Approaching daily life at Late Palaeolithic camps: The case of Lubrza 10, Western Poland

2020 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-333
Author(s):  
Iwona Sobkowiak-Tabaka ◽  
Aleksandr Diachenko
Keyword(s):  
Daily Life ◽  
Site Formation ◽  
Site Formation Processes ◽  
The North ◽  
Locational Analysis ◽  
Research Procedure ◽  
Sandy Sediments ◽  
Integrative Social ◽  
Late Palaeolithic

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to develop a systematic approach to understanding daily life at Late Palaeolithic camps and identifying its impact on broader site formation processes. Late Palaeolithic contexts are often poorly preserved, especially those found in the sandy sediments of the North European Plain. However, taphonomic obstacles may be overcome through the introduction of spatial statistics into research procedures. We illustrate our approach using a case study of Federmesser and Swiderian campsites at the site of Lubrza 10, Western Poland. The locational analysis of hearths, features that constitute the most important integrative social foci of Palaeolithic camps, provides information on activity areas, seasonality and occupational duration. Additionally, we examine the function of spatially distinct artefact concentrations and their methods of aggregation. The presented research procedure enables us to trace the contribution of individuals to group behaviour, as well as specific individual activities at both camps.

Surface site‐formation processes in northern Tierra del Fuego (Argentina): A case study of the Amalia 4 Site

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-33
Author(s):  
Jimena Oría ◽  
Mónica Salemme ◽  
Martín Vázquez ◽  
Valeria Bártoli ◽  
Ramiro López
Keyword(s):  
Tierra Del Fuego ◽  
Site Formation ◽  
Site Formation Processes ◽  
Formation Processes ◽  
Surface Site

Ancient Town and City Sites: A View from the Microscope

1989 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 564-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arlene Miller Rosen
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Iron Age ◽  
Food Preparation ◽  
Site Formation ◽  
Site Formation Processes ◽  
Formation Processes ◽  
And Storage ◽  
Activity Areas

Archaeological studies concerned with reconstructing activity areas, room functions, and site-formation processes can benefit greatly from analyses of the microartifacts found on and within occupation surfaces. These remains are often primary refuse directly related to activities, and can be used to identify such locations as food-preparation areas, flint-knapping stations, and storage facilities. In addition, certain microartifacts are informative about site-formation processes. For example, the grain-size distribution of charcoal may be indicative of primary vs. secondary refuse, high percentages of corroded and crushed bone from scavenger feces may indicate locations of secondary refuse, and many small sherds could point to heavily trampled areas. A case study from the Iron Age city site of Tel Miqne-Ekron in central Israel demonstrates the use of microarchaeology at a complex sedentary site.

scholarly journals Analysing Deposition and Site Formation Processes in Medieval Cess Pits Using Bone Fragmentation

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily V. Johnson ◽  
Hayley Forsyth-Magee ◽  
Ian Hogg
Keyword(s):  
Surface Modifications ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Site Formation ◽  
Site Formation Processes ◽  
Formation Processes ◽  
Specific Research ◽  
Animal Bone ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Urban Contexts

Signatures of animal bone fragmentation have huge potential for understanding deposition and archaeological site formation processes, yet they are scarcely studied, especially in medieval urban contexts. Archaeological investigations at 1–5 Benjamin Street, Farringdon uncovered a number of medieval cess pits and other contexts associated with the Hospitaller Priory of St John of Jerusalem. The well-preserved zooarchaeological assemblage from these contexts was deemed an excellent case study for in-depth bone fragmentation analysis to both test and display the utility of the method at this type of site. The analysis revealed that material from the lowest fills of the cess pits differed from the upper fills in that fragmentation was more intensive. Based on the size and weight of fragments, and surface modifications related to burning and taphonomy, we postulate that floor and hearth sweepings were occasionally deposited in the cess pits whilst they were in use. This material was likely further fragmented when cess pits were periodically emptied. Faunal specimens in the upper fills have different fragmentation and taphonomic signatures and more likely relate to opportunistic refuse deposition or capping after the use of the cess pits. This analysis shows the archaeological potential of this approach when aligned with specific research questions concerning deposition.

scholarly journals North American grooved-axe replication: A taphonomic experiment in central Connecticut

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Swieton
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
Stone Tool ◽  
Site Formation ◽  
Site Formation Processes ◽  
Formation Processes ◽  
The North ◽  
Ground Stone ◽  
Experimental Analogue ◽  
Technological Stage ◽  
Wear Damage

Taphonomic experiments in lithic technology have been used to understand many facets of the archaeological record including site-formation processes, artifact displacement, and wear damage. The North American grooved-axe - an artifact type of which little technological attention has been given in the literature - is examined as a case study for a taphonomic experiment conducted in Central Connecticut. The use of an actualistic taphonomic experiment is used to generate an analogous experimental signature for archaeological grooved-axe manufacturing areas in North America. More specifically, the taphonomic experiment is used here to see if the isolated technological stage of impaction is archaeologically visible before short-term formation processes affect the manufacturing area in question. Impaction is a ground stone tool manufacturing technique that is otherwise known as pecking or hammer-dressing. Hypothesized archaeological traces of impaction include the recovery of flakes with macroscopic impaction wear and a lens of impaction slurry that is both visibly and texturally distinct. In addition to generating an experimental analogue for grooved-axe impaction, the replicative dimension of the taphonomic experiment is used to informally assess the plausibility of certain technological decisions in axe manufacture. Here, the use of quartzite impaction tools and expedient anvils in the production of North American grooved-axes are scrutinized.

Site formation processes in loess areas: A case study from moravany-žakovska, western slovakia

1995 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 237-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ladislav Bánesz ◽  
Josef Hromada ◽  
Janusz Kozlowski ◽  
Krzysztof Sobczyk ◽  
Maciej Pawlikowski
Keyword(s):  
Site Formation ◽  
Site Formation Processes ◽  
Formation Processes

A Prehistoric Ford near Rough Castle, Falkirk

2001 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-103
Author(s):  
JAMIE HAMILTON ◽  
CIARA CLARKE ◽  
ANDREW DUNWELL ◽  
RICHARD TIPPING
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mining ◽  
Pollen Analysis ◽  
Site Formation ◽  
Site Formation Processes ◽  
Formation Processes ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Small Stream ◽  
Mining Project ◽  
First Millennium

This report presents the results of the excavation of a stone ford laid across the base of a small stream valley near Rough Castle, Falkirk. It was discovered during an opencast coal mining project. Radiocarbon dates and pollen analysis of deposits overlying the ford combine to indicate a date for its construction no later than the early first millennium cal BC. Interpreting this evidence was not straightforward and the report raises significant issues about site formation processes and the interpretation of radiocarbon and pollen evidence. The importance of these issues extends beyond the rarely investigated features such as fords and deserve a larger place in the archaeological literature.

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