Seasonality and Sedentism: Archaeological Perspectives from Old and New World Sites

by Thomas R. Rocek, Ofer Bar-Yosef

Overview

The papers in this volume explore the issues and techniques of archaeological site seasonality and settlement analysis. Through a series of case studies and theoretical discussions, the papers examine a range of data from Europe (Spain, Bosnia-Herzegovina), Southwest Asia (Israel), East Asia (Japan), North America (Southwest and Southeast United States), and South America (Colombia and Peru). These examples introduce a broad range of specific analytical techniques of seasonality assessment and show variability and similarity in settlement patterns worldwide. In the process, they demonstrate the range of regional traditions of archaeological settlement analysis, and the complementarity of the approaches developed in the different regions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780873659567
Publisher:	Harvard University Press
Publication date:	04/28/1998
Series:	Peabody Museum Bulletins , #6
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	236
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Ofer Bar-Yosef is MacCurdy Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology, Emeritus, at Harvard University.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

Ofer Bar-Yosef and Thomas Rocek

2. Foraging and Sedentism

Robert L. Kelly

Individual Foraging and Group Movement

Other Variables: Resource Return Rates, Length of Foraging Day, Time Frames, Risk, and Storage

Discussion

3. The Mobile Faunas: Reliable Seasonal Indicators for Archaeozoologist

Arturo Morales Muniz

Introduction

A Brief Phonological Consideration of the Iberian Avifauna

Phonological Patterns: Some Further Considerations

Two Case Studies: Cueva De Neria and Zafarraya

Discussion: Which Option Is Right?

Conclusions

4. Seasonality of Resource Use and Site Occupation at Badanj, Bosnia Herzegovina: Subsistence Stress in an Increasingly Seasonal Environment?

Preston T. Miracle and Christopher J. O'Brien

Introduction

Paleoenvironmental Changes at the End of the Pleistocene

Environmental Instability, Seasonality, and Global Circulation Models

Paleoenvironments in the Adriatic Basin During the Late Glacial

Evidence of Increased Environmental Seasonality

Summary

Seasonal Mobility in the Eastern Adriatic and Responses to Environmental Unpredictability

Excavations at Badanj

Seasonality Indicators in the Badland Faunal Remains

Introduction

Fetal Long Bones

Cementum Increments

Summary of Seasonality Indicators

Discussion

Conclusions

5. Natufian "Sedentism" and the Importance of Biological Data for Estimating Reduced Mobility

Daniel E. Lieberman

Introduction

"Archaeological" Evidence for Natufian Sedentism

Biological Sources of Evidence for Sedentism