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Arheologie și fizică nucleară. O perspectivă interdisciplinară

Author(s): Oana-Daniela Calancea / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 1/2024

This paper is a brief account of my doctoral project which aims to analyze a substantial batch of prehistoric fragments and vessels from the Iron Gates area with the help of computed tomography, their precise chronological contextualization by means of a significant set of 14C data (cca. 80). In finally, I propose, pertinent conclusions regarding the technology of modelling ceramic vessels (with direct references to the various studied ages) as well as the recipe of the clay mixture from which they were made. Both computed tomography and 14C will be performed at IFIN-HH. In the introduction, a brief review of the history of the latter institution, founded as an institute of the Romanian Academy, will be made. Numerous restructuring and name changes have led to the present institutional structure. The ceramic assemblage comes from archaeological sites investigated during the construction of the two hydropower plants at Iron Gates I and II (1964-1971, 1977-1984) and are part of the collections curated at the „Vasile Pârvan” Institute of Archaeology of the Romanian Academy, where I conduct my PhD. The periods of interest are the Early Neolithic, the Early Bronze Age, the Dacian period, the late medieval period. The present work represents an exemplification, on materials worked up to now, of the potential of using computed tomography (advantages and limitations of the method) in the study of prehistoric ceramics.

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Potențialul preistoric al platoului vest-continental aparținând Mării Negre

Author(s): Dragoș - Nicolae Neagu / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 1/2024

The western Black Sea shelf is remarkable by a series of underwater archaeological finds such as those along the Ukrainian coast, where a number of Paleolithic remains dating between 25,000 and 10,000 BC have been discovered, and those along the Bulgarian seashore dating to the Neo-Eneolithic and Early Bronze Age.Data on a submersed Palaeolithic site discovered in the territorial waters of Ukraine are limited. The is unlikely the case of the sites in the vicinity of Bulgaria at Shabla 1, Shabla 2, Atiya, Sozopol, Ropotamo, Stompolo and Urdoviza, which have received particular attention, and extensive bibliographical references exist.The situation is different in Romania, as there are no references on this issue, although Romanian archaeology in shows concern in this regard, making efforts to promote and support activities specific to underwater archaeological research.Nevertheless, the existing material evidence is indicative of the prehistoric archaeological potential of the western Black Sea plateau and, at the same time, allows for discussions size, of the phenomenon, and the identification, on the basis of the features documented so far, of reference areas with high archaeological potential.It is to be expected that in Romania's marine waters, too, discoveries similar to those already acknowledged in the neighbouring countries will be made in the future, especially as there are a number of geomorphological similarities which, at least in terms of discourse, might have allowed such a development.

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Așezări de tipul Chilia – Militari în centrul Munteniei

Author(s): Mădălina Sava-Moise / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 1/2024

The Dacian culture from Muntenia of the 2nd-3rd centuries is known as Chilia-Militari culture, and it was formed on the old La Tène traditions, and the influence of the Romans who ruled the west of Muntenia for a while. Most of the discoverd settlements are located on the low or high tarraces of the rivers, or on promontories, near water sources. Most of the settlements consist of pit houses, and less frequently surface dwellings, some with a step at the entrance or storage pits in the centre or on one side of the house, most without hearths or ovens inside. Among the most important settlements in the center of Muntenia is the one from Militari which, together with one from Chilia in Olt, gave the name to the above mentioned culture. The site of Mătăsaru has two occupational level. Udeni, Bucov, and Dulceanca were located only 15 km away from limes Transalutanus. In addition, many materials and settlements were discovered around Bucharest. Ovens were discovered among the house. Pits were used for storage while some had ritual, with skeletal remains of dogs. Numerous objects were discoverd in these settlements, including tools, craft and household items, ornaments and coins. The most numerous category of artefacts is represented by pottery, which is of two types: hand-made and on the wheel. The latter is also of two types: one is of the fine Dacian tradition and the second is coarse, of provincial Roman influence. The culture has been dated to the 2nd-3rd or even 4th centuries p. Chr. It is considered that it was greatly influenced by the Roman culture, something visible especially in the pottery.

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Esimene teade eestlaste laulmisest - kas ainult?

Author(s): Tiiu Jaago / Language(s): Estonian Issue: 8-9/2024

This article explores three key questions: how folklorists have interpreted the account of warriors’ singing and dancing in Saxo Grammaticus’s Gesta Danorum; how ­20th-century researchers have conceptualized the facts about Estonians ­presented in Saxo’s work; and what insights have been gained from using folk songs to study depictions of Estonia’s past during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.Saxo Grammaticus describes a battle near the island of Öland in 1170, where Christian Danes and Swedes faced off against Estonian and Curonian pirates. The description suggests that the pirates prepared for battle by singing and dancing, among other things. This account has emerged in the history of Estonian folklore studies as the earliest record of Estonians singing. However, dancing has received significantly less attention, owing to the classification of folklore by genre. Singing was a favoured topic in 20th-century folkloristics, while interest in dance was relegated to the periphery of the field. Returning to Saxo’s text, it provides insights into the cultural environment of the time, where singing and dancing were used to express sentiments and readiness for battle. In light of medieval dance culture, it is worth considering whether the mention of dancing in Saxo’s work could indicate a precursor to singing games, especially since the medieval dance ‘reigen’ is etymologically linked to the old Estonian folk song known as ‘regilaul’ (runosong).Saxo’s text inspired Jaan Jõgever (1860–1924) to seek connections between the imagined songs from the time of the Battle of Öland and the Estonian folk songs recorded in the 19th century. Through stylistic analysis of these songs, he uncovered a diversity of mentalities within Estonian war-related folk songs. Furthermore, in his analysis of Saxo’s text, Jõgever emphasised that before the 13th century, Estonians did not live in the cultural isolation characteristic of the 19th century. This view differed from that of Baltic-German researchers, and Jõgever considered it important to incorporate this perspective when studying Estonian history and educational conditions.

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Das Diplom von 1609 im Kontext der Herrschaft von Gabriel Báthory

Author(s): Edit Szegedi / Language(s): German Issue: 34/2024

Regarding the 1609 Diploma of Gabriel Báthory, which granted Romanian priests exemption from serfdom duties and ensured their freedom of movement with the consent of the Metropolitan of Alba Iulia, historiography has typically addressed it from an ecclesiastical perspective. However, this study seeks to interpret the Diploma from a political standpoint, specifically within the context of Gabriel Báthory’s internal policies. Building on Ildikó Horn’s observation that the prince had a governance strategy beyond the apparent chaos and arbitrariness—especially in the first two years of his reign—the issuance of the Diploma aligns with the broader context and logic of his rule.

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Об изготовлении и функциональном назначении каменных пестов из поселений эпохи бронзы и случайных находок на территории Жетысу (Юго-Восточный Казахстан)

Author(s): Albina Yerzhanova,Alexander Goryachev,Michael Frachetti,Michael Chernov / Language(s): Russian Issue: 17/2024

Stone tools are considered an integral part of the economic and production complex of the Bronze Age settlements in the Zhetysu region. The systematization of the previously investigated pestles from stratified landmarks and the trace investigations of chance finds in the region have made it possible to combine these objects into a single set of tools. On this basis, the raw material base to produce stone pestles was identified and their main parameters and shapes, production techniques and application methods were presented. According to the results of the study, these tools are multifunctional implements that were used in mining, metalworking, various types of domestic crafts and everyday life. Some of the tools from chance finds continued to be used later in the Early Iron Age.

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Каменные стелы и плиты в культовой практике населения Северного Казахстана II—I тыс. до н.э.

Author(s): Sergey YARYGIN,Sergazy SAKENOV / Language(s): Russian Issue: 17/2024

The article is a publication about stone sculptures from funerary and cult monuments of Northern Kazakhstan of the 2nd millennium BCE — turn of the 1st century BCE — 1st century CE. Data is provided on nine sculptures from the territory of the Zerenda and Burabay districts of the Akmola region, seven of them are dated to the Bronze Age, two to the early Iron Age. Three statues are fixed in closed complexes — at the bottom of the grave pit, in the backfill or on the ceiling. The four steles are part of funerary or memorial structures from Bronze Age burial grounds. Two steles are located as part of a cult megalithic structure. Based on the data obtained, the authors come to the conclusion that an active tradition of using stone steles appeared in Northern Kazakhstan, in particular on the territory of the Kokshetau Upland, in the Late Bronze Age among the population of the Fedorov archaeological culture. It is impossible to completely exclude the pre-Andronovo period, the burials of which were identified from the materials of the Tazhegul burial ground. Finds of steles from the next period are still rare; the only stele discovered in a burial mound demonstrates a connection with monuments from Altai to the Middle Ciscaucasia. The anthropomorphic slab from the burial at the turn of the era is similar to the slabs from the Sarmatian monuments of the Southern Urals.

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Сопоставление кремнёвого сырья и изделий из него: обзор опыта, результатов, методов

Author(s): Maria A. Komagorova,Maria N. Zheltova / Language(s): Russian Issue: 1/2025

The techniques for flint artifacts and raw material correlations have been developed since the mid-20th century along with the advances made in mineralogical and geochemical analytical methods. The article presents an overview of attempted correlations that have been published in Russia and abroad as well as examines their modest success rate. Even in the best cases, positive results (i.e., identifying a flint artifact and its respective flint source) barely reach 20% of the material studied. It has been shown that reliable correlation results can be achieved only by using a suite of research methods such as a petrographic method and a quantitative method of chemical composition analysis. The article contains the following geologic information about flint as a rock that can be of interest to archeologists: how flints, jaspers, and jasperoids are different, how a source of flint raw material is associated with a regional geologic setting, what sources of information can be useful when planning flint artifact-material correlations. The authors briefly review methods of geochemical and mineralogical analysis and compare non-destructive and destructive methods (and to what extent they can be destructive).

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Результаты экспериментального отжимного микрорасщепления на кремневом сырье Горного Алтая

Author(s): Svetlana V. Shnaider,Dmitry A. Gurulev,Saltanat Alisher kyzy,Andrey V. Vishnevskiy,Kirill Yu. Kiryushin,Zhiyong Zhu,Xiaoqing Wang,Grigory I. Markovsky / Language(s): Russian Issue: 1/2025

The article presents the results of experimental pressure flaking of flint aimed at the production of microliths. The raw materials used in the experiments are identical to those from the Neolithic and Mesolithic complexes of the Tytkesken-2, 3, 6 and Ust-Biyke-I sites in the Altai Mountains and come from the Katun river terraces at the mouth of the Tytkesken River. A total of 13 experiments were conducted. Seven of them, due to defects in raw materials, were concluded at the initial stages of knapping. A detailed attributive analysis was carried out for the cores and debitage collections. Also, at every stage of the utilization, the 3D-modeling of the cores was provided (from pre-forms to final form). As a result of the study, it was possible to document the complete sequence of core utilization, as well as morphometric signs of blanks and cores marking the pressure knapping.

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Мир человека среднего палеолита Донбасса и Приазовья

Author(s): Aleksandr Victorovich Kolesnik,Vadim V. Titov,Alexei Yurievich Danilchenko,Pavel G. Panin,Evgeny A. Konstantinov / Language(s): Russian Issue: 1/2025

The Middle Paleolithic, as an epoch in the development of human society, was characterized by the homeostasis between the socio-cultural systems and their natural environments. Middle Paleolithic сommunities settled in the areas with the most favorable combinations of basic resources. At that time, almost the entire territory of the southern part of the Russian Plain, including the Donbass and Azov regions, was dominated by steppe landscapes. In the interglacial period, soils similar to modern ordinary Calcic Chernozems developed; in the interstadial periods, more arid Kastanozems soils prevailed. During the glacial stages, the soil cover was represented by underdeveloped semi-desert paleosols. The Middle Paleolithic period witnessed the consecutive existence of two faunal complexes: the Khazar and Mammoth ones. Bison was the main object of hunting for the Middle Paleolithic inhabitants of the region. Of particular importance among the basic resources were also stone raw materials. The region is rich in Upper Cretaceous rocks with flints. In addition, there are also Paleogene quartzites. The overwhelming majority of the Middle Paleolithic sites of the region is situated in direct proximity to sources of flint.

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К вопросу о хроностратиграфии среднепалеолитических индустрий многослойного палеолитического комплекса Бирючья Балка 2 на Нижнем Дону

Author(s): Aleksander Otcherednoy,Evgeny A. Konstantinov,Alexei Yurievich Danilchenko,Fatima G. Kurbanova,Nikita V. Sychev,Andrey L. Zakharov,Elena A. Mazieva / Language(s): Russian Issue: 1/2025

The article presents preliminary results of a new stage of studying the multilayered Middle and Upper Paleolithic site Biryuchya Balka 2, located in the Seversky Donets River’s lower reaches, the Don’s largest right tributary. Based on the stratigraphy and correlation of paleosoils, the age of the lower part of the subaerial sedimentary sequence containing cultural horizons of the Middle Paleolithic is proposed to be revised. Morphological and analytical evidence makes it possible to attribute the formation of the chernozem-like paleosol at the base of the section to MIS 5 (not older than MIS 5c). Previously, this paleosol was dated to MIS 3. If the proposed stratigraphy is confirmed, significant changes should be expected in our understanding of the distribution of Middle Paleolithic industries of various types: both Micoquian/KMG and blade industries within the south of Eastern Europe and the North Caucasus.

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Между Мальтой и Макарово IV: Коррадированные кремневые ансамбли Ангаро-Бельского района (Южное Приангарье)

Author(s): Aleksey M. Kuznetsov / Language(s): Russian Issue: 1/2025

The paper presents the author’s version of the cultural attribution of the corraded industries of the Southern Angara region from the Stoilo (II cultural layer) and Sosnovyi Bor (VI cultural layer) sites. Based on the similarity of the knapping technology, parameters of blanks and types of tools, it is proposed to associate these assemblages with the “classic” complex of the Malta site. The association with the «Makarovo Paleolithic stratum» can be assumed only within the framework of the evolutionary paradigm, i.e., provided that the Makarovo IV is accepted as the ancestral form of the Middle stage of the Upper Paleolithic of the region. The process of aeolian corrasion of artifacts, previously dated to the time of the Konoshchel episode (~MIS-3) or the Murukta cryochron (MIS-4), in the proposed paleoecological model correlates with the cryoarid environments of the early Sartan (MIS-2).

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Костеносное местонахождение Ясное-1 в раннем верхнем палеолите Средней Сибири

Author(s): Mikhail N. Meshcherin,Alexey M. Klementiev,Danil N. Lysenko,Galina Yu. Yamskikh / Language(s): Russian Issue: 1/2025

The paper presents the materials of an Early Upper Palaeolithic site discovered during archaeological exploration in the areas of new buildings in the northeastern outskirts of Krasnoyarsk in 2018. Сhronostratigraphic data allows us to attribute the site to the earliest stage of the Upper Palaeolithic in the Late Kargian interglacial stage (MIS 3, 34.000–27.000 BP). The taphonomic conditions of the culture-containing layer are similar to a wide range of synchronous sites of South and Middle Siberia. A number of spatial concentrations of archaeological materials identified within the studied area can probably be interpreted as spots where primary processing of bone and antler took place. Bone remains constitute more than 90% of archaeological finds. Tentatively, the site can be defined as a workshop for processing hard organic materials (bone and antler).

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Находки перфорированных и окрашенных раковин рода Corbicula на стоянке верхнего палеолита Рахат (Северный Тянь-Шань, Казахстан)

Author(s): Dmitry V. Ozherelyev,Olesia I. Uspenskaya,Pavel D. Frolov,Yulia S. Gubar / Language(s): Russian Issue: 1/2025

The article examines a collection of perforated shells of freshwater bivalve mollusks Corbicula from cultural layers 2 and 3 of the Upper Palaeolithic site of Rakhat. The Rakhat site was discovered in 2006, and excavations have been in progress since 2018. The site is located in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau (Northern Tien Shan, Kazakhstan). The site contains 16 cultural layers dating back to ~28,000—19,000 uncal BP (~31000—23000 cal BP). Layers 2 and 3 belong to the upper part of the cultural sequence and have been radiocarbon dated to 19385 ± 40 uncal BP and 19520 ± 45 14C uncal BP (~ 23700—23300 cal BP). These layers, as well as the entire group of cultural layers 1—5, yielded an innovative lithic industry characterized by the presence of scalene triangles. The shells in question belong to the species Corbicula tibetensis Prashad, 1929. Currently, the Corbicula mollusks do not live in the rivers and lakes of the studied area. The article reconstructs the methods used to perforate shells and argues in favor of artificial origin of the red pigmentation on their surfaces. The perforated shells from Rakhat are the first finds of the Upper Palaeolithic personal ornaments in Kazakhstan.

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Критерии определения палеолитических составных орудий: археологические и экспериментальные данные

Author(s): Yaroslav D. Ivanov,Vasilisa S. Smolkina,Kseniya N. Stepanova / Language(s): Russian Issue: 1/2025

The main objective of this paper is to refine the morphological and traceological criteria for identifying hafting traces on the Palaeolithic stone artifacts. After reviewing relevant publications, the authors proceed to the description of their own experiments aimed at the identification of different kinds of macro- and microwear tracers that formed as a result of hafting. The characteristics of these traces depended on the haft material, duration of use, way of attachment, and the involvement of abrasive materials (such as ochre or soil). Some of the obtained results defy conventional wisdom. For example, the shiny spots known as “G-type polish” and often thought to be signs of handle use, are not always reliable. Likewise, contrary to a widely accepted view, such factors as the tool morphology and the craftsman’s strength have little effect on the traces of hafting. The results of this study show that many factors can randomly influence the wear, and to better understand this process the role of each factor has to be studied in more detail.

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Метод компьютерной микротомографии для изучения составных пазовых орудий

Author(s): Ekaterina N. Bocharova,Darya V. Kozhevnikova,Kseniya A. Kolobova / Language(s): Russian Issue: 1/2025

Recent advances in the use of computed microtomography (micro-CT) in archaeology have significantly improved the potential for the accurate non-destructive study of artifacts, making it possible to analyze their internal structure. The paper demonstrates the micro-CT method potential for the study of archaeological artifacts. Four composite slotted tools from the Kazachka site (Krasnoyarsk Krai), dated to between 11 and 8,5 ka BP, were selected to illustrate the method’s capabilities. The site, situated in the valley of the Kan River, contains a sequence of 20 layers ranging from the Final Paleolithic through the Early Iron Age. The study involved the analysis by micro-CT of two bone hafts with preserved inserts from layers XIV and XII, and two bone hafts devoid of inserts from layers XIX and XI. The employment of micro-CT facilitated the visualisation of artifacts and the analysis of slots geometry, thereby facilitating insights into their manufacturing sequences and characteristics. The segmentation process (i.e., the virtual separation of constituent parts of different densities) allowed for the extraction and detailed analysis of the inserts from the bone handles. The discrepancy between the slot depth and the insert width suggests the use of adhesives to secure the inserts and fill the voids — a hallmark of Late Paleolithic-Mesolithic composite technologies. This study highlights the significant potential of micro-CT in examining composite artifacts without the risk of damage, offering a novel approach to analyzing complex multi-component tools.

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Практическое применение сериации для анализа археологических данных

Author(s): Kseniya A. Kolobova,Igor E. Tyugashev,Ekaterina N. Bocharova,Vladimir M. Kharevich,Alena V. Kharevich / Language(s): Russian Issue: 1/2025

The article describes the basic algorithms for the practical application of various seriation methods for the classification, correlation and systematisation of archaeological data. Designed for the relative dating of archaeological complexes, seriation has not lost its scientific relevance and is used in all areas of archaeology, even today, when absolute dating methods are available to researchers. The analysis of multilayered Paleolithic complexes in Siberia demonstrates the potential for seriation to determine evolutionary development or cultural change at a single site. The advantages of this method over the calculation of percentages include the possibility of its use by researchers without experience in mathematical statistics; the possibility of visualising the results; and the possibility of operating with large sets of complexes and attributes. The objective of the proposed article is to familiarise a wide range of Russian-speaking researchers with the seriation.

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Уникальное изделие из бивнёвого отщепа со стоянки верхнего палеолита Стрелка–1 (Красноярск)

Author(s): Evgeny Yu. Girya,Alexander V. Barkov,Gennady A. Khlopachev,Aleksandr Victorovich Kolesnik / Language(s): Russian Issue: 1/2025

Archaeological site Strelka–1 is situated in the historical part of Krasnoyarsk at the confluence of the Yenisey and Kacha rivers. The richest Upper Palaeolithic layer 3 is confined to the south–eastern part of the promontory. The layer contains numerous stone tools and waste products, animal bone fragments, bone and antler tools, remains of fires. Worthy of special attention is a small group of mammoth ivory artifacts, including a massive ivory flake with a wide biconical hole in its center. This item is unique for the North Eurasian Palaeolithic. It stands out for the excellent preservation of manufacturing and utilization traces, which makes it possible to reconstruct both the main stages of the object manufacture (first in frozen and then in softened condition) and its functional specificity. To analyze the traces of use, the concept of “noms” introduced by E. Y. Girya is applied. As a result, it is concluded that the tool served to scrape dirt and snow from the fur (leather) garments.

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Мезолитические слои стоянки Замиль-Коба 2 в Крыму

Author(s): Mikhail G. Zhilin,Anton A. Simonenko,Vladimir L. Ruev / Language(s): Russian Issue: 1/2025

The site Zamil-Koba 2 is situated in the Bakhchisarai district of the Republic of the Crimea. This is a small grotto in the northern wall of the Zamil gorge. The site was discovered by D.A. Krainov in 1935, and the total area of the grotto (288 square meters) was excavated by Krainov in 1937—1938. The bottom part of the sediments contained two Mesolithic layers which were attributed by Krainov to the “Azilian” and “Tardenoisian”. The collections are stored in the State Historical Museum in Moscow. Only some selected finds have been featured in previous literature, while the bulk of the material remained unpublished up to the present date. The complex analysis conducted by the authors showed that the two layers in question can be dated to the Final Mesolithic, and should be attributed to the Alimovski rockshelter type of the Murzak-Koba culture of the Mountainous Crimea. Both Mesolithic layers are remains of short-lived hunting camps where processing of animal carcasses and operations connected with it took place.

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Антропологические остатки из второго жилого комплекса стоянки Костёнки 1(I)

Author(s): Alexander A. Bessudnov,Maria N. Zheltova,Sergey V. Vasilyev,Natalia V. Kharlamova,Andrei A. Sinitsyn / Language(s): Russian Issue: 1/2025

Three isolated human deciduous teeth have been discovered in the course of working with the collection from the 2nd dwelling complex of Kostenki 1(I) which is stored at IHMC RAS. No information about these teeth has been published until now. The teeth come from the southern part of the complex; they were found not far from the hearth line. The context of their discovery testifies that neither structure nor filling of this part of the excavation radically differed from those of the other studied areas of the complex, which suggests that the occurrence of the teeth in the cultural layer had a random character. The morphological examination of the teeth shows that they could belong to two or three children: a six-year-old and a nine-year-old, or a six-year-old and two nine-year-olds. Comparative odontometric analysis of the first upper deciduous incisors and the first lower deciduous molars of individual finds from the Upper Palaeolithic sites indicates that the isolated teeth from Kostenki 1(I) do not fundamentally differ from European and Siberian Homo sapiens finds. To date, these teeth represent the only anthropological remains associated with the two Kostenki-Avdeevo dwelling complexes of Kostenki 1(I).

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