The stoneware ‘Ogame’ (“large jar”) produced in Hizen Province, Kyushu, during Japan’s Edo period (1603–1868) served diverse domestic and mortuary functions, from storing water, soy sauce, and fertilizer to containing human remains in burial contexts. Previous scholars have suggested that key historical developments, including the Qing Dynasty ‘sea ban’ (1647–1684) and the rise of mass-produced porcelain in Hizen, contributed to increasing morphological standardization in both porcelain and stoneware. However, no prior morphometric study has tested this hypothesis for Ogame jars. This study applies two-dimensional, outline-based Geometric Morphometrics (GMM) and machine learning-based ‘Random Forest’ classification to assess shape variability in a dataset of 243 jars from kiln and mortuary contexts across Hizen and Chikuzen Provinces (present day Saga and Fukuoka prefectures). Results show (1) a statistically significant negative trend in within-stage dispersion across the Edo period, and (2) a pronounced morphological divergence between mortuary and kiln-associated jars. These findings reveal how Edo-period Ogame shape was influenced by temporal processes of standardization and context-specific demands for mortuary and domestic use. By integrating quantitative morphometric tools with machine learning classification, this exploratory study provides a replicable framework for investigating shape change in historical ceramics with limited chronological resolution.
The focus of this paper is a group of anthropomorphic vessels found at sites in Western Anatolia dating to the Early Bronze Age I-II. The most striking shared feature is the presence of so-called earplugs in relief on both sides of their necks. To date, no visual evidence has been found to confirm that these artifacts were utilized as earplugs. We suggest that they are, in fact, a special type of earring and may have served to represent an unnamed deity or a member of the ruling class.
This research uses non-destructive energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) spectrometry to characterize the composition of 56 metal artifacts from 11 sites throughout the Italian island of Sardinia dating from the Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age (ca. late 4th to early 2nd millennia BCE). These objects are housed at the Museo G.A. Sanna di Sassari and the Museo Nazionale di Cagliari and represent one of the most comprehensive collections of early metal artifacts from across the island. By combining typological classification with compositional analyses, a primary goal of the study is to reveal connections between artifact forms and their corresponding metallurgical makeup, in turn recognizing changes in metalworking practices through time. The aim is not necessarily to identify intentional alloying, but to recognize variation in metal “recipes” and elemental levels of metal constituents that are unlikely to be the result of their mere presence in ores. Archaeometric data on the earliest Sardinian artifacts are limited, and these results have important implications as it relates to debates about the nature of early metalworking on Sardinia and its adoption and proliferation in the central Mediterranean more broadly.
Respiratory illnesses and airborne diseases (RIAD) represent conditions involving the respiratory tract or primarily affecting humans through this interface. This study presents the very first systematic investigation of RIAD prevalence in Switzerland, examining remains from Lausanne - La Sallaz Cemetery (L - LSC), a 19th - 20th century workers and hospital patients' graveyard. It also explores potential correlations between osteological RIAD-related alterations, skeletal markers of physiological stress (SMPS) and orodental conditions. In total, 74 individuals (2 immatures; 72 adults) were analyzed through macroscopic and endoscopic palaeopathological methods. They were screened for chronic maxillary sinusitis (CMS), chronic otitis media (COM), porotic hyperostosis, cribra orbitalia, enamel hypoplasia, and orodental conditions. Crude prevalences were tested for sex-based correlations and associations between RIAD, SMPS, and orodental conditions, alongside age-related patterns. Substantial archival mortality data further contextualized living conditions. Compared to palaeopathological literature, CMS displayed high true prevalence (82 % (23/28)), whilst COM was rare (2 % (3/125)). Relative to archival material, the sample underrepresented younger individuals and overrepresented older ones, suggesting preservation or selection biases. Both osteoarchaeological and archival age distributions indicated low longevity; archival data linking this phenomenon to professional occupation. Historical and medical sources identify tuberculosis, pneumonia, bronchitis, and childhood acute infections as main causes of death, aligning with mortality records. No statistical correlations were observed between CMS, COM, SMPS, and orodental conditions. However, integrating bioanthropological, archival, and medical evidence provided insights into RIAD epidemiology, comorbidities, and diagnostic limits. Limitations include small sample size and diagnostic precision; future research should focus on larger populations and multidisciplinary approaches.
The transition from the Late Bronze Age to the Iron Age represents one of the key stages in Anatolian history, associated with political change and long-term reorganization of settlement landscapes. This article examines these processes at a macroregional scale by analysing patterns of settlement distribution in Central Anatolia. The study is based exclusively on published and publicly available datasets derived from archaeological survey projects conducted in Central Anatolia over past decades. The analysis is explicitly framed as a heuristic comparison of differently structured temporal datasets, reflecting uneven chronological resolution of the available evidence. In order to identify spatial structures and long-term tendencies in settlement organization, the analysis combines percolation-based clustering with GIS-based assessment of potential visibility relationships. The integration of these methods enables reconstruction of broad settlement configurations and their internal coherence while acknowledging the non-synchronic and time-averaged character of the datasets, without requiring assumptions regarding political boundaries or fine-grained chronological subdivisions. The results indicate observable differences in spatial configuration of settlement patterns between the Late Bronze Age and the Iron Age, including shifts in cluster structure, degrees of spatial cohesion, and patterns of potential intervisibility. These differences are interpreted as reflecting long-term tendencies rather than strictly synchronous transformations. These findings provide macroregional support for interpretive approaches that emphasize selective continuity, regional variability, and long-term reorganization of settlement systems following the dissolution of Late Bronze Age integrative structures, while remaining within interpretive limits imposed by the nature of available survey data.
Recent advances in the natural sciences, bioarchaeology and spatial analytical techniques have significantly improved our ability to reconstruct prehistoric human connectivity. However, traditional mapping approaches can often fail to integrate isotopic evidence with landscape modeling and artifact distribution comprehensively. This study addresses this gap by combining Least-Cost Path (LCP) analysis, spatial distribution of key archaeological artifacts (jade axes and hilted swords), and 87 Sr/ 86 Sr isotopic data from previous research to investigate movement corridors in the Late Neolithic (ca. 3,800–2,800 BCE) and Bronze Age (ca. 2,300/2,200–800 BCE) landscapes of central and southern Germany. Our objective is to model how prehistoric populations navigated and exploited natural landscape features for mobility and trade, assessing how these corridors influenced the spatial distribution of important trade commodities. By integrating isotopic data with modeled movement corridors, our study confirms through independent isotopic and spatial evidence, that mobility networks intensified and stabilized during the Bronze Age. This approach highlights a methodological advance rather than reiterating a well-known trend, as the broader variability of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios directly corresponds with the establishment of sustained long-distance connections.
The Geological, Mining, Historical and Environmental Park of Sardinia tells over 8000 years of exploitation of the island’s mineral resources, and history among the most lasting and fascinating planet. Starting from the Early Neolithic, local people began to exploit the Monte Arci volcanic complex for its obsidian, a rhyolitic volcanic glass erupted 3 million years ago, used for everyday objects production. Due to the rarity of obsidian sources in the Mediterranean, Monte Arci constituted an attraction for the populations who came to Sardinia to obtain supplies of this precious material and became the earliest center of mining on the island. To enhance Monte Arci’s obsidian as the cradle of civilization in Sardinia, as well as its archaeological, cultural, geological and mining heritage, the Geological, Mining, Historical and Environmental Park concretely collaborated with the municipality of Masullas to open the Obsidian Park of Conca e Cannas, which hosts one of the largest and best quality obsidian deposit of the Mediterranean, as well as the GeoMuseo Monte Arci “Stefano Incani”, focused on the geology of Monte Arci. Also, the Obsidian Museum of Pau has been inaugurated with the municipality’s cooperation to travel through time from an archaeological, historical, and cultural perspective.
The increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems presents significant challenges regarding transparency and accountability. This paper investigates the application of paradata - information detailing the procedures and tools used in AI-facilitated processes - as a strategy for enhancing transparency in a context of particularly complex and historically-rooted practice: archaeology. Despite growing recognition of the need for transparent AI use, current documentation practices are often inadequate. This paper argues that paradata offers a valuable approach to addressing these deficiencies, particularly when considering the inherently heterogeneous and temporally-extended nature of archaeological data and methods. Focusing on archaeological practice, the potential of paradata is explored for documenting not only how an AI system operates, but also how it is utilised within complex, historically-situated processes. We propose a 'paradata matrix' as a practical method for systematically identifying and documenting the necessary paradata, recognizing that a multiplicity of transparencies - rather than singular, context-independent understanding - is often crucial for navigating the socio-technico-informational complexities of AI use.
Jiangxi was situated on the periphery of the Chinese cultural sphere during the pre-Qin period (from the Paleolithic to the establishment of the first feudal dynasty around 221 BC). Archaeological excavations and studies of pre-Qin settlements in Jiangxi have likewise remained marginal comparatively, and it is generally believed that the region was subordinate to neighboring archaeological cultures. This paper employs a three-level analytical framework for settlements, encompassing individual structures, individual settlements, and settlement groups. Drawing upon cultural systems identified through archaeological research and integrating perspectives from architecture and urban history, this paper first defines the architectural and burial traits of various archaeological cultures in Jiangxi. Utilizing recent excavation data from the Fuhe River Basin, it examines the spatial layout of ditched settlements and then establishes a chronological framework for the development of walled settlements. Subsequently, the paper analyzes settlement distribution patterns and the factors behind their temporal changes. Lastly, a comparative analysis situates Jiangxi’s regional specificities within broader discourses on cultural diffusion. As a whole, this paper aims to delineate the spatiotemporal context of pre-Qin architectural features and settlement patterns, thereby contextualizing the early urbanization process in Jiangxi.
The micro-archaeological study of Neanderthal fires provides exceptional insight into the behavior and activities carried out by these populations. We present the micromorphological results of level VIII of Cova Negra (X & agrave;tiva, Spain), which is attributed, based on its dates, to MIS 7. Large areas of combustion were recorded, featuring important accumulations of ash and rubefied surfaces, with very few charred residues and sparse archaeological material. Micromorphological analysis enabled us to establish patterns of repeated combustion events and identify the type of fuel used. We identified fuels from substrate residues (animal excrement and plant remains) and, in other cases, more selectively chosen plant fuels. In one of the episodes, the action of fire enabled the preservation and identification of plant remains, which were predominantly grasses possibly deposited in the form of bedding. Furthermore, the data obtained allowed us to identify periods of cave abandonment associated with the presence of hyena coprolites. The results of this study contribute to a better understanding of the variability in fire use and occupational patterns in caves inhabited by Middle Pleistocene human groups in the Mediterranean basin of the Iberian Peninsula.
The primary objective of this study is to determine the emergence of the open-field system in a region of eastern Netherlands. While this transition is noted in various parts of Europe during the early medieval period, evidence remains limited. The study aims to shed light on this issue by comparing insights from 19th-century agriculture with Carolingian sources and a substantial archaeological excavation database, providing insights into the spatial dynamics of farmsteads across historical landscapes. A key innovation of this paper is the application of landscape ecological principles to interpret multidisciplinary datasets, identifying processes and human activities. This approach emphasizes the significance of farmstead positioning between pastures and open fields over a millennium, clarifying the crucial role of dairy farming in fertilizing poor sandy soils. Although the technology for open fields existed during the Roman era, the study suggests that large-scale implementation likely occurred under the Frankish kingdoms in the early 8th century, facilitated by their authority but only in areas with suitable pasture. Furthermore, this methodology can be applied to address similar questions, such as why older field patterns like of Celtic fields remain visible in some areas while absent in others.
Maps are an indispensable tool of archaeological practice. However, in spite of their centrality to the discipline, critical reflections on what maps are, what they do, and how we use them have been largely absent from discourse among the many non-specialists who frequently create archaeological maps to visualise their research. Instead of appreciating the intrinsic power of maps, non-specialist archaeologists tend to view them functionally, as epistemically neutral, 'objective' illustrative tools. This stands in contrast to the last few decades of theorising both in more specialist archaeological work and in the discipline of cartography. In this paper, I outline my experiences as a non-specialist archaeological map-maker having begun to think more critically about the maps I make. In particular, three central facets of map design - projections, orientation and aesthetics - are historically contextualised to highlight the cultural particularity of seemingly normative conventions. Each facet is supported by case studies to demonstrate the practicalities and potential benefits of a more critical approach to the kind of 'everyday' archaeological maps non-specialists tend to create. Throughout, the argument is made that even non-specialist archaeological maps, through more critical engagement and playful experimentation, have the potential to stimulate novel perspectives on past societies. Further, the innate power of the map in the way it shapes perceptions of the world compels even non-specialists to exercise responsibility in their creation and use. As such, some considerations on the application of the kind of reflexivity employed in other facets of archaeological research to maps and map-making are discussed.
This study examines the use of ground stone tools in food processing in the Southern Levant during the Late Epipalaeolithic (Natufian) and the Pre-Pottery Neolithic A (PPNA), analysing tools from the sites Shubayqa 1 and 6, in Northeast Jordan. Employing a techno-morphological analysis focused on gestures together with low-power microscopic use-wear analysis it explores foodways in a local context, tracking changes over time to what people processed and the tools they used. Though plant processing is the most common activity in all periods, the tools feature wear from a diverse range of materials including animal matter and minerals. During the Natufian, tubers appear to be an important resource. Over time and into the Neolithic phases, microwear from cereals becomes increasingly common, dominating by the PPNA. This coincides with a general shift towards processing through linear reciprocal grinding. While gestures and tools change between the Late Natufian and Early PPNA, there is considerable continuity between these two periods: in a general diversity of contact materials and the use of floor installations. While results need further analyses, they provide one perspective of the changing foodways of people living in the Southern Levant during a pivotal period of human history.
This article presents the results of investigations at the Middle Bronze Age fortified settlement of Dabas-Dabasi Sz & odblac;l & odblac;k in the Kakucs microregion of central Hungary. The study aimed to establish the chronology of occupation and the relationship between habitation and fortification processes. A multi-method approach was applied, including magnetometry, vibra-coring, sedimentological and macrocharcoal analyses, as well as AMS radiocarbon dating. The survey confirmed the presence of a ditch system enclosing the site and revealed internal anthropogenic deposits, including stratified layers interpreted as domestic structures. Radiocarbon dates place the main occupation between the 22nd and early 17th centuries BCE, with the ditch and settlement established simultaneously at the beginning of use. In contrast to some nearby sites, no evidence of catastrophic destruction, such as fire, was documented. These findings support the hypothesis that Vatya culture settlements were fortified from their foundation rather than during later phases of development. The results contribute to a broader discussion on the dynamics of fortified settlement networks in the Carpathian Basin, suggesting that fortifications played a key role in marking territorial claims and managing localized competition, even within culturally homogeneous communities. The applied methodology demonstrates the potential of geoarchaeological approaches as an efficient alternative to large-scale excavation for reconstructing settlement chronology and fortification processes.
In Nuragic Sardinia, growing evidence indicates that during the Final Bronze Age, and continuing into the Early Iron Age, a reconfiguration of the Nuragic ideological framework took place, with formal sanctuaries assuming a central role in ritual practice. In a limited number of cases, however, ritualised or cultic activities continued within pre-existing Nuragic complexes. Nuraghe Barru, in south-central Sardinia, provides an example of this phenomenon. Here, a sealed cistern-well containing a ceramic assemblage, together with nearby metal deposits, points to a transformation in the monument's function during its later phases of use. This study investigates the significance of these ritualised deposits, focusing on their embedding within broader networks of production and circulation in late Nuragic Sardinia. An integrated methodological approach combines typological analysis with ceramic petrography on pottery from the cistern-well, alongside portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analysis of associated metal artefacts. These datasets serve as proxies for examining mobility, exchange, and material selection. Petrographic results reveal a predominance of non-local ceramic fabrics, suggesting connectivity and inter-community interaction. pXRF analysis provides a preliminary compositional characterisation of the metal artefacts, identifying copper-rich, low-tin alloys that may support interpretations emphasising symbolic rather than strictly functional roles. Considered within their archaeological context, the Barru assemblages are interpreted as the outcome of a structured ritual episode. More broadly, the study suggests that such practices reflect transformations in the social and symbolic role of certain nuraghi during the Final Bronze Age-Early Iron Age transition, contributing to our understanding of ritual behaviour and connectivity in late Nuragic Sardinia.
At the beginning of 2025, the cleaning of the subterranean structures of Hagia Sophia, initiated by the Directorate General of Foundations under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of T & uuml;rkiye, resulted in highly significant discoveries. In its initial phase, the work commenced in the vaulted cellars forming the basement level of the now-nonexistent atrium of Hagia Sophia, as these spaces were relatively more accessible. As the cleaning process advanced, previously unknown subterranean structures were revelaed. Conducted under the supervision of archaeologists, this process has yielded remarkably valuable data concerning the multilayered and complex underground system beneath the atrium of Hagia Sophia. By evaluating and discussing the initial findings, this study is expected to contribute to the rich architectural history of Hagia Sophia. As the cleaning of its subterranean structures, carried out by the Directorate General of Foundations, progresses further, the infrastructural system of this unique world heritage monument will be revealed in its entirety.
In the summer of 2022, a large-scale geophysical survey was conducted in the Roman city of Conimbriga (Condeixa-a-Nova, District of Coimbra, Portugal). An area of 7.32 ha was covered with magnetic measurements using the CMP 7-probe fluxgate gradiometer array, combined with a GNSS-RTK positioning system. At the same time, an area of 0.9 ha was investigated using the IRIS HI-MOD (IDS) system, equipped with five 600 MHz antennas and also combined with a GNSS-RTK system. In addition, several soil samples were taken to determine their magnetic susceptibility and electrical conductivity. The most important conclusion of this survey campaign is that the geological and archaeological conditions in Conimbriga present significant challenges for both magnetic and GPR prospection. Despite these limitations, this large-scale dataset allowed for the identification of monumental building complexes across the entire intramural area, as well as the distinction between city quarters and ancient infrastructure. Following this identification, an exercise in archaeological interpretation was applied to the geophysical evidence, combining it with existing knowledge of the excavated area of the town. The results of this endeavour led to the interpretation of the identified structures as part of a palimpsest of four main periods of urban development. The reliability of this interpretation can be confirmed by verifying the proposed results through targeted archaeological analyses, which will be a future project of major importance.
In this paper we illustrate the potential of interstitial areas, as distinct from both cores and peripheries, for understanding migration and environmental learning among maize farming populations. We analyze settlement data derived from pedestrian survey of a portion of the Rio Puerco (of the East) watershed in north-central New Mexico. Our exploratory analyses are suggestive of interesting patterns that speak to larger debates in the region, including the extent of the Gallina culture and migration pathways from the San Juan to Rio Grande drainage. Ceramic seriation with updated ceramic data indicates that residents of the survey area had shifting affiliations, with waves of migration from the Chaco, Mesa Verde, and Cibola regions, starting in Early Pueblo II and continuing through Late Pueblo III. Our analyses further refine the chronology and population dynamics of the region. We also provide evidence of settlement scaling, dynamic farming adaptations, and a history of burning at archaeological sites.
Recent advances in the natural sciences, bioarchaeology and spatial analytical techniques have significantly improved our ability to reconstruct prehistoric human connectivity. However, traditional mapping approaches can often fail to integrate isotopic evidence with landscape modeling and artifact distribution comprehensively. This study addresses this gap by combining Least-Cost Path (LCP) analysis, spatial distribution of key archaeological artifacts (jade axes and hilted swords), and 87Sr/86Sr isotopic data from previous research to investigate movement corridors in the Late Neolithic (ca. 3,800-2,800 BCE) and Bronze Age (ca. 2,300/2,200-800 BCE) landscapes of central and southern Germany. Our objective is to model how prehistoric populations navigated and exploited natural landscape features for mobility and trade, assessing how these corridors influenced the spatial distribution of important trade commodities. By integrating isotopic data with modeled movement corridors, our study confirms through independent isotopic and spatial evidence, that mobility networks intensified and stabilized during the Bronze Age. This approach highlights a methodological advance rather than reiterating a well-known trend, as the broader variability of 87Sr/86Sr ratios directly corresponds with the establishment of sustained long-distance connections.
Malaria has long ranked among the most serious health threats in human history, a reality that was also reflected in certain regions of the Roman Empire. This article investigates the cultural impact of malaria on Roman society, particularly in terms of the distribution of ancient healing cults dedicated to Asclepius and Apollo, which functioned as one of the key medical institutions of the time. Our approach combines traditional historiographical methods with a spatial analysis using a Geographic Information System (GIS) to assess whether a meaningful spatial correlation existed between malaria and Roman healing cults. The Roman territories of Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia are of particular interest, as the distribution of malaria in these areas can be reconstructed using a digitized version of the Torelli map, a 19th-century pre-eradication source that is spatially in agreement with literary and archaeological evidence of malaria in Roman times. Within a GIS environment, epigraphic evidence of ancient healing cults was used to evaluate their spatial relationship with malaria-prone zones as represented in the Torelli map, alongside a comparative analysis involving inscriptions of other selected Roman deities. In our research, we considered both the proportional intensity of the worship of healing cults and their spatial proximity in relation to malaria-prone zones. The results provide significant support for the hypothesis that malaria risk was a contributory factor in the spread of the healing cults of Asclepius and Apollo.
