Papers by Ursula Thanheiser
Plants and People in the African Past, 2018
The occurrences of cotton in texts and in the archaeological record (seeds, fibres and textiles) ... more The occurrences of cotton in texts and in the archaeological record (seeds, fibres and textiles) demonstrate the emergence of cotton production centres in northeastern Africa and western Arabia during the 1 st-4 th centuries AD, which is concurrent with an increase of cotton trade. These finds could correspond to any of the two Old World domestic cotton species: Gossypium arboreum L., probably domesticated in the Indus valley and traded since the 3 rd millennium BC, or Gossypium herbaceum L., an African species about which very little is known, beside its presence in Nubia during Antiquity. Our paper reviews the archaeobotanical, textile and textual data from northeastern Africa and western Arabia, with specific attention to several sites located in Central Sudan (Muweis), Lower Nubia (Qasr Ibrim), western Egypt (Kellis, Amheida) and northwestern Arabia (Madâ'in Sâlih/Hegra). The intention of this review is to a) document how cotton production was integrated into agrarian and trade economies and b) examine current hypotheses regarding the diachronic distribution of the two species. The results highlight the importance of cotton in different agrosystems from the 1 st-2 nd centuries AD. In Central Sudan, Nubia and Dakhlah oasis, cotton cultivation seems to have appeared together with other new tropical/sub-tropical crops, such as sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum subsp. glaucum). This was not the case in northwestern Arabia. It seems that cotton production occurred at first as small-scale experiments before scaling up during the 3 rd century AD, in conjunction with the spread of the water-wheel in the Nile valley. Cotton in Nubia, and possibly in other neighbouring areas, probably belonged to the African species G. herbaceum, which was in all likelihood domesticated in southern regions, perhaps Ethiopia. We suggest that the increase of exchanges across the Indian Ocean during Antiquity created a favourable context for the emergence of cotton production and its relative expansion before the Islamic period.
Proceedings of the Ninth International Dakhleh Oasis Project Conference, 2020
Fundort Wien. Berichte zur Archäologie, Mar 14, 2014
Archaeobotanical analysis of the filling of a medieval sewage drain in the 1 district in Vienna (... more Archaeobotanical analysis of the filling of a medieval sewage drain in the 1 district in Vienna (excavation “Am Hof 10”) resulted in a large amount of plant remains, predominantly 1,172 grapevine (Vitis vinifera subsp. vinifera) pips and their fragments. Among the cultivated cereals, barley (Hordeum vulgare), emmer (Triticum dicoccum), spelt (Triticum spelta), and broomcorn millet (Panicum Taf. 3: Einige der Gewächse, deren Reste im Abwasserkanal gefunden wurden, in zeitgenössischen Darstellungen aus dem „Herbarius“ (Schöffer [Anm. 39]; © Bayerische Staatsbibliothek München, Sign. 4 Inc.c.a. 412) und als lebende Pflanzen (Fotos: A. G. Heiss). a) Origanum vulgare (Dost), b) Sambucus ebulus (Zwerg-Holunder), c) Physalis alkekengi (Blasenkirsche), d) Artemisia vulgaris (Beifuß). 73 Aufsätze A. G. Heiss/U. Thanheiser, Aus den Augen, aus dem Sinn . . .
Journal of World Prehistory, 2015
The process of Near Eastern neolithization and its westward expansion from the core zone in the L... more The process of Near Eastern neolithization and its westward expansion from the core zone in the Levant and upper Mesopotamia has been broadly discussed in recent decades, and many models have been developed to describe the spread of early farming in terms of its timing, structure, geography and sociocultural impact. Until now, based on recent intensive investigations in northwestern and western Anatolia, the discussion has mainly centred on the importance of Anatolian inland routes for the westward spread of neolithization. This contribution focuses on the potential impact of east Mediterranean and Aegean maritime networks on the spread of the Neolithic lifestyle to the western edge of the Anatolian subcontinent in the earliest phases of sedentism. Employing the longue dure ´e model and the concept of 'social memory', we will discuss the arrival of new groups via established maritime routes. The existence of maritime networks prior to the spread of farming is already indicated by the high mobility of Epipalaeolithic/Mesolithic groups exploring the Aegean and east Mediterranean seas, and reaching, for example, the Cyclades and Cyprus. Successful navigation by these early mobile groups across the open sea is attested by the distribution of Melian obsidian. The potential existence of an additional Pre-Pottery Neolithic (PPN) obsidian network that operated between Cappadocia/ & B. Horejs
Bioarchaeological investigations at Kolonna, Aegina (Early Helladic III to Late Helladic III)
Praehistorische Zeitschrift, 2011
Cet article présente tout d'abord un aperçu des résultats des fouilles de Çukuriçi Höyük, un tell... more Cet article présente tout d'abord un aperçu des résultats des fouilles de Çukuriçi Höyük, un tell situé dans la partie centrale de la côte égéenne, en Anatolie occidentale. Le site se situe non loin de l'embouchure du Küçük Menderes, dans une zone d'habitat favorable par sa topographie. On ne connaissait jusqu'ici que des trouvailles de périodes préhistoriques récoltées en surface qui sont examinées et réévaluées maintenant sur la base des résultats obtenus avec les fouilles archéologiques. L'intérêt se porte également sur les habitats les plus récents qui sont datés du Bronze ancien I (2900-2750 cal BC) par des comparaisons stratigraphiques et une séquence 14 C. Les contextes de cette période, considérés à partir d'unités architecturales, sont soumis à une analyse spatiale qui examine différentes activités. Il en ressort, pour la zone probablement centrale du tell, un paysage composé de plusieurs fonderies et d'habitations groupées sur un espace relativement restreint. L'utilisation de l'obsidienne et de différents alliages permet de dégager différents systèmes d'échanges dans un cadre géographique plus large. L'éventail des restes végétaux affiche des différences très nettes entre le Chalcolithique tardif et le Bronze ancien I. L'analyse zoologique discute les aspects de la chasse et de l'économie basée sur les animaux domestiques, ainsi que de la mer en tant que source alimentaire, face à l'économie de subsistance d'autres habitats en Anatolie et en mer Egée. The article presents firstly an overview of the excavation results from Çukuriçi Höyük, a tell on the mid-Aegean coastline in Western Anatolia. The site at the mouth of the Küçük Menderes lies in a topographically favourable settlement chamber from which mostly surface finds from prehistoric periods have been known until now; these will be discussed and re-evaluated in light of the excavation results. The article also focuses on the latest settlements, which comparative stratigraphy and a 14C sequence date to the EBA 1 between 2900 and 2750 calBC. The finds of this period, which are considered in the context of architectonic units, are subjected to an initial archaeological spatial analysis in which various activities are discussed. The result is an overall picture of the presumably central area of the tell, consisting of several metallurgy workshops in close proximity to residential structures. The use of obsidian and specific metal alloys suggests different exchange systems within a broader geographic region. The presentation of plant remains shows clear differences in the spectrum between the Late Chalcolithic and the EBA 1. The zoological analysis explores aspects of animal husbandry and hunting as well as the sea as a food source in comparison with the subsistence farming of other settlements in Anatolia and the Aegean.
Journal of Mediterranean Archaeology
In this paper we investigate local foodways and ritual consumption in Iron Age Sicily through a s... more In this paper we investigate local foodways and ritual consumption in Iron Age Sicily through a study of cooking pots, integrating contextual, archaeozoological, archaeobotanical and chemical data. We focus on material from the central cult site of the settlement of Monte Iato, located in the hinterland of western Sicily, in order to explore the interaction between food, people, bio-/artefacts and environments as a process of formulating and reformulating social relationships and local power dynamics within specific social spaces and settings. We reveal different foodways and consumption practices within the same cult site, characterized on the one hand by long-standing traditions, with more or less constant and unchanging dishes, and on the other by the integration of external stimuli. We discuss the emergence of foreign- (Greek/Phoenician-) style cooking pots and ingredients as markers of an haute cuisine, developed with the aim of social differentiation.
The Dakhleh Oasis is an isolated region in the Western Desert of Egypt. It lies some 800 km south... more The Dakhleh Oasis is an isolated region in the Western Desert of Egypt. It lies some 800 km south-south-west of Cairo, and 300 km west of the Nile, and is centred in Mut, its capital, on 25°30 ́N at 29°07 ́E. In antiquity travelling time to the Nile Valley was about eight days. The oasis is an undulating plain sitting beneath a 300 m limestone escarpment and rises slightly towards the south. It covers an area of about 2,000 sq km. The climate today is hyperarid with a mean annual precipitation of 0.7 mm, which occurs as occasional local downpours. Relative humidity rarely exceeds 50% and average maximum temperatures vary from 21.5°C in January to 39.5°C in July, but extreme maxima of 50°C are recorded as well. Under such extreme conditions, all needs for water have to be met by underground aquifers that feed to the surface through natural vents, springs and bores. All available evidence indicates, that the climate was not markedly different in Roman times.
Founded in the early Middle Kingdom, the location was well selected. The settlement was built on ... more Founded in the early Middle Kingdom, the location was well selected. The settlement was built on the navigable Pelusic branch of the river Nile giving access to the Mediterranean Sea. An inland harbour facilitated the traffic flow. To the east it was shielded by the extensive Bahr el-Baqar drainage system. What was called the Horus Road, a land bridge across the marshes, connected Tell el-Dabca to the northern Sinai, thereby controlling all traffic by land and water from the Nile Valley across the eastern Delta and into Palestine and the Levant. Aeolian sand accumulations-turtle backs-rising above the annual flood plain offered ideal locations for settlement as well as horticulture, whilst the low lying land along the Pelusic branch of the Nile and several small canals provided fertile soil for agriculture. This geographic position acted not only as a gate to the Nile Valley across which merchandise passed, but also offered sufficient living space and arable land for an expanding population. According to archaeological records as well as anthropological studies, the settlement soon attracted immigrants from the Levant who served as soldiers for the Egyptian crown, they worked as traders and were employed in mining expeditions to the Sinai, as seamen, ship builders and other specialists. Expansion of the town started as early as the late 12 th Dynasty and, during the Hyksos period, it again doubled in size. During the reign of King Nehesi (c. 1710 BC), Avaris, as it was called now, became the capital of a small kingdom relying heavily on the Asiatic settlers in the region. Presumably around 1650 BC the Nehesy Dynasty was replaced by the Hyksos (15 th Dynasty). The royal residence and, as a consequence, the power-centre was Avaris with an area under direct control of the Hyksos I For a general overview see, e.g.. BIETAK 1996; for reports on the excavations see BIETAK, FORSTXER-MtrLLER. HET"" JA"'OSl, and others in A&L 1-14; for a discussion of the chronology see BIETAK 2002. 2 Scientific plant names are given in the appendix. :J Both two-rowed and six-rowed hulled barley are present; the occurrence of naked forms is questionable.
Pflanzen und Pflanzenteile sind in unseren Breiten vergänglich. Deshalb wurde während der gesamte... more Pflanzen und Pflanzenteile sind in unseren Breiten vergänglich. Deshalb wurde während der gesamten Menschheitsgeschichte viel Phantasie, Energie, Wissen und Technik in die sichere Aufbewahrung von Lebensund Futtermitteln, Bauund Werkstoffen investiert. Einmal deponiert, laufen sie Gefahr, gefressen oder von Mikroorganismen abgebaut zu werden, die hierfür allerdings Sauerstoff und eine gewisse Menge an Feuchtigkeit benötigen. Fehlt eine dieser Bedingungen, so kann die mikrobielle Tätigkeit zum Stillstand kommen, wie etwa an stetig sehr trockenen Fundplätzen oder dort, wo durch Wasserstau hervorgerufener permanenter Sauerstoffmangel herrscht. Archäologisch erfassbar sind Pflanzen also nur dann, wenn sie durch besondere Umstände konserviert worden sind. Dementsprechend sind in Trockenbodenfundplätzen, wie der hier besprochenen Grube, meist nur verkohlte Pflanzen reste vorhanden. Mineralisierte oder durch Metallsalze konservierte Pflanzenreste kommen zwar vor, sind in der Rege/ aber sel...
Radiocarbon dating at the Tell el-Daba site in the Nile Delta has created an enigma for many year... more Radiocarbon dating at the Tell el-Daba site in the Nile Delta has created an enigma for many years. Despite great efforts, the difference of about 120 yr between the chronology based on 14 C dates and the one based on archaeological evidence linked to the Egyptian historical chronology has not been solved. In order to foster open discussions on this discrepancy, we present here the results of 40 14 C accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) measurements on short-lived plant material assigned to 14 different phases of the Tell el-Daba excavation, spanning 600 yr (about 2000-1400 BC). On the one hand, the recently established agreement between 14 C dates and dynastic Egypt (Bronk Ramsey et al. 2010) makes it unlikely that the problem lies in the 14 C dates and/or the Egyptian historical chronology. On the other hand, the extensive archaeological evidence from Tell el-Daba linked to many different cultures in the eastern Mediterranean and to the Egyptian historical chronology provides strong evidence for an absolute chronology shifted by about 120 yr with respect to the 14 C dates.
Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 2016
During the past millennia, many erosion and accumulation processes have been modified by anthropo... more During the past millennia, many erosion and accumulation processes have been modified by anthropogenic impact. This holds especially true for the environs of ancient settlements and their harbours along the Mediterranean coasts. Our multi-proxy investigations in the Roman harbour and the harbour canal of Ephesus (western Turkey) reveals that humans have significantly triggered soil erosion during the last three millennia. Since the eighth century BC, and especially since the Hellenistic period, a high sed-imentation rate indicates fast alluviation and delta progradation of the Küçük Menderes. Deforestation, agriculture (especially ploughing) and grazing (especially goats) were the main reasons for erosion of the river catchment area. One consequence was significant siltation of the Hellenistic/Roman harbour basin. This sediment trap archives the human impact, which was strongly enhanced from Hellenistic/Roman to Byzantine times (second/first centuries BC to the sixth/seventh centuries AD), evidenced by high sedimentation rates, raised values of heavy metal contaminations [lead (Pb), copper (Cu)], the occurrence of fruit tree pollen and of intestinal parasites. From the middle to the end of the first millennium AD, the influence of Ephesus declined, which resulted in a decrease of human impact. Studies of several ancient settlements around the Mediterranean Sea tell a comparable story. They also confirm that during their most flourishing periods the human impact totally overprinted the climatic one. To detect the latter, geo-bio-archives of relatively pristine areas have to be investigated in detail.
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Papers by Ursula Thanheiser