Comensalitat durant el bronze final i la primera edat del ferro al paratge arqueològic de Can Roqueta: anàlisi dels dipòsits relacionats amb el consum en contextos domèstics i funeraris

La reconstrucció de les pautes de consum d"aliments durant el bronze final i la primera edat de ferro, tant si són de caire domèstic com si no, passa per un anàlisi exhaustiu de les diferents dades arqueològiques. En primer lloc, tenim els espais destinats al consum. Les circumstàncies pròpies del registre arqueològic a Catalunya durant aquests períodes fa que, depèn del territori, aquest nivell d"anàlisi sigui més o menys evident. Així, en territoris on existeix una tradició arquitectònica en pedra i, fins i tot, dissenys urbanístics ben definits (entorn del Segre i l"Ebre), aquest problema resulta relativament fàcil de tractar en funció de la conservació de la resta d"elements i la particularitat de les estructures analitzades. Això ha permès caracteritzar certes pràctiques.de consum diferenciades del que podria ser propi d"un àmbit domèstic en jaciments com Barranc de Gàfols (habitacions 1 y 2), la Moleta del Remei (habitació 7), Tossal Redó (habitació 1), San Cristóbal (habitació 2), Sant Jaume Mas d"en Serrà (habitacions 3 i 4), l"edifici de Turó del Calvari de Vilalba dels Arcs o Genó (habitació 2) (Lucas 1989; López Cachero 1998; Sanmartí et al. 2000; Fatás 2004-05; Garcia 2005; Sardà 2008). Aquesta situació contrasta amb el que passa a la resta del litoral català on les estructures negatives són pràcticament l"única evidència del poblament existent i on resulta molt complicat, fins i tot, la documentació de qualsevol espai habitacional que ens permeti avançar en aquesta direcció.

Els assentaments de les edats del bronze, ibèrica i romana d"Els Llirians del Mas i Les Torres (Salàs de Pallars, Pallars Jussà)

[cat] En els anys 2003 i 2004 una intervenció arqueològica preventiva en el terme de Salàs de Pallars va permetre documentar seixanta estructures excavades al subsòl. La majoria de les estructures foren identificades com a sitges, però també es documentaren cubetes i fosses de diversa funció, algunes utilitzades com a sepultures. L"estudi dels materials recuperats, complementats per datacions radiocarbòniques, indiquen dos períodes cronològics: el bronze inicial i l"etapa ibèrica plena, als quals s"ha d"afegir una única estructura que pertany a començaments de l"Imperi romà. Les dades obtingudes informen sobre les pràctiques de les comunitats agrícoles assentades en el sector meridional de la comarca del Pallars Jussà en tres moments històrics diferents. [eng]In 2003 and 2004 a Preventive Archaeological Excavation was done in the locality of Salàs de Pallars. This allowed to catalogue the sixty structures found in the subsoil. Most of the structures were identified as silos, but we also documented basins and pits with different functions, some used as graves. The study of the recovered materials, supported by a radiocarbon analysis technique, ages this around two chronological periods: the Early Bronze Age and Iberian Period. We must add a third period to classify a single structure that belongs to the Early Roman Empire. The obtained results provide us information about the farming methods used by the communities placed in the southern Region of the Pallars Jussà during the three different historical moments.

Dynamique du peuplement et activités agro-pastorales durant l’âge du Bronze dans les massifs du haut Champsaur et de l’Argentiérois

Des programmes de recherche pluridisciplinaires sur l’occupation du sol et le pastoralisme de la Préhistoire au Moyen Âge dans le sud du massif alpin sont menés, depuis 1998, sur les massifs du Haut Champsaur, de Freissinières et de l’Argentièrois (Hautes-Alpes). Des dix phases d’occupation et d'activité agropastorale mises en évidence (prospections pédestres et fouilles), entre 1600 et 2700 m d’altitude, trois se distinguent: la fin du Néolithique, l’âge du Bronze et la période médiévale. Au travers des premières données archéologiques et environnementales, cet article présente, depuis le milieu du IIIe millénaire au début du Ier millénaire, les grandes caractéristiques de l’occupation du sol mais aussi l’originalité et l’importance de l’activité humaine dans cette zone alpine. La fin du Néolithique et l’âge du Bronze correspondent à une multiplication des gisements archéologiques marquant de façon évidente une rupture dans la gestion de l'espace montagnard. Les paysages sont largement façonnés par les activités humaines et l’entretien des terres cultivées, des prairies et des alpages, paraît continu. À la lumière des données de terrain, l’une des évolutions qui apparaît sur les sites d’altitude durant cette période concerne l’apparition de structures pastorales bâties entre 2 067 et 2 303 m d’altitude (datation 14C).

El neolític antic i l"inici de l"edat del bronze a les excavacions del nou conservatori del Liceu

[cat] En aquest article es presenta l"estudi interdisciplinari de les ocupacions prehistòriques recents (neolític i inici de l"edat del bronze) localitzades durant la construcció del Conservatori del Gran Liceu de Barcelona, al barri del Raval de la mateixa ciutat. Les restes ocupacionals corresponen a un assentament amb evidències d"estructures de combustió i diversos elements de suport. Hi destaca la conservació d"alguns magnífics fogars, així com un conjunt de materials abiòtics i biòtics que permeten augmentar el coneixement de les primeres comunitats agrícoles del Pla de Barcelona. [spa] En este artículo se presenta el estudio interdisciplinar de las ocupaciones prehistóricas recientes (Neolítico e inicio de la Edad del Bronce) localizadas durante la construcción del Conservatorio del Gran Liceo de Barcelona, en el barrio del Raval de la misma ciudad. Los restos de ocupación corresponden a un asentamiento con evidencias de estructuras de combustión y otros elementos de soporte. Entre ellos destaca la conservación de algunos magníficos hogares así como un conjunto de materiales abióticos y bióticos que permiten aumentar el conocimiento sobre las primeras comunidades agrícolas del llano de Barcelona. [eng] This paper presents the interdisciplinary study of the recent prehistoric occupations (Neolithic and Early Bronze Age) found during the construction of El Liceu Conservatoire in Barcelona"s El Raval district. Occupational remains correspond to a settlement with traces of combustion structures and several supporting elements. It emphasises the preservation of some magnificent fireplaces and a set of archaeological abitoic and biotic materials that can increase knowledge of the first farming communities in the Barcelona plain. [fra] Cet article présente l"étude interdisciplinaire des occupations préhistoriques récentes (néolithique et début de l"âge du bronze) localisées lors de la construction du Conservatoire du Grand Théâtre du Liceu (opéra) de Barcelone, dans le quartier du Raval. Les vestiges d"occupation correspondent à un établissement présentant des structures de combustion et différents éléments de support. On y remarque la conservation de quelques magnifiques foyers ainsi qu"un ensemble de matériaux abiotiques et biotiques qui peuvent enrichir les connaissances sur les premières communautés agricoles de la plaine de Barcelone.

The domestication of water: water management in the ancient world and its prehistoric origins in the Jordan Valley

The ancient civilizations were dependent upon sophisticated systems of water management. The hydraulic engineering works found in ancient Angkor (ninth to thirteenth century AD), the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan (thirteenth to fifteenth century AD), Byzantine Constantinople (fourth to sixth century AD) and Nabatean Petra (sixth century BC to AD 106) are particularly striking because each of these is in localities of the world that are once again facing a water crisis. Without water management, such ancient cities would never have emerged, nor would the urban communities and towns from which they developed. Indeed, the ‘domestication’ of water marked a key turning point in the cultural trajectory of each region of the world where state societies developed. This is illustrated by examining the prehistory of water management in the Jordan Valley, identifying the later Neolithic (approx. 8300–6500 years ago) as a key period when significant investment in water management occurred, laying the foundation for the development of the first urban communities of the Early Bronze Age.

The historic landscape of the Mendip Hills

When travelling north-east across the Somerset Levels and Moors the eye is drawn to the dark mass of the Mendip Hills, a Carboniferous Limestone ridge which rises abruptly from the flatness of its surroundings. The Historic Landscape of the Mendip Hills explores the archaeology and architecture of this remarkable corner of England, beginning with evidence for the first hunting groups who passed through the region over half a million years ago. Succeeding generations have left their mark on the Hills, from the enigmatic ceremonial structures of the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, to the ancient farming landscapes and brooding hillforts of the Later Prehistoric period. Field archaeology, combined with architectural and historical enquiry, has also allowed a complex narrative to be constructed for more recent periods of history. This is a story dominated by adaptation and change, evidenced by the developing architecture of manorial centres and the shadowy remains of earlier structures fossilized within village houses. This volume presents a synthesis of the results of recent fieldwork undertaken by English Heritage and traces this region’s remarkable past, revealing ways in which it has shaped the landscape we see and value today.

Estudo de cerâmicas avançadas para fins de blindagem balística

The research involving new materials has always been considered as a differential in the development of a technology company. This occurred naturally since ancient times, often motivated by reasons of a certain age, where the most common material used was also the name of your time and may be cited as an example the Bronze Age, and later was the Iron. Currently, the use of firearms are they used in resolving conflicts between countries, or a more equivocal, as an instrument of social banditry make innovations in the area of shielding welcome, whether for personal use, in the form of vests or vehicle such as cars, tanks and even aircraft. In this context, is a Silicon Carbide Ceramic, with low density and high hardness. Thus, the aim of this study is the evaluation and comparison of these materials, seeking to improve their properties by means of additives such as boron and silicon metal and amorphous YAG. For this work, the specimens were pre-shaped by means of uniaxial later to be referred for isostatic pressing and sintering. The maximum percentage for each additive was 5%, except for the YAG whose percentage was 8.2% (mass percentage). All compositions were subjected to the same tests (x-ray diffraction, apparent density, optical microscopy, Vickers hardness, scanning electron Microscopita), so that one could draw a comparison between the materials under study, samples that showed better mechanical properties and micro structural, related here by hardness testing and microscopy (optical and SEM) were the silicon carbide doped with YAG and alumina samples, demonstrating the potential of these materials for ballistic protection. Other compositions have high porosity, which is highly undesirable, since in order to harmful influences on the mechanical properties discussed below

Holocene vegetation development in the catchment of Sagistalsee (1935 m asl), a small lake in the Swiss Alps

Pollen and plant macrofossils were analysed at Sägistalsee (1935 m asl), a small lake near timber-line in the Swiss Northern Alps. Open forests with Pinus cembra and Abies alba covered the catchment during the early Holocene (9000–6300 cal. BP), suggesting subcontinental climate conditions. After the expansion of Picea abies between 6300 and 6000 cal. BP the subalpine forest became denser and the tree-line reached its maximum elevation at around 2260 m asl. Charcoal fragments in the macrofossil record indicate the beginning of Late-Neolithic human impact at ca. 4400 cal. BP, followed by a extensive deforestation and lowering of the forest-limit in the catchment of Sägistalsee at 3700 cal. BP (Bronze Age). Continuous human activity, combined with a more oceanic climate during the later Holocene, led to the local extinction of Pinus cembra and Abies alba and favoured the mass expansion of Picea and Alnus viridis in the subalpine area of the Northern Alps. The periods before 6300 and after 3700 cal. BP are characterised by high erosion activity in the lake's catchment, whereas during the phase of dense Picea-Pinus cembra-Abies forests (6300–3700 cal. BP) soils were stable and sediment-accumulation rates in the lake were low. Due to decreasing land-use at higher altitudes during the Roman occupation and the Migration period, forests spread beween ca. 2000 and 1500 cal. BP, before human impact increased again in the early Middle Ages. Recent reforestation due to land-use changes in the 20th century is recorded in the top sediments. Pollen-inferred July temperature and annual precipitation suggest a trend to cooler and more oceanic climate starting at about 5500 cal. BP.

Pollen records and age determination of site Bokanjacko Blato

In summary, one may conclude that human influence in the Bokanjac area started in the Eneolithic or Earlier Bronze Age - the third to second millennia Cal. BC. Traces of agriculture are weak or missing in the pollen diagram but grazing is indicated. Chestnut and walnut were introduced by humans to the area in classical times. These findings are in general agreement with the results of earlier studies at coastal sites north-west and south-east of Bokanjacko Blato.

Pollen records from Elbe-Weser Dreieck

A long-running interdisciplinary research project on the development of landscape, prehistoric habitation and the history of vegetation within a "siedlungskammer" (limited habitation areal from neolithic to modern times has been carried out in the NW German lowlands, The siedlungskammer Flögeln is situated between the rivers Weser and EIbe and comprises about 23.5 km^2. It is an isolated pleistocene area surrounded by bogs, the soils consisting mainly of poor sands. In this siedlungskammer large-seale archaeological excavations and mappings have been performed, parallel to pedological, historical and above all pollen analytical investigations. The aim of the project is to record the individual phases in time, to delimit the respective settlement areas and to reconstruct the conditions of life and economy for each time period. A dense network of 10 pollen diagrams has been constructed. Several of them derive from the marginal area and from the centre of the large raised bog north of the siedlungskammer. These diagrams reflect the history of vegetation and habitation of a large region; due to the large pollen source area the habitation phases in the diagrams are poorly defined. Even in the utmost marginal diagram of this woodless bog, a great village with adjoining fields, situated only 100 m away from it, is registered with only low values of anthropogenic indicators. In contrast to this, the numerous pollen diagrams from kettle-hole bogs inside the siedlungskammer yield an exact picture of the habitation of the siedlungskammer and their individual parts. Early traces of habitation can be identified in the pollen diagram soon after the elm decline (around 5190 BP). Some time later in the middle neolithic period there follows a marked habitation phase, which starts between 4500 and 4400 BP and reflects the immigration of the trichterbecher culture. It corresponds to the landnam phase of Iversen in Denmark and begins with a sharp decline of the pollen curves of lime and oak, followed by the increase of anthropogenic indicators pointing to arable and pastural farming. High values of wild grasses and Calluna witness extensive forest grazing. This middle to late neolithic habitation is also registered archaeologically by settlements and numerous graves. After low human activity during Bronze Age and Older Iron Age times the archaeological and pollen analytical records of Roman and Migration periods is again very strong. This is followed by a gap in habitation during the 6th and 7th centuries and afterwards in the western part of the siedlungskammer from about 700 AD until the 14th century by the activity of the medieval village of Dalem, that was also excavated and whose fields were recorded by phosphate mapping to a size of 117 hectares. This medieval settlement phase is marked by much cereal cultivation (mainly rye). The dense network of pollen diagrams offers an opportunity to register the dispersion of the anthropogenic indicators from the areas of settlement to different distances and thus to obtain quantitative clues for the assessment of these anthropogenic indicators in pollen diagrams. In fig. 4 the reflection of the neolithic culture in the kettle-hole bogs and the large raised bog is shown in 3 phases: a) pre landnam, b) TRB-landnam, c) post landnam. Among arboreal pollen the reaction of Quercus is sharp close to the settlement but is not found at more distant profiles, whilst in contrast to this Tilia shows a significant decline even far away from the settlements. The record of most anthropogenic indicators outside the habitation area is very low, in particular cereal pollen is poorly dispersed; much more certain as an indicator for habitation (also for arable farming!) is Plantago lanceolata. A strong increase of wild grasses (partly Calluna aswell) some distance from the habitation areas indicates far reaching forest grazing. Fig. 5 illustrates the reflection of the anthropogenie indicators from the medieval village Dalem. In this instance the field area could be mapped exactly using phosphate investigations, and it has been possible to indicate the precise distances of the profile sites from the medieval fields. Here also, there is a clear correlation between decreasing anthropogenic indicators and increasing distance. In a kettle-hole bog (FLH) a distance of 3000 m away this marked settlement phase is not registered. The contrast between the pollen diagrams SWK and FLH (fig. 2 + 3, enclosure), illustrates the strong differences between diagrams from kettlehole bogs close to and distant from the settlements, for the neolithic as well as for the medieval period. On the basis of the examples presented here, implications concerning the interpretation of pollen diagrams with respect to habitation phases are discussed.

Pollen profile from sediment core Höllerer See

(expanded by Eberhard Grüger, Göttingen) The site "Höllerer See" is a lake in the northern foreland of the Alps, about 30 km north of the city of Salzburg/Austria, situated in the south-western part of Oberösterreich/Austria. A 2 m long piston core from this locality, consisting entirely of calcareous gyttja, was studied by pollen analysis. The three lowermost samples (1.98, 1.95 and 1.92 m) were deposited during the Preboreal when Pinus and Betula were still the dominating forest trees. High pollen values of thermophilous woody species (mainly Corylus and Quercus, but also Ulmus, Tilia, Fraxinus) prove the Boreal age of the next younger sample (1.91 m). The following two pollen spectra attest that Alnus (1.89 m) and - later (1.88 m) - Fagus had become important members of the local (Alnus) and the regional (Fagus) vegetation. From this level up to the top of the profile these two tree taxa contribute - together with Betula - always 50 to 80 % to the arboreal pollen sum. The upper 1.89 m of sediment of the Höllerer See core evidently date from the Subboreal and the Subatlantic. As Preboreal sediment was stated at the base of the profile it must be concluded that most of the Boreal and the Atlantic is - for whatever reason - not represented by sediment in this core. As no radiocarbon dates are available age estimates of the distinguished pollen zones can be achieved only by correlating major changes of the former vegetation with historical events which probably influenced the then contemporary vegetation. The pollen grains of the Triticum and Hordeum type found in samples of zone 2.1 might indicate the growing of cereals in the region during the Late Bronze Age. The first pollen grains of Secale date from the boundary Hallstatt/Latène Age (zone 2.2). The cereal curves become continuous in Bavarian times (Bajuwarenzeit, Middle Ages, zone 3.3). The Plantago laceolata curve, continuous since 1.7 m depth (zone 2.1), points to animal breeding since the Early Subatlantic (Hallstattzeit). This curve reaches its absolute maximum in Roman time (zone 3.1). Roman time forest clearance caused a drastic decrease of tree pollen curves (start of zone 3.1). Values of anthropogenic indicators as high as in zone 3.1 are found again - after a distinct decrease in zone 3.2 - not till the Bavarians settled in the region (6th century). Maximal Fagus values and the simultaneous total lack of anthropogenic indicators mark the Migration Period (zone 3.2). The Younger Subatlantic (zone 4) is characterized by a decrease of deciduous forests due to medieval forest clearance. At the same time the conifers Pinus and Picea gained in importance. The lake was probably used for retting hemp in Medieval times. The distinction of the pollen grains of Cannabis and Humulus might not be certain in all cases. It is known that hemp as well as hop was cultivated in the study area. Markers were added to the samples at the beginning of pollen preparation (13500 Lycopodium spores, sample volume 0.5 cm**3) and counted together with the pollen grains. Therefore pollen concentrations can be calculated: Concentration = C * F / V (with C = number of grains of a particular pollen type, V = volume of the untreated pollen sample, F = marker added/marker counted). F ranges from 39 to 1688. Factors that large are not suited to produce reliably interpretable pollen concentrations. Consequently no use was made of the pollen concentrations in this thesis, although a concentration diagram is added.

Mid-to Late Holocene flood frequency in the northeastern Alps as recorded in varved sediments of Lake Mondsee

Annually laminated (varved) lake sediments with intercalated detrital layers resulting from sedimentary input by runoff events are ideal archives to establish precisely dated records of past extreme runoff events. In this study, the mid- to late Holocene varved sediments of Lake Mondsee (Upper Austria) were analysed by combining sedimentological, geophysical and geochemical methods. This approach allows to distinguish two types of detrital layers related to different types of extreme runoff events (floods and debris flows) and to detect changes in flood activity during the last 7100 years. In total, 271 flood and 47 debris flow layers, deposited during spring and summer, were identified, which cluster in 18 main flood episodes (FE 1-18) with durations of 30-50 years each. These main flood periods occurred during the Late Neolithic (7100-7050 vyr BP and 6470-4450 vyr BP), the late Bronze Age and the early Iron Age (3300-3250 and 2800-2750 vyr BP), the late Iron Age (2050-2000 vyr BP), throughout the Dark Ages Cold Period (1500-1200 vyr BP), and at the end of the Medieval Warm Period and the Little Ice Age (810-430 vyr BP). Summer flood episodes in Lake Mondsee are generally more abundant during the last 1500 years, often coinciding with major advances of alpine glaciers. Prior to 1500 vyr BP, spring/summer floods and debris flows are generally less frequent, indicating a lower number of intense rainfall events that triggered erosion. In comparison with the increase of late Holocene flood activity in western and northwestern (NW) Europe, commencing already as early as 2800 yr BP, the hydro-meteorological shift in the Lake Mondsee region occurred much later. These time lags in the onset of increased hydrological activity might be either due to regional differences in atmospheric circulation pattern or to the sensitivity of the individual flood archives. The Lake Mondsee sediments represent the first precisely dated and several millennia long summer flood record for the northeastern (NE) Alps, a key region at the climatic boundary of Atlantic, Mediterranean and East European air masses aiding a better understanding of regional and seasonal peculiarities of flood occurrence under changing climate conditions.

Birth weight and age at menopause in Australian female twin pairs: exploration of the fetal origin hypothesis

In a twin sample where duration of gestation can be controlled, a specific example of the fetal origins hypothesis concerning association between low birth weight and early age at menopause is explored. The hypothesis is based on the physiologically plausible path from intrauterine growth retardation and reduced numbers of primary follicles to an earlier menopause. The sample comprised 323 Australian female twin pairs where both co-twins had reached menopause naturally and reported on their weight at birth. Regression analysis showed no linear association between the two variables (P = 0.371, r(2) = 0.0009). Intra-pair differences in age at menopause were investigated in the context of relative birth weight of co-twins. In 265 pairs an intra-pair birth a eight difference was reported. In monozygotic (MZ) pairs (n = 168) this allowed for control of genetic effects as well as gestation duration. No significant differences dependent on birth weight relative to co-twin were found for age at natural menopause in either MZ or dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs, even in pairs whose birth weights differed markedly. There was some indication that twins with premature ovarian failure were heavier at birth than twins with normal or later menopausal age. We conclude that the hypothesis that lower birth weight is associated with earlier menopause is not supported by our data.

Pollen records of five sediment cores from northern Germany

Within a larger program research work is being done on the history of settlement and landscape of the 'Siedlungskammer' Flögeln and the adjacent area. The 'Siedlungskammer' consists of an isolated pleistocene sand ground (Geest-island) surroundet by bogs. Starting from the edge of the Geest, near which large-scale archaeological excavations are carried out, three raised bog profiles were taken at 300, 500 and 4000 m off the prehistoric settlement. They were investigated by means of pollen analysis, and reflect in a decreasing way the activities of man on the Geestisland. Another pollen diagram from the nearby fen peat was worked out for comparison. At the same time it helped to date back a prehistoric sand path to the Roman period. The pollen diagrams cover the vegetational history without gaps from the early Atlantic period to modern times. The vegetation was decisively determined by the poor soils of this area. T'he pollen diagrams give evidence of the activity of settlers since the Neolithic age, with some gaps in the beginning, but later continuously from the middle of the Bronze age until the early migration period. The influence of the nearby settlement, which existed from the Birth of Christ to the 4/5th century, comes out distinctly. Among the cereals which were then cultivated here, there also was rye, at least in the 4/5th century, but most probably already during the Roman period. Besides that people cultivated barley, oats, and flax. The settlement break during the so-called dark ages between the 4/5th century and the time about 800 A.D. was confirmed by pollen analysis. During this time the area was once more covered by forests. The fluctuations of man's activities during the late Middle Ages and modern times, as they are made visible by pollen analysis, correspond to historically wellknown developments.