The 2010 Cumberland River Survey Emergency Survey and Archaic Shell Site Composition in the Western Middle Cumberland River Valley

2019 ◽  
pp. 42-55
Author(s):  
Tanya M. Peres ◽  
Aaron Deter-Wolf
Keyword(s):  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
River Valley ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
New Information ◽  
Significant Damage ◽  
History Of ◽  
Cumberland River ◽  
Site Disturbance ◽  
Molluscan Species

Over three days beginning in the early morning of May 1, 2010, heavy storms caused severe flooding and riverbank erosion along portions of the Cumberland River throughout Middle Tennessee. That event caused significant damage to numerous prehistoric archaeological sites, and resulted in substantial looting of newlyuncovered site deposits and subsequent shoreline assessments of 128 previously recorded prehistoric sites along 67.5 river miles of the Cumberland River between Cheatham and Old Hickory Dams, as well as sampling of selected, highly endangered deposits. As a result of the emergency river survey, investigators were able to collect significant new data regarding the composition of nine shell-bearing Archaic sites along the Cumberland River in the western Middle Cumberland River Valley of Tennessee. Those include new information regarding site composition and the collection of radiocarbon samples. This chapter describes the history of archaeological site disturbance in the region and summarizes the findings of the post-flood survey as they relate to molluscan species composition of Archaic shell-bearing sites in the region.

scholarly journals Multitemporal–Multispectral UAS Surveys for Archaeological Research: The Case Study of San Vincenzo Al Volturno (Molise, Italy)

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 2719
Author(s):  
Nicodemo Abate ◽  
Alessia Frisetti ◽  
Federico Marazzi ◽  
Nicola Masini ◽  
Rosa Lasaponara
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ages ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Medieval Art ◽  
Archaeological Data ◽  
History Of ◽  
Close Range ◽  
Low Altitude

Unmanned aerial vehicles are currently the most used solution for cultural heritage in the field of close range and low altitude acquisitions. This work shows data acquired by multitemporal and multispectral aerial surveys in the archaeological site of San Vincenzo al Volturno (Molise, Italy). The site is one of the most important medieval archaeological sites in the world. It is a monastic settlement that was particularly rich during the early Middle Ages, and is famous for its two full-frescoed crypts which represent a milestone in the history of medieval art. Thanks to the use of multispectral aerial photography at different times of the year, an area not accessible to archaeological excavation has been investigated. To avoid redundancy of information and reduce the number of data to be analysed, a method based on spectral and radiometric enhancement techniques combined with a selective principal component analysis was used for the identification of useful information. The combination of already published archaeological data and new remote sensing discoveries, has allowed to better define the situation of the abbey during the building phases of the 8th/9th century and 11th century, confirming and adding new data to the assumptions made by archaeologists.

scholarly journals Archaeological Sites of the Middle Kiya River: History of Discoveries and Study Prospects

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 648-663
Author(s):  
A. S. Savelieva ◽  
P. V. German ◽  
I. A. Plats ◽  
L. Yu. Bobrova
Keyword(s):  
River Valley ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
South Siberia ◽  
History Of ◽  
The 1950S ◽  
Xix Century ◽  
The City

The article introduces some information about the expeditionary studies on the archaeological sites located on the banks of the Middle Kiya River valley. The authors believe that the Kiya is one of the main rivers for such important historical and cultural area of South Siberia as the Kiya – Chulym interfluve. The expeditionary studies have been conducted here since the late XIX century; however, professional archaeological studies began as late as in the 1950s. The paper describes the excavations conducted by A. I. Martynov, G. S. Martynova, I. I. Baukhnik, A. M. Kilemzin, A. V. Tsirkin, A. P. Okladnikov, V. I. Molodin, V. V. Bobrov, A. S. Vasyutin, V. N. Zharonkin, P. V. German, A. V. Fribus, and P. G. Sokolov. It focuses on the carefully planned excavations conducted on the banks of the middle forest-steppe part of the Kiya River valley. Seven expeditions discovered eighty previously unknown archaeological sites. While performing the historiographic mapping of archaeological sites, the authors took into account the type of artifact and the type of archaeological study. The authors analyzed the localization of the archeological sites near the villages of Shestakovo and Chumay and the city of Mariinsk published by A. M. Kulemzin and I. I. Baukhnik and compared them with the results of the mapping. They defined the territory as a single Middle-Kiya archaeological microdistrict that includes the archaeological complexes of Shestakovo, Chumay, and Archekas (Mariinsk). The article also includes some preliminary ideas about the types of archaeological studies, as well as typological and chronological description of the monuments.

scholarly journals Sites of archaeology in Ulvivok and its surroundings in the research of Lviv scientists

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 337-361
Author(s):  
Dmytro Pavliv
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Iron Age ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Large River ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Archaeological Heritage ◽  
History Of ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Xix Century ◽  
The Village

The old village of Ulvivok, located above the Bug River in Sokal district, Lviv region, is extremely rich with archaeological sites. Relief, favourable for living, fertile soils, large river have contributed to appearing of human settlements on this area since ancient times. This fact is witnessed by finds of numerous archaeological artifacts near Ulvivok and discovery of significant archaeological sites – cemeteries and settlements, which have an interesting history of research since the late XIX century and till nowadays, associated with many famous Lviv scientists. An important role in the preservation and study of local archaeological finds was played by Dzieduszycki Museum. The first references to finds from Ulvivok and the surrounding villages – Horodylovychi, Stargorod, Skomorokhy and Telyazh – are found at the works of local historian B. Sokalski and geologist A. Lomnitcki, published in 1899. J. Nykorovych – the owner of the village and amateur archaeologist contributed noticeably preservation and research of sites during XIX – beginning of XX century. The first extensive exploration in Ulvivok in 1923 was conducted by archaeologist and local historian, guardian of the prehistoric monuments of Lviv district B. Janusz, who discovered a tomb of Globular Amphorae culture and part of the burials of the most famous archaeological sites near Ulvivok – inhumation cemetery from the end of Bronze Age of “Ulvivok-Rovantsi type”. The same cemetery was investigated in 1931 by archaeologist T. Sulimirski, who published the results of excavations. Local archaeological finds were studied by famous Ukrainian archaeologist J. Pasternak, J. Bryk, K. Żurowski, J. Dąmbrowski, I. Sveshnikov, L. Krushelnytska. Nowadays, the exploration work was conducted by N. Wojceschuk, surveys in Ulvivok, Horodylovychi, Stargorod and excavation of Early Iron Age site were carried out by D. Pavliv. At least 14 archaeological sites (8 settlements and 6 cemeteries) and about 100 individual finds have been found on the territory of the village and surrounding area. This territory on the western part of Ukraine is extremely rich with archaeological sites of almost all epochs. It is witnessed by the great historical importance of this region and requires continuation of professional archaeological examinations and protective actions for the preservation of archaeological heritage. Key words: Ulvivok, archaeological site, Lviv scientists, Globular Amphorae culture, burial complex of Ulvivok-Rovantsi type.

scholarly journals Sedimentary Landscape of Mun Valley Prehistoric Site: Construction History of Moated Site of Ban Non Wat, Northeast Thailand

Quaternary ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Nelum Kanthilatha ◽  
William Boyd ◽  
Nigel Chang
Keyword(s):  
Social Activity ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Anthropogenic Activity ◽  
Particle Analysis ◽  
Northeast Thailand ◽  
Human Occupation ◽  
History Of ◽  
Cultural Layers ◽  
Archaeological Sediments

This research examines the sedimentological evidence of human occupation on different cultural layers at the prehistoric archaeological sites in northeast Thailand. This study focuses on the sedimentological characters of stratigraphic layers identified at the prehistoric occupation sites of Ban Non Wat and Nong Hua Raet, to demonstrate the capacity of such analyses to elucidate the modification of sediments by past anthropogenic activity, and eventually to contribute to an enhanced understanding of the behaviour of ancient people. The primary intention of this paper is, therefore, to point out potential uses of particle analysis in identifying human–landscape interventions, testing whether meaningful differentiation is possible, and if not, whether this may nevertheless be used to understand the sedimentological relationships between different features. The study finds that although there is relatively little differentiation between sediments across the archaeological site, some insight is possible in identifying relationships between the natural sediments of the floodplain, the channels associated with the archaeological sites, and the archaeological sediments themselves. It is, for example, now possible to raise new questions regarding the construction history of the sites, the history of human behaviour at these sites, socio-spatial relationships between paleo-social activity and natural resources, and fine-scale landscape associations between sites.

scholarly journals Using Debitage Analysis to Investigate an Alberta Archaeological Site

COMPASS ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Hallson
Keyword(s):  
Raw Materials ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Late Prehistoric ◽  
Aggregate Analysis ◽  
New Information ◽  
Lithic Artifacts ◽  
Field Schools

Ahai Mneh (FiPp-33) is a significant pre-contact archaeological site in Alberta. Located west of Edmonton on Lake Wabamun, this site contains material from the Early Prehistoric right up until Late Prehistoric pre-contact times. Ninety-five percent of the lithic artifacts collected are pieces of debitage. Aggregate analysis is a method of examining the whole of the debitage collection, rather than analysing singular pieces. This method is more time efficient, less subject to bias, replicable, and is used often, and successfully, at archaeological sites with immense quantities of debitage. Here I use aggregate analysis to examine the debitage assemblage from two field schools at Ahai Mneh. I investigate various characteristics such as size, raw material type, cortex amount, and number of dorsal scars. I argue that this method is successful, as it provided new information on where people were acquiring raw materials, as well as what types of flintknapping occurred at this site. These analyses resulted in the determination of a focus on local raw material, yet this material was being brought to the site as prepared cores or blanks, rather than complete unaltered cores. Tool production was the focus at this site, and this trend continued throughout time.

London in the Roman World

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic Perring
Keyword(s):  
Late Antiquity ◽  
Urban Infrastructure ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
The North ◽  
North Side ◽  
New Information ◽  
History Of ◽  
Military Campaigns ◽  
The City ◽  
Narrative Account

This original study draws on the results of latest discoveries to describe London’s Roman origins. It presents a wealth of new information from one of the world’s most intensively studied archaeological sites, introducing many original ideas concerning London’s economic and political history. The archaeological discoveries are used to build a narrative account that explains how recent investigations in London challenge our understanding of the ancient world. The Roman city was probably converted from a fort built on the north side of London Bridge at the time of the Roman conquest, and is the place where the emperor Claudius arrived en route to claim his victory in AD 43. It was rebuilt as the commanding site for Rome’s rule of Britain. A history of social, architectural, and economic development is reconstructed from precise tree-ring dating, and used to show that investment in the urban infrastructure was provoked by the needs of military campaigns and political strategies. The story also shows how the city suffered violent destruction in resistance to Roman rule, and was brought to the verge of collapse by pandemics and political insecurity in the second and third centuries. These events had a critical bearing on the reforms of late antiquity, from which London emerged as a defended administrative enclave. Always a creature of the centralized Roman administration, and largely dependent on colonial immigration, the city was subsequently deserted when Rome failed to maintain political control. This ground-breaking study brings new information and arguments drawn from urban archaeology to our study of the way in which Rome ruled, and how empire failed.

scholarly journals Photogrammetric Measurement of Erosion at the Sabbath Point Beothuk Site in Central Newfoundland, Canada

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7555
Author(s):  
James Williamson ◽  
Ionut Cristi Nicu
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Digital Elevation Models ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
River Valley ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Archaeological Research ◽  
Grass Gis ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Photogrammetric Measurement

Erosion at archaeological sites in Central Newfoundland, Canada is a major concern, which is compounded by the fact that there has been a dearth of archaeological research in this region. While more than 70 house pits are known, very few excavations have examined whole features in the Exploits River Valley (ERV), and the archaeology of many has not been examined yet. The aim of this study is to examine the rate of erosion at the Sabbath Point house pit, a recently recorded archaeological site, located on the bank of Red Indian Lake (RIL), and to describe a low-cost methodology for analysing site level bank changes. This site is particularly important, as it represents an example of a late Beothuk residential feature about lifeways practiced in this region. The surveys employed here were carried out using image-based modelling. GRASS GIS was used to measure the diachronic difference between bank edges. The Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) were then compared, and the differences were measured using a transect based method. The erosion measurement has shown that Sabbath Point is in danger of being completely eroded. This shows that a salvage excavation program covering the entire feature is necessary within the next few years, as the feature itself will begin to erode.

Gazing upon the Invisible: Women and Children at the Old Baton Rouge Penitentiary

2000 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Connie H. Nobles
Keyword(s):  
Material Culture ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Careful Analysis ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Archaeological Investigation ◽  
The Public ◽  
History Of ◽  
Women And Children ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
Historic Document

AbstractThis research involves analysis of two works related to the same archaeological site. The archaeologists’ unconscious exclusion of information found in their scholarly report resulted in a public booklet that tells only part of the history of this site. A third historic document supplements this comparison and provides detailed information relevant to this analysis. Professional archaeologists interact with the public on multiple levels and their connections with education and curricula are established through their writings as well as more deliberate and obvious choices. Increasing levels of consciousness and recognition of responsibility to public education could result in more careful analysis of material culture, interpretation, and choices for all works involving archaeological sites. Foucault (in Gordon 1980) discussed the inclusion of hidden ruses and discourses about decisions, regulations, and strategies pertaining to particular institutions. Using the work of critical theorists, these issues are interwoven to examine this archaeological investigation with connections to the past through patterns that still pervade today.

A New View of the Shell-Bearing Archaic in the Middle Cumberland River Valley

2019 ◽  
pp. 167-184
Author(s):  
Tanya M. Peres ◽  
Aaron Deter-Wolf
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
River Valley ◽  
Regional Culture ◽  
Green River ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Cumberland River ◽  
And Function ◽  
Molluscan Species ◽  
Cultural Features

While Archaic shell-bearing sites along the coastal margins of the southeastern United States have been the subject of multi-year investigations, interior riverine shell-bearing sites have, with the exception ofCarlstonAnnis on the Green River in Kentucky, garnered only limited study. Nevertheless, the combined data from coastal and interior shell-bearing sites have led to broad regional interpretations of the Shell Mound Archaic and debate between archaeologists about site construction and function. Archaic shell-bearing sites in the southeastern United States vary widely in terms of chronologies, horizontal and vertical structure, the types of cultural features they contain, and molluscan species composition. This has led to a growing realization that Archaic shell-bearing sites cannot—or should not—be lumped into a single pan-regional culture and that the “mound vs. midden” debate presents an interpretive logjam that does not satisfactorily address local and regional variations. The specific chronologies and composition of Archaic shell-bearing sites in the Middle Cumberland River Valley of Middle Tennessee constitute a unique regional phenomenon distinct from other interior riverine sites lumped within the Shell Mound Archaic paradigm.

EVIDENCE FOR SLINGSTONES AND RELATED PROJECTILE STONE USE BY THE ANCIENT MAYA OF THE USUMACINTA RIVER VALLEY REGION

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Alejandra Roche Recinos ◽  
Omar Alcover Firpi ◽  
Ricardo Rodas
Keyword(s):  
River Valley ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Ancient Maya ◽  
Present Evidence ◽  
Artifact Analysis ◽  
River Region ◽  
History Of ◽  
New Evidence

Abstract In this study, we present evidence for the use of slingstones and other projectile stones among the ancient Maya peoples of the Usumacinta River region. Rounded stones are frequently found across Maya archaeological sites and are given a range of interpretations, including objects for flintknapping, cooking, ritual, divination, and less often as weapons. Here we provide new evidence for the identification of rounded stones as weapons based on their morphology as well as their context of recovery. We employ data from the sites of Macabilero, Guatemala, and Budsilha, Mexico, which strongly suggest rounded stones at these sites were manufactured to be used as weapons. These findings have implications for how we understand warfare and hunting in ancient Mesoamerica and inform our interpretation of how the Maya prepared for such activities. As a class of weapon potentially accessible to most members of Maya society, the results presented here show the importance of more inclusive perspectives on Maya warfare and the necessity of contextualizing artifact analysis within the occupation history of the broader site and region.

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