14C dating (Archaeology)

The 19th century was an era of increasing mechanization and globalization, which transformed maritime networks and shipbuilding in and beyond the Mediterranean. Shipwrecks offer valuable physical evidence of such maritime connectivity and evolving shipbuilding techniques but must be dated within a high-resolution timeframe to be synchronized with, and thereby enhance, historical records. We focus here on high-resolution dating of the Akko Tower Shipwreck, the remains of an Ottoman merchant brig found inside the harbor of Akko, Israel. We use dendrochronology, 14C wiggle-matching, and Bayesian chronological modeling to determine that the ship was likely constructed in the mid-1850s, and therefore called at Akko’s harbor after the town’s 1840 bombardment, a period of decline traditionally under-studied in Ottoman historical narratives. Using dendroprovenancing methods, we find that the ship’s hull used timbers from the Anatolian Black Sea region, although it was built in the French construction tradition, and used British metal rigging and fasteners, which reflect shifting Anglo-French influence and socioeconomic interconnections with the Ottoman Empire during the 19th century.

The Akko Tower Shipwreck is the first shipwreck from Israel to be dendrochronologically dated and provenanced. Our results show how dendrochronology and Bayesian chronological modeling can be used successfully not only for high-precision dating, but also for untangling the shipbuilding processes and the socioeconomic networks that made ship construction possible. We also re-evaluate East Mediterranean oak sapwood datasets and develop an approximate new sapwood model that provides more robust estimates of felling dates for tree-ring analysis of this region’s oak wooden cultural heritage.

A series of 50 AMS dates on charred cooking residues removed from the interiors of pottery sherds is reviewed. The sherds were recovered from many of the key sites and components used by Ritchie and Funk to create the Woodland Stage of their New York culture history; we are now able to securely date these sites and components. The cooking residue dates demonstrate that the so-called Middle- to-Late Woodland transition in central New York is not as well understood as was previously thought. Pottery vessels attributable to Ritchie and MacNeish's early Point Peninsula types are dated as early as 300 B.C. to A.D. 5, and pottery vessels attributable to their Late Woodland "Owasco" types appear as early as AD 400-600. There is also substantial temporal overlap between types assigned to their Point Peninsula and Owasco types. These data, along with subsistence and settlement data published elsewhere argue that the last 2500 years of New York State's pre-European-contact Native American history is in need of substantial revision.

This archaeological report describes the excavation of a Mesolithic shore-bound settlement site in Tyresö, south of Stockholm, Sweden. At the time of occupation, between 10 000 and 9500 cal BP, the site was located on a tiny rock island. This island was the outermost habitable piece of land in a narrow island chain stretching nearly 150 km east from the mainland. The excavation revealed large numbers of lithic material, predominantly knapped quartz. A sunken dwelling floor was also identified. In a test pit in this structure black lumps of charred animalic matter of marine origin were found. This material is also recorded on two neighboring sites, Urskogsstigen 4 and Peak 85. At Telegrafberget the material was 14C-dated to between 9600 and 9500 cal BP.

Radiocarbon dates obtained for the coastal hilltop settlement of Aghios Antonios Potos in south Thasos are statistically treated to define the absolute chronology for the start and the end of the various habitation and cultural phases at the site. The location was first occupied during the Final Neolithic (FN) between 3800 and 3600 BC, extending this much contested phase to the lowest up to now record for Thasos and the northern Greece. The site is continuously inhabited from Early Bronze Age I until the early Late Bronze Age (LBA; 1363 BC) when it was abandoned. Comparison with other sites in Thasos and particularly with the inland site of Kastri Theologos showed that the first occupation at Aghios Antonios came soon after the abandonment of Kastri in the beginning of the 4th millennium. In fact, after the decline and abandonment of Aghios Antonios in the LBA, the site of Kastri was reinhabited, leading to the hypothesis that part of the coastal population moved inland. The presumed chronological sequence of alternate habitation between the two settlements may evoke explanations for sociocultural and/or environmental dynamics behind population movements in prehistoric Thasos. A major conclusion of the project is that the 4th millennium occupation gap attested in many sites of Greece, especially in the north, is probably bridged in south Thasos, when the data from all sites are taken together. The mobility of people in Final Neolithic south Thasos may explain the general phenomenon of limited occupational sequences in the FN of north Greece.

Archaeologically monitored topsoil stripping of the site of a waste water treatment works at Ballywilliam, Donaghadee, Co Down, led to the identification and excavation of a burnt mound and a number of associated pits. Some are interpreted as troughs, and one preserved evidence of having been wood-lined. Radiocarbon determinations indicate use in the Early Bronze Age.

"The Hillforts of Strathdon Project explored the chronological relationships between the various hill-forts (Cook 2010). The aim was to undertake keyhole excavation, with local volunteers on a range of these sites to recover dating evidence. The project examined six hillforts over five years: Bruce’s Camp (NJ71NE 3; Cook et al forthcoming), Maiden Castle (NJ62SE2); Dunnideer (NJ62NW1; Cook et al 2008); Hill of Newleslie (NJ52NE 31), Hill of Barra (NJ82NW 4; Cook et al 2009) and Cairnmore (NJ52SW 9; Cook et al 2010).
This paper presents an interim account of the work at Maiden Castle and proposes that the architecture of the fortifications represents a deliberate choice laden with meaning and significance. Two potential sources for the architecture are identified, the first, Iron Age hillforts and Complex Atlantic Roundhouses (and cognate forms) and the second, putative west coast early medieval duns and Irish raths. Finally, these potential choices will be set in the context of the dynamic religious and political situation in contemporary North-East Scotland."

Based on the Zsóa von Torma’s private collection, the early cultural stage, named Vinca-Turdas, of Vinca culture
(phases A and B) was defined. Later, was proved that the Turdas site provide only elements contemporary to Vinca
C phase and Turdas culture is a different cultural and chronological entity from Vinca A and B phases. The use of
correspondence analysis and the increased number of 14C dates available enables a much better overview on the
Late Neolithic chronology from Transylvania. Thus, it can be established that the Turdas culture is contemporary
to Vinca C2 until beginning of D phases and Turdas II phase = Iclod II phase.

В работе обсуждается типология и хронология курганов с «усами» урало-казахстанских степей. Разнообразие архитектурных форм показывает, что данные памятники часто строились вблизи объектов более ранних эпох, что повлияло на их первичную культурно-хронологическую идентификацию в рамках эпохи ранних кочевников. На современном этапе становится более очевидным, что от этой версии следует отказаться. Полученные в последнее десятилетие данные радиоуглеродного анализа в сочетании с типологическими датировками предметного комплекса позволяют относить курганы с «усами» к V–VII вв. н.э. Вместе с немногочисленными погребальными комплексами (Боровое, Кара-Агач, Канаттас и др.) они составляют культурно-хронологический горизонт, сменивший в конце IV – начале V вв. гунно-сарматский. Примерно ко второй половине VII в. относится финал традиций курганов с «усами», связанный с перемещением новых групп населения с востока.

E-book version of the printed book "Archaeology and Ethnography of Forest and Wood." The Working Committee on Industrial Archeology and Archeometry of the Veszprém Academic Committee of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences – together with the Working Committee of Handicraft History, and with the supporting cooperation of the local professional museums – has organized annual scientifical workshops about the archaeologic, historic, and ethnographic relics of the material culture in the Carpathian Basin, and about the manifold investigation of the findings belonging to different groups of materials. The lectures dealt with the working and utilization of three very important elements of life, i.e. earth (clay, in 2004), wood (in 2005) and metal (iron, in 2006, 2007). After the Workshop in Budapest in 2004, ”a thousand of years of pottery,” we invited the specialists dealing with the investigation of ”archeology and ethnography of forest and wood” to Sopron, in May, 2005.
Twenty researchers participated in the workshop in Sopron, held in the lecture hall of the Collection of History of Forestry, Wood Industry and Surveying of the Forestry Engineering Faculty of the University of West Hungary (”Forestry Museum”).
Before an interested audience, the lecturers explained different points of view the ”element” nearest to life, i.e. forests and wood. The two day meeting was rather short. Hence the archeologists, ethnographers, historians, restorers and foresters could only deal with some main matters. They gave reports on environment archeology of ancient forests as well as archaeologic, ethnographic and historic relics of the wood industry, with special regard to historic aspects of handicrafts. Lectures were presented on age determinations of wood remains as well as on the conservation of archaeologic wooden findings. The texts of the lectures are presented here with the hope that, at the next meetings, those other fields will be reviewed, (which were outlined in the preparation of the Sopron Workshop from the Ethnographical Research Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences), to use this immense scientific data on the research of forests and wood).
We propose the following questions for disucssion: Wood working tools in the archaeologic and ethnographic collections; charcoal burning; analyses of the inventories compiled on the workshops and products of the craftsmen dealing with different kinds of wood, the conclusions about the regulations of products of craftmen; the devastation of forests, forest protection and afforestation and their regulation on different times during the different periods; wooden household objects, their manufacturing or acquisition; what was made at home, what was bought and from where. Our working committees organized the Sopron Workshop in cooperation with the Sopron Museum. Many thanks must be said to the Forestry Museum which gave place for the Workshop and to the Scarbantia Society for supporting it. We have to express special thanks to the Sopron Scientific Society of the Veszprém Academic Committee of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences for their financial support given to the organization of the Workshop, as well as to the printing costs of publication of the lectures in this book.

Radiocarbon dates for the Early Bronze Age of Northern England are presented, these provide an independent chronology for the Collared Urns of the region together with associated Accessory Vessels and grave goods. The results indicate that Collared Urns were in use in Northern England between 2000/1950 BC and 1600/1550 BC. Comparison of the dates obtained for Northern England show that they are broadly correspondent with those obtained for Ireland, Scotland and Wales in previous studies. This rebuts the idea that Collared Urns radiated from southern England, reaching northern and western Britain after a passage of time, instead the pattern is one of parallel development in all the regions considered here.

KEYWORDS
EARLY BRONZE AGE, COLLARED URNS, DATING, BRITISH PREHISTORY, IRISH PREHISTORY, SCOTTISH PREHISTORY, BURIAL BARROW, CHRONOLOGY, RADIOCARBON DATING, LANCASHIRE, NORTH WEST ENGLAND

The pivotal date of 465 BCE for the death of Xerxes has been accepted by historians for many years without notable controversy. However, according to Thucydides, a historian renowned for his high chronological accuracy, Themistocles met Artaxerxes, who had succeeded Xerxes, his father, just after the fall of Nexos (The Peloponnesian War I:98;137) which occured after the fall of Skyros dated at the beginning of the archonship of Phaedo in 476 BCE, according to Plutarch (Life of Theseus §§35,36). Thus, the meeting with Themistocles would have occurred soon after 475/474, not 465/464.
The present Achaemenid chronology comes mainly from official Babylonian king lists which ignore coregents and usurpers. This official version is contradicted by contracts dated in "year, month, day" proving the existence of frequent co-regencies and usurpers. In addition, according to the astronomical tablet referenced BM 32234 the death of Xerxes is dated 14/V/21 between two lunar eclipses, one dated 14/III/21 (26 June 475 BCE), which was total, and a second dated 14/VIII/21 (20 December 475 BCE), which was partial. Thus the death of Xerxes has to be dated 24 August 475 BCE. Likewise, the death of Artaxerxes I is fixed precisely by Thucydides (The Peloponnesian War IV:50-52) just before a partial solar eclipse (21 March 424 BCE) which would imply an absurd co-regency of Darius II with a dead king for at least one year! In fact, Plutarch and Justinus have effectively described a long co-regency of Artaxerxes but with his first son Darius B (434-426), not Darius II, and afterward two shorts reigns: Xerxes II for 2 months then Sogdianus for 7 months, which occurred before the reign of Darius II.
The arrangement of the intercalary months in a chronology without co-regency has several anomalies especially the presence of two months Ulul in a single cycle. By contrast, in a chronology with co-regency, and thus two distinct cycles, the abnormal intercalary month in year 30 of Darius (Persepolis) corresponds to another cycle ending in year 4 of Xerxes. The titular of Xerxes (496-475) in Egypt and the data of Diodorus confirm the co-regency of 10 years with Darius (522-486), likewise Elephantine papyri with many double dates with civil and lunar calendars.
Lunar dates were supposed to come from a Babylonian calendar, but this is impossible because the city of Elephantine, in the far south of Egypt, was largely administered by Egyptian officials who used a civil calendar to date their documents. Parker (1950) assumed that the Egyptian lunar calendar began with the 1st invisibility (day after the new moon and just before the new crescent). As lunar day 1, called psdntyw "shining ones", has played a major role in Egyptian religious celebrations, it is regularly quoted in ancient documents, which sometimes also date it in the civil calendar. In the papyrus Louvre 7848 containing a double date, lunar and civil, in the year 44 of Amasis, the first date (II Shemu 13) is lunar and the second (I Shemu 15) is civil and as the civil date fell on 21 September 558 BCE the lunar date fell on 9 (= 21 – 12) September 558 BCE which was a full moon day according to astronomy, not 1st invisibility "shining ones"! The lunar calendar at Elephantine with its system of double dates used by Persians officials and Jewish scribes from 500 to 400 BCE confirms that the Egyptian lunar day 1 was a full moon.

Historians consider the biblical account of the Deluge as a myth. However, this famous event occurred at the earliest times of recorded history (Sumerian King List). Today scientists believe in the last ice age called Pleistocene ending to 10,000 BCE, but there is no witness (prehistory) of this planetary cataclysmic event and its existence is based solely on the (controversial) interpretation of its consequences and their dating. The existence of erratic blocks and the disappearance of mammoths are presented as evidence of the last glaciation, but contrary to what one might think 14C dating provides conflicting results. Moreover, the sudden extinction of mammoths (some were found with food undigested in their stomachs or still unchewed in their teeth) would be spread over thousands of years! Likewise, during the last glaciation the sea level would have decreased by at least 140 m (which is currently explained by melting of glaciers) but such variations of the sea level did not occur during previous glaciations.
Dating obtained by calibrated 14C is considered absolute by most experts but confrontation with the Egyptian chronology, which some dates are fixed by astronomy, reverses this belief. This comparison shows that dates obtained by 14C calibrated by dendrochronology match to those from astronomy until -2200 but before this date increase exponentially. Thus the rate of 14C tends gradually to 0 around -3500, which implies an important consequence: before that 14C dating is no longer possible.
The biblical and Sumerian accounts of the Deluge are very similar (which occured in year 600 of Noah or Ziusudra) and suppose a dating around -3000 (3170 BCE according to the Septuagint). The period 3170-2800 is very poorly documented, the only remarkable event is the construction of the Tower of Babel then its abandonment and the emergence of languages. According to Mesopotamian literature the ziggurat of Babylon called "temple of the foundation of heaven and earth" in Sumerian was dedicated to Marduk. Many scholars estimate that these mythological texts have no historical value, but several Sumerian and Babylonian inscriptions have confirmed the antiquity of this ancient ziggurat and the name of its builder. Sumerian stories confirm the biblical version about four key points: 1) a universal deluge, 2) only one language at the origin, 3) construction of the Tower of Babel and 4) a sudden and simultaneous onset of languages (like Sumerian, Akkadian, Egyptian, etc.).
Human longevity seems to have remained constant over the entire period from 3100 BCE up to now, which contradicts the biblical data concerning the relatives of Abraham who would have lived, prior 1600 BCE, much more than 130 years. However, contrary to the popular common sense suggests, human limits are difficult to set by science. Studies on human longevity provide amazing data in accordance with the Bible. Thus, for unexplained reasons, the maximum age at death (longevity) is not constant but increases regularly and since 1960 there is an unexplained acceleration of the increase.
The transmission of many historical and chronological data (reigns, lifetimes, long periods, etc.) as well as many proper names, is necessarily flawed, unless one believing in an (unlikely) scribes infallibility. Thus, ancient texts, that are preserved in more than one copy, have been compared to determine how much variation occurs between manuscripts. This kind of study showed that the most stable texts surveyed are those containing ritual instructions, which have led, for example, to the exact transmission of the Torah in the late Second Temple period. The accuracy of the transmission of the text can be checked owing to the accuracy of its chronology and through the comparison between the sum of the intermediate values and the total value indicated in the text. Textual criticism now favors an anteriority of the Septuagint text Vorlage (H*) on the proto-Masoretic which comes from an overhaul of this Vorlage, including chronological data from the text of Genesis. According to the reconstruction of chronological data, Jewish corrections of the Hebrew text (preserved in the Septuagint) were performed in two steps: after the onset of the Book of Jubilees (c. -160) durations in Genesis 5:3-31 were reduced by 100 years and were adopted by a part of the Jews, as Eupolemus and by the Samaritans, and afterward, at the Synod of Yabneh (c. 90 CE), durations in Genesis 11:10-26 were also reduced by 100 years and were canonized by the rabbis (Pharisees). There was no dispute since the priests (Sadducees) no longer existed, as well as scrolls of the temple (except some of them which has been retrieved by Josephus thanks to emperor Titus in 70 CE).

"The traditional date of 1595 BCE for the destruction of Babylon by the Hittite king Mursili I is accepted by most historians for many years despite notable controversies. This pivotal date is considered crucial to the various calculations of the early chronology of the ancient Near East. According to the Venus Tablet (Enuma Anu Enlil 63) which describes the rising and setting of Venus during the reign of Ammisaduqa, there are only four possibilities implying four dates for the destruction of Ur: 1912, 1944, 2004, 2064 BCE. However, a tablet of astronomical omens (Enuma Anu Enlil 20) mentions a lunar eclipse, dated 14/III/48, at the end of the reign of Shulgi and another (Enuma Anu Enlil 21) mentions a lunar eclipse, dated 14/XII/24, at the end of the reign of Ibbi-Sin. Over the period 2200-1850 BCE there are only three pairs of eclipses, spaced by 42 years, matching the description of astronomical omens but only one agreeing with the previous four dates. Despite the excellent agreement the date of 1499 BCE is considered too low compared to Kassite and Hittite chronologies.
The second way to check the date for the fall of Babylon is to rebuild the chronology of this period thanks to synchronisms dated by astronomy from Assyrian, Babylonian, Egyptian and Israelite chronologies which provide synchronisms that can be dated independently. The Mesopotamian chronology of this period is reconstructed using the number of Assyrian eponyms (one a year) and the length of Babylonian reigns combined with the set of synchronisms among Assyrian and Babylonian kings in Annals. Consequently, the reign of Kassite King Gandash" (1661-1635), obtained from average durations, coincides with the reign of the Assyrian king Samsu-iluna (1654-1616) and Sealand king Ilum-maz-ilî (1664- 1594). In addition, the reign of Kassite King Agum II (1503-1487) and Sealand King Ayadaragalama (1498-1482) are consistent with a fall of Babylon in 1499 BCE. During the reign of Assur-dân I (1179-1133) eponyms began on 1st Nisan instead of 1 Sippu, but Assyrian lunar years without intercalation remained the norm until Tiglath-pileser I. As the Babylonian year began on 1st Nisan (shortly after the spring equinox), Assyrian years coincided with Babylonian lunar years with intercalation, thus the period between Assur-dân I and Tiglath-pileser I was therefore transitional.
Owing to the Babylonian chronology and synchronisms it is possible to date other chronologies (Egyptian, Elamite, Hittite and Mitannian). As lunar day 1, called psdntyw "shining ones", has played a major role in Egyptian religious celebrations, it is regularly quoted in ancient documents, which sometimes also date it in the civil calendar. This double-dating then allows an absolute dating, on condition that provided proper identification of the moon phase for that particular day. Present specialists rely on the work of Parker (in 1950) who defined this day as a first invisibility, that is to say the day (invisible!) just before the first lunar crescent. However in the papyrus Louvre 7848 containing a double date, lunar and civil, in the year 44 of Amasis, the first date (II Shemu 13) is lunar and the second (I Shemu 15) is civil and as the civil date fell on 21 September 558 BCE the lunar date fell on 9 (= 21 – 12) September 558 BCE which was a full moon day according to astronomy, not first invisibility! The lunar calendar at Elephantine with its system of double dates (Egyptian and Babylonian) used by Persians officials and Jewish scribes from 500 to 400 BCE confirms that the Egyptian lunar day 1 was a full moon (see Dating the Reign of Xerxes and Artaxerxes)."

The "Dark Ages" during which there are few or no written records are common in history and can even last for several centuries as the Greek Dark Ages (1200-750). They are a major obstacle to get an accurate reconstruction of ancient chronologies. Carbon-14 dating and the style of ceramics has led to significant improvement, but the uncertainty is still important since the first fall of Babylon is currently fixed in 1651, 1595, 1531 or 1499 BCE, depending on historians. Such a difference in timeline prevents from reaching the historical truth because chronology is the backbone of history. It is for this reason that from Herodotus, the "father of history" (in fact the father of scientific inquiry, including of chronology), Greek historians have gradually established a system of dating in order to write a universal history. Several systems have gradually been used (depending on authors): archontic years (753 BCE to 275 CE), Olympic years (776 BCE to 261 CE), consular years (509 BCE to 541 CE), etc. Some astronomical phenomena well identified, such as eclipses, now enable us to synchronize these ancient dating systems and anchor them on absolute dates. Then simply reconstruct the chronology of earlier periods (Persian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Egyptian, etc.) in the same way by dating some synchronisms by astronomy (see the file entitled: Dating the Fall of Babylon and Ur). Thus Babylonian reigns enable us dating the period from 1375 to 539 BCE, then Assyrian eponyms the one from 1873 to 609 BCE, Babylonian reigns again the one from 2243 to 1499 BCE and finally Egyptian reigns the one from 2632 to 1773 BCE.

The legends on sherds from the archaeological site Tissamaharama in southern Sri Lanka are presented and their contents examined with regard to the composition of laypeople and Buddhist clerics from the late 3rd century BC onwards. The role of women is particularly noteworthy.

The traditional date of 701 BCE for Sennacherib's campaign to Judah, with the siege of Lachish and Jerusalem and the Battle of Eltekeh, is accepted by historians for many years without notable controversy. However, the inscription of Sargon II, found at Tang-i Var in 1968, requires to date this famous campaign during his 10th campaign (in 712 BCE), implying a coregency with Sennacherib from 714 BCE. A thorough analysis of the annals and the reliefs of Sargon and Sennacherib shows that there was only one campaign in Judah and not two. The Assyrian assault involved the presence of at least six kings (or similar): 1) taking of Ashdod by the Assyrian king Sargon II in his 10th campaign, 2) taking of Lachish by Sennacherib during his 3rd campaign, 3) siege of Jerusalem dated 14th year of Judean King Hezekiah; 4) battle of Eltekeh led by Nubian co-regent Taharqa; 5) under the leadership of King Shabataka during his 1st year of reign; 6) probable disappearance of the Egyptian king Osorkon IV in his 33rd year of reign. This conclusion agrees exactly with the biblical account that states all these events occurred during the 14th year of Judean King Hezekiah dated 712 BCE (2Kings 18:13-17, 19:9; 2Chronicles 32:9; Isaiah 20:1, 36:1, 37:9).

The traditional date of 945 BCE to anchor the beginning of the 22nd dynasty, as set forth by K.A. Kitchen, was accepted by Egyptologists for many years without notable controversy. However, this pivotal date is based on the biblical chronology calculated by E. Thiele (1951), which is wrong of about 45 years near 900 BCE because of numerous fanciful co-regencies. The only right way to date the beginning of the 22nd dynasty is to date the end of the 21st dynasty by synchronisms with the Babylonian and Assyrian chronologies anchored on astronomical dating (see Dating the Fall of Babylon and Ur). Two important synchronisms allow an anchorage: the ‘Sea Peoples war’ dated year 8 of Ramses III and year 2 of Meli- Shipak (1185 BCE) and a total lunar eclipse (17 March 851 BCE) dated on 2[9] Shemu IV, 15th year of Takelot II, mentioned in the Osorkon Chronicle. The dating of Shoshenq I's Campaign in Palestine is confirmed by the fact that the city of Rehob was burned in 970-960, according to 14C dating, and by the biblical chronology based on the Masoretic text which dates the 5th year of Rehoboam in 972 BCE (2Chronicles 12:2-9) corresponding to year 9 of Shoshenq I (980-959).

please refere to: https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-168688

This essay presents an attempt to fix the development of ceramics in Central Europe during the first half of the 5th millennium with absolute dates. This relates to different regional pottery styles: the West German Middle Neolithic Style, the Southeast Bavarian Middle Neolithic (SOB), the Bohemian Stroke Ornamented Pottery, and the Moravian Painted Pottery in Eastern Austria and Moravia (Fig. 1). For the absolute dating of the development in Alsace and in Western Germany, extensive research was undertaken by A. Denaire (2009b; 2011). P. Stadler and others (2006) have provided and evaluated data for Eastern Austria. The 14C data from Austria and Alsace have been calibrated using Bayesian statistics. This approach is criticized by other researchers (Weninger/Easton 2014, 165; Steier/Rom 2000). In the study presented here, 600 Central European 14C data were collected and analyzed from Alsace to Moravia. This was done with the aim to combine the new chronological results for the Southeast Bavarian Middle Neolithic (Riedhammer 2017) with the simultaneous regional development of Central Europe. Also data from the youngest LBK and the Late Neolithic Period are taken into account, in order to estimate the beginning and end of the Middle Neolithic. The find circumstances as well as the taphonomic and pedological processes around the measured samples were critically assessed. There are numerous indications that organic materials in settlement context are subject to greater carryover mechanisms than pottery shards. The majority of 14C ‘outliers’ from repeatedly used sites can thus be explained. Therefore, one should plead that a series of data should always be related to the entire time span of an archaeological site. Thus, there is a different approach to using Bayesian statistics, were a 14C date always is related only to the narrower find complex from which the sample originates. By comparing groupcalibrated data series from the different style regions from both settlement and grave contexts, results have been obtained that measure the pace of regional stylistic developments in absolute time scales (Fig. 58). The juxtaposition of these results with the results of regional relative typochronology (Fig. 2) reveals astonishing results. For example, the dating gap between Ancient and Middle Neolithic Period, which was recently pointed out for Alsace (Denaire et al. 2017), is likely to be supraregional. The question is, does the reason for that gap lie in difficult find circumstances or is there a longer interruption of the settlement activities over larger landscapes. The important second finding is that the middle section of all regional ceramic developments, which are subdividable into four to five fine-grained stylistic stages in each region, was at a rapid pace of probably no more than 100 to a maximum of 150 years. In addition, discrepancies in the absolute dating of these Central European style regions of the first half of the 5th millennium are revealed, which must be tackled by future research.

Rössener Kultur (4700 – 4400)

Referat im Kompaktproseminar
Am 5. 12. 2007 vorgetragen von
Manfred Bundschuh
Institut für Ur- und Frühgeschichte, Universität Köln
Inhalt:
Seite
•1. Zur Forschungsgeschichte   1
•2. Verbreitungskarte   2
•3. Absolute und relative Chronologie   3
•4. Typische Befunde   7
•5. Typische Funde 12
•6. Umwelt und Wirtschaft 15
•7. Aktuelle Fragen zur Forschung 16
•8. Literaturverzeichnis 16

The objective of this study was to develop, test and evaluate a specifically defined interdisciplinary approach—the human-centred approach—as applied to a case study, Iron Age Öland. Four themes were selected to highlight different aspects of particular interest in Öland: taphonomy, diet, migration, and social organization. The uncremated human skeletal remains from Öland are the basis for this study. Different aspects of the bones, such as spatial distribution and chemical and physical properties, were investigated. The methods used include osteological methods, image-based modelling, isotopic analysis of bone (δ13C and δ15N; 14C) and enamel (87Sr/86Sr, δ18O), statistical modelling, and graph-based network analysis.
The great impact of the choice of methodology in the different papers was apparent in evaluating how the human-centred approach could be practiced.
The concept developed in Paper I, Virtual Taphonomy, provided deeper insight into the specific case study of Öland but also showed the potential of this methodology for archaeology and osteology in general.
The approach to migration in Paper II gave results differing from those in Paper IV. The use of a second isotope (δ18O) in Paper IV showed how some individuals were clearly not from an area close by enough to fit within the proposed areas in Paper II. Paper IV also questioned the definitions of 87Sr/86Sr baseline and the interpretation process for deciding whether an individual is determined as a migrant. While the population level approach to migration in Paper II allowed for a discussion on the mechanisms behind migration, the approach in Paper IV instead gave insight into the nature and expression of migration within Öland’s society.
In Paper III, it was demonstrated that a shift in diet (isotope variation) did not coincide with the relative typological chronology but instead should be studied by more independent chronology (such as 14C). The isotope results for Öland could also be interpreted completely differently today due to new standards for understanding how isotope values relate to human diet.
Paper V showed how a transparent analysis of isotope results, osteological analysis, and archaeological parameters could be used to discuss societal development using graph-based network analysis.
Using the human-centred approach to Iron Age Öland resulted in some new insights and a rethinking of society, particularly regarding diet and migration. The interpretation of the diet isotopes means that the pastoralist subsistence likely transformed the Ölandic landscape much earlier than previously thought. The dietary shift places the start of this in the final two centuries BC, not AD 200. In the Late Iron Age, the migration levels doubled, especially as women were immigrating. The people settling Öland were coming from diverse geographical areas in both periods, with the addition of more distant migrants in the Late period. I argue this is part of a creolization process in Öland in the Late Iron Age, detectable in burial practice and diet. The starting point of this great immigration is difficult to define as uncremated human remains are largely lacking in the period AD 200–700. Around AD 200, there is also a change in social organization indicated through the perceptible use of violence. I interpret this as a society where elders had diminished social power compared to earlier times, and when the increasing military focus throughout Scandinavia was also established in Öland.
In conclusion, the exploration of a human-centred archaeology gave new insights of relevance to archaeology at large, not just Iron Age Öland. In particular, the strong interpretational aspects of isotopes could be demonstrated, as well as the great advantages of applying digital archaeological theory and method to human skeletal remains.

Recent fieldwork in the main excavation area at Göbekli Tepe has focused on the excavation of deep soundingsto reach the natural bedrock in preparation for the construction of a shelter, urgently required for the protection of the exposed Neolithic architecture. Eleven deep soundings have been excavated to the bedrock. At several locations, considerable amounts of  carbonized botanical material were discovered, so far unique for excavations at Göbekli. A series of more than 150 samples has been produced either on site or by flotation of the relevant soil units. To test the quality of the material for radiocarbon dating, five samples from the area of the large enclosures from Layer III were submitted for AMS-radiocarbon dating. These new data, together with a further age made on collagen from an animal tooth, are presented and discussed in context with previously available absolute chronological evidence.

Krus, Anthony M.
2016 The Timing of Precolumbian Militarization in the U.S. Midwest and Southeast. American Antiquity 81(2):375-388.

Bayesian chronological modeling is used to investigate the chronology of bastioned palisades during the precolumbian period in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Nine precolumbian settlements in the Midwest and Southeast with bastioned palisades have been subject to scientific dating (Angel Mounds, Annis Village, Aztalan, Cahokia Mounds, Etowah, Kincaid Mounds, Jonathan Creek, Moundville, and Southwind). Complete radiocarbon datasets from these sites are presented within an interpretative Bayesian statistical framework. The results provide a glimpse into the history of Mississippi period (A.D. 1000–1700) fortifications with bastions and indicate that the analyzed fortifications were built and maintained predominantly in A.D. 1200–1400. This finding suggests a greater institutionalized role for defense and warfare in post-A.D. 1200 Mississippian societies. Additionally, modeling results further indicate that the investigated Mississippian centers continued to maintain fortifications for generations after their construction.

Archaeologically monitored topsoil stripping at the site of Oakgrove Integrated College, Gransha, Co Londonderry, in 2002 led to the identification and investigation of a number of archaeological sites, including two areas of Early Neolithic activity and an Early Bronze Age burnt mound with troughs. Surface finds of Late Mesolithic and possibly Neolithic flint were also recorded.

Dans cette étude, nous proposons une analyse critique des différentes phases de constructions et d’occupations des secteurs résidentiels et cérémoniels de Tiwanaku. La méthodologie employée se focalise exclusivement sur des structures appartenant au noyau urbain de Tiwanaku, dont l’objectif est de présenter une séquence chronologique de différents édifices.
Seul un nombre limité de ces édifices possède une documentation suffisante afin d’établir des séquences chronologiques complètes. Ces structures analysées auront néanmoins l’avantage d’être représentatives de l’urbanisation, notamment au sujet de leur fonction « supposée » : le complexe résidentiel et cérémoniel du Putuni, le secteur résidentiel Akapana-East 1 et le secteur cérémoniel de la pyramide Akapana.
Nos résultats se baseront sur les dernières techniques de datation. En effet, à partir des graphiques et de certaines données déjà calibrées par Patricia Knobloch, nous utiliserons des intervalles de probabilité 2 sigma (95%) à la place d’intervalles de probabilité 1 sigma (68%). Au niveau de l’interprétation du matériel archéologique, nous avons donc un intervalle de probabilité bien plus favorable que celui employé traditionnellement dans les publications.
Ces intervalles seront toutefois plus larges. Nous nous baserons donc sur la réalité stratigraphique afin de pouvoir les délimiter. Nous développerons particulièrement certaines couches de remblaiement ou de fondation. Nous verrons qu’une strate énigmatique de couleur verte, représentative d’une époque, servira de référentiel temporel. Nous développerons également la problématique de la céramique en utilisant la répartition de celles-ci à travers les différents contextes.
L’analyse et la critique des différentes séquences chronologiques est dès lors primordiale afin d’en retirer les outils méthodologiques nécessaires et d’ identifier les « faiblesses ». La terminologie abondante et variée que nous retrouvons à travers les publications sera la principale cause de confusion d’interprétations. Nous proposerons, dans un intérêt d’analyse comparative, d’employer les terminologies phases A , phase B et phase C. Nous insisterons, en effet, sur le fait qu’une continuité caractérise les différentes phases d’occupations qui sont connectées intrinsèquement entre elles.
Nous proposerons nos résultats sous forme de tableaux mais également de graphiques afin de visualiser les réalités stratigraphiques dans un panorama d’ensemble sur l’évolution urbanistique de Tiwanaku.
Les chapitres II et III constitueront le noyau de cette étude. Néanmoins, en guise d’application, nous confronterons nos résultats avec la pyramide du Puma-Punku afin de proposer une chronologie absolue et de dater ses différentes phases de constructions.

Investigations in the 1960s and 1970s showed the Irvine site (CA-ORA-64) to be among the oldest shell middens known from the Pacific Coast of North America. The site chronology, based on conventional analysis of mixed shell samples collected from heavily bioturbated soils, extended back to ca. 8440 RYBP. Recent work at the site provided an opportunity to refine the CA-ORA-64 chronology via AMS 14C dating of single shell fragments, including 14 Olivella beads. Long considered to be one of the earliest ornament types made by Pacific Coast peoples, such spire-removed Olivella beads were used through much of the Holocene and generally are not good chronological indicators. AMS analysis of the CA-ORA-64 specimens, however, produced a consistent series of Early Holocene dates that includes some of the oldest securely dated shell beads in North America. Along with obsidian from interior sources, such Olivella beads played an important role in early exchange networks between coastal and interior peoples. Methodologically, our research demonstrates the utility of AMS 14C dating in determining the age of key artifact types found in multi-component sites with assemblages affected by stratigraphic mixing.

Abstract – The Mesolithic-Neolithic bog site Friesack 4 in Brandenburg (Germany) reveals the most detailed stratigraphy from the Mesolithic in Europe known so far. From 100 Mesolithic layers – covering a time span of approx. 3200 years – came numerous wooden and antler objects as well as thousands of bones and about 140,000 stone artefacts. Using the Harris Matrix to examine the sequence in trench Z, and the typochronological evaluation of the microliths through correspondence analysis, it has been possible to subdivide the stratigraphy into 15 layer complexes with specific microlithic inventories. These can be used as reference assemblages for comparisons with other inventories from the Mesolithic in Germany and from neighbouring regions. As a result, the Mesolithic in Germany has been subdivided into regional and chronological clusters of microlithic assemblages, which can be tentatively associated with social groups.

La arqueología es una ciencia que permite, por medio de los vestigios naturales de las épocas pasadas, comprobar datos históricos y sustentar los datos prehistóricos, obteniendo así el conocimiento de las artes, técnicas y modos de vida de los distintos pueblos y épocas. El rápido desarrollo de las ciencias experimentales y sus aplicaciones prácticas ha prestado a la incipiente ciencia arqueológica una base práctica y metodológica, tan importante como aquella que, en el plano teórico, le habían prestado la historiografía y las ciencias sociales.

This paper synthesizes the currently available data on the radiocarbon chronology of the south-western Iberian Bronze Age. First, the bulk of c. 1000 existing dates for southern Iberian Late Prehistory is analysed, and its main issues discussed. Secondly, a discussion is presented of the main features of settlement and funerary patterns in the south-western Bronze Age as dated by radiocarbon, with special emphasis in issues such as their temporal evolution and synchrony with the south-eastern record.

The volcanic mega event of the Minoan Santorini eruption constitutes a time anchor in the 2nd millennium BCE that is inherently independent of archaeology and political history. It was a geological event. Yet the dimension of time in geology is not different than in archaeology or human history. Why then does archaeological dating usually place the Minoan Santorini eruption in the 18th Dynasty around 1500 BCE, whilst radiocarbon dating of the volcanic event at Akrotiri (Thera) yielded a calibrated age of 1646–1603 cal BCE, a difference of more than a cen-tury? The crux of the problem lies apparently in the correlation between archaeological strata and political history. We present radiocarbon dates of Ashkelon Phases 10 and 11 in comparison to Tell el-Dab'a and the Santorini eruption, based only on 14 C dating. Tell el-Dab'a Phase D/2 is slightly older than the volcanic event. But Phase D/1 or Phase C/ 2-3 could have witnessed the eruption. Ashkelon Phase 11 has similar radiocarbon dates as Tell el-Dab'a Phases E/2, E/1 and D/3, all being significantly older than the Minoan eruption. It seems that the duration of Ashkelon Phase 10 includes the temporal occurrence of the Minoan Santorini eruption within the Second Intermediate Period.