Tasbas (Phase 3)
Basic information
Sample name: Tasbas (Phase 3)
Reference: P. N. Doumani, M. D. Frachetti, R. Beardmore, T. M. Schmaus, R. N. Spengler III, and A. N. Mar'yashev. 2015. Burial ritual, agriculture, and craft production among Bronze Age pastoralists at Tasbas (Kazakhstan). Archaeological Research in Asia 1:17-32 [ER 3759]
Geography
Country: Kazakhstan
Coordinate: 45° 8' 3" N, 79° 22' 4" E
Latlng basis: stated in text
Time interval: Holocene
Section: 3759
Unit number: 4
Unit order: below to above
Ma: 0.00272
Age basis: radiocarbon (uncalibrated)
Geography comments: "Tasbas is a highland settlement located at 1500 m asl, in the Bayan-Zhurek Valley of Semirech'ye, southeastern Kazakhstan".
"A single wood charcoal sample from Phase 3 was AMS dated to 2720 ± 35 BP (930-806 cal. BC)".
"A single wood charcoal sample from Phase 3 was AMS dated to 2720 ± 35 BP (930-806 cal. BC)".
Environment
Lithology: not described
Taphonomic context: human accumulation, midden, settlement
Archaeology: ceramics, hearths, stone tools, other structures
Habitat comments: "Tasbas extends over three natural terraces (70 × 20 m) that wrap along a tributary river. Historic period burials rest on the upper terrace; a multi-phase campsite occupies the middle terrace; and Late Bronze Age burials span the lower terrace".
"Tasbas Phase 3 represents the Final Bronze Age. Ephemeral activity surfaces and hearths are interspersed through thicker layers of cultural fill and suggest punctuated periods of habitation. Construction of a large trash pit suggests inhabitants changed how they used the terrace. The midden comprised burned sediment and clay, ash dumps, charcoal, and unfired fine buttery clay. Coarseware and decorated pottery as well as ground and polished stone implements were present in the deepest midden deposits".
"Tasbas Phase 3 represents the Final Bronze Age. Ephemeral activity surfaces and hearths are interspersed through thicker layers of cultural fill and suggest punctuated periods of habitation. Construction of a large trash pit suggests inhabitants changed how they used the terrace. The midden comprised burned sediment and clay, ash dumps, charcoal, and unfired fine buttery clay. Coarseware and decorated pottery as well as ground and polished stone implements were present in the deepest midden deposits".
Methods
Life forms: carnivores, primates, rodents, ungulates, birds
Sampling methods: quarry
Sample size: 133 specimens
Years: 2011
Net or trap nights: 0
Basal area status: not applicable
Sampling comments: "Pilot excavations were carried out on the middle terrace at Tasbas in 2001, with the main excavations conducted in 2011". No specific information is provided on the total area excavated, or whether the soil was sieved.
Metadata
Sample no: 4013
Contributor no: Benjamin Carter
Enterer: Benjamin Carter
Created: 2022-10-17 13:35:38
Modified: 2023-05-30 02:15:18
Abundance distribution
Each square represents a species. Square sizes are proportional to counts. Values are logged.
Statistics
11 species
1 singleton
total count 133
geometric series index: 14.7
Fisher's α: 2.845
geometric series k: 0.7308
Hurlbert's PIE: 0.6934
Shannon's H: 1.689
Good's u: 0.9925
Register
| Bos taurus (cow) | 69 | |
| Equus ferus caballus (wild horse) | 18 | |
| "Equus caballus" | ||
| Equus africanus asinus (African wild ass) | 3 | |
| "Equus asinus" | ||
| Capra aegagrus hircus (wild goat) | 6 | |
| "Capra hircus" | ||
| Ovis aries (sheep) | 9 | |
| also 86 Caprinae indet. | ||
| Cervidae indet. | 7 | |
| Gazella subgutturosa (goitered gazelle) | 4 | 17.0 kg |
| Rodentia indet. | 9 | |
| Canis sp. | 4 | |
| also 1 Carnivora indet. | ||
| Homo sapiens (human) | 3 | 64.0 kg |
| Bubo bubo | 1 | 2.4 kg |