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Using phytolith, geochemical and ethnographic analysis to inform on site construction and activities in the Neolithic of southwest Asia: case studies from Wadi Faynan 16 and ‘Ain Ghazal, Jordan.

Allcock, S. L., Elliott, S., Jenkins, E., Palmer, C., Rollefson, G., Grattan, J. and Finlayson, B., 2023. Using phytolith, geochemical and ethnographic analysis to inform on site construction and activities in the Neolithic of southwest Asia: case studies from Wadi Faynan 16 and ‘Ain Ghazal, Jordan. Environmental Archaeology. (In Press)

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DOI: 10.1080/14614103.2023.2243114

Abstract

This paper explores what can be learned about settlement construction and use in the southwest Asian Neolithic from phytolith, geochemical and ethnographic analysis. This period was targeted because, despite its importance, our understanding of building practices and use of space within settlements is sometimes limited. We chose the sites of WF16 and ‘Ain Ghazal as case studies and compared them with ethnographic samples of known origin from the similarly constructed 20th century village of Al Ma’tan, Jordan. We split our samples into different context categories for example middens, hearths and floors, and found that phytolith and elemental signatures are strongest for categories linked to construction practices rather than activities. Geology, age and the availability of local plant materials are shown to be key sources of signature variability. Fire contexts have particularly distinct activity signatures, which are heavily influenced by fuel choice yet are relatively analogous. We suggest that the use of micro-proxies such as phytoliths and geochemistry should be considered when sampling strategies are devised and integrated with other forms of archaeological evidence to enhance site interpretation.

Item Type:Article
ISSN:0268-425X
Uncontrolled Keywords:Phytoliths; geochemistry; Neolithic; SW Asia; Levant; pXRF
Group:Faculty of Science & Technology
ID Code:38923
Deposited By: Symplectic RT2
Deposited On:31 Aug 2023 09:50
Last Modified:31 Aug 2023 09:50

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