This article discusses the Impressed Ware (IW) ceramic class from the early Late Chalcolithic 2 period (4200–4000 B.C.), which is considered fundamental for understanding chronological and socio-economic issues related to production and craft specialization in the Northern Mesopotamian region. The unpublished materials from the proto-historic site of Asingeran (Kurdistan region of Iraq) are examined through stylistic and decorative analysis and compared with specimens from contemporary sites across a broad territory, including the north-eastern Altinova plain, the south-eastern Erbil area, the south-western Khabur valley, and the Upper Eastern Tigris Basin. This paper aims to provide an overview of all IW ceramics found in Northern Mesopotamia, highlighting how the presence of this type, despite its diverse versions, serves as a significant means of identifying shared social practices among different communities within a specific ceramic region.

The excavation of the site of Gatwa-sûr in the Zagros region of the Kurdistan region of Iraq has provided valuable insights into Early Christian burial practices in Northern Iraq during the Sasanian period. The discovery of an earthenware coffin adorned with symbols that highlight the presence of Christian oriented groups in the region provides new data on burial customs under Sasanian rule. This archaeological evidence strengthens our knowledge of the coexistence of different religious faiths within the Sasanian Empire. Despite the challenges posed by repeated disturbances to the burial site over ancient and modern times, the recovered skeletal remains offer crucial evidence for understanding the health, lifestyle, and demographic profile of individuals during this era. Anthropological analysis revealed common ailments such as tooth loss, degenerative osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and infectious periostitis. Additionally, the presence of enthesopathies suggests engagement in strenuous physical activities, likely related to agricultural or manual labor. The interdisciplinary approach, involving archaeologists, residents, and media, has raised awareness about the importance of protecting archaeological sites and fostering community engagement in research endeavors. Overall, the Gatwa-sûr excavation contributes significantly to our understanding of religious, cultural, and social dynamics in the Kurdistan region of Iraq in Late Antiquity, emphasizing the need for further exploration and preservation efforts in the region.

The Shamash Gate of Nineveh is one of the major gates that leads into the city from the east. Archaeological work at the gate has been on hold since the early 1970s, when the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage embarked on excavations and reconstruction of the gate. A preliminary investigation of the Shamash Gate in 2020 by the Iraqi–Italian Nineveh Expedition (NINEV_E), under the directorship of Nicolò Marchetti, revealed both the considerable extent of the damage and destruction wreaked on this important and historic landmark of ancient Nineveh and Mosul during the period of ISIS control and the urgent need to stabilise the surviving remains of the gate. This investigation also confirmed that the core of the gate complex remains intact and would benefit greatly from a carefully planned and judiciously implemented research program. In this paper we provide a summary report on three seasons of work at the Shamash Gate, including mapping, stabilising, and excavation.

The West Area of Samos Archaeological Project (WASAP) conducted fieldwork over four years (2021–4), with the aim of investigating the western portion of the island of Samos. This article presents the results of the work undertaken in the southern part of the WASAP study area. WASAP fieldwork in this area was focused on the plain of Marathokampos, and areas of the southern coastline between Koumeiika in the east and Limnionas in the west. The data collected sheds new light on activity in this area between the Archaic and Byzantine periods.

This paper investigates the everyday use of coins at the Roman Red Sea ports of Berenike and Myos Hormos, challenging their conventional interpretation as mere indicators of trade prosperity. Adopting a contextualized approach, the paper analyzes coin finds alongside non-numismatic evidence – including ceramics, botanical and zoological remains, and epigraphic records – to uncover their role in daily economic activities. The study demonstrates how coins functioned across diverse settings such as marketplaces, industrial zones, religious sites, and residential areas, highlighting their integration into the economic, social, and cultural fabric of the ports. Beyond serving as a medium of exchange, coins played crucial roles in taxation, service payments, and religious offerings. By reconstructing the transactional dynamics of the ancient ports, the paper provides new insights into the interactions between residents and visitors, enriching our understanding of daily life in these vibrant hubs through a holistic archaeological perspective.

The study of lead artifacts and anthropogenic lead exposure in human remains can provide valuable insights into health, migration, trade, and societal instability. This review examines the uses of lead and its impacts on ancient Roman populations by exploring and integrating evidence from the textual, archaeological, and bioarchaeological records. Considering written texts and material evidence together challenges some of the persistent modern notions that sapa and adulterated wine were key sources of lead exposure during this time. Using a matrix-based framework to examine domestic lead exposure helps us to assess the frequency of and risk associated with lead objects recovered in published domestic assemblages. We provide a comprehensive synthesis of the bioarchaeological evidence for enamel and bone lead concentrations in Roman populations and conclude with recommendations for future research in this area.

This paper investigates the chronological and geographical evolution of the practice of recarving sculpture in the first three centuries CE, assessing the impact it had on ancient viewers, as well as the agency of sculptors and patrons. After considering the reasons for the higher or lower frequency of reworking during specific periods, the paper presents an overview of the geographical distribution of recarved portraits of Roman emperors throughout the Empire, showing that the practice was not connected with the location of main sculptural centers, but rather followed its own logic, connected with local preferences and resources. Lastly, the paper considers how thoroughly imperial portraits were reworked, to investigate the agency and technical choices made by ancient makers.

This study examines the emergence of 35 agricultural gardens that were newly created or expanded in Pompeii after the earthquake of 62 CE, focusing on 24 of these gardens in Regions I and II alone. Building on Wilhelmina Jashemski’s (1990) estimate that 9.7 percent of Pompeii’s urban area was dedicated to agriculture, this research reveals an elite-driven, opportunistic response to crisis and increasing commercialization in the mid-1st c. CE. Through a novel methodological approach, this study demonstrates how landowners adapted urban spaces for cash crops, balancing economic opportunity with local food security. These gardens were not developed through state intervention but were rather the result of private enterprise, playing a key role in urban resilience and socio-economic adaptability. Beyond profit, they contributed to improved nutrition and infrastructure. By reconstructing Pompeii’s final years through its green spaces, this research reframes agriculture as integral to the city’s economy, crisis response, and urban transformation in the lead-up to 79 CE.