Climate Change vs Cultural Heritage: An Adaptation Strategy for the Archaeological Site of Ancient Messene

This article examines the effects of climate change on archaeological sites, using as a case study the archaeological site of Ancient Messene in Greece, and proposes an integrated adaptation strategy. In order to determine the site’s most significant risks, a climate data analysis was conducted, taking into account three different climate emission scenarios (Representative Concentration Pathways) and two future periods (2031-2060, 2071-2100). The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) vulnerability assessment methodology was adopted to assess the vulnerability of the archaeological site to the effects of climate change. This is the first time such a methodology has been followed in Greece. The analysis revealed that the site’s critical hazards are fire, desertification, and flooding. The geographical location of the site in an intensely dry microclimate and the lack of safe and functional electromechanical and road infrastructure increase its vulnerability. The materials of the monuments are indirectly and directly impacted by climate change, whereas the vegetation is negatively impacted by the frequency of extreme events, especially wildfires. Based on the analysis results, a five-axis adaptation strategy was developed.

Numerical simulation of the behaviors of test square for prehistoric earthen sites during archaeological excavation

During the process of archaeological excavation in the regions of Southeast China, collapse of test square usually occurs due to poor site-specific conditions. In this paper, the fast Lagrangian analysis of continua in three dimensions（FLAC3D） is employed to reveal the behaviors of test square. Taking the archaeological works in Liangzhu prehistoric earthen sites as the research background, the paper first introduces the geological setting, excavation procedure and monitoring scheme of the studied test square. Then, the deformation of four sides of the test square is modeled using FLAC3D. By comparison, it shows that the numerical results are consistent with the results from field monitoring. The result suggests that the numerical simulation can be effectively applied to representing the actual behaviors of the test square,which is helpful for determination of excavation scheme and stability evaluation of the test square during archaeological excavation.

Spatial Distribution of Archaeological Sites in Lakeshore of Chaohu Lake in China Based on GIS

There are about 19 Neolithic Age sites and 120 Shang-Zhou dynasties sites in the western lakeshore of Chaohu Lake,Anhui Province,China.Based on sites data,topographic data,drainage maps,administrative maps and SPOT5 remote sensing data,spatial analysis methods were introduced into the archaeology of Chaohu Lake Basin with Geographic Information System(GIS).The spatial analysis methods include:1) Point Density Analysis with density model to acquire the shift of the sites;2) Distance Analysis to reveal the spatial structure of the sites;3) 3D Analysis based on Digital Elevation Model to get micro-geomorphologic features of the sites;and 4) Buffer Analysis to discover the relationship between the sites and rivers.The results indicate that the archaeological sites spread from the western lakeshore of Chaohu Lake gradually to the northwest,later to the south,and then symmetrically spread.Controlled by productive forces and other factors,ancient people preferred to reside in those places near water,or in plain and fertile land,which resulted in linear and decentralized distribution of the sites,and presented such disciplines as river valley directivity,terrace directivity and soil directivity.This paper indicates that the distribution of archaeological sites was influenced earlier by natural elements and later by human elements in the study period.The research is important for the integration of GIS and archaeology.

History of Most Significant Buddhist Archaeological Sites in Gandhara(Pakistan)Discovered During the 20th Century

Gandhara is an ancient name of the region which presently comprises on the surrounding area of Peshawar Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.The spread of Buddhism in ancient times followed the path of the Silk Road and one of the main routes of the Great Silk Route passed through the Karakorum linking Kashgar with Kashmir and Gandhara.About 1,000 years,countless people travelled along this Silk Route.Their evidences are depicted on the rocky cliffs on the way sides and on rough boulders,strewn in the upper valley of the Indus River and its tributaries.The region of Gandhara,due to its prime position,therefore served as a gateway to Silk Route giving access to Central Asia and to the countries of East and West.While Magadha was known as the first holy land of Buddhism,whereas Gandhara served as second holy land of Buddhism,which was a centre of Buddhist religious practices.The Buddhist sanctuaries generally have statutes of the Buddha or Bodhisattvas to shrine.A large number of antiquities which were discovered during the 20th century by the course of excavations from the different archaeological sites in Gandhara are now pride procession of Museums both at home and abroad.This paper presents an investigation about the history and sterling discovery of the some outstanding and remarkable archaeological sites in Gandhara region(Pakistan)during the 20th century carried out mainly by Archaeological Survey of India(ASI),which was established in 1860 by the British Government in India.

Micromorphological Features of Paleo-Stagnic-Anthrosols at Archaeological Site of Sanxingdui,China

The archaeological site of the Sanxingdui may date back as far as 5,000 years ago.The typical profiles of Palaeo-Stagnic-Anthrosols near the ancient site were selected,which aimed to identify diagnostic horizons employing methodology of soil taxonomic classification and to reveal the micromorphological properties of the paleosols.Under long-term anthropogenic mellowing,the discernible differentiation between anthrostagnic epipedon and its subhorizons as well as hydragric horizon and its subhorizons occurred in Paleo-Stagnic-Anthrosols at the archaeological site of the Sanxingdui.The micromorphological properties diversified among each specific diagnostic subhorizon,e.g.,the developed microstructure in cultivated subhorizon within anthrostagnic epipedon,closely arranged particles and considerable micropores beneficial to both of water conservation and filtration in plow subhorizon within anthrostagnic epipedon,and automorphic optical-orientation clays and calcareous corrosion in hydragric horizons.The findings above of micromorphological features related with diagnostic horizons are significant for soil taxonomic classification.

A new inorganic-organic hybrid material as consolidation material for Jinsha archaeological site of Chengdu

An organic-inorganic epoxy-silica-acrylate(ESA) hybrid material was used for the consolidation of Jinsha archaeological site of Chengdu in China.The hybrid materials have multiple functional groups,such as anhydride,epoxy,hydroxyl and carboxyl,which can form networks at room temperature and result in an enhanced chemical and water resistance of the consolidated soil.With increasing of TEOS content,the hybrid materials keep colorless with only some reduction of transparency,while the hybrid materials obviously turn from moderate yellowish to brown yellow with the increase of the epoxy resin(EOR) content after 120 min UV irradiation.SEM observation indicates that the hybrid soil consolidation materials can effectively penetrate into the soil substrate,fill up most of the pores,decrease the area porosity and consolidate the Jinsha archaeological soil.The consolidation performances are in the sequence:ESA > K2SiO4(PS) > tetraethyl orthosilicate(TEOS).

Application of high-density resistivity method in archaeological investigation of Sumicheng ancient city site

The authors employ the high-density resistivity method during an archaeological investigation of Sumicheng site,an ancient city of the Tang Dynasty,to find evidence of human activities and locate a favorable target for archaeological excavation in the southern part of the outer city.There are two obvious high-resistivity structures,the south wall of the inner city and an ancient building near the south gate along the outer city wall,of which the resistivities are indicative of rammed soil foundations.The south wall of the inner city is continuous but is cut off abruptly to the east,which we suggest it is due to either wall damage or destruction.The resistivity signature of the target area is verified by archaeological excavation,proving the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing the high-density resistivity method for archaeological exploration.

New Archaeological Site Revises Human Habitation Timeline on Tibetan Plateau

Human ancestors first set foot on the interior of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau around 30,000–40,000 years ago, according to new research by scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS). This new finding moves back the earliest data of habitation in the interior by 20,000 years or more.

Ancient River in the Houjiayao Site, Nihewan Basin and Its Environmental Archaeological Significance

Lying on the northwest of Nihewan Basin, Houjiayao Site was discovered 40 years ago. But there is still a controversy about the existence age and the living environment of Houjiayao ancient human. Based on the geological investigations, electrical resistivity sounding and altitude measuring, authors of this paper attempt to do a research on stratigraphic structure and the development of the ancient river in Houjiayao Site, and to interpret the above problems. The results are as follows:(1) An ancient river, which came from Xionger Mountain in the north of the Site, developed in Houjiayao Site, and its width was more than 1 km. The ancient river formed before 240 ka B.P., and disappeared in the early stage of the late Pleistocene, and its developing history ran through the entire living stage of Houjiayao ancient human.(2) The Site cultural relics were not buried in the lacustrine facies, but in the oxbow lake sediments of the ancient river and clay layer which laid on the oxbow lake sediments unconformably during the period of 224-161 ka B.P., and it indicated that the Houjiayao ancient people lived here for as long as 60 ka years.(3) The Site looked like a wide armchair faced southeast, and it provided a relatively mild and comfortable environment for the ancient. The ancient river provided the ancient human with water, and the superior eco-environment also provided plentiful food for the ancient human. Xionger Mountain was not only the source of the ancient river, but also the producing area for high quality stone materials. The old river carried stone materials to the Site, making it easier to make stone implements. Hence, the ancient human, who lived in cold weather, were more likely to choose better habitats such as the Houjiayao Site near the ancient river.(4) The old river embedded in the lacustrine facies, so the content of silt was high, and it was feculent. And the water of the oxbow lake near Houjiayao Site was clear and slow. What's more, with plentiful plants, the oxbow lake was a preferred place for all kinds of animals to get food and water. But the geomorphologic features of this oxbow lake made it hard for animals to escape when faced with dangerous situations. So ancient human had a better chance to get food from hunting near the oxbow lake than in other areas.

U-Series Dating of Fossil Bones: Results from Chinese Sites and Discussions on Its Reliability

Calculations, according to some open-system models, point out that while a statistically significant discrepancy between the results of two U-series methods, 230Th/234U and 227Th/230Th (or 231Pa/235U), attests a relatively recent and important uranium migration,concordant dates cannot guarantee closed-system behavior of a sample. The results of 20 fossil bones from 10 Chinese sites, 19 of which are determined by two U-series methods, are given.Judging from independent age controls, 8 out of the 11 concordant age sets are unacceptable.The results in this paper suggest that uranium may cycle into or out of fossil bones, such geochemical events may take place at any time and no known preserving condition may securely protect them from being affected. So for the sites we have studied, the U-series dating of fossil bones is of limited reliability.

GIS and Intra-Site Spatial Analyses: An Integrated Approach for Recording and Analyzing the Fossil Deposits at Casablanca Prehistoric Sites (Morocco)

The Mio-Plio-Pleistocene sequence at Casablanca, covering the last six million years, is well known in scientific literature. The variability and the chronology of the Acheulian sequence is documented by systematic, modern and controlled investigations in various sites (Unit L and Hominid Cave at Thomas I Quarry, Rhinoceros Cave at Oulad Hamida 1 Quarry, Sidi Abderrahman Extension Quarry, Bear’s Cave and Cap Chatelier at Sidi Abderrahman Quarry) which have taken place within the framework of the Franco-Moroccan co-operative project “Casablanca”. In order to manage the excavation data and to explore the taphonomic nature of Unit L, Hominid Cave and Rhinoceros Cave, where research is still in progress, an approach combining a Geographic Information System (GIS) and spatial analysis techniques was developed, incorporating all existing information produced from previous excavations and recent surveys of the sites. The amalgamation of this data into a GIS has resulted in a digital database that allows the production of simultaneous or separate visualizations and analyses of the fossils, artifacts and geological materials within their original spatial contexts and also permits intra-site spatial analyses that allow a comprehensive investigation of the site formation processes.

良渚古城老虎岭水坝遗址考古剖面保护研究与工程实践

良渚古城老虎岭水坝遗址是我国迄今发现最早的大型水利工程系统中的一处典型遗存,对中国文明起源和世界文明史的研究具有重要意义。为清晰地展示老虎岭水坝土遗址上“草裹泥”筑坝工艺的痕迹,针对温热、潮湿、多雨环境土遗址保护的难题,在总结吸取国内土遗址保护经验教训的基础上,借助浙江大学的研究成果和敦煌研究院的工程经验,提出了一套避免使用化学材料加固,而以“黑屋+隔水+控湿”为主的小环境控制工程策略,包括:构建遮光大棚以避雨和抑制绿色生物生长;铺设防水毯以防止坝体渗水;设置电加热玻璃罩以保湿和封闭展示面;采用气相补水以调控空气湿度和土体含水率;采用植物精油等绿色环保技术防治微生物;同时做好遗址实时监测和管护等。这套综合保护措施是土遗址保护理念和工程实践的一次新的尝试。

从“你们”到“咱们”——河南荥阳楚湾遗址社区考古的实践与思考

立足正在开展发掘和整理工作的河南荥阳楚湾遗址,公众考古团队和遗址所在地村镇干部群众紧密合作,有针对性地设计并组织实施了楚湾社区考古“五个一”计划,主要包括:一个社区专题展、一场考古进校园、一组口述史访谈、一次线上云教学、一组考古短视频。文章通过介绍楚湾遗址具体的社区考古工作,对实践效果进行分析,探讨人、社区和遗产几方面良性的互动关系,旨在为以遗址为中心的社区考古摸索经验。

国家考古遗址公园研究文献可视化分析

梳理分析国家考古遗址公园研究文献是践行“保护第一、加强管理、挖掘价值、有效利用、让文物活起来”的新时代文物工作的重要思路。运用文献分析软件Cite Space对中国知网(CNKI)数据库1985—2023年国家考古遗址公园研究的477篇文献进行计量统计研究。研究发现:学者在理论拓展、政策解读、方法实践、路径探讨并辅以案例分析等方面有较丰富的研究成果,这些成果聚焦遗址保护、阐释与展示、国家公园、文旅融合等专题。但在理论和实证方面体现活化利用、社区参与、公众共享、数字化、可持续发展等方面的研究成果略显薄弱,在学科交叉、研究方法、技术手段等方面还需加强。未来需从突出国家属性、促进全民共享等视角提升理论与实践的科学研究水平,加强研究机构之间的合作交流。本研究为整体把握国家考古遗址公园的目标定位与发展态势,推动可持续发展提供建议。

陕西清涧寨沟遗址后刘家塔商代墓葬科技考古鉴定与分析

通过人及动物骨骼的碳十四年代测定,陕西清涧后刘家塔墓地4座墓葬的日历年代集中在商代晚期,M1年代略早于其他墓葬。墓地出土人骨6例,均为成年个体,男性多于女性。该人群骨骼创伤与病理现象多见,骨膜炎、“跪距面”高发,日常食物以粟、黍等C4类为主并摄入较多动物蛋白。M4所出2例马骨均为青壮年雄性个体,骨骼尺寸大多处于中国商周时期家马范围之内,健康状况整体较好,饮食结构一定程度上受到人类干预。M1和M3棺木用材为冷杉属,M1所出车马器和M3所出铜斧内木材为榆属。

西藏曲水温江多遗址琉璃砖瓦的成分与工艺研究——兼论吐蕃周邻地区的工匠来源

西藏曲水县温江多遗址出土的琉璃砖瓦是西藏地区首次经考古发掘获得的建筑琉璃构件。为更好认识吐蕃时期建筑用陶工艺与技术来源,本研究采用成分测试、显微观察等方法分析了温江多遗址出土的10件琉璃砖瓦。结果表明,琉璃制胎原料就近选择,制胎过程中运用了中原地区的制瓦技术。配釉体系来源复杂,蓝釉绿釉属于孔雀蓝釉,源于西亚地区的伊斯兰碱釉体系;白釉属于钠铝体系,与同时期中原地区的白釉陶瓷成分差别较大。吐蕃时期发达的交通路线,使吐蕃王朝能融合周邻地区的制陶技术用于建筑营建,从而促成了建筑琉璃制作技术的迅速繁荣。

考古遗址博物馆空间结构的感知影响探析

以空间句法为方法论对考古遗址博物馆的遗址空间进行可达性与可见性的空间感知探索,以彼得·卒姆托的柯伦巴艺术博物馆、拉斐尔·莫内欧的梅里达国立古罗马艺术博物馆、莫伯治的南越王墓博物院等三座遗址博物馆为主要研究对象,探究其遗址空间的结构对空间感知的影响。结合建筑师对遗址空间的更新理念与空间句法分析成果,证明遗址空间的可达性与可见性对博物馆建筑具有一定连接意义,验证遗址空间对考古遗址博物馆的吸引程度与重要意义。

西沙群岛“石屿二号”沉船遗址出水青花瓷器的测年研究

“石屿二号”沉船遗址位于西沙群岛石屿东侧的珊瑚礁石上,是西沙群岛海域一处重要水下文化遗存。该遗址出水了青花、卵白釉、白釉、青灰釉、酱釉等多种瓷器,是探索古代海上丝绸之路和外销瓷贸易的关键窗口。虽然前人通过青花瓷器类型学分析确定了遗址的相对年代,但由于未发现船体痕迹无法进行碳十四测年,而热释光测年方法则为确定遗址的绝对年代提供了一种替代手段。为了探究该遗址出水青花瓷器的热释光性质及年代,本研究利用前剂量饱和指数法对16件青花瓷片进行了古剂量测试。使用电感耦合等离子体质谱仪(ICP-MS)和电感耦合等离子体发射光谱仪(ICP-OES)分析样品的放射性元素U、Th、40K的含量。在剂量率的计算过程中综合考虑了样品的经纬度、埋藏深度、含水率以及放射性元素含量等参数,并首次使用综合矿物分析(TIMA)揭示了瓷胎中的石英粒径分布情况,以提高剂量率计算的准确度。热释光年代结果表明,这批青花瓷烧制于元代至明代早期,在释光有限的误差范围内符合传统鉴定方法得出的该遗址属于元代这一结论。这有助于揭示该历史时期相关器物的制作工艺、实际用途和可能的产地。此外,这也为理解该历史时期青花瓷器在海上贸易中的传播路径、交易规模以及对其他文化的影响提供了重要的研究线索。

考古遗址公园建设视域下的遗址阐释与展示研究--以万寿岩国家考古遗址公园为例

考古遗址公园是大遗址文化内涵和价值阐释的创新展示利用方式,也是考古遗址公园保护和管理的一种重要手段。展示的不仅仅是单向的信息传输,也是双向的价值选择呈现过程。在大型考古遗址保护利用从文物领域的行业化工作向公众共享转变的过程中,如何坚持专业深度、延伸公共属性,既是促进考古遗址类文化遗产可持续发展的核心问题,也是进一步激发创新遗产活力的重要方面。文章以万寿岩国家考古遗址公园为研究对象,从考古遗址历史文化内涵出发,梳理考古遗址价值阐释与展示主题,进而探讨考古遗址阐释与展示的新思路和新方法。