This study is focused on establishing age constraints for several copper slag deposits at the cen... more This study is focused on establishing age constraints for several copper slag deposits at the centre of the Timna Valley (Israel) via reconstruction of their ancient geomagnetic intensities as recorded by the individual slag samples at the time of their formation. The results show a correlation between the location of the slag deposits (labelled as individual 'mounds' in our survey) and their inferred ages, reflecting varying socioeconomic and political dynamics in the region. While the slag mounds found at the unprotected foothills represent a variety of dates (mostly Early Islamic), the slag mounds on the hilltops are chronologically constrained to the early Iron Age (late 11th to 10th centuries BCE), supporting the idea for a need for protection during this period. Furthermore, in comparing the new data with previous archaeomagnetic studies from Timna, we can assert the existence of simultaneous copper production at the archaeological Sites 30, 30a and 34. This gives further support to the claim of intense smelting in the central Timna Valley during the early Iron Age. Finally, this project demonstrates the potential of archaeomagnetic experiments to provide chronological insights, and their particular advantage in addressing pyrotechnology-related cases.
Leg 108 cored 12 sites in the eastern equatorial Atlantic and along the northwest African contine... more Leg 108 cored 12 sites in the eastern equatorial Atlantic and along the northwest African continental margin to investigate the late Neogene and Quaternary oceanographic and climatic history of these regions. Sediments recovered during Leg 108 provide in part a high-resolution stratigraphic record for the upper Pliocene through Holocene interval. The bio-and magnetostratigraphy are intercalibrated where possible and provide a useful chronostratigraphy for paleoceanographic studies.
Two records of the geomagnetic polarity transition at the beginning of the Jaramillo Subchron (0.... more Two records of the geomagnetic polarity transition at the beginning of the Jaramillo Subchron (0.97 Ma) have been obtained from sediments in the equatorial Atlantic (Leg 108, Site 665; 2.95°N, 340.33°E) and Indian (Leg 121, Site 758; 5.38°N, 90.35°E) oceans. Both cores yielded high-quality magnetostratigraphic results; however, the relatively low sedimentation rates, the weak magnetizations, and complex demagnetization behavior of
This study is focused on establishing age constraints for several copper slag deposits at the cen... more This study is focused on establishing age constraints for several copper slag deposits at the centre of the Timna Valley (Israel) via reconstruction of their ancient geomagnetic intensities as recorded by the individual slag samples at the time of their formation. The results show a correlation between the location of the slag deposits (labelled as individual 'mounds' in our survey) and their inferred ages, reflecting varying socioeconomic and political dynamics in the region. While the slag mounds found at the unprotected foothills represent a variety of dates (mostly Early Islamic), the slag mounds on the hilltops are chronologically constrained to the early Iron Age (late 11th to 10th centuries BCE), supporting the idea for a need for protection during this period. Furthermore, in comparing the new data with previous archaeomagnetic studies from Timna, we can assert the existence of simultaneous copper production at the archaeological Sites 30, 30a and 34. This gives further support to the claim of intense smelting in the central Timna Valley during the early Iron Age. Finally, this project demonstrates the potential of archaeomagnetic experiments to provide chronological insights, and their particular advantage in addressing pyrotechnology-related cases.
Leg 108 cored 12 sites in the eastern equatorial Atlantic and along the northwest African contine... more Leg 108 cored 12 sites in the eastern equatorial Atlantic and along the northwest African continental margin to investigate the late Neogene and Quaternary oceanographic and climatic history of these regions. Sediments recovered during Leg 108 provide in part a high-resolution stratigraphic record for the upper Pliocene through Holocene interval. The bio-and magnetostratigraphy are intercalibrated where possible and provide a useful chronostratigraphy for paleoceanographic studies.
Two records of the geomagnetic polarity transition at the beginning of the Jaramillo Subchron (0.... more Two records of the geomagnetic polarity transition at the beginning of the Jaramillo Subchron (0.97 Ma) have been obtained from sediments in the equatorial Atlantic (Leg 108, Site 665; 2.95°N, 340.33°E) and Indian (Leg 121, Site 758; 5.38°N, 90.35°E) oceans. Both cores yielded high-quality magnetostratigraphic results; however, the relatively low sedimentation rates, the weak magnetizations, and complex demagnetization behavior of
Earth's magnetic field, one of the most enigmatic physical phenomena of the planet, is constantly... more Earth's magnetic field, one of the most enigmatic physical phenomena of the planet, is constantly changing on various time scales, from decades to millennia and longer. The reconstruction of geomagnetic field behavior in periods predating direct observations with modern instrumentation is based on geological and archaeological materials and has the twin challenges of (i) the accuracy of ancient paleomagnetic estimates and (ii) the dating of the archaeological material. Here we address the latter by using a set of storage jar handles (fired clay) stamped by royal seals as part of the ancient administrative system in Judah (Jerusalem and its vicinity). The typology of the stamp impressions, which corresponds to changes in the political entities ruling this area, provides excellent age constraints for the firing event of these artifacts. Together with rigorous paleomagnetic experimental procedures, this study yielded an unparalleled record of the geomagnetic field intensity during the eighth to second centuries BCE. The new record constitutes a substantial advance in our knowledge of past geomagnetic field variations in the southern Levant. Although it demonstrates a relatively stable and gradually declining field during the sixth to second centuries BCE, the new record provides further support for a short interval of extreme high values during the late eighth century BCE. The rate of change during this " geo-magnetic spike " [defined as virtual axial dipole moment > 160 ZAm 2 (10 21 Am 2)] is further constrained by the new data, which indicate an extremely rapid weakening of the field (losing ∼27% of its strength over ca. 30 y). archaeomagnetism | archaeointensity | levantine archaeomagnetic curve | paleosecular variation | archaeomagnetic spikes
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