Opportunities and Features of the Palynological Analysis Application on Various Types of Archaeological Sites

A wide variety of archaeological sites associated with various human activity has led to the emergence of a wide range of problems solved by archaeological palynology. On the example of the palynological materials accumulated in the Laboratory of Nature Sciences of the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the opportunities and features of the palynological analysis application are considered both on classical objects for Russian archaeopalynology (cultural layer, buried soils, defensive ramparts, burial mounds, etc.) and on non-traditional ones (latrines, vessels, funerary objects, ceramics, etc.). It is shown that the reconstruction of the natural environment, generally accepted for palynology, is mainly possible for the materials from long timed sites of shepherds in caves and rock shelters and cultural layers of sites, settlements, hillforts. Materials obtained from other objects (ancient and medieval arable lands, storage pits, latrines, the contents of ritual objects, vessels, and the gastrointestinal tract of the buried) give an idea of very local and short-term environmental conditions or events usually associated with economic and/or daily activities of a person, with his food, funerary rites and traditions. In this regard, the possibilities of the palynological method and the purposes will be different for each specific research. Recommendations for the sampling for palynological analysis are given for each specific case.

Динамика хозяйственного освоения Посурья в I тысячелетии н.э. Часть 1: данные стратиграфического анализа пойменных и балочных отложений

The article summarizes the results of a comprehensive landscape-archaeological study of the dynamics of human-environmental interaction in the Middle Sura region during the first millennium AD. The data resulted from the study of the River Sura floodplain at the former confluence of the Sura and the Malaya Sarka. The analysis of the sediments and buried soils indicates that the period between the first millennium BC and the first millennium AD saw a series of climatic cycles changing each other, with the floodplain periodically being available for various types of economic development. The Early Iron Age (first millennium BC – 2nd–3rd centuries AD) saw the formation of grey forest soils in the part of the floodplain under study. During this period, the area remained uninhabited, while the population was involved in the development of the elevated terraces and riverbanks. In contrast, in the second quarter of the first millennium AD the floodplain covered at the time by broadleaf forest had the most favorable conditions for settlement; the area was developed by the population that belonged to the Middle Volga variant of the Kiev culture. Their economic activity resulted in the gradual deforestation of the floodplain, with meadow landscapes arising instead of the forest. The second half of the 5th century saw drastic intensification of the floods and an increased runoff. The sites assigned to this period represent the developed stage of the Imen´kovo culture; these were located on the elevated terraces. The new stage of low flooding dates to the medieval period (8th–13th centuries), the soils bearing traces of steppe formation and subsequent development of the floodplain. Later, in the late Middle Age and the early Modern period, tillage shifted to watersheds and intensified, while the accumulation of layered alluvial deposits on the floodplain started again, with frequent and intense floods taking place. The study of the dynamics of the moistening of the Sura floodplain is asynchronous with the data of other studied regions of the Russian Plain, which raises the question of a relationship between the availability of floodplains for economic development and migration processes.

Soil Pollen Indicators of Historical Arable Horizons from the Zvenigorod Biological Station of the Moscow State University

In this work we present the results of spore and pollen analysis of forest soils from the Zvenigorod biological station of Moscow State University (Moscow Region, Russia). A comparative analysis of forest soils formed on the site of historical fields of the XVIII–XIX centuries and beyond showed that a specific complex of pollen and spores remains in the residual arable horizons, characteristic only of soils that have passed through the stages of plowing and fallow. It includes pollen from cultivated cereals and arable weeds (buckwheat, cornflower blue), spores of the mace-shaped plaunus (Lycopodium clavatum), as well as spores of the mosses Riccia glauca and Anthoceros spp. The latter are exclusive indicators of fallows, since they are practically not found in other habitats. The identified pollen indicators can be used in landscape and archaeological research to interpret the data of spore-pollen analysis of cultural layers, buried soils, gully-ravine sediments. They can also be used to define the boundaries of ancient fields under modern vegetation.

Mineralogy and diagenesis of Mars-analog paleosols from eastern Oregon, USA

Ancient (4.1-3.7-billion-year-old) layered sedimentary rocks on Mars are rich in clay minerals which formed from aqueous alteration of the Martian surface. Many of these sedimentary rocks appear to be composed of vertical sequences of Fe/Mg clay minerals overlain by Al clay minerals that resemble paleosols (ancient, buried soils) from Earth. The types and properties of minerals in paleosols can be used to constrain the environmental conditions during formation to better understand weathering and diagenesis on Mars. This work examines the mineralogy and diagenetic alteration of volcaniclastic paleosols from the Eocene-Oligocene (43-28 Ma) Clarno and John Day Formations in eastern Oregon as a Mars-analog site. Here, paleosols rich in Al phyllosilicates and amorphous colloids overlie paleosols with Fe/Mg smectites that altogether span a sequence of ~500 individual profiles across hundreds of meters of vertical stratigraphy. Samples collected from three of these paleosol profiles were analyzed with visible/near-infrared (VNIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and evolved gas analysis (EGA) configured to operate like the SAM-EGA instrument onboard Curiosity Mars Rover. Strongly crystalline Al/Fe dioctahedral phyllosilicates (montmorillonite and nontronite) were the major phases identified in all samples with all methods. Minor phases included the zeolite mineral clinoptilolite, as well as andesine, cristobalite, opal-CT and gypsum. Evolved H2O was detected in all samples and was consistent with adsorbed water and the dehydroxylation of a dioctahedral phyllosilicate, and differences in H2O evolutions between montmorillonite and nontronite were readily observable. Detections of hematite and zeolites suggested paleosols were affected by burial reddening and zeolitization, but absence of illite and chlorite suggest that potash metasomatism and other, more severe diagenetic alterations had not occurred. The high clay mineral content of the observed paleosols (up to 95 wt. %) may have minimized diagenetic alteration over geological time scales. Martian paleosols rich in Al and Fe smectites may have also resisted severe diagenetic alteration, which is favorable for future in-situ examination. Results from this work can help distinguish paleosols and weathering profiles from other types of sedimentary rocks in the geological record of Mars.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL, SOIL AND MICROBIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE MOSKVA RIVER FLOODPLAIN DEPOSITS AT THE ZVENIGOROD BIOLOGICAL PLANT

В статье приводятся результаты применения методов почвенно-микробиологического исследования культурных слоев в пойменных отложениях Москвы-реки. Выявлена корреляция пиков численности сапротрофных и термофильных бактерий с горизонтами погребенных почв в толще аллювия, к которым приурочены археологические находки. Показано, что с помощью микробиологических анализов можно выявить следы хозяйственной активности, которая датируется ранним бронзовым веком. The paper describes results of soil and microbiological studies of the occupation layers in the Moskva River floodplain deposits. The study identified a correlation between peaks in the count of the saprotrophic and thermophilic bacteria with the horizons of buried soils in the stream sediments where archaeological finds were made. The paper shows that micro bioassays can help identify traces of economic activity dating to the early Bronze Age.

RESULTS OF NEW STUDIES OF EARLY NEOLITHIC LAYERS AT RAKUSHECHNYY YAR (ROSTOV REGION)

Ракушечный Яр - уникальный стратифицированный памятник VII/VI тыс. до н. э. - раннего Средневековья - характеризуется сложной стратиграфией и палеорельефом, наличием погребенных почв и культурных слоев. Планомерные раскопки памятника проводились в 1960-1970 гг. и возобновлены в 2008 г. В результате комплексных археологических и геологических исследований выявлены особенности культурных слоев, позволившие выстроить микрохронологию этого памятника, где отдельные слои формировались за очень короткое время. Ракушечный Яр представляет свидетельства разновременного и последовательного заселения человеком прибрежной зоны. Раскопанные части стоянок, возможно, были специализированными местами использования водных ресурсов. Ранненеолитическое поселение в непосредственной близости от озера, возникшего примерно в сер. VIII тыс. до н. э., появилось около 5600 л. до н. э. В рамках отдельных горизонтов отмечены платформы и/или кучи раковин Unio и Viviparus, перекрытые тонкими (1-3 см) прослойками песка и суглинка и мощным слоем белого стерильного аллювиального песка. Такая последовательность отложений могла возникнуть в прибрежной озерной зоне во время трансгрессий и регрессий. Датировки отдельных слоев указывают на узкий хронологический интервал их сложения, что позволяет предполагать высокий уровень минеральных отложений в озерной котловине. По всей видимости, накопление (около 2 м) ранненеолитических слоев происходило в течение нескольких десятилетий. В статье будут рассмотрены особенности образования культурных и литологических слоев для временного среза раннего неолита. Rakushechnyy Yar is a unique stratified site dating to 7000-6000 BC characterized by complex stratigraphy, presence of buried soils and occupation layers. Consistent excavations of the site were first carried out in 1960-1970 and were then resumed in 2008. Comprehensive geoarchaeological studies helped examine specific traits of its occupation layers providing insight into microchronology of the site where some layers were formed during a very short period of time. Rakushechnyy Yar contains evidence of consistent human occupation of the littoral area in different periods of time. Most likely, the excavated sections of the sites were specialized places where water resources were used. The Early Eneolithic settlement near the lake that had been formed around mid-8th mill. BC appeared around 5600 BC. Platforms and/or bunches of Unio and Viviparus shells overlain with thin (1-3 cm) sand and loam layers and a thick layer of white sterile alluvial sand were recorded in some horizons. This sequence of deposits could occur in the littoral lacustrine area during transgressions and regressions. Dating of several layers point to a narrow chronological interval of their formation suggesting a high level of minerogenetic deposits in the lake basin. Apparently, it took several decades of these minerogenetic deposits of the Early Neolithic layers (around 2 m thick) to form.

THE BUSHARINO HILLFORT ON THE SETUN RIVER AND ITS RESOURCE AREA

В статье представлены результаты новых работ на городище Бушарино в Московской области и результаты палеоботанических исследований в его ближайших окрестностях. Удалось уточнить датировку находок на городище, скорректировать атрибуцию римской медной монеты, найденной еще в 1957 г., снять высокоточный план памятника, который относится к особому типу трехвальных городищ, не адаптированных к рельефу. Выявлены некоторые расхождения в хронологии массового материала (III в. до н. э. - III в. н. э.) и даты римской монеты (IV в.). Изучение погребенных почв под древнерусским курганом в 2 км от городища и отложений торфа в ближайшем болоте (1,5 км) позволило установить, что эти участки прошли через несколько циклов подсечного земледелия в I тыс. до н. э. - первых веках н. э., таким образом удалось достоверно зафиксировать следы земледельческой активности железного века. The paper presents results of recent studies at the Busharino hillfort in the Moscow region as well as results of paleobotanical studies in its vicinities. The chronology of finds originating from the hillfort was specified, the attribution of the Roman copper coin found back in 1957 was clarified. A high precision plan of the site was performed. The site is attributed to a special type of three-rampart hillforts not adapted to the terrain. Some discrepancies in the chronology of mass finds (3 century BC - 3 century AD) and the date of the Roman coin (4 century AD) were identified. The study of buried soils under the Medieval Russia kurgans situated two kilometers away from the hillfort as well as peat deposits in the nearest marsh (1,5 km) were undertaken. These made it possible to establish that these areas had gone through several slash-and-burn agricultural cycles in I mill. BC - first centuries AD providing, therefore, reliable evidence of agricultural activities.

PALYNOLOGICAL STUDIES OF BRONZE AGE ARCHAEOLOGICAL OBJECTS FROM THE ISHKINOVKA MINING SITE

В статье приводятся результаты палинологических исследований археологических объектов бронзового века в районе Ишкининского медного рудника: разреза на поселении Ишкиновка и погребенных почв, сохранившихся под отвалами карьеров. Палинологические исследования образцов с поселения Ишкиновка позволили получить информацию о характере формирования культурного слоя поселения, образование которого связано с руинированием саманных построек с органическими перекрытиями. Особенности строительных материалов предопределили сложный многокомпонентный состав палинологических комплексов. Результаты палинологических исследований на Ишкининском руднике и поселении Ишкиновка хорошо согласуются с реконструируемой моделью их функционирования, в соответствии с которой выделяется не менее трех этапов разработки Ишкининского месторождения на протяжении ПБВ. Каждому из выделенных хронологических этапов соответствует самобытный палинологический спектр, отражающий динамику природно-климатической ситуации в районе исследований. Эти данные надежно верифицируются результатами радиоуглеродного датирования погребенных почв, законсервированных под отвалами карьеров. The paper describes the results of palynological studies of Bronze Age archaeological assemblages discovered within the Ishkinovka copper mining center, i. e. the section at the Ishkinovka settlement, and the buried soils preserved under the dumps from the open-pit mines. Palynological studies of the samples from Ishkinovka helped obtain information on how the occupation layer at the settlement was formed. Its formation is linked to ruination of mudbrick constructions with organic roofing. Distinctive features of the construction materials predetermined a complex multi-component composition of palynological assemblages. The results of the palynological studies at the Ishkinovka mining site and the Ishkinovka settlement correlate well with the reconstructed model of their operation. At least three stages of the Ishkinovka deposit development during the Late Bronze Age have been singled out. Each identified chronological stage corresponds to a distinctive palynological spectrum reflecting changes over time in the natural and climatic situation in the studied region. These data are reliably verified by the radiocarbon dating of the buried soils preserved under the dumps of the open-pit mines.

TRACES OF IRON AGE SLASH-AND-BURN AGRICULTURE UNDER THE SLAVIC KURGANS AT THE MSU ZVENIGOROD BIOLOGICAL STATION

В работе представлены результаты анализа почв, погребенных под курганами XII-XIII вв. Волковской курганной группы на территории Звенигородской биостанции МГУ. На основе разработанной авторами диагностики слоев, связанных с подсечным земледелием, были проанализированы погребенные почвы и угленасыщенные горизонты под двумя курганными насыпями. Выявлены следы нескольких эпизодов подсечно-огневого земледелия; они датированы радиоуглеродным методом I, II и X веками н. э. The paper reports on the analysis of soils buried under the kurgans of the 12th - 13th centuries from the Volkovo kurgan group situated within the compound of the MSU Zvenigorod biological station. Based on the diagnostic assessment of the layers associated with slash-and-burn agriculture developed by the authors, the buried soils and the carbonaceous horizons under two kurgan mounds were examined. Traces of several instances of slash-and-burn agriculture use were identified, the radiocarbon dating puts them to the 1st, the 2nd and the 10th centuries.