This paper presents a new series of absolute age determinations from the Złota-Gajowizna site. These are the first chronometric data from the most important necropolis of the central group of the Globular Amphora culture. The obtained dendrochronological data, which are unique for the sites of the Late Neolithic in Poland, made it possible to specify the results of the calibration. A new interpretation of the arrangement of the cemetery has been proposed, which is the starting point for determining the GAC funeral rite in the Sandomierz Upland.
Limited visibility in the underwater environment often restricts opportunities for archaeological prospection. Especially in reservoirs with a high content of suspended solids, methods based on acoustics prove to be extremely useful. This study represents the first high‐resolution acoustic mapping and archaeological prospections of the Old Oder Canal, which has extremely poor visibility. The study site is located near the town of Krosno Odrzańskie in Poland. The town is one of the country's most significant river crossings and settlements of mediaeval origin (including its wooden bridges). The following research objectives were identified: (1) exploration of the Old Oder Canal, including underwater acoustics and archaeological prospections; (2) analysis and interpretation of the study area based on acquired datasets; and (3) evaluation of secondary features of the river bathymetry for identification of archaeological objects. Possible locations of archaeological objects were determined based on analysis and interpretation of multibeam echosounder measurements of the riverbed. Fieldwork allowed structural elements of mediaeval bridges to be found and dendrochronological sampling performed. Feature selection analyses allowed the determination and evaluation of geomorphometric attributes, combining the characteristics of the discovered objects and diagnostics in order better to differentiate archaeological remains. Proposed secondary features may facilitate archaeological explorations in difficult environments.
(1) Background: Pinus heldreichii is a long-living tree subalpine species commonly used for climate reconstruction. Nevertheless, its potential for dendroarchaeology and dating of historical timber remains unknown. In Metsovo and in the surrounding area of Pindus National Park (Northern Greece) it is commonly used for the construction of buildings and wooden objects and artifacts. (2) Methods: We examined timber found in historical buildings within the study area and we tried to date it using local reference chronologies of Bosnian and Black pines. (3) Results: Bosnian pine chronologies can be used to date timber from historical buildings, while they can also be used as reference chronologies against Black pines, giving very high cross-dating values. Therefore, and since the macroscopic identification of the two species’ timber is impossible, the analysis of wood anatomy is necessary to distinguish the two species in the case of historical wood. (4) Conclusions: The current paper presents the first application of dendroarchaeology for Bosnian pine and highlights the potential of the species in studying cultural heritage and the human past.
1 August 2021 in Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports