No / This book focuses on mortuary practices in the Neolithic Near East to challenge some of the common assumptions about death and the dead body. It explores the way the corpse was treated during the period, in the process raising new questions about identity, personhood, and gender in the past, as well as concepts such as social memory and ‘ancestors’. It also examines the webs of relationships between people, their environments, and their new material world, between humans and animals, and between the living and the dead. Using a case-study approach, the book highlights differences and similarities as well as patterns in archaeological evidence. In addition, it analyses alternative perspectives on gendered identities and family roles, along with human-animal relationships, possible consumption of the human body and animals, and the notion of animals as ancestors. In this chapter, cultural attitudes to death and dying, including practical aspects of dealing with the dead and the emotional reactions of grieving and mourning, are discussed.

No / This paper presents the results of the chemical analysis of materials recovered from two of the earliest agricultural villages in southwestern Iran and a late Neolithic pastoral encampment in nearby Khuzistan. Gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed biomarker compounds characteristic of bitumen in residues from ceramic vessels supporting the excavators¿ contention that the interior surfaces of some vessels were coated with a thin layer of such material and confirmed that ¿fragments¿ collected during excavation were indeed bitumen. Biomolecular and isotopic analysis of the bitumen indicated that the sources utilized lie in the Susa and Deh Luran regions of southwestern Iran. / NERC (MSc); AHRC (PhD)

No / Recent analysis of the ceramic assemblage from the Neolithic loch islet settlement of Eilean Dòmhnuill, North Uist, in the Western Isles of Scotland has highlighted the intense conservatism of the potting traditions over a period of more than 800 years. Hebridean Neolithic pottery exhibits clear relationships with pottery from Argyll, Arran, and Bute, as well as Orkney and the north-east mainland of Scotland. It appears to have developed a distinctive, often decoratively elaborate regional form very soon after its initial appearance, which subsequently appears to have undergone little or no significant change until the introduction of Grooved Ware in the early 3rd millennium BC. An association exists between large assemblages of elaborately decorated Hebridean pottery and a number of artificial islets in freshwater lochs, some very small and producing little or no evidence for domestic activities. This might be explained by the importance of commensality in mediating relations between small communities in the Western Isles at such sites following the introduction of agriculture in the 2nd quarter of the 4th millennium BC. The conservatism and stasis evident at Eilean Dòmhnuill, in the face of environmental decline, raises wider issues around the adaptive capabilities of the first farming communities prior to significant social changes in the earlier 3rd millennium BC. / University of Bradford

Yes / In this paper we consider the making, daily use and deposition of ornaments in the Halaf period. We seek to move beyond rigid ‘craft production’ interpretive frameworks intersecting symbolism, complexity and social inequality. Instead, we seek different ways of knowing prehistoric ornaments, through their materiality, assemblage and visuality as evidence of ambiguous mutable person-object relationships and experiences. Making and decoration of/with ornaments offers insights into social concepts of embodiment, personhood, identity and belonging, and should be interpreted as having ambiguous, multiple uses and meanings. Using six case studies of ornament types from excavated assemblages, we critically examine existing methods of small finds’ presentation and suggest more dynamic ways of artefact analysis, interpretation and publication. We present this interpretative model as a methodology applicable broadly to small find studies in all archaeological contexts. In our analysis we re-orient towards considering assemblages of dynamic communities of makers, users and identities embedded in these objects’ life histories.

Understanding fuel use is important in researching ancient communities. This project developed methods to identify archaeological fuel from midden, hearth, and ash samples using comparison to modern analogues. Modern analogue fuels were ashed at 2000C, 4000C, and 9000C then analysed with a suite of methods, the results were then used to inform the development of an approach for the identification of archaeological fuels. These methods were tested using samples from Ness of Brodgar, Knowe of Swandro, and Smerquoy/Muckquoy in Orkney. Magnetic susceptibility, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, pH and Munsell colour assignment were chosen based upon previous archaeological, biofuel, and soil pollution research. The methodologies were refined with the analysis of ash from fuels including peat, seaweed, driftwood, willow, hazel, heather, grasses, cow dung, sheep dung, and bone. Modern analogue fuels at increasing temperatures showed an intensification in magnetism and alkalinity, and an alteration to mineral components during the chemical reaction of combustion that is indicative of fuel type and temperature. Principal components analysis confirmed matches between archaeological samples and modern ash, indicating a strong relationship between peat fuels and the archaeological samples. A correlation is also demonstrated between some of the archaeological samples and sheep dung, driftwood, willow, and animal bone. It is evident that each archaeological site has unique patterns of both fuel type and temperature. This shows that in the absence of abundant traditional wood fuel resources, the occupants of these sites used a combination of alternative fuels.

Chan Yuet Wah. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 214-230). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / List of figures & tables --- p.vi / Chapter Ch. 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Overall objectives --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- "The archaeological site of Sai Ha, Sai Kung" --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Major archaeological discoveries --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4 --- Unit of analysis: stone adzes --- p.7 / Chapter Ch. 2 --- Literature Review --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1 --- Archaeological study in Hong Kong --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2 --- Approaches in the study of material culture --- p.13 / Chapter 2.3 --- The “chaine operatoire´ح approach --- p.18 / Chapter 2.4 --- Summary of research questions --- p.24 / Chapter Ch. 3 --- Methodology --- p.27 / Chapter 3.1 --- The material --- p.27 / Chapter 3.2 --- Research methods --- p.32 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- The chaine operatoire study of stone adzes --- p.32 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Multi-disciplinary study --- p.48 / Chapter Ch. 4. --- The Chaine Operatoire of Stone Adzes in Late Neolithic Sha Ha - Manufacturing --- p.50 / Chapter 4.1 --- Raw material procurement --- p.50 / Chapter 4.2 --- Manufacturing techniques --- p.51 / Chapter 4.3 --- Stone adze production in Bronze Age Sha Ha --- p.65 / Chapter Ch. 5. --- The Chaine Operatoire of Adzes in Late Neolithic Sha Ha - Morphologies --- p.69 / Chapter 5.1 --- The five types of adzes in Late Neolithic Sha Ha --- p.69 / Chapter 5.2 --- Concave working edge --- p.76 / Chapter 5.3 --- Skewed working edges --- p.78 / Chapter 5.4 --- Morphological changes in Bronze Age Sha Ha --- p.81 / Chapter Ch. 6. --- The Chaine Operatoire of Adzes in Late Neolithic Sha Ha - Functions --- p.88 / Chapter 6.1 --- Experimental results --- p.88 / Chapter 6.2 --- Results of blind tests --- p.98 / Chapter 6.3 --- Functional study of adzes in Late Neolithic Sha Ha --- p.99 / Chapter 6.4 --- Changes in functions of adzes in Bronze Age Sha Ha --- p.109 / Chapter 6.5 --- Stone adzes: other observations --- p.111 / Chapter Ch. 7 --- The Material Culture of Adzes and the Socio-Economic Aspects of Late Neolithic Sha Ha and Changes in Bronze Age Sha Ha --- p.116 / Chapter 7.1 --- The material culture of stone adzes --- p.116 / Chapter 7.2 --- The social and economic aspects: an overview --- p.139 / Chapter 7.3 --- Further research --- p.177 / Chapter Ch. 8 --- Conclusion --- p.182 / "Appendix I Review on Use-Wear Analysis - Development, Limitation & Ways of Improvement" --- p.190 / "Appendix II Use-Wear Features and Identification of Work Material, Motion and Use-Incurred Wears" --- p.200 / Appendix III Production Stage of Stone Adzes --- p.207 / Bibliography --- p.214

Thesis (M.A.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Department of Anthropology, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Deux millénaires après l’arrivée des premiers colons néolithiques, le Centre-Ouest de la France voit l’émergence au Néolithique récent d’une « mosaïque » de groupes culturels, peu après 3700 avant J.-C. À l’exception de la culture saintongeaise peu-richardienne, réputée pour ses céramiques aux décorations singulières et parfois exubérantes, tous ces groupes produisent des céramiques de facture grossière et peu décorée, difficilement distinguables sur les seuls critères morpho-stylistiques. Or ce sont ces critères qui sont généralement employés pour la définition des cultures néolithiques. L’origine et la caractérisation précise de ces groupes du Néolithique récent sont donc couramment discutées, tout comme leur filiation avec la culture artenacienne qui les succède au Néolithique final.Afin de préciser ce cadre chrono-culturel et d’appréhender les filiations et interactions entre groupes du Néolithique récent et final (3700-2200 avant J.-C.), notre étude a analysé l’ensemble de la chaine opératoire de fabrication de leurs céramiques à partir de vingt-trois assemblages issus de sites domestiques (enceintes fossoyées) et funéraires répartis sur l’ensemble du Centre-Ouest, entre Loire et Dordogne. L’objectif de ce travail est de mettre en évidence des « manières de faire » transmisses au sein des groupes de producteurs, comme l’ont montré de multiples études ethnoarchéologiques. Huit traditions céramiques ont été mises en évidence et caractérisées par les méthodes de façonnage employées puis le matériau argileux et enfin les formes produites. Elles sont présentées successivement en illustrant chacune des macrotraces les plus caractéristiques par des macro-photos. Les distributions chronologiques et spatiales de chacune de ces traditions sont ensuite discutées afin de tester la validité du cadre chrono-culturel actuel. La mise en évidence de trois aires culturelles distinctes, dans la seconde moitié du Néolithique récent (Seuil du Poitou, Taizé et Peu-Richard), nous permet ensuite de discuter de leurs origines respectives et des interactions entre elles. On remarque l’émergence d’une culture dominante peu-richardienne, peut-être à la faveur du contrôle de l’exploitation du sel dans les marais poitevin et de Rochefort. Ses productions céramiques, parfois diffusées à longue distance, sont à l’origine de celles de la culture artenacienne dont l’aire d’influence dépasse largement les frontières du Centre-Ouest au Néolithique final (2900-2200 avant J.-C. environ). / Two millennia after the arrival of the first Neolithic settlers, a “mosaic” of cultural groups appeared in Central-West France in the Late Neolithic period, c. 3700 BC. Except for the famous Peu-Richard culture of Saintonge, known for its ceramic decorations which are sometimes exuberant, all the groups of this cultural mosaic produce coarse and sparsely decorated ceramics, which are now difficult to distinguish just on morpho-stylistic criteria. However, these morphological criteria are commonly used for the definition of the Neolithic cultures. The origin and precise characterization of these Late Neolithic groups, and also their affiliation with the Artenac culture of the Final Neolithic period, are commonly discussed.To clarify this chrono-cultural context and understand the affiliations and interactions between groups of the Late and Final Neolithic (c. 3700-2200 BC), our study analyzes all the “chaine opératoire” of pottery manufacture from twenty-three ceramic assemblages from domestic (causewayed enclosures) and funeral sites which are distributed throughout the Central-West France, between Loire and Dordogne rivers. The aim of this work is to highlight the “ways of doing” transmitted in potters groups, as shown by multiple ethnoarchaeological studies. Eight ceramic traditions, characterized by the shaping methods, the clay material and finally the forms produced, are all successively presented and the most characteristic features of each ones are illustrated by macro-photos.Therefore, the chronological and spatial distributions of these ceramic traditions are discussed in order to test the validity of the current chrono-cultural context. Three cultural areas are identified in the second half of the Late Neolithic (Seuil du Poitou, Taizé and Peu-Richard) which offer the possibility to discuss their respective origins and the interactions between these areas. The emergence of a dominant culture (Peu-Richard) is observed and his power is perhaps related to the control of the salt exploitation in the poitevin and Rochefort marshes. The Peu-Richard ceramic productions, sometimes found at long-distance, are the ancestors of those of the Artenac culture whose area of influence extends beyond the Central-West borders in the Late Neolithic (c. 2900-2200 BC).

This one-year master's thesis investigates the late part of the Middle Neolithic on the island of Gotland. This thesis has been written without the influence of a singular theoretical pespective, and has therefore seen input from the processual, and postprocessual theories. By using several perspectives, an attempt is made to view the material remains used in the most objective manner possible. The specific aim of this thesis is to investigate whether the Mid-Neolithic inhabitants of Gotland were a part of the Corded Ware culture (or as it is called in Sweden, the Battleaxe culture or the Boataxe culture). Most recent literature has concluded that Gotland was never a part of the Battlexe culture, though this thesis has discovered many parallels with the mainland culture, including the production of similar objects and ritual practices. There are indications that the Gotlandic culture also integrated traits from several other coastal regions of the Baltic Sea, something most Battle Axe settlements did not. After investigating all the data that have been linked with the Battleaxe culture, this thesis concludes that the people on the island of Gotland were not fully assimilated to the Battleaxe culture, but were approaching the culture in both a material and ritual aspects. This leaves the conclusion that the Gotlandic culture towards the end of the Middle Neolithic was somewhat of a hybrid.

This thesis deals mainly with the Middle Neolithic period (ca. 3200-2300 BC) on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea. The aim is to deepen the understanding of how the islanders related to their surroundings, to the landscape, to places, to objects, to animals and to humans, both living and dead. The archaeological material is studied downwards and up with a focus on practices, especially the handling and deposition of materials and objects in graves, within sites and in the landscape. The study is comparative and the Middle Neolithic is described in relation to the Early Neolithic and the Mesolithic period on the island. From a long term perspective the island is presented as a region where strong continuity can be identified, regarding both way of life and economy. In contrast, substantial changes did occur through time regarding the islander’s conceptions of the world and of social relations. This in turn affected the way they looked upon the landscape, different sites and animals, as well as other human beings. During the Mesolithic, the islanders first saw it as possible to create their world, their micro-cosmos, wherever they were, and they saw themselves as living in symbiosis with seals. With time, though, they started to relate, to connect and to identify themselves with the island, its landscape and its material, with axe sites and a growing group identity as results. The growing group identity culminated during the Early Neolithic with a dualistic conception of the world and with ritualised depositions in border zones. The Middle Neolithic is presented as a period when earlier boundaries were dissolved. This concerned, for example, boundaries towards the world around the islanders and they were no longer keeping themselves to their own sphere. At the same time individuals became socially important. It became accepted and also vital to give expression to personal identity, which was done through objects, materials and animals. Despite this, group identity continued to be an important part in their lives. This is most evident through the specific Pitted Ware sites, where the dead were also treated and buried. These places were sites for ritual and social practices, situated in visible, central and easy accessible locations, like gates in and out of the islands’ different areas. The dead were very important for the islanders. In the beginning of MN B they started to adopt aspects from the Battle Axe culture, but they never embraced Battle Axe grave customs. Instead they held on to the Pitted Ware way of dealing with the dead and buried, and to the Pitted Ware sites, through the whole period, with large burial grounds as a result.