Sample name: Tasbas (Phase 2a)

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]

Lithology: not described

Taphonomic context: human accumulation,settlement

Archaeology: buildings,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".
"Phase 2a represents the Late Bronze Age. Stratified deposits revealed remains of a small circular dwelling (3.5 m across) with stonewall foundations and a clay floor. A central posthole surrounded by multiple smaller postholes suggests a light roof or lean-to sheltered the space. Bones of domesticated and wild fauna, coarseware and decorated pottery, and ground stone tools also belong to this phase".
"Individual hearth features were discovered at both sides of the central post. The first included a fire-pit lined with medium stones coated in clay, much like the one documented from Phase 1. The Phase 2a fire-pit held ash and carbonized barley grains that spilled over its edge onto the floor. The second hearth feature comprised a clay oven constructed of sunbaked, hand-formed, mudbrick. The exposed component shows a rectangular structure with side flue that brought oxygen to the inner chamber. Floated contents from the chamber revealed dung, carbonized wood, domesticated and wild plant parts, and burnt bone fragments. A ring of stones that may have served to balance a cooking vessel over the fuel chamber capped the upper bricklayer".

Life forms: carnivores,primates,rodents,ungulates,turtles,fishes

Sampling methods: quarry

Sample size: 22 specimens

Years: 2011

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.

Sample number: 4011

Contributor: Benjamin Carter

Enterer: Benjamin Carter

Created: 2022-10-17 12:58:06

Modified: 2023-05-30 02:15:23