Articles & book chapters by Rupert Housley
Investigation of an in-filled lake basin in Schünsmoor, Ldkr. Rotenburg (Wümme), northern German... more Investigation of an in-filled lake basin in Schünsmoor, Ldkr. Rotenburg (Wümme), northern Germany, reveals the discovery of ‘cryptotephra’ (non-visible volcanic ash) in biogenic sediments dating to the Late-glacial and early Holocene periods (c.15.4 - 7.5 ka cal BP). Major element geochemistry of glass shards shows the tephra originates in Iceland from the Katla volcanic system. However, uncertainties in the bio-stratigraphic position and dating of the tephra in Schünsmoor mean it is not clear if more than a single tephra is present nor is it possible to correlate confidently to previously documented eruptions. Three potentially relevant correlates are identified: the Vedde Ash (c.12.1 ka cal BP), an eruption documented from many regions of Europe that dates from the Younger Dryas sub-stage; the Abernethy Forest AF555 tephra, previously identified in Scotland with a age of 11.79 - 11.20 ka cal BP; and the c. 8.0 ka cal BP Suðuroy Tephra, first observed in the Faroe Isles. Future tephrostratigraphic investigations may ultimately resolve the ambiguities identified in Schünsmoor, thereby allowing the tephra record to be placed in a wider European context.
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Papers by Rupert Housley
Quaternary Science Reviews, 2013
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Archaeometry, Aug 1, 1987
ABSTRACT The sixth list of dates from the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator.
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Cba Research Report, 1991
Revue et implications de 300 dates obtenues pour le Paleolithique final et le Mesolithique de Gra... more Revue et implications de 300 dates obtenues pour le Paleolithique final et le Mesolithique de Grande-Bretagne et d'Europe du Nord-Ouest
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Scottish Archaeological Journal, 2019
Evidence of a new Iron Age occupation site is presented from a site located at the southern edge ... more Evidence of a new Iron Age occupation site is presented from a site located at the southern edge of a former tidal estuary in western Colonsay. A radiocarbon date of between the 1st–2nd centuries BC is significant in a regional context, being the first of this period from the island. Recovered burnt occupation debris includes cattle bone, marine (limpet and periwinkle) shell and ceramics along with a terrestrial snail shell and carbonised macroplant assemblage. The site was identified from geophysical survey (magnetometry and resistivity) focused at an earlier 5th–4th millennia BC shell midden. The discovery highlights the value of alternative field techniques and looking beyond fortified sites to find more elusive settlement evidence.
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Geoarchaeology, 2013
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An important Etruscan linen "book," the Liber linteus Zagrabiensis, was pre-served in w... more An important Etruscan linen "book," the Liber linteus Zagrabiensis, was pre-served in wrappings of an Egyptian mummy. Stylistic estimates for the date of composition of the text vary. Three possible centuries were suggested, the 3rd and the 1st centuries BC and the 1st century AD. Radiometric and AMS dating of the linen book and the mummy has demonstrated multiple uses for differing aged materials. There seem to be at least two sets of linen wrappings of markedly contrasting ages, while separate fractions of the embalming unguent seemed to contain carbon of differing dates. '4C results suggest the most probable age range for the linen book is ca 360-210 cal BC, making the 3rd century BC stylistic date the most likely time of inscription.
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Quaternary Science Reviews, 2015
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Quaternary International, 2012
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Journal of Coastal Research, 2006
ABSTRACT Coring in the Lagoon of Venice mudflats along previously collected high-resolution subbo... more ABSTRACT Coring in the Lagoon of Venice mudflats along previously collected high-resolution subbottom seismic-reflection survey profile lines has enabled the collection of interlayered radiocarbon-datable terrestrial plant material. Along present and former meander bends, dipping laminated sandy channel-bank deposits rest in sharp lithostratigraphic and chronologic contrast to the adjacent and overlying mudflat deposits. Horizontal channel migration rates of roughly 10 to 20 meters per century are orders of magnitude faster than the minimum estimates of vertical mudflat silt accumulation, which range from 5 to 25 centimeters per century. Given the nearly 6000-year history since the late-Holocene marine transgression that produced the initial lagoon environments of deposition, it is no surprise that channel meander migration has left a prevalence of channel-bank deposits in the subsurface lithostratigraphy. Furthermore, regional subsidence and rising relative sea level continue to enhance the net accumulation of mudflat and salt marsh deposition on top of the older deposits. Tapered variations of tidal-channel width, depth, and flow velocity, as well as wind-driven waves with associated intensities of turbulence along the meandering paths, lead to recognizable sediment grain size trends and lagoon deposit stratigraphy. Human interventions, such as dredging, spoil disposal, and powerboat wakes, introduce other contrasting processes and depositional features. For complete understanding of the depositional environments in the lagoon, the full set of dynamic processes and depositional consequences often need to be considered. Patterns and processes revealed in this case study probably have broad applicability to other coastal lagoon environments experiencing significant tidal flow and sea-level change.
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Geological Journal, 2009
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Quatemary Geochronology, 2013
ABSTRACT The discovery of a cryptotephra (nonvisible volcanic horizon) in a windblown sand archae... more ABSTRACT The discovery of a cryptotephra (nonvisible volcanic horizon) in a windblown sand archaeological site in Poland highlights how luminescence and tephrostratigraphy may combine to better refine the chronology of such sites. In this study we identify a cryptotephra horizon which on the basis of major and minor element geochemistry and an OSL age of 2.3 ±0.1 ka is correlated to the Glen Garry tephra. The different methodological strengths of OSL and tephrostratigraphy may be harnessed to counter the limitations of a single approach to produce a more secure chronology. Although in this study the tephra deposition event is shown to post-date the archaeological activity, the methodological approach is clearly demonstrated. Further investigations will reveal if cryptotephra layers are commonly preserved in such environmental settings. If this is so then future applications of this approach may prove to be more widely applicable.
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Antiquity, 1992
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Antiquity, 1992
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Radiocarbon
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Articles & book chapters by Rupert Housley
Papers by Rupert Housley
Keywords: Prehistory, Theory, Science, Data, Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Lithics, Ceramics, Metal artefacts, Environmental Evidence.