The current research grew out of work on the Erimi Culture sites in the west of Cyprus at <I>Lemba</I> Lakkous, <I>Kissonerga</I> Mosphilia and Kissonerga <I>Mylouthkia</I> dating from c3500-2500/2300 B.C. The need to understand the nature of the archaeological deposits and the buildings which form the largest element of those deposits channelled the research along four main paths or aims: 1) the characterisation and classification of all Chalcolithic building elements setting them within a proposed scheme of building types, 2) the establishment of these within the framework of Middle Eastern building traditions with an indication of any cultural links, 3) the identification and characterisation prehistoric building deposits and materials and, 4) the contribution of some thoughts to the understanding of site formation processes. Three avenues of study were followed. The first involved an investigation of the behaviour of the key elements of soil, clay and lime in order to be able to characterise building materials. A study of the archaeological evidence was then undertaken and a scheme for classifying building elements proposed. This was tested in the second avenue of study through experimental reconstruction at <I>Lemba</I> in which comparative modern materials and building types were examined. Further comparative material was obtained from the study and excavation of the recently abandoned village of <I>Souskiou</I>, this being the third avenue of study. This has also been used to identify ways in which buildings collapse or decay and become part of the archaeological record. From these studies a reference collection of comparative building materials and deposits is being assembled and used to explain prehistoric remains. In the final discussion, eight Chalcolithic building types were identified and described. The development of house form is also discussed and the emergence of two very characteristic building types, the courtyard house and the temple/shrine is proposed.

No description available.

My thesis examines the post palatial phase of Late Helladic IIIC Middle. The beginning of this period is marked with the collapse of the Mycenaean system dating roughly to 1200 B.C., while after its final phase the Early Iron Age communities of the Aegean begin to emerge. The importance of this period has come to light in the past few decades with discoveries of new cemeteries and settlements as well as continuity of occupation at many Mycenaean sites such as Mycenae and Tiryns. Although current research examines various aspects of LH IIIC, there is a need of a more synthetic study of the whole period. My thesis examines the archaeological material from settlements and burials together with their associated finds of poetry, weapons, jewellery, and terracotta figurines. The areas which will be examined are the Argolid, Corinthia, Attica, Euboea, the Cyclades and the Dodecanese. LH IIIC middle is characterised both as period of continuity and change. In general, pottery production, burial customs and architectural traditions continue from LH IIIB, the Mycenaean palatial period. There are however new features introduced in this periods such as new types of burials rites (introduction of cremation) and new patterns of exchange within and outside the Aegean. The most important phase of this period appears to be the middle phase. The evidence for this phase indicates a plethora of decorative pottery, richness in finds and what appears to be a complex social system. My aim is to demonstrate that LH IIIC was a period of contact and cross-influence, both within and outside the Aegean and marks the transition from the palace administrative system of the Mycenaean era to that of the city-states of the Early Greek period.

Although the archaeology of Saudi Arabia forms the basic chronological and geographical framework for the archaeology of the Arabian Peninsula as a whole, its later prehistoric sequence is still not well-defined. The aim of this thesis is to start defining this sequence in the southwest of the country by assessing the characteristics of some newly discovered sites, and surveying and sampling them. This research will attempt to designate a function to the sites, date their material culture, and define their relationship with other prehistoric sites in Arabia. The objectives of this thesis are firstly to define the term ‘Neolithic’, to consider the characteristics of its earliest affiliated sites in the Near East, and to outline the research aims, objectives and methodology; secondly, to survey the geographical and environmental background of the Near East and Saudi Arabia; thirdly to summarize the history of archaeology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Additional objectives are to define the Neolithic sequences, to discuss the climate change and sea level and the results on archaeological survey in the region. The core of the thesis presents the results of the archaeological survey and excavation in the Farasan Islands, the coastal plain and interior area and discusses the characteristics of its freshly recovered material culture, its date, and how it supports or refutes models for the spread of the Neolithic in the Near East as a whole. Archaeological survey is also used to introduce the archaeology of the Tihama mountains and the study and analysis of the rock art and to study the interior area with regard to the chronology of the south west of Saudi Arabia. The results demonstrate the significance of the shell middens of the Red Sea islands and coastal plain, and provide evidence for one of the earliest Neolithic sites in Saudi Arabia: Al-Majama.

This thesis investigates continuity and change of human diet in York from the Roman to the Post-Medieval period through the analysis of stable isotope ratios of carbon (813C) and nitrogen (815N ) in the collagen of archaeologicalh uman and animal bones,. The human sample comprises 311 individuals from the Roman cemeteries of Trentholme Drive and Blossom Street, the Anglian site of Belle Vue House, the Earlier and Later Medieval phases of St. Andrew, Fishergate as well as Later and Post- Medieval burials ftom the church of All Saints, Pavement. In addition 145 samples of mammals, fish and birds from the sites of Tanner Row and Fishergate were analysed. The isotope data indicate that the diet in all periods was based predominantly on terrestrial plant and herbivore protein, but with additional minor input from probably several different 15N enriched sources, such as pork, poultry and eggs as well as aquatic (freshwater and marine) protein. In most cases, the complex dietary signals could not be completely resolved by carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis. The results nevertheless suggest dietary variation between all archaeological periods. The most significant change in diet, however, was the addition of significant quantities of marine fish which is evident for the first time in a group of young males from the Earlier Medieval cemetery at Fishergate. In the Later Medieval priory phase of the same site, marine foods were almost universally consumed, although in greatly varying proportions. They still remain prominent in the diet of several of the 18'h century burials from All Saints. The isotopic data-set from York suggest several interesting trends of dietary variation within single populations. Notably, it provides further evidence that marine foods played a prominent role in the diet of the social elite in Roman Britain. For the Later Medieval period, isotope analysis can identify dietary variation between males and females as well as differences between individuals buried in various locations on the grounds of the Fishergate priory. The diets of monastic and high-status lay individuals, however, do not appear to be sufficiently different to be distinguished by isotopic data. in conclusion, this thesis establishes that stable isotope can contribute significant new information to research in the early historic periods. It also demonstrates the vast potential of diachronic investigations for stable isotope applications in archaeology.

This thesis is a study of the rectangular timber framed structures of the early Neolithic from Britain. Recent discoveries through both research and developer funded projects have significantly increased the number and variety of these buildings now known, but they are the subject of heated and contentious debate. The key themes of the origins of agriculture, degree and character of mobility, and domestic or ritual use, place these structures at the heart of arguments on the nature and means of transition from the Mesolithic to the Neolithic period. This thesis brings together material from both published and unpublished examples, to examine the date and character of their construction and explore their internal use. The case studies discussed in detail are: Balbridie, Claish, Lockerbie, Warren Field, Lismore field, Pilgrim's Way, White Horse Stone, Yarnton, Llandegai and Parc Bryn Cegin. The ecofactual and artefactual information associated with these structures is evaluated using a variety of spatial and material culture analysis techniques, to interpret the range of ways in which they were utilised and inhabited. In addition, an original functional microwear analysis of the stone tools found in and around the buildings at Pilgirm's Way, White Horse Stone, Yarnton, Llandegai and Parc Bryn Cegin are used to enrich understanding of the diversity of tasks and activities carried out in their vicinity. These case studies from England, Wales and Scotland are set in their proper international context through analogy with comparative structures from Ireland and the Continent. The thesis concludes by re-evaluating the nature of these structures, commenting on the narrow date range of their construction and common aspects of their use as well as patterns of inhabitation and deposition. Importantly, it also highlights aspects of difference and diversity in the case studies. Finally, it makes important recommendations for the standardisation of excavation and sampling strategies, in particular advocating the more systematic use of functional microwear analysis as an appropriate tool with which to investigate key questions surrounding the nature of residence, organisation of tasks and use of timber built structures in the initial Neolithic

This thesis explores patterns of human and animal diet in ancient Jordan by carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis of bone and dentine collagen. Sampled sites include Pella and Sa'idiyeh in the Jordan Valley, and Gerasa, Yaamun, Yajuz, Sa'ad, and QAIA in the Western Highlands. The samples span from the Late Pottery Neolithic to the Early Islamic period. The development of the human-environment relationship is examined in light of the socio-economic changes that occurred during this interval. For both humans and domestic animals isotope data point to a diet based on C3 plantsderived resources. Yet, in most periods, instances were identified of herbivores consuming higher amounts of aridity -adapted C4 plants, this indicating that use of the resources from semi-arid habitats was one of the pursued strategies, and was possibly achieved through mobility. It is argued that the observed variability in the nitrogen isotope ratios of the herbivores results from the isotopic diversity of plants, this in tum reflecting the environmental heterogeneity of the region. A time related trend was identified at Ya'amiin, where the low-rainfall ecosystems played a greater role in the strategies of food production of the Middle and Late Bronze Age relative to Late Antiquity. During the later periods, at the most eastern sites, food resources from the semi-arid habitats were more important than at the sites in the west. It is suggested that the diversity in the nitrogen isotope values among the mid_7th c. AD inhabitants of Gerasa relative to the smaller Late RomanlByzantine settlements reflects greater socioeconomic heterogeneity and the greater variety of foods on offer in the city markets. As in part expected, collagen preservation proved to be a significant issue. Within the framework of the "Water Life and Civilisation" project, this study shows that carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis of bone collagen is able, in combination with archaeological and historical information, to provide a description of past human diet and herding strategies as the results of the interaction between the ecological setting and the economic and cultural choices.

This thesis is a study of metal figurines in Roman Britain. These small figures mainly depict deities and animals or birds, and occasionally priests or other human subjects. They are an important example of the changed religious practice of Romanised Britons, and provide fascinating insights into the spread of technology and forms of worship. Material was collected from publications, the Portable Antiquities Scheme database and museum collections, resulting in a corpus of over 1000 figurines. Analysis focuses on four principal areas: the spatial and social distribution of figurines, figurines as an expression of Romano-British art, their role in Romano- British religion and the evidence for the regional use of figurines. My research shows that there are differences in the use and production of figurines throughout Britain. For example, Eastern deities, particularly those of the Cybele and Isis cults, are predominantly associated with urban and military populations, and there is a concentration of such objects in London and Colchester. Traditionally, high quality figurines are thought to have been imported, poorly executed pieces locally produced, and moderate pieces are identified as possibly British or Gaulish. However, my research shows that figurines such as some of the horse and riders from eastern Britain are well-executed British products which exhibit a high level of technical competence. The presence of figurines at temples and in domestic contexts shows that figurines played an important role in the religious practices of Romano-Britons. The identification of figurines dedicated to Romano- Celtic deities shows that figurines were used in the worship of local deities. I also identified the production of figurines with a particularly Romano-British style in the southwest which show not only the development of a local style utilising elements of both native Iron Age and imported Roman art, but also the adoption of classical style to depict native deities.

This research examines formation processes of middens and the associated activities at the site of Catalh6yuk, Turkey. Using this site as a case study, this research has wider significance for understanding the Neolithic of the region and for the study of middens in general. Middens are a unique deposit in that they contain traces of activities that may not be found in cleaner contexts such as floors, and contain materials such as ash, animal dung, phytoliths and coprolites which can inform on plant resource use, diet and subsistence strategies at a high temporal resolution. In this research thin section micromorphology is used, combined with phytolith analysis of individual layers, to examine both the composition and associations of finely stratified midden deposits in situ. Additional analyses of mineral components using FT-IR and SEM-EDX has been carried out, along with biomolecular analysis of organic residues in coprolites by GC-MS, to further characterise material that is difficult to analyse by thin section alone. This integrated analysis contributes to the understanding of midden formation processes and activities, as well as environment, agriculture, plant resource use, diet and fuel use. This analysis has developed a new method for classifying complex midden deposits based on their micro-inclusions and micro-structure, and has identified key deposits such as hackberry pericarps in coprolites, which can potentially be used as seasonal "markers". Examination of midden deposits has provided direct evidence for the use of dung as fuel through the presence of faecal spherulites and reed phytoliths in fuel ash layers, and FT-IR analysis of material embedded in ash indicates clay deposits which could be linked to large open-air firing of pottery. This has wider significance for understanding early pyrotechnology during the Neolithic, and the widespread use of wetland resources i.e. reeds. The dominance of reed phytoliths in the midden assemblage supports the idea of a local wetland environment during the Neolithic. However, thin section observations indicate that phytolith taphonomy at the site is currently poorly understood, and that phytolith size is not a reliable indicator of the growing environment. The samples analysed were found to contain surprisingly few cereals, which also raises questions about the taphonomy of the non-charred cereal remains, and the role of crop growing in the economy. Analysis of coprolites, a frequent deposit in middens, has indicated the presence of lithocholic acid and coprostanol which indicate a human origin for much of this material. This has raised interesting questions on the idea of cleanliness, and has allowed further analysis of diet through observing phytoliths and other inclusions, such as bone, embedded in coprolites, both in situ in thin section, and through examination of extracted phytoliths.

No description available.