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The paper examines animal burials in the Middle Bronze Age in the South Caucasus, particularly in Armenia. The authors analyze the burial of animals from a symbolic perspective and hypothesize about their role in human burial practices. It is noted that the burials are characterized by an exceptional quantity and diversity of animal remains. The authors attempt to reconstruct the significance and main aspects of animal burials. The study focuses on five major necropolises in the Armenian Highlands and emphasizes the presence or absence of different groups of animals in the graves. It is found that the burial of animals in the graves was a frequent and recurring practice. Both domesticated and wild animals were found in the graves, with sheep/goats and cattle being the most common animals. However, there is also a variety of wild animals in some graves. The study shows that there can be local peculiarities in ritual practices. No pigs were found in the examined graves in Lori Berd, while horses were present in all the examined sites. However, there is no exclusivity regarding the presence of horses, which are not associated with specific burial situations. Dogs were only found in the Great Kurgan of Karashamb, while they were systematically absent in all other burial contexts. The preservation of the zoological evidence regarding animal body parts is an important aspect, as usually only selected parts of the animals were buried. There is also a variety of wild animals, including foxes, martens, hares, and bears. Mollusk shells were also found and could indicate long-term contacts in protohistoric times. However, the presence of horses in the graves does not imply their widespread use or riding. There is no evidence of the use of horse harnesses or horseback fighting during this time. The iconography of animals during this period is also discussed to identify possible parallels with the archaeological findings. The Middle Bronze Age has provided some significant iconographic evidence for objects made of gold and silver, fine jewelry, and decorations on vases. These representations likely had diverse and complex symbolic meanings. It was found that the representations on exceptional objects such as the two silver cups found in the Great Kurgan of Karashamb and Kurgan V in Trialeti, Georgia, are particularly significant. Hunting wild boars likely had a ritual significance in MBA society. There are differences between the animals found as offerings in the graves and the iconographic representations on gold and silver artifacts. There are also differences between the animal depictions on ceramic vessels and the animal remains in the graves. The symbolic-ritual traditions of these protohistoric societies are complex and can only be partially reconstructed. The significance of hunting for these societies is emphasized, as the abundance and diversity of the animal world in some graves can be seen as an archaeological indication of outstanding and elite individuals. There is a clear proportionality between rich grave goods and abundant animal bones, as seen in the Great Kurgan of Karashamb. Hunting was therefore a sign of strength and power for the elite class of the 2nd millennium BC. [Extracted from the article]

The article describes the results of a materials science analysis of artifacts from Grave 89 at the cemetery of Karzec in central Poland. The findings suggest a possible specialization in the metallurgical craft of the Lusatian culture during the Late Bronze Age. Reference is also made to similar burials in the Lusatian culture. The analysis of the casting molds shows different stages of production and indicates increased mobility of the craftsman. The results of the investigations are presented in the form of spectra and tables. It is recommended to conduct further research using modern analytical methods to verify these hypotheses. [Extracted from the article]

The article "Opening of graves and turtles. The European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis L.) from the cemetery of the Wielbark culture in Czarnówko and the question of posthumous interventions in the past" reports on the discovery of turtle remains in a grave of the Wielbark culture in Czarnówko. It investigates how this finding can be connected to the opening of graves and the presence of turtle remains. It is determined that about 90% of the graves in Czarnówko were manipulated after burial. Similar findings have also been made in other burial grounds in Central Europe. The presence of turtles in the graves is related to the phenomenon of grave opening, which has been observed in areas where body burial was practiced. [Extracted from the article]

The study by Georgia Barker examines the representation of the tomb owner in wall paintings and burial models in ancient Egypt. In wall paintings, the tomb owner plays a dominant role, while in models, he rarely appears. The differences are attributed to technical characteristics and the location of the two media in the tomb. The representation of the tomb owner in the models is mainly limited to boats, accounts, and music. The study shows that the representation of the tomb owner depends on cultural and technical factors. [Extracted from the article]

The paper examines three sites of the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age Lausitz culture in northeastern Poland, as well as the interaction between humans and the environment. The circular structures of these sites have a uniform location and structure, consisting of a protective area with ditches and ramparts, as well as a central area with a flat space. It is believed that these structures were possibly used as enclosures for livestock grazing and indicate intensive agricultural use of the surrounding area. It is assumed that a stable socio-administrative-religious center for the population of the Lausitz culture developed here. The study was conducted in the Podlaskie Voivodeship. The study examines the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age in the Podlasie region. Through the use of laser scanning, 27 settlement structures were discovered, mainly located in the valleys of the Biebrza and Narew rivers. These structures have similarities in terms of location, shape, and size. They consist of a protective and a central area and can be divided into three types with one, two, or three ditches. Archaeological and geoarchaeological investigations were carried out to analyze the environmental contexts, construction, and function of selected settlement sites. The results indicate a dating to the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age. The article describes archaeological investigations at the sites of Jatwieź Duża, Kościuki, and Filipy in Podlasie, Poland. The sites show circular structures with diameters of up to 100 meters. The investigations revealed that the structures likely date from the 7th to late 5th century BC and belong to the local Lusatian culture. The sites are of great importance for the study of settlement patterns and interactions between humans and the environment in the region. Bronze Age settlements have also been discovered near the sites. The study examines the settlement patterns of the Lausitz culture in Podlasie and their interaction with the environment. Two zones with different characteristics are identified: the outer space, consisting of depressions and raised areas, and the flat center, where no settlement traces were found. The function of these sites is difficult to determine, but it is believed that they may have been used as grazing areas for livestock. Anthropogenic deforestation was limited, but locally it may have led to soil erosion and peat sedimentation. The study concludes that the Lausitz culture in Podlasie developed a stable settlement system and utilized the natural environment through the introduction of a production economy. The text contains a list of references to various scientific works and publications dealing with topics such as geomorphology, climate and environmental changes, and prehistoric settlement in Poland. The mentioned authors and works provide information on various aspects of geographical and geological development in the region. Archaeological excavations and geophysical investigations are also mentioned, contributing to the study of landscape history. [Extracted from the article]

The paper "Elusive Goths in northern Poland: Initial isotopic insights of the pre-Roman and Roman period populations from the Wielbark Culture cemetery in Malbork-Wielbark" examines the origin of people buried in the cemetery of Malbork-Wielbark in northern Poland. Strontium isotope analysis of the molars of 19 individuals shows that the studied group was locally settled and provides insights into the ethnic structure of the Wielbark Culture. The cemetery spanned a period of approximately 300 years and was one of the largest necropolises of the Wielbark Culture. The study also raises questions about the emergence and development of the Wielbark Culture and discusses the number of Goths in this culture. [Extracted from the article]

The paper deals with the distribution of painted ceramics in the Upper Silesian-Lesser Poland regional group of the Lusatian culture in the early Iron Age. The focus is on previously unpublished finds of polychrome vessels from the cemetery in Dobrzeń Mały, Opole District. The painted ceramics have been discovered in various archaeological sites in Poland, including Baborów, Kalinowice, Modlniczka, Opole-Groszowice, and Kietrz. The finds provide important information about the tradition of ceramic painting in the region and display various decorative patterns. It is presumed that the painted ceramics were imported from southern areas and often found in graves together with personal jewelry. The painted ceramics from Dobrzeń Mały were likely fired in an open hearth or under a clay dome. The study expands our knowledge about this category of finds and includes a list of sources and references to various archaeological studies and publications. [Extracted from the article]

The present study examines the title holders in the Old Kingdom. The first part of the study has already been published in the Journal of Egyptian Language and Antiquity. The second part contains a prosopographic list with 37 entries that support the contents of the first part. The list is divided into two parts: the first part contains the names of individuals whose identity is clear, while the second part contains references to individuals whose names are unknown. The list is mainly based on tomb inscriptions and other documents. The study also provides information about the titles and kinship relationships of the individuals. [Extracted from the article]

Vrbjanska Čuka is a tell site in the region of Pelagonia (Macedonia) established 8000 years ago by the Neolithic communities. Later it was used as an agricultural unit during the Roman era and the Middle Ages when it was also employed as a burial area. The excavations performed in the 1980s and during the last five years indicate a Neolithic farming society that constructed large buildings made of daub in a settlement enclosed by a circular ditch. The buildings had many clay structures, such as ovens, granaries, bins and grinding areas for processing cereals and bread production. The Neolithic communities used sophisticated fine pottery and modeled figurines and altars, while the stone tools were mainly used for cutting trees, harvesting and grinding. Apart from the cereal-based food (einkorn wheat, emmer wheat or barley), the inhabitants of Vrbjanska Čuka consumed lentils, peas and a variety of gathered wild fruits, while cattle, caprovine, mussels, fish and wild game meat was also part of a diet, as well as the dairy products. This paper will be a summary of a variety of data provided from the current international and multidisciplinary research of the site that involves excavation, prospection, geomagnetic survey, study of material culture, examination of architecture, radiocarbon dating, geoarchaeological, archaeobotanical, archaeozoological, lipid and use-wear analyses, as well as the topographic and 3D modeling. The recent knowledge on Vrbjanska Čuka provides novel understanding of the Early Neolithic in Pelagonia and contributes to the more extensive research of first farming societies in the Balkans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]