Sooted concretions: A new micro-chronological tool for high temporal resolution archaeology

Vandevelde, Ségolène; Brochier, Jacques; Desachy, Bruno; Petit, Christophe; Slimak, Ludovic

doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2017.10.031

Cited by 23 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 29 publications

(25 reference statements)

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“…Multiple stratigraphic layers have been identified (layers A–I), among which layers B–I have yielded multiple archaeological records yielding rich collections of lithics, fauna, microfauna, hominin remains, fireplaces and human ‘occupation floor' from Marine Isotope Stage 5 to 3 (Slimak ; Vandevelde et al . ). This study was conducted on bones from three different phases of this stratigraphy: B2 (about 40 000–42 000 cal BP (Higham et al .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Collagen deamidation in archaeological bone as an assessment for relative decay rates

et al. 2019

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Attempts to extend methods for dating archaeological bones beyond that of radiocarbon dating, such as amino acid racemization, have met with limited success owing to the dependence on multiple environmental factors and controls. Despite facing similar challenges, deamidation of glutamine has recently been investigated as a potential indicator of 'thermal age' in archaeological bones, as well as a measure of their preservation quality. In this study, we undertook a series of simulated diagenetic experiments to understand the various factors affecting deamidation. Further, we analysed bones from different Middle Palaeolithic layers from Grotte Mandrin (France), with the results suggesting potential use of deamidation for relative dating, but only in case of extremely well-preserved layers. The results also suggested the possible use of attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy as a screening test for soluble collagen before proteomic analysis.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Collagen deamidation in archaeological bone as an assessment for relative decay rates

et al. 2019

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“…For archaeological records, we need the precise meaning of 'stratigraphically before' and 'stratigraphically after' to represent the physical juxtaposition that goes along with the inferred temporal relationship. These laws of stratigraphic sequencing of course also hold just as true for the recording of standing structures and buildings above ground (along with other spatio-temporal phenomena, Vandevelde et al 2018) as they do for buried archaeological deposits.…”

Section: Harris Matrices and 4d Spatiotemporal Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 90%

The Matrix: Connecting Time and Space in archaeological stratigraphic records and archives

May

2020

Internet Archaeol.

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The records of archaeological stratigraphic data and the relationships between stratigraphic units are fundamental to understanding the overall cohesiveness of the archaeological archive of an excavation. The information about individual units of excavation identified on sites with complex stratigraphy is most often held in the site database records and stratigraphic matrix diagrams, usually documenting relationships based on the laws of stratigraphic superposition and the Harris matrix conventions (Harris 1979). However, once the matrix diagram has been used to record the information during excavation, there is far less consistency in how those stratigraphic records, and any associated phasing information, are finally deposited in the archives. For that valuable data to be successfully identified and re-used (particularly if the rest of the data is in a database), the stratigraphic and phasing data needs to be in a format that can be interrogated as part of the database. In practice, often only a (paper) copy of the matrix diagrams make the archive. This means that the critical temporal and spatio-temporal relationships upon which the phasing of sites is built, cannot usually be interrogated or (re)used without lengthy and wasteful re-keying of that data into another version of the database. The stratigraphic, sequencing and temporal information held in a matrix is fundamental in further studies of the site records and in working out how the site may relate to other excavated sites of similar or related dates and phases. This article will suggest ways in which the stratigraphic data from excavations and the reasoning processes carried out in subsequent analysis could be better managed, to make matrices (re)useable as part of a more integrated digital archive. This article examines how conceptual reference modelling, particularly using temporal relationships, can be used to explore these issues and how associated technologies could enable semantically-enriched deductions about the spatio-temporal and purely temporal relationships that fundamentally link archaeological data together. It will also consider where further work is needed both to deal with analysis of spatial or temporal records and to enhance Bayesian chronological modelling and associated temporal reasoning, and how this may form the basis for new linkages between archaeological information across space-time.

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“…À l'inverse, à la Grotte Mandrin, les séquences individuelles ne se recoupent qu'au sein d'une même unité sédimentaire (figures 5 et 6). Cela signifie que la paroi se délitait suffisamment rapidement pour que la formation des calcins carbonés soit globalement contemporaine des niveaux dans lesquels ils sont retrouvés (Vandevelde et al, 2017 ;2018). Puisqu'une plaquette retrouvée en E peut porter à sa surface la séquence des occupations des niveaux antérieurs (p. ex.…”

Section: Résultats Et Implicationsunclassified

“…En Océanie, les parois de certaines grottes ont été recouvertes de suie pour créer un fond noir en préalable à la réalisation de peintures : c'est le cas à Aibura Cave en Nouvelle-Guinée (White, 1965) et à Beswick Creek Cave en Australie (Macintosh, 1952). Voir Vandevelde et al (2018) pour d'autres exemples. Les mentions d'inclusion de suie dans des spéléothèmes sont beaucoup plus rares.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

“…D'autres restes charbonneux ont été mis au jour au fond de la grotte de Couffin-Chevaline (Perrette et al, 1997). Nous avons pu recenser à ce jour des traces beaucoup plus anciennes de suie prisonnières de concrétions calcaires dans quelques sites : la Cueva Mayor à Atapuerca en Espagne (Martinez-Pillado et al, 2010 ;, Rana en Norvège (Lauritzen et al, 1990), la grotte Domica en Slovaquie (Petránek & Pouba, 1951 ;Aubouin et al, 1996 ;Gradziòski et al, 2001 ;Gradziński et al, 2007) et autres grottes slovaques (Kunský, 1939 ;Bárta, 1961 ;Kučera, 1964: dans Gradzióski et al, 2001, l'Aven de la Portalerie en France (Delannoy et al, 2009), Wierzchowska Górna, Dziewicza, Nietoperzowa, Łokietka, Ciemna, W Straszykowej Górze, Zegar, W Kroczycach et Towarna en Pologne (Gradziński et al, 2003), Jersey cave en Australie (Desmarchelier et al, 2004), la Balma de la Margineda en Andorre (Brochier, 1997 ;1999 ;2002 ;2008) et la Grotte Mandrin en France (Vandevelde et al, 2017 ;2018). -137.94, B2-137.72 et B2-137.39 Dans ces deux dernières cavités, les encroûtements observés peuvent être considérés comme des constructions stromatolithiques de paroi (« calcin de paroi ») recouvrant la surface externe des clastes issus de la dégradation mécanique des parois, qui constituent la majeure partie du remplissage de ces abris.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

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Couche archéologique, sol archéologique et films de suie pariétaux : une approche micro-chronologique de l’occupation des cavités

Vandevelde

Brochier

Slimak

2019

ASE

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Des traces de suie, témoignant d'activités humaines passées, sont parfois remarquées sur les parois des cavités, parfois également à l'intérieur de spéléothèmes. Ces dépôts, qui résultent de feux anthropiques, s'avèrent être un matériau particulièrement adapté aux études micro-chronologiques à très haute résolution. L'analyse microscopique d'encroûtements carbonatés de parois d'âges variés (Paléolithique moyen et supérieur) montre qu'ils ont conservé la trace de multiples occupations qu'il est possible de mettre en relation avec les unités archéologiques reconnues à la fouille. Les NMO (Nombre Minimum d'Occupations), généralement élevés, qui correspondent à chaque unité archéologique, attestent du caractère cumulatif de ces dernières. Chaque niveau enregistre alors un nombre d'occupations différent d'une unité à l'autre et illustre des rythmicités qui lui sont propres. Les perspectives de recherche sur les dépôts de suie sont diversifiées et laissent entrevoir la possibilité d'une étude de la mobilité des groupes humains passés suivant des résolutions jusqu'alors inégalées. On est de plus en droit de s'interroger sur le concept de « sol archéologique » et de « palimpseste » appliqué aux études spatiales en grotte et sous abri-sousroche. ABSTRACT. Traces of soot reflecting past human activities are sometimes observed on the ceilings and walls of caves and rock shelters, sometimes also inside speleothems. These deposits, which result from anthropogenic fires, are proving to be a particularly suitable material for very high-resolution micro-chronological studies. Microscopic analysis of carbonate crusts from walls of various ages (Middle and Upper Palaeolithic) shows that they preserve traces of multiple occupations that can be linked to the archaeological units identified during the excavation. The generally high MNOs (Minimum Number of Occupations), which correspond to each archaeological unit, attest to the cumulative nature of the latter. Each level records a different number of occupations from one unit to another and presents particular rhythmicity. The research potential for soot deposits are diverse and suggest the possibility of studying the mobility of past human groups with previously unrivalled temporal resolution. Concerns about the concept of "archaeological floor" and "palimpsest" as applied to spatial studies in caves and under shelters/under rock is also developed. MOTS-CLÉS. Micro-chronologie, carbonates, suie, unités cumulatives, palimpseste, sol archéologique.

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Sooted concretions: A new micro-chronological tool for high temporal resolution archaeology

Abstract: International audienc

Cited by 23 publications

References 29 publications

Collagen deamidation in archaeological bone as an assessment for relative decay rates

Collagen deamidation in archaeological bone as an assessment for relative decay rates

The Matrix: Connecting Time and Space in archaeological stratigraphic records and archives

Couche archéologique, sol archéologique et films de suie pariétaux : une approche micro-chronologique de l’occupation des cavités

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