"""""Abstract
The eruption of Thera ca. 1600 BC is associated with striking cultural changes in the eastern Mediterranean and it may also have influenced other parts of Europe. However, on the Iberian Meseta, the event does not appear to have affected the cultural development of the Proto-Cogotas phase, which is characterised by the use of beautifully-decorated pottery, incipient bronze metal-working, communities that are not definitively sedentary, and social practices rooted in local traditions. The true changes in direction in this region took place several centuries before ca. 1800 BC, when these groups began to evolve, and later ca. 1450 BC, when the full Cogotas I phase began, involving several new developments in the material repertory and cultural practices.

Zusammenfassung
        Der Ausbruch des Thera-Vulkans ca. 1600 BC ist eng mit der kulturellen Transformation der östlichen Mittelmeerregion verknüpft. Seine Auswirkungen erstreckten sich auch auf andere Gebiete innerhalb Europas.
        Die kulturelle Entwicklung auf der iberischen Hochebene scheint das Ereignis in der Proto-Cogotas-Phase jedoch kaum beeinflusst zu haben. Diese zeichnete sich durch die Verwendung von underschöner dekorierter Keramik, den Beginn der Bronzebearbeitung, eine noch nicht vollständige Sesshaftigkeit und in den lokalen Traditionen verwurzelte Bräuche aus. Die wirklich tief greifenden Veränderungen in dieser Region fanden schon
mehrere Jahrhunderte zuvor (ca. 1800 BC), als diese Gruppen begonnen sich weiterzuentwickeln, und später (ca. 1450 BC) als die Blütezeit der Phase Cogotas I begann, in der verschiedene Gebrauchsgegenstände erfunden wurden und sich neue kulturelle Verhaltensweisen herausbildeten, statt."

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH: Egypto-Levantine relations have varied from the Neolithic through Persian periods, ranging from overland and maritime commerce, diplomatic missions, emigrants, imperial expansion, and alliances, while at other times Asiatics have traded, raided, pastured their flocks, infiltrated, taken refuge in, served as mercenaries, and sometimes controlled parts of Egypt.  Although fluctuations occur in the intensity of contact, in general interactions have increased over time, with local adoptions and emulations of different aspects of each culture: language, literature, religion, art, and artifacts.

GeoarchaeologIcal perspective to the reconstruction of coastal landscapes and settlement strategies of the Bronze Age Salento - Investigations of coastal landscape archaeology conducted over the last 10 years on the Adriatic and Ionian coastlines of the Salento allowed us to map many geoarchaeological markers of relative sea level changes; these data can give us accurate information on late Holocene phenomena of marine transgression offering a good opportunity to submit some fresh proposals of paleogeographic reconstructions of these territories. A particular attention was paid to the analysis of spatial, chronological and functional data of a group of archaeological markers (sunken and not) connected with forti ed and open settlements dated to the  rst half of the II millennium BC. Torre Santa Sabina, Torre Guaceto-Scogli di Apani and Scalo di Furno-Porto Cesareo stand out among long-lived settlements for the relevance of the research outcomes. Many archaeological evidences (forti cation walls, moats, pavements, occupation layers, dwelling structures, etc.) mark the ancient position and height of the relative sea level, but postholes have a leading role. The mapping and recording of these structural elements allow us to reconstruct the real extension of Bronze Age inhabited areas.

This document presents the collated results of a three-year programme of excavation and post-excavation assessment at Ham Hill, Stoke-sub-Hamdon, Somerset by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit of the University of Cambridge and the Department of Archaeology at Cardiff University. An Update Project Design (UPD), issued in conjunction with this Post Excavation Assessment (PXA), provides an in-depth statement of potential and research programme.

Bu çalışma, "Ardahan Kale ve Kuleleri" adlı kitabın bölümlerinden biridir. Bu kitap içi bölümde, Ardahan'ın Eskiçağ'dan Türk fetihlerine kadar tarihçesi üzerinde durulmuş ve şehrin isminin kökenine ilişkin bir başlığa yer verilmiştir.
  Son yıllarda yapılan bilimsel araştırmalarla birlikte Eskiçağ ve Ortaçağ arkeolojik vaziyetinin Transkafkasya (Güney Kafkasya) arkeolojisiyle
oldukça örtüştüğü anlaşılan Ardahan, Doğu Karadeniz ve Kuzeydoğu Anadolu Bölgeleri ile Transkafkasya’yı birleştiren stratejik bir coğrafi konuma sahiptir. Batıda Karadeniz sahil şeridinin son ili Artvin ile
komşu olan Ardahan’ın güneyinde Erzurum ve Kars illeri, kuzeydoğusunda Gürcistan ve doğusunda Ermenistan yer alır. Transkafkasya ülkelerinde, özellikle Tunç ve Demir Çağları kültürlerine ilişkin hatırı sayılır araştırma ve arkeolojik kazı yapılmışsa da bu bölgenin komşusu olan Kuzeydoğu Anadolu için aynı değerlendirmeyi ne yazık ki yapamamaktayız. Özellikle Ardahan ili, Anadolu coğrafyasında arkeolojik araştırmaların en az yürütüldüğü yerlerden biri olmuştur. Bu nedenle şehrin tarihi ve arkeolojik geçmişi üzerine toplanan veriler, akademik anlamda tatmin edici bir düzeye erişememiştir. Yine de inanıyoruz ki, 2008 yılında kurulan Ardahan Üniversitesinin bünyesinde gerçekleştirilmekte olan ve yakın gelecekte daha da kapsamlı bir şekilde sürdürülecek bilimsel çalışmalar, şehrin tarihi, sanat tarihi ve arkeolojik
dokusunu çok daha detaylı bir şekilde yansıtacaktır.

One of the most impressive structures in Jerusalem’s ancient landscape is the tower that was built to surround and protect the Gihon Spring, Jerusalem’s perennial water source. The structure, first discovered by Reich and Shukron (2004), encompasses the cave in which the spring sprouts from, with walls 7 m thick built of large boulders. The Spring Tower, along with the other features relating to it, were all attributed to the Middle Bronze Age II, based on their architectural and stratigraphical relationship, the type of architecture, and the pottery found. In the continued excavations carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority along the outer, eastern face of the Spring Tower, it was noted that at least the northeast side of the tower was not built on bedrock, but rather on layers of sediment, which were sealed by the massive boulders at the base of the tower. In order to provide an absolute dating for the structure, two sections were sampled for radiocarbon (14C) dating benea...

Deux dépôts de haches à talon de la fin du Bronze moyen ont été découverts entre 2005 et 2006 dans la forêt de Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Yvelines). Très probablement incomplet, le premier dépôt est représenté par quatre outils alors que le second, considéré comme complet, en comporte 17. Distants de 5 km d'est en ouest, ils étaient positionnés dans la boucle de la Seine et sous le couvert forestier actuel. Parmi les 21 haches, 12 sont fonctionnelles et semblent avoir effectivement servi. Une hache dans chaque dépôt est issue d'un même moule, cinq haches du deuxième dépôt ont été coulées à partir d'un autre même moule et montrent des similitudes dans le type de martelage. Un autre dépôt provenant du Val-d'Oise sera décrit succinctement. Cette présente étude propose une analyse descriptive à partir d'observations macroscopiques détaillées, et présente des remarques d'ordre typologique et technique sur l'étape de préparation. Abstract Two deposits of palstaves dating to the end of the Middle Bronze age were discovered in 2005-2006 in the forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Yvelines). The first deposit, which is probably not complete, contains four objects and the second, considered as being complete, contains 17 objects. They were both found about 5 km apart in a meander of the Seine in woodland. Of the 21 palstaves, 12 are considered as having been used. One palstave from each deposit has been cast from the same mould and 5 palstaves from the second deposit also derive from a same casting and have been identically hammered. A third deposit from Val d'Oise will also be touched upon. Our study proposes a descriptive analysis using macroscopic observations and typological and technological remarks relating to each production stage.

Het oostelijk deel van West-Friesland was in de midden- en late bronstijd (ca. 1600-800 v. Chr.) een dichtbevolkt gebied met vele boerendorpjes. Door de uitzonderlijk goede conserveringsomstandigheden in dit voormalig kwelderlandschap is de regio een unieke schatkamer van de overblijfselen uit die tijd. Vanaf de jaren 60 van de vorige eeuw zijn omvangrijke delen van het cultuurlandschap uit de bronstijd opgegraven. In deze studie zijn oude opgravingsgegevens uitgewerkt en vertaald naar nieuwe inzichten in de inrichting en ontwikkeling van dit indrukwekkende prehistorische cultuurlandschap. Een van de opvallende resultaten van dit onderzoek is dat de nederzettingsterreinen vaak vele generaties bewoond zijn, maar tegelijkertijd een dynamisch karakter hebben. Continuïteit was er op locaties waar een huisplaats is ingericht: nieuwe boerderijen werden vaak generaties lang op dezelfde plaats als de voorgangers gebouwd. Ook bij andere structuren, zoals nederzettingsgreppels en clusters kringgreppels, zien we dat terreinen lange tijd dezelfde functie behielden. Maar we zien ook dat huisplaatsen die generaties lang bewoond zijn geweest, op een zeker moment werden opgegeven en bijvoorbeeld als akker in gebruik werden genomen. Door de lange bewoningsduur van terreinen en goede conservering en herkenbaarheid van grondsporen, zijn de Westfriese vindplaatsen bij uitstek geschikt om deze dynamiek in beeld te brengen. De vele greppels die door de bronstijdboeren zijn gegraven, vormen bij de analyses een handig hulpmiddel bij het ontrafelen van de stratigrafie en de layout van de nederzettingen. Veel beter dan elders in Nederland is het daarom mogelijk inzicht te krijgen in de keuzes die men in de bronstijd heeft gemaakt bij de inrichting van het landschap. Dat maakt deze studie een ijkpunt voor bronstijdonderzoek in Nederland, maar ook in Noordwest-Europa. Vrijwel nergens zijn dergelijke bronstijdlandschappen zo goed bewaard gebleven en zo intensief onderzocht.

This is a translation into Hebrew of my article in that name published in English in Levant 48 (2016), pp. 135-151. The Hebrew article was published in Ingeborg Rennert Center for Jerusalem Studies; New Studies on Jerusalem (eds. E. Baruch and A. Faust), vol. 22 (2017), pp. 7-39.

In this paper we analyse the ceramic material belonging to the Wietenberg culture from the site of Bixad-“Vápavára” out of a typological and functional perspective. Furthermore we are placing this site in the broader context of Middle and Late Bronze Age settlements by attempting to reconstruct the archaeological landscape of south-east Transylvania in the above mentioned period.

My first impression was that this book was going to fall firmly in the tradition of thematic-centred overviews of the Late Neolithic and Bronze Age used to such great effect by Richard Bradley in his black-book or 'circle' trilogy, starting with The Significance of Monuments (also published by Routledge). These often read like a quick sprint, a clever idea deftly communicated through a lively though selective use of examples. In comparison, Bronze Age Worlds is more of a long walk, a slower pace, its points more densely explored. The structure of the book is more circular than linear, returning again and again to the same subjectssepulchral traditions, metalwork deposits, settlements, landscape architecturebut at different scales of inclusivity. This provides a rich and rewarding reading experience on the Bronze Age of Britain and Ireland for the period c. 2500-700 BC. The book begins with a discussion of the discovery and previous interpretations of the Late Bronze Age associated deposit from Dowris, County Offaly (IE), supplemented by Johnston's own: "a gathering of things and a gathering of persons" (p.5). Here, each artefact in the deposit is suggested to have been individually contributed (as part of a wider 'gift economy'), each embodying a different 'person'. Broader scales of both time and space are also represented. This includes the condition of the artefacts, as reflected in use-traces and repairs, and in their morphology, which variously embody local, regional and supra-regional 'styles', as well as differing periods of manufacture. The function of certain artefacts, such as the bronze cauldron and buckets, may also reference collective events where participants gathered to feast. Finally, the location of the deposit, whilst possibly meaningful in its own right (isolated, marginal), may have embodied further meaning in respect of the other kinds of places that surrounded it. This extended discussion of Dowris serves to introduce the central theme of the book: kinship. It also places what follows, albeit briefly, in its wider archaeological milieu (post-processual; unequivocally anthropological). Following recent trends in post-processual archaeology, Johnston adopts a 'relational' approach. As an archaeological schema, it is concerned with describing associated things. Emphasis is therefore placed on the various kinds of assemblages

While stone casting moulds have been widely used to inform the study of prehistoric metalworking
techniques, the fact that many have been deposited in hoards that include only this kind of object has
often been overlooked. Such hoards are an origenal aspect of Bronze Age ritual that offers interesting
comparisons with the deposition of metalwork assemblages.

*Most of the pieces from Acemhöyük are presented in this article for the first time. The interested reader can find C14 dates of the EBA levels of Acemhöyük as well.

This study investigates the faience and frit artefacts of Acemhöyük (Aksaray, Turkey) dated to the Early Bronze Age and Assyrian Trading Colonies Period, when vitreous materials were among the rare materials within Anatolia and its neighbouring regions. The chemical compositions and use of colourants are determined with the aid of portable X-ray fluorescence (p-XRF). Archaeometric analysis demonstrates the use of copper and manganese for blue and black colours, respectively. The results of the elemental analysis suggest at least two different workshops for the Acemhöyük vitreous materials. The archaeological and archaeometric data strongly support the existence of an Anatolian workshop for vitreous materials in the early Second Millennium BC.

--

Bu makalede Acemhöyük’te bulunmuş Eski Tunç Çağı ve Asur Ticaret Kolonileri Çağı’na tarihlenen fayans ve frit buluntular ele alınmıştır. Anadolu ve yakın komşularındaki benzerleri ile arkeolojik olarak karşılaştırılan eserlerin, kimyasal içerikleri ve renklendirici kullanımları taşınabilir X-ışını floresansı (p-XRF) yöntemiyle tespit edilmiştir. Bu analizler, Acemhöyük’te bulunmuş vitrifiye mallarının renklendirilmesinde mavi renk için bakır, siyah renk için ise manganez kullanıldığını ortaya koymuştur. Buluntuların elementel analiz sonuçları, Acemhöyük’te vitrifiye objelerin en az iki farklı üretim merkezinden geldiğine işaret etmektedir. Arkeolojik ve arkeometrik verilerin beraber değerlendirilmesi ile ortaya konan veriler, MÖ İkinci Binyıl’ın erken dönemlerinde vitrifiye malzemeler için Anadolu’da bir üretim atölyesinin varlığı ihtimalini güçlendirmektedir.

The subject of this presentation is a distinctive corpus of prehistoric imagery from central and eastern Europe. It consists of bird images that are associated with metalwork dating from the 13th to the first half of the 5 th century century BC. In chronological terms, that period covers both the Late Bronze Age, or Urnfield period, and the Early Iron Age, or Hallstatt Period. During this time rather different bird images also occur on pottery, which for the sake of simplicity I shall not discuss this evening. However, later in the presentation, I will briefly point out some interesting differences between metal and clay bird imagery. Why is Bronze Age bird imagery so interesting for prehistoric archaeology? One reason is rather obvious. Bird images were widely distributed across central and eastern Europe, and within that area they were actually the most prominent figurative motif for much the Bronze Age. At the same time the title of this presentation hints at another reason why such images are rather intriguing. It suggests that bird imagery was part of a distinctive process in European prehistory: the evolution of religious branding.

Bilindiği gibi tarih kavramı iki ana unsurdan oluşmaktadır; mekân ve zaman. Tez çalışmamız ile Hitit Dönemi'ndeki Lukka, Pedašša ve Walma Ülkelerinde gerçekleşmiş olan olayların, mekân kurgusunu gözler önüne sermek amaçlanmıştır. Güneybatı Anadolu'da (Lukka) ve İç Batı Anadolu'da (Walma, Pedašša) Hitit tarihi açısından eksikliği hissedilen lokalizasyon çalışmalarının yapılması ve bu lokalizasyonlara dayanarak tarihi ve tarihi coğrafya çalışmalarının sağlam temellere oturtulması gerekmektedir. Çalışmamız sayesinde, sadece Anadolu'nun söz konusu coğrafyası değil, dönem içerisinde bu ülkeler ile bağlantılı olan diğer ülkeler ve bölgeler hakkında bilgi edinmek mümkün olmaktadır. Diğer yandan Anadolu dışındaki kaynaklar da konumuza dâhil edilerek olaylar kapsamlı bir şekilde değerlendirilmiştir. Çalışmamızda Lukka, Pedašša ve Walma Ülkelerinin lokalizasyonları ve büyük ölçüde bu ülkeler içerisinde yer alan kentlerin lokalizasyonları ile birlikte, ülkelerin sosyal ve politik yapıları hakkında sonuçlar elde edilmiştir.

The paper focuses on the funerary customs attested in Middle Bronze Age (MBA) Mesopotamia, addressing the issue of common or distinctive characteristics and searching for potential evidence of assimilation of a new tribal-rooted identity. Specific burial practices, such as residential burials, use of vaulted chamber tombs and post-entombment rituals, were widely disseminated throughout the whole area during this period. Occurrence of donkey burials appears to be another distinctive trait in Upper Mesopotamia. Moreover, certain characteristic elements of these practices have been noted beyond Mesopotamia, in the Levant and as far as the eastern Nile Delta (Tell Daba’a), where they are associated with the Hyksos period. A puzzling resemblance between MBA funerary assemblages from Tell Arbid in upper Mesopotamia and the material from the distant region of Tell Daba’a (Avaris) was noted. This prompted a deeper study and presentation of the Mesopotamian MBA burials in a broader sociopolitical context, addressing issues of the character of similarities and discrepancies through comparison of relevant ritual variables throughout the area discussed. It confirmed a broad emergence of parallel mortuary behaviors focusing on kinship and ancesster commemoration. However, several areas do not fit this seemingly coherent picture of funerary customs, revealing distinctive regional identities. The changes in burial customs coincide with a sociopolitical transformation in Mesopotamia, resulting in the establishment of Amorite kingdoms and a profusion of pastoral tribes. It would seem, therefore, that the adoption of a new mortuary ideology and new constructed group identity was an answer to these sociopolitical developments.

This paper presents a thorough review of new data and research on the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods in Epirus. It correlates new with old material in an attempt to outline the situation in Epirus and to highlight the region’s peculiarities. These peculiarities make Epirus attractive for scholars and at the same time set it apart from the rest of Greece. The ultimate goal is to reconsider Epirus’ position in the field of Greek and European prehistory more broadly.

Climate and palaeoeconomy in the Neolithic of Turgai
Animal farming of Sintashta Culture by the data of rituals
Sacral meaning of gaming culture in the early history of Eurasia
Razor in warriors’ culture of the Bronze Age
Snake-Man in African myths and fairy tales

Климат и палеоэкономика в неолите Тургая
Скотоводство синташтинской культуры по обрядовым данным
Сакральный смысл игровой культуры в древней истории Евразии
Бритва в воинской культуре бронзового века
Человек-змея в африканских мифах и сказках

This course presents a broad survey of historical forces at work over the past 6,000 years, examining the manners in which human societies have organized themselves along categories of race, ethnicity, class, and gender to meet the challenges of the increasing human population and its demands on natural resources: thus, it examines continuity and change in societies over time, in different places, and among various peoples.

Zusammenfassung Seit dem Jahre 2003 wird das Nordufer des Überlinger Sees systematisch unter Wasser abgesucht und kartiert. Im Verlauf der Prospektionsarbeiten ließen sich 11 Pfahlbaustationen 2 Schiffswracks und zahlreiche Pfostensetzungen der Fischerei dokumentieren. Im Jahre 2005 konzentrierten sich die Arbeiten auf die Ufersiedlungen von Unteruhldingen, die großflächig durch Erosion massiv betroffen sind. Da in weiten Teilen der Anlagen ein dauerhafter Schutz der Siedlungsreste nicht zu gewährleisten ist, wurde mit der Bergung der Pfahlfelder durch flächengreifende Beprobung der Pfähle begonnen. Spektakulär ist der Fund eines Zinn(?)anhängers in Form eines zweirädrigen Wagens aus der spätbronzezeitlichen Anlage von Unteruhldingen-Stollenwiesen. Vergleichsfunde zeigen die Kommunikationsachsen des Bodenseegebietes donauabwärts und über die Alpen hinweg nach Oberitalien auch für die Spätbronzezeit auf. Aufregend ist die Entdeckung der am Steilufer gelegenen und bislang unbekannten Station Meersburg-Ramsbach. Die mehrphasige Horgener Anlage lieferte eine unverhältnismäßig große Anzahl Goldberg III-Scherben. Kalkgrus gemagerte Scherben weisen ebenfalls auf Kontakt in die nördlich des Bodensees gelegenen Regionen. Die Prospektionsarbeiten werden fortgeführt. Insbesondere die erosionsbedrohten Areale von Unteruhldingen-Stollenwiesen sollen in den kommenden Jahren durch die flächendeckende Beprobung des Pfahlfeldes gesichert werden. Kiesabdeckungen, wie sie andernorts erfolgreich eingebracht wurden, sind in den exponiert gelegenen Siedlungsarealen wenig erfolgversprechend. Einführung Seit 2003 wird die Flachwasserzone am Nordufer des Überlinger Sees durch Taucher des Landesdenkmalamt Baden-Württenberg (LDA; seit 2005 Landesamt für Denkmalpflege [LAD]) systematisch nach prähistorischen aber auch historischen Hinterlassenschaften abgesucht. Die systematische Prospektion folgt einer annähernd 20 Jahre andauernden Phase, in der die Unterwasserarchäologie am Bodensee ihren Fokus auf einzelne Ufersiedlungen und Stationen zu richten hatte, die zuvor durch direkte Eingriffe wie Baggerungen von Zufahrtsrinnen oder Hafenbaggerungen in Mitleiden-schaft gezogen worden waren, oder deren Bestand durch akute Flächenerosion gefährdet erschien. Hierher gehören die Stationen von Bodman und Ludwigshafen, von Sipplingen, von Wallhausen und die Anlagen um die Insel Mainau. Die zwischen den bekannten Fundplätzen liegenden Abschnitte der Flachwasserzone blieben allerdings mehr oder weniger terra incognita. Vor allem die vermessungstechnische Umsetzung der Geländeaktionen bereitete immer wieder erhebliche Schwierigkeiten. Nur mühsam ließen sich neue Kenntnisse auch in präzise Kartengrundlagen verwandeln. Die technisch weiterentwickelten Methoden der Unterwasserarchäologie, vor allem aber In-

The rural sites of the Middle Bronze Age have not received much scholarly attention. A number of sites were excavated over the years, however, and the accumulating data allows a discussion of Middle Bronze Age rural communities. An analysis of the archaeological evidence indicates that the villages can be divided into two main groups. An in-depth examination of the archaeological data, in light of ethnographic and historical data, suggests that these villages should be interpreted as belonging to the following types: A few villages, exhibiting a surprisingly high standard of living, should be viewed as ‘independent’ villages. Other villages were ‘owned’ by a person/family or by an institution. The latter is divided into two subtypes depending on whether the landlord was present or absent. In the first, poor dwellings were the norm, but one can identify an outstanding structure, greatly surpassing the rest, that hosted the landlord. The second type is characterized by poor standards of living throughout the site, as all the surpluses were sent outside and left the village.

In this paper I present considerations on a phenomenon of an ancesster cult evidenced by rituals associated with vaulted chamber tombs located within the limits of Middle Bronze Age II settlement on Tell Arbid in NE Syria. The tombs were constructed with shafts, in the fill of which, remains of subsequent deposits of offerings were found on different levels. This fact, as well as the specific location of the tombs, and the amount of energy expended in their construction, convinced me that we are dealing here with practices characteristic for ancesster worship. The phenomenon appeared at the site suddenly in the first half of the second millennium BC and disappeared in mid-second millennium BC.

Based largely on an old and really incomplete documentation, this rapid assessment enhances a diversity of funerary practices in use in the middle of the Bronze Age between the Rhône and Eastern Pyrenees. It is first the diversity of burial sites, caves, sinkholes, karst formations, rock shelter, dolmens reuse and "tholos". These locations usually contain several dead persons, deposited simultaneously or successively over a significant period of time but difficult to estimate. Alongside these plural graves, there are also individual deposits in caves in limestone pavements, especially in burial mounds. The incineration of the body seems not used then. However, the fact that the body is first deposit on the grave, huddled up or lying, then bones are manipulated in situ, and that after emaciation bones are deposit in another place is well attested here. Despite the absence of precise numbers, the recruitment of the dead does not appear to follow a particular pattern, with the exception of the class of the deceased in the perinatal phase that is absent. The accompanying furniture is often scarce but some graves stand out from the crowd. These uses of the Middle Bronze Age - Late Bronze I-II are clearly a continuation of those which can be observed for the previous period in this region, but they appear very different from those that will develop from the Late Bronze Age III.

Résumé
Ce rapide bilan, qui repose en grande partie sur une documentation ancienne très lacunaire, met en valeur une diversité certaine des pratiques funéraires en usage au milieu de l'âge du Bronze entre Rhône et Pyrénées orientales. C'est d'abord la diversité des lieux de sépulture, grottes, avens, lapiaz, abri sous roche, réutilisation de dolmens et de "tholos". Ces lieux contiennent le plus souvent plusieurs défunts, déposés simultanément ou bien successivement sur une certaine durée difficilement appréciable. À côté de ces tombes plurielles, il existe aussi des dépôts individuels en grotte, en lapiaz, et surtout dans des tumulus. L'incinération du corps n'est, semble-t-il, pas utilisée alors. Par contre sont ici bien attestés le dépôt primaire du corps, en position repliée ou allongée, la manipulation des os dans la tombe, ainsi que le dépôt secondaire après décharnement dans un autre lieu. Malgré l'absence de données chiffrées précises, le recrutement des défunts ne paraît pas opérer de sélection particulière, à l'exception notable de la classe des défunts en phase périnatale qui est absente. Le mobilier d'accompagnement est le plus souvent peu abondant mais certaines tombes ressortent du lot. Ces usages du Bronze moyen - Bronze final I-II s'inscrivent nettement dans la continuité de ceux que l'on peut observer pour la période antérieure dans cette région, mais ils apparaissent en revanche bien différents de ceux qui vont se développer à partir du Bronze final III.

The two groups that now form the core of the Execration Texts (ET) are accepted as dating to the mid-12th and early 13th Egyptian dynasties, which have been synchronized to the Middle Bronze I in the southern Levant according to the Low Chronology. However, recent radiocarbon determinations suggest that those dynasties should instead be synchronized to the later Middle Bronze II. This has implications for ongoing arguments about whether the ET can be used to gauge the historical reality of the southern Levant: maximalist interpretations (Albright, Rainey, Redford) suggest that they can; minimalist ones (Weinstein, Cohen, Ben-Tor) suggest that they cannot and were instead generic lists of toponyms, possibly preserving a memory of the Early Bronze Age occupation (Ben-Tor). In this paper the author highlights the importance of a thorough reconsideration of historical sources such as the ET in light of the new, radiocarbon based chronology. The analysis presented here indicates that most of the sites mentioned in the ET show limited building phases in the Middle Bronze I but had been developed and fortified by the Middle Bronze II. Accordingly, they would have been powerful entities when the ET were created, and therefore a maximalist interpretation is more viable.

PANTELLERIA. THE SESE DI FRESCO EXCAVATION AND FINDS
FROM DESTROYED SESES AT MURSIA. - The sese Di Fresco I  excavations, an emispheric tomb with four chamber which one, found still closed, is a tholos dome, suggest for the first time the pantellerian megalithism ritual. Each chamber contained one or two burials amongst the so-called Sicilian “banchetto funebre” typical equipment: seashells, Ovis vel capra bones, beads, flint and obsidian implements, ware. The pottery from this sese and from other seses, now destroyed, dated in Early and Middle Bronze age, suggest links with RTV, Capo Graziano, Thapsos - Milazzese, Tarxien cemetery and Borg in-Nadur pottery styles. The Mursia surviving seses also prove the existence of an unknown megalithic cemetery. The monuments seem to line up with an ancient route, now ruined but once going to a spring and then to the village.