Surface Survey of the Dinka settlement complex (2013-2015)

Author: Janoscha Kreppner

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Magnetometer-Survey

Author: Janoscha Kreppner

In 2019 an ERT measurement Survey was carried out to investigate the qanats of the Bora Plain, and to obtain additional information about the archaeological features of the Dinka Settlement Complex. The results from the ERT profiles measured in the southeastern part of the Bora Plain shows possible presence of closed shafts, at a depth of around 1.7 m. Artificial anomalies in the ERT results close to the Lower Town of the Dinka Settlement Complex represent remains of archaeological structures, if they belonged to buildings is not clear. It is possible that this is placed next to elongated features, which could be the accumulation of coarse gravel and can be interpreted as pavement or floor. The Section in the Lower Town (Profile 17) revealed older structures below the Iron Age, who could belong to the Chalcolithic/Early Bronze Age periods. The two Profiles of the western slope of Qalat-i Dinka represented structures which can be interpreted as the continuation of the glacis structure unearthed during the 2018 excavations in trench QID2 and so proved a 6.5m long continuation south of QID2 and showed the existence of a wall or palisade next to it.

Phytholiths

Author: Janoscha Kreppner

For the Phytholiths data 500 samples were collected from the Dinka Settlement Complex (campaigns 2015 to 2019). These were taken from contexts with the potential for yielding a high number of phytoliths (e.g., fills of ovens, rubbish pits, burnt layers), and also from floors of rooms, alleys, and courtyards. 150 – 200 Samples have been selected for complete analysis. Which has been completed for 11 samples from Gird-i Bazar (=GIB) and DLT.

In the phytolith assemblages from Gird-i Bazar can be suggested that the environments where plant exploitation took place may have been marshy and wet, with a cool, temperate climate. It can also be suggested that the inhabitants of the site cultivated marshy plants in the margins of the fields and/or collected them from the surrounding areas. Samples from Courtyard 11 at Gird-I Bazar support the presence of livestock on the site, and in DLT 2 Alley 58 the presence of pastoral activities is supported because of the high percentage of sedge cones and Cyperaceae. The analysed samples were characterised by the absence of wheat phytoliths; so it could be, that the wheat was cultivated with rainwater only. The results of samples from DLT, which has been interpreted as a complex of buildings where storage facilities were also present, suggest the use of baskets, possibly for storage, and floor matting. It also can be suggested that in DLT2 reeds were used as construction material.

Archaeozoology

Author: Janoscha Kreppner

The analyses in 2019/2020 included faunal material from Gird-i Bazar (GIB), from Qalat-i Dinka (QID), and the two excavation areas in the Lower Town (DLT2 and DLT3). The total faunal assemblage comprises 10562 specimens, including the bones and teeth of mammals, several fragments of molluscs, a few bird bones and a few remains of amphibians, fish and crustaceans.

Domestic mammals dominate, while wild species like mammals, birds, and fish were of little importance as a source of food. Sheep, goat, cattle, and pig are the most frequent taxa. All of these species were exploited for food. The exploitation of secondary products (milk, wool, hair etc.) and the exploitation of cattle as work animals in agriculture and for transport can be suggested, based on the presence of older individuals, which are far beyond the optimal slaughter age. Sheep, goats, and cattle were herded outside the settlement as can still be seen today. It is possible that pigs were kept within the settlement.

Archaeobotany

Author: Janoscha Kreppner

For the Phytholiths data 500 samples were collected from the Dinka Settlement Complex (campaigns 2015 to 2019). These were taken from contexts with the potential for yielding a high number of phytoliths (e.g., fills of ovens, rubbish pits, burnt layers), and also from floors of rooms, alleys, and courtyards. 150 – 200 Samples have been selected for complete analysis. Which has been completed for 11 samples from Gird-i Bazar (=GIB) and DLT.

In the phytolith assemblages from Gird-i Bazar can be suggested that the environments where plant exploitation took place may have been marshy and wet, with a cool, temperate climate. It can also be suggested that the inhabitants of the site cultivated marshy plants in the margins of the fields and/or collected them from the surrounding areas. Samples from Courtyard 11 at Gird-I Bazar support the presence of livestock on the site, and in DLT 2 Alley 58 the presence of pastoral activities is supported because of the high percentage of sedge cones and Cyperaceae. The analysed samples were characterised by the absence of wheat phytoliths; so it could be, that the wheat was cultivated with rainwater only. The results of samples from DLT, which has been interpreted as a complex of buildings where storage facilities were also present, suggest the use of baskets, possibly for storage, and floor matting. It also can be suggested that in DLT2 reeds were used as construction material.