Stable Isotope and Radiocarbon Analysis for Diet, Climate and Mobility Reconstruction in Agras (Early Iron Age) and Edessa (Roman Age), Northern Greece

In this article we present an isotopic analysis of human bone collagen (δ13Ccol, and δ15Ncol) and bone apatite (δ13C) for diet reconstruction, as well as δ18Oap of human bone apatite for climate reconstruction, using samples from Northern Greece. Radiocarbon dating analysis was conducted on three of the Agras samples and the results (from 1000 to 800 BC) correspond to the Early Iron Age. Isotopic values for δ13Ccol range from −20.5‰ to −16‰ and for δ15Ncol from 6‰ to 11.1‰—a strong indication of a C3-based diet, with contributions by C4 and freshwater fish elements. The results were compared to the ones from Roman Edessa, and Alexandreia (a contemporary city near Edessa), as well as to other Early Iron sites in Greece and wider Europe. In general, the results from Agras are in good agreement with the results from Northern Greece, with the exception of the Makriyalos site, and are quite close to those of Croatia’s and Hungary’s sites. Additionally, from the δ18Oap results we calculated the oxygen isotopic composition of consumed water for Agras (from −9.6‰ to −10.9‰) and for Roman Edessa (from −9.6‰ to −11.2‰) for the palaeoclimate and palaeomobility reconstruction.

HOARD OF ANTONINIANI FROM THE SOUTHERN POBUZHIA

In autumn 2009, 33 whole and 3 fragmented аntoniniani were discovered and collected within the object of the Late Roman Age - Pereginka (Balakiri)2. According to available information, mostly the coins were concentrated in a limited area with sides of about 15 by 10 meters, and only a few ones were spread by plowing equipment at a distance of up to 30 meters. The distribution of coins and the general state of preservation suggests the collected аntoniniani may have been a part of the deposit, which lay at a depth of 25-40 cm, and was made on the day surface due to the use of more powerful attachments that is used in recent years in the cultivation of agricultural land. In the following years, another five whole and three fragmented аntoniniani were found. The total number of discovered coins is 44 copies. Chronologically, the complex is determined by the lower date – 238 A.D. – the issues of Gordian III: «IOVI CONCERVATORI» and «PROVIDENTIA AVG»; and the upper – 251-253 A.D. – the issues of Trebonianus Gallus «PIETAS AVGG» and Voluzian «PAX AVGG». The chronological framework of the complex's emissions is a relatively short period – about 15 years. The complex became the first fixed and attributed deposit of аntoniniani in the forest-steppe zone of South-Eastern Europe and it is extremely important for understanding the processes of formation of Chernyakhiv culture, as well as, further analysis and development of socio-economic relations of the Roman Empire and «Barbarian» communities in the east of the Danube Limes line. At the same time, the limited source base makes no sense to draw any conclusions about the ethnicity or social status of the deposit holder, as well as about possible ways of entering аntoniniani from the complex Perehinka (Balakiri) 2 on the territory of the Ukrainian Forest-Steppe. To receive conditions close to reality it is possible under the condition of detectiono of the closed complex (or its additional inspection) at carrying out full-fledged archeological researches of the given object. Undoubtedly, one can declare working hypotheses: the аntoniniani came here as prey captured by the «barbarians» during the fighting of 247-251 A.D.; or as a part of the ransom payments promised by Trebonianus Gallus to the «barbaric» tribal or military elite. It can be assumed that the аntoniniani belonged to one of the soldiers of the legions stationed in Moesia, who rebelled and joined the coalition of «barbarian» tribes during the «Scythian» wars, we can appeal to the testimony of Zosimus (Zos., I, 28) about a successful campaign of the Roman units in 253 A.D. those were led by Aemilian, during which not only the detachments of «barbarians» led by Kniva were defeated, but also a successful raid was carried out in their land. It is possible to consider assumptions that the complex could be a part of monetary maintenance of the serviceman or the veteran of regular or federal divisions… But – concerning each of the above-stated hypotheses it will be possible to find and express equal argumentation «for» and «against». As with the typology, the deposit is classified as a single-nominal or mixed treasure, as not only denarii but also sesterces and provincial issues are found on the site. We should also pay attention to another key point. The оbject Perehinka (Balakiri) 2, territorially belonging to the upper reaches of the Southern Bug, is located in a region characterized not only by high density and extreme saturation of monuments those belong to the Chernyakhiv culture, but also as one of the main areas its formation. It is here the objects represented by artifacts attesting to their belonging to the early stage of the Chernyakhiv culture are concentrated: Ruzhychanka, Cherneliv-Rusky, Berezhanka, Lepesivka, Luka-Vrublivetska, Chankiv I, and others. If we take into account the chronology of the early stage of Chernyakhiv culture- the so-called «ruzhychanka phase» (according to E. Gorokhovsky) – 230-270 A.D.; the «first phase» (according to I. Bazhan and A. Gay), which are generally synchronized with phase C1 of the Central-European chronological system – 220-260 A.D. – then the complex of аntoniniani from Pereginka (Balakiri)2 can be one of its chronological benchmarks, as an example, and аntoniniani Valerian and Trajan Decius (for Gerenia Etruscilla) in one of the burials of the Chernyakhiv necropolis of Talalayevka (Khrystynivskyi district, Cherkasy region).

Resilience and adaptation to volcanoes in Late Middle Ages in Lipari island (Aeolian, Italy)

Volcanic activity resumed during early Middle Ages times at Lipari following at least 6000 years of quiescence. This phenomenon occurred in a social context that had continuously developed from prehistoric times to the Roman age and was burdened by a demographic crisis that involved the archipelago between the 6th and 11th century AD. The rare archaeological records relating to the 6th - 11th centuries suggest abrupt changes in the population of the islands. The medieval sources are rich in religious and fantastic references to volcanic events linked to Lipari and Vulcano, testifying the uneasy condition for the human communities. This work concerns the resilience and adaptation of the communities to volcanic activity during the Late Middle Ages in Lipari. Starting from 1083 the Aeolian archipelago was involved in a repopulation program, implemented in 1095 by the Constitutum and organized by the Benedictine Monastery with the annexed S. Bartolomeo Cathedral on the castle. From the 13th century the volcanic phenomena, strictly limited to the northern sector of the island, did not interfere as previously with the anthropic activities. The Monastery will be enlarged in the Norman phase during the first half of the 12th century with the construction of the cloister. New historical documents relating to the 1264, report news of fires and land movements on Lipari. Recent age determinations obtained for the obsidian flow of Rocche Rosse at 1220 ± 30 AD (archaeomagnetic dating) and for an obsidian block of the Lami pyroclastic cone at 1243 ± 190 (fission-track dating) allow to define the age of the last phase of activity of the Monte Pilato-Lami-Rocche Rosse complex, and to associate it the events reported on 1264’s historical documents. This work makes in comparison volcanological, archaeological and historical dates and described an updated summary of one of the lesser known phases of the history of the archipelago. The main consequence of the medieval volcanic activity at Lipari caused a clear division of the territory with the population confined in the southeast quadrant, protected to the north by Serra and Monte Rosa which represented a natural orographic barrier.

Geomorphology and Prehistoric Settlements on a Volcanic Island: the Case of Ustica (Palermo, Italy)

This study represents the first attempt to combine the geomorphological characteristics of the island of Ustica with the human settlements that have been established during prehistory, with the purpose of reconstructing the interactions between communities and the natural environment from the Neolithic to the Middle Bronze Age (6th - 1st millennia B.C.). Ustica is a small island in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, visible but far (~55 km) from the northern coast of western Sicily. Its rugged volcanic nature, remodeled and enriched by the sea, offered to the first colonizers a wide repertoire of opportunities and challenges. This island can be treated as an ideal “laboratory” to understand how settlers, taking their first steps towards the foundation of organized communities, were able to seize opportunities or succumb to obstacles. The review of archaeological research until now carried out in Ustica, integrated with geomorphological data and other biogeographical indicators, offers a picture of the prehistory of Ustica in which human presence is continuous and distributed in various sites of the island characterized by different physiographic characteristics. There are phases dominated by the choice of naturally protected sites and phases in which settlements expands on open land, suitable for agricultural use. Where the archaeological evidence is scarce, the geomorphological peculiarities allow us to decipher the vocations and characters of a human settlement. The study leads to an open question: in the Middle Bronze Age, after about five thousand years of uninterrupted habitation of Ustica, which factors, geological, social, or other, induced the early communities to abandon the island, without returning there for about eight centuries, until the Hellenistic-Roman age?

Holocene fluctuations of the Black Sea level and human activities along the south Black Sea coast

Holocene fluctuations of the Black Sea level have played a significant role in the existence of the Black Sea polis-cities. The high sea-level during the Novochernomorian transgression is followed by the Phanagorian regression when the sea level reached its minimum of 3 m below the modern sea level during the antiquity (Roman Age). Then, on the west coast of Mandra Lake the Roman polis Deultum was founded which became a flourishing port. The discrepancy between the low sea level and ancient navigation activity in Mandra Lake is a challenge for further investigations of the Holocene sediments.

Blessings for the sailors. The cult of the Great Gods of Samothrace in the Mediterranean context between the Hellenistic and Roman Ages

The aim of this paper is to underline some cultic features of the cult of the Great Gods of Samothrace, in its development between Hellenistic and Roman Age. In this regard, we analyze the mythological background of this cult, with particular reference to Trojan war and Aeneas saga and the influences on the cultic performances and ideology in Roman age. Our main goal is to show, through an analysis of the different syncretic cults (Dioskuroi, Penates, Lares) and the archaeological data, how the metaphors of sea and sailing influenced the transmission of this soteriological cult in Rome and how these cultural changes represent a weighty argument to demonstrate the very important revolution introduced by the Samothracian cult in the religious thought of classical world.

Artefakty interpretované jako „lékařské nástroje“ z doby železné nebo římské na území dnešní ČR, SR a naddunajské části Dolního Rakouska

The article presents a catalogue of artefacts identified as “medical instruments” of the Iron Age, or the Roman Age, from what is known today as the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the Lower Austria – North of the Danube. A brief overview of the types and the variety of shapes of the artefacts, interpreted as “medical instruments” in the European environment, was presented and a catalogue of artefacts of the Iron Age or the Roman Age, from the territory under examination was compiled. The individual artefacts were critically reviewed, and it was decided whether they could have been used for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

The San Saturnino Basilica (Cagliari, Italy): An Up-Close Investigation about the Archaeological Stratigraphy of Mortars from the Roman to the Middle Ages

The manufacturing technology of historical mortars from the Roman to Medieval period apparently has not undergone evolutions. As reported in the literature, a quality decrease in the raw material occurred after the fall of the Roman Empire. During the Roman Age, the mortars presented the requirements of long durability due to hydraulic characteristics, and in later times, the production has only partially maintained the ancient requirements. To focus on the different production technologies between Roman and Medieval mortar, this research presents the case study of San Saturnino Basilica (Italy), where an archaeological mortar stratigraphy from Roman to Middle Ages is well preserved. An archaeometric characterization was performed to compare the mortars of the Roman period with the mortars of the Medieval period collected from the case-study monument. This comparison was carried out by measuring some physical-mechanical, mineralogical, petrographic and thermal features that give more information about the durability and resistance to mechanical solicitations and weathering. After the characterizations, contrary to what is reported in the bibliography, a better quality of Medieval materials than Roman ones is pointed out. This has been highlighted by higher hydraulicity, mechanical performance, and a more appropriated particle-size distribution of aggregates.

3D Reconstruction of a Roman Bridge in Canosa di Puglia (Italy)

The Roman bridge near Canosa di Puglia (Southern Italy) currently has a very different morphology from the one planned by its builders in the second century AD as part of the program for the construction of the Via Traiana. Although the piers, the abutments and the foundation platea are still preserved from the Roman age, the changes made over the centuries have altered its aspect, forgetting the traces of its monumental past. Starting from the surviving elements and the few available sources, an investigation has been carried out to reconstruct its original structure, thanks to a multidisciplinary and metrological approach and the combined use of aerophotogrammetry and 3D modeling. The usage of these technologies proved to be an essential tool, since they made it possible to carry out a survey otherwise hampered by the bulk of the artifact and the presence of the Ofanto River flowing below. The outcome of this research has led to a reconstruction hypothesis that returns a majestic monument that deserves an adequate place in the panorama of Roman architecture.