Paleoeconomy

Abstract: The paper addresses the research on topographic features and economic potentials of landscapes connected with Metal Age sites, in order to compile fundamental data on settlement trends in the Toplica District during the Eneolithic, Bronze and Iron Age. Considering that our current knowledge on Metal Ages within the Toplica District is quite scarce, the paper presents basic data for each of the sites that had been compiled for decades, together with the accompanying archeological material which originates from prehistoric collections of museums in Prokuplje and Niš. The archaeological data is complemented by topographic, geological, natural-geographical and ethnographical data related to the landscape of the sites, which indicate certain economic perspectives of Metal Ages populations in the Toplica District (4500-1 BC).

The authors introduce the settlement in Žehuň (district Kolín, Central Bohemia), a La Tène period site that was investigated by surface
prospections for four seasons between 2011 and 2014. The results of the chrono-typological analysis of the material assemblage show
that Žehuň was an outstanding settlement in terms of exceptionally long-term occupation and concentration of metallic objects including
the possibility of local coin production during the Late La Tène period. The site, occupied between the 6th and 1st century BC was
located on a long-distance route connecting Central Bohemia with areas in Lower Silesia and through Moravia also Middle Danube.
It is very likely that similar regional centres were more common in Bohemia and Moravia; however, we still have almost no information
about them so far. The Žehuň settlement thus brings important information on the hierarchy of open settlements during both the
Middle (‘pre-oppida phase’) and Late (‘oppida phase’) La Tène period.

A new data block concerning diverse palaeoecological / bio-economic aspects, obtained through the use of natural science research methods is introduced to scientific turnover. The block consists of several separate investigations: palaeobotanical one (determination of cultivated plants and weeds, and tree species) and archaeozoological one (teriology, ichthyology, malacology). Materials for the analysis of four of the five areas (except teriological one) obtained thanks to the expanding of traditional archaeological research methods by applying flotation and panning.
A careful analysis of this block and a comparison between natural sciences data obtained independently, and also their comparison with markers of bio-economic activities, provides reliable justification for complex analysis that results in a reconstruction of ecology, environment and bio-economic activities of inhabitants of Severynivka hillfort in Antiquity.
The materials obtained also show the high efficiency and prospects of using thorough research methods on settlements, and owing to these methods the base for the comprehensive interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of various organic remains is accumulated. Such approach allows widening significantly the sources for study bio-economic activity of ancient inhabitants of Severynivka microregion as well as detailing the palaeoecological aspects of their life.
Keywords: Scythians, hillfort, flotation, panning, palaeoecology, palaeoethnobotany, archaezoology, bioresources, comprehensive analysis, bio-economic activity.

Gkatzogia, E. and Kotjabopoulou, E. 2019 (printed). Archaeobotanical Evidence from the Acheron Oracle of the Dead: Rethinking Site Interpretation through the stored food products. In Gartziou- Tatti, A. and Zografou, A. (eds) Des dieux et des plantes. Monde végétal et religion en Grèce ancienne. Kernos Supplement 34 (Proceedings of the conference "Le monde végétal dans les représentations et les pratiques religieuses des anciens Grecs", XVe Colloque International du CIERGA, 1-4 octobre 2015, Ioannina, Département de Philologie, Université d’Ioannina and Centre International d' Étude De la Religion Grecque Antique), 263- 282.

Abstract: This paper addresses the long standing debate on the identification of the literary oracle of the dead at Acheron through recent systematic archaeobotanical research undertaken on the finds from the Hellenistic structural complex excavated in the late 1950s at Mesopotamos, modern prefecture of Preveza, northwestern Greece. Charred plant remains – especially broad beans - formed a core tenet of the original interpretative narrative in relation to the attested rituals, inspired by ancient texts, performed at the site. Based on selected semi-quantified samples of cereals, pulses, fruits and weeds associated with large and medium sized pithoi originating from the central building unit, it will be argued that these, not as yet ready for consumption, foodstuffs represent the last harvests stored by the users of the fortified, in support to D. Baatzs’ (1982) interpretation, farmhouse. Compared these to plant assemblages from well documented ritualistic contexts, the Mesopotamos material does not conform to such interpretations. Nonetheless, agricultural practices, crop products and contexts of consumption were deeply enmeshed in cosmological beliefs, as the few female clay figurines, discovered on the marsh-surrounded hilltop in proximity to the epirus littoral, amply demonstrate.

Hill fort Sverdlovske-1 is located on the right bank of the Desna River on a promontory overlooking the river valley at 45—50 m (Figs. 1; 4). The monument has been known for about 150 years; stationary studies were started in 1968 by O.M. Mel’nikovs’ka, and conducted after by O.Ye. Chernenko from 2014.
As a result of recent research of the hill-fort, a new data regarding its paleoecology and bio-economic specifics were obtained through the use of natural science methods in addition to the classic archaeological techniques. The present paper comprises a number of separate studies: palaeobotanical (definition of cultivated plants and weeds, trees) and archaeozoological (theriology, ornithology, ichthyology). Materials for the analysis were obtained due to the expansion of traditional archaeological techniques through the use of flotation and washing, as well as classical methods of research in archeology (Fig. 2). Filtering of the soil was held in the construction no. 1, investigated on the settlement in 2016 (Fig. 3).
Paleoetnobotanical materials came from three different samples; macrofossils are represented by typical medieval species — grain crops: Secale cereale (rye), Hordeum vulgare (barley), Triticum aestivum s. l. (soft wheat), Triticum dicoccon (emmer wheat), Panicum miliaceum (millet), Avena sp. (oats); also Cerealia (not defined to species or genus level); leguminous plants: Pisum sativum (pea), Lens culinaris (lentil), as well as the small number and variety of weeds, namely Convolvulus arvensіs (field bindweed), Setaria sp. (foxtail). However, the proportion of cultural grain crops in palaeoethnobotanical spectrum by weight is somewhat different from the synchronous counterparts (Figs. 5—7; Tables 1—3). The analysis of all data may indicate not only the high level of farming, but also a good adaptability to natural conditions. An indirect confirmation of agriculture and its role for inhabitants of the Sverdlovske I are holes that could be used for grain storage (Fig. 11, 1) and the finds of pans to dry grain (and maybe for cooking bread; Fig. 12).
Analysis of wood remains suggests the use of trees, which are traditional for this region — oak (Quercus sp.) and pine (Pinus sylvestris). Their wood was used for the production needs such as building and heating (Table 4).
Analysis of bone remains belonging to mammals (Tables 5; 6; 10; Figs. 8; 13—14) indicates the possibility of maintenance of herd in the stall period and, accordingly, the development of animal husbandry, which was typical for Slavs during the 1st millennium AD (the prevalence of cattle in a herd and meat production, the importance of pigs (by number) and horses (for meat); an auxiliary role of small livestock). The findings of spindles indicate the usage of raw materials for the manufacture of tissue from agriculture and / or stockbreeding (Fig. 15).
At the same time, the proportion of hunting, both in the number of individuals and in the meat volume, was about 30 % — it is significantly enough to recognize the important role of hunting in the life of the ancient inhabitants of Sverdlovske-1. It should be also noted that the hunting have had both meat and fur-bearing orientation.
Both industries associated with obtaining or production of meat in large quantities, also supply raw materials for various kinds of crafts. Numerous bone wares were found in the archaeological material from the Sverdlovske-1 (Fig. 17).
Ornithological studies have established the prevalence of wild birds in the number of species and individuals (Anas platyrhynchos, Anas crecca / quercuedula, Clangula hyemalis, Ardea cinerea, Lyrurus tetrix, Perdix perdix — seven individuals) over the poultry (Gallus domestica — four individuals; Anser anser / Anser anser f. domestica — one individual) (Table 7). These data also favor the importance of the appropriating economy.
Fishing (Table 8; 9) is represented by eight fish species (mainly pike Esox lucius, perch Perca fluviatilis, catfish Silurus glanis and zander Sander lucioperca; less numerous were roach Rutilus rutilus, bream Abramis brama, asp Aspius aspius, and carp Cyprinus carpio). Such composition indicates the importance of individual fishing. There were also tackles for mass fish catch, as evidenced by finds of clay weights for nets (Fig. 16), as well as possible tools for their weaving (Fig. 17).
The analysis of bio-economic activity carried out by inhabitants of the Sverdlovske-1 hill fort indicates the maximum and rational use of products from playback economy (agriculture, livestock), and from foraging (hunting, fishing, the role of collecting is not confirmed yet, although its important role is hypothetically undeniable) (Fig. 10). This is also evidenced by the attempt of comparison of food derived from various sectors of the economy (Fig. 18).
Keywords: Slavs, Romny archaeological culture, Sverdlovske-1, flotation, washing, palaeoecology, paleobotany, arhaeozoology, bio-resources, comprehensive analysis, bio-economic activity.

Some of the most significant settlements of late Iron Age Europe were founded in agriculturally marginal landscapes. The specific locations caused their food production potential to be regarded usually as deficit in terms of sustainability. Such notion, however, can be re-examined with help of new methodological tools. In order to capture the dynamics of the agro-pastoral economy processes in recurrent year-to-year cycles, this chapter exploits the objective advantages and limits of coupled GIS environmental and agent-based social modelling approaches. Three consecutive models are presented – the population dynamics in The Population Model, and the sustainability of the land-use strategies in The Crop Production Model and The Field Allocation Model. Models are firmly based on authentic archaeological and environmental record with the region around long-term investigated oppidum of Staré Hradisko (Czech Republic) used as the case study. Results obtained with the simulation demonstrate limits of the sustainable economy practiced by a constantly growing population under particular environmental settings. The immediate or gradual impact of the success rate in the food production and its potential influences on the social processes including the oppida abandonment are also addressed.

Abstract: This work shows some glass beads found in Monte Bernorio Hillfort. These objects are related to similar pieces found in the North of Iberian Peninsula, and Western Europe. Production techniques are also tackled, as well as functionality, possible origin, and trade routes through which this kind of beads arrived to the Spanish Atlantic Façade.

This paper discusses the evidence for pig husbandry in the Faroes during the Norse and early Medieval periods. The evidence from zooarchaeology, biomolecular archaeology, and place-name evidence is reviewed, proposing that the keeping of pigs was an important part of the early paleoeconomy of the islands.

The paper deals with material of excavations in Uch-Bash and Saharnaya Golovka settlements as well as survey in Inkerman valley. Archaeological sources pointed out according to the environment condition and paleoeconomy of ancient habitants of Inkerman valley

Houle, J.-L., Broderick, L.G., 2011. Settlement Patterns and Domestic Economy of the Xiongnu in Khanuy Valley, Mongolia. In Brosseder, U., Miller, B.K., eds. Xiongnu Archaeology – Multidisciplinary Perspectives on the First Steppe Empire in Central Asia. (Bonn Contributions to Asian Archaeology 5). Vor-und Frühgeschichtliche Archäologie, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn: Bonn. pp. 137-152

The relationship between people and dogs has its beginnings in the Palaeolithic and extends to contemporary times. This paper explores the role of dogs in Eneolithic communities from the Balkans, with a particular focus on two dog mandibles which were discovered in House No. 14 at Sultana-Malu Ros ̧u (ca. 4600–3950 B.C.) in Romania. The two artifacts belong to different excavation levels. The first mandible was identified in the foundation trench which marks the beginning of the house’s lifecycle; the second was found in the abandonment level of the house, marking the end of its lifecycle. Archaeozoological, technological and functional analyses demonstrate the unique character of these prehistoric artifacts, telling the stories of those who used, sacrificed and abandoned them.

Based on materials from Monastyrok hill-fort, fishery of the Early Slavs from the Dnipro River (middle region) is analyzed in this paper. A comprehensive study of the circumstances in which ichthyological remains and fishing tackle were uncovered, as well as the comparative analysis of the latter was conducted. As a result, a conclusion is made that the fish-hooks belong to the Early Slavonic period of the hill-fort. In addition, owing to the work with the collections of the N national Museum of Natural history of the national Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, uncovered and attributed was the ichthyologic material from the site describing the industrial fish species in the Early Slavonic period.
Ichthyologic identification showed that at least 10 fish species of 9 genera and 5 families were encompassed into the fishery. The majority of these remains belong to fish of prey: pike, catfish, zander, and perch; sturgeons and carp fishes are represented by single bones. numerous findings of cranium bones are indisputable evidence for fishery, but not fish import. The method of reconstruction the weight and body size of single fish individuals showed that big mature fishes prevailed in catch. O owing to this reconstruction, it is ascertained that both tackle for individual (with hooks), and mass (with nets) catch were used.
The data obtained convincingly prove the importance of fishery in vital activity of population at the Monastyrok hill-fort and of all the East Slavs habituating the middle region of the Dnipro River in the period from the 8th to the 13th centuries AD. The species and size diversity of industrial fish is an indirect evidence for the usage of both tackle types: of individual (with hooks) and mass (with nets) catch. Analysis of the context of the hooks’ finds testifies for their usage mainly in the Early Slavonic period of the Monastyrok hill-fort existence.

Анализируются свидетельства земледелия с
Пекшевского городища скифского времени
на р. Воронеж. Рассмотрены орудия труда
на различных этапах земледельческих работ,
сведения о хозяйственных сооружениях, ис-
пользовавшихся для хранения зерна, данные о
выращиваемых сельскохозяйственных культу-
рах.
There is analyzed the evidence of agriculture at the
settlement of the Scythian period at the Pekshevo
village on the river Voronezh. There is considered
the farming equipment at various stages of the
agricultural work, information about economic
structures used for grain storage, information about
the cultivated crops.

We present the results of recent archaeological work at Avenc dels Dos Forats or Cova del Monedero (Carcaixent, Valencia, Spain). Previous information suggested the existence of human remains and elaborate grave goods associated with funerary or ritual activities, particularly from the Late
Neolithic/Copper Age. New excavation indicates the complexity of prehistoric use of the cave and confirms its use as a burial site during the Late Neolithic/Copper Age and perhaps during the Bronze Age.

Abstract
The Mesolithic faunal record recovered from the Galgenbühel/Dos de la Forca rock-shelter at Salorno/Salurn (Bolzano/South Tyrol, Italy, Eastern Alps) allows the reconstruction of the landscape and local environmental conditions in the Adige valley bottom during the Early Holocene thanks to the analysis of the species ecology. The predominance of a highly differentiated spectrum of species related to wetland contexts, largely the result of human predation, indicates a reduced catchment area with a high biodiversity exploited by the Sauveterrian fisher-hunter-gatherer groups repeatedly occupying the site. Data converge towards a habitat of slack and slow moving waters, bordered by abundant submerged and shore vegetation, and surrounded by forested areas. The intensive exploitation of some fauna such as the pike, the Cyprinidae, small mammals as the beaver and the wild cat as well as Unionidae and Emys orbicularis suggests specialized activities practiced near and on the site. Some particular choices, as the increasing preference for the pike rather than for the Cyprinidae, could possibly be related to consumption habits.