SAS Bulletin Society for Archaeological Sciences Volume 26 number 1 Spring 2003 From the Editor archaeological sites without the cost of full-scale excavations and of course without any disturbance of the sites themselves. With this issue I welcome you to But perhaps the most exciting development has been the the second quarter-century of the analysis of ancient DNA. From studies of Neanderthals who Society for Archaeological Sciences! appear to be outside the range of modern humans, to Over the past 25 years we have documenting the lineages of early native Americans, to certainly seen many significant identifying the biological relationships of Egyptian pharaohs, developments in the application of to identifying the wild ancestor of maize, DNA studies have scientific methods of analysis to already made contributions to archaeology that just a short archaeological materials. The accuracy of radiocarbon dating time ago were only dreams. In this issue of the SAS Bulletin has improved tremendously with the development of detailed we have several contributions in this area, including an calibration curves, while the use of accelerator mass overview of ancient DNA studies and practical information spectrometers has allowed the tiniest samples to be directly by Keri Brown (University of Manchester); a notice about dated and thus avoids some of the contextual problems the formation of a molecular-genetic center for archaeometry characteristic of many archaeological sites. The automation at the Institute for Anthropology in Mainz; and a report on of many instrumental techniques of chemical analysis has an international collaborative research project on the origin also increased their precision, while reducing per sample costs. of cattle breeding and dairy farming in Europe. I welcome This has resulted in the creation of very large datasets for similar contributions from our readers for future issues. provenience studies of obsidian, ceramics, and other With this issue I also report that we have several new materials. In the case of obsidian, artifacts now may be Associate Editors, and wish to thank those who have served attributed not only to a particular volcanic complex, but often in these roles up to this point. Susan Mulholland (University to specific flows or outcrops, providing much more specific of Minnesota) was our Meetings Calendar editor for many information about exploitation patterns and the cultural factors years, keeping our readers aware of conferences all over which regulated them. ICP mass spectrometers in particular the world and in a large range of subdisciplines, while Mike have revolutionized the analysis of many materials, allowing Waters (Texas A&M University) regularly contributed for the measurement of most elements in the periodic table, columns on geoarchaeology for the last several years. Colleen and providing not only elemental concentrations but also Stapleton, a recent graduate of the University of Georgia isotope ratios. When equipped with laser ablation devices, and a specialist in glass studies, is our new Meetings Calendar samples may be rapidly analyzed with virtually no sample editor, and hopes that members will email her at preparation and in a virtually non-destructive manner. Stable [email protected] with your notices of upcoming conferences isotope analysis was first used for reconstructing ancient diets and seminars. Frederic Pearl, a graduate of Texas A&M the year SAS was founded, and since 1977 this technique University who specializes in geoarchaeological applications has been applied on all continents, and shown to be reliable in East Africa and elsewhere, is the new editor for even on samples many millions of years old. Controlled diet Geoarchaeology, and hopes that members will submit to him and other experiments have provided detailed evidence on (at [email protected]) notices about recent publications, how dietary carbon and nitrogen end up in different body conference papers, research projects, etc. Finally, Nora tissues, with interpretations far more robust than simple Reber (University of North Carolina) joins Michael Richards estimates of C3 and C4 contributions to bone collagen. Recent as associate editor for archaeological chemistry, and can be studies have researched topics including age of weaning, contacted at [email protected]. population movement or individual migration, seasonal changes in diet, and individual variations based on sex, status, or other Robert H. Tykot 5 April 2003 circumstances. There have also been tremendous advances in the development of remote sensing equipment, especially SAS web page: http://www.socarchsci.org ground penetrating radar, for the detection and mapping of page 2 SAS Bulletin 26(1) with emphasis on the field and/or laboratory aspects of the In This Issue research. Further information about these scholarships and links to Ancient DNA and Archaeology (K. Brown) 3 the applications may be found at http://rock.geosociety.org/arch/ Molecular Archaeology in Mainz (R. Bollongino) 4 Archaeobiology (D.B. Landon) 6 Archaeometallurgy (M. Goodway) 7Characterising Waterlogged Burial Archaeological Ceramics (C.C. Kolb) 10 Environments Book Reviews (M. Hall) Before the Volcano Erupted (R.J. Speakman) 27 Applications are invited for a three-year, fully funded, PhD Books Received 29 studentship at the University of Hull. The project is jointly funded Meetings Calendar (C. Stapleton) 29by English Heritage, The Countryside Agency and the University of Hull, and the student will be located in the university’s Wetland Archaeology & Environments Research Centre. Supervisors: Dr M.C. Lillie (WAERC, University of Hull) Postdoctoral Position for Research and Dr S. Ellis (Department of Geography, University of Hull), Archaeologist with additional supervision provided by the Department of Biology, University of Hull. We announce a Postdoctoral position in archaeology at Background: Recent research funded by English Heritage, the Archaeological Research Institute, Arizona State University The Countryside Agency and the University of Hull has sought (http://archaeology.asu.edu). Ph.D. in Archaeology required. to advance our understanding and characterisation of Desired: interest/experience in interdisciplinary studies and waterlogged burial environments with the aim of ensuring conducting research on archaeological issues of central effective in situ preservation of the archaeological resource. Arizona; Interdisciplinary research experience or educational Given the continued degradation of wetland areas, and the training relevant to modeling, hydrology, materials analysis, preservation in situ as the preferred approach to such burial information management, or human/environmental impacts. The environments, further research into the modelling and postdoctoral associate will work with and contribute to an characterisation of these environments is an important research ongoing interdisciplinary effort to understand the long-term priority for many regional and national agencies. A selection prehistoric development of the Salt/Gila Basin. Position begins of contrasting sites will form the basis of the current study, 8/15/2003. Send cover letter explaining interest in position and which will examine parameters such as watertable dynamics, relevant expertise; a curriculum vitae; names, addresses, phone soil components, microbiology and groundwater quality. numbers and email addresses of 3 references; and reprints of Objectives: Developing from two recent PhD projects on relevant publications (limit of 3) to: Dr. Arleyn Simon, Post- watertable dynamics and the preservation of oak wood in a Doc Search, ARI, Dept of Anthropology, PO Box 872402, variety of burial environments, this research will seek to define Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-2402. Application the key parameters that impact on the buried resource. From deadline is 5/30/03; if not filled the 15th and 30th of each month this platform, methods will be developed for the quantification thereafter until search closed. For inquiries, contact Arleyn and recording of the buried resource, and techniques for Simon at 480-965-9231 or [email protected]. Position promoting in situ preservation will be assessed. The research contingent upon funding. AA/EOE. will provide the student with expertise in field and laboratory analytical techniques involved in studying burial environments and watertable dynamics, and their integration with other Funding Opportunity via the Claude C. datasets, and the skills obtained will be relevant to a range of Albritton, Jr. Award careers in archaeological and environmental sciences. Application information: The studentship will start before The Albritton Award Fund of the Archaeological Geology 28 July 2003. Applicants should have (or expect to gain) a Division of the Geological Society of America provides good Upper Second or First Class Honours degree, or a Masters scholarships and fellowships for graduate students in the earth degree, in a relevant discipline (e.g. archaeological sciences, sciences or archaeology for research. Recipients of the award geohydrology, or related aspects of environmental science) and are students who (1) are working toward a postgrad (M.A./ be normally resident in the UK. M.S. or D.Phil/Ph.D. degree in earth sciences or archaeology; The closing date for applications is 28 April 2003. (2) demonstrate an interest in applying earth science methods Application is by letter and a CV, giving the names and contact to archaeological research; and (3) express