Papers by Adelina Kutterer
The Neolithic graveyard site of BHS18, located in the Emirate of Sharjah (UAE) yielded nearly 500... more The Neolithic graveyard site of BHS18, located in the Emirate of Sharjah (UAE) yielded nearly 500 human skeletons. The results of the osteological analyses, such as age and sex determinations and pathologies, as well as information on the burial types and the orientation of the graves as well as the available photographs are presented in this catalog. This data was collected in the years between 1996 and 2005. Later on, isotope values for Strontium, Oxygen and Carbon, obtained from tooth enamel of selected individuals from BHS18 and some comparative sites were added and are also listed in the catalog.
Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 42: 385-400., 2012
FAY-NE15 is an aceramic stratified site of the fifth millennium BC (Late Neolithic) in the centra... more FAY-NE15 is an aceramic stratified site of the fifth millennium BC (Late Neolithic) in the central region of the Emirate of Sharjah (UAE) with a graveyard and a domestic area. Animal remains indicate an economy based on herding sheep, goats, and cattle. To date excavated parts of the graveyard are badly preserved. The dwelling area has well-preserved stone structures. Radiocarbon dates cover the period between c.4200 and 4900 cal. BC. While representing the same culture as BHS-18, slight differences in the adornments — including a pendant made of dugong ivory — indicate deviating group identities.
Human skeletons were recovered in two unmarked burials blown to the surface of a dune south-west ... more Human skeletons were recovered in two unmarked burials blown to the surface of a dune south-west of Jebel al-Emeilah in the Central Region of the Sharjah Emirate (UAE). Sasanian stamp seals were found associated with one of the individuals. A bone fragment of this individual provided a direct radiocarbon date placing it in the Middle Sasanian period. With the aid of strontium isotope analysis it was possible to determine that the two individuals were immigrants to the area that is now part of the UAE.
The history of two monumental grave buildings (nos. 4 and 5), excavated in area P of
the late pr... more The history of two monumental grave buildings (nos. 4 and 5), excavated in area P of
the late pre-Islamic city of Mleiha, has been studied in detail. Like all other tombs
excavated up to the present day in Mleiha, their chambers had been emptied in ancient
times. They were found devoid of human remains and grave-goods. In the upper parts
of the grave fills, however, skeletal remains were encountered. One of the skeletons
was radiocarbon dated to AD 623–656, the time of the Islamisation of south-east Ara-
bia. A radiocarbon date of 384–233 BC for a wooden beam from the same tomb
showed that it was built during the late pre-Islamic period (PIR-A). These dates and
stratigraphic observations made clear that the interments were intrusive. The sur-
rounding sediments were deposited by flooding. Directly underneath the skull of the
dated skeleton, a layer of sandy loam was encountered, showing mud cracks. To
understand the relationship between the burial and these deposits, micromorphologi-
cal analyses of the surrounding sediments were conducted. The microstructural orga-
nisation of the sedimentary components implied that the skull was interred as part of
a burial, and not deposited by natural processes
This paper deals with Neolithic burial customs in SE-Arabia and focuses especially on al-Buhais 1... more This paper deals with Neolithic burial customs in SE-Arabia and focuses especially on al-Buhais 18 (Sharjah, UAE), a cemetery dating to the 5 th millennium BC. At this site the remains of more than 500 individuals were excavated. Some of these were buried in primary graves, which means that the deceased were interred in their flesh. The others were found in secondary graves, as their skeletal remains were brought to BHS18 after decomposition at another place. Some special interments are highlighted in detail. The complexity of burial practises, especially in terms of addressing them unambiguously as either "primary" or "secondary" burials, is demonstrated. In a wider context, these burial customs do not indicate large differences in comparison to contemporary sites like Fay-NE15. Later Neolithic sites along the Omani coast -like RH5 -also follow these traditions of burial practises. However, a new window on early burial customs in SE-Arabia is opened by recent discoveries at the older site Fay-NE10, dating to the 6 th millennium BC: according to histological analyses of charred bone fragments, human ashes were deposited in this small cave over a long period of time.
Arabian Archaeology and Epigaphy
Uerpmann, M., de Beauclair, R., Händel, M., Kutterer, A., Noack, E. & Uerpmann, H.-P. (2012): The Neolithic site FAY-NE15 in the central region of the Emirate of Sharjah (UAE). Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies: Volume 42. 385-400. Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies
Stratified sites at Jebel Faya in the Central Region of the Emirate of Sharjah provide evidence f... more Stratified sites at Jebel Faya in the Central Region of the Emirate of Sharjah provide evidence for successive 'facies' of the Neolithic period. The oldest faciesfound at FAY-NE 1yielded 14 C dates in the late ninth millennium cal BC and is characterised by blade arrowheads which are morphologically similar to PPNB points. With 14 C dates from the late eighth and early seventh millennia cal BC, a techno-complex of large flint artefacts from FAY-NE10 represents the second Neolithic facies in the area. A sheep tooth from FAY-NE10, associated to the third faciescharacterised by trihedral rodsprovides evidence for a Neolithic economy. The respective layer contains numerous small fragments of cremated human bone. It dates to around 6000 cal BC. The fourth facies corresponds to the well-known 'Arabian Bifacial Tradition' and has radiocarbon dates from just before 5000 cal BC to just after 4000 cal BC. The Final Neolithicfound at shell-middens on the coast of the Gulf of Oman is to date not represented in the interior.
Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy, 2008
The paper describes indications for the existence of another substantial Neolithic graveyard of t... more The paper describes indications for the existence of another substantial Neolithic graveyard of the fifth millennium BC besides al-Buhais 18 (BHS18) in the Central Region of the Sharjah Emirate. Archaeological explorations in 2006 recovered skeletal remains of three individuals from a primary burial. Deposition of the deceased was similar to BHS18. All three were richly adorned with different kinds of beads found in the head and neck areas. A total of 949 finds of beads from FAY-NE15 are compared to the large complex of personal adornments from BHS18. There are slight deviations that might indicate that the two graveyards were used by different groups. Implications for the relations between the groups are discussed.
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 2008
The aim of this paper is an examination of cranial fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and deformations in... more The aim of this paper is an examination of cranial fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and deformations in the prehistoric population of Münsingen-Rain (La Tène period, Switzerland). The material consists of 76 skulls. Three cases of craniosynostosis, one scaphocephalic skull with complete obliteration of the sagittal suture and two plagiocephalic skulls were identified. CT scans showed that premature closure of the frontosphenoidal suture caused these plagiocephalies. For three asymmetrically deformed skulls, differential diagnosis indicates torticollis (wry neck). Another four skulls exhibit strongly developed asymmetries of the cranium and mandible, but an aetiological diagnosis was not possible. In order to evaluate the degree of fluctuating asymmetry of the population, landmarks of the skulls were digitally measured in 3D and angle calculations were made. A reference group of 30 skulls was used for comparison. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Papers by Adelina Kutterer
the late pre-Islamic city of Mleiha, has been studied in detail. Like all other tombs
excavated up to the present day in Mleiha, their chambers had been emptied in ancient
times. They were found devoid of human remains and grave-goods. In the upper parts
of the grave fills, however, skeletal remains were encountered. One of the skeletons
was radiocarbon dated to AD 623–656, the time of the Islamisation of south-east Ara-
bia. A radiocarbon date of 384–233 BC for a wooden beam from the same tomb
showed that it was built during the late pre-Islamic period (PIR-A). These dates and
stratigraphic observations made clear that the interments were intrusive. The sur-
rounding sediments were deposited by flooding. Directly underneath the skull of the
dated skeleton, a layer of sandy loam was encountered, showing mud cracks. To
understand the relationship between the burial and these deposits, micromorphologi-
cal analyses of the surrounding sediments were conducted. The microstructural orga-
nisation of the sedimentary components implied that the skull was interred as part of
a burial, and not deposited by natural processes
the late pre-Islamic city of Mleiha, has been studied in detail. Like all other tombs
excavated up to the present day in Mleiha, their chambers had been emptied in ancient
times. They were found devoid of human remains and grave-goods. In the upper parts
of the grave fills, however, skeletal remains were encountered. One of the skeletons
was radiocarbon dated to AD 623–656, the time of the Islamisation of south-east Ara-
bia. A radiocarbon date of 384–233 BC for a wooden beam from the same tomb
showed that it was built during the late pre-Islamic period (PIR-A). These dates and
stratigraphic observations made clear that the interments were intrusive. The sur-
rounding sediments were deposited by flooding. Directly underneath the skull of the
dated skeleton, a layer of sandy loam was encountered, showing mud cracks. To
understand the relationship between the burial and these deposits, micromorphologi-
cal analyses of the surrounding sediments were conducted. The microstructural orga-
nisation of the sedimentary components implied that the skull was interred as part of
a burial, and not deposited by natural processes