Since 1932 when André Vayson de Pradenne write his book about “Les Fraudes en archéologie Préhist... more Since 1932 when André Vayson de Pradenne write his book about “Les Fraudes en archéologie Préhistorique” (The Frauds in Prehistoric Archaeology), in which he is discussing mainly the problem of forgeries and the way they influence scientific research, there have been no other publications about fraud in archaeology. Having in mind that fraud can be hidden in every aspect of human activity, this paper is dealing with fraud schemes in the antiquities market. Just like the financial one, antiquities market is vulnerable to fraudulent activities, as it can supply the involved fraudsters with increased profits. Root cause analysis assists fraud investigation in the market and is used to extract conclusions. Acknowledging that fraud cannot totally disappear from markets, it is proposed the integration of a multi-discipline independent taskforce of anti-fraud professionals, having the full authority to investigate the antiquities for sale, as a suitable action to reduce fraudulent activities, promote transparency and good governance practices in the antiquities market.
... edited by Ladislav Šmejda & Jan Turek Plzeň 2004 Page 2. 4 Spatial analysis of funerary a... more ... edited by Ladislav Šmejda & Jan Turek Plzeň 2004 Page 2. 4 Spatial analysis of funerary areas Edited by Ladislav Šmejda & Jan Turek Publication of the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Humanities, University of West Bohemia, Sedláčkova 31, Plzeň, Czech Republic. ...
It is not easy going through the Greek prehistoric period by means of studying the findings of it... more It is not easy going through the Greek prehistoric period by means of studying the findings of its karstic forms. Greece, which lies in the southeastern end of Europe, is reach in calcareous rocks, and filled with caves, rock shelters and dolines. Most of these karstic forms were by human from the time of his apparition in the Aegean and are still used today. Despite all the problems that have occurred on the archaeological research-owing to the great tectonic activity of the territory as well as the diachronic usage of natural cavities by man that have disturbed the landfilings-the excavation results of caves and rock shelters mainly, have proven to be of major importance for the re-establishment of the land's past. The prehistoric times recherche in Greece is based on both in the human remains and in the fragments of human activity that were left or buried in caves. As far as this duration is concerned, his presence in the caves and rock shelters is constant until the end of t...
This paper summarises the current development in the southern Ionian Islands (Kefallinia and Zaky... more This paper summarises the current development in the southern Ionian Islands (Kefallinia and Zakynthos) prehistory and places it within the context of seafaring. Archaeological data from the southern Ionian Islands show human habitation since Middle Palaeolithic going back to 110 ka BP yet bathymetry, sea-level changes and the Late Quaternary geology, show that Kefallinia and Zakynthos were insular at that time. Hence, human presence in these islands indicates inter island-mainland seafaring. Seafaring most likely started some time between 110 and 35 ka BP and the seafarers were the Neanderthals. Seafaring was encouraged by the coastal configuration, which offered the right conditions for developing seafaring skills according to the “voyaging nurseries” and “autocatalysis” concepts.
This paper attempts to synthesize the developments that have taken place during the last 30 years... more This paper attempts to synthesize the developments that have taken place during the last 30 years in the prehistoric human presence in the Ionian Islands in relation to the sea-level changes during the last 100 kyr B.P. (Kyr B.P. = thousand years Before Present. Present = 1950 A.D.). The study of sea-level changes shows that for the majority of the time i.e. between 65 and 11 kyr B.P. in the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic periods (100 to 10 kyr B.P.) when the sea level was between -120 and -60 m below the present day MSL (MSL is the average (mean) height of the sea, with reference to a suitable reference surface), the present day shelf, on which the Ionian Islands lie, was emerged forming a coastal plain and that Corfu and Leukada were connected to the Greek Mainland. Therefore, the hunter-gatherers, who used or occupied these islands, have had an easy access using land bridges to reach them. The Islands of Kefalonia, Ithaka, and Zakynthos, however, were insular from the Middle Palae...
When archaic hominins started sea-crossings and whether or not seas were barriers to their disper... more When archaic hominins started sea-crossings and whether or not seas were barriers to their dispersal, is highly debated. This paper attempts to provide insights into these issues, focusing on the Aegean Sea. The study shows that the Central Aegean Island Chain was insular from the surrounding landmasses over the last 450 ka and contests previously available Aegean Sea paleo-geography. This, in association with the spatiotemporal patterning of Lower and Middle Paleolithic assemblages in the margin of the Mediterranean Sea, implies that pre-sapiens, as early as 450 ka BP: (a) were sea-crossing the Aegean Sea, (b) were encouraged by the favorable land/seascape configuration to attempt sea-crossings and (c) spread to the Circum-Mediterranean basin sourcing from the Levant, following two converging routes via the Aegean Sea and the Gibraltar straits.
This paper attempts to synthesize the developments that have taken place during the last 30 years... more This paper attempts to synthesize the developments that have taken place during the last 30 years in the prehistoric human presence in the Ionian Islands in relation to the sea-level changes during the last 100 kyr B.P. (Kyr B.P. = thousand years Before Present. Present = 1950 A.D.). The study of sea-level changes shows that for the majority of the time i.e. between 65 and 11 kyr B.P. in the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic periods (100 to 10 kyr B.P.) when the sea level was between -120 and -60 m below the present day MSL (MSL is the average (mean) height of the sea, with reference to a suitable reference surface), the present day shelf, on which the Ionian Islands lie, was emerged forming a coastal plain and that Corfu and Leukada were connected to the Greek Mainland. Therefore, the hunter-gatherers, who used or occupied these islands, have had an easy access using land bridges to reach them. The Islands of Kefalonia, Ithaka, and Zakynthos, however, were insular from the Middle Palaeolithic to the Early Neolithic period, separated from each other and from the Greek Mainland by narrow straits ranging in width from 5 to 12 km. The human presence in these islands since the Middle Palaeolithic period suggests that the hunter-gatherers had the ability to sail across the straits and that they were taking the risk to travel at least to visible islands from the mainland. The overall geographical configuration of the islands in relation to the configuration of the mainland infers that the Middle Palaeolithic, Upper Palaeolithic, and Mesolithic hunter-gatherers were probably bearing in mind the concepts of “voyaging nursery” and “autocatalysis” in their movements to the islands.
This paper presents and discusses the chrono-cultural layout of the late Middle and Upper Palaeo-... more This paper presents and discusses the chrono-cultural layout of the late Middle and Upper Palaeo-lithic during MIS 4 and MIS 3 (74-22ka BP) in the Hellenic peninsula, the Levant, Anatolia, central and south-eastern Europe within the context of the prevailing palaeo-configuration in the Aegean Archipelago over the same time span. The data presented offers substantial evidence that: (i) Neanderthals and AMHs co-existed in the Hellenic peninsula at around 35ka BP (40 calendar ka BP), (ii) the max. time-span of the Neanderthals and AMHs co-existence in the Hellenic peninsula may extend from 44 to 27.5ka BP., (iii) Neanderthals and AMHs were seafaring in the Aegean Sea, the former from around 60 to 35 ka BP and probably from 120 to 30 ka BP, the latter from 35ka BP and onward and (vi) Neanderthal and AMHs in their movement from southern Europe to the Levant and vice-versa had established a coastal route via the Aegean Archipelago using the islands as stop over.
Man differs from all other animal species, as he is the only one who can live in completely diffe... more Man differs from all other animal species, as he is the only one who can live in completely different environments. He can lives at the poles, but he can also lives at the equator. As he does not feel the same comfort in these two completely different environments he has his own preferences for the place he uses as settlements. This article attempts to discover these preferences. For this purpose it synthesizes data from the last 120,000 years of the Palaeolithic period in Greece. During this long period, prehistoric man preferred lowlands and coasts, but also areas which could offer him water supplies and food. Along rivers, around poljes, in karstic environments, archaeological research can discover indices about human´s preference in Greece, by the study of the artifacts man left and the environmental parameters which characterize his living sites. Key words: Palaeolithic, Greece, environment, water, preys, altitude, sea, caves
This paper attempts to synthesize the developments that have taken place during the last 30 years... more This paper attempts to synthesize the developments that have taken place during the last 30 years in the prehistoric human presence in the Ionian Islands in relation to the sea-level changes during the last 100 kyr B.P. (Kyr B.P. = thousand years Before Present. Present = 1950 A.D.). The study of sea-level changes shows that for the majority of the time i.e. between 65 and 11 kyr B.P. in the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic periods (100 to 10 kyr B.P.) when the sea level was between -120 and -60 m below the present day MSL (MSL is the average (mean) height of the sea, with reference to a suitable reference surface), the present day shelf, on which the Ionian Islands lie, was emerged forming a coastal plain and that Corfu and Leukada were connected to the Greek Mainland. Therefore, the hunter-gatherers, who used or occupied these islands, have had an easy access using land bridges to reach them. The Islands of Kefalonia, Ithaka, and Zakynthos, however, were insular from the Middle Palaeolithic to the Early Neolithic period, separated from each other and from the Greek Mainland by narrow straits ranging in width from 5 to 12 km. The human presence in these islands since the Middle Palaeolithic period suggests that the hunter-gatherers had the ability to sail across the straits and that they were taking the risk to travel at least to visible islands from the mainland. The overall geographical configuration of the islands in relation to the configuration of the mainland infers that the Middle Palaeolithic, Upper Palaeolithic, and Mesolithic hunter-gatherers were probably bearing in mind the concepts of “voyaging nursery” and “autocatalysis” in their movements to the islands.
This paper presents and discusses the chrono-cultural layout of the late Middle and Upper Palaeo-... more This paper presents and discusses the chrono-cultural layout of the late Middle and Upper Palaeo-lithic during MIS 4 and MIS 3 (74-22ka BP) in the Hellenic peninsula, the Levant, Anatolia, central and south-eastern Europe within the context of the prevailing palaeo-configuration in the Aegean Archipelago over the same time span. The data presented offers substantial evidence that: (i) Neanderthals and AMHs co-existed in the Hellenic peninsula at around 35ka BP (40 calendar ka BP), (ii) the max. time-span of the Neanderthals and AMHs co-existence in the Hellenic peninsula may extend from 44 to 27.5ka BP., (iii) Neanderthals and AMHs were seafaring in the Aegean Sea, the former from around 60 to 35 ka BP and probably from 120 to 27.5 ka BP, the latter from 35ka BP and onward and (vi) Neanderthal and AMHs in their movement from southern Europe to the Levant and vice-versa had established a coastal route via the Aegean Archipelago using the islands as stop over.
Since 1932 when André Vayson de Pradenne write his book about “Les Fraudes en archéologie Préhist... more Since 1932 when André Vayson de Pradenne write his book about “Les Fraudes en archéologie Préhistorique” (The Frauds in Prehistoric Archaeology), in which he is discussing mainly the problem of forgeries and the way they influence scientific research, there have been no other publications about fraud in archaeology. Having in mind that fraud can be hidden in every aspect of human activity, this paper is dealing with fraud schemes in the antiquities market. Just like the financial one, antiquities market is vulnerable to fraudulent activities, as it can supply the involved fraudsters with increased profits. Root cause analysis assists fraud investigation in the market and is used to extract conclusions. Acknowledging that fraud cannot totally disappear from markets, it is proposed the integration of a multi-discipline independent taskforce of anti-fraud professionals, having the full authority to investigate the antiquities for sale, as a suitable action to reduce fraudulent activities, promote transparency and good governance practices in the antiquities market.
... edited by Ladislav Šmejda & Jan Turek Plzeň 2004 Page 2. 4 Spatial analysis of funerary a... more ... edited by Ladislav Šmejda & Jan Turek Plzeň 2004 Page 2. 4 Spatial analysis of funerary areas Edited by Ladislav Šmejda & Jan Turek Publication of the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Humanities, University of West Bohemia, Sedláčkova 31, Plzeň, Czech Republic. ...
It is not easy going through the Greek prehistoric period by means of studying the findings of it... more It is not easy going through the Greek prehistoric period by means of studying the findings of its karstic forms. Greece, which lies in the southeastern end of Europe, is reach in calcareous rocks, and filled with caves, rock shelters and dolines. Most of these karstic forms were by human from the time of his apparition in the Aegean and are still used today. Despite all the problems that have occurred on the archaeological research-owing to the great tectonic activity of the territory as well as the diachronic usage of natural cavities by man that have disturbed the landfilings-the excavation results of caves and rock shelters mainly, have proven to be of major importance for the re-establishment of the land's past. The prehistoric times recherche in Greece is based on both in the human remains and in the fragments of human activity that were left or buried in caves. As far as this duration is concerned, his presence in the caves and rock shelters is constant until the end of t...
This paper summarises the current development in the southern Ionian Islands (Kefallinia and Zaky... more This paper summarises the current development in the southern Ionian Islands (Kefallinia and Zakynthos) prehistory and places it within the context of seafaring. Archaeological data from the southern Ionian Islands show human habitation since Middle Palaeolithic going back to 110 ka BP yet bathymetry, sea-level changes and the Late Quaternary geology, show that Kefallinia and Zakynthos were insular at that time. Hence, human presence in these islands indicates inter island-mainland seafaring. Seafaring most likely started some time between 110 and 35 ka BP and the seafarers were the Neanderthals. Seafaring was encouraged by the coastal configuration, which offered the right conditions for developing seafaring skills according to the “voyaging nurseries” and “autocatalysis” concepts.
This paper attempts to synthesize the developments that have taken place during the last 30 years... more This paper attempts to synthesize the developments that have taken place during the last 30 years in the prehistoric human presence in the Ionian Islands in relation to the sea-level changes during the last 100 kyr B.P. (Kyr B.P. = thousand years Before Present. Present = 1950 A.D.). The study of sea-level changes shows that for the majority of the time i.e. between 65 and 11 kyr B.P. in the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic periods (100 to 10 kyr B.P.) when the sea level was between -120 and -60 m below the present day MSL (MSL is the average (mean) height of the sea, with reference to a suitable reference surface), the present day shelf, on which the Ionian Islands lie, was emerged forming a coastal plain and that Corfu and Leukada were connected to the Greek Mainland. Therefore, the hunter-gatherers, who used or occupied these islands, have had an easy access using land bridges to reach them. The Islands of Kefalonia, Ithaka, and Zakynthos, however, were insular from the Middle Palae...
When archaic hominins started sea-crossings and whether or not seas were barriers to their disper... more When archaic hominins started sea-crossings and whether or not seas were barriers to their dispersal, is highly debated. This paper attempts to provide insights into these issues, focusing on the Aegean Sea. The study shows that the Central Aegean Island Chain was insular from the surrounding landmasses over the last 450 ka and contests previously available Aegean Sea paleo-geography. This, in association with the spatiotemporal patterning of Lower and Middle Paleolithic assemblages in the margin of the Mediterranean Sea, implies that pre-sapiens, as early as 450 ka BP: (a) were sea-crossing the Aegean Sea, (b) were encouraged by the favorable land/seascape configuration to attempt sea-crossings and (c) spread to the Circum-Mediterranean basin sourcing from the Levant, following two converging routes via the Aegean Sea and the Gibraltar straits.
This paper attempts to synthesize the developments that have taken place during the last 30 years... more This paper attempts to synthesize the developments that have taken place during the last 30 years in the prehistoric human presence in the Ionian Islands in relation to the sea-level changes during the last 100 kyr B.P. (Kyr B.P. = thousand years Before Present. Present = 1950 A.D.). The study of sea-level changes shows that for the majority of the time i.e. between 65 and 11 kyr B.P. in the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic periods (100 to 10 kyr B.P.) when the sea level was between -120 and -60 m below the present day MSL (MSL is the average (mean) height of the sea, with reference to a suitable reference surface), the present day shelf, on which the Ionian Islands lie, was emerged forming a coastal plain and that Corfu and Leukada were connected to the Greek Mainland. Therefore, the hunter-gatherers, who used or occupied these islands, have had an easy access using land bridges to reach them. The Islands of Kefalonia, Ithaka, and Zakynthos, however, were insular from the Middle Palaeolithic to the Early Neolithic period, separated from each other and from the Greek Mainland by narrow straits ranging in width from 5 to 12 km. The human presence in these islands since the Middle Palaeolithic period suggests that the hunter-gatherers had the ability to sail across the straits and that they were taking the risk to travel at least to visible islands from the mainland. The overall geographical configuration of the islands in relation to the configuration of the mainland infers that the Middle Palaeolithic, Upper Palaeolithic, and Mesolithic hunter-gatherers were probably bearing in mind the concepts of “voyaging nursery” and “autocatalysis” in their movements to the islands.
This paper presents and discusses the chrono-cultural layout of the late Middle and Upper Palaeo-... more This paper presents and discusses the chrono-cultural layout of the late Middle and Upper Palaeo-lithic during MIS 4 and MIS 3 (74-22ka BP) in the Hellenic peninsula, the Levant, Anatolia, central and south-eastern Europe within the context of the prevailing palaeo-configuration in the Aegean Archipelago over the same time span. The data presented offers substantial evidence that: (i) Neanderthals and AMHs co-existed in the Hellenic peninsula at around 35ka BP (40 calendar ka BP), (ii) the max. time-span of the Neanderthals and AMHs co-existence in the Hellenic peninsula may extend from 44 to 27.5ka BP., (iii) Neanderthals and AMHs were seafaring in the Aegean Sea, the former from around 60 to 35 ka BP and probably from 120 to 30 ka BP, the latter from 35ka BP and onward and (vi) Neanderthal and AMHs in their movement from southern Europe to the Levant and vice-versa had established a coastal route via the Aegean Archipelago using the islands as stop over.
Man differs from all other animal species, as he is the only one who can live in completely diffe... more Man differs from all other animal species, as he is the only one who can live in completely different environments. He can lives at the poles, but he can also lives at the equator. As he does not feel the same comfort in these two completely different environments he has his own preferences for the place he uses as settlements. This article attempts to discover these preferences. For this purpose it synthesizes data from the last 120,000 years of the Palaeolithic period in Greece. During this long period, prehistoric man preferred lowlands and coasts, but also areas which could offer him water supplies and food. Along rivers, around poljes, in karstic environments, archaeological research can discover indices about human´s preference in Greece, by the study of the artifacts man left and the environmental parameters which characterize his living sites. Key words: Palaeolithic, Greece, environment, water, preys, altitude, sea, caves
This paper attempts to synthesize the developments that have taken place during the last 30 years... more This paper attempts to synthesize the developments that have taken place during the last 30 years in the prehistoric human presence in the Ionian Islands in relation to the sea-level changes during the last 100 kyr B.P. (Kyr B.P. = thousand years Before Present. Present = 1950 A.D.). The study of sea-level changes shows that for the majority of the time i.e. between 65 and 11 kyr B.P. in the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic periods (100 to 10 kyr B.P.) when the sea level was between -120 and -60 m below the present day MSL (MSL is the average (mean) height of the sea, with reference to a suitable reference surface), the present day shelf, on which the Ionian Islands lie, was emerged forming a coastal plain and that Corfu and Leukada were connected to the Greek Mainland. Therefore, the hunter-gatherers, who used or occupied these islands, have had an easy access using land bridges to reach them. The Islands of Kefalonia, Ithaka, and Zakynthos, however, were insular from the Middle Palaeolithic to the Early Neolithic period, separated from each other and from the Greek Mainland by narrow straits ranging in width from 5 to 12 km. The human presence in these islands since the Middle Palaeolithic period suggests that the hunter-gatherers had the ability to sail across the straits and that they were taking the risk to travel at least to visible islands from the mainland. The overall geographical configuration of the islands in relation to the configuration of the mainland infers that the Middle Palaeolithic, Upper Palaeolithic, and Mesolithic hunter-gatherers were probably bearing in mind the concepts of “voyaging nursery” and “autocatalysis” in their movements to the islands.
This paper presents and discusses the chrono-cultural layout of the late Middle and Upper Palaeo-... more This paper presents and discusses the chrono-cultural layout of the late Middle and Upper Palaeo-lithic during MIS 4 and MIS 3 (74-22ka BP) in the Hellenic peninsula, the Levant, Anatolia, central and south-eastern Europe within the context of the prevailing palaeo-configuration in the Aegean Archipelago over the same time span. The data presented offers substantial evidence that: (i) Neanderthals and AMHs co-existed in the Hellenic peninsula at around 35ka BP (40 calendar ka BP), (ii) the max. time-span of the Neanderthals and AMHs co-existence in the Hellenic peninsula may extend from 44 to 27.5ka BP., (iii) Neanderthals and AMHs were seafaring in the Aegean Sea, the former from around 60 to 35 ka BP and probably from 120 to 27.5 ka BP, the latter from 35ka BP and onward and (vi) Neanderthal and AMHs in their movement from southern Europe to the Levant and vice-versa had established a coastal route via the Aegean Archipelago using the islands as stop over.
This book is a publication of a session held on the EAA Annual meeting in Thessaloniki. It covers... more This book is a publication of a session held on the EAA Annual meeting in Thessaloniki. It covers a wide range of theoretical and methodological issues, such as: locating cemeteries in the landscape; age; gender and social relations derived from mortuary evidence, and also the chronological and spatial development of sites and the question of their continuity. The chronological span of topics is wide - from the Palaeolithic to the Iron Age; the geographical scope equally so, including vast regions of Europe from Belgium to Estonia, and from Italy to Scandinavia. New methods and approaches, such as ancient DNA analysis, advanced databases and Geographic Information Systems, are all taken into account. 160p, color and b/w figs, maps.
Looking for the correlation between the archaeological and climatic changes during the transition... more Looking for the correlation between the archaeological and climatic changes during the transition from Middle to Upper Palaeolithic in Greece
Uploads
Papers by MARIA GKIONI
The study of sea-level changes shows that for the majority of the time i.e. between 65 and 11 kyr B.P. in the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic periods (100 to 10 kyr B.P.) when the sea level was between -120 and -60 m below the present day MSL (MSL is the average (mean) height of the sea, with reference to a suitable reference surface), the present day shelf, on which the Ionian Islands lie, was emerged forming a coastal plain and that Corfu and Leukada were connected to the Greek Mainland. Therefore, the hunter-gatherers, who used or occupied these islands, have had an easy access using land bridges to reach them.
The Islands of Kefalonia, Ithaka, and Zakynthos, however, were insular from the Middle Palaeolithic to the Early Neolithic period, separated from each other and from the Greek Mainland by narrow straits ranging in width from 5 to 12 km. The human presence in these islands since the Middle Palaeolithic period suggests that the hunter-gatherers had the ability to sail across the straits and that they were taking the risk to travel at least to visible islands from the mainland. The overall geographical configuration of the islands in relation to the configuration of the mainland infers that the Middle Palaeolithic, Upper Palaeolithic, and Mesolithic hunter-gatherers were probably bearing in mind the concepts of “voyaging nursery” and “autocatalysis” in their movements to the islands.
The study of sea-level changes shows that for the majority of the time i.e. between 65 and 11 kyr B.P. in the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic periods (100 to 10 kyr B.P.) when the sea level was between -120 and -60 m below the present day MSL (MSL is the average (mean) height of the sea, with reference to a suitable reference surface), the present day shelf, on which the Ionian Islands lie, was emerged forming a coastal plain and that Corfu and Leukada were connected to the Greek Mainland. Therefore, the hunter-gatherers, who used or occupied these islands, have had an easy access using land bridges to reach them.
The Islands of Kefalonia, Ithaka, and Zakynthos, however, were insular from the Middle Palaeolithic to the Early Neolithic period, separated from each other and from the Greek Mainland by narrow straits ranging in width from 5 to 12 km. The human presence in these islands since the Middle Palaeolithic period suggests that the hunter-gatherers had the ability to sail across the straits and that they were taking the risk to travel at least to visible islands from the mainland. The overall geographical configuration of the islands in relation to the configuration of the mainland infers that the Middle Palaeolithic, Upper Palaeolithic, and Mesolithic hunter-gatherers were probably bearing in mind the concepts of “voyaging nursery” and “autocatalysis” in their movements to the islands.