No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 261-283).

Thesis (M.A.) -- University of Montana, 2009. / Title from author supplied metadata. Description based on contents viewed on August 13, 2009. Author supplied keywords: Archaeology, spatial analysis,prehistoric. Includes bibliographical references.

This project documents the multi-scalar formation processes of two northern Levantine coastal Paleolithic cave sites using field geology, archaeological micromorphology and sediment geochemistry. Located in within several hundred meters of each other, the sequences from Üçağızlı I and II present an opportunity to compare late Middle and early Upper Paleolithic hominin adaptations to a similar coastal environment. The morphologies of the sites and the suite of coastal geomorphic features available to the area's Paleolithic occupants were impacted by fluctuations in sea level as well as tectonic events. The sites share similar formation histories that include active karstic processes, marine inundation, occupation by hominins, partial collapse of the cave vaults, and erosion of the uppermost archaeological deposits. Mousterian occupation of Üçağızlı II began after the formation of a series of stable sea level features that date to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5a. Hominin utilization of the highly eroded portions of the cave continued at least through the middle of MIS 3, although the cultural attribution of the youngest materials is presently unknown. Üçağızlı I contains a sequence of Initial Upper Paleolithic, Ahmarian and Epipaleolithic materials dating to MIS 3 and 2. Micromorphology of the archaeological sediments reveals strong anthropogenic contributions to the infilling of both caves, in particular the deposition of abundant, well-preserved wood ashes. In both sequences, post-depositional insect bioturbation has negatively impacted the combustion features, resulting in alteration of the original sedimentary fabrics and loss of information regarding hominin activities such as sweeping, rake-out and dumping of ashes. In Üçağızlı II, the dominant mode of sedimentation is anthropogenic; a series of intact and cemented combustion features located beneath the highest point of the cave ceiling is surrounded by sediment exhibiting evidence of both rodent and insect bioturbation. In Üçağızlı I, phases of human activity alternated with periods of natural sedimentation. Combustion features in the site include isolated hearths, stacks of hearths, rake-out or sweeping deposits, ash dumps, and mixed burned materials that have been impacted by colluvial reworking and bioturbation. In sum, the two sites contain similar types of anthropogenic sediments despite differing cultural affiliation.

No description available.

This thesis concerns late Palaeolithic settlement in the region of Puglia, south-east Italy, at the close of the Pleistocene. Puglia comprises three sub-regions which contain sites of this period: the Salento peninsula, the Murge, and the Gargano promontory. The late Palaeolithic occupation must be considered in relation to the former existence of an extensive coastal plain, and to the sea-level rise which submerged it. The late Palaeolithic assemblages of the region have been studied previously by Italian archaeologists from a rigid typological stance, with various schemes put forward suggesting evolution of the assemblages through different stages of an Epigravettian tradition. In this thesis, attribute analysis is used to re-examine the principal assemblages, using published data where adequate and supplemented by samples studied by the author in Italy. The results are analyzed to seek the social and economic factors which shaped the various industries, as well as diachronic change wherever it can be demonstrated. Factors such as difficulty in obtaining raw material were clearly crucial to assemblage composition. The existing typological schemes are shown to lack real bases and to mask rather than reveal sociocultural information. Chapter 1 states the aims of the thesis and critically discusses previous theoretical approaches to the late Palaeolithic of the region. Chapters 2 and 3 describe relevant aspects of the regional palaeoenvironment. The author's own methodological approach is explained in Chapter 4, and then used for a detailed study of the assemblages from Grotta delle Cipolliane in Chapter 5. This is followed in Chapter 6 by a broader study of the late Palaeolithic assemblages in Puglia, with discussions of their possible diachronic and synchronic relationships. Chapter 7 develops this latter theme into an attempt to understand the social and economic features of the late Palaeolithic settlement of Puglia, and suggestions are made concerning future work that might improve the quality of the archaeological evidence. Chapter 8 summarizes the main conclusions of the thesis.

This thesis presents a co-ordinated study of the chronology, environment, and material culture of the Upper Palaeolithic in Britain, based upon a re-evaluation of extant old evidence and on the results of the author's specially undertaken excavations. A chronological scheme is proposed for the British Upper Palaeolithic, based on a new correlation of the stratigraphic and radiocarbon evidence. Two main divisions of the period are recognized, an Earlier phase and a Later one, which can be shown to be separated by the maximum ice advances of the Full Last Glacial (c. 20,00 to 15,000 years B.P.). Dates are available for the Earlier Upper Palaeolithic ranging from c. 29,000 to 18,000 B.P., which period covers the latter half of the Middle Last Glacial. Granulometric, pollen and faunal evidence suggest a Sub-Arctic to Arctic environment. The Later Upper Palaeolithic appears to date from c. 14,500 to 10,000 B.P., occupying most of the Late Last Glacial, and is associated with a varying Boreal to Sub-Arctic environment. The question of the relationship of Britain to the continent of Europe in terms of land-bridges is considered in some detail. The faunal analysis for both phases includes an assessment of the principal and preferred sources of meat for the human population. The distribution of Upper Palaeolithic sites is carefully considered, and the question of home bases and the strategy for exploiting the food resources of the various areas of Britain is discussed whenever the evidence permits. The study of these aspects is supported by a specially prepared series of maps. The typological range of the Earlier and Later Upper Palaeolithic tool-kits is studied and described on the basis of the author's own scheme, which has a simple ranked structure. Clear and important typological differences exist between the two phases. A number of simple metrical and statistical tests are employed, principally for comparison of individual stone tool assemblages within each stage, on the basis of which the question of sub-division is discussed. A large series of new artifact illustrations is presented to cover most of the British assemblages. A series of gazetteers list all the definite, possible and claimed British Upper Palaeolithic sites and the artifacts from them. Other aspects of the industries, such as the use of different raw materials, are also considered. The archaeological relationships between the British and continental Upper Palaeolithic assemblages are briefly discussed, but no firm conclusions can be offered until an exhaustive study of certain relevant continental material has been undertaken. A few suggestions are offered for future research in this and other fields, and the question of what terminology is most appropriate for the British Upper Palaeolithic is considered in the light of the author's research.

S'ha analitzat el pas del paleolític mitjà al paleolític superior a Catalunya en base a l'estudi dels jaciments de la cova dels Ermitons (Sales de Llierca, Garrotxa) i de les coves del Reclau -Arbreda, Mollet i Reclau Viver-(Serinyà, Pla de l'Estany). En concret s'ha estudiat la cultura material i la fauna dels nivells mosterians tardans (paleolítc mitjà final) de les coves de l'Arbreda i dels Ermitons i dels aurinyacians (paleolític superior inicial) de les coves de l'Arbreda i de Mollet. Igualment s'han analitzat els territoris d'explotació de la cova dels Ermitons i de les coves del Reclau. D'aquesta anàlisi es desprén que els dos jaciments se situen en medis absolutament diferents. S'han analitzat els contextos geològics dels dos llocs, s'ha fet les descripció morfològica de cada un dels dos jaciments, així com l'estratigràfica i sedimentològica de cada cova. S'han datat els nivells mosterians i aurinyacians esmentats pel mètode del Carboni 14 AMS, així com també els aurinyacians de la cova del Reclau Viver. S'acompanyen aquestes dades amb les anàlisis paleoecològiques corresponents que s'han pogut efectuar: palinologia, antracologia, ictiologia, herpetologia, aus, quiròpters, insectívors i rosegadors. Es comparen les datacions obtingudes ambles d'altres jaciments i troballes catalans del mateix període: l'abric Romaní (Capellades, Anoia), la Roca dels Bous (Camarasa, la Noguera) i la mandíbula de Banyoles (Pla de l'Estany). Cim a conclusions s'estableixen les diferències a Catalunya entre el paleolític mitjà (cultura de l'home Neandertal) i el paleolític superior (cultura de l'home anatòmicament modern). En el segon apareix la tècnica de talla laminar, la indústria òssia ben elaborada, l'ornamentació, la decoració, es generalitza la importació del sílex com a matèria primera, es diversifica l'utillatge lític i hi ha una major utilització de les coves. S'interpreta aquest pas dins del context geogràfic franco-ibèric i es conclou que a Catalunya es caracteritza fonamentalment per dos fenòments: el reemplaçament abrupte i la contemporaneïtat. Aquesta abastaria entre 40.000 BP i el 33.000 BP segons cronologia radiocarbònica. Durant aquests temps la influència de la cultura del paleolític superior sobre la del paleolític mitjà seria escassa, encara que identificada per la presencia d'alguns útils de tipus paleolític superior en el tardomosterià de la cova dels Ermitons / The Middle Paleolithic transition in Catalonia (NE Spain) has been analyzed through the study of the localitites of Ermitons Cave and the Reclau caves (Arbreda, Mollet and Reclau Viver caves). Both the fauna and the industry of the late Mousterian levels of the Arbreda and Ermitons caves have been studied, as well as the Aurignacian ones of the Arbreda and the Mollet caves. All these levels have been dated by means of 14C AMS, as well as the Aurignacian levels of the Reclau Viver Cave. These data are complemented by a paleoecologic analysis based on palynology, anthracology, ictiology, herpetology, birds, bats, insectivores and rodents.The obtained datings have been compared with those from other Catalonian sites of similar age like Romaní Rock Shelter, Roca dels Bous Rock Shelter and the travertines that yielded the human mandible of Banyoles. The differences between the Middle Paleolithic (corresponding to the Neanderthal man) and the Upper Paleolithic (corresponding to the modern man) have been established. This change is interpreted in the context of the franco-iberian domain and it is concluded that in Catalonia it is characterized by two features: the abrupt replacement and the contemporaneity. This contemporaneity can be placed between 40.000 BP and 33.000 BP. During this phase, there is a scarce influence of the Upper Paleolithic elements in the late Mousterian of the Ermitons Cave.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rutgers University, 2007. / "Graduate Program in Anthropology." Includes bibliographical references (p. 422-458).

Also issued as author's dissertation--Universität Tübingen. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [115]-122).