We are pleased to announce the next "International Symposium on Knappable Materials: From toolst... more We are pleased to announce the next "International Symposium on Knappable Materials: From toolstone to stone tools", previously held in Romania and Barcelona. It will take place between November 7th and 12th. Presentations should be either in person or online. The Symposium will take place in Buenos Aires, with an optional fieldwork to the outcrops of Necochea, where the nearest lithic raw material sources have been located. The field trip will be organized by local researchers. Web page: www.imhicihu-conicet.gob.ar/iskm2017/ E-mail: iskm2017@conicet.gov.ar New announcements are coming soon!! Organizing Committee
Nos es grato anunciar el próximo "International Symposium on Knappable Materials: From toolstone to stone tools", cuyas dos últimas sedes fueron Rumania y Barcelona. Tendrá lugar entre el 7 y 12 de noviembre del 2017, siendo la participación presencial o virtual. El Simposio se desarrollará en Buenos Aires y contará con una salida opcional a recorrer las canteras próximas a Necochea, que son las más cercanas. El viaje de campo estará organizado por investigadores de la localidad. Página Web del Simposio: www.imhicihu-conicet.gob.ar/iskm2017/ Correo de contacto: iskm2017@conicet.gov.ar Habrá más anuncios pronto! Comité Organizador
Volume dedicated to the International Symposium on Chert and Other Knappable Materials. Iaşi, 20-... more Volume dedicated to the International Symposium on Chert and Other Knappable Materials. Iaşi, 20-24 August 2013.
""FOREWORD
This volume brings a part of the papers presented at the international student co... more ""FOREWORD
This volume brings a part of the papers presented at the international student conference “Beyond the Veil. Spirituality in Pre- and Prehistory” which took place between 3 5 April 2009 in Alba Iulia, Romania. This scientific event was held by the Ancient History and Archaeology Association (Cercului de Istorie Veche şi Arheologie - C.I.V.A.) within the framework of the Department of History, Archaeology and Museology at “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia. On this occasion 14 students from Romania, Poland, Georgia, Macedonia and Canada participated.
Between 24-26 November 2006, the Department of History, Archaeology and Museology organised the 14th edition of the National Conference of Student Scholastic Organizations in Archaeology, History and Museology. The student conference was comprised of the following sections: 1. Archaeology, prehistory, ancient history and auxiliary sciences; 2. Medieval, modern and contemporary history and the history of art; 3. Museum sciences, conservation, restoration and public education.
With this occasion, the scholastic organization C.I.V.A. (comprised of students of Archaeology from the University of Alba Iulia) organized the first international student meeting at the university on the topic of archaeological research. The conference focused specifically on the topic of Globalisation and Studies of the Past, and gathered students from Romania, United States of America, Canada, Hungary, England, Russia, Slovakia and the Republic of Moldova.
Volume dedicated to the International Symposium on Chert and Other Knappable Materials. Iaşi, 20-... more Volume dedicated to the International Symposium on Chert and Other Knappable Materials. Iaşi, 20-24 August 2013.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES, Mar 1, 2016
The Copper Age Coţofeni culture occupied a large territory which covers present day W Romania, NE... more The Copper Age Coţofeni culture occupied a large territory which covers present day W Romania, NE Serbia, and NW Bulgaria. The Coțofeni people lived in settlements located on hill slopes and river terraces, as well as in caves. Their hand-modeled ceramic pottery is richly ornamented by incisions, incrustations, and lentil bean appliqués. Potsherds found in the Peştera Mare de la Cerişor (i.e., the Great Cave of Cerişor) located in Paleozoic crystalline limestones and dolomites (Southern Carpathians, Romania) were studied in terms of mineralogy and petrography by OM, XRD, and EMPA. The sherds consist of an Fe-rich illitic matrix embedding quartz, K-feldspar, muscovite, plagioclase, biotite, chlorite, various heavy minerals, metamorphic, magmatic and sedimentary lithoclasts, as well as soil concretions and chamotte. Within a temperature interval, spanning between ∼800 and ∼900 °C, three firing groups were roughly separated, based on the optical characteristics of the matrix and the in...
The objective of this study was to determine whether lithic artefacts were long distance trade co... more The objective of this study was to determine whether lithic artefacts were long distance trade commodities between different cultural areas, in the Early Chalcolithic of the Moldavian Plain. Some of the lithic artefacts discovered in Precucuteni settlements are believed to be made from Balkan flint whose sources are hundreds of kilometers away in the Lower Danube area, inhabited at that time by the Gumelnița communities. The lithic assemblage from the Târgu Frumos—Baza Pãtule site (Romania) was studied to help determine whether or not this was the case. Macroscopic and petrographic analyses of artefacts and geological samples were used to distinguish Balkan flint from local flint and other knappable materials and to determine that approximately 5% of the lithics were imported in the form of blanks and finished products. The depositional context of the Balkan flint tools shows no differences from that of the other tools.
The production of ceramic pottery involves numerous steps, each of which requires different tools... more The production of ceramic pottery involves numerous steps, each of which requires different tools. Many studies focus on pottery, sometimes as tools from a functional point of view, sometimes as cultural markers used to date sites, and sometimes from the point of view of the raw material of which they are composed. The steps involved in pottery production are often studied based on the remains of the pottery itself with only minor mention of the tools used in its production.
This paper focuses in particular on Neolithic and Chalcolithic artefacts found at the Măgura-Buduiasca-Boldul lui Moş Ivănuş and Vităneşti-Măgurice sites in Teleorman county (southern Romania). A few analogies from other sites in the Lower Danube region have also been included in order to provide a larger range of tools potentially used in this industry.
The tools have here been grouped based on the stage of production - those which may have been used to quarry the raw clay, such as picks; tools for processing the raw materials by coarse and fine grinding such as mortars and pestles; and surface finishing tools for polishing and smoothing. The artefacts were analysed by non-destructive surface studies (macroscopically, with the aid of a handheld loupe, and by stereo microscope) with the aim of further determining their function and whether they were likely used in the ceramics industry.
This study provides examples of tool types and illustrates characteristics useful for identifying them. It also shows the chaîne opératoire of pottery produced during the Neolithic and Chalcolithic of this region.
The study was financed by the PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 project granted by the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research.
Among the cultural layers excavated at Vlaha “Pad” site (Cluj county, NW Romania) there were sett... more Among the cultural layers excavated at Vlaha “Pad” site (Cluj county, NW Romania) there were settlements dated to the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age. Pottery and other materials were recovered from a large variety of features (e.g., dwellings and pit) in these levels. It should be noted that the populations of the two phases from which the pottery came were capable of producing high temperature fires, in particular for processing metal ores, such as copper and iron, respectively.
Four potsherds assigned to Late Bronze Age and seventeen potsherds assigned to Early Iron Age were studied by polarized light optical microscopy (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The aim of the study was to find if there are differences between the two epochs as regards the raw materials and firing technologies.
The potsherds have orange-to-brown or grey-to-black colours, with either homogeneous or zoned appearance across the ceramic wall. Some of the pieces analysed had various surface treatments and decorations. The orange-brown ceramics generally show an illitic matrix, highly to medium birefringent. The matrix of the grey-to-black ceramics is nearly or totally isotropic. The clasts have various sizes and consist of quartz, plagioclase and K-feldspar. Muscovite is found in all samples. Lithoclasts of quartzite, granitic-type rock and micashists are common. Grains of amphibole, chlorite, calcite, aragonite, Fe-oxides, garnet, epidote, titanite and rutile occur as well. Characteristically, all samples contain pedogenic concretions and crushed older sherds, i.e. ceramoclasts.
The data obtained by OM, XRD, FTIR and EPR show that most of the orange-to-brown pottery was fired at low temperatures, i.e. between ~700 and ~850 °C. Nevertheless, the grey-to-black potsherds appear to have been fired at higher temperatures, over 900 °C. These temperatures are well below what they were capable of achieving for example for obtaining metals. There seems to be no significant differences in composition and technology between the Late Bronze and the Early Iron age ceramics.
Although this population had the ability to reach higher temperatures, which would have produced better quality pottery, they clearly chose not to, with the result being lower quality pottery from a functional point of view. The reasons for doing this are not certain. Clearly the potters wanted their wares to look good, hence the surface treatment. The low temperature might have simply been a way to speed up production by short-time firing (which is supported by the zoned appearance of the ceramic wall). It might suggest also that they considered the items cheap and disposable. This gives us an interesting insight into the consumer habits and practices of these time periods.
This study was financed by the PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 project granted to CI by the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research. Support of the Sectorial Operational Program for Human Resources Development 2007-2013, co-financed by the European Social Fund was granted to AG (project POSDRU/159/1.5/S/132400).
Volume 2, Number 1. DOI: 10.2218/jls.v2i1.1154, 2015
Fieldwalking surveys in 2007 and 2008 revealed a moderate sized settlement on Piatra Tomii Hill (... more Fieldwalking surveys in 2007 and 2008 revealed a moderate sized settlement on Piatra Tomii Hill (Alba County, Romania) which was considered of interest because of its location on top of a natural source of chert, and the large amount of chert artefacts found on the surface. In 2009 the site was excavated during which one of the objectives was to learn more about the chert mining and processing at the site. The ratio of artefact types and lack of use-wear suggests that not only was raw material being extracted at the site, but tools were also being produced locally before being exported. The 2009 excavations also revealed what appear to be the remains of pit quarrying and possibly fire cracked limestone and debris. These finds provide technical insight into potential chert extraction techniques utilised in the Late Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age. As well, this is as yet the only reported settlement in the Transylvanian basin involved in chert extraction (either quarrying or mining). Given the settlement’s affluence, especially considering its relative isolation, it is likely that the chert industry here was important to communities in the vicinity. Indeed artefacts found at contemporary sites in the Mureș Valley appear to have been made from the same or a similar chert. This paper gives an introductions to the site, describes the artefacts and features found there and provides possible interpretations regarding the processing and export industry, as well as the methods of extracting the raw material during this period.
In the Bistrița valley, a variety of different materials were used for producing knapped tools du... more In the Bistrița valley, a variety of different materials were used for producing knapped tools during the Upper Palaeolithic. Among these, chert is the most common. Previous research carried out in this region has indicated the possible use of flint imported from the Moldavian Plateau (over 100km away) although until now no petrographic studies have been carried out in order to verify this assumption. More recently the authors of this paper have suggested also the Dobrudja region (300km away) as an origin of some lithic artefacts. Indeed, the material from which some of the chert artefacts in the Bistrița valley were made is of good quality and visually appears very similar to the flint found in the Moldavian Plateau. In order to help determine the provenance of the chert artefacts, some of the suspected imported artefacts were observed in thin section. They were compared to thin sections of geological samples from known sources of Moldavian flint, Balkan flint from the Dobrudja region, and local cherts. The results of this study support the theory of imported flint from the Moldavian plateau as well as the Dobrudja region, although the majority of material appears to be of local origin.
In: Beqiraj et al., Proceedings XX Congress of the Carpathian-Balkan Geological Association, Sept. 24-26 2014 Tirana. Buletini i Shekencave Gjeologjike, Sp. Iss., vol. 1 Special Sessions, p. 60., 2014
The Sarmizegetusa Regia (Grădiştea de Munte) site is located in the Sebeş Mountains (Southern Car... more The Sarmizegetusa Regia (Grădiştea de Munte) site is located in the Sebeş Mountains (Southern Carpathians, Romania). It functioned as the capital of Dacia till the Roman conquest in 106 C.E. The settlement consisted of a fortress, a religious area and several residential districts. Within the fortification, pits containing ceramic and glass fragments, coins, iron artefacts, iron slag, charcoal as well as charred seeds were found. Thirty potsherds were studied by polarized light microscopy (OM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and electron microprobe analysis (EMPA). The major, minor, trace and rare earth elements chemistry was determined for twenty one samples by inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP-ES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS).
The sherds have either a grey or an orange-brown colour. The ceramic body consists of a sintered or partly vitrified groundmass of clay minerals and various fine clasts. Among the latter are quartz, feldspar (mostly alkali-feldspar, less frequently plagioclase), muscovite, biotite, as well as chlorite. Epidote-clinozoisite, amphibole, garnet, titanite, staurolite, rutile, zircon, apatite and an Fe-rich compound occur as accessory phases. Lithoclasts are restricted to quartzite, micaschist, chlorite schist, biotite schist, gneiss and occasionally acidic volcanic rock fragments. The XRPD data indicates the predominance of quartz and feldspar.
EMPA shows an illitic groundmass. Mostly alkali-feldspar was identified, plagioclase being rare. Among the alkali-feldspars, K-feldspar predominates. Overgrowth of albite by alkalifeldspar is common. In most of the samples, there are Fe-rich phases, having significant amounts of SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, CaO and, occasionally, P2O5. ‘Intergranular bridges’ connect clay minerals, lamellae and non-plastic grains. Muscovite, chlorite and biotite do not show much thermal transformation, except for exfoliation or partial melting.
Geochemical data show that all samples are poor in CaO. Based on Al2O3 content, a low-Al (LAL) and a high-Al (HAL) group, respectively, were separated. The HAL samples show higher Al, Fe and Mg contents, compared with the LAL group. Si, Ca, Na and P are higher in the LAL sherds.
The overall composition of both, the grey and the orange-brown sherds, points to similar illitic clays as raw materials. The most likely candidates for quarrying potter’s clay would be outcrops of a Badenian age north of the site, in the Transylvanian Basin. As it could be inferred from the pot surface marks and the oriented texture of micas within the ceramic wall, the vessels were produced using a potter’s wheel. The firing was variable in regards to both temperature and atmosphere. Some of the vessels were produced at temperatures <800ºC. Most of the pottery, showing advanced vitrification and frequent K-feldspar overgrowth, was fired at higher temperatures, ranging from 850ºC to almost 1050ºC. The atmosphere was reducing for the grey pots and oxidizing for the orange-brown ones, respectively.
Acknowledgements: This study was financed by the Romanian Ministry of Culture and the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research, through PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 (CNCS/ UEFISCDI) project.
In: Beqiraj et al., Proceedings XX Congress of the Carpathian-Balkan Geological Association, Sept. 24-26 2014 Tirana. Buletini i Shekencave Gjeologjike, Sp. Iss., vol. 1 Special Sessions, p. 55., 2014
This presentation examines the lithic raw materials used to produce the knapped stone artefacts (... more This presentation examines the lithic raw materials used to produce the knapped stone artefacts (e.g. blades, scrapers, projectile points) found at 12 sites throughout southern Romania, specifically Liubcova-La Ornița, Ipotești-La Conac, Radovanu-Gorgana I, Vărăști-Grindul Grădiștea Ulmilor (Boian), Glina (Bobești)-Via lui Poleașcă, Călărași-Grădiștea, Bogata-Lac Gălățui, Dudești-Malul Roșu, Izvoarele-Fântânele, Garvăn-Mlăjitul Florilor, Garvăn-Dinogeția, and Luncavița-Cetățuia Tell. These sites range from the Neolithic (Starčevo-Criş, and Dudeşti, Boian and Vinča A & B cultures) to the Copper Age (Vinča C and Gumelniţa A & A2 cultures). The artefacts were compared with geological samples collected along the Lower Danube, where numerous sources of knappable raw materials suitable for producing tools were found. Such raw materials are in particular Cretaceous flint (from chalk outcrops, for example, in Romania at Hârșova, Ovidiu, Peștera, and Murfatlar and in Bulgaria at Nikopol, Ravno, and Chakmaka) and Cretaceous chert (from limestone outcrops, for example, in Romania at Hârșova, Cheia, and Remus Oprean and in Bulgaria at Tetovo, Kriva Reka, and Kiukato). In addition to in situ sources of raw material, pebbles and cobbles were observed along lower Danube in the alluvial sediments of the Danube.
Both the artefacts and the geological samples were investigated by means of polarized light microscopy in order to identify possible raw materials used in prehistoric times. All of these materials are composed primarily of microcrystalline quartz. The majority of the quartz is granular but a fibrous variety occurs occasionally. The other components are calcite (often associated with microfossils) and Fe-oxihydroxides, in various amounts. In general, the cherts appear to have more calcium carbonate and a larger and more varied quartz grain size than the flints. Smooth surfaces, more predictable conchoidal fractures and generally higher translucency are more common in flint samples. The chert samples are difficult to distinguish by macroscopic and microscopic means from chert found elsewhere, e.g., in the Carpathian Mts., but the flint is more easily distinguished. Both are distinguishable from flint of the Moldavian Plateau. The results of the artefact analyses indicate that the populations at the settlements studied almost exclusively used locally available materials and imported very little in the way of lithic materials. They were also using a large amount of lower quality local material, suggesting that they were not being highly selective in terms of the quality of the materials.
Acknowledgements. Financial support from the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research (PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 project) is also acknowledged. The artefacts analysed in this study were from excavations conducted by Dr. Eugen Comșa, and are now housed at the Romanian Academy of Sciences in Bucharest. Access to the artefact collections was obtained with help from Dr. Alexandra Comșa.
The purpose of this study is to identify and characterise some of the raw materials in the Criș V... more The purpose of this study is to identify and characterise some of the raw materials in the Criș Valley, in the Apuseni Mountains, Romania which are suitable for knapping tools. The materials cropping out in this area include: siliceous sinter, agate, and silicified wood. The basic characteristics of the materials, obtained by macroscopic and petrographic investigations, provide a reference database useful in provenance studies on individual artefacts or whole assemblages. An assessment of each material is made regarding its quality as a knappable material.
From the Neolithic up to the present, people have used various methods to improve the surface of ... more From the Neolithic up to the present, people have used various methods to improve the surface of ceramic objects. In this study, we look specifically at smoothing and pattern burnishing of ceramics produced today by traditional methods. Optical microscopy and SEM show specific surface changes. Smoothing results in an irregular surface, which causes diffused reflection of light. Burnishing produces an even and compact surface, which causes specular reflection and lustre. The results can be used to infer methods of surface treatment employed by ancient peoples as well as to help identify the presence of ceramics production centres at archaeological sites.
The purpose of this study is to identify and characterise some of the raw materials in NW Romania... more The purpose of this study is to identify and characterise some of the raw materials in NW Romania which have been suggested as having been used for knapping tools. The materials cropping out in this area include jasper, chalcedony, and perlite. The basic characteristics of the materials, obtained by macroscopic, microscopic, and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) investigations provide a reference database useful in provenance studies on individual artefacts or whole assemblages. An assessment of each material is made regarding its quality as a knappable material.
Abstract: This article examines the raw materials used to produce the artefacts found at five sit... more Abstract: This article examines the raw materials used to produce the artefacts found at five sites in Teleorman County, Romania. These sites range from the Neolithic (Star čevo-Criş, Dudeşti, and Vădastra) to the Chalcolithic (Gumelniţa A2 and B1). In larger surrounding area, there are numerous sources of knappable raw materials suitable for producing tools. These materials are described and compared by macroscopic and microscopic means. The artefacts were similarly analysed in order to help determine their provenance. Among other things, this study indicates that the populations at these settlements predominantly used locally available materials.
Rezumat: Acest articol analizează materiile prime, utilizate pentru producerea de artefacte, găsite în cinci situri din judeţul Teleorman, România. Datează din neolitic (Starčevo-Criş, Dudeşti şi Vădastra) şi eneolitic (Gumelniţa A2 şi B1). În zona înconjurătoare, există numeroase surse de materii prime adecvate pentru producerea de unelte prin cioplire. Materialele sunt descrise şi comparate din punct de vedere macroscopic şi microscopic. Artefactele au fost analizate în mod similar, în scopul de a ajuta la determinarea provenienţei lor. Printre altele, studiu indică faptul că populaţiile din aceste aşezări, utilizau, în principal, materiale disponibile pe plan local.
We are pleased to announce the next "International Symposium on Knappable Materials: From toolst... more We are pleased to announce the next "International Symposium on Knappable Materials: From toolstone to stone tools", previously held in Romania and Barcelona. It will take place between November 7th and 12th. Presentations should be either in person or online. The Symposium will take place in Buenos Aires, with an optional fieldwork to the outcrops of Necochea, where the nearest lithic raw material sources have been located. The field trip will be organized by local researchers. Web page: www.imhicihu-conicet.gob.ar/iskm2017/ E-mail: iskm2017@conicet.gov.ar New announcements are coming soon!! Organizing Committee
Nos es grato anunciar el próximo "International Symposium on Knappable Materials: From toolstone to stone tools", cuyas dos últimas sedes fueron Rumania y Barcelona. Tendrá lugar entre el 7 y 12 de noviembre del 2017, siendo la participación presencial o virtual. El Simposio se desarrollará en Buenos Aires y contará con una salida opcional a recorrer las canteras próximas a Necochea, que son las más cercanas. El viaje de campo estará organizado por investigadores de la localidad. Página Web del Simposio: www.imhicihu-conicet.gob.ar/iskm2017/ Correo de contacto: iskm2017@conicet.gov.ar Habrá más anuncios pronto! Comité Organizador
Volume dedicated to the International Symposium on Chert and Other Knappable Materials. Iaşi, 20-... more Volume dedicated to the International Symposium on Chert and Other Knappable Materials. Iaşi, 20-24 August 2013.
""FOREWORD
This volume brings a part of the papers presented at the international student co... more ""FOREWORD
This volume brings a part of the papers presented at the international student conference “Beyond the Veil. Spirituality in Pre- and Prehistory” which took place between 3 5 April 2009 in Alba Iulia, Romania. This scientific event was held by the Ancient History and Archaeology Association (Cercului de Istorie Veche şi Arheologie - C.I.V.A.) within the framework of the Department of History, Archaeology and Museology at “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia. On this occasion 14 students from Romania, Poland, Georgia, Macedonia and Canada participated.
Between 24-26 November 2006, the Department of History, Archaeology and Museology organised the 14th edition of the National Conference of Student Scholastic Organizations in Archaeology, History and Museology. The student conference was comprised of the following sections: 1. Archaeology, prehistory, ancient history and auxiliary sciences; 2. Medieval, modern and contemporary history and the history of art; 3. Museum sciences, conservation, restoration and public education.
With this occasion, the scholastic organization C.I.V.A. (comprised of students of Archaeology from the University of Alba Iulia) organized the first international student meeting at the university on the topic of archaeological research. The conference focused specifically on the topic of Globalisation and Studies of the Past, and gathered students from Romania, United States of America, Canada, Hungary, England, Russia, Slovakia and the Republic of Moldova.
Volume dedicated to the International Symposium on Chert and Other Knappable Materials. Iaşi, 20-... more Volume dedicated to the International Symposium on Chert and Other Knappable Materials. Iaşi, 20-24 August 2013.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES, Mar 1, 2016
The Copper Age Coţofeni culture occupied a large territory which covers present day W Romania, NE... more The Copper Age Coţofeni culture occupied a large territory which covers present day W Romania, NE Serbia, and NW Bulgaria. The Coțofeni people lived in settlements located on hill slopes and river terraces, as well as in caves. Their hand-modeled ceramic pottery is richly ornamented by incisions, incrustations, and lentil bean appliqués. Potsherds found in the Peştera Mare de la Cerişor (i.e., the Great Cave of Cerişor) located in Paleozoic crystalline limestones and dolomites (Southern Carpathians, Romania) were studied in terms of mineralogy and petrography by OM, XRD, and EMPA. The sherds consist of an Fe-rich illitic matrix embedding quartz, K-feldspar, muscovite, plagioclase, biotite, chlorite, various heavy minerals, metamorphic, magmatic and sedimentary lithoclasts, as well as soil concretions and chamotte. Within a temperature interval, spanning between ∼800 and ∼900 °C, three firing groups were roughly separated, based on the optical characteristics of the matrix and the in...
The objective of this study was to determine whether lithic artefacts were long distance trade co... more The objective of this study was to determine whether lithic artefacts were long distance trade commodities between different cultural areas, in the Early Chalcolithic of the Moldavian Plain. Some of the lithic artefacts discovered in Precucuteni settlements are believed to be made from Balkan flint whose sources are hundreds of kilometers away in the Lower Danube area, inhabited at that time by the Gumelnița communities. The lithic assemblage from the Târgu Frumos—Baza Pãtule site (Romania) was studied to help determine whether or not this was the case. Macroscopic and petrographic analyses of artefacts and geological samples were used to distinguish Balkan flint from local flint and other knappable materials and to determine that approximately 5% of the lithics were imported in the form of blanks and finished products. The depositional context of the Balkan flint tools shows no differences from that of the other tools.
The production of ceramic pottery involves numerous steps, each of which requires different tools... more The production of ceramic pottery involves numerous steps, each of which requires different tools. Many studies focus on pottery, sometimes as tools from a functional point of view, sometimes as cultural markers used to date sites, and sometimes from the point of view of the raw material of which they are composed. The steps involved in pottery production are often studied based on the remains of the pottery itself with only minor mention of the tools used in its production.
This paper focuses in particular on Neolithic and Chalcolithic artefacts found at the Măgura-Buduiasca-Boldul lui Moş Ivănuş and Vităneşti-Măgurice sites in Teleorman county (southern Romania). A few analogies from other sites in the Lower Danube region have also been included in order to provide a larger range of tools potentially used in this industry.
The tools have here been grouped based on the stage of production - those which may have been used to quarry the raw clay, such as picks; tools for processing the raw materials by coarse and fine grinding such as mortars and pestles; and surface finishing tools for polishing and smoothing. The artefacts were analysed by non-destructive surface studies (macroscopically, with the aid of a handheld loupe, and by stereo microscope) with the aim of further determining their function and whether they were likely used in the ceramics industry.
This study provides examples of tool types and illustrates characteristics useful for identifying them. It also shows the chaîne opératoire of pottery produced during the Neolithic and Chalcolithic of this region.
The study was financed by the PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 project granted by the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research.
Among the cultural layers excavated at Vlaha “Pad” site (Cluj county, NW Romania) there were sett... more Among the cultural layers excavated at Vlaha “Pad” site (Cluj county, NW Romania) there were settlements dated to the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age. Pottery and other materials were recovered from a large variety of features (e.g., dwellings and pit) in these levels. It should be noted that the populations of the two phases from which the pottery came were capable of producing high temperature fires, in particular for processing metal ores, such as copper and iron, respectively.
Four potsherds assigned to Late Bronze Age and seventeen potsherds assigned to Early Iron Age were studied by polarized light optical microscopy (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The aim of the study was to find if there are differences between the two epochs as regards the raw materials and firing technologies.
The potsherds have orange-to-brown or grey-to-black colours, with either homogeneous or zoned appearance across the ceramic wall. Some of the pieces analysed had various surface treatments and decorations. The orange-brown ceramics generally show an illitic matrix, highly to medium birefringent. The matrix of the grey-to-black ceramics is nearly or totally isotropic. The clasts have various sizes and consist of quartz, plagioclase and K-feldspar. Muscovite is found in all samples. Lithoclasts of quartzite, granitic-type rock and micashists are common. Grains of amphibole, chlorite, calcite, aragonite, Fe-oxides, garnet, epidote, titanite and rutile occur as well. Characteristically, all samples contain pedogenic concretions and crushed older sherds, i.e. ceramoclasts.
The data obtained by OM, XRD, FTIR and EPR show that most of the orange-to-brown pottery was fired at low temperatures, i.e. between ~700 and ~850 °C. Nevertheless, the grey-to-black potsherds appear to have been fired at higher temperatures, over 900 °C. These temperatures are well below what they were capable of achieving for example for obtaining metals. There seems to be no significant differences in composition and technology between the Late Bronze and the Early Iron age ceramics.
Although this population had the ability to reach higher temperatures, which would have produced better quality pottery, they clearly chose not to, with the result being lower quality pottery from a functional point of view. The reasons for doing this are not certain. Clearly the potters wanted their wares to look good, hence the surface treatment. The low temperature might have simply been a way to speed up production by short-time firing (which is supported by the zoned appearance of the ceramic wall). It might suggest also that they considered the items cheap and disposable. This gives us an interesting insight into the consumer habits and practices of these time periods.
This study was financed by the PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 project granted to CI by the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research. Support of the Sectorial Operational Program for Human Resources Development 2007-2013, co-financed by the European Social Fund was granted to AG (project POSDRU/159/1.5/S/132400).
Volume 2, Number 1. DOI: 10.2218/jls.v2i1.1154, 2015
Fieldwalking surveys in 2007 and 2008 revealed a moderate sized settlement on Piatra Tomii Hill (... more Fieldwalking surveys in 2007 and 2008 revealed a moderate sized settlement on Piatra Tomii Hill (Alba County, Romania) which was considered of interest because of its location on top of a natural source of chert, and the large amount of chert artefacts found on the surface. In 2009 the site was excavated during which one of the objectives was to learn more about the chert mining and processing at the site. The ratio of artefact types and lack of use-wear suggests that not only was raw material being extracted at the site, but tools were also being produced locally before being exported. The 2009 excavations also revealed what appear to be the remains of pit quarrying and possibly fire cracked limestone and debris. These finds provide technical insight into potential chert extraction techniques utilised in the Late Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age. As well, this is as yet the only reported settlement in the Transylvanian basin involved in chert extraction (either quarrying or mining). Given the settlement’s affluence, especially considering its relative isolation, it is likely that the chert industry here was important to communities in the vicinity. Indeed artefacts found at contemporary sites in the Mureș Valley appear to have been made from the same or a similar chert. This paper gives an introductions to the site, describes the artefacts and features found there and provides possible interpretations regarding the processing and export industry, as well as the methods of extracting the raw material during this period.
In the Bistrița valley, a variety of different materials were used for producing knapped tools du... more In the Bistrița valley, a variety of different materials were used for producing knapped tools during the Upper Palaeolithic. Among these, chert is the most common. Previous research carried out in this region has indicated the possible use of flint imported from the Moldavian Plateau (over 100km away) although until now no petrographic studies have been carried out in order to verify this assumption. More recently the authors of this paper have suggested also the Dobrudja region (300km away) as an origin of some lithic artefacts. Indeed, the material from which some of the chert artefacts in the Bistrița valley were made is of good quality and visually appears very similar to the flint found in the Moldavian Plateau. In order to help determine the provenance of the chert artefacts, some of the suspected imported artefacts were observed in thin section. They were compared to thin sections of geological samples from known sources of Moldavian flint, Balkan flint from the Dobrudja region, and local cherts. The results of this study support the theory of imported flint from the Moldavian plateau as well as the Dobrudja region, although the majority of material appears to be of local origin.
In: Beqiraj et al., Proceedings XX Congress of the Carpathian-Balkan Geological Association, Sept. 24-26 2014 Tirana. Buletini i Shekencave Gjeologjike, Sp. Iss., vol. 1 Special Sessions, p. 60., 2014
The Sarmizegetusa Regia (Grădiştea de Munte) site is located in the Sebeş Mountains (Southern Car... more The Sarmizegetusa Regia (Grădiştea de Munte) site is located in the Sebeş Mountains (Southern Carpathians, Romania). It functioned as the capital of Dacia till the Roman conquest in 106 C.E. The settlement consisted of a fortress, a religious area and several residential districts. Within the fortification, pits containing ceramic and glass fragments, coins, iron artefacts, iron slag, charcoal as well as charred seeds were found. Thirty potsherds were studied by polarized light microscopy (OM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and electron microprobe analysis (EMPA). The major, minor, trace and rare earth elements chemistry was determined for twenty one samples by inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP-ES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS).
The sherds have either a grey or an orange-brown colour. The ceramic body consists of a sintered or partly vitrified groundmass of clay minerals and various fine clasts. Among the latter are quartz, feldspar (mostly alkali-feldspar, less frequently plagioclase), muscovite, biotite, as well as chlorite. Epidote-clinozoisite, amphibole, garnet, titanite, staurolite, rutile, zircon, apatite and an Fe-rich compound occur as accessory phases. Lithoclasts are restricted to quartzite, micaschist, chlorite schist, biotite schist, gneiss and occasionally acidic volcanic rock fragments. The XRPD data indicates the predominance of quartz and feldspar.
EMPA shows an illitic groundmass. Mostly alkali-feldspar was identified, plagioclase being rare. Among the alkali-feldspars, K-feldspar predominates. Overgrowth of albite by alkalifeldspar is common. In most of the samples, there are Fe-rich phases, having significant amounts of SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, CaO and, occasionally, P2O5. ‘Intergranular bridges’ connect clay minerals, lamellae and non-plastic grains. Muscovite, chlorite and biotite do not show much thermal transformation, except for exfoliation or partial melting.
Geochemical data show that all samples are poor in CaO. Based on Al2O3 content, a low-Al (LAL) and a high-Al (HAL) group, respectively, were separated. The HAL samples show higher Al, Fe and Mg contents, compared with the LAL group. Si, Ca, Na and P are higher in the LAL sherds.
The overall composition of both, the grey and the orange-brown sherds, points to similar illitic clays as raw materials. The most likely candidates for quarrying potter’s clay would be outcrops of a Badenian age north of the site, in the Transylvanian Basin. As it could be inferred from the pot surface marks and the oriented texture of micas within the ceramic wall, the vessels were produced using a potter’s wheel. The firing was variable in regards to both temperature and atmosphere. Some of the vessels were produced at temperatures <800ºC. Most of the pottery, showing advanced vitrification and frequent K-feldspar overgrowth, was fired at higher temperatures, ranging from 850ºC to almost 1050ºC. The atmosphere was reducing for the grey pots and oxidizing for the orange-brown ones, respectively.
Acknowledgements: This study was financed by the Romanian Ministry of Culture and the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research, through PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 (CNCS/ UEFISCDI) project.
In: Beqiraj et al., Proceedings XX Congress of the Carpathian-Balkan Geological Association, Sept. 24-26 2014 Tirana. Buletini i Shekencave Gjeologjike, Sp. Iss., vol. 1 Special Sessions, p. 55., 2014
This presentation examines the lithic raw materials used to produce the knapped stone artefacts (... more This presentation examines the lithic raw materials used to produce the knapped stone artefacts (e.g. blades, scrapers, projectile points) found at 12 sites throughout southern Romania, specifically Liubcova-La Ornița, Ipotești-La Conac, Radovanu-Gorgana I, Vărăști-Grindul Grădiștea Ulmilor (Boian), Glina (Bobești)-Via lui Poleașcă, Călărași-Grădiștea, Bogata-Lac Gălățui, Dudești-Malul Roșu, Izvoarele-Fântânele, Garvăn-Mlăjitul Florilor, Garvăn-Dinogeția, and Luncavița-Cetățuia Tell. These sites range from the Neolithic (Starčevo-Criş, and Dudeşti, Boian and Vinča A & B cultures) to the Copper Age (Vinča C and Gumelniţa A & A2 cultures). The artefacts were compared with geological samples collected along the Lower Danube, where numerous sources of knappable raw materials suitable for producing tools were found. Such raw materials are in particular Cretaceous flint (from chalk outcrops, for example, in Romania at Hârșova, Ovidiu, Peștera, and Murfatlar and in Bulgaria at Nikopol, Ravno, and Chakmaka) and Cretaceous chert (from limestone outcrops, for example, in Romania at Hârșova, Cheia, and Remus Oprean and in Bulgaria at Tetovo, Kriva Reka, and Kiukato). In addition to in situ sources of raw material, pebbles and cobbles were observed along lower Danube in the alluvial sediments of the Danube.
Both the artefacts and the geological samples were investigated by means of polarized light microscopy in order to identify possible raw materials used in prehistoric times. All of these materials are composed primarily of microcrystalline quartz. The majority of the quartz is granular but a fibrous variety occurs occasionally. The other components are calcite (often associated with microfossils) and Fe-oxihydroxides, in various amounts. In general, the cherts appear to have more calcium carbonate and a larger and more varied quartz grain size than the flints. Smooth surfaces, more predictable conchoidal fractures and generally higher translucency are more common in flint samples. The chert samples are difficult to distinguish by macroscopic and microscopic means from chert found elsewhere, e.g., in the Carpathian Mts., but the flint is more easily distinguished. Both are distinguishable from flint of the Moldavian Plateau. The results of the artefact analyses indicate that the populations at the settlements studied almost exclusively used locally available materials and imported very little in the way of lithic materials. They were also using a large amount of lower quality local material, suggesting that they were not being highly selective in terms of the quality of the materials.
Acknowledgements. Financial support from the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research (PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 project) is also acknowledged. The artefacts analysed in this study were from excavations conducted by Dr. Eugen Comșa, and are now housed at the Romanian Academy of Sciences in Bucharest. Access to the artefact collections was obtained with help from Dr. Alexandra Comșa.
The purpose of this study is to identify and characterise some of the raw materials in the Criș V... more The purpose of this study is to identify and characterise some of the raw materials in the Criș Valley, in the Apuseni Mountains, Romania which are suitable for knapping tools. The materials cropping out in this area include: siliceous sinter, agate, and silicified wood. The basic characteristics of the materials, obtained by macroscopic and petrographic investigations, provide a reference database useful in provenance studies on individual artefacts or whole assemblages. An assessment of each material is made regarding its quality as a knappable material.
From the Neolithic up to the present, people have used various methods to improve the surface of ... more From the Neolithic up to the present, people have used various methods to improve the surface of ceramic objects. In this study, we look specifically at smoothing and pattern burnishing of ceramics produced today by traditional methods. Optical microscopy and SEM show specific surface changes. Smoothing results in an irregular surface, which causes diffused reflection of light. Burnishing produces an even and compact surface, which causes specular reflection and lustre. The results can be used to infer methods of surface treatment employed by ancient peoples as well as to help identify the presence of ceramics production centres at archaeological sites.
The purpose of this study is to identify and characterise some of the raw materials in NW Romania... more The purpose of this study is to identify and characterise some of the raw materials in NW Romania which have been suggested as having been used for knapping tools. The materials cropping out in this area include jasper, chalcedony, and perlite. The basic characteristics of the materials, obtained by macroscopic, microscopic, and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) investigations provide a reference database useful in provenance studies on individual artefacts or whole assemblages. An assessment of each material is made regarding its quality as a knappable material.
Abstract: This article examines the raw materials used to produce the artefacts found at five sit... more Abstract: This article examines the raw materials used to produce the artefacts found at five sites in Teleorman County, Romania. These sites range from the Neolithic (Star čevo-Criş, Dudeşti, and Vădastra) to the Chalcolithic (Gumelniţa A2 and B1). In larger surrounding area, there are numerous sources of knappable raw materials suitable for producing tools. These materials are described and compared by macroscopic and microscopic means. The artefacts were similarly analysed in order to help determine their provenance. Among other things, this study indicates that the populations at these settlements predominantly used locally available materials.
Rezumat: Acest articol analizează materiile prime, utilizate pentru producerea de artefacte, găsite în cinci situri din judeţul Teleorman, România. Datează din neolitic (Starčevo-Criş, Dudeşti şi Vădastra) şi eneolitic (Gumelniţa A2 şi B1). În zona înconjurătoare, există numeroase surse de materii prime adecvate pentru producerea de unelte prin cioplire. Materialele sunt descrise şi comparate din punct de vedere macroscopic şi microscopic. Artefactele au fost analizate în mod similar, în scopul de a ajuta la determinarea provenienţei lor. Printre altele, studiu indică faptul că populaţiile din aceste aşezări, utilizau, în principal, materiale disponibile pe plan local.
‘Stories Written in Stone’; International Symposium on Chert and Other Knappable Materials. Programme and Abstracts, 2013
"This presentation gives a basic introduction to the Lithotheque online database as well as its w... more "This presentation gives a basic introduction to the Lithotheque online database as well as its website interface and Android application interface. At the moment, there are many publications which describe or simply mention sources of lithic materials but at as yet there is no single publication or reference site that collects all of this information. Nevertheless, there is a great need for a centralised source of information on raw materials. With current high speed internet access being common place throughout the world, and relatively universal access to the internet, inexpensive GPS devices, and smart phones, it makes sense to put such a database online and make it available to the public.
Prior to designing this database, it was necessary to decide what information to include. With this objective, many researchers were asked what information they would need or like in such a database. Additionally, it was necessary to identify which types of data currently exists in publications about sources. Since information will potentially come from many sources and be used by many researchers for different purposes, it was necessary to design a database with many characteristics so that as much data as possible from different researchers and publications can be included.
It was decided that the most efficient way to expand the contents of the database would be to design it as a collaborative knowledge base. In other words, the information in the database is produced by its users. Registered users can log in and enter new source locations based on sources they have identified or based on references in existing publications. Any user though can go to the website and search the database for sources based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics and limit the results by distance from a specified location. Entries for specific sources contain a place for a bibliography of publications that mention the source, as well as the name and contact details of the person who created that entry. For regular sites (those whose location is not hidden) users can not only obtain the coordinates but can also open a link to a Google Maps page for the location. This may be used later in the field with a GPS or in the office with GIS software to compare it to other geospatial information. One of the main uses of this database is for archaeologists to compare lithic artefacts with photos and descriptions of raw materials, in order to determine the origin of the artefacts.
In addition to the website, the database can also be viewed and new sources can be entered via the Android smartphone application. The Android application can also use the phone’s built in GPS and search for sites in close proximity to the user. Similarly, new sources can be recorded directly while in the field (and updated later from the website). If there is no internet connection, sources can be downloaded to the phone earlier while online. Likewise, sources recorded while offline can be uploaded the next time the phone is online.
We foresee that this open access database has the potential to become an important tool in lithics research around the world.
Acknowledgements
The study was financed by ID-2241/2008 and PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 projects (Romanian Ministry of Education and Research)."
‘Stories Written in Stone’; International Symposium on Chert and Other Knappable Materials. Programme and Abstracts, 2013
""The objectives of the study were to catalogue and characterise sources of knappable stone mater... more ""The objectives of the study were to catalogue and characterise sources of knappable stone materials in Moldavia (Romania) which may have been used to manufacture tools in prehistory. This presentation focuses specifically on sources in the Eastern Carpathians and the Moldavian Plateau up until the Prut River.
Most of the sources were identified based on mention of various materials in the geological literature. Others were guessed at based on similar bedrock to areas known to have rocks of interest to the study. A systematic survey of potential sources was conducted by a team from the Geology Department of Babes-Bolyai University and the Arheoinvest Research Platform of Alexandru Ioan Cuza University during which samples were collected and the source settings were recorded. Several thin sections were made from samples from each source location. The samples collected from different geological occurrences of knappable materials represent the physical lithotheque. The macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the rock samples were recorded in a database along with photos of the rocks and the areas where they were found, microphotos of the thin sections, and GPS coordinates of the collection points. The characteristics and terminology used in the database were based on those utilised by the lithotheque and corresponding database at Babes-Bolyai University and described by Crandell (2005, 2006).
There are many materials and sources within the study area. The materials found during this study were grouped based on similar characteristics and geological origin. The main rock types are: flint (from chalk), chert (from limestone), biogenic jasper, quartzitic sandstone, fine grained siliceous sandstone (often with high opal content), opal (menilite), and black jasper (lydite). These materials, as with their parent rocks, are spread out along the length of the Eastern Carpathians. Due to the area being a flysch belt, outcrops of the parent rocks are often mixed and vary in size.
The lithotheque and its database is a useful resource for archaeologists. It may be used for comparison with artefacts in order to identify raw material sources, which in turn helps to determine trade and exploitation patterns.
Acknowledgements
The study was financed by ID-2241/2008 and PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 projects (Romanian Ministry of Education and Research) and by the Arheoinvest Research Platform.
References
Crandell, O.N. 2005, Macroscopic Analysis and Characterisation of Chert from Transylvania for Provenance Purposes, Sargetia, Acta Musei Devensis, 33: 137-153.
Crandell, O.N. 2006, Macroscopic and Microscopic Analysis of Chert; A Proposal for Standardisation of Methodology and Terminology, Buletinul Cercurilor Științifice Studențești, 12: 7-30.""
‘Stories Written in Stone’; International Symposium on Chert and Other Knappable Materials. Programme and Abstracts, 2013
"This presentation will consider the directions and intensities of exchange patterns in the Trans... more "This presentation will consider the directions and intensities of exchange patterns in the Transylvanian Basin and the adjacent areas across the Carpathian Mountains (the Moldavian Plateau and the Lower Danube region) - essentially, the territory occupied by modern day Romania.
The Carpathians have numerous sources of knappable lithic materials ranging in quality from high to poor. Additionally there are several very high quality materials located at the edges of this area - namely Carpathian obsidian to the north-west, Moldavian flint to the north-east, and Balkan flint to the south-west. Although there is no lack of raw materials throughout the area, during the Neolithic, the majority of artefacts (from half to three quarters) appear to have been made from imported high quality materials. Furthermore, it is of interest to note that imported lithics within the Transylvanian Basin tend to come predominantly from the north-west and north-east, territories occupied by other cultures and much less from the south within the area of their own cultures. Similarly, in the western part of the Moldavian plateau and the Eastern Subcarpathians although the majority of artefacts during the Neolithic and Chalcolithic were produced from Moldavian flint (the nearest source, the Prut River, being relatively close by) 5 to 10% of the lithic artefacts found at most sites was Balkan flint, which would have been imported from outside of the culture territory of the sites where the artefacts were found.
In the Transylvanian Basin, there was a marked drop in the use of imported materials in the Chalcolithic, a trend which continues until the Bronze Age at which point very little imported material was used. Still, even during the Chalcolithic, the majority of imported materials still tend to have been imported from the north.
There are two main implications of these findings. First of all, they suggest that the areas often defined as culture territories based on pottery typology are not entirely accurate. Secondly, the large amount of imported materials (often from across mountain ranges) suggests a well-established system of trade and possibly even professional traders.
Acknowledgements
The study was financed by ID-2241/2008 and PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 projects (Romanian Ministry of Education and Research)."
39th International Symposium on Archaeometry: Programme and Abstracts, 2012
A famous pottery called “Marginea ceramics” is produced nowadays in small workshops in NE Romania... more A famous pottery called “Marginea ceramics” is produced nowadays in small workshops in NE Romania. It is black on the surface and grey in fresh break. The decoration is rather simple and is restricted to few shining lines, obtained by circular movements using a water worn pebble or "polishing stone". As many of the prehistoric potshards found at several excavations show polishing, our study focused on methods that may have been used to produce this effect. Stereoscopic microscopy, polarized light optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and back scattered electrons (BSE) images were employed in the study.
The black Marginea ceramics is obtained from a Miocene illite-rich clay, in quite primitive kilns, with no control of temperature. The raw material consists of illite, muscovite, feldspar, quartz, chlorite/kaolinite, Fe oxi-hydroxides and carbonate.
Rubbing the surface while the clay is still in the so-called “leather hard stage” induces the smoothing of the rough surface, closure of the pores and a more compact ceramic body. The polishing also aligns the platy minerals (e.g. mica) within a thin layer, which causes the shiny surface of the lines drawn by water worn pebbles. Because the surfaces of the platy minerals are aligned, most of them will reflect light at the same time when viewed from the right angle. Stereoscopic microscopy of the pot surface shows fine striations due the movement of the polishing stone. Although stones used for burnishing tend to become apparently very polished themselves, under the microscope it is possible to see many parallel scratches on their surface. The more used stones had the most scratches. Simple unused river stones were less polished and had far fewer scratch marks.
The study was financed by ID-2241/2008 and PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 projects, granted to CI (Romanian Ministry of Education and Research).
In order to help determine the possible sources of knapped lithic artefacts, it is necessary to k... more In order to help determine the possible sources of knapped lithic artefacts, it is necessary to know what medium quality materials were available in the immediate surroundings and what high quality materials were available in the larger region. Once it is known what materials were available, it is necessary to know how to distinguish them from each other and compare them to artefacts. In this paper the main sources of lithic materials available to prehistoric populations in the Banat region are described and differentiated. Rock samples were collected from sources in Caraș-Severin and Mehedinți counties. Samples from other adjacent areas were taken from the Lithotheque of the "Babeș-Bolyai" University of Cluj-Napoca (Romania). The purpose of this work is to provide a reference for lithic provenance studies within the region.
Criando uma rede para trocar dados de coleções entre instituições
[“Creating a network for exchan... more Criando uma rede para trocar dados de coleções entre instituições [“Creating a network for exchanging collections data between institutions”]
Este projeto envolve a produção de um sistema de banco de dados para combinar e trocar dados sobre coleções, particularmente para uso em museus e centros de pesquisa. O projeto tem dois objetivos principais. O primeiro é produzir um sistema de catalogação que facilite o intercâmbio de dados entre instituições e pesquisadores. Os usuários de cada instituição poderão buscar os catálogos de outras para tipos específicos de objetos e entrar em contato com a instituição para determinar a possibilidade de consultá-los. O segundo objetivo é criar um método padronizado de gravação de informações sobre as coleções. Isso facilitaria a comparação de dados entre instituições e seria menos trabalhoso para muitos estabelecimentos que atualmente empregam catálogos simples (no Excel, no papel). Grande parte do sistema baseia-se nos sistemas que as instituições parceiras estão atualmente usando. Ao padronizar as categorias de informação e os métodos descritivos, tentamos tornar nossas categorias compatíveis com aquelas que o ICOM propôs. Também baseamos o banco de dados de locais (sítios) no sistema usado pelo IPHAN para sítios e outras propostas institucionais de centros de pesquisa. Um aspecto importante da criação do sistema é que deve atender às diversas necessidades, preferências e costumes dos usuários. Até agora, há 63 instituições parceiras envolvidas. Muitos têm coleções pré-históricas e históricas mas também alguns têm coleções biológicas, geológicas, etnográficas, de arte e outras.
Modelagem preditiva de sambaquis na região do litoral do Paraná
[“Predictive modelling of shellmo... more Modelagem preditiva de sambaquis na região do litoral do Paraná [“Predictive modelling of shellmound sites in the coastal region of Paraná”]
Este estudo se direciona para sítios litorâneos do Paraná, particularmente sambaquis. Foram feitas análises estatísticas de dados de sambaquis conhecidos no Paraná. Os resultados foram utilizados para avaliar a presença e frequência relativa de características comuns formando um modelo descritivo. As variáveis podem refletir preferências culturais de sociedades pré-históricas ou fenômenos naturais. Frequências relativas foram usadas para atribuir pesos relativos às características. Assim, os resultados estatísticos foram usados para prever locais adicionais através do ESRI ArcGIS - um modelo preditivo. O modelo preditivo foi avaliado através de um teste realizado em uma área de 7x5 km em Guaratuba, resultando em um mapa raster de cinzas mostrando graus de probabilidade de ocorrência de um sambaqui. Grandes áreas de alta probabilidade foram delimitadas, visitadas e percorridas em transectos, observando-se o solo para sinais de um potencial sambaqui (alta densidade de conchas). Algumas áreas de probabilidade baixa também foram percorridas para determinar se existem diferenças das de alta probabilidade. Das 10 áreas de alta probabilidade selecionadas, 4 exibiram superfícies com conchas e uma foi coberta quase completamente com solo orgânico (dificultando uma avaliação), mas algumas conchas foram encontradas perto de onde o solo foi perturbado. Com base em informações de um agricultor local, uma superfície adicional de conchas foi localizada em uma área geralmente de alta probabilidade.
“Organismos museológicos hiperconectados” International Meeting, Hernandarias and Asunción, Paraguay, 2018
Tecendo uma rede cultural: métodos, resultados e dificuldades de criar um banco de dados patrimon... more Tecendo uma rede cultural: métodos, resultados e dificuldades de criar um banco de dados patrimonial nacional para compartilhar informações de coleções [“Weaving a cultural net: Methods, results, and difficulties of creating a national heritage database for sharing collections information”]
Este projeto envolve a produção de um sistema de banco de dados para combinar e trocar dados sobre coleções, particularmente para uso em museus e centros de pesquisa. O primeiro objetivo principal do projeto é produzir um sistema de catalogação que facilite o intercâmbio de dados entre instituições e pesquisadores. Os usuários de cada instituição poderão buscar os catálogos de outras para tipos específicos de objetos e entrar em contato com a instituição para determinar a possibilidade de consultá-los. O segundo objetivo é criar um método padronizado de gravação de informações sobre as coleções. Isso facilitaria a comparação de dados entre instituições e seria menos trabalhoso para muitos estabelecimentos que atualmente empregam catálogos simples (por exemplo, no Excel, no papel). Grande parte do sistema baseia-se nos sistemas que as instituições parceiras estão atualmente usando. Ao padronizar as categorias de informação e os métodos descritivos, tentamos tornar nossas categorias compatíveis com aquelas que o ICOM propôs. Também baseamos o banco de dados de locais (por exemplo, sítios arqueológicos, parques, edifícios históricos) no sistema usado pelo IPHAN para sítios e outras propostas institucionais de centros de pesquisa. Um aspecto importante da criação do sistema é que deve atender às diversas necessidades, preferências e costumes dos usuários. Até agora, há 63 instituições parceiras envolvidas no projeto. Muitos têm coleções pré-históricas e históricas mas também alguns têm coleções biológicas, geológicas, etnográficas, de arte e outras.
Academic publishing is facing the growing problem of prohibitive costs of most commercial journal... more Academic publishing is facing the growing problem of prohibitive costs of most commercial journals, resulting in limited access to recent research results and research dissemination being limited to large institutions. This particularly affects researchers and students at small institutions and independent researchers. Widespread access to the internet should allow open access journals to solve this problem yet obstacles remain. We present a proposal for solutions, particularly the crowd-sourcing and collaborative, open access model used by Kvasir Publishing, through which we hope to gather regional academic publishers and local research institutions beneath the umbrella of one platform.
Academic publishing is facing the growing problem of prohibitive costs of most commercial journal... more Academic publishing is facing the growing problem of prohibitive costs of most commercial journals, resulting in limited access to recent research results and research dissemination being limited to large institutions. This particularly affects researchers and students at small institutions and independent researchers. Widespread access to the internet should allow open access journals to solve this problem yet obstacles remain. We present a proposal for solutions, particularly the crowd-sourcing and collaborative, open access model used by Kvasir Publishing, through which we hope to gather regional academic publishers and local research institutions beneath the umbrella of one platform.
Among the cultural layers excavated at Vlaha “Pad” site (Cluj county, NW Romania) there were sett... more Among the cultural layers excavated at Vlaha “Pad” site (Cluj county, NW Romania) there were settlements dated to the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age. Pottery and other materials were recovered from a large variety of features (e.g., dwellings and pit) in these levels. It should be noted that the populations of the two phases from which the pottery came were capable of producing high temperature fires, in particular for processing metal ores, such as copper and iron, respectively.
Four potsherds assigned to Late Bronze Age and seventeen potsherds assigned to Early Iron Age were studied by polarized light optical microscopy (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The aim of the study was to find if there are differences between the two epochs as regards the raw materials and firing technologies.
The potsherds have orange-to-brown or grey-to-black colours, with either homogeneous or zoned appearance across the ceramic wall. Some of the pieces analysed had various surface treatments and decorations. The orange-brown ceramics generally show an illitic matrix, highly to medium birefringent. The matrix of the grey-to-black ceramics is nearly or totally isotropic. The clasts have various sizes and consist of quartz, plagioclase and K-feldspar. Muscovite is found in all samples. Lithoclasts of quartzite, granitic-type rock and micashists are common. Grains of amphibole, chlorite, calcite, aragonite, Fe-oxides, garnet, epidote, titanite and rutile occur as well. Characteristically, all samples contain pedogenic concretions and crushed older sherds, i.e. ceramoclasts.
The data obtained by OM, XRD, FTIR and EPR show that most of the orange-to-brown pottery was fired at low temperatures, i.e. between ~700 and ~850 °C. Nevertheless, the grey-to-black potsherds appear to have been fired at higher temperatures, over 900 °C. These temperatures are well below what they were capable of achieving for example for obtaining metals. There seems to be no significant differences in composition and technology between the Late Bronze and the Early Iron age ceramics.
Although this population had the ability to reach higher temperatures, which would have produced better quality pottery, they clearly chose not to, with the result being lower quality pottery from a functional point of view. The reasons for doing this are not certain. Clearly the potters wanted their wares to look good, hence the surface treatment. The low temperature might have simply been a way to speed up production by short-time firing (which is supported by the zoned appearance of the ceramic wall). It might suggest also that they considered the items cheap and disposable. This gives us an interesting insight into the consumer habits and practices of these time periods.
This study was financed by the PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 project granted to CI by the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research. Support of the Sectorial Operational Program for Human Resources Development 2007-2013, co-financed by the European Social Fund was granted to AG (project POSDRU/159/1.5/S/132400).
The production of ceramic pottery involves numerous steps, each of which requires different tools... more The production of ceramic pottery involves numerous steps, each of which requires different tools. Many studies focus on pottery, sometimes as tools from a functional point of view, sometimes as cultural markers used to date sites, and sometimes from the point of view of the raw material of which they are composed. The steps involved in pottery production are often studied based on the remains of the pottery itself with only minor mention of the tools used in its production.
This paper focuses in particular on Neolithic and Chalcolithic artefacts found at the Măgura-Buduiasca-Boldul lui Moş Ivănuş and Vităneşti-Măgurice sites in Teleorman county (southern Romania). A few analogies from other sites in the Lower Danube region have also been included in order to provide a larger range of tools potentially used in this industry.
The tools have here been grouped based on the stage of production - those which may have been used to quarry the raw clay, such as picks; tools for processing the raw materials by coarse and fine grinding such as mortars and pestles; and surface finishing tools for polishing and smoothing. The artefacts were analysed by non-destructive surface studies (macroscopically, with the aid of a handheld loupe, and by stereo microscope) with the aim of further determining their function and whether they were likely used in the ceramics industry.
This study provides examples of tool types and illustrates characteristics useful for identifying them. It also shows the chaîne opératoire of pottery produced during the Neolithic and Chalcolithic of this region.
The study was financed by the PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 project granted by the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research.
"A famous pottery called “Marginea ceramics” is produced nowadays in small workshops in NE Romani... more "A famous pottery called “Marginea ceramics” is produced nowadays in small workshops in NE Romania. It is black on the surface and grey in fresh break. The decoration is rather simple and is restricted to few shining lines, obtained by circular movements using a water worn pebble or "polishing stone". As many of the prehistoric potshards found at several excavations show polishing, our study focused on methods that may have been used to produce this effect. Stereoscopic microscopy, polarized light optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and back scattered electrons (BSE) images were employed in the study.
The black Marginea ceramics is obtained from a Miocene illite-rich clay, in quite primitive kilns, with no control of temperature. The raw material consists of illite, muscovite, feldspar, quartz, chlorite/kaolinite, Fe oxi-hydroxides and carbonate (Ionescu et al., 2012 - this volume).
Rubbing the surface while the clay is still in the so-called “leather hard stage” induces the smoothing of the rough surface, closure of the pores and a more compact ceramic body. The polishing also aligns the platy minerals (e.g. mica) within a thin layer, which causes the shiny surface of the lines drawn by water worn pebbles. Because the surfaces of the platy minerals are aligned, most of them will reflect light at the same time when viewed from the right angle. Stereoscopic microscopy of the pot surface shows fine striations due the movement of the polishing stone. Although stones used for burnishing tend to become apparently very polished themselves, under the microscope it is possible to see many parallel scratches on their surface. The more used stones had the most scratches. Simple unused river stones were less polished and had far fewer scratch marks.
This study was financed by ID-2241/2008 and PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 projects, granted to CI (Romanian Ministry of Education and Research).
Reference:
Ionescu, C., Hoeck, V., Simon, V. (2012) Why the black ceramics is black? ISA 2012 Leuvven, Abstract volume."
During the late Neolithic and Chalcolithic, the Moldavian plain and Eastern Carpathians were occu... more During the late Neolithic and Chalcolithic, the Moldavian plain and Eastern Carpathians were occupied mainly by the Precucuteni-Cucuteni (a.k.a. Trypillian or Tripolye) culture. Previous researchers have proposed the possibility of intercultural trade between Cucuteni settlements and those of neighbouring cultures but empirical research to support this is very limited. In this study we focus specifically on possible interaction with the Gumelniţa culture to the south, in the Dobruja-Danube area.
Within the Precucuteni-Cucuteni cultural territory, there were several raw materials suitable for knapping. The best quality of these is Miorcani type flint, found in Upper Cretaceous chalky marl throughout the Moldavian plateau between the Upper Prut and Upper Dniester rivers and as fluvial deposits south of this area. There are also numerous sources of different knappable materials in the Eastern Carpathians. To the south, within the Gumelniţa culture territory there are large sources of so-called Balkan flint.
We analysed 507 artefacts from three sites in the Sub-Carpathians - Săcăluşeşti-Dealul Valea Seaca, Topoliţa - La Ilioi and Bețeşti - all situated within 50km of each other. These sites are approximately 5 to 20km from various types of raw material sources in the Carpathians, 100 to 120km from sources of Miorcani flint (in the Prut river) and 190 to 240km from the nearest sources of Balkan flint (in the Danube). Twenty-five artefacts suspected of being Balkan flint were thin sectioned for petrographic analysis to confirm or redetermine sources. Based on macroscopic and microscopic analysis, the primary material used at these sites was Miorcani type flint (representing approximately 68%). Various Carpathian materials represented 29% of the assemblages. Approximately 2% appears to be Balkan flint. This study indicates that intercultural trade definitely took place in this region as early as the Neolithic.
The study was financed by ID-2241/2008 and PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 projects, granted to CI (Romanian Ministry of Education and Research).
Figure. a. Map showing the location of the main lithic resources and sites from this study; b. Examples of Balkan flint tools; Thin sections of (c.) Miorcani flint and (d.) Balkan flint (+P).
Part 1: An Overview of the Neolithic Revolution. Origins, benefits and drawbacks, effects on soci... more Part 1: An Overview of the Neolithic Revolution. Origins, benefits and drawbacks, effects on society.
Part 2: Differences in Agriculture of the First Temperate Neolithic and Agriculture of the Neolithic Revolution in the Fertile Crescent.
Part 3: The Indo-Europeans. Pastoralism vs. Agriculturalism.
(Originally presented in Romanian)
The objective of this study was to determine whether lithic artefacts or raw materials were being... more The objective of this study was to determine whether lithic artefacts or raw materials were being imported from the Dobrogea region (where the Danube meets the Black Sea) into the Moldavian Plain region. For this purpose, flint artefacts from the Baza Pătule site (Târgu Frumos, Romania) were studied. Of the over 4000 chipped stone artefacts found at this site, almost 250 were suspected of being flint from sources 300 km away in Dobrogea. The rest appeared to have been made predominantly from the relatively closer Miorcani type flint and a small number from local or allogene rocks . Macroscopic, petrographic and mineralogical (XRD) analyses were used to help distinguish between Miorcani flint and Dobrogean flint as well as to help determine the origin of suspected imported artefacts. Researchers specialising in the prehistory of this region have suggested the existence of a trade network between the two different regions but until now have not demonstrated this through petrographic and mineralogical analysis. This lack of analyses may have led to some misinterpretations regarding the real provenance of the artefacts. Since Miorcani flint is just as good in functional quality as Dobrogean flint, and considering that the Târgu Frumos archaeological site is within 50 km of the Prut river, which is an abundant source of high quality flint, it would seem logical that the Chalcolithic inhabitants of the site would not need to import flint from far away. Finally, whether or not the imported artefacts show differences in depositional context, use-wear and retouching was examined, in order to disassociate the behaviour towards the imported items. This presentation will look at the results of this study and consider the cultural implications of these discoveries.
We have been working on the Sessions proposals received and we are happy to announce that there a... more We have been working on the Sessions proposals received and we are happy to announce that there are 11 sessions which cover a wide range of topics. We believe this Symposium will give place to very interesting and fruitful discussions. Hence, we invite you to send your abstracts.
Estimados colegas
Adjuntamos al presente mail la Tercera Circular del "11th International Symposi... more Estimados colegas Adjuntamos al presente mail la Tercera Circular del "11th International Symposium on Knappable Materials: From toolstone to stone tools" que tendrá lugar en Buenos Aires y Necochea (Argentina) entre el 7 y el 12 de noviembre de 2017.
¡Esperamos sus contribuciones! Saludos cordiales, Comité Organizador 11iskm2017@gmail.com
Dear colleagues
Please find attached the Third Announcement to the "11th International Symposium ... more Dear colleagues Please find attached the Third Announcement to the "11th International Symposium on Knappable Materials: From toolstone to stone tools", which will be held in Buenos Aires and Necochea ( Argentina ) between November 7th and 12th, 2017.
We look forward to your contributions! Best regards, Organizing Committee 11iskm2017@gmail.com
Dear colleagues
Please find attached the First Announcement to the "International Symposium on Kn... more Dear colleagues Please find attached the First Announcement to the "International Symposium on Knappable Materials: From toolstone to stone tools", which will be held in Buenos Aires (Argentina) between November 7th and 12th, 2017. We look forward to your contributions! Best regards, Organizing Committee
-- 11th International Symposium on Knappable Materials Buenos Aires, Argentina November, 2017
8-10 September 2015
University of Barcelona, Spain
As far as raw materials go, chert and other ... more 8-10 September 2015 University of Barcelona, Spain As far as raw materials go, chert and other knappable stone stand out as some of the most common materials in the archaeological record, and at some sites the only preserved material. They were used in almost every corner of the world, from the Palaeolithic up until today. Use of these materials even predates the appearance of our own species. Being so widespread, both geographically as well as chronologically, this topic merits a global meeting of researchers to discuss and compare our findings. This symposium will cover all aspects of knapped stone raw materials from geological origin, to mining, usage, and laboratory analyses on these materials. Although we expect that there will be more focus on chert and other microcrystalline quartz varieties, we also encourage presentations related to other knappable materials such as obsidian, quartzite, rhyolite. Papers will be accepted on any culture or time period. Whether you are a field archaeologist, laboratory researcher, ethnographer or a modern day knapper yourself, we are interested in your research.
8-10 September 2015
University of Barcelona, Spain
As far as raw materials go, chert and other ... more 8-10 September 2015
University of Barcelona, Spain
As far as raw materials go, chert and other knappable stone stand out as some of the most common materials in the archaeological record, and at some sites the only preserved material. They were used in almost every corner of the world, from the Palaeolithic up until today. Use of these materials even predates the appearance of our own species. Being so widespread, both geographically as well as chronologically, this topic merits a global meeting of researchers to discuss and compare our findings.
This symposium will cover all aspects of knapped stone raw materials from geological origin, to mining, usage, and laboratory analyses on these materials. Although we expect that there will be more focus on chert and other microcrystalline quartz varieties, we also encourage presentations related to other knappable materials such as obsidian, quartzite, rhyolite. Papers will be accepted on any culture or time period. Whether you are a field archaeologist, laboratory researcher, ethnographer or a modern day knapper yourself, we are interested in your research.
As far as raw materials go, chert and other knappable stone stand out as some of the most common ... more As far as raw materials go, chert and other knappable stone stand out as some of the most common materials in the archaeological record, and in fact in early prehistory, often the only preserved material. They were used in almost every corner of the world, from the Palaeolithic up until today. Use of these materials even predates the appearance of our own species.
This conference will cover all aspects of knapped stone raw materials from geological origin, to mining, usage, and laboratory analyses on these materials. Papers will be accepted on any culture or time period. Whether you are a field archaeologist, laboratory researcher, ethnographer or a modern day knapper yourself, we are interested in your research.
Uploads
The Symposium will take place in Buenos Aires, with an optional fieldwork to the outcrops of Necochea, where the nearest lithic raw material sources have been located. The field trip will be organized by local researchers.
Web page: www.imhicihu-conicet.gob.ar/iskm2017/
E-mail: iskm2017@conicet.gov.ar
New announcements are coming soon!!
Organizing Committee
Nos es grato anunciar el próximo "International Symposium on Knappable Materials: From toolstone to stone tools", cuyas dos últimas sedes fueron Rumania y Barcelona. Tendrá lugar entre el 7 y 12 de noviembre del 2017, siendo la participación presencial o virtual.
El Simposio se desarrollará en Buenos Aires y contará con una salida opcional a recorrer las canteras próximas a Necochea, que son las más cercanas. El viaje de campo estará organizado por investigadores de la localidad.
Página Web del Simposio: www.imhicihu-conicet.gob.ar/iskm2017/
Correo de contacto: iskm2017@conicet.gov.ar
Habrá más anuncios pronto!
Comité Organizador
This volume brings a part of the papers presented at the international student conference “Beyond the Veil. Spirituality in Pre- and Prehistory” which took place between 3 5 April 2009 in Alba Iulia, Romania. This scientific event was held by the Ancient History and Archaeology Association (Cercului de Istorie Veche şi Arheologie - C.I.V.A.) within the framework of the Department of History, Archaeology and Museology at “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia. On this occasion 14 students from Romania, Poland, Georgia, Macedonia and Canada participated.
Between 24-26 November 2006, the Department of History, Archaeology and Museology organised the 14th edition of the National Conference of Student Scholastic Organizations in Archaeology, History and Museology. The student conference was comprised of the following sections: 1. Archaeology, prehistory, ancient history and auxiliary sciences; 2. Medieval, modern and contemporary history and the history of art; 3. Museum sciences, conservation, restoration and public education.
With this occasion, the scholastic organization C.I.V.A. (comprised of students of Archaeology from the University of Alba Iulia) organized the first international student meeting at the university on the topic of archaeological research. The conference focused specifically on the topic of Globalisation and Studies of the Past, and gathered students from Romania, United States of America, Canada, Hungary, England, Russia, Slovakia and the Republic of Moldova.
THE EDITORS""
This paper focuses in particular on Neolithic and Chalcolithic artefacts found at the Măgura-Buduiasca-Boldul lui Moş Ivănuş and Vităneşti-Măgurice sites in Teleorman county (southern Romania). A few analogies from other sites in the Lower Danube region have also been included in order to provide a larger range of tools potentially used in this industry.
The tools have here been grouped based on the stage of production - those which may have been used to quarry the raw clay, such as picks; tools for processing the raw materials by coarse and fine grinding such as mortars and pestles; and surface finishing tools for polishing and smoothing. The artefacts were analysed by non-destructive surface studies (macroscopically, with the aid of a handheld loupe, and by stereo microscope) with the aim of further determining their function and whether they were likely used in the ceramics industry.
This study provides examples of tool types and illustrates characteristics useful for identifying them. It also shows the chaîne opératoire of pottery produced during the Neolithic and Chalcolithic of this region.
The study was financed by the PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 project granted by the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research.
Four potsherds assigned to Late Bronze Age and seventeen potsherds assigned to Early Iron Age were studied by polarized light optical microscopy (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The aim of the study was to find if there are differences between the two epochs as regards the raw materials and firing technologies.
The potsherds have orange-to-brown or grey-to-black colours, with either homogeneous or zoned appearance across the ceramic wall. Some of the pieces analysed had various surface treatments and decorations. The orange-brown ceramics generally show an illitic matrix, highly to medium birefringent. The matrix of the grey-to-black ceramics is nearly or totally isotropic. The clasts have various sizes and consist of quartz, plagioclase and K-feldspar. Muscovite is found in all samples. Lithoclasts of quartzite, granitic-type rock and micashists are common. Grains of amphibole, chlorite, calcite, aragonite, Fe-oxides, garnet, epidote, titanite and rutile occur as well. Characteristically, all samples contain pedogenic concretions and crushed older sherds, i.e. ceramoclasts.
The data obtained by OM, XRD, FTIR and EPR show that most of the orange-to-brown pottery was fired at low temperatures, i.e. between ~700 and ~850 °C. Nevertheless, the grey-to-black potsherds appear to have been fired at higher temperatures, over 900 °C. These temperatures are well below what they were capable of achieving for example for obtaining metals. There seems to be no significant differences in composition and technology between the Late Bronze and the Early Iron age ceramics.
Although this population had the ability to reach higher temperatures, which would have produced better quality pottery, they clearly chose not to, with the result being lower quality pottery from a functional point of view. The reasons for doing this are not certain. Clearly the potters wanted their wares to look good, hence the surface treatment. The low temperature might have simply been a way to speed up production by short-time firing (which is supported by the zoned appearance of the ceramic wall). It might suggest also that they considered the items cheap and disposable. This gives us an interesting insight into the consumer habits and practices of these time periods.
This study was financed by the PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 project granted to CI by the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research. Support of the Sectorial Operational Program for Human Resources Development 2007-2013, co-financed by the European Social Fund was granted to AG (project POSDRU/159/1.5/S/132400).
The sherds have either a grey or an orange-brown colour. The ceramic body consists of a sintered or partly vitrified groundmass of clay minerals and various fine clasts. Among the latter are quartz, feldspar (mostly alkali-feldspar, less frequently plagioclase), muscovite, biotite, as well as chlorite. Epidote-clinozoisite, amphibole, garnet, titanite, staurolite, rutile, zircon, apatite and an Fe-rich compound occur as accessory phases. Lithoclasts are restricted to quartzite, micaschist, chlorite schist, biotite schist, gneiss and occasionally acidic volcanic rock fragments. The XRPD data indicates the predominance of quartz and feldspar.
EMPA shows an illitic groundmass. Mostly alkali-feldspar was identified, plagioclase being rare. Among the alkali-feldspars, K-feldspar predominates. Overgrowth of albite by alkalifeldspar is common. In most of the samples, there are Fe-rich phases, having significant amounts of SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, CaO and, occasionally, P2O5. ‘Intergranular bridges’ connect clay minerals, lamellae and non-plastic grains. Muscovite, chlorite and biotite do not show much thermal transformation, except for exfoliation or partial melting.
Geochemical data show that all samples are poor in CaO. Based on Al2O3 content, a low-Al (LAL) and a high-Al (HAL) group, respectively, were separated. The HAL samples show higher Al, Fe and Mg contents, compared with the LAL group. Si, Ca, Na and P are higher in the LAL sherds.
The overall composition of both, the grey and the orange-brown sherds, points to similar illitic clays as raw materials. The most likely candidates for quarrying potter’s clay would be outcrops of a Badenian age north of the site, in the Transylvanian Basin. As it could be inferred from the pot surface marks and the oriented texture of micas within the ceramic wall, the vessels were produced using a potter’s wheel. The firing was variable in regards to both temperature and atmosphere. Some of the vessels were produced at temperatures <800ºC. Most of the pottery, showing advanced vitrification and frequent K-feldspar overgrowth, was fired at higher temperatures, ranging from 850ºC to almost 1050ºC. The atmosphere was reducing for the grey pots and oxidizing for the orange-brown ones, respectively.
Acknowledgements: This study was financed by the Romanian Ministry of Culture and the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research, through PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 (CNCS/ UEFISCDI) project.
Both the artefacts and the geological samples were investigated by means of polarized light microscopy in order to identify possible raw materials used in prehistoric times. All of these materials are composed primarily of microcrystalline quartz. The majority of the quartz is granular but a fibrous variety occurs occasionally. The other components are calcite (often associated with microfossils) and Fe-oxihydroxides, in various amounts. In general, the cherts appear to have more calcium carbonate and a larger and more varied quartz grain size than the flints. Smooth surfaces, more predictable conchoidal fractures and generally higher translucency are more common in flint samples. The chert samples are difficult to distinguish by macroscopic and microscopic means from chert found elsewhere, e.g., in the Carpathian Mts., but the flint is more easily distinguished. Both are distinguishable from flint of the Moldavian Plateau. The results of the artefact analyses indicate that the populations at the settlements studied almost exclusively used locally available materials and imported very little in the way of lithic materials. They were also using a large amount of lower quality local material, suggesting that they were not being highly selective in terms of the quality of the materials.
Acknowledgements. Financial support from the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research (PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 project) is also acknowledged. The artefacts analysed in this study were from excavations conducted by Dr. Eugen Comșa, and are now housed at the Romanian Academy of Sciences in Bucharest. Access to the artefact collections was obtained with help from Dr. Alexandra Comșa.
Rezumat: Acest articol analizează materiile prime, utilizate pentru producerea de artefacte, găsite în cinci situri din judeţul Teleorman, România. Datează din neolitic (Starčevo-Criş, Dudeşti şi Vădastra) şi eneolitic (Gumelniţa A2 şi B1). În zona înconjurătoare, există numeroase surse de materii prime adecvate pentru producerea de unelte prin cioplire. Materialele sunt descrise şi comparate din punct de vedere macroscopic şi microscopic. Artefactele au fost analizate în mod similar, în scopul de a ajuta la determinarea provenienţei lor. Printre altele, studiu indică faptul că populaţiile din aceste aşezări, utilizau, în principal, materiale disponibile pe plan local.
The Symposium will take place in Buenos Aires, with an optional fieldwork to the outcrops of Necochea, where the nearest lithic raw material sources have been located. The field trip will be organized by local researchers.
Web page: www.imhicihu-conicet.gob.ar/iskm2017/
E-mail: iskm2017@conicet.gov.ar
New announcements are coming soon!!
Organizing Committee
Nos es grato anunciar el próximo "International Symposium on Knappable Materials: From toolstone to stone tools", cuyas dos últimas sedes fueron Rumania y Barcelona. Tendrá lugar entre el 7 y 12 de noviembre del 2017, siendo la participación presencial o virtual.
El Simposio se desarrollará en Buenos Aires y contará con una salida opcional a recorrer las canteras próximas a Necochea, que son las más cercanas. El viaje de campo estará organizado por investigadores de la localidad.
Página Web del Simposio: www.imhicihu-conicet.gob.ar/iskm2017/
Correo de contacto: iskm2017@conicet.gov.ar
Habrá más anuncios pronto!
Comité Organizador
This volume brings a part of the papers presented at the international student conference “Beyond the Veil. Spirituality in Pre- and Prehistory” which took place between 3 5 April 2009 in Alba Iulia, Romania. This scientific event was held by the Ancient History and Archaeology Association (Cercului de Istorie Veche şi Arheologie - C.I.V.A.) within the framework of the Department of History, Archaeology and Museology at “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia. On this occasion 14 students from Romania, Poland, Georgia, Macedonia and Canada participated.
Between 24-26 November 2006, the Department of History, Archaeology and Museology organised the 14th edition of the National Conference of Student Scholastic Organizations in Archaeology, History and Museology. The student conference was comprised of the following sections: 1. Archaeology, prehistory, ancient history and auxiliary sciences; 2. Medieval, modern and contemporary history and the history of art; 3. Museum sciences, conservation, restoration and public education.
With this occasion, the scholastic organization C.I.V.A. (comprised of students of Archaeology from the University of Alba Iulia) organized the first international student meeting at the university on the topic of archaeological research. The conference focused specifically on the topic of Globalisation and Studies of the Past, and gathered students from Romania, United States of America, Canada, Hungary, England, Russia, Slovakia and the Republic of Moldova.
THE EDITORS""
This paper focuses in particular on Neolithic and Chalcolithic artefacts found at the Măgura-Buduiasca-Boldul lui Moş Ivănuş and Vităneşti-Măgurice sites in Teleorman county (southern Romania). A few analogies from other sites in the Lower Danube region have also been included in order to provide a larger range of tools potentially used in this industry.
The tools have here been grouped based on the stage of production - those which may have been used to quarry the raw clay, such as picks; tools for processing the raw materials by coarse and fine grinding such as mortars and pestles; and surface finishing tools for polishing and smoothing. The artefacts were analysed by non-destructive surface studies (macroscopically, with the aid of a handheld loupe, and by stereo microscope) with the aim of further determining their function and whether they were likely used in the ceramics industry.
This study provides examples of tool types and illustrates characteristics useful for identifying them. It also shows the chaîne opératoire of pottery produced during the Neolithic and Chalcolithic of this region.
The study was financed by the PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 project granted by the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research.
Four potsherds assigned to Late Bronze Age and seventeen potsherds assigned to Early Iron Age were studied by polarized light optical microscopy (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The aim of the study was to find if there are differences between the two epochs as regards the raw materials and firing technologies.
The potsherds have orange-to-brown or grey-to-black colours, with either homogeneous or zoned appearance across the ceramic wall. Some of the pieces analysed had various surface treatments and decorations. The orange-brown ceramics generally show an illitic matrix, highly to medium birefringent. The matrix of the grey-to-black ceramics is nearly or totally isotropic. The clasts have various sizes and consist of quartz, plagioclase and K-feldspar. Muscovite is found in all samples. Lithoclasts of quartzite, granitic-type rock and micashists are common. Grains of amphibole, chlorite, calcite, aragonite, Fe-oxides, garnet, epidote, titanite and rutile occur as well. Characteristically, all samples contain pedogenic concretions and crushed older sherds, i.e. ceramoclasts.
The data obtained by OM, XRD, FTIR and EPR show that most of the orange-to-brown pottery was fired at low temperatures, i.e. between ~700 and ~850 °C. Nevertheless, the grey-to-black potsherds appear to have been fired at higher temperatures, over 900 °C. These temperatures are well below what they were capable of achieving for example for obtaining metals. There seems to be no significant differences in composition and technology between the Late Bronze and the Early Iron age ceramics.
Although this population had the ability to reach higher temperatures, which would have produced better quality pottery, they clearly chose not to, with the result being lower quality pottery from a functional point of view. The reasons for doing this are not certain. Clearly the potters wanted their wares to look good, hence the surface treatment. The low temperature might have simply been a way to speed up production by short-time firing (which is supported by the zoned appearance of the ceramic wall). It might suggest also that they considered the items cheap and disposable. This gives us an interesting insight into the consumer habits and practices of these time periods.
This study was financed by the PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 project granted to CI by the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research. Support of the Sectorial Operational Program for Human Resources Development 2007-2013, co-financed by the European Social Fund was granted to AG (project POSDRU/159/1.5/S/132400).
The sherds have either a grey or an orange-brown colour. The ceramic body consists of a sintered or partly vitrified groundmass of clay minerals and various fine clasts. Among the latter are quartz, feldspar (mostly alkali-feldspar, less frequently plagioclase), muscovite, biotite, as well as chlorite. Epidote-clinozoisite, amphibole, garnet, titanite, staurolite, rutile, zircon, apatite and an Fe-rich compound occur as accessory phases. Lithoclasts are restricted to quartzite, micaschist, chlorite schist, biotite schist, gneiss and occasionally acidic volcanic rock fragments. The XRPD data indicates the predominance of quartz and feldspar.
EMPA shows an illitic groundmass. Mostly alkali-feldspar was identified, plagioclase being rare. Among the alkali-feldspars, K-feldspar predominates. Overgrowth of albite by alkalifeldspar is common. In most of the samples, there are Fe-rich phases, having significant amounts of SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, CaO and, occasionally, P2O5. ‘Intergranular bridges’ connect clay minerals, lamellae and non-plastic grains. Muscovite, chlorite and biotite do not show much thermal transformation, except for exfoliation or partial melting.
Geochemical data show that all samples are poor in CaO. Based on Al2O3 content, a low-Al (LAL) and a high-Al (HAL) group, respectively, were separated. The HAL samples show higher Al, Fe and Mg contents, compared with the LAL group. Si, Ca, Na and P are higher in the LAL sherds.
The overall composition of both, the grey and the orange-brown sherds, points to similar illitic clays as raw materials. The most likely candidates for quarrying potter’s clay would be outcrops of a Badenian age north of the site, in the Transylvanian Basin. As it could be inferred from the pot surface marks and the oriented texture of micas within the ceramic wall, the vessels were produced using a potter’s wheel. The firing was variable in regards to both temperature and atmosphere. Some of the vessels were produced at temperatures <800ºC. Most of the pottery, showing advanced vitrification and frequent K-feldspar overgrowth, was fired at higher temperatures, ranging from 850ºC to almost 1050ºC. The atmosphere was reducing for the grey pots and oxidizing for the orange-brown ones, respectively.
Acknowledgements: This study was financed by the Romanian Ministry of Culture and the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research, through PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 (CNCS/ UEFISCDI) project.
Both the artefacts and the geological samples were investigated by means of polarized light microscopy in order to identify possible raw materials used in prehistoric times. All of these materials are composed primarily of microcrystalline quartz. The majority of the quartz is granular but a fibrous variety occurs occasionally. The other components are calcite (often associated with microfossils) and Fe-oxihydroxides, in various amounts. In general, the cherts appear to have more calcium carbonate and a larger and more varied quartz grain size than the flints. Smooth surfaces, more predictable conchoidal fractures and generally higher translucency are more common in flint samples. The chert samples are difficult to distinguish by macroscopic and microscopic means from chert found elsewhere, e.g., in the Carpathian Mts., but the flint is more easily distinguished. Both are distinguishable from flint of the Moldavian Plateau. The results of the artefact analyses indicate that the populations at the settlements studied almost exclusively used locally available materials and imported very little in the way of lithic materials. They were also using a large amount of lower quality local material, suggesting that they were not being highly selective in terms of the quality of the materials.
Acknowledgements. Financial support from the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research (PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 project) is also acknowledged. The artefacts analysed in this study were from excavations conducted by Dr. Eugen Comșa, and are now housed at the Romanian Academy of Sciences in Bucharest. Access to the artefact collections was obtained with help from Dr. Alexandra Comșa.
Rezumat: Acest articol analizează materiile prime, utilizate pentru producerea de artefacte, găsite în cinci situri din judeţul Teleorman, România. Datează din neolitic (Starčevo-Criş, Dudeşti şi Vădastra) şi eneolitic (Gumelniţa A2 şi B1). În zona înconjurătoare, există numeroase surse de materii prime adecvate pentru producerea de unelte prin cioplire. Materialele sunt descrise şi comparate din punct de vedere macroscopic şi microscopic. Artefactele au fost analizate în mod similar, în scopul de a ajuta la determinarea provenienţei lor. Printre altele, studiu indică faptul că populaţiile din aceste aşezări, utilizau, în principal, materiale disponibile pe plan local.
Prior to designing this database, it was necessary to decide what information to include. With this objective, many researchers were asked what information they would need or like in such a database. Additionally, it was necessary to identify which types of data currently exists in publications about sources. Since information will potentially come from many sources and be used by many researchers for different purposes, it was necessary to design a database with many characteristics so that as much data as possible from different researchers and publications can be included.
It was decided that the most efficient way to expand the contents of the database would be to design it as a collaborative knowledge base. In other words, the information in the database is produced by its users. Registered users can log in and enter new source locations based on sources they have identified or based on references in existing publications. Any user though can go to the website and search the database for sources based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics and limit the results by distance from a specified location. Entries for specific sources contain a place for a bibliography of publications that mention the source, as well as the name and contact details of the person who created that entry. For regular sites (those whose location is not hidden) users can not only obtain the coordinates but can also open a link to a Google Maps page for the location. This may be used later in the field with a GPS or in the office with GIS software to compare it to other geospatial information. One of the main uses of this database is for archaeologists to compare lithic artefacts with photos and descriptions of raw materials, in order to determine the origin of the artefacts.
In addition to the website, the database can also be viewed and new sources can be entered via the Android smartphone application. The Android application can also use the phone’s built in GPS and search for sites in close proximity to the user. Similarly, new sources can be recorded directly while in the field (and updated later from the website). If there is no internet connection, sources can be downloaded to the phone earlier while online. Likewise, sources recorded while offline can be uploaded the next time the phone is online.
We foresee that this open access database has the potential to become an important tool in lithics research around the world.
Acknowledgements
The study was financed by ID-2241/2008 and PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 projects (Romanian Ministry of Education and Research)."
Most of the sources were identified based on mention of various materials in the geological literature. Others were guessed at based on similar bedrock to areas known to have rocks of interest to the study. A systematic survey of potential sources was conducted by a team from the Geology Department of Babes-Bolyai University and the Arheoinvest Research Platform of Alexandru Ioan Cuza University during which samples were collected and the source settings were recorded. Several thin sections were made from samples from each source location. The samples collected from different geological occurrences of knappable materials represent the physical lithotheque. The macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the rock samples were recorded in a database along with photos of the rocks and the areas where they were found, microphotos of the thin sections, and GPS coordinates of the collection points. The characteristics and terminology used in the database were based on those utilised by the lithotheque and corresponding database at Babes-Bolyai University and described by Crandell (2005, 2006).
There are many materials and sources within the study area. The materials found during this study were grouped based on similar characteristics and geological origin. The main rock types are: flint (from chalk), chert (from limestone), biogenic jasper, quartzitic sandstone, fine grained siliceous sandstone (often with high opal content), opal (menilite), and black jasper (lydite). These materials, as with their parent rocks, are spread out along the length of the Eastern Carpathians. Due to the area being a flysch belt, outcrops of the parent rocks are often mixed and vary in size.
The lithotheque and its database is a useful resource for archaeologists. It may be used for comparison with artefacts in order to identify raw material sources, which in turn helps to determine trade and exploitation patterns.
Acknowledgements
The study was financed by ID-2241/2008 and PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 projects (Romanian Ministry of Education and Research) and by the Arheoinvest Research Platform.
References
Crandell, O.N. 2005, Macroscopic Analysis and Characterisation of Chert from Transylvania for Provenance Purposes, Sargetia, Acta Musei Devensis, 33: 137-153.
Crandell, O.N. 2006, Macroscopic and Microscopic Analysis of Chert; A Proposal for Standardisation of Methodology and Terminology, Buletinul Cercurilor Științifice Studențești, 12: 7-30.""
The Carpathians have numerous sources of knappable lithic materials ranging in quality from high to poor. Additionally there are several very high quality materials located at the edges of this area - namely Carpathian obsidian to the north-west, Moldavian flint to the north-east, and Balkan flint to the south-west. Although there is no lack of raw materials throughout the area, during the Neolithic, the majority of artefacts (from half to three quarters) appear to have been made from imported high quality materials. Furthermore, it is of interest to note that imported lithics within the Transylvanian Basin tend to come predominantly from the north-west and north-east, territories occupied by other cultures and much less from the south within the area of their own cultures. Similarly, in the western part of the Moldavian plateau and the Eastern Subcarpathians although the majority of artefacts during the Neolithic and Chalcolithic were produced from Moldavian flint (the nearest source, the Prut River, being relatively close by) 5 to 10% of the lithic artefacts found at most sites was Balkan flint, which would have been imported from outside of the culture territory of the sites where the artefacts were found.
In the Transylvanian Basin, there was a marked drop in the use of imported materials in the Chalcolithic, a trend which continues until the Bronze Age at which point very little imported material was used. Still, even during the Chalcolithic, the majority of imported materials still tend to have been imported from the north.
There are two main implications of these findings. First of all, they suggest that the areas often defined as culture territories based on pottery typology are not entirely accurate. Secondly, the large amount of imported materials (often from across mountain ranges) suggests a well-established system of trade and possibly even professional traders.
Acknowledgements
The study was financed by ID-2241/2008 and PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 projects (Romanian Ministry of Education and Research)."
The black Marginea ceramics is obtained from a Miocene illite-rich clay, in quite primitive kilns, with no control of temperature. The raw material consists of illite, muscovite, feldspar, quartz, chlorite/kaolinite, Fe oxi-hydroxides and carbonate.
Rubbing the surface while the clay is still in the so-called “leather hard stage” induces the smoothing of the rough surface, closure of the pores and a more compact ceramic body. The polishing also aligns the platy minerals (e.g. mica) within a thin layer, which causes the shiny surface of the lines drawn by water worn pebbles. Because the surfaces of the platy minerals are aligned, most of them will reflect light at the same time when viewed from the right angle. Stereoscopic microscopy of the pot surface shows fine striations due the movement of the polishing stone. Although stones used for burnishing tend to become apparently very polished themselves, under the microscope it is possible to see many parallel scratches on their surface. The more used stones had the most scratches. Simple unused river stones were less polished and had far fewer scratch marks.
The study was financed by ID-2241/2008 and PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 projects, granted to CI (Romanian Ministry of Education and Research).
[“Creating a network for exchanging collections data between institutions”]
Este projeto envolve a produção de um sistema de banco de dados para combinar e trocar dados sobre coleções, particularmente para uso em museus e centros de pesquisa. O projeto tem dois objetivos principais. O primeiro é produzir um sistema de catalogação que facilite o intercâmbio de dados entre instituições e pesquisadores. Os usuários de cada instituição poderão buscar os catálogos de outras para tipos específicos de objetos e entrar em contato com a instituição para determinar a possibilidade de consultá-los. O segundo objetivo é criar um método padronizado de gravação de informações sobre as coleções. Isso facilitaria a comparação de dados entre instituições e seria menos trabalhoso para muitos estabelecimentos que atualmente empregam catálogos simples (no Excel, no papel). Grande parte do sistema baseia-se nos sistemas que as instituições parceiras estão atualmente usando. Ao padronizar as categorias de informação e os métodos descritivos, tentamos tornar nossas categorias compatíveis com aquelas que o ICOM propôs. Também baseamos o banco de dados de locais (sítios) no sistema usado pelo IPHAN para sítios e outras propostas institucionais de centros de pesquisa. Um aspecto importante da criação do sistema é que deve atender às diversas necessidades, preferências e costumes dos usuários. Até agora, há 63 instituições parceiras envolvidas. Muitos têm coleções pré-históricas e históricas mas também alguns têm coleções biológicas, geológicas, etnográficas, de arte e outras.
[“Predictive modelling of shellmound sites in the coastal region of Paraná”]
Este estudo se direciona para sítios litorâneos do Paraná, particularmente sambaquis. Foram feitas análises estatísticas de dados de sambaquis conhecidos no Paraná. Os resultados foram utilizados para avaliar a presença e frequência relativa de características comuns formando um modelo descritivo. As variáveis podem refletir preferências culturais de sociedades pré-históricas ou fenômenos naturais. Frequências relativas foram usadas para atribuir pesos relativos às características. Assim, os resultados estatísticos foram usados para prever locais adicionais através do ESRI ArcGIS - um modelo preditivo.
O modelo preditivo foi avaliado através de um teste realizado em uma área de 7x5 km em Guaratuba, resultando em um mapa raster de cinzas mostrando graus de probabilidade de ocorrência de um sambaqui. Grandes áreas de alta probabilidade foram delimitadas, visitadas e percorridas em transectos, observando-se o solo para sinais de um potencial sambaqui (alta densidade de conchas). Algumas áreas de probabilidade baixa também foram percorridas para determinar se existem diferenças das de alta probabilidade.
Das 10 áreas de alta probabilidade selecionadas, 4 exibiram superfícies com conchas e uma foi coberta quase completamente com solo orgânico (dificultando uma avaliação), mas algumas conchas foram encontradas perto de onde o solo foi perturbado. Com base em informações de um agricultor local, uma superfície adicional de conchas foi localizada em uma área geralmente de alta probabilidade.
[“Weaving a cultural net: Methods, results, and difficulties of creating a national heritage database for sharing collections information”]
Este projeto envolve a produção de um sistema de banco de dados para combinar e trocar dados sobre coleções, particularmente para uso em museus e centros de pesquisa. O primeiro objetivo principal do projeto é produzir um sistema de catalogação que facilite o intercâmbio de dados entre instituições e pesquisadores. Os usuários de cada instituição poderão buscar os catálogos de outras para tipos específicos de objetos e entrar em contato com a instituição para determinar a possibilidade de consultá-los. O segundo objetivo é criar um método padronizado de gravação de informações sobre as coleções. Isso facilitaria a comparação de dados entre instituições e seria menos trabalhoso para muitos estabelecimentos que atualmente empregam catálogos simples (por exemplo, no Excel, no papel). Grande parte do sistema baseia-se nos sistemas que as instituições parceiras estão atualmente usando. Ao padronizar as categorias de informação e os métodos descritivos, tentamos tornar nossas categorias compatíveis com aquelas que o ICOM propôs. Também baseamos o banco de dados de locais (por exemplo, sítios arqueológicos, parques, edifícios históricos) no sistema usado pelo IPHAN para sítios e outras propostas institucionais de centros de pesquisa. Um aspecto importante da criação do sistema é que deve atender às diversas necessidades, preferências e costumes dos usuários. Até agora, há 63 instituições parceiras envolvidas no projeto. Muitos têm coleções pré-históricas e históricas mas também alguns têm coleções biológicas, geológicas, etnográficas, de arte e outras.
We present a proposal for solutions, particularly the crowd-sourcing and collaborative, open access model used by Kvasir Publishing, through which we hope to gather regional academic publishers and local research institutions beneath the umbrella of one platform.
We present a proposal for solutions, particularly the crowd-sourcing and collaborative, open access model used by Kvasir Publishing, through which we hope to gather regional academic publishers and local research institutions beneath the umbrella of one platform.
Four potsherds assigned to Late Bronze Age and seventeen potsherds assigned to Early Iron Age were studied by polarized light optical microscopy (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The aim of the study was to find if there are differences between the two epochs as regards the raw materials and firing technologies.
The potsherds have orange-to-brown or grey-to-black colours, with either homogeneous or zoned appearance across the ceramic wall. Some of the pieces analysed had various surface treatments and decorations. The orange-brown ceramics generally show an illitic matrix, highly to medium birefringent. The matrix of the grey-to-black ceramics is nearly or totally isotropic. The clasts have various sizes and consist of quartz, plagioclase and K-feldspar. Muscovite is found in all samples. Lithoclasts of quartzite, granitic-type rock and micashists are common. Grains of amphibole, chlorite, calcite, aragonite, Fe-oxides, garnet, epidote, titanite and rutile occur as well. Characteristically, all samples contain pedogenic concretions and crushed older sherds, i.e. ceramoclasts.
The data obtained by OM, XRD, FTIR and EPR show that most of the orange-to-brown pottery was fired at low temperatures, i.e. between ~700 and ~850 °C. Nevertheless, the grey-to-black potsherds appear to have been fired at higher temperatures, over 900 °C. These temperatures are well below what they were capable of achieving for example for obtaining metals. There seems to be no significant differences in composition and technology between the Late Bronze and the Early Iron age ceramics.
Although this population had the ability to reach higher temperatures, which would have produced better quality pottery, they clearly chose not to, with the result being lower quality pottery from a functional point of view. The reasons for doing this are not certain. Clearly the potters wanted their wares to look good, hence the surface treatment. The low temperature might have simply been a way to speed up production by short-time firing (which is supported by the zoned appearance of the ceramic wall). It might suggest also that they considered the items cheap and disposable. This gives us an interesting insight into the consumer habits and practices of these time periods.
This study was financed by the PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 project granted to CI by the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research. Support of the Sectorial Operational Program for Human Resources Development 2007-2013, co-financed by the European Social Fund was granted to AG (project POSDRU/159/1.5/S/132400).
This paper focuses in particular on Neolithic and Chalcolithic artefacts found at the Măgura-Buduiasca-Boldul lui Moş Ivănuş and Vităneşti-Măgurice sites in Teleorman county (southern Romania). A few analogies from other sites in the Lower Danube region have also been included in order to provide a larger range of tools potentially used in this industry.
The tools have here been grouped based on the stage of production - those which may have been used to quarry the raw clay, such as picks; tools for processing the raw materials by coarse and fine grinding such as mortars and pestles; and surface finishing tools for polishing and smoothing. The artefacts were analysed by non-destructive surface studies (macroscopically, with the aid of a handheld loupe, and by stereo microscope) with the aim of further determining their function and whether they were likely used in the ceramics industry.
This study provides examples of tool types and illustrates characteristics useful for identifying them. It also shows the chaîne opératoire of pottery produced during the Neolithic and Chalcolithic of this region.
The study was financed by the PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 project granted by the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research.
The black Marginea ceramics is obtained from a Miocene illite-rich clay, in quite primitive kilns, with no control of temperature. The raw material consists of illite, muscovite, feldspar, quartz, chlorite/kaolinite, Fe oxi-hydroxides and carbonate (Ionescu et al., 2012 - this volume).
Rubbing the surface while the clay is still in the so-called “leather hard stage” induces the smoothing of the rough surface, closure of the pores and a more compact ceramic body. The polishing also aligns the platy minerals (e.g. mica) within a thin layer, which causes the shiny surface of the lines drawn by water worn pebbles. Because the surfaces of the platy minerals are aligned, most of them will reflect light at the same time when viewed from the right angle. Stereoscopic microscopy of the pot surface shows fine striations due the movement of the polishing stone. Although stones used for burnishing tend to become apparently very polished themselves, under the microscope it is possible to see many parallel scratches on their surface. The more used stones had the most scratches. Simple unused river stones were less polished and had far fewer scratch marks.
This study was financed by ID-2241/2008 and PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 projects, granted to CI (Romanian Ministry of Education and Research).
Reference:
Ionescu, C., Hoeck, V., Simon, V. (2012) Why the black ceramics is black? ISA 2012 Leuvven, Abstract volume."
Within the Precucuteni-Cucuteni cultural territory, there were several raw materials suitable for knapping. The best quality of these is Miorcani type flint, found in Upper Cretaceous chalky marl throughout the Moldavian plateau between the Upper Prut and Upper Dniester rivers and as fluvial deposits south of this area. There are also numerous sources of different knappable materials in the Eastern Carpathians. To the south, within the Gumelniţa culture territory there are large sources of so-called Balkan flint.
We analysed 507 artefacts from three sites in the Sub-Carpathians - Săcăluşeşti-Dealul Valea Seaca, Topoliţa - La Ilioi and Bețeşti - all situated within 50km of each other. These sites are approximately 5 to 20km from various types of raw material sources in the Carpathians, 100 to 120km from sources of Miorcani flint (in the Prut river) and 190 to 240km from the nearest sources of Balkan flint (in the Danube). Twenty-five artefacts suspected of being Balkan flint were thin sectioned for petrographic analysis to confirm or redetermine sources. Based on macroscopic and microscopic analysis, the primary material used at these sites was Miorcani type flint (representing approximately 68%). Various Carpathian materials represented 29% of the assemblages. Approximately 2% appears to be Balkan flint. This study indicates that intercultural trade definitely took place in this region as early as the Neolithic.
The study was financed by ID-2241/2008 and PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0881 projects, granted to CI (Romanian Ministry of Education and Research).
Figure. a. Map showing the location of the main lithic resources and sites from this study; b. Examples of Balkan flint tools; Thin sections of (c.) Miorcani flint and (d.) Balkan flint (+P).
Part 2: Differences in Agriculture of the First Temperate Neolithic and Agriculture of the Neolithic Revolution in the Fertile Crescent.
Part 3: The Indo-Europeans. Pastoralism vs. Agriculturalism.
(Originally presented in Romanian)
Adjuntamos al presente mail la Tercera Circular del "11th International Symposium on Knappable Materials: From toolstone to stone tools" que tendrá lugar en Buenos Aires y Necochea (Argentina) entre el 7 y el 12 de noviembre de 2017.
¡Esperamos sus contribuciones!
Saludos cordiales,
Comité Organizador
11iskm2017@gmail.com
Please find attached the Third Announcement to the "11th International Symposium on Knappable Materials: From toolstone to stone tools", which will be held in Buenos Aires and Necochea ( Argentina ) between November 7th and 12th, 2017.
We look forward to your contributions!
Best regards,
Organizing Committee
11iskm2017@gmail.com
Please find attached the First Announcement to the "International Symposium on Knappable Materials: From toolstone to stone tools", which will be held in Buenos Aires (Argentina) between November 7th and 12th, 2017.
We look forward to your contributions!
Best regards,
Organizing Committee
--
11th International Symposium on Knappable Materials
Buenos Aires, Argentina
November, 2017
University of Barcelona, Spain
As far as raw materials go, chert and other knappable stone stand out as some of the most common materials in the archaeological record, and at some sites the only preserved material. They were used in almost every corner of the world, from the Palaeolithic up until today. Use of these materials even predates the appearance of our own species. Being so widespread, both geographically as well as chronologically, this topic merits a global meeting of researchers to discuss and compare our findings.
This symposium will cover all aspects of knapped stone raw materials from geological origin, to mining, usage, and laboratory analyses on these materials. Although we expect that there will be more focus on chert and other microcrystalline quartz varieties, we also encourage presentations related to other knappable materials such as obsidian, quartzite, rhyolite. Papers will be accepted on any culture or time period. Whether you are a field archaeologist, laboratory researcher, ethnographer or a modern day knapper yourself, we are interested in your research.
University of Barcelona, Spain
As far as raw materials go, chert and other knappable stone stand out as some of the most common materials in the archaeological record, and at some sites the only preserved material. They were used in almost every corner of the world, from the Palaeolithic up until today. Use of these materials even predates the appearance of our own species. Being so widespread, both geographically as well as chronologically, this topic merits a global meeting of researchers to discuss and compare our findings.
This symposium will cover all aspects of knapped stone raw materials from geological origin, to mining, usage, and laboratory analyses on these materials. Although we expect that there will be more focus on chert and other microcrystalline quartz varieties, we also encourage presentations related to other knappable materials such as obsidian, quartzite, rhyolite. Papers will be accepted on any culture or time period. Whether you are a field archaeologist, laboratory researcher, ethnographer or a modern day knapper yourself, we are interested in your research.
This conference will cover all aspects of knapped stone raw materials from geological origin, to mining, usage, and laboratory analyses on these materials. Papers will be accepted on any culture or time period. Whether you are a field archaeologist, laboratory researcher, ethnographer or a modern day knapper yourself, we are interested in your research.