Kyzyltepa
Basic information
Sample name: Kyzyltepa
Reference: X. Wu, N. F. Miller, and P. Crabtree. 2015. Agro-pastoral strategies and food production on the Achaemenid frontier in Central Asia: a case study of Kyzyltepa in southern Uzbekistan. Iran 53(1):93-117 [ER 3765]
Geography
Country: Uzbekistan
State: Surxondaryo
Coordinate: 38° 3' 16" N, 67° 43' 16" E
Coordinate basis: stated in text
Time interval: Holocene
Max Ma: 0.0025
Min Ma: 0.00228
Age basis: radiocarbon (calibrated)
Geography comments: "Kyzyltepa (487 m above sea level) is located near the village of Yangiaryk in the Altynsay region of Surkhandarya Province in southern Uzbekistan".
The radiocarbon dates fall mostly between 910 and 690 cal. BC. However, these are disputed as archaeological evidence suggests that the site was established in the Achaemenid period and was abandoned during the early Hellenistic period, i.e. from the sixth to late fourth centuries BC (c. 550 BC to 330 BC).
The radiocarbon dates fall mostly between 910 and 690 cal. BC. However, these are disputed as archaeological evidence suggests that the site was established in the Achaemenid period and was abandoned during the early Hellenistic period, i.e. from the sixth to late fourth centuries BC (c. 550 BC to 330 BC).
Environment
Lithology: not described
Taphonomic context: human accumulation,settlement
Archaeology: bone tools,buildings,ceramics,hearths,metal tools,stone tools,other artifacts,other structures
Habitat comments: "The site represents a large and unique urban settlement dominated by two visible mounds. These are the ruins of a huge structure known as the citadel, measuring approximately 100 × 75 m and shaped like an irregular hexagon. Surrounding the citadel on three sides are the remains of the settlement itself, referred to as the “Lower Town”. The Lower Town’s surrounding wall is reinforced by semi-circular or rectangular towers and a moat".
Numerous artefacts and structures were found during the excavations. These include two bronze double-bladed Y-shaped arrowheads, a fragment of an iron knife blade and iron spike, fragments of copper/bronze objects (including a bronze pendant and copper ring), bone beads, a small spoon made of tortoiseshell, a grey limestone stone sickle, and numerous stone pestles and fragments of mortars and grinding stones".
"Pottery was collected for each of the phases represented at the citadel, and was common throughout the site, with virtually no difference in the ceramic assemblages, except for some Hellenistic forms appearing in the two most recent phases. Most of the ceramics were wheelmade, including goblets, bowls, lids, basins, cooking pots, and carinated cylindrical jars characteristic of the Achaemenid period. Several hearths and oval-shaped pits were also found".
Numerous artefacts and structures were found during the excavations. These include two bronze double-bladed Y-shaped arrowheads, a fragment of an iron knife blade and iron spike, fragments of copper/bronze objects (including a bronze pendant and copper ring), bone beads, a small spoon made of tortoiseshell, a grey limestone stone sickle, and numerous stone pestles and fragments of mortars and grinding stones".
"Pottery was collected for each of the phases represented at the citadel, and was common throughout the site, with virtually no difference in the ceramic assemblages, except for some Hellenistic forms appearing in the two most recent phases. Most of the ceramics were wheelmade, including goblets, bowls, lids, basins, cooking pots, and carinated cylindrical jars characteristic of the Achaemenid period. Several hearths and oval-shaped pits were also found".
Methods
Life forms: carnivores,ungulates,other small mammals,birds
Sampling methods: quarry
Sample size: 684 specimens
Years: 2010 - 2011
Sampling comments: "The two seasons of archaeological research at Kyzyltepa (2010-2011) included photo-documentation of the site, topographic mapping, a geomagnetic survey, a surface survey of the site and its surrounding area, and the excavation of seven
test trenches, to depths ranging between 0.5 m and around 4 m. The animal bones were collected by hand when encountered during excavation".
test trenches, to depths ranging between 0.5 m and around 4 m. The animal bones were collected by hand when encountered during excavation".
Metadata
Sample number: 4028
Contributor: Benjamin Carter
Enterer: Benjamin Carter
Created: 2022-10-25 14:03:21
Modified: 2022-10-25 03:11:14
Abundance distribution
17 species
4 singletons
total count 684
geometric series index: 24.6
Fisher's α: 3.158
geometric series k: 0.6961
Hurlbert's PIE: 0.7050
Shannon's H: 1.6787
Good's u: 0.9942
Each square represents a species. Square sizes are proportional to counts.
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| Ovis aries | 150 | 41 kg |
| Ovis sp. | 3 | |
| wild | ||
| Capra aegagrus hircus | 63 | 22 kg browser-grazer |
| also 1116 Caprinae indet. | ||
| Bos taurus | 329 | 337 kg |
| Sus scrofa domesticus | 44 | 54 kg herbivore |
| includes 1 wild boar | ||
| Equus ferus caballus | 12 | 422 kg |
| Equus africanus asinus | 16 | 287 kg |
| Equus hemionus | 1 | grazer |
| also 99 Equidae indet. | ||
| Camelus sp. | 4 | |
| Gazella subgutturosa | 13 | 17 kg grazer |
| Canis lupus familiaris | 15 | 43 kg carnivore |
| includes 1 wolf | ||
| Vulpes corsac | 6 | |
| Felis catus | 1 | |
| Lepus sp. | 1 | |
| Gallus gallus domesticus | 12 | 29.1 g frugivore-granivore |
| Anser sp. | 13 | |
| Anas sp. | 1 | |