Archaeological methods and innovations in the post-Soviet area through eyes of archaeologists

2020 ◽  
pp. 80-88
Author(s):  
Sergii Paliienko
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Archaeological Excavation ◽  
Digital Technique ◽  
Archaeological Methods ◽  
Quality Of Reports ◽  
Soviet Time ◽  
Scientific Technical ◽  
Post War ◽  
Special Computer Program

The history of archaeological method and innovation during the post-war and contemporary periods has been studied not enough in the post-Soviet area. But this topic is actual because at that time achievements of the scientific-technical revolution have been implemented into archaeology. The aim of the article is to study the method of primary data processing (information collection at the time of excavation, an office study of artifacts and preparation of a report on the archaeological excavation) and innovation to this process in the Soviet and post-Soviet archaeology. The research is based on 7 interviews with archaeologists from Kyiv, Moscow and St. Petersburg which have been recorded by the author. On the respondents’ opinion for the last 15 years modern digital technique as digital cameras, GPS and laser tacheometers has been used in the post-Soviet area and non-invasive methods of archaeological research have spread at the last time. In the USSR field lists of artifacts were filled manually at the beginning then it was made by personal computers. An approach to anthropological materials selection has been changed since the Soviet time and cooperation with natural scientists has been widespread in the field. Since 1970s Soviet archaeologists have made attempts to create data bases. Initially matrix tables were used for this then it was realized by computers. These works were provided in Moscow and Kyiv but the progress was made only after appearance of modern PC. A special computer program has been developed for burial sites of the Bronze Age which is in use till now. In the Soviet time the quality of reports on the archaeological excavation depended on funding and other sources of researchers and research establishments. And the most difficult work was preparation of field drawings for final reports. PCs were in use for working with texts at the beginning and after some time for processing of graphic materials. It made the archaeologists’ work simpler. Today modern technologies help to fix artifacts better in the field and to process primary data. But there are problems with comparison of results because of different equipment status of scholars. Moreover, one respondent expresses an idea that computers have made work easier but they have not led to a revolutionary breakthrough directly in archaeology.

Styles and principles in archaeological publication: Chester reviewed

Antiquity ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 63 (240) ◽  
pp. 536-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Millett
Keyword(s):  
Primary Data ◽  
Archaeological Excavation ◽  
Hard Choice

Big urban excavation campaigns are not easy to publish. The quantity of primary data is overwhelming and, even when only the essentials are published, a hard choice has to be made. By period? By area? By theme? In whole volumes? Or slice-by-slice in instalments or ‘fascicles’? The issues are here explored in reviewing a batch of publications from Chester, in the series, ‘Excavations at Chester: Grosvenor Museum Archaeological Excavation and Survey Reports’.

scholarly journals Excavation of a Bronze Age kerbed cairn at Olcote, Breasclete, Near Calanais, Isle of Lewis

2005 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Neighbour ◽  
Kathleen McSweeney ◽  
Stephen Carter ◽  
Melanie Johnson ◽  
Graeme Warren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Ground Surface ◽  
Single Track ◽  
Archaeological Excavation ◽  
Peat Deposits

An archaeological excavation was carried out by the Centre for Field Archaeology (CFA) from October to December 1995 of a Bronze Age kerbed cairn at Olcote, Breasclete, Isle of Lewis (NGR: NB 2180 3475). The cairn was discovered by CFA during an evaluation of a dense scatter of worked and unworked quartz made by local archaeologists, Margaret and Ron Curtis. The remains lay in the path of the improvement of the single track road through Breasclete. A range of archaeological features and deposits was identified and recorded within the excavation trench. These fell into three groups on stratigraphic grounds: pre-cairn features, including pits, spade or cultivation marks and a buried ground surface; the cairn itself, including inner and outer kerbs, burnt peat deposits, a central cist and other features; and modern deposits which cut the cairn, including post-holes and field drains. Excavation and post-excavation were wholly funded by Historic Scotland.

scholarly journals Post-War Livelihood Development in Batticaloa District, Sri Lanka

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-106
Author(s):  
Suresh Kanesh
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Youth Unemployment ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Development Path ◽  
Stakeholder Perspectives ◽  
Post War ◽  
Basic Infrastructure ◽  
Small Industries

This paper examines the post war livelihood development in Batticaloa district, in the East coast of Sri Lanka. Batticaloa has been ravaged three decades of civil war and end of war the district has been emerging the development path. This paper discusses trends of major livelihood recovery of the district,fishing, agriculture, tourism and financial sector development in the district. Number of developments programmes initiated by the successive governments and international organizations in the district. This study measures the stakeholder perspectives of the livelihood recovery of the district. The study used primary data from more than 200 sample respondents and interviews with relevant stakeholders. The study revealed that major livelihood such as fishing and agriculture improved slightly since end of the war 2009. However, lack of financial support and basic infrastructure hinder the livelihood initiatives. Study further revealed that the absent of small industries or factories in the district causes persistent youth unemployment.

An Early Bronze Age Cremation Cemetery at Beggarwood Lane, Basingstoke, Hampshire

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-35
Author(s):  
Ray Kennedy ◽  
Richard Massey ◽  
Sharon Clough ◽  
Katie Marsden ◽  
E R McSloy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Unknown Function ◽  
Early Bronze Age ◽  
Agricultural Activity ◽  
Archaeological Excavation ◽  
Related Material ◽  
Single Feature ◽  
Plant Remains ◽  
Field Boundaries ◽  
Excavation Area

An archaeological excavation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in February 2016, on land at Beggarwood Lane, Basingstoke, Hampshire. The excavation area was targeted on archaeological features identified by evaluation.<br/> Excavation identified a small Early Bronze Age cremation cemetery, comprising twenty-three pits containing deposits of cremated bone or pyre debris, seven of which were associated with urns. The identified vessels included both collared urn and 'food vessel' types, which are well-represented in cremation cemeteries of this date elsewhere in Hampshire. Cremated human bone was recovered from only nine features, of which three were associated with urns and six were unurned.<br/> Two pits contained possible evidence of post settings, and a small number of undated features had no association with cremation-related material, and were of unknown function.<br/> A single feature, of Roman date, contained a deposit of iron nails which, together with charred plant remains, suggested settlement or agricultural activity in proximity to the site. A number of ditched field boundaries of post-medieval date were identified during the evaluation.<br/> The Early Bronze Age cremation cemetery represents a rare example of its type in southern England, and one of at least regional importance.

The Odessa Museum of Archaeology

1995 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-79
Author(s):  
S.B. Okhotnikov
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Bronze Age ◽  
Middle Ages ◽  
Former Soviet Union ◽  
Ancient History ◽  
Soviet Academy ◽  
Classical Archaeology ◽  
History Of ◽  
Post War ◽  
Second World

AbstractThe Odessa Museum of Archaeology was founded in 1825 by local antiquarians. The museum's collection grew in part due to excavations of classical sites in the region, in part due to gifts and purchases from dealers in classical antiquities. Up to the Second World War the focus of the Museum's activities was classical archaeology. In the post-war period this expanded to include the whole of the ancient history of the region from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages. The museum now houses one of the best collections of Classical Antiquities in the former Soviet Union and the third-ranking Egyptological collection. The museum formed from 1972 part of the Soviet Academy system and undertook fieldwork on the Lower Dniester at Bronze Age sites, as well as at classical sites such as Tyras, Nikonion, the site of the ancient Odessos, and Leuke and medieval sites such as Belgorod.

scholarly journals Early Bronze Age Strata at Tell Ghanem Al-Ali Along the Middle Euphrates in Syria: A Preliminary Report of 14C Dating Results

Radiocarbon ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 383-392
Author(s):  
Toshio Nakamura ◽  
Mitsuo Hoshino ◽  
Tsuyoshi Tanaka ◽  
Hidekazu Yoshida ◽  
Takeshi Saito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Bronze Age ◽  
Preliminary Report ◽  
Early Bronze Age ◽  
Archaeological Excavation ◽  
14C Dating ◽  
Euphrates River ◽  
Age Limit ◽  
Sediment Layers ◽  
Building Level

We collected charcoal fragments during an archaeological excavation at the Tell Ghanem al-Ali site, located on the lowest terrace of the middle Euphrates River, and measured their radiocarbon ages with accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Two trenches, Square-1 and Square-2, were dug on the slope of the tell; 8 building levels were detected in the Square-2 trench. In total, 31 charcoal samples were collected from the 2 trenches, and their calibrated ages ranged from 3100–2900 cal BC at the lowest building level to 2400–2050 cal BC at the uppermost layers of the mound, and concentrated in the period 2650–2450 cal BC. The pottery fragments collected on the surface of the mound before the excavation survey was started, as well as those collected from the sediment layers during the excavation, were assigned on the basis of typological sequences to the Early Bronze Age (EB)-III and EB-IV periods. Thus, the concentrated dates (2650–2450 cal BC) obtained by 14C dating are consistent with the age estimated by archaeological contexts. However, the oldest dates of the lowest level (level-7) go back to 3100–2900 cal BC, and these dates may suggest the existence of the human residence prior to the EB period at the site, and may therefore lead to a revision of the oldest age limit of the EB period currently accepted in the region.

scholarly journals Nery Delgado, Pioneer of Archaeological Excavation Methods at the Casa da Moura Cave (Portugal) in 1879–1880

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
João Luís Cardoso ◽  
Nuno Bicho
Keyword(s):  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Late Nineteenth Century ◽  
Archaeological Excavation ◽  
Contextual Data ◽  
Archaeological Methods ◽  
Late Nineteenth ◽  
3D Information ◽  
Excavation Methods

Nery Delgado was a key figure in the development of archaeological methods applied to prehistoric sites in Portugal within European archaeology at the end of the nineteenth century. He was the first in Europe to use a grid in his 1879–1880 excavation at the Casa da Moura cave (Óbidos, Portugal). The grid divided the cave into twenty-eight sectors excavated independently and, in each, all archaeological and bioanthropological finds were documented and marked with labels recording depth and excavation units. The 3D information obtained by Nery Delgado features among late nineteenth-century attempts at recording contextual data, a precursor of archaeological methods of data gathering that are used worldwide today. Nery Delgado was, thus, a pioneer of contemporary archaeological excavation methods.

scholarly journals HISTORY OF GLASS-MAKING FROM ANCIENT TIMES TO THE LATE 1st - EARLY 2nd MILLENNIUM AD: DISCOVERIES, METHODS AND RESEARCH RESULTS PART 1. LATE BRONZE AGE

2021 ◽  
pp. 447-465
Author(s):  
О. С. Румянцева
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Asia Minor ◽  
Late Bronze Age ◽  
Glass Making ◽  
Archaeological Methods ◽  
Ancient Glass ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
History Of ◽  
Stage Process

Статья представляет собой обзор итогов ведущих мировых исследований 1990-2010-х гг. в области древнего стеклоделия эпохи поздней бронзы на территории Месопотамии, Египта, Греции и Малой Азии. Особое внимание уделено новым методам и подходам к изучению древнего стеклоделия (исследование концентраций следовых элементов и изотопного состава стекла), позволившим ставить и решать новые задачи при определении происхождения стекла. Согласно их итогам, стеклоделие уже на раннем этапе существования являлось многоэтапным процессом, в котором варка стекла и изготовление из него изделий были двумя специализированными видами ремесла. Для рассмотренного периода существование стекловаренных центров однозначно подтверждается для Египта и Месопотамии, причем в последнем случае ведущую роль в их выделении играют итоги лабораторных исследований, археологическими методами они не фиксируются. Мастерские микенской Греции и Малой Азии работали на привозных полуфабрикатах их Египта и Месопотамии. Выявлены признаки, позволяющие различать стекло, сваренное в Египте и различных центрах Месопотамии. The paper provides an overview of key world studies conducted in the 1990s-2010s on ancient glass-making in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Asia Minor during the Late Bronze Age. It focuses on new methods and approaches to the studies of ancient glass-making (examination of the concentration of trace elements and the isotopic composition of glass) that offered an opportunity to raise and address new tasks in determining glass provenance. The results of the studies show that, from the very early stage, glass-making was a multi-stage process where melting glass and making glass items were two specialized crafts. For the studied period existence of glass-making centers is reliably established for Egypt and Mesopotamia, in the latter case laboratory studies are of great importance as archaeological methods have not revealed any centers. Glass-making workshops in Mycenaean Greece and Asia Minor used imported raw glass from Egypt and Mesopotamia. Features that can distinguish between the production of Egyptian and Mesopotamian glassmaking centres were singled out.

scholarly journals Chalcolithic and Middle Bronze Age obsidian industries at Karmir Sar: A mountain view on the lithic economies of the Southern Caucasus

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Purschwitz
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
High Ratio ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Secondary Source ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Production Environment ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Middle Bronze Age

The high-altitude site of Karmir Sar is located around 2850 m a.s.l. on the southern slopes of Mt. Aragats (Armenia). Numerous stone structures (including vishaps, cromlechs, stone enclosures) are found all over the 40 ha-sized meadow, out of which three vishaps, four cromlechs and one circular stone structure have been investigated since 2012. According to 14C-dates, pottery and diagnostic lithic artefacts, human presence at Karmir Sar started as early as the Chalcolithic Period and continued (with gaps) until modern times; whereby the Middle Bronze Age (MBA) and the Medieval era represent the most intensive periods of occupation. This contribution presents primary data on the typology and technology of 1129 chipped lithic artefacts that have been excavated in four trenches at Karmir Sar (operations KS A, KS C, KS D, and KS E). This study of the lithic industries of Karmir Sar will be embedded within the framework of lithic economy, which considers lithic artefacts as part of a comprehensive interaction between lithic production and consumption. The lithic economy includes strategies of raw material procurement, blanks production and its transformation into tools, tool use, as well as the circulation of raw materials or products. Due to multiple use episodes and a general lack of clear stratigraphical horizons, the assemblages of Karmir Sar are not suitable to define the lithic industry for specific periods (such as the Chalcolithic or MBA periods). However, the data allows for general conclusions on lithic production and consumption at Karmir Sar, which appears to be quite similar during both periods. The Chalcolithic and MBA lithic economies at Karmir Sar are characterized by an ad hoc tool production environment, which well matches the needs of semi-mobile herder societies. The majority of raw materials appear to be procured from secondary source areas (such as riverbeds) which is indicated by a high ratio of battered and rolled surfaces. Tools are predominantly produced on-site, and according to daily demands by simple flake core technology. This allowed for a flexible, spontaneous blank and tool production without being dependent on specialized blade producers.

scholarly journals Bronze Age and Iron Age Archaeology at Thainstone Business Park, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire

2021 ◽  
Vol 95 ◽  
pp. 1-39
Author(s):  
Sue McGalliard ◽  
Donald Wilson ◽  
Laura Bailey ◽  
H E M Cool ◽  
Gemma Cruickshanks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Material Culture ◽  
Bronze Age ◽  
Iron Age ◽  
Late Bronze Age ◽  
Archaeological Excavation ◽  
Commercial Development ◽  
Middle Bronze Age ◽  
Age Structures

Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd was commissioned by Axiom Project Services to undertake an archaeological excavation in advance of a commercial development at Thainstone Business Park, Aberdeenshire. Excavation identified the remains of a Middle Bronze Age roundhouse and a contemporary urned cremation cemetery. Evidence of Late Bronze Age cremation practices was also identified. A large roundhouse and souterrain dominated the site in the 1st or 2nd century ad. Material culture associated with the Iron Age structures suggested a degree of status to the occupation there.

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