Identification and Interpretation of Botanical Remains from Neolithic 'Ais Yiorkis, Cyprus
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UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-2007 Identification and interpretation of botanical remains from Neolithic 'Ais Yiorkis, Cyprus Leilani Espinda University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Espinda, Leilani, "Identification and interpretation of botanical remains from Neolithic 'Ais Yiorkis, Cyprus" (2007). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 2105. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/qqgy-yt5i This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This Thesis has been accepted for inclusion in UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Scholarship@UNLV. For more information, please contact [email protected]. IDENTIFICATION AND INTERPRETATION OF BOTANICAL REMAINS FROM NEOLITHIC 'A/S YIORKIS, CYPRUS by Leilani Espinda Bachelor of Arts University of Nevada, Reno 2002 Master of Arts University of Nevada, Las Vegas 2007 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts Degree In Anthropology Department of Anthropology College of Liberal Arts Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas May 2007 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 1443753 Copyright 2007 by Espinda, Leilani All rights reserved. INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI UMI Microform 1443753 Copyright 2007 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Copyright by Leilani Espinda 2007 All Rights Reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Thesis Approval ITNTV The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas April 23 .2007 The Thesis prepared by Leilani M. Espinda Entitled "Identification and Interpretation of Botanical Remains from Neolithic 'Ais Yiorkis, Cyprus" ____________________________________ is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of ________________Master of Arts in Anthropology Examination Committee Chair Dean of the Graduate College Examination Committee Member Examination Committee Member Graduate College Faculty Representative 11 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT Identification and Interpretation of Botanical Remains From Neolithic ‘Ais Yiorkis, Cyprus by Leilani Espinda Dr. Alan Simmons, Examination Committee Chair Professor of Anthropology University of Nevada, Las Vegas The botanical remains from the 2005 field season at ‘Ais Yiorkis, Cyprus demonstrates a distinct economic assemblage that has yet to be identified in the Aceramic Neolithic of Cyprus. In addition to the unusually high proportions of two-grained einkorn and the low ratios of other plant parts, ‘Ais Yiorkis is characterized by an atypical architectural phenomenon in the form of raised circular platform structures. Furthermore, the archeology is marked by a distinct lithic and groundstone tool industry as well as a massive faunal assemblage, which includes the presence of cattle, previously rare in the Neolithic. Together with the archaeology of ‘Ais Yiorkis, the botanical assemblage is suggestive of a unique upland occupation demonstrating a site-type not previously seen in the Cypro-PRNB. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................iii LIST OF FIGURES.....................................................................................................vl LIST OF TABLES......................................................................................................vli ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS....................................................................................... vili CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION................................................................................ 1 Research Questions and Directions .................................................................... 3 Descriptive Outline................................................................................................6 Cyprus.................................................................................................................... 7 Kritou-Marottou-'A/s Yiorkis ................................................................................ 11 Origins of Agriculture in the Near East .............................................................. 14 Significance ..........................................................................................................16 CHAPTER 2 BACKGROUND RESEARCH.........................................................19 Introduction..........................................................................................................19 Near Eastern Archaeological Background ........................................................21 Cyprus Archaeological Background .................................................................. 29 Origins of Agriculture in the Near East ..............................................................36 The Subsistence Economy of the Archaeological Complexes ........................56 The Spread of the Neolithic Subsistence Package to Cyprus .........................59 CHAPTER 3 PALEOETHNOBOTANICAL INTERPRETATION.........................67 Introduction......................................................................................................... 67 Identification ........................................................................................................ 75 Interpretation ....................................................................................................... 76 CHAPTER 4 METHODOLOGY.............................................................................77 History of Flotation ..............................................................................................77 Field Recovery.................................................................... 82 Limitations of Flotation ....................................................................................... 83 Cyprus-Flotation Methods .................................................................................. 84 Field Methods-'A/s Yiorkis 2005 .........................................................................87 Laboratory Analysis-'A/s Yiorkis 2005 ...............................................................89 IV Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. 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CHAPTER 5 PRESENTATION OF DATA ............................................................93 Cereals................................................................................................................. 93 The Plant Remains ..............................................................................................94 CHAPTER 6 INTERPRETATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS ..............................111 Southwest Quadrant of Unit 20N40W-Feature 4 ............................................ 113 Research Questions and Conclusion .............................................................. 123 APPENDIX....................................................................................... 130 Thomas Lucas Field Note Summary 2006 .................................................... 130 BIBLIOGRAPHY.....................................................................................................133 VITA.........................................................................................................................141 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Map of Cyprus-'A/s Yiorkis ......................................................................17 Figure 2 Geological Map of Cyprus................................................. 17 Figure 3 Wild Einkorn Distribution ........................................................................ 54 Figure 4 Wild Emmer Distribution......................................................................... 54 Figure 5 Wild Barley Distribution .......................................................................... 55