Format: Paper presentations with discussion
Convenors:
Luke Gliganic, Vicus, Australia, luke@vicus.net.au
Jeon Jeongmin, Archaeology as Interdisciplinary Science, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea, archaeo.min@inha.edu
Dr Christina Neudorf, Vicus, Australia, c.neudorf@vicus.net.au
This session brings together diverse and innovative research to advance understanding of the human past through technological, methodological, and interdisciplinary lenses. From geospatial mapping, mDNA, lithics and luminescence, to forensic archaeology, epidemics, stable isotopes, geoarchaeology and animal training, these papers underscore the dynamic interplay between people, places, materials, and methods in archaeological inquiry.
Papers:
Distorted Landscapes: Technological Outpacing in Geospatial Mapping
Madelaine Firth, Austral Archaeology, Australia
Through the last 30 years Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have proven to be a significant aid in landscape archaeology, along with other technological advancements. With these developments, archaeologists have been able to construct models for occupation and movement of people not only at site, local, and regional levels, but also across periods. Furthermore, current methodologies are outpaced by the rapid development in this technological sphere. When used properly, geospatial mapping can provide insight into the intangible elements of a culture or accurate predictive statements for an area. However, when fundamental principles for interpretation of the raw data are not in place, a potential outcome is a poor representation of the archaeology within a subject.
The goal of this paper is to highlight how geospatial mapping is applied and generate discussion on the current advantages and pitfalls of GIS. This is with the aim to ensure that the tools now available to archaeologists in GIS programs are not overly relied upon and instead ensure the interpretation of cultural landscapes, in both digital and physical spheres, is enhanced by its use.
Mitochondrial Evidence from a Mesolithic Hunter-gatherer in Sri Lanka
Amali S Fernando, Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
A. Wanninayake, Postgraduate Institute of Archeology, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
D. Dewage, Postgraduate Institute of Archeology, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
E.H. Karunanayake, Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
N. Rai, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow, India
R. Somadeva, Postgraduate Institute of Archeology, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
K.H. Tennekoon, Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
R. Ranasinghe, Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, an island in the Indian Ocean, has significant microlithic archaeological evidence indicating modern human settlements as early as 48,000 before the present (BP). The current indigenous population, known as ‘Vedda or Adivasi’, representing 0.9% of Sri Lanka, are morphologically studied as the descendants of these Mesolithic hunter-gatherers. The origin of the ethnic groups is linked to different migration waves during the Prehistoric and historical periods. This study presents the oldest ancient mitochondrial DNA, obtained from a tooth sample AMS dated to 8 680+/-30 BP, excavated from the Udupiyangalge cave site in the intermediate zone of Sri Lanka. The tooth was assigned to the M35a mitochondrial haplogroup, reported by ethnic and indigenous groups. Mitochondrial studies focused on Adivasi have reported that the coalescence age of M35a is 9,699 BP, and M35 is an older lineage representing early Adivasi settlements associated with the microlithic revolution. This suggests that the pre-historic individual carrying M35a could be descended from the early modern human settlers of the island. Furthermore, the presence of the M35a in ethnic groups indicates that origin stories associated with ethnic groups are more symbolic than biological. This study provides valuable insight into the maternal genetic history of Sri Lanka.
Raw Material Constraints and Lithic Technological Choices in the Middle Berach Basin, Northwestern India
Swati Verma, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India
Raw material selection plays an important role in lithic technological strategies, influencing core reduction techniques, large flake detachment, and tool morphology. The Middle Berach Basin, with its geologically diverse landscape, provided hominins access to multiple raw material sources, directly shaping technological adaptations across the Acheulean and Middle Palaeolithic phases. This study examines the impact of raw material properties on lithic reduction strategies, integrating data from recent surveys and a techno-typological analysis of lithic assemblages.
Preliminary results indicate a preference for locally available quartzite, with Acheulean groups primarily utilising quartzite for large bifaces, while Middle Palaeolithic groups employed varied core reduction techniques and utilised multiple raw materials, such as chert, quartz, quartzite, and sandstone. The geospatial analysis identifies three distinct site clusters (eastern, western, and southern) and each cluster is associated with specific geological formations (Kaimur, Hindoli and Ranthambhore) and exhibits distinct patterns of raw material exploitation and technological strategies.
This study highlights the critical role of raw material properties in shaping lithic technological choices across Palaeolithic phases, offering valuable insights into regional technological variability and hominin adaptive responses to raw material constraints.
The Age Is Written in the Rocks – Novel Luminescence Methods Can Date Rock Surfaces
Luke Gliganic, Vicus, Australia
Luminescence rock surface dating methods hold enormous potential to reveal when lithic archaeological materials were made, used, or discarded. These methods enable the dating of previously undatable archaeological site types and can be used to determine how and when lithic clasts (including artefacts) were sequentially buried and transported. Studies have already used these approaches to overcome limitations of classical dating methods to determine ages of lithic artefact discard and post-depositional movement at surface scatter sites, to chronologically constrain rock art production by dating rock fall and exposure events, as well as dating a variety of rock-based archaeological features such as pavements, petroforms, megalithic structures, and walls.
This talk will present an up-to-date review of these developing methods, including an introduction to the underlying principles and applications and a series of case studies. We will discuss ongoing work using luminescence to attempt to directly date buried artefacts, megalithic stone structures, and rock engravings. The potential of rock surface dating of artefacts will be highlighted.
Creating a Dichotomy Between Archaeology and Forensic Archaeology
Olalekan Ajao Akinade, National Commission for Museums and Monuments , Nigeria
A consideration of the etymology, history, and methodology of archaeology and forensic archaeology is used to underscore their differentiation. This paper compares the multifarious, multifaceted and multi-purpose nature of archaeology with the highly specialised and unique nature of forensic archaeology. It acknowledges the humble beginning and slow growth of archaeology vis-à-vis the spontaneous establishment and development of forensic archaeology. In retrospect, the acceptance of forensic archaeology into the forensics (forensic science) in the 1980s marked a watershed and a corresponding threshold.
The quantum leap to forensic archaeology from field archaeology brought the existence and prevalence of clandestine graves into greater awareness. The aim of archaeology is to project and extend the frontier of the history of humanity in its entirety. On the other hand, the primary aim of forensic archaeology is to provide evidence of crime to legal proceedings. Forensic archaeological methods are designed to locate evidence of crime and establish potential significance. The central focus of this paper is the comparison of archaeology and forensic archaeology from the viewpoints of definitions, essence, scope, paradigm, legislation and other divergences.
Agent-Based Modelling of Prehistoric Epidemics: Insights from Tainter’s Complexity Theory
Jeon Jeongmin and Bok Gidae, Archaeology as Interdisciplinary Science, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
The occurrence of epidemics in prehistoric settlements has been recognised as a critical turning point in human evolution. The Hamin-mangha site in northeast China (5500–5000 BP) offers archaeological evidence of collective responses to epidemics, reflected in its atypical mortuary practices. Nonetheless, research on how agents’ decision-making during prehistoric epidemics shaped social structures and transformations in material culture has been limited.
This study employed Tainter’s collapse theory with quantitative analyses of prehistoric mortuary practices to examine agents’ responses to epidemics. However, Tainter’s macro-scale approach is constrained in examining the nuances of individual behaviour during collapse scenarios. To address this limitation, agent-based modelling (ABM) was applied to simulate environmental parameters and agents’ decision-making processes. This method revealed how individual decisions contributed to collective changes. These changes were reflected in settlement systems, mortuary practices and material culture. Tainter defines collapse as a fundamental transformation of social systems accompanied by a permanent reduction in complexity. The findings indicate temporary disruptions rather than systemic collapse. Prehistoric societies demonstrated resilience, maintaining structural continuity through adaptive responses.
High-resolution Paleoenvironmental Reconstructions of MIS 3 Central Europe from Oxygen and Carbon Isotopes from Horse Teeth
Zuorui Liu, School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
Amy Prendergast, School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
Ladislav Nejman, School of Archaeology & Anthropology, Australian National University, Australia
Petr Škrdla, Institute of Archaeology, Brno, Czechia
Martina Roblíčková, Moravian Museum, Brno, Czechia
Russell Drysdale, School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
In Europe, the period of approximately 50 to 35 ka BP during Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3) has been of key ongoing interest in archaeological studies. During this time, there was a major expansion of anatomically modern humans (AMHs) across Eurasia, whilst Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) became extinct. Some suggest that Neanderthal extinction may be related to the abrupt environmental changes that occurred during MIS 3.
Understanding the extent to which climate change played a role in Neanderthal extinction requires reconstructions of local paleoenvironmental records at seasonal to sub-seasonal resolution. Stable isotope records provide one of the few paleoenvironmental proxies available at such resolution in the mid to high latitudes. Therefore, this study aims to reconstruct local, high-resolution paleoclimates in MIS 3 Central Europe using stable isotopic analysis to horse teeth in Sveduv Stul Cave. Sveduv Stul is located in the Czech Republic, and was likely occupied by Neanderthals and potentially AMHs during MIS 3. The highly resolved isotopic records provide paleoenvironmental information at sub-seasonal to sub-monthly resolution, which help to reconstruct local precipitation, air temperature, hydrology and vegetation cover. They also enable further assessment of the complex interplay between animals, humans and their local environments in MIS 3 Central Europe.
Harnessing Animal Intelligence: Innovative Training Techniques for Enhanced Efficiency in Archaeological Excavation
Lilo Nilima, University of Dar es salaam, Tanzania
This research proposal explores the innovative integration of animal training techniques to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in archaeological excavations. Traditionally, archaeological fieldwork has relied heavily on human labour and mechanised tools, but the potential of trained animals particularly dogs and other species remains largely untapped. This study aims to investigate various training methodologies that can be employed to utilise animals in tasks such as locating artefacts, detecting organic materials, and aiding in site navigation. Through a multidisciplinary approach combining anthropology, animal behaviour science, and archaeology, this research will assess the capabilities of trained animals in real-world excavation scenarios. Field experiments will be conducted at selected archaeological sites to evaluate the effectiveness of different training techniques and the animals’ performance in various tasks. Additionally, the study will analyse the benefits of animal involvement in terms of time efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and the overall enhancement of archaeological outcomes. The findings from this research could lead to a paradigm shift in archaeological practices, promoting a more collaborative relationship between humans and animals in uncovering our shared history. By harnessing animal intelligence, this study aims to not only improve excavation techniques but also foster greater appreciation for the roles that non-human partners can play in scientific exploration.
Exploring Wudjari Ancient Coastlines: Preliminary Geoarchaeological Insights
Ingrid Ward, Curtin University, Australia
Doc Reynolds, Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, Australia
David Guildfoyle, Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, Australia
Tjaltjraak Healthy Land and Sea Program Team, Australia
We present the first year of geoarchaeological research on Wudari cultural landscapes that encompass the Recherche Archipelago in southern Western Australia, as a component of a broader multi-disciplinary program on Wudjari Ancient Coastlines. Under cultural leadership, the project combines Wudjari kaartdijin (knowledge) with Western science to investigate the coastal landscape inundated by post-glacial sea-level rise. Research activities include application of oral histories and knowledge systems, with acoustic mapping, coring of seabed and island wetlands, BRUVS surveys, and sediment analysis and dating. Initial findings reveal insights into the patterns of change and adaptation across space and time by ancestral Wudjari, linked to post-glacial inundation and patterns of change in human-environment relations in the formation of the contemporary Wudjari landscape. We highlight challenges in conducting marine geoarchaeological research in a high-energy environment and emphasize the many benefits of cross-cultural knowledge exchange. The results provide direction for ongoing research and support the expansion of Healthy Land and Sea Country Planning programs, including joint management of the newly-established South Coast Marine Park. This integrated approach ensures cultural knowledge is connected with Western science, fostering collaboration between management, research, conservation, and communication efforts, and the critical platform for ongoing adaptive management of a changing landscape.