Sample name: Kara-tepe

Reference: E. B. Brite, G. Khozhaniyazov, J. M. Marston, M. Negus Cleary, and F. J. Kidd. 2017. Kara-tepe, Karakalpakstan: Agropastoralism in a central Eurasian oasis in the 4th/5th century AD transition. Journal of Field Archaeology 42(6):514-549 [ER 3758]

Lithology: not described

Taphonomic context: human accumulation,settlement

Archaeology: buildings,ceramics,hearths,stone tools,other artifacts,other structures

Habitat comments: "Kara-tepe’s 1-ha mound rises approximately 7 m above a flat agricultural plain and is abutted by modern fields rotating rice, melon, cotton, and wheat cultivation. Several additional small mounds are also located around the site. The square mound of Kara-tepe is a typical example of a Khorezmian qala (a type of building complex found throughout Central Eurasia)".
"The Early Medieval deposits included mudbrick walls demarcating the remains of a structure, within which was a 10-cm thick stratigraphic layer with extensive evidence of burning. Also associated with this layer was a nearly fully intact single-handled jug and plate of Early Medieval form and a large stone quern fragment. Two rooms of another domestic structure were also found, with a mix of mudbrick and pakhsa (rammed earth) construction. A stratigraphic layer of burning was present across both rooms of this structure and included the remains of charred wood fragments likely associated with roofing material. There was also a clay-lined pit adjacent to a hearth".
"Ninety-one diagnostic ceramic sherds and 338 total sherds were recovered from the two rooms, along with a wide variety of other, well-preserved materials. Two intact ceramic braziers and a possible third stand piece were found directly east of the hearth. More stone quern fragments and a silver coin were also recovered, along with a fragment of carbonized textile".

Life forms: ungulates,other small mammals,birds,turtles,fishes

Sampling methods: quarry,screenwash,surface

Sample size: 46 specimens

Years: 2008 - 2009

Sampling comments: "Two seasons of archaeological research were carried out at Kara-tepe in 2008–2009, and included topographic mapping, surface survey collection, geophysical survey, and the excavation of nine test trenches".
"A total of 4.9 kg of faunal remains were collected at Kara-tepe. The faunal collection consists of specimens from two contexts: Phase II occupation deposits in the two rooms, and deposits from below this architecture, presumably associated with the Phase I ditch that surrounded the fortifications. Due to several constraints, remains were collected mainly by hand, supplemented by the flotation and graduated sieving of samples of occupation deposits".

Sample number: 4009

Contributor: Benjamin Carter

Enterer: Benjamin Carter

Created: 2022-10-14 14:30:41

Modified: 2022-10-14 04:04:23