Agustín Azkarate

A palaeoenvironmental and palaeoeconomic approach to the Early Middle Age record from the village of Gasteiz (Basque Country, Northern Iberian Peninsula).

An integrated archaeobotanical study carried out in the medieval village of Gasteiz (Basque Country, Northern Iberian Peninsula) was able to establish a diachronic view of the evolution of the vegetal landscape, the plant economy and the forest management in this rural community between the 8th and 12th centuries ad, through the study of seeds, fruits, firewood, pollen, spores and non-pollen palynomorphs. The main results show the presence of an anthropogenic vegetal landscape, shaped by the economic activities of the inhabitants of the village, based on cereal crops, legumes and animal husbandry. Also new data are provided about forest management related to metallurgical activities.

Study of corrosion in archaeological gilded irons by Raman imaging and a coupled scanning electron microscope–Raman system

In this work, analytical and chemical imaging tools have been applied to the study of a gilded spur found in the medieval necropolis of Erenozar (Bizkaia, Spain). As a first step, a lot of portable equipment has been used to study the object in a non-invasive way. The hand-held energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence equipment allowed us to characterize the artefact as a rare example of an iron matrix item decorated by means of a fire gilding technique. On the other hand, the use of a portable Raman system helped us to detect the main degradation compounds affecting the spur. Afterwards, further information was acquired in the laboratory by analysing detached fragments. The molecular images obtained using confocal Raman microscopy permitted us to characterize the stratigraphic succession of iron corrosions. Furthermore, the combined use of this technique with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was achieved owing to the use of a structural and chemical analyser interface. In this way, the molecular characterization, enhanced by the magnification feature of the SEM, allowed us to identify several micrometric degradation compounds. Finally, the effectiveness of one of the most used desalination baths (NaOH) was evaluated by comparing its effects with those provided by a reference bath (MilliQ). The comparison proved that basic treatment avoided any side effects on the spur decorated by fire gilding, compensating for the lack of bibliographic documentation in this field. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Raman spectroscopy in art and archaeology’.

The Early Colonisation of the Rio de la Plata Basin and the Settlement of Sancti Spiritus

The settlement founded by Sebastian Cabot in 1527 is not represented in most American history manuals, despite the fact that it is considered an iconic event in the history of Argentina. When it does appear, Sancti Spiritus is mentioned only in relation to its founder, as an anecdote within the seaman’s explorations along the Parana River. Evidently, the metanarrative of Spanish imperialism does not allow the settlement built by the Spanish expedition to be considered a colonization episode or a part of colonialism in general. However, archaeological excavations provide an entirely different view. From the moment the Spaniards landed, there was a clear intention to dominate that moves this case study away from the sphere of cultural contact and exploration and brings it closer to the field of cultural conflict and colonialism. This leads us back to an idea postulated by postcolonial studies: Conventional literature and historiography reflect and represent the colonial ideal, whereas archaeology documents colonial actions and goes into the nature of ‘contact’ in greater depth. The case study presented allows us to reconsider the relationship between history and archaeology and to evaluate the need for an independent narrative for archaeology in line with the recent stance taken by European historiographers.

Basque Fisheries in Eastern Canada, a Special Case of Cultural Encounter in the Colonizing of North America

The early European explorations of current Canadian lands were seeking a passage that would connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It was never found, but the rich marine resources that were discovered instead promoted the development of a thriving fishing industry based on whale hunting and cod fishing. Basque seamen were active agents in the origin of this process, promoting the development of seasonal settlements on that new found land. Although they were divested of their prominent role in the late sixteenth century, their activity did not cease until the eighteenth century. The study of the Basque fisheries overseas provides a rich example of colonial diversity and multiculturalism. On the one hand, it allows us to delve deeper into the casual nature of early colonialism, underscores the random nature of its development, and stresses the importance of individual actions in the colonial process. On the other hand, it offers a more plural and necessary vision of colonialism. The first phase of the colonizing of Canada is a special case of cultural interaction between Europeans and the local population. The development of a Basque-Algonquin pidgin and their collaborative relationship are examples of a different sort of cultural encounter than what developed elsewhere in America.

The Protection Of The Baserri As AnEnergy Efficient Building:The Optimized Insulation Strategy

The Baserri is the vernacular farm of the Basque Country and it is considered to be one of the most important elements of the Basque cultural and architectural heritage. Living spaces, stable, barn and workplace are gathered in the same compact and self-sufficient building that is, above all, an efficient productive system. For almost 500 years, baserris have always been able to adapt to the contemporary needs of the society, overcoming some periods of strong crisis. But nowadays they still have not found an answer to the latest social changes that took place during the industrial revolution of the XXth century, which brought the gradual emptying of these farms. Consequently, lots of them are currently being abandoned and demolished. Their preservation is at serious risk. In order to respond to this situation and with the goal of providing the best preservation possible for baserris, this paper aims at an optimized insulation system for an efficient energetic refurbishment. Firstly, the architectural and bioclimatic features of these buildings will be analyzed and quantified, and then various efficient insulation strategies are going to be compared through energetic performance computer simulations. Finally, this paper will conclude with the proposal of the most efficient insulation strategy. Baserri, energy, refurbishment, heritage, monitoring

Isotopic evidence for the reconstruction of diet and mobility during village formation in the Early Middle Ages: Las Gobas (Burgos, northern Spain)

Strontium, carbon, and nitrogen isotopes of human bone and tooth remains have been used to reconstruct residential mobility and diet of early medieval populations at Las Gobas from the sixth to eleventh centuries. Most non-local individuals correspond to the tenth to eleventh centuries and were mostly women and infants. This residential mobility coincided with the formation of Laño village and the abandonment of artificial cave settlement. Carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of bone collagen indicate an omnivorous homogenous diet based on terrestrial plant resources, with few animal-derived proteins from livestock. Millet consumption was restricted to an earlier period of time (seventh to ninth centuries); and in later periods (tenth to eleventh centuries), mainly C3 plants such as wheat and barley were consumed. In general, there were no dietary differences between individuals according to sex or age. Sex-related dietary differences have only been observed in the tenth to eleventh centuries, when females consumed a more vegetarian diet and less animal protein. The higher δ15N values in infants reflect the weaning effect, while the differences in δ15N values between young adult men and young adult women can be explained as a physiological factor related to pregnancy or different origins. In a comparison with contemporaneous medieval populations in the northern Iberian Peninsula, both δ13C and δ15N values suggest similar foodstuff resources and diet among Christian and Muslim populations.