Currently, incomparable dating systems are used in archaeology, based on historical chronology, dendrochronology, and two types of radiocarbon dates: LSC and AMS. But the latter suggest, as a rule, ...the earlier dates. Contrary to this, the intervals based on the historical chronology and dendrochronology are quite comparable. And intervals obtained by means of Bayesian statistics of AMS dates are very close. The problem is also aggravated by the fact that the use of the standard typological method does not allow complexes to be synchronized accurately, since the duration of existence of some type can be different in two areas. More accurate evidence can be taken from the first appearance of any cultural complex as a result of migration. Such migrations were usually forced by natural disasters. Correspondently, the latter can be used as a chronological benchmark, that makes it possible the processes in remote areas to be connected. Basing on all this, a system of chronology of the European EBA, eastern European MBA and of the so called “2200 even” is suggested. The obtained interval became younger and shorter than those based on the radiocarbon chronology.
La tercera campaña de excavación durante 2019 en el sector norte del yacimiento de Valencina de la Concepción ha documentado diversas cabañas, incluyendo algunas nuevas, UC 314 o UC 444 y se han ...empezando a excavar los fosos 1, 2 y 5. La cronología del poblado en el sector norte, a partir de 49 dataciones, sugiere, de momento, 6 grandes fases, Neolítico Final, Calcolítico Inicial, 3300-3000 AC, transición Calcolítico Inicial-Medio, 3000-2800 AC, Calcolítico Medio, la fase mejor representada, 2800-2550 AC, Calcolítico Final I, 2550-2450 AC y Calcolítico Final II, 2450-2350 AC. Por otra parte, a partir de los fosos identificados en las prospecciones geomagnéticas de 2017 y 2018, y otros fosos documentados en el casco urbano moderno de Valencina de la Concepción, proponemos la presencia de 5 recintos de fosos que circunvalaban el poblado. El recinto 3, el más pequeño e interno, con dos fosos paralelos, 11 y 12, del Calcolítico Inicial. El recinto 2 con tres fosos anchos, 5, 6 y 7, desde comienzos del Calcolítico Medio. El recinto 1, con los fosos 1, 2 y 3, que presenta puertas en forma de semicírculo, a modo de bastiones, de la transición del Calcolítico Medio al Final. Los dos fosos del recinto 5, que suponen el momento de máxima extensión del poblado, del Calcolítico Medio. Finalmente, el recinto 4, con el foso 10, también de la transición del Calcolítico Medio al Final, que presenta un ancho de 11 m, –8,5 m de profundidad y sección en V, el cual secciona los dos fosos, 11 y 12, del recinto 3.
The barrow cemetery in Łubna (Łubna-Jakusy), Poland, excavated shortly after World War II , is one of the best-known necropolises in the western area of the Trzciniec Cultural Circle. During the ...archaeological research conducted by K. Jażdżewski, up to 27 mounds wereexcavated. In this article, the authors present and specify the absolute chronology of this site. Thanks to a search in the museum storerooms, it was possible to obtain osteological material, which was subsequently dated in the Poznań Radiocarbon Laboratory using the AM S method. These absolute dates combined with the results of a study of the archaeological material allowed the chronology of almost half of the excavated barrows to be defined. The dates obtained thanks to modelling functions answer the question about the timeframe the necropolis was in use. Additionally, the authors present a probable scenario for the development of the cemetery in Łubna, outlining the direction of expansion and characterizing its spatial arrangement.
•Detailed magnetic mineralogy and archaeomagnetic investigation of Teotihuacan fire footprints.•Archaeomagnetic dating is achieved on twenty-four samples belonging to three burned walls.•Absolute ...paleointensities were determined for fifty samples.•Magnetic dating using full geomagnetic vector provided a time interval between 327 and 441 CE as the best estimate of the last fire exposure of studied footprints.•This new data, in combination with previous results, suggest that Teotihuacán experienced various fire episodes.
Teotihuacan is considered as the best planned and largest pre-Hispanic city in Mesoamerica. One of the causes, related to the decline of the Teotihuacan, is the so-called “Big Fire”. However, associated chronological constraints are still poorly defined. Here, we report new archaeomagnetic dates of three burned walls located in the Plaza de la Luna vicinity, considered as the last construction stage of Teotihuacan. Detailed rock-magnetic and absolute archaeointensity studies were performed on 24 samples allowing to determine both mean directions and absolute intensities. Magnetic dating using full geomagnetic vector provided a time interval between 327 and 441 CE as the best estimate of the last fire exposure of studied footprints. This new data, in combination with previous results, suggest that Teotihuacán experienced various fire episodes probably caused and controlled during public acts loaded with symbolic values, such as the rituals for the termination of a cycle or those related to the beginning of a new constructive stage.
Review article of the PhD dissertation submitted in 2023 to the Archaeology Doctoral Programme, Doctoral School of History, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, and written under the supervision of ...Gábor V. Szabó. The dissertation investigated the processes taking place at the end of the Early and in the Middle Bronze Age in northwest Hungary, predominantly in Győr-Moson-Sopron County, based on sites at Nagycenk, Hegyeshalom, Enese, Győr-Ménfőcsanak, and Mosonszentmiklós. This region between the Devín Gate and the confluence of the Rába and Danube rivers is important for European research on prehistory, as it could have been a gateway between the Carpathian Basin and the western parts of Central Europe. The complex statistical evaluation of the collected archaeological finds and their contexts has revealed the diversity of the material culture (Gáta–Wieselburg, Kisapostag, Transdanubian Encrusted Pottery Culture) and mortuary practices (inhumation and cremation burial rites, diverse patterns of grave furnishing) in the study area and period. In addition, a spatial analysis of the sites indicated a change in the settlement pattern between 2200 and 1500 BC. The typochronological analysis and the radiocarbon data helped specify the chronology and refine the connections maintained with Central European territories.
The pivotal role of the western Carpathian basin in the transmission of key inventions of food production towards central Europe is an accepted fact in Neolithic research. Southern Transdanubia in ...western Hungary may serve as a unique ‘laboratory’ for targeted investigations, as north Balkan and central European characteristics overlap in the region. Site-based studies of recently excavated late 6th millennium cal BC Neolithic settlements provide insights into possible patterns in the development of longhouse architecture and settlement layout, different combinations of material culture and their alterations, and technology transfer on a regional scale.
In order to gain a more complex view of these themes, three micro-regions have been selected around key sites for further study of different vantage points between Lake Balaton and the Dráva/Drava river. The southernmost one is located in the Southern Baranya Hills, the second along the Danube on the northern fringes of the Tolna Sárköz and in the adjacent section of the Sárvíz valley, while the third lies in the central section of the southern shore of Lake Balaton. Field surveys including the systematic collection of surface finds complemented by geomagnetic prospections can contribute significantly to the reconstruction of settlement clusters.
Absolute chronology has become an important research focus due to larger sets of radiocarbon dates interpreted within a Bayesian framework. The two dominant scenarios for the start of the westward expansion of the LBK are hard to harmonise with each other. An approach that estimates the beginning of the process around 5500 cal BC at the latest gains support from a west-central European perspective. In contrast, recent radiocarbon dating programmes with formal modelling of AMS series within a Bayesian framework estimate the appearance of the LBK west of the Carpathian basin hardly before 5350–5300 cal BC. The latter view provides the potential of harmonising the Neolithisation of central Europe with the emergence of the Vinča culture, at least in its northernmost region. Beyond this debate, ancient DNA analyses have enriched the discussions on migration, demic diffusion and the scale of hunter-gatherer contribution to the process with fresh arguments.
•Absolute chronology data for the early stage of Monte Alban.•Archaeomagnetic survey on pottery kilns and fire pits.•Archaeomagnetic age intervals were obtained considering currently available global ...models and local curves.•The dates are consistent with the most important periods of occupation at the site.•The results may indicate that there was also a significant cultural presence in the Early Classic Period.
Aimed to obtain absolute chronology data for the early stage of Monte Alban, magnetic mineralogy and archaeomagnetic investigation were carried out of recently discovered pottery kilns. Oriented samples belong to four rectangular kilns, both single and double chambers, and one fire pit at the piedmont peripherical area. Susceptibility vs. temperature curves show market thermal instability while large pseudo-single domain grains seem to carry the major part of remanence for the kiln sample. Fire pit samples, in contrast, seem to be dominated by antiferromagnetic hematite. Alternating field demagnetization allowed to reach primary, characteristic magnetization components with reasonably well-defined mean archaeodirections. Possible archaeomagnetic age intervals were obtained considering currently available global models and local curves. The dates are consistent with the most important periods of occupation at the site, although the results may indicate that there was also a significant cultural presence in the Early Classic Period. Recently discovered kilns indicate constant manufacture of pottery. Although we cannot currently define the intensity of production, we believe that pottery could be a specialized activity in peripherical areas of Monte Alban to exchange ceramics or for its local consumption. Consequently, we propose that the piedmont area was an economically autonomous community whose inhabitants dedicated themselves to various tasks throughout their occupation.
•Radiocarbon dating of two consecutive settlements, Chalcolithic, present-day Bulgaria.•Short-lived remains / grains versus timber; radiocarbon data limits and correlations.•Generating of sub-sample ...populations; their role in assessing absolute chronology.
The main aim of the recent research of the Prehistoric Tell at the village of Ivanovo, Shumen District is to clarify the complex stratigraphy and cultural history of the site, one of the 83 Prehistoric settlements unearthed in this region of present-day Bulgaria. To solve the particular situation of two horizons, we used conventional research, such as observations on the stratigraphy and the main characteristics of the pottery, and radiocarbon dating method. The paper focuses on radiocarbon dating of two consecutively existing superimposed buildings – Building 1 from horizon VIII (1/VIII) and Building 2 from horizon VII (2/VII). Even if all samples were initially characterized by the nature of archaeological material and by their calibrated ages, the laboratory strategy finally chose only a few data for refining relative chronology and gain a better understanding of the stratigraphy. The use of the OxCal program functions allowed the selection and combination of reliable radiocarbon data and the establishment of an objective criteria demonstrating the chronological succession of the two constructions and why they cannot be considered contemporary.
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