a rich post-conquest body of documentation is available. It provides us with high quality information on plants and the agrarian area. An archaeological survey has been undertaken following the methods of “hydraulic archaeology” and, along with the treatment of sediments coming from several archaeological excavations in the urban area of Tortosa, has allowed us to obtain carpological remains. The comparison of the three records (textual, spatial, and carpological) has brought to light a highly significant level of coincidence between them. Furthermore, the areas where the different vegetal species were cultivated have been precisely identified. To the north of the city, beside the River Ebro, was the orchard area, irrigated by means of water lifting wheels (noria) raising water from wells. In this area, fruit trees and vegetables were cultivated. To the south of the city, a large meander in the river defines an area known as the Arenes in the written documentation. This area was drained and prepared for cereals and vineyards. Following the information given by documents, a large marshy meadow area is known to have existed further southwards.
Written sources provide plentiful information on the agricultural plant species present in al-Andalus, and they are also informative with regard to which species were introduced into the Iberian Peninsula during this period. This work... more
Written sources provide plentiful information on the agricultural plant species present in al-Andalus, and
they are also informative with regard to which species were introduced into the Iberian Peninsula during
this period. This work approaches the matter from an archaeobotanical perspective, in order to make a
first assessment of the species and agricultural practices found in northeast al-Andalus, the new techniques
adopted and the legacy of Roman agriculture. This is a pioneering study in the field of medieval
Islamic agriculture.
Archaeobotanical samples obtained from the excavations at Pla d’Almatà (Balaguer), Lleida and Tortosa,
and more specifically, from the levels corresponding to the Islamic period (Madîna Balagî, Madîna
Lârida and Madîna Turṭûsa), have yielded a large volume of data. Analyses have been carried out on a
considerable number of seeds and fruits found in a charred or mineralised state. Cereals are particularly
abundant, and consist mainly of hulled barley and naked wheat. Evidence for several oil plants (gold-ofpleasure,
flax) and fruits (fig, olives, grapes, pomegranates, walnuts, apples, melon/cucumber, peaches,
pine nuts and almonds) has also been noted. The taxa cited in the written sources as having been
introduced during the Islamic period have proven to be very difficult to characterise archaeobotanically,
and few have been identified.
they are also informative with regard to which species were introduced into the Iberian Peninsula during
this period. This work approaches the matter from an archaeobotanical perspective, in order to make a
first assessment of the species and agricultural practices found in northeast al-Andalus, the new techniques
adopted and the legacy of Roman agriculture. This is a pioneering study in the field of medieval
Islamic agriculture.
Archaeobotanical samples obtained from the excavations at Pla d’Almatà (Balaguer), Lleida and Tortosa,
and more specifically, from the levels corresponding to the Islamic period (Madîna Balagî, Madîna
Lârida and Madîna Turṭûsa), have yielded a large volume of data. Analyses have been carried out on a
considerable number of seeds and fruits found in a charred or mineralised state. Cereals are particularly
abundant, and consist mainly of hulled barley and naked wheat. Evidence for several oil plants (gold-ofpleasure,
flax) and fruits (fig, olives, grapes, pomegranates, walnuts, apples, melon/cucumber, peaches,
pine nuts and almonds) has also been noted. The taxa cited in the written sources as having been
introduced during the Islamic period have proven to be very difficult to characterise archaeobotanically,
and few have been identified.
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In this paper, the results of the archaeobotanical analysis of a medieval and modern occupation in the north of Galicia are presented. Activities carried out at the site are to be understood in the framework of the management of low... more
In this paper, the results of the archaeobotanical analysis of a medieval and modern occupation in the north of Galicia are presented. Activities carried out at the site are to be understood in the framework of the management of low mountain resources for agricultural and pastoral activities. Possible evidences of slash and burn activities based on the taphonomical analysis of the studied seed and fruit record are discussed. Special attention has been paid to the spatial distribution of the remains. These are the first results known to date about this period in Galicia.
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"The archaeological site of A Mourela has yielded several archaeological structures related with agricultural, pastoral and woodland activities in the hills of Northern Galicia. In this paper a synthesis of the wood and seed/fruit... more
"The archaeological site of A Mourela has yielded several archaeological structures related with agricultural, pastoral and woodland activities in the hills of Northern Galicia. In this paper a synthesis of the wood and seed/fruit identification results is presented.
The fuel management in A Mourela is based on a few taxa, especially deciduous Quercus sp. and Erica sp. It has been possible to document some evidences of charcoal production or slash and burn activities in the Early Middle Ages. The exploitation of the trees and shrubs is also attested in the late medieval and modern period.
Several cereal taxa were cultivated in the site, being rye and oat the best represented taxa (naked wheat, broomcorn millet and barley are also present). The taphonomic and taxonomic analysis of the assemblage has allowed us to define activity areas in the dwelling pit and some structures that were probably related to slash and burn activities.
Key-words:
Dwelling pit, lithic circle, Middle Ages, Modern Age, archaeobotany, woodland management, agricultural activities."
The fuel management in A Mourela is based on a few taxa, especially deciduous Quercus sp. and Erica sp. It has been possible to document some evidences of charcoal production or slash and burn activities in the Early Middle Ages. The exploitation of the trees and shrubs is also attested in the late medieval and modern period.
Several cereal taxa were cultivated in the site, being rye and oat the best represented taxa (naked wheat, broomcorn millet and barley are also present). The taphonomic and taxonomic analysis of the assemblage has allowed us to define activity areas in the dwelling pit and some structures that were probably related to slash and burn activities.
Key-words:
Dwelling pit, lithic circle, Middle Ages, Modern Age, archaeobotany, woodland management, agricultural activities."
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"Human settlement in the Pyrenees became particularly important since ancient times and the Middle Age because of metallurgical and farming activities. These had a variable impact on the environment and eventually shaped the current... more
"Human settlement in the Pyrenees became particularly important since ancient times
and the Middle Age because of metallurgical and farming activities. These had a
variable impact on the environment and eventually shaped the current landscape. The
aim of this study is to obtain a picture of the relationship between the populations of
Camp Vermell site (Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra) with their environment. The interdisciplinary
archaeobotanical studies (seed and fruit analysis, anthracology and pollen
analysis) undertaken in the site provide data about fuel, wood and plant foods consumed
between the IInd and the XIIth centuries AD. Local production of cereals is attested
through pollen and seeds analysis. Hulled barley and naked wheat are dominant in
all the phases. Rye, broomcorn millet and several pulses are also present in the Late
Antiquity and the Early Medieval phases. Scots-black pine is the main gathered type of
wood in all the phases. This taxon seems to be preferred as fuel for the metallurgical
activities during the Late Antiquity occupation, while a wider spectrum of wooden taxa
is observed in the refuse deposits from storage pits. Human impact on the landscape is
observable in all phases due to agricultural, pastoral and metallurgical activities."
and the Middle Age because of metallurgical and farming activities. These had a
variable impact on the environment and eventually shaped the current landscape. The
aim of this study is to obtain a picture of the relationship between the populations of
Camp Vermell site (Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra) with their environment. The interdisciplinary
archaeobotanical studies (seed and fruit analysis, anthracology and pollen
analysis) undertaken in the site provide data about fuel, wood and plant foods consumed
between the IInd and the XIIth centuries AD. Local production of cereals is attested
through pollen and seeds analysis. Hulled barley and naked wheat are dominant in
all the phases. Rye, broomcorn millet and several pulses are also present in the Late
Antiquity and the Early Medieval phases. Scots-black pine is the main gathered type of
wood in all the phases. This taxon seems to be preferred as fuel for the metallurgical
activities during the Late Antiquity occupation, while a wider spectrum of wooden taxa
is observed in the refuse deposits from storage pits. Human impact on the landscape is
observable in all phases due to agricultural, pastoral and metallurgical activities."
Research Interests:
This dissertation aimed to answer several questions concerning plant food production in the Neolithic (5400-2300 cal BC) in the NE of the Iberian Peninsula. The aims can be summarized in the following question: was plant food economy of... more
This dissertation aimed to answer several questions concerning plant food production in the Neolithic (5400-2300 cal BC) in the NE of the Iberian Peninsula. The aims can be summarized in the following question: was plant food economy of the intensive type? In order to contribute to such a discussion, an increase of the available archaeobotanical database was necessary. The analyses of the archaeobotanical macroremains (seeds and fruits) from 17 archaeological sites (34 settlement phases) from the NE of the Iberian Peninsula dating to the Neolithic period were presented and discussed. A total of 107 new taxa were identified and more than 100.000 plant macroremains were retrieved from 213 different contexts, after taking and processing around 1200 samples (over 7000 litres of sediment). The important amount of data obtained was enough to put forward some interpretations of the evolution of agriculture in the area during the Neolithic period. Several regional trends were observed. The central coast region presented larger amounts and ubiquities of glume wheats during the VIth and Vth millennia cal BC, while naked wheat prevailed in the northern areas during the first centuries and was later replaced, in the Vth millennium cal BC, by naked barley. This taxon appears as a main crop in the central coast in the IVth millennium cal BC, along with naked wheat. Shortly after, hulled barley seems to replace naked barley in the northern areas of the region. Both shifts observed in the northern areas could have originated through contacts with southern France. Concerning crop husbandry strategies, it was concluded that the evidence for the VIth and Vth millennia cal BC support an intensive gardening type of management of the plots. The data for the last two millennia of the Neolithic are not conclusive. Nevertheless, the expansion of hulled barley and the apparent reduction in the diversity of cultivated legumes during the Late Neolithic would suggest less intensive management practices. No major changes in wild fruit management in the most important gathered taxa during the Neolithic period in the region: Quercus sp., Corylus avellana, Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris and Pistacia lentiscus were the most commonly gathered taxa. Differences in their processing techniques according to altitude were observed. The exploitation of maquis vegetation increases from the second half of the Vth millennium cal BC onwards. An important decrease in the number of remains recovered for the Late Neolithic period was observed. It was interpreted that gathering practices were rather stable at a regional scale, largely conditioned by the environmental availability but also by cultural choices. Against what was assumed by many archaeologists, agriculture during the first centuries of the Neolithic seems to be of permanent and intensive character. Groups established long-lasting networks in particular regions where they developed their own traditions and cultures. These networks would be necessary for the subsistence of the production and reproduction practices of these populations. The semi-nomadism that is assumed by most authors for these early phases is, thus, not confirmed by the archaeological data.
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This paper review the palaeobiogeography of yew (Taxus baccata) and the human social customs and traditions relating to this tree in SW Europe (Iberia, SE France and Balearic Islands). Pollen, charcoal, seeds and manufactured tools have... more
This paper review the palaeobiogeography of yew (Taxus baccata) and the human social customs and traditions relating to this tree in SW Europe (Iberia, SE France and Balearic Islands). Pollen, charcoal, seeds and manufactured tools have been considered in an integrated approach focused on the
Holocene.
An important remark: This is the original work about yew in SW Europe published by Uzquiano, P; Allué, E.; Antolín, F.; Burjachs, F; Picornell, Ll.; Piqué, R and Zapata, L (sorry but I can remember their respective e-mails and so the system doesn't let me add them). One last remark to the audience please reject all other possible imitations made about the same subject.
Holocene.
An important remark: This is the original work about yew in SW Europe published by Uzquiano, P; Allué, E.; Antolín, F.; Burjachs, F; Picornell, Ll.; Piqué, R and Zapata, L (sorry but I can remember their respective e-mails and so the system doesn't let me add them). One last remark to the audience please reject all other possible imitations made about the same subject.
Research Interests:
This paper reviews the palaeobiogeography of Taxus baccata (yew) and the human social customs and traditions relating to this tree in southwest Europe. Pollen and archaeobotanical (charcoal, seeds and manufactured tools) evidence... more
This paper reviews the palaeobiogeography of Taxus baccata (yew) and the human social customs and traditions relating to this tree in southwest Europe. Pollen and archaeobotanical (charcoal, seeds and manufactured tools) evidence supplemented by some data from ethnographical sources have been considered in an integrated approach focused on the Holocene. The geographical scope covers northern Spain, including both sides of the Pyrenees to southeast France, northeast Spain and the Balearic islands. Although the first archaeobotanical occurrences of yew have been recorded at 12–8 cal. kyr bp, the highest values have been found between 7,000 and 2,000 cal. bp as reflected in its maximum pollen curves in the study area. According to the pollen records this taxon had a first significant presence within the mixed oak woods and then it gradually disappeared (ca. 3,000 bp) from middle altitudes. This might be due to a combination of changing climatic conditions responsible for the major Holocene vegetation changes and increasing human pressure. A wide diversity of human uses is observed in the record of yew macroremains from archaeological sites. The presence of charcoal, potentially consumed fruits, manufactured tools and other archaeobotanical evidence of yew associated with livestock activities lead us to propose a set of past uses that may have contributed to its clear decrease in the late Holocene. Despite this intensive exploitation it is also rather common to find old specimens of planted yew throughout the study area, witnessing its endurance in the memories of people wherever it has remained.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
This article presents the results of the studies derived from the excavation campaign carried out in 2011, along with those of previous interventions and the classification work and review of the materials removed in the 70s of the last... more
This article presents the results of the studies derived from the excavation campaign carried out in 2011, along with those of previous interventions and the classification work and review of the materials removed in the 70s of the last century. Considering
that currently almost fourty per cent of the shipwreck remains to be excavated, the results give a global view that changes, in part, some of the conclusions of the studies of this wreck which derived from the literature generated after the irst excavations. Currently, a multidisciplinary research team is studying the remains found: ceramics, inscriptions on amphorae, naval architecture and analyses of organic and inorganic residues.
that currently almost fourty per cent of the shipwreck remains to be excavated, the results give a global view that changes, in part, some of the conclusions of the studies of this wreck which derived from the literature generated after the irst excavations. Currently, a multidisciplinary research team is studying the remains found: ceramics, inscriptions on amphorae, naval architecture and analyses of organic and inorganic residues.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Mountain sites are usually seen as sites connected to pastoral or transhumant activities. This paper proposes an alternative interpretation for Neolithic mountain sites found in the southern Pyrenean slopes. The archaeobotanical and... more
Mountain sites are usually seen as sites connected to pastoral or transhumant activities. This paper proposes an alternative interpretation for Neolithic mountain sites found in the southern Pyrenean slopes. The archaeobotanical and archaeozoological record of highland and lowland sites from this region is compared in order to observe any differences in crop and animal husbandry. Available data indicate that mountain sites present a similar record to the one observed in the lowlands. Most sites show clear evidence of permanent activity, including agriculture, as well as other practices connected to medium- to long-term strategies like storage of plant products. We propose that more integrated analyses are needed in this and other regions to fully characterize mountain economy during the Neolithic, since no clear evidence of pastoralism or transhumance has been found.
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Presentamos en este trabajo los resultados de las intervenciones arqueológicas llevadas a cabo en la Cueva de Coro Trasito (Tella-Sin, Huesca), desde los sondeos iniciales hasta la excavación en extensión de los últimos episodios de... more
Presentamos en este trabajo los resultados de las intervenciones arqueológicas llevadas a cabo en la Cueva de Coro Trasito
(Tella-Sin, Huesca), desde los sondeos iniciales hasta la excavación en extensión de los últimos episodios de ocupación de
la cueva. Presentamos las seis dataciones de C14 que hasta el momento se han aplicado a materiales provenientes de los
sondeos (dos sobre carbón vegetal, dos sobre restos óseos y dos sobre semillas carbonizadas, una avellana y un grano de
trigo). Repasamos las características esenciales de los materiales arqueológicos líticos y cerámicos recuperados en sondeos
y excavaciones; así como los estudios realizados sobre la fauna y la carpología provenientes de la excavación del sondeo nº 3
(2013).
Por último, la excavación en extensión de alrededor de 70 m² en la zona central de la cueva, nos ha permitido observar e iniciar
la documentación de numerosas estructuras el toda la zona este de la excavación. Junto a la roca del fondo, donde corre aire
proveniente del interior de la cueva y se nota humedad permanente, se han documentado varias estructuras que consisten en fosas
excavadas en la tierra así como numerosos ‘agujeros de poste’. Estas estructuras pudieron servir inicialmente para almacenar
determinados productos y acabar, en algunos casos, recicladas como vertedero de residuos generados en la producción.
(Tella-Sin, Huesca), desde los sondeos iniciales hasta la excavación en extensión de los últimos episodios de ocupación de
la cueva. Presentamos las seis dataciones de C14 que hasta el momento se han aplicado a materiales provenientes de los
sondeos (dos sobre carbón vegetal, dos sobre restos óseos y dos sobre semillas carbonizadas, una avellana y un grano de
trigo). Repasamos las características esenciales de los materiales arqueológicos líticos y cerámicos recuperados en sondeos
y excavaciones; así como los estudios realizados sobre la fauna y la carpología provenientes de la excavación del sondeo nº 3
(2013).
Por último, la excavación en extensión de alrededor de 70 m² en la zona central de la cueva, nos ha permitido observar e iniciar
la documentación de numerosas estructuras el toda la zona este de la excavación. Junto a la roca del fondo, donde corre aire
proveniente del interior de la cueva y se nota humedad permanente, se han documentado varias estructuras que consisten en fosas
excavadas en la tierra así como numerosos ‘agujeros de poste’. Estas estructuras pudieron servir inicialmente para almacenar
determinados productos y acabar, en algunos casos, recicladas como vertedero de residuos generados en la producción.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
with a chronological density, diversity and breadth that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. This fact has opened the door to understanding the processes of ocupation and settlement in mountain areas above 1,500 m.... more
with a chronological density, diversity and breadth that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. This fact has opened the door to understanding the processes of ocupation and settlement in mountain areas above 1,500 m. Combining archaeological research with other paleoenvironmental studies has also enabled correlating the sequences of human occupation with the climatic dynamics and evolution of paleovegetation. The excavation of a small cave at Lake Coveta and the dolmen at Font dels Coms and, in recent years, the cave in Sardo complete the dataset currently available for this area, illustrating the main vectors that could have guided the Neolithic occupation of these high mountain areas.
KEYWORDS: Landscape archaeology, paleoecology, high mountains, livestock.
KEYWORDS: Landscape archaeology, paleoecology, high mountains, livestock.
Research Interests:
Wetlands have always attracted people due to a wide range of valuable services, eg. resources like food and water, high fertility, diversity of habitats, safety, transportation on the water, buffering of extreme weather conditions, scenic... more
Wetlands have always attracted people due to a wide range of valuable services, eg. resources like food and water, high fertility, diversity of habitats, safety, transportation on the water, buffering of extreme weather conditions, scenic beauty etc. Since prehistory, human activity focused on the edges of water, and wetland settlements can be found throughout all archaeological periods. However, dwelling on the shore also held its risks. These highly dynamic environments could lead to flooding or be a potential source of diseases and could severely test the resilience of its inhabitants. Rising water levels are also one of the ways in which climate change most evidently manifests itself and are often argued as one of the reasons for settlement abandonment. The changing water levels would leave traces in the archaeological sediments, which can be used to assess human responses to the changing environment. In this session, we are trying to interpret and disentangle these traces using multiple proxies like micromorphology, botanical macro-and microremains, zoological remains etc. from on-site archaeological analyses, ideally in interdisciplinary combinations. In this way, we hope to tackle the following research questions: Can we detect flooding episodes before water-level changes take place? How did people react to these episodes in the past? How do water-level changes affect the site preservation and formation processes? Can we define combinations of indicators for flooding events? Abstracts can be submitted via www.e-a-a.org/EAA2018/ (deadline: 15 February)
Research Interests:
Los yacimientos prehistóricos palafíticos de centroeuropa son conocidos mundialmente por su temprano descubrimiento y la espectacularidad de los hallazgos. En el año 2011 fueron incluídos en la lista del Patrimonio Mundial de la UNESCO.... more
Los yacimientos prehistóricos palafíticos de centroeuropa son conocidos mundialmente por su temprano descubrimiento y la espectacularidad de los hallazgos. En el año 2011 fueron incluídos en la lista del Patrimonio Mundial de la UNESCO. Destacan particularmente las excelentes condiciones de preservación de los restos vegetales. En 2010 tuvo lugar una excavación de urgencia en la ciudad de Zürich, cuando se quiso hacer un aparcamiento subterráneo para la Ópera. Un área de más de 3000 m2 fue abierta y varias fases de asentamiento fueron excavadas. Las fases 3 y 4 (fechadas en la 32ª y 31ª centuria A.N.E.) fueron investigadas mediante una ambiciosa estrategia de recogida de muestras sistemática (nunca aplicada antes en una gran extensión) basada en muestras de gran volumen (para yacimientos húmedos, unos 5-8 L de sedimento). Esta estrategia posibilitó la evaluación de una muestra representativa de las plantas recolectadas (en parte, infrarepresentadas en análisis previos) y plantas cultivadas consumidas en el asentamiento.
Tras presentar los interesantes datos obtenidos, de particular interés puesto que el registro en la Península Ibérica para el Neolítico final es bastante escaso, pretendemos realizar una comparación entre el conjunto de restos de semillas y frutos carbonizados de Parkhaus Opéra y el registro peninsular. Con ello pretendemos reflexionar al respecto de qué recursos se encuentran mejor o peor representados en el registro carbonizado. Mostraremos como las plantas silvestres y algunas plantas cultivadas (como las legumbres) se encuentran ampliamente infrarepresentadas en los sitios en medio seco, así que su hallazgo puntual no se puede considerar como evidencia de su poca importancia económica. Se hará también hincapié en la necesidad de buscar contextos con preservación anaeróbica (pozos, yacimientos lacustres, humedales, etc.) para mejorar la calidad de los datos disponibles, más allá de los resultados conocidos del yacimiento lacustre de La Draga, en el noreste peninsular.
Tras presentar los interesantes datos obtenidos, de particular interés puesto que el registro en la Península Ibérica para el Neolítico final es bastante escaso, pretendemos realizar una comparación entre el conjunto de restos de semillas y frutos carbonizados de Parkhaus Opéra y el registro peninsular. Con ello pretendemos reflexionar al respecto de qué recursos se encuentran mejor o peor representados en el registro carbonizado. Mostraremos como las plantas silvestres y algunas plantas cultivadas (como las legumbres) se encuentran ampliamente infrarepresentadas en los sitios en medio seco, así que su hallazgo puntual no se puede considerar como evidencia de su poca importancia económica. Se hará también hincapié en la necesidad de buscar contextos con preservación anaeróbica (pozos, yacimientos lacustres, humedales, etc.) para mejorar la calidad de los datos disponibles, más allá de los resultados conocidos del yacimiento lacustre de La Draga, en el noreste peninsular.
Research Interests:
El yacimiento de Auvelles (Castelló de Farfanya, Lleida), intervenido en 2004 en el marco de una excavación preventiva por la construcción del canal de riego Algerri-Balaguer, presenta 140 estructuras negativas de tipologías diversas. La... more
El yacimiento de Auvelles (Castelló de Farfanya, Lleida), intervenido en 2004 en el marco de una excavación preventiva por la construcción del canal de riego Algerri-Balaguer, presenta 140 estructuras negativas de tipologías diversas. La mayor parte de éstas poseen una cronología de la segunda mitad del V milenio cal BC, aunque también se han detectado estructuras del Neolítico final y el Bronce antiguo. El yacimiento se sitúa en el contacto de los últimos tramos del llano de Lleida con las primeras estribaciones prepirenaicas, a los pies de la Serra Llarga, lugar en el que afloran los sílex oligocenos de la Formación Castelltallat. Éstos, de morfología nodular, poseen una alta aptitud para la talla y fueron largamente explotados desde el Paleolítico superior.
Así, el acceso inmediato a una materia prima de alta calidad en un momento en que en el NE peninsular existen ya una serie de importantes redes de intercambios como la variscita, las hachas de procedencia alpina, la obsidiana e incluso la sal, podría haber motivado la ubicación del yacimiento en este enclave. El registro cerámico indica con claridad las relaciones de este grupo con otros de los tramos prelitorales de Cataluña, especialmente Molinot y Montboló, y el registro lítico preservado muestra una producción orientada a la obtención de soportes laminares en la que pudo utilizarse el tratamiento térmico.
En este trabajo presentamos los ejemplos de dos de las estructuras que más abundan, los hornos y los silos. Se trata de un estudio multidisciplinar en el que se combinan los datos obtenidos del registro antracológico, carpológico, lítico y cerámico según la variación tipológica de las estructuras. Como resultado, podemos entender el papel que jugó el fuego en la reproducción de las distintas actividades que se llevaron a cabo en el asentamiento.
Así, el acceso inmediato a una materia prima de alta calidad en un momento en que en el NE peninsular existen ya una serie de importantes redes de intercambios como la variscita, las hachas de procedencia alpina, la obsidiana e incluso la sal, podría haber motivado la ubicación del yacimiento en este enclave. El registro cerámico indica con claridad las relaciones de este grupo con otros de los tramos prelitorales de Cataluña, especialmente Molinot y Montboló, y el registro lítico preservado muestra una producción orientada a la obtención de soportes laminares en la que pudo utilizarse el tratamiento térmico.
En este trabajo presentamos los ejemplos de dos de las estructuras que más abundan, los hornos y los silos. Se trata de un estudio multidisciplinar en el que se combinan los datos obtenidos del registro antracológico, carpológico, lítico y cerámico según la variación tipológica de las estructuras. Como resultado, podemos entender el papel que jugó el fuego en la reproducción de las distintas actividades que se llevaron a cabo en el asentamiento.
Research Interests:
Mit diesem Poster stelle ich mein neues Projekt vor. Es handelt sich um eine SNF-Förderprofessur, die in Basel zwischen 2018 und 2021 laufen wird. Ziel des Projekts ist es, einen Überblick über die Dynamiken im Ackerbau (inkl.... more
Mit diesem Poster stelle ich mein neues Projekt vor. Es handelt sich um eine SNF-Förderprofessur, die in Basel zwischen 2018 und 2021 laufen wird. Ziel des Projekts ist es, einen Überblick über die Dynamiken im Ackerbau (inkl. Agrobiodiversität – durch neuen biometrischen Analysen –, und Lagerhaltung – durch eine systematische Untersuchung von Silogruben-) in Verbindung zu den klimatischen Schwankungen während des Neolithikums im Gebiet zwischen dem Oberrhein, dem Po in Italien, und dem Ebro in Spanien zu kriegen. Dafür werden neue integrative Untersuchungen (von Insekten, Kleintieren und pflanzlichen Makroresten) in mehreren Fundstellen mit einem Schwerpunkt in Feuchtbodenerhaltung durchgeführt. Es werden auch ein großes Datierungsprojekt (von verkohlten Körner) und Kohlenstoffisotopenanalysen gemacht. Damit wird versucht, die geographische Verbreitung von Kulturpflanzen zeitlich besser zu verstehen und ein Proxy für Frühlingsniederschlag zu haben. Die Arbeiten werden von einem kleinen Team durchgeführt: 2 DoktorandInnen (für Archäobotanik und C14-Datierungen/Isotopenanalyse) und 4 Postdocs (für Archäobotanik, Insekten, Kleintiere und Lagerhaltungsstrukturen).
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Despite excellent preservation conditions, the taphonomy of wetland settlement layers at lakes in Central Europe (“pile dwellings”, UNESCO world cultural heritage) is not well understood. In order to improve this situation, an SNF-funded... more
Despite excellent preservation conditions, the taphonomy of wetland settlement layers at lakes in Central Europe (“pile dwellings”, UNESCO world cultural heritage) is not well understood. In order to improve this situation, an SNF-funded project was started by an interdisciplinary team at IPAS (project nr. CR30I2_149679/1). Aim of this project is to identify natural and anthropogenic factors influencing the deposition and preservation of occupation layers, among them also post-excavational factors like methodology. Several factors which could influence the outcome of archaeobotanical analyses were tested. In this poster, we will shortly present our research about the four factors sieving, subsampling, volume measurement and the semi-quantitative recording of preservation parameters.
The consistency of the wash-over sieving process done by different operators was looked at, revealing that there were some systematic differences present in the large fraction of the tested samples due to the techniques of the sievers. However, with counting guidelines and detailed instructions, it is no disadvantage to have different sievers in one project.
The subsampling process was also looked at in detail. Due to the clumpy distribution of remains in waterlogged sediments, square subsampling (sampling of sediment from two grids of a sample) was less suitable than systematic grid subsampling (sampling of a portion out of every grid of a sample). We could also determine what amount of remains had to be counted in order to have a good representation of a waterlogged sample in terms of proportions and diversity.
Different volume measurement techniques (classical before and after freezing and displacement) were compared and a systematic difference was found. However, with the use of a proportionality factor of 1.5, the different techniques can easily be compared.
The description of preservation parameters in wetland settlements was often done, but rarely evaluated in a systematic way. Indicators for presence or absence of processes of erosion and corrosion were defined and a methodology for their efficient recording was developed and used for the reconstruction of the taphonomic history of layers.
Methodology can have a large impact on archaeobotanical data and should therefore always be disclosed at a detailed level. Our research will help to standardise some common methods used in the archaeobotanical analysis of waterlogged sediments, and thus hopefully eliminate a potential source of error.
The consistency of the wash-over sieving process done by different operators was looked at, revealing that there were some systematic differences present in the large fraction of the tested samples due to the techniques of the sievers. However, with counting guidelines and detailed instructions, it is no disadvantage to have different sievers in one project.
The subsampling process was also looked at in detail. Due to the clumpy distribution of remains in waterlogged sediments, square subsampling (sampling of sediment from two grids of a sample) was less suitable than systematic grid subsampling (sampling of a portion out of every grid of a sample). We could also determine what amount of remains had to be counted in order to have a good representation of a waterlogged sample in terms of proportions and diversity.
Different volume measurement techniques (classical before and after freezing and displacement) were compared and a systematic difference was found. However, with the use of a proportionality factor of 1.5, the different techniques can easily be compared.
The description of preservation parameters in wetland settlements was often done, but rarely evaluated in a systematic way. Indicators for presence or absence of processes of erosion and corrosion were defined and a methodology for their efficient recording was developed and used for the reconstruction of the taphonomic history of layers.
Methodology can have a large impact on archaeobotanical data and should therefore always be disclosed at a detailed level. Our research will help to standardise some common methods used in the archaeobotanical analysis of waterlogged sediments, and thus hopefully eliminate a potential source of error.
Research Interests:
The excavation and study of the archaeological materials recovered in the 8 postcardial Neolithic layers of cova de Can Sadurní give proof of the mining activity that the group was carrying out since the beginning of the Middle Neolithic... more
The excavation and study of the archaeological materials recovered in the 8 postcardial Neolithic layers of cova de Can Sadurní give proof of the mining activity that the group was carrying out since the beginning of the Middle Neolithic (what we call Middle Neolithic I and until recently was considered as belonging to the late early Neolithic).
This mining activity, initially focused on the exploitation of quartz in the outcrops found in the Garraf Massif, particularly in the area known as Garraf negre (“black Garraf”), ended up with the discovery of variscite and other green-coloured minerals present in the same geological context. These groups started exploiting the green stone along with quartz.
The first distribution networks were developed. Prestige goods arrived to Can Sadurní thanks to the exchange networks connected to the green stones (also called callaite). There was a population increase. Suddenly, around the change of millennium, the presence of the community in the cave stopped. From this moment onwards, the mining community of Can Tintorer, now in the Middle Neolithic II phase or Sepulcres de Fossa culture, appears and grows, which makes us think of a population migration from Can Sadurní Cave to Can TIntorer, which are ca. 8 km apart, within the same territory. This is one of the working hypotheses with which the CIPAG is working within the running research project (2014-2017) “Les comunitats prehistòriques del massís de Garraf nord. Orígens, genètica, patrons d’assentament, trets culturals, recursos i mobilitat durant la prehistòria recent” [The prehistoric communities of the Northern Garraf Massif. Origins, genetics, settlement patterns, cultural traits, resources and mobility during recent prehistory].
This mining activity, initially focused on the exploitation of quartz in the outcrops found in the Garraf Massif, particularly in the area known as Garraf negre (“black Garraf”), ended up with the discovery of variscite and other green-coloured minerals present in the same geological context. These groups started exploiting the green stone along with quartz.
The first distribution networks were developed. Prestige goods arrived to Can Sadurní thanks to the exchange networks connected to the green stones (also called callaite). There was a population increase. Suddenly, around the change of millennium, the presence of the community in the cave stopped. From this moment onwards, the mining community of Can Tintorer, now in the Middle Neolithic II phase or Sepulcres de Fossa culture, appears and grows, which makes us think of a population migration from Can Sadurní Cave to Can TIntorer, which are ca. 8 km apart, within the same territory. This is one of the working hypotheses with which the CIPAG is working within the running research project (2014-2017) “Les comunitats prehistòriques del massís de Garraf nord. Orígens, genètica, patrons d’assentament, trets culturals, recursos i mobilitat durant la prehistòria recent” [The prehistoric communities of the Northern Garraf Massif. Origins, genetics, settlement patterns, cultural traits, resources and mobility during recent prehistory].
Research Interests:
is a crucial region for understanding the spread of agriculture into the Mediterranean and Central Europe. To date, however, the area has been subject to relatively limited archaeological research. Here, the authors present use-wear and... more
is a crucial region for understanding the spread of agriculture into the Mediterranean and Central Europe. To date, however, the area has been subject to relatively limited archaeological research. Here, the authors present use-wear and archaeobotanical analyses on material from two Neolithic sites, Govrelevo and Vrbjanska Cǔka, to investigate practices that were previously unstudied in this part of the Balkans, such as sowing, cultivation and harvesting techniques. The results suggest the presence of permanent crop fields located in wetlands, with autumn and spring sowing, and harvesting using curved sickles. The study illuminates early agricultural practices in North Macedonia and adds to our knowledge of the spread of the Neolithic package across Europe.
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Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L. subsp. somniferum) was likely domesticated in the Western Mediterranean, where its putative wild ancestor is indigenous, and then spread to central and northern Europe. While opium poppy seeds are... more
Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L. subsp. somniferum) was likely domesticated in the Western Mediterranean, where its putative wild ancestor is indigenous, and then spread to central and northern Europe. While opium poppy seeds are regularly identified in archaeobotanical studies, the absence of morphological criteria to distinguish the seeds of wild and domestic forms prevents the documentation of their respective historical and geographical occurrences and of the process of opium domestication as a whole. To fill this gap and better understand the status of this crop in the Neolithic, we combined seed outline analyses, namely elliptic Fourier transforms, with other morphometric descriptors to describe and identify Papaver setigerum, Papaver somniferum and other Papaver taxa. The combination of all measured parameters gives the most precise predictions for the identification of all seven taxa. We finally provide a case study on a Neolithic assemblage from a pile-dwelling site in Switzerland (Zurich-Parkhaus Opéra, ca. 3170 BC). Our results indicate the presence of mixed populations of domestic and wild seeds belonging to the P. somniferum group, suggesting that the plant was already in the process of domestication at the end of 4th millennium BC. Altogether, these results pave the way to understand the geography and history of the poppy domestication and its spread into Europe.
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Specialized and systematic underwater fieldwork at the prehistoric site of Ploča Mičov Grad at Gradište (North Macedonia) on the eastern shore of Lake Ohrid was undertaken in 2018 and 2019. It has substantiated the archeological site’s... more
Specialized and systematic underwater fieldwork at the prehistoric site of Ploča Mičov Grad at Gradište (North Macedonia) on the eastern shore of Lake Ohrid was undertaken in 2018 and 2019. It has substantiated the archeological site’s outstanding preservation condition, and furthermore proven the numerous construction timbers’ suitability for dendrochronological analysis. Dendrochronological analysis on archaeological timbers was applied, combined with radiocarbon dating. Bayesian radiocarbon modeling allowed to ‘wiggle match’ the dendrochrono-logical mean curves, i.e. allowed the precise chronological anchoring of ‘floating’ tree-ring sequences. Furthermore, radiocarbon dates of plant remains from the site’s main archaeological layer are statistically evaluated. Based on the new findings, the strikingly high density of wooden piles at the site can be attributed to several construction phases of Neolithic (middle of 5th millennium BC) and Bronze Age (2nd millennium BC: 1800, 1400 and 1300 BCE) settlements. Intense settlement activity is furthermore evidenced by a cultural layer of mainly organic material under the lakebed up to 1.7 m in thickness, which accumulated during the Neolithic occupation of the bay in the middle of the 5th millennium BC. The presented research enables precise absolute dating of a series of settlement phases at Ploča Mičov Grad from the Neolithic and the Bronze Age, and hence provides important reference points for an absolute chronological framework for the prehistory of the southwestern Balkans. The investigations underline the potential of future research on waterlogged prehistoric settlements in the region.
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This paper presents a compilation of radiocarbon dates associated with the process of arrival, development and consolidation of the first farming communities that settled between the northwestern Mediterranean Arch and the High Rhine area... more
This paper presents a compilation of radiocarbon dates associated with the process of arrival, development and consolidation of the first farming communities that settled between the northwestern Mediterranean Arch and the High Rhine area approximately between 5900 and 2000 cal BC covering a large geographical area previously out of the main focus of 14 C data compilations. The database includes dates from scientific publications and it incorporates several fields for evaluating the quality and the reliability of the available samples. It overall provides 3617 radiocarbon dates that allow the scientific community to build chronological models that can be combined with other proxies such as spatial location, type of sample or chronocultural phase.
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This paper aims to define the first chrono-cultural framework on the domestication and early diffusion of the opium poppy using small-sized botanical remains from archaeological sites, opening the way to directly date minute short-lived... more
This paper aims to define the first chrono-cultural framework on the domestication and early diffusion of the opium poppy using small-sized botanical remains from archaeological sites, opening the way to directly date minute short-lived botanical samples. We produced the initial set of radiocarbon dates directly from the opium poppy remains of eleven Neolithic sites (5900-3500 cal BCE) in the central and western Mediterranean, northwestern temperate Europe, and the western Alps. When possible, we also dated the macrobotanical remains originating from the same sediment sample. In total, 22 samples were taken into account, including 12 dates directly obtained from opium poppy remains. The radiocarbon chronology ranges from 5622 to 4050 cal BCE. The results show that opium poppy is present from at least the middle of the sixth millennium in the Mediterranean, where it possibly grew naturally and was cultivated by pioneer Neolithic communities. Its dispersal outside of its native area was early, being found west of the Rhine in 5300-5200 cal BCE. It was introduced to the western Alps around 5000-4800 cal BCE, becoming widespread from the second half of the fifth millennium. This research evidences different rhythms in the introduction of opium poppy in western Europe. Nowadays, the opium poppy has the ability to grow in most parts of the world, regardless of soil properties, temperature , or topography. Moreover, the cultivated opium poppy (i.e. Papaver somniferum subsp. somniferum L.) is largely grown for medicinal, psychoactive, and alimentary uses 1. Despite its importance for human societies, the history of the plant has not been the subject of detailed studies. This paper presents the results of a project that aims to define the chrono-cultural framework of the domestication and early diffusion of the species using botanical remains from archaeological sites (i.e. the seeds and sometimes the stigmatic discs, charred or waterlogged) and radiocarbon dating techniques 2. The kidney-shaped seed of the opium poppy measures less than 1 mm in diameter. Thanks to optimized sampling and sieving methods, seeds are now regularly identified in archaeobotanical samples from western Europe. Spontaneous in the central and western Mediterranean Basin, P. somniferum subsp. setigerum (DC.) Arcang. is assumed to be the wild relative of the cultivated P. somniferum subsp. somniferum L., even if the issues concerning its taxonomy and phylogeny have not been entirely resolved 3-5. The modern and archaeological seeds OPEN
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Research Interests:
Prehistoric Archaeology, Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, Prehistoric Settlement, Balkan prehistory, and 8 morePrehistoric Europe (Archaeology), Neolithic Europe, European Prehistory (Archaeology), Prehistory, Neolithic, Prehistoric Archeology, Neolithic of the Balkans, and Early Neolithic
The goal of this paper is to discuss the validity of radiocarbon dates as a source of knowledge for explaining social dynamics over a large region and a long period of time. We have carefully selected c. 1000 14 C dates for the time... more
The goal of this paper is to discuss the validity of radiocarbon dates as a source of knowledge for explaining social dynamics over a large region and a long period of time. We have carefully selected c. 1000 14 C dates for the time interval 8000-4000 cal BC within the northwestern Me-diterranean area (NE Iberian Peninsula, SE France, N Italy) and Switzerland. Using statistical analysis , we have modelled the summed probability distribution of those dates for each of the analysed ecoregion and discussed the rhythms of neolithisation in these regions and the probability of social contact between previous Mesolithic and new Neolithic populations.
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Previous reviews of Middle Neolithic agricultural practice (4400-3500 cal bc) in southern France have highlighted a change in crop assemblages after 4000 cal bc, with a reduction of naked wheat and an increase of emmer and partly of... more
Previous reviews of Middle Neolithic agricultural practice (4400-3500 cal bc) in southern France have highlighted a change in crop assemblages after 4000 cal bc, with a reduction of naked wheat and an increase of emmer and partly of einkorn. The recent investigation of three wells from the site of Les Bagnoles (4250-3800 cal bc) in the periphery of the southern Rhône valley yielded an unprecedented amount of waterlogged uncharred and charred plant macro remains that offer new insights into crop diversity and its changes over time. The results from the wells at Les Bagnoles were compared with other dated sunken features from open-air sites (in contrast to caves and rock shelters), with the aim of identifying patterns suggesting changes in the crop spectra between the early (MN1) and late (MN2) Middle Neolithic phases from taphonomically comparable contexts. The results from Les Bagnoles demonstrate that oil crops and pulses are underrepresented in dry sites and that they were a significant part of Middle Neolithic agriculture. They also indicate an increase in the representation of einkorn (instead of emmer) during MN2 that is also visible in other open-air sites. The comparison of the archaeobotani-cal results with silo storage capacity values as a proxy for average production capacity per household leads us to propose a possible drop in naked wheat productivity and opens new questions in factors affecting crop choice at the beginning of the 4th millennium cal bc.
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Archaeobotany, Prehistoric Archaeobotany, Neolithic France, Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, Open Air Sites, and 9 morePits (Archaeology), Crop Diversity, Neolithic Water Wells, Waterlogged uncarbonized seeds , Neolithic storage, Waterlogged preservation, Archaeological wells, Neolithic Archaeobotany, and open air site archaeobotany
The objective of this paper is to assess foodstuff storage throughout Recent Prehistory (5600-50 BCE) from the standpoint of the three different types (household, surplus and supra-household) identified in the northeast of the Iberian... more
The objective of this paper is to assess foodstuff storage throughout Recent Prehistory (5600-50 BCE) from the standpoint of the three different types (household, surplus and supra-household) identified in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula. The volumetric data of the underground silos serves as a proxy to evaluate the link between them and the agricultural systems and technological changes. The study also assesses the ability, and specifically , the will of the ancient communities of the northeastern Iberia to generate domestic and extra-domestic surpluses.
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The site of Parkhaus Opé ra is located on the northeastern shore of Lake Zürich (Switzer-land) and was documented during a rescue excavation in 2010 and 2011 by the Office for Urbanism, City of Zü rich. Two charred bread-like objects were... more
The site of Parkhaus Opé ra is located on the northeastern shore of Lake Zürich (Switzer-land) and was documented during a rescue excavation in 2010 and 2011 by the Office for Urbanism, City of Zü rich. Two charred bread-like objects were found in late Neolithic Layer 13 of the pile-dwelling, and are investigated using a novel set of analyses for cereal-based foodstuffs. Tissue remains of barley and wheat were identified, as well as a schizocarp of celery (cf. Apium graveolens), providing the first evidence for the use of bread condiments in the Neolithic. Cereal particle sizes were recorded and used to draw conclusions regarding milling and sieving of the raw material. Gas bubbles in the charred objects were measured in order to evaluate possible leavening of the dough. The outcomes of this research significantly advance the understanding of the production traits of cereal-based food during the Neolithic. The analytical techniques proposed by this study open up new possibilities for systematic and consistent investigations of cereal-based archaeological foodstuffs.
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The evolution of storage features in prehistory has been linked to larger socioeconomic and demographic changes. The investigation of such an evolution in the archaeological record, however, is restricted in scope, both geographically and... more
The evolution of storage features in prehistory has been linked to larger socioeconomic and demographic changes. The investigation of such an evolution in the archaeological record, however, is restricted in scope, both geographically and chronologically. This article offers a comparative approach to understanding the development of Neolithic to Late Iron Age (c. 5600-50 BC) farming communities in northeastern Iberia, based on diachronic changes in the volume and shape of underground storage silos. Results indicate that variations in silo capacity and morphology correlate with archaeological evidence for long-term socioeconomic changes within these prehistoric and protohistoric farming communities.
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Wooden digging sticks are one of the earliest kinds of tool in human evolution, and provably one of the most widely used in prehistory. This paper will focus on its role in the early agriculture development focusing on the case of the... more
Wooden digging sticks are one of the earliest kinds of tool in human evolution, and provably one of the most widely used in prehistory. This paper will focus on its role in the early agriculture development focusing on the case of the digging sticks assemblage of the Early Neolithic waterlogged site of la Draga (Spain). Ethnographically different uses can be attributed to this type of tool, being soil tilling for agricultural proposes the most economically and socially significant. Based on that hypothesis it has been developed an experimental analysis, followed by the use-wear analysis of 3D models, which suggests the use of the digging sticks of la Draga as agricultural tools. This experimental and use-wears new results are combined with the carpological record at la Draga in order to characterise the early agricultural development at the site.
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Research Interests:
Prehistoric Archaeology, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, Chalcolithic Pottery, Chalcolithic Archaeology, and 15 moreBronze Age Archaeology, Late Bronze Age archaeology, Balkan prehistory, Prehistoric Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age (Archaeology), Wetland Archaeology, European Prehistory (Archaeology), Prehistory, Iron Age, Bronze Age, Prehistoric Archeology, Late Bronze Age, Eneolithic, Chalcolithic, and Pile Dwellings
Els treballs arqueològics preventius desenvolupats durant els darrers anys a l'Alt Em-pordà han permès documentar dos nous assentaments prehistòrics a l'aire lliure: la Serra del Mas Bonet i els Banys de la Mercè. Tots dos presenten una... more
Els treballs arqueològics preventius desenvolupats durant els darrers anys a l'Alt Em-pordà han permès documentar dos nous assentaments prehistòrics a l'aire lliure: la Serra del Mas Bonet i els Banys de la Mercè. Tots dos presenten una diacronia similar que va des d'inicis del v mil·lenni cal aC fins a la segona meitat del ii. Són dues ocupacions allunyades per 15 quilòmetres i que se situen sobre vies de comunicació d'origen ancestral i emprades fins a l'actualitat com a vies de transhumància. La Serra del Mas Bonet Introducció El jaciment de la Serra del Mas Bonet es troba en el terme municipal de Vilafant (Alt Empordà) al sud de Figueres. Les restes arqueològiques s'han localitzat als ves-sants nord i oest d'un petit turó que dóna nom al jaciment. Les seves coordenades UTM 1. Arqueolític Terra-Sub
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Early farmers were resilient thanks to a small-scale, household-based farming strategy that coped well with climate variability. The AgriChange project is compiling data on crops, local climate variability and risk-reducing strategies to... more
Early farmers were resilient thanks to a small-scale, household-based farming strategy that coped well with climate variability. The AgriChange project is compiling data on crops, local climate variability and risk-reducing strategies to reconstruct agricultural and land-use change in the Neolithic.
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La vil·la romana de Vilauba s’emplaça en una petita vall situada al sud de l’estany de Banyoles (Girona). Les excavacions arqueològiques han permès documentar una dilatada seqüència d'ocupació que abasta d'ençà del segle I aC fins a la... more
La vil·la romana de Vilauba s’emplaça en una petita vall situada al sud de l’estany de Banyoles (Girona). Les excavacions arqueològiques han permès documentar una dilatada seqüència d'ocupació que abasta d'ençà del segle I aC fins a la segona meitat del segle VII dC. Malgrat
aquesta extraordinària continuïtat, la fase més tardana, datada a partir de finals del segle V, suposa un canvi radical en l’estructura i l’organització general de l’establiment. La recent excavació d’un petit nucli d’hàbitat, organitzat a partir de tres unitats domèstiques independents, permet replantejar la interpretació de les restes agrícoles pertanyents a aquest mateix període descobertes anys enrere i, també, il·lustra el pas cap a noves formes de poblament que són conseqüència del procés de transformació i desaparició de les antigues villae.
aquesta extraordinària continuïtat, la fase més tardana, datada a partir de finals del segle V, suposa un canvi radical en l’estructura i l’organització general de l’establiment. La recent excavació d’un petit nucli d’hàbitat, organitzat a partir de tres unitats domèstiques independents, permet replantejar la interpretació de les restes agrícoles pertanyents a aquest mateix període descobertes anys enrere i, també, il·lustra el pas cap a noves formes de poblament que són conseqüència del procés de transformació i desaparició de les antigues villae.
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For the archaeobotanical analysis of waterlogged sediments, which are usually very rich in organic remains, subsampling is often necessary. Subsampling strategies for this kind of material are mostly based on non-empirical experience and... more
For the archaeobotanical analysis of waterlogged sediments, which are usually very rich in organic remains, subsampling is often necessary. Subsampling strategies for this kind of material are mostly based on non-empirical experience and have rarely been tested. In this paper, we compare results from small-volume subsamples with those from the large-volume residue of the master sample subsamples were drawn from. The extra-variability caused by lumpiness of the unprocessed waterlogged sediment was quantified in order to find out how much the necessary sample sizes need to increase for this type of sediment. We found that subsampling of unprocessed waterlogged material in general should only be done if it is indispensable , as it can introduce a bias. We propose methods to adapt sample sizes based on random sampling for unprocessed waterlogged sediment (where random sampling is impossible) so that the proportions or also the diversity of plant species can be estimated with sufficient precision in these sediments. However, it would be best to use an appropriate sieving method first and then subsample the processed residues of the material. We also think that it is important to clearly present the methods used for subsampling in publications and that more detailed tests about subsampling should be performed.
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This paper reviews the palaeobiogeography of Taxus baccata (yew) and the human social customs and traditions relating to this tree in southwest Europe. Pollen and archaeobotanical (charcoal, seeds and manufactured tools) evidence... more
This paper reviews the palaeobiogeography of Taxus baccata (yew) and the human social customs and traditions relating to this tree in southwest Europe. Pollen and archaeobotanical (charcoal, seeds and manufactured tools) evidence supplemented by some data from ethnographical sources have been considered in an integrated approach focused on the Holocene. The geographical scope covers northern Spain, including both sides of the Pyrenees to southeast France, northeast Spain and the Balearic islands. Although the first archaeobotanical occurrences of yew have been recorded at 12–8 cal. kyr bp, the highest values have been found between 7,000 and 2,000 cal. bp as reflected in its maximum pollen curves in the study area. According to the pollen records this taxon had a first significant presence within the mixed oak woods and then it gradually disappeared (ca. 3,000 bp) from middle altitudes. This might be due to a combination of changing climatic conditions responsible for the major Holocene vegetation changes and increasing human pressure. A wide diversity of human uses is observed in the record of yew macroremains from archaeological sites. The presence of charcoal, potentially consumed fruits, manufactured tools and other archaeobotanical evidence of yew associated with livestock activities lead us to propose a set of past uses that may have contributed to its clear decrease in the late Holocene. Despite this intensive exploitation it is also rather common to find old specimens of planted yew throughout the study area, witnessing its endurance in the memories of people wherever it has remained.
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Research Interests:
There is an ongoing discussion about how organic material is preserved in settlement layers on lakeshores. Different scenarios have been suggested; was a permanent water cover needed at all times, or were there episodical water level... more
There is an ongoing discussion about how organic material is preserved in settlement layers on lakeshores. Different scenarios have been suggested; was a permanent water cover needed at all times, or were there episodical water level fluctuations? In this paper, we use aquatic and wetland plants to shed light on layer formation processes of complex anthropogenic stratigraphies of the Neolithic lakeshore settlement Zug-Riedmatt (Central Switzerland). Botanical macroremains from the microarchaeologically investigated occupation layer were analysed and compared to modern analogue data from two lakes. Results suggest that the excavated area of the settlement was in a first phase located in the sublittoral zone (below water), with a massive input of anthropogenic waste material contributing to the layer formation, but then in a second phase, the shoreline shifted so that the excavated part of the settlement was located in the eulittoral zone and in a third phase probably even landwards of a reed belt. In a comparison with two previously investigated Neolithic lakeshore sites, we found that at least in one of these sites, such ‘drier’ conditions could also be found. This shows how important it is to know which part of the littoral zone is represented in an excavation, as conditions can differ within a settlement, and that there is very likely no universally valid ‘Pfahlbau scenario’.
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In the 22 and 23 of June 2017 the 1st Iberian Carpology Meeting will be held in Porto, under the theme “"The use of plants by human communities in the Iberian Peninsula - carpologic perspectives". More info:... more
In the 22 and 23 of June 2017 the 1st Iberian Carpology Meeting will be held in Porto, under the theme “"The use of plants by human communities in the Iberian Peninsula - carpologic perspectives".
More info: https://iberiacarpo.wixsite.com/iberiacarpo
More info: https://iberiacarpo.wixsite.com/iberiacarpo
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The detection of direct archaeological remains of alcoholic beverages and their production is still a challenge in the archaeological sciences, as most of the markers known up to now are either not durable or diagnostic enough to be used... more
The detection of direct archaeological remains of alcoholic beverages and their production is still a challenge in the archaeological sciences, as most of the markers known up to now are either not durable or diagnostic enough to be used as secure prove. The current study addresses this question by experimental work reproducing the malting processes and subsequent charring of the resulting products under laboratory conditions in order to simulate their preservation (by charring) in archaeological contexts and to explore the preservation of microstructural alternations of the involved cereal grains. The experimentally germinated and charred grains showed clearly degraded (thinned) aleurone cell walls. The histological alternations of the cereal grains were observed and quantified using reflected light and scanning electron microscope as well as corresponding morphometric and statistical software. In order to verify the experimental observations of histological alternations, amorphous charred objects (ACO) containing cereal remains originating from five archaeological sites dating to the 4th millennium BCE were considered: Two of these sites are archaeologically recognisable brewing installations from Predynastic Egypt, while the three roughly contemporary central European lakeshore settlements lack such specific context of the analysed cereal-based food remains. The aleurone cell wall thinning known from food technological research and observed in our own experimental material was indeed also recorded in the archaeological finds. The Egyptian materials derive from beer production with certainty, supported by the ample contextual and artefactual data. The Neolithic lakeshore settlement finds currently represent the oldest traces of malting in central Europe, while the bowl-shaped bread-like object possibly even points towards early beer production in central Europe. One major further implication of our study is that the cell wall breakdown in the grain’s aleurone layer can be used as a general marker for malting processes with relevance for a wide range of charred archaeological finds of cereal products.
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Archaeology of Beer and Cereal Fermentation, Predynastic and Early Dynastic Egypt, Central and Eastern Europe, Germany, Cereal Processing Technology, and 9 moreBrewing, Late Neolithic, Wheat, Switzerland, Barley, Malt, Maltsters and Malting, Pile Dwellings, Alcoholic Beverages, and UNESCO world heritage
Cereals, in addition to being a major ingredient in daily meals, also play a role in the preparation of foodstuffs for ritual purposes. This paper deals with finds that may correspond to such ritual preparations retrieved from the... more
Cereals, in addition to being a major ingredient in daily meals, also play a role in the preparation of foodstuffs for ritual purposes. This paper deals with finds that may correspond to such ritual preparations retrieved from the hillfort site of Stillfried an der March. The site, spreading across an area of ca. 23 ha, held a very important position among settlements of Late Urnfield period (particularly during the 10th-9 th c. BCE), acting as a central place where large scale storage of grain as well as textile and metal production took place under the control of local elites. Three incomplete ring-shaped charred organic objects, found together with 14 rings and ring fragments made of clay were discovered in a secondary filled silo pit, excavated among a total of about 100 pits of this kind at the site. The overall good state of preservation of the organic ring fragments suggests that they were deposited intact on the bottom of the pit and covered well so that no re-deposition or damage occurred. This could be indicate their intentional placement in this position. Light and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the charred organic rings are cereal products containing hulled barley and a wheat species. Indications that the objects were shaped from a wet cereal mixture and had been subsequently dried without baking are discussed, as well as the possible significance of the find assemblage. The annular objects are put in context with the contemporary cereal spectrum as well as other cereal preparations from Stillfried, outlining their different chaıˆneschaıˆnes opératoires for handling cereal food.
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The site of Parkhaus Opéra is located on the north-eastern shore of Lake Zürich (Switzerland) and was documented during a rescue excavation in 2010 and 2011 by the Office for Urbanism, City of Zürich. Two charred bread-like objects were... more
The site of Parkhaus Opéra is located on the north-eastern shore of Lake Zürich (Switzerland) and was documented during a rescue excavation in 2010 and 2011 by the Office for Urbanism, City of Zürich. Two charred bread-like objects were found in late Neolithic Layer 13 of the pile-dwelling, and are investigated using a novel set of analyses for cereal-based foodstuffs. Tissue remains of barley and wheat were identified, as well as a schizocarp of celery (cf. Apium graveolens), providing the first evidence for the use of bread condiments in the Neolithic. Cereal particle sizes were recorded and used to draw conclusions regarding milling and sieving of the raw material. Gas bubbles in the charred objects were measured in order to evaluate possible leavening of the dough. The outcomes of this research significantly advance the understanding of the production traits of cereal-based food during the Neolithic. The analytical techniques proposed by this study open up new possibilities for systematic and consistent investigations of cereal-based archaeological foodstuffs.
Research Interests:
Deadline: 8 February 2024
submissions.e-a-a.org/eaa2024
submissions.e-a-a.org/eaa2024
Research Interests:
Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Environmental Science, Architecture, Environmental Archaeology, and 12 moreEnvironmental Sustainability, Prehistory, Arqueología, Arqueología De La Arquitectura, Green Architecture and Environmental Design, Earthen Architecture, Architektur, Ancient Architecture and Construction History, Archäologie, Historic Earthen Architecture, Conservation of earthen architecture, and Klassische Archäologie
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Research Interests:
The beginning of agriculture is seen as the major transition in the human past, a changeover that strengthened sedentary lifestyle, drastically reduced the risk of famine and the dependence on the environmental conditions, and ultimately,... more
The beginning of agriculture is seen as the major transition in the human past, a changeover that strengthened sedentary lifestyle, drastically reduced the risk of famine and the dependence on the environmental conditions, and ultimately, allowed the human population to prosper. Archaeological and genetic discoveries have shed light on the most relevant processes that accompanied the domestication of the so-called "founder crops" (emmer, einkorn, barley, lentil, pea, chickpea, bitter vetch and flax). Nevertheless, the role of minor crops and weedy plants, as well as wild plants that could have been cultivated but eventually not domesticated, among hunter-gatherers and early farmers is relatively understudied. With the increasing corpus of archaeobotanical data, together with the appearance of new and more powerful genomic, biometric and radiocarbon dating techniques, we are gaining new insights into plant cultivation and domestication that had not been possible before. Within the framework of this session we would like to bring together researchers working on the cultivation of wild plants and the domestication of minor crops in Southwestern Asia, Northern Africa and Europe. We also encourage new archaeobotanical and paleogenomic discoveries to be presented, to track and date changes in the phenotypes and genotypes of plants that are considered marginal, but were instead crucial for the survival of ancient and modern-primitive communities. Papers that discuss the mechanism of exploitation of minor crops among modern traditional societies from an ethnographic perspective are considered relevant to the discussion.
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Trade and circulation of animals and plants in the Mediterranean basin through time: new bioarchaeological insights Humans have contributed and still participate in the circulation of plant and animal products and species around the... more
Trade and circulation of animals and plants in the Mediterranean basin through time: new bioarchaeological insights
Humans have contributed and still participate in the circulation of plant and animal products and species around the world. The consequences of these have sometimes been catastrophic in fragile environments such as in small islands, while in other cases they have contributed to more resilient economies and increased food security. The Mediterranean basin has witnessed processes of animal and plant dispersal as a result of human migrations and trade on multiple occasions during the Holocene. There is a growing archaeobiological dataset that has the potential to yield a good testimony of these processes over time, yet we still have vague ideas of the rhythms of adoption and routes of dispersal of many crops and domestic animals, as well as commensal animals, insects or wild plants. The application of new techniques in combination with archaeobotany and archaeozoology, such as digital image analysis and biomolecular analyses, as well as spacial exploration of archaeobiological data with GIS, is allowing important steps forward in the identification of changes in consumption patterns, use of new plant and animal products as well as tracing the arrival of new landraces or their local development.
Humans have contributed and still participate in the circulation of plant and animal products and species around the world. The consequences of these have sometimes been catastrophic in fragile environments such as in small islands, while in other cases they have contributed to more resilient economies and increased food security. The Mediterranean basin has witnessed processes of animal and plant dispersal as a result of human migrations and trade on multiple occasions during the Holocene. There is a growing archaeobiological dataset that has the potential to yield a good testimony of these processes over time, yet we still have vague ideas of the rhythms of adoption and routes of dispersal of many crops and domestic animals, as well as commensal animals, insects or wild plants. The application of new techniques in combination with archaeobotany and archaeozoology, such as digital image analysis and biomolecular analyses, as well as spacial exploration of archaeobiological data with GIS, is allowing important steps forward in the identification of changes in consumption patterns, use of new plant and animal products as well as tracing the arrival of new landraces or their local development.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Climate Change, Human Impact and the Challenges of Assessing the Sustainability of Archaeological Heritage Archaeological heritage is currently affected by a large number of natural hazards that are a direct consequence of climate change... more
Climate Change, Human Impact and the Challenges of Assessing the Sustainability of Archaeological Heritage Archaeological heritage is currently affected by a large number of natural hazards that are a direct consequence of climate change and by a certain share of damages caused by human aggression or intervention. This is inevitably going to damage still unknown archaeological sites, affect existing exposed ones and generate new difficulties for the sustainable preservation of archaeological heritage at a scale we have not experienced before. This session would like to gather different approaches to site vulnerability assessment, from remote sensing analysis, to site monitoring, including big-data and modelling practices developed within such a framework. The goal of the session is to discuss methodological challenges, the value of different scales of analyses and the difficulties in obtaining a full view of the multiple scales of hazards that can affect archaeological heritage today and in the future for a better and more strategic protection and research policy. Success stories of sustainable site protection measures after risk assessment are also much encouraged.
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Dear Colleagues, Over the last twelve thousand years, more than two thousand plant species have been domesticated worldwide. Domestication was driven by a multitude of environmental, climatic, and cultural factors, which ultimately led... more
Dear Colleagues,
Over the last twelve thousand years, more than two thousand plant species have been domesticated worldwide. Domestication was driven by a multitude of environmental, climatic, and cultural factors, which ultimately led plants to thrive in human-made niches while losing the ability to propagate in natural settings. The study of major crops thus far has enabled the identification of 11 different regions where plants were independently domesticated, but studies on the domestication process of most crops are unconcluded and uncertainties persist on their original area of distribution and their patterns of diversification. The increasing corpus of agronomic, genomic, archaeobotanical, and ethnographic data can provide crucial information on these issues, and overall advance our understanding of domestication processes on a global scale.
With this Special Issue of Agronomy, we seek integrative studies that shed light on the origin and diversification of understudied crops, as well as reviews that offer original perspectives on the domestication of major crops. Furthermore, we encourage contributions that investigate the cultural, social, and linguistic background of domestication to create a comprehensive history of the origin and early development of agriculture.
Submission deadline: 15th June 2021
Over the last twelve thousand years, more than two thousand plant species have been domesticated worldwide. Domestication was driven by a multitude of environmental, climatic, and cultural factors, which ultimately led plants to thrive in human-made niches while losing the ability to propagate in natural settings. The study of major crops thus far has enabled the identification of 11 different regions where plants were independently domesticated, but studies on the domestication process of most crops are unconcluded and uncertainties persist on their original area of distribution and their patterns of diversification. The increasing corpus of agronomic, genomic, archaeobotanical, and ethnographic data can provide crucial information on these issues, and overall advance our understanding of domestication processes on a global scale.
With this Special Issue of Agronomy, we seek integrative studies that shed light on the origin and diversification of understudied crops, as well as reviews that offer original perspectives on the domestication of major crops. Furthermore, we encourage contributions that investigate the cultural, social, and linguistic background of domestication to create a comprehensive history of the origin and early development of agriculture.
Submission deadline: 15th June 2021
Research Interests:
Pour le Néolithique moyen, deux phases d’occupation distinctes sont attestées au sein de l’espace exploré entre 2012 et 2015. La première est marquée par 72, la seconde par 22 structures. La question est maintenant de comprendre comment... more
Pour le Néolithique moyen, deux phases d’occupation distinctes sont attestées au sein de l’espace exploré entre 2012 et 2015. La première est marquée par 72, la seconde par 22 structures. La question est maintenant de comprendre comment ces deux occupations se situent l’une par rapport à l’autre : s’agit-il d’une transition progressive d’une occupation vers l’autre ou avons-nous affaire à deux occupations distinctes éventuellement séparées par un hiatus ?
Research Interests:
The beginning of agriculture is seen as the major transition in the human past, a changeover that strengthened sedentary lifestyle, drastically reduced the risk of famine and the dependence on the environmental conditions, and ultimately,... more
The beginning of agriculture is seen as the major transition in the human past, a changeover that strengthened sedentary lifestyle, drastically reduced the risk of famine and the dependence on the environmental conditions, and ultimately, allowed the human population to prosper.
Archaeological and genetic discoveries have shed light on the most relevant processes that accompanied the domestication of the so‐called “founder crops” (emmer, einkorn, barley, lentil, pea, chickpea, bitter vetch and flax). Nevertheless, the role of minor crops and weedy plants, as well as wild plants that could have been cultivated but eventually not domesticated, among hunter‐gatherers and early farmers is relatively understudied. With the increasing corpus of archaeobotanical data, together with the appearance of new and more powerful genomic, biometric and radiocarbon dating techniques, we are gaining new insights into plant cultivation and domestication that had not been possible before.
Within the framework of this session we would like to bring together researchers working on the cultivation of wild plants and the domestication of minor crops in Southwestern Asia, Northern Africa and Europe. We also encourage new archaeobotanical and paleogenomic discoveries to be presented, to track and date changes in the phenotypes and genotypes of plants that are considered marginal, but were instead crucial for the survival of ancient and modern‐primitive communities.
Papers that discuss the mechanism of exploitation of minor crops among modern traditional societies from an ethnographic perspective are considered relevant to the discussion.
Archaeological and genetic discoveries have shed light on the most relevant processes that accompanied the domestication of the so‐called “founder crops” (emmer, einkorn, barley, lentil, pea, chickpea, bitter vetch and flax). Nevertheless, the role of minor crops and weedy plants, as well as wild plants that could have been cultivated but eventually not domesticated, among hunter‐gatherers and early farmers is relatively understudied. With the increasing corpus of archaeobotanical data, together with the appearance of new and more powerful genomic, biometric and radiocarbon dating techniques, we are gaining new insights into plant cultivation and domestication that had not been possible before.
Within the framework of this session we would like to bring together researchers working on the cultivation of wild plants and the domestication of minor crops in Southwestern Asia, Northern Africa and Europe. We also encourage new archaeobotanical and paleogenomic discoveries to be presented, to track and date changes in the phenotypes and genotypes of plants that are considered marginal, but were instead crucial for the survival of ancient and modern‐primitive communities.
Papers that discuss the mechanism of exploitation of minor crops among modern traditional societies from an ethnographic perspective are considered relevant to the discussion.