Bone Fragments and Bone Grease Manufacturing: A Review of their Archaeological Use and Potential

Abstract

The presence of small bone fragments in the archaeological record has been frequently used to infer the activities of bone grease and/or soup manufacturing. This article explores the possibility that the activity or activity-complexes responsible for the bone fragments might be manipulated to account for additional archaeological data. Emphasis is placed on building predictive models against which the data from three Northern Plains-Upper Midwest archaeological sites will be compared. Results indicate that such an approach provides more information about the cultural activities being conducted at a site than does the other approach.     

Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti: analysis of an expanding population

Capsule Productivity in the UK Cetti's Warbler population is constant, but overwinter survival has become increasingly dependent on winter temperatures.

Aims To demonstrate how constant effort (CE) ringing can be used to estimate productivity of breeding populations, using the expanding Cetti's Warbler population as an example.

Methods A logistic generalized linear model is developed from an established method of estimating abundance to generate an annual index of productivity from CE catches. Dispersal of birds from ring–recapture data is modelled using a simple exponential model of dispersal.

Results The number of Cetti's Warblers on CE sites has increased markedly, particularly since 1998, but productivity has remained largely constant. The rate of population increase has slowed in recent years, in part because of an increasing sensitivity of the population to cold winters. Juveniles disperse further than adults, and the distance over which they disperse has increased.

Conclusions CE catching provides a way of easily measuring whole-season productivity. The future of Cetti's Warblers in Britain looks secure, but the population may be approaching its maximum size under current conditions.     

Grain size affects the relationship between species richness and above-ground biomass in semi-arid rangelands

ABSTRACT

Background: Discrepancies in the shape of the productivity–diversity relationship may arise from differences in spatial scale. We hypothesised that there is a grain size effect on the productivity–diversity relationship.

Aims: To determine the effect of three sampling grain sizes on the productivity–diversity relationship.

Methods: We applied generalised linear mixed effect models on community data from 735 vegetation plots in the Taleghan rangelands, Iran, sampled at three grain sizes (0.25, 1 and 2 m²) to ascertain plant productivity-diversity patterns, while accounting for the effects of site, plant community type, disturbance, and life form.

Results: Overall, relationships between biomass and plant species richness were unimodal at grain sizes of 0.25 and 1 m², and asymptotical at 2 m². The spurious occurrence of a single large shrub may overwhelm a small-sized sampling unit, resulting in a high estimate of the sample’s biomass relative to species richness. However, the relationship between biomass and species richness at larger grain sizes is more likely to reach an asymptote.

Conclusions: Shrubs are partly responsible for driving the relationship between plant biomass and species richness. Given that the frequency of shrubs is highly variable between small plots but not so in large plots, their presence may result in unimodal productivity–diversity relationships at small but not at large grain sizes.     

An Archaeological Bibliography:

Abstract

The bibliography contains 302 references to archaeological phenomena and investigations in the northern sector of the Great Plains Province and spans the period between 1840 and 1930. Much of the bibliography is annotated.     

Neutron Activationianalysis of Obsidian:

Abstract

By a process of neutron activation, obsidian samples from an archaeological site may be traced to their quarry sources. The potential of this type of information remains largely unexplored and this paper is one small example of its application to Northwestern Plains Archaeology.     

Economic Analysis of the Legal Regimes Governing Salvage of Historic Shipwrecks

This article offers an economic analysis of the international and U.S. laws governing the recovery of archaeological data from historic shipwrecks. The framework combines values of treasure salvage and archaeological knowledge. It is suggested that U.S. salvage law, sometimes extended to international waters, gives insufficient protection to archaeological value, but that UNESCO's Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage goes too far in the other direction. Two other legal regimes (government-salvager and interstate agreements) are shown to have the potential to maximize the social values of historic shipwrecks. It is also suggested that a move towards maximizing social values would be promoted if the U.S. admiralty courts tied the size of salvage awards more closely to the quality of the archaeological work performed.     

Dating And Environmental Reconstruction From Prehistoric Mud-Dauber Nests:Some Possibilities

Abstract

The preserved contents in nests of mud-dauberwasps recovered from archaeological investigations may provide data to the archaeologist on dating and local environmental conditions at the time of site occupation. In addition, a unique, butneglected, opportunity is afforded the entomologist to study remains not otherwise available.     

Effect of nest-site microclimatic conditions on nesting success in the Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni

Capsule: Microclimatic conditions in the nests of the Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni, particularly the percentage of time of extremely low humidity, affect breeding success.

Aim: To study the effect of within-nest temperature and humidity on nest productivity, and the correlation between nest productivity and the order of dates on which nests were occupied by the parents. To compare microclimatic conditions in the nest, breeding success and order of occupation between nests under tile roofs and in artificial nest boxes.

Methods: Three different Lesser Kestrel colonies were monitored in Israel – one rural, one urban and one in an open country habitat. Data loggers were placed in 39 nests for the entire breeding period to measure temperature and humidity. The number of fledglings was recorded for each nest, as well as the date of occupation.

Results: Full microclimatic data from 35 nests suggest that percentage of time of extremely low humidity is the major predictor of nest productivity – low humidity is negatively correlated with nest productivity. Sites of more successful nests were occupied earlier. Considering only successful nests, the urban colony had the lowest breeding success of the three colonies. There was no significant difference in mean productivity between nests in roofs and nest boxes, but nests in roofs were occupied earlier.

Conclusion: Nest microclimate, particularly low humidity, affects nesting success in addition to colony location.     

Factors and “Toolkits”: Evaluating Multivariate Analyses in Archaeology

Abstract

This paper explores the potential contribution that the use of simulated data can make in evaluating applications of multivariate analytic technqiues. Production of simulated data and evaluation of analytic techniques is shown to requiredevelopment of archaeological theory. Several models of cultural formation processes, an undeveloped branch of archaeological theory, are presented which indicate that under certain conditions factor analysis may be a useful technique for isolating sets of artifacts used in the same activity area. One of these models is positively tested on simulated secondary refuse data. The results demonstrate the utility of coupling discussions of analytic techniques with explicit archaeological theory and testing one’s models on simulated data.     

Salvage Archaeology at a Site Near Fort Thompson. South Dakota

Abstract

Construction of dams and reservoirs along the Missouri River has resulted in an accelerated program of archaeological field-work. Many sites have been surveyed, numerous others tested, and a lesser number extensively excavated. Surveys and test excavations will add to previously gathered data in terms of the geographical distribution of diagnostic artifacts, speculative routes of migration and cultural diffusion. The minutiae from the tested sites may offer reasons for the re-evaluation of established concepts or they may strengthen current archaeological interpretations.

The Farm School site, reported here, received limited tests. The artifact inventory suggests the presence of 2 ceramic components and contributes to information regarding the Fort Thompson and Campbell Creek foci in South Dakota.     

An Archaeological and Ethnohistorical Investigation of Selected Areas in Kootenai National Forest,Northwestern Montana

Abstract

During a preliminary archaeological survey of selected areas in Kootenai National Forest, located in northwestern Montana, ten archaeological sites were recorded. The majority of these sites were located on the terraces of the Kootenai River. These sites vary from surface and buried occupations, to numerous buried firehearth sites, a rockpile site and a vision quest site. Data from this survey were utilized in conjunction with ethnohistorical data to determine significant aboriginal use of river bank areas in extreme northwestern Montana.     

Frequencies of Dental Anomalies and Their Potential Effect on Determining MNI Counts

Abstract

An examination of the distribution and morphology of supernumerary teeth in North American Bovidae and Cervidae indicates their expected frequency of occurrence in archaeological sites and potential effect on MNI counts.     

Sull'Attivazione Funzionale dei Semi Germinanti

Abstract

On the functional activation of germinanting seeds. Note V. Alcohol dehydrogenase activity. — The activity of alcohol dehydrogenase is determined by spettrophotometric method on acetone precipitates of dry and germinating seeds of leguminous and graminaceous plants.

The activity of alcohol dehydrogenase is present, even with remarkable different values, in all seeds and in their various parts, singularly examined.

During germination in aerobic conditions, after a first, not strong, increase, the alcohol dehydrogenase activity sensibly decreases.     

Long-term vegetation stability in northern Europe as assessed by changes in species co-occurrences

Background: The effect of the anticipated climate change on the stability of vegetation and the factors underlying this stability are not well understood.

Aims: Our objective was to quantify long-term vegetation changes in a range of habitats in northern Europe by exploring species co-occurrences and their links to diversity and productivity gradients.

Methods: We re-sampled vegetation in 16 arctic, mountain and mire sites 20 to 90 years after the original inventories. A site-specific change in species assemblages (stability) was quantified using species co-occurrences. Using a randomisation test we tested whether the changes observed were significantly greater than those expected by chance. Relationships between patterns in vegetation stability and time between surveys, numbers of plots, or species diversity and proxies for productivity, were tested using regression analysis.

Results: At most sites the changes in species co-occurrences of vascular plants and bryophytes were greater than those expected by chance. The changes observed were found to be unrelated to gradients in productivity or diversity.

Conclusions: Changes in species co-occurrences are not strongly linked to diversity or productivity gradients in vegetation, suggesting that other gradients or site-specific factors (e.g. land use or species interactions) may be more important in controlling recent compositional shifts in vegetation in northern Europe.     

An Analysis of Charcoal from the Brewster Site (13CK15), Iowa

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is twofold: (1) To report the results of the examination of charcoal samples from 13CK 15 and; (2) to demonstrate the importance of the preservation and identification of archaeological woody materials which may serve as environmental indicators.     

Man and Bison on the Plains in the Protohistoric Period

Abstract

The presence of great herds of buffalo on the Central and Southern High Plains in early historic times may have been a recent phenomenon that discouraged reoccupation of the area by horticultural groups and encouraged proto-Apacheans who were already hunters of large herd animals to move southward. Such a possibility is supported by both archaeological and historical evidence.     

A Portable Coring Device for Rapid Site-Sampling

Abstract

A portable hydraulic coring device facilitates rapid sampling of archaeological sites and collection of undisturbed sediment monoliths for reference in research and teaching. The modestly priced device may be used in dense forests or on terrain unsuited to more expensive, truck-mounted rigs.     

Observations on Agogino and Parrish: “The Fowler-Parrish Site”

Abstract

Archaeological data derive their significance from the explicit or implicit theoretical propositions which underwrite hypotheses to be tested or specify the kinds of questions to be answered. From this perspective a recent article provokes thoughts about the scientific propriety of archaeological inquiries which stress the uniqueness of the phenomena they purport to examine.     

Four Woodland Sites in South Central Nebraska

Abstract

This paper reports the archaeological endeavors of aninterestedlayman at four Early Ceramic Period sites in Dawson, Frontier and Cosper Counties. Samples from the collections, copies of the site maps, photographs and field notes have been offered to the Nebraska State Historical Society.     

The Grass Valley Horse

Abstract

The head and part of the neck of a baked clay horse figurine from an archaeological site in Lander County is described. It suggested the presence of the Grass Valley horse in Central Nevada reaffirms the strong cultural ties between the PlateauShoshone and the buffalo hunting; horse-nomad Shoshone of the Western Plains, ties already indicated by Shoshone pottery and other plains type artifacts indigenous to the area.