RECONSTRUCTING MESOLITHIC SOCIAL NETWORKS ON THE IBERIAN PENINSULA USING ORNAMENTS

Archaeologists have been reconstructing interactions among hunter-gatherer populations for a long time. These exchanges are reflected in the movements of raw materials and symbolic objects which are found far from their original sources. A social network, i.e., the structure constituted by these interactions, is a well-established concept in archaeology that is used to estimate the connectivity of hunter-gatherer populations. The heuristic potential of formal network analysis, however, has been scarcely exploited in prehistoric hunter-gatherer archaeology. In this work, we use Social Network Analysis to analyse the interactions among hunter-gatherers on the Iberian Peninsula in the Early and Late Mesolithic (10.200 to 7600 cal BP). Ornaments are accepted markers of non-utilitarian mobility and exchange. We thus used ornaments as proxies for social interaction and constructed one network for each phase of the Iberian Mesolithic. We applied three levels of analysis: first, we characterised the overall structure of the networks. Second, we performed node-level analysis to uncover the most relevant nodes in each network. Finally, we conducted an exploratory analysis of the networks’ spatial characteristics. No significant differences were found between the overall network topology of the Early and Late Mesolithic. This suggests that the interaction patterns among human groups did not change significantly on the Iberian Peninsula. Moreover, the spatial analysis showed that most interactions between human groups took place over distances under 300 km, but that specific ornament types such as C. rustica and Trivia sp. were distributed over more extensive distances. To summarise, our findings suggest that Iberian Mesolithic social networks were maintained through a period of environmental, demographic, and cultural transformation. In addition, the interactions took place at different scales of social integration.

ПРОЦЕСС НЕОЛИТИЗАЦИИ НА ТЕРРИТОРИИ ЛЕСНОЙ ПОЛОСЫ

Статья посвящена анализу наиболее изученных культур неолита лесной полосы от Скандинавии и Восточной Прибалтики до Волго-Камья и Приуралья (VII–IV тыс. до н.э.). Для анализа были отобраны следующие признаки неолитического пакета: керамика, шлифованные деревообрабатывающие орудия, долговременные жилища, крупные могильники, святилища и предметы импорта. В ходе исследования были собраны материалы по 16 археологическим культурам региона. В результате были выделены наиболее развитые неолитические культуры лесной полосы, с учетом данных, которые существуют насегодняшний день. Помимо этого, были выявлены наиболее часто встречающиеся признаки: керамика и шлифованные деревообрабатывающие орудия. Редким признаком является наличие святилищ. Были сделаны выводы об уровне развития исследуемых культур. Библиографические ссылки Выборнов А.А. Неолит степного-лесостепного Поволжья и Прикамья. Дисс. ... докт. истор. наук. СаВыборнов А.А. Неолит степного-лесостепного Поволжья и Прикамья. Дисс. ... докт. истор. наук. Самара, 2009. 393 с. Карманов В.Н. Неолит европейского Северо-Востока. Сыктывкар: Коми научный центр УрО РАН, 2008. 226 с. Лычагина Е.Л. Неолит Верхнего и Среднего Прикамья. Дисс... докт. ист. наук. Пермь, 2019. 632 с. Назарова А.Ю. Проявление признаков неолитического пакета на территории лесной полосы в VII – IV тыс. до н.э. // Археология Евразийских степей. 2020. №5. С. 69–76. Назарова А.Ю. Сравнение неолитического пакета культур Восточной Прибалтики и Скандинавии // LIII Урало-Поволжская археологическая конференция студентов и молодых ученых (УПАСК, 1-3 февраля 2021 г.): материалы Всероссийской научно-практической конференции студентов, аспирантов и молодых ученых. / Отв. ред. А.А. Евгеньев. Оренбург: ОГПУ, 2021. С. 42-44 Неолит Северной Евразии / Археология СССР / Отв.ред. С.В. Ошибкина. М.: Наука, 1996. 380 с. Никитин В.В. Итоги изучения каменного века в Марийском Поволжье // Поволжская Археология. №3 (21). 2017. С. 168–189. Ошибкина С.В. Понятие о неолите // Неолит Северной Евразии. / Археология СССР / Отв. ред. С.В. Ошибкина. М.: Наука, 1996, С. 6–10. Kriiska A., Oras E., Lõugas L., Meadows J., Lucquinand A., Craig O. E. Late Mesolithic Narva Stage in Estonia: pottery, settlement types and chronology // Estonian Journal of Archaeology. 2017. No 1 (21). P. 52–86. Nordqvist, K., 2018. The Stone Age of north-eastern Europe 5500-1800 calBC. Bridging the gap between the East and the West. Academic dissertstion. Acta Universitatis Ouluensis. B Humanitaria 160. 2018. 164 p. Raemaekers D. Ertebolle and Swifterbant a comparison of attitudes // Anthropologie et Prehistoire. 1998. № 109. P. 155–161.

Cremation Burials of Stone Age Hunter-Gatherers on the European Plain

Cremation burials of Stone Age hunter-gatherers were found at 21 sites across the European Plain (including southern Scandinavia). In total, there are 54 graves and deposits containing bones of at least 89 individuals. Sites with Mesolithic cremations are unevenly spread over the European Plain and there are some regions where this type of burial was more common, such as the Seine Valley and the Low Countries, southern Scandinavia or north-eastern Poland. In all of these regions, the oldest burials are dated to the Early Mesolithic, which indicates a parallel and independent origin of this custom. Moreover, each region or even cemetery has its own features of the cremation rite. In both the Western European Plain and southern Scandinavia, most burials are dated to the Middle Mesolithic and there are only a few examples linked to the Late Mesolithic. North-eastern Poland, including the Dudka cemetery, is probably the only region where cremation was practised on a wider scale in the Late Mesolithic and para-Neolithic. The share of cremations among all burial types differs between regions and cemeteries. It was probably a dominant practice in the Middle Mesolithic in the Netherlands. In other cases, cremation probably involved a large part of the local hunter-gatherer society, for instance at the Dudka cemetery in Masuria or in the Middle Mesolithic of Vedbæk Fiord (Zealand), whereas at the cemeteries in Skateholm it amounted to only a few percent, suggesting that it was practised in the case of the deceased of particular status or in unusual circumstances only.

The Essence of Stone: Making Axes during the Late Mesolithic in Södertörn in East Central Sweden

Greenstone axes produced during the Late Mesolithic in east central Sweden are notoriously dissimilar. Each axe appears to have been given its own special charac- teristics. These axes were not made into a certain shape by following a technological template. In this article, the authors present the interpretation that people believed the form of an axe was already present in the stone se- lected for work. Making axes was about releasing es- sential forms from stones. The essence of stone effec- tively determined the appearance the axe was destined to have. This is the reason that axes in the region have such variable appearances.

Vuollerim - Six Thousand and Fifteen Years Ago

The theoretical background that led to the discovery and excavation of the Late Mesolithic semi-subterranean dwelling at Vuollerim is presented. This is followed by an interpretation of the social function of the house. A comparison with contemporary dwellings is made and the cultural context of the Vuollerim site is explored. The paper ends with some observations and thoughts concerning the impact that the archaeological discovery in Vuollerim had on its present day inhabitants and how it changed their view of themselves, their history and their future.

Late Atlantic Settlement in Southern Portugal - Results of an excavation of a Mesolithic shell midden by the River Sado

The study of large settlement sites with graves from the Late Mesolithic has changed our conception of this period. In western Europe this kind of antiquity has long been known, and it is well represented in the coastal area of western Iberia. One settlement site —Popas de Sao Bento, near the River Sado in southern Portugal — has recently been excavated as part of a joint Swedish-Portuguese project. The results of the excavation give interesting perspectives on specific and general conditions in a broader geographical, chronological, and social context.

Bone and antler artefacts from the Middle and Late Mesolithic layers of Ivanovskoye 7 in the collection of MAE RAS

A collection of bone artefacts from Mesolithic layers of the site Ivanovskoye 7, excavated by the Upper Volga expedition under direction of M.G. Zhilin was taken for permanent storage by MAE RAS in 2012. Three cultural layers yielded impressive collections of bone and antler artefacts of early, middle and late periods of the Butovo culture. Finds from the bottom layer are already described in detail [Zhilin 2018]. The present article is devoted to publication of bone and antler artefacts from the Middle and Late Mesolithic layers of this site. Further development of traditions of the bone industry of the bottom layer is observed in these layers. At the same time new tool types emerge, and some types of bone and antler artefacts widespread in the bottom layer are absent in the upper layers. Comparison of finds from Mesolithic layers of Ivanovskoye 7 with other peat bog sites of the Butovo culture indicates rather steady development of bone industry. During the whole period of its existence the population of the Butovo culture was equipped with a highly developed set of bone and antler artefacts needed for successful living in the forests of temperate zone. Bone industry of the Late Mesolithic layer of Ivanovskoye 7 found further development in the Early Neolithic Upper Volga culture.

Prehistoric Pendants as Instigators of Sound and Body Movements: A Traceological Case Study from Northeast Europe, c. 8200 cal. bp

In the Late Mesolithic graves of Yuzhniy Oleniy Ostrov, northwest Russia, large numbers of Eurasian elk (Alces alces) incisors have been found. These teeth, for the most part fashioned into portable pendants, seem to have formed decorative sets for the garments or accessories of the deceased. This article examines both the technologies associated with these artefacts and their uses, as well as reflecting on the sensorial experiences generated by them. Osteological analysis of a sample of 100 specimens indicates that all types of incisors were used for making the pendants. Traceological analysis indicates that the teeth were modified by scraping, grooving, grinding and retouching. Traces of wear consist of general wear and distinctive pits or pecks on the perimeters of the crowns. These traces indicate that the pendants were worn before their deposition in the graves, in such a way that they were in contact with both soft and solid materials. This pattern of pits or pecks has until now been unreported in the traceological literature. In experiments, a similar pattern emerged when pendants of fresh elk incisors were hung in rows and bunches and struck against one another. These strokes created a rattling sound. Thus, the elk incisors of Yuzhniy Oleniy Ostrov appear to provide insight into previously unattainable sonic experiences and activities of Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, as well as the early history of the instrument category of rattles.

THE NEKSELØ FISH WEIR AND MARINE RESERVOIR EFFECT IN NEOLITHIZATION PERIOD DENMARK

ABSTRACT The Nekselø Wickerwork provides an unusually solid estimate on the marine reservoir age in the Holocene. The basis for this result is a 5200-year-old fish weir, built of hazel wood with a brief biological age of its own. Oysters settled on this construction. They had lived only for a short number of years when the fence capsized and was covered in mud and the mollusks suffocated. Based on the difference in radiocarbon (14C) age between accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) samples of oyster shells and wood, respectively, the marine reservoir age for this site is estimated to 273 ± 18 14C years. Re-evaluations of previously produced data from geological and archaeological sites of Holocene date in the Danish archipelago indicate marine reservoir ages in the same order as that of the Wickerwork. Consequently, we recommend the use of the new value, rather than the ca. 400 14C years hitherto favored, when correcting for the dietary induced reservoir effect in radiocarbon dates of humans and animals from the Late Mesolithic and Early Neolithic periods of this region.