252
Documenta Praehistorica XLVIII (2021)
Introduction
Tell Yunatsite (42°13’56”N; 24°15’45”E), also known
as Ploskata mogila (the ‘Flat mound’), is situated in
Southern Bulgaria, in the western part of the Upper
Thracian Plain (Fig. 1). The diameter is 110 x 100m
at its base and the height is 12m above the modern-
day surface. The tell developed on a low terrace on
the ancient bank of the Topolnitsa River near to its
confluence with the Maritsa River1. It is located in a
fertile plain bounded by mountains – the Rhodope
Mountains to the south, Rila and Ihtimanska Sredna
Gora Mountains to the west, and Sashtinska Sredna
Gora Mountain to the north (Fig. 2).
The first excavations of the site were carried out by
Vasil Mikov in 1939. Systematic archaeological exca-
vations of the tell’s eastern section began in 1976
Chronological modelling of the Chalcolithic
settlement layers at Tell Yunatsite, Southern Bulgaria
Yavor Boyadzhiev 1, Kamen Boyadzhiev1, Lennart Brandtstätter2, and Raiko Krauß2
1 National Archaeological Institute with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, BG
yavordb@abv.bg< kamen.boyadzhiev@naim.bg
2 Institute of Prehistory, Early History and Medieval Archaeology, Tübingen University, Tübingen, DE
lennart.brandtstaetter@uni-tuebingen.de< raiko.krauss@uni-tuebingen.de
ABSTRACT – This article publishes a new series of radiocarbon dates from Tell Yunatsite, Southern
Bulgaria. Context-based excavations undertaken over a large surface area, as well as a small test
trench, provided a long stratigraphic sequence (11 ‘building levels’) covering a large part of the Chal-
colithic period in Thrace (5th millennium BCE). Bayesian statistics and Gaussian Monte Carlo Wiggle
Matching were employed to achieve a fine chronology for the multilayered tell. Implications and
problems on the application of the calibration curve for the Late and Final Chalcolithic in Bulgaria
are also discussed.
IZVLE∞EK – V ≠lanku predstavljamo novo serijo radiokarbonskih datumov s tela Yunatsite v ju∫ni
Bolgariji.S pomo≠jo v kontekste usmerjenih velikih izkopnih povr∏in in manj∏ih testnih sond smo pre-
poznali dolgo startigrafsko sekvenco (11 ‘gradbenih nivojev’), ki pokriva velik del halkolitskega ob-
dobja v Trakiji (peto tiso≠letje pred na∏im ∏tetjem). Za natan≠no kronologijo ve≠slojnega tela sta bili
uporabljeni Bayesova statistika in Gaussovo Monte Carlo usklajevanje krivulje. Poleg tega smo ana-
lizirali tudi posledice in probleme uporabe kalibracijske krivulje pri datiranju poznega in kon≠nega
halkolitika v Bolgariji. 
KEY WORDS – radiocarbon dating; chronology; stratigraphy; Chalcolithic; Gaussian Monte Carlo
Wiggle Matching; Bayesian statistic
KLJU∞NE BESEDE – radiokarbonsko datiranje; kronologija; stratigrafija; halkolitik; Gaussovo Monte
Carlo usklajevanje krivulje; Bayesova statistika
Kronolo[ko modeliranje halkolitskih naselbinskih plasti
na telu Yunatsite, jug Bolgarije
DOI> 10.4312\dp.48.5
1 The course of the Topolnitsa River has changed through time and in the 20th century AD it was rectified with dikes.
Chronological modelling of the Chalcolithic settlement layers at Tell Yunatsite, Southern Bulgaria
253
objective has been to understand the stratigraphy
of the Chalcolithic habitation. The first step was
aimed at exposing the levels between the latest ha-
bitation layer (BI) and the surface reached in 1939
at the bottom of Mikov’s trench, thus merging it with
the squares to the south. The second step aimed at
continuing the excavations in this section, gradually
reaching the earliest habitation layer of the tell. A
stable sequence up with Mikov’s trench was provid-
ed by detailed research of the remains of consecu-
tive buildings preserving the stratigraphic order of
the habitation layers (Fig. 5).
The excavations indicated a long lifespan of the buil-
dings. Different reconstruction events have been at-
tested, including numerous floor plasters, interior
renovations (e.g., moving the oven) and even the re-
construction of walls. Based on a partial excavation
of the tell, the separation of distinct ‘building levels’
is therefore quite challenging. In fact, the term ‘buil-
ding level’ is here used only provisionally, as diffe-
rent buildings of the tell may have been built or de-
stroyed at different times, had a different period of
use and/or went through different interior recon-
struction events.
One of the key problems regarding the interpreta-
tion of partially excavated unburnt building structu-
and continue into the present (Mikov 1940; Katin-
charov et al. 1995; Tell Yunatsite 2007; Boyadzhiev
et al. 2004; 2009; 2011a; 2011b; Mazanova 2011).
So far, the excavations have yielded evidence of ha-
bitation from the 5th millennium BCE until the 6th
century AD – including Chalcolithic, Early Bronze
Age (EBA), Iron Age and Roman Age occupations,
as well as a Medieval cemetery. Long-term habitation
was documented in two periods – the Chalcolithic
and the Early Bronze Age. Seventeen consecutive
building levels from the EBA have been excavated
over approx. 40% of the tell’s area (Yunatsite <1-
<16/172).
Stratigraphy of the Chalcolithic layer
This paper focuses on the Chalcolithic sequence.
Until 2012 the latest layer from this period (build-
ing level BI) was excavated over approx. 40% of the
tell’s area (Fig. 3). A large series of 14C dates was ob-
tained from this level (Tell Yunatsite 2007.232–
238; Boyadzhiev 2015; Boyadzhiev, Aslanis 2016;
Mathieson et al. 2018).
Since 2012 research has concentrated on a smaller
area in the central eastern part of the tell, known as
Mikov’s trench (sq. M-H 3-7), and the adjacent squa-
res to the south (sq. O 4-7, G 4-6) (Fig. 4). The main
2 During the large-scale systematic excavations the following labelling of the main layers was accepted (in Cyrillic): A Roman and
Iron Age; < Early Bronze Age; B Chalcolithic.
Fig. 1. Location of the Tell Yunatsite in Southeast Europe (from Google Earth).
Yavor Boyadzhiev, Kamen Boyadzhiev, Lennart Brandtstätter, and Raiko Krauß
254
res is the reliable differentiation between renova-
tions of a house (i.e. those which occurred within
the lifecycle of a ‘building level’) and the building of
an entirely new house (i.e. occurring at the start of
a new ‘building level’). Similar problems emerge in
small excavated areas with no building remains at
all (especially with no floor-destructions-floor super-
positions) or layers without distinctly identifiable li-
mits.
Since 2000, renovations of a single building at Yuna-
tsite are considered to be part of one ‘building level’.
A new level, on the other hand, is marked by the en-
tire destruction of a building, as evidenced by a la-
yer of debris covering its surface and/or by a level-
ling layer separating the remains of one building
from those of another. The high probability that
neighbouring buildings have different lifespans is
also considered. So far (until 2019), six ‘building le-
vels’ have been identified.
Building level BI
The latest (uppermost) Chalcolithic building level
was largely exposed before the year 2000. During
these earlier excavations, it was assumed that the
base of building level BI was marked by the level of
the uppermost floor of the respective buildings (Mat-
sanova, Mishina 2018) (Fig. 6). Newer research be-
tween 2002 and 2017, however, showed that level
BI covered a much longer time-span. Consecutive
floor plasters and reconstructions of interior struc-
tures (e.g., ovens) were attested, showing earlier sta-
ges in the lifecycle of a single building.
Reliable stratigraphic evidence for the superposition
of level BI and the lower levels was revealed in two
sectors on both sides of Mikov’s trench. The first sec-
tor in the south (sq. G-O 7-3)3 provided a connec-
tion with structures reached in 1939 at the base of
the trench. The building (BIII-1) reached in the west-
ern part of this trench (sq. O-H 7-6) was assigned to
level BIII.
The second sector is located between the northeast
corner of Mikov’s trench and the periphery of the
tell (sq. K3-M3) – a small area which was not exca-
vated in 1939. In the upper part of this sector an
oven from Building BI-2 from level BI was exca-
vated. Under this level the remains of consecutive
buildings (floor plasters and debris) were exposed.
Due to erosion at the edges of the tell the upper la-
yers were more eroded and less preserved compared
to the lower features.
Building level BII
In 2001–2003, two buildings from building level BII
were uncovered in the northern part of the tell (BII-
14 and BII-15). Both were continuously used, with
Fig. 2. Aerial view from the East over the Pazardz-
hik field with Tell Yunatsite in the centre.
Fig. 3. Photogrammetric model of Tell Yunatsite with the area studied in 2012–2019 (graphic by B. Whit-
ford).
3 The labelling of the squares follows the Cyrillic alphabet.
Chronological modelling of the Chalcolithic settlement layers at Tell Yunatsite, Southern Bulgaria
255
two major construction phases (Bo-
yadzhiev et al. 2004. 170).
The most important structures to cla-
rify the stratigraphy of the Chalcoli-
thic layer were three buildings from
level BII excavated in 2014–2019
south of Mikov’s trench.
Building BII-22 is situated in the
easternmost part of the tell (sq. O3-
O4). The western wall was attested,
and it is at least 8m long and ori-
ented N/NE – S/SW. In the northern
part of the building the base of an
oven was uncovered. It is situated
under oven No. 1 from building BI-6,
level BI (Matsanova, Mishina 2018.
129, 135–136, Fig. 12.1). Most of building BII-22
was uncovered under building BI-6. Its debris was
levelled when the surface of level BI was prepared
for the construction of building BI-6.
Building BII-21 is located west of building BII-22, in
squares O4-O5, G4-G6. It is approx. 10.60m long and
8.50m wide and divided into a few separate ‘rooms’.
An upper floor made of greenish clay was exposed.
In some negative structures cutting this floor level a
stratigraphic sequence of more floor plasters is vis-
ible, testifying the continuous lifecycle of the build-
ing.
In the northeast part of the building a podium was
found built on top of the greenish clay floor. Under
this a lower podium was attested in the profiles of
some negative features.
The building burned down in a sudden event. In two
of the ‘rooms’ a high concentration of broken ves-
sels, some filled with charred grains and fruit seeds,
were uncovered. On top of the floor and the burnt
building debris there was a plaster of fired clay (in
some places a sequence of a few plasters), followed
by a homogeneous layer of black clayish soil, a layer
of grey-greenish soil and a layer of levelled orange
debris. In these layers no structures were found (ex-
cept for small trenches and postholes), and only few
finds were recorded. The uppermost layer of debris
is covered by the base of level BI.
The analysis of this depositional process connected
to the destruction of building BII-21 shows that the
fire did not affect (or at least not heavily) the neigh-
bouring building BII-20 (to the west). While the
above-mentioned homogeneous layers of black and
grey-greenish soil accumulated, BII-20 still existed
after this event. Building level BII obviously covers
a long timespan, with different reconstruction events
in different parts of the settlement.
The sample Poz-108890 (5620±40 BP) is a bone
(Bos taurus phalanx) taken from the layer of grey-
greenish clayish soil under the levelled debris (con-
text 222C), in sq. G4. It marks the final phase of
level BII in this area.
The sample Poz-109086 (5590±40 BP) was taken
from a concentration of charred lentils stored in
vessel 10 and found under the burnt debris (con-
text 385), on top of the greenish floor level in the
northeastern part of building BII-21 (sq. O4). It
dates the burning event.
Building BII-20 is situated west of building BII-21,
in squares O6-O7 and G6. It is preserved partially
under building BI-8 from level BI (Matsanova, Mi-
shina 2018.129, 135, Fig. 12.1) and had at least two
construction phases. The bone sample Poz-108910
(Bos taurus, phalanx) was taken from the homoge-
neous clay surface (context 48) underneath the burnt
debris which defined the end of the building.
In the small area east of Mikov’s trench (sq. K3-M3)
building level BII is defined by a sequence of 11 floor
plasters, preserved over an area of two square me-
tres (Boyadzhiev et al. 2015.95–96).
Building level BIII
One building from this level has been partially exca-
vated – building BIII-1. Its location is essential in cla-
Fig. 4. Tell Yunatsite. General plan of the excavated part of the tell
and the area studied in the last years. Locations of the profiles illu-
strated in the paper are marked with dashed black lines (graphic
by Y. Boyanin and K. Boyadzhiev).
Yavor Boyadzhiev, Kamen Boyadzhiev, Lennart Brandtstätter, and Raiko Krauß
256
rifying the stratigraphic connection between Mikov’s
trench from 1939 and the recently excavated area
to the south. The southern half of the building was
uncovered under the base of building BII-20 (in sq.
O6-O7), while its northern half was documented in
the western part of Mikov’s trench (sq. H6-H7). North
of the building, in sq. M7, a concentration of animal
bones was found. Under it and the northernmost
debris of building BIII-1 a levelling layer of green-
ish clay was attested (the base of level BIII). It cov-
ered the remains of building BIV-1 from level BIV
(Fig. 7).
Building BIII-1 consisted of two rooms – a southern
and a northern one. Several reconstruction events
were documented in both rooms, which were inde-
pendent of one another. In the northeastern part an
oven was found, which was built on sediments on
top of the earliest floor level. Later, the oven was
abandoned and covered with a thin clay plaster and
a wooden construction was installed east of it. The
building was destroyed by fire.
Two 14C dating samples were taken. The sample
Poz-109084 (5730±40 BP) was taken from a concen-
tration of charred grain found under the burnt de-
bris of the building BIII-1 (context 90) in the south-
western part of the northern room (NW corner of
sq. O7). It dates the burning event of the house and
the end of level BIII. The bone sample (Bos taurus
phalanx) Poz-108885 (6130±40 BP) was taken from
an earlier layer of the building – context 278 in sq.
H6. Compared to the other dates from the site, it is
clearly too old for the layer and was excluded from
the analysis.
In the area east of Mikov’s trench (sq. K3-M3) the
remains of a building with six consecutive floor plas-
Fig. 5. Tell Yunatsite. Photogrammetric model of the area
excavated in Mikov’s trench and line O to the south of it
(level reached by 2019) (graphic by B. Whitford).
Chronological modelling of the Chalcolithic settlement layers at Tell Yunatsite, Southern Bulgaria
257
ters belong to building level BIII. The re-
mains of a base of an oven or fireplace
were found (Boyadzhiev et al. 2015.95–
96).
Building level BIV
Building level BIV has been studied in
two small areas, in the western part of
Mikov’s trench (sq. M7 and partly in M6)
and in the small area east of Mikov’s
trench (sq. K3-M3).
In squares M7 and M6 the remains of buil-
ding BIV-1 have been partially excavated.
The southern part of the building is pre-
served under the northern part of build-
ing BIII-1 and is not yet excavated. Its
‘western’ and ‘northern’ walls were iden-
tified by 0.20m wide ditches. The orienta-
tion of the house is NE to SW.
The osteological material from the build-
ing is scanty and very fragmented. Two
bone samples were selected from the
heavy fraction of the flotation of a clay-
ish layer that is located on top of the
floor in the southeast part of sq. M7
(Poz-108886 (5630±40 BP [context 230,
unidentified long bone]); Poz-115801
(5730±40 BP [context 225, Ovis/Capra
vertebra])). Both samples were obtained
from flotation and should be handled
with more care since they were not col-
lected during the excavation of the fea-
tures.
A small part of another building (BIV-2)
was excavated in the eastern periphery
of the tell, in squares K3-M3. A floor with
five consecutive plasters was document-
ed (Fig. 8). The base of the fired eastern
wall was found, identified by two rows
of mudbricks. The remains of the base of
an oven or fireplace was uncovered under
the oven/fireplace from building level
BIII (Boyadzhiev et al. 2015.96; Boya-
dzhiev, Aslanis 2016.137).
The bone sample (Ovis/Capra femur)
Poz-108883 (5710±40 BP) was collected
from a concentration of animal bones
(context 348) east of the building BIV-2,
on top of a layer of green clay marking
the very base of building level BIV.Fi
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Yavor Boyadzhiev, Kamen Boyadzhiev, Lennart Brandtstätter, and Raiko Krauß
258
Building level BV
Two buildings from this level were partially excavat-
ed: BV-1 and BV-2. Their positions in the stratigra-
phic sequence are well understood (Fig. 9). Building
BV-2 was uncovered under the remains of building
BIV-1 in sq. M6-M7. So far, it has been excavated in
sq. M6, but is also preserved to the south (sq. H6-H7)
and north (outside of Mikov’s trench). To the west,
its destructions have been documented in the entire
sq. M7. The orientation of the building is N/NE-S/SW.
It was heavily burnt, which left the osteological ma-
terial in poor condition. A few samples were collect-
ed for dating, but these lacked enough collagen. One
bone sample (Bos taurus phalanx) from the destruc-
tion (context 35E, sq. M6) could be dated: Poz-109419
(5460±50 BP), but had a critically low amount of col-
lagen (0.2%). It is the youngest date in the series of
radiocarbon dates and does not fit to the document-
ed position in the stratigraphy of the site. Therefore,
it was excluded from further analysis.
Building BV-1 is situated in the eastern periphery of
the tell – sq. K3-M3-M4. Its remains were covered by
the floor of building BIV-2 and the green clay layer
mentioned above. At the base of the floor, construct-
ed using an atypical construction technique that con-
sists of tightly placing clay lumps close to each other,
two construction phases were detected. During the
second phase, the oven was rebuilt in the northeast
part of the building and slightly shifted in its orien-
tation. The base of clay lumps was carefully plas-
tered with clay to build a flat and steady floor sur-
face. Three more ‘packages’ of clay plasters were
preserved above this floor, testifying three more re-
construction phases. Reconstruction phases were
also documented by the re-plastering of the oven and
by a slight shift of the eastern wall. These reconstruc-
tions indicate a long lifespan of the building.
The bone sample (Bos taurus phalanx) Poz-115802
(5700±40 BP) was taken from a layer on top of the
latest floor (context 396), but under the debris of
the building BV-1, and it marks the final phase of
the building. Chronologically its position is closer
to the beginning of the building level BIV (samples
Poz-108886; Poz-108883; Poz-115801), than to the
beginning of level BV.
Building level BVI
This building level was preserved in the easternmost
periphery of the tell. A very small part of a building
BVI-1 was excavated. It was partly covered by the
floor of building BV-1. The eastern part at the edge
of the tell was eroded. A sequence of 14 floor plas-
ters from BVI-1 was uncovered and was found tilt-
ing to the south and west. A few bones, including
sample (Ovis/Capra metacarpus) Poz-108907 (5630±
40 BP), were found lying on the uppermost plaster
(context 439).
Building level BVI was also attested in sq. M5, in the
area between buildings BV-1 and BV-2 (Fig. 5). Four
ovens with a concentration of white ash surrounding
them were found in this sector just below the level
reached by Mikov in 1939. The two earlier ovens
have been built on platforms made of wooden
beams, which were preserved unburned. Stratigra-
phic observations of the buildings BV-1 to the east
and BV-2 to the west indicate that these ovens be-
long to the earlier building level (BVI), while the
two later ovens are probably synchronous with the
buildings from level BV. Possibly this open area be-
tween the houses was used continuously during the
time of the building levels BV and BVI. Similar situ-
ations were attested in levels BI and BII as concerns
the space between buildings.
The bone sample (ungulate, vertebra) Poz-115803
(5690±40 BP) was collected from a clay layer (con-
text 118) on top of the unburnt wooden platform
and is most likely related to building level BVI.
Fig. 7. Tell Yunatsite. Sq. M7, east profile (graphic by K. Boyadzhiev).
Chronological modelling of the Chalcolithic settlement layers at Tell Yunatsite, Southern Bulgaria
259
Building level BVII
To obtain additional stratigraphic in-
formation and collect samples for 14C
dating, a small test-trench was dug in
the eastern periphery of the tell (sq.
M2-M3 – Figs. 4, 8). It measured 1.30
(N-S) x 0.80m (about 1.04m2) in the
upper part and was narrowed to 0.80
x 0.30m below the depth of –8.76m.
It cut the preserved parts of the lay-
ers below BVI which did not erode.
The trench is stratigraphically related
to the floor of building BVI-1. Under
this floor a compact layer of burnt de-
bris was exposed. About 0.40m below
the debris a hard-plastered floor was
found. It probably marked the lowest
(earliest) floor of the building, whose
destruction material was attested
above. Two more probable floors were exposed
0.12m and 0.25m above the earliest floor, but un-
der the debris. Two spots of burned clay with a dia-
meter of about 0.50m were stratigraphically related
to these floor levels. The lower one was 1.5cm thick
and the upper one was 2.5cm thick.
Although the excavated area is very small, the stra-
tigraphic observations indicate that these layers be-
long to one building with three occupational phases.
Bone sample (Dama dama tibia) Poz-108905 (5680±
30 BP) is taken from a greenish grey layer (context
450) related to the second phase.
Building level BVIII
No remains of floors or burnt debris
were excavated underneath building
level BVII. Several layers with differ-
ent characteristics were identified and
separated into probable ‘walking sur-
faces’: trampled clay levels with hori-
zontal concentrations of pottery sherds
and other artefacts. They might mark
different building levels, but the very
small area of the test-trench does not
provide grounds for reliable conclu-
sions. Thus, these levels were arbitrar-
ily labelled as BVIIIa, BVIIIb, BVIIIc
and BVIIId (Fig. 10).
Level BVIIIa
The base of this level is marked by a
thin layer of burned clay. A few pot-
tery sherds and some animal bones
(including sample Poz-108908 (5740±
40 BP) [Bos taurus costa]) were found in a grey
ashy layer (context 474) on top of it. A 0.30 to 0.40m
thick layer of grey-greenish soil with small pieces
of daub and a lot of charcoal covered it.
Level BVIIIb
This level was approx. 0.40–0.50m thick. Its upper
part is marked by a layer of grey-brown ashy soil,
up to 0.25m thick to the south and thinning to the
north. In the southern part of the test-trench two
thin layers of yellow clay were exposed below it,
and a thin layer of white ash on top of it. A very tiny
level of dark soil separates the clay layers. A green-
ish-grey sandy layer was exposed under these layers
and at its base a structure of unburnt wooden planks
Fig. 8. Tell Yunatsite. East profile of the Mikov’s trench, sq. K4-M4
(photo by Y. Boyadzhiev).
Fig. 9. Tell Yunatsite. Sq. M2-M3-K3: building BV-1 (level BV) and
the location of the test trench in the periphery of the tell to the
east of it (photo by K. Boyadzhiev).
Yavor Boyadzhiev, Kamen Boyadzhiev, Lennart Brandtstätter, and Raiko Krauß
260
was revealed. Four parallel horizontal planks were
uncovered, which were oriented NW to SE. They
were 8–10cm wide, more than 0.80m long and are
still preserved in the western profile. The distance
between the planks was 5–10cm. Underneath them
a second layer of perpendicular planks (SW to NE)
was recorded. 0.15m above the northern end of this
feature, pieces of unburnt wooden planks oriented
NW-SE were uncovered, as well as a preserved plank
with the same orientation above them. They were
divided by a thin layer of grey-greenish sandy soil
(context 505). The bone sample (Bos taurus hume-
rus) Poz-108906 (5810±40 BP) was taken from this
place. North of these planks a vertical, 0.13m wide
plank was found, placed on its longitudinal side. All
wooden planks were found in or slightly below the
greenish grey sandy layer.
In the northern part of the test-trench the grey-
brown ashy layer was much thinner. A thick layer
of grey-brown clayish and sandy soil was exposed
below it (context 484). A few pieces of a broken
oven or fireplace were documented inside it. In the
upper part of this layer the concentration of pottery
sherds was higher and the bone sample (Bos taurus
humerus) Poz-108888 (5780±40 BP) was taken from
there. It possibly marks a later ‘phase’ of level BVIIIb
compared to Poz-108906 (5810±40 BP).
Level BVIIIc
After the documentation of the wooden construc-
tion, the research in the southern part of the test-
trench was stopped to preserve the structure in situ
and study it in the future over a larger area. Excava-
tions continued in the northern part, covering an
area of 0.80m (N-S) by 0.30m (E-W). A level of
–10.72m below the highest point of the tell was
reached, 0.90m below the elevation of the unburnt
wooden planks. Seven layers were identified in these
0.90m. Some contained tiny layers of white ash. The
overall thickness of these layers and their number
indicated that they were related to at least two buil-
ding levels. The upper one is marked as BVIIIc and
is about 0.55–0.60m thick. A layer of hard fired clay
(floor plaster?) probably marks its base.
Sample Poz-108889 (5810±40 BP [Bos taurus costa,
hard grey clay, context 518]) was taken from a grey
layer on top of this base.
Level BVIIId
The lowest level is about 0.30–0.35m thick. Three
layers separated by thin layers of ash were identi-
fied. Bone sample (Bos taurus metacarpus) Poz-
108909 (5860±40 BP) was collected from the up-
permost (grey soil with some charcoal – context 521)
of these layers. A second bone sample (Bos taurus
costa) Poz-108887 (6200±40 BP) of level BVIIId has
been taken from an ashy grey layer (context 523).
The calibrated date is the oldest radiocarbon date
from the site, comparable with the sample Poz-
108885. It is obviously too old for the dated layer
and therefore has been excluded from further ana-
lyses.
Fig. 10. Tell Yunatsite. Sq. M2-M3: profile of the test trench in the eastern periphery of the tell (graphic
by S. Ivanov).
Chronological modelling of the Chalcolithic settlement layers at Tell Yunatsite, Southern Bulgaria
261
The highest point of the Chalcolithic layer in this
part of the tell is defined by the burnt debris of buil-
ding BI-2 from level BI (in sq. K-K/5-4) and was mea-
sured at –5.25/–5.35m (below the highest point of
the tell). The lowest depth reached in the test-trench
is –10.72m, proving a thickness of at least 5.20m for
the Chalcolithic layers. The sterile soil has not been
reached and at least 11 building levels were identi-
fied.
Relative chronology of the Chalcolithic build-
ing levels
The main material to build up a relative chronology
of the Chalcolithic building levels is ceramic. Unfor-
tunately, the assemblage of the levels below BV is
very scanty, as they have been excavated over a very
small area. In the analysis of the pottery style of Yu-
natsite, a general conservatism can be observed re-
sulting in the long, continuous existence of distinct
shapes, decoration styles and motifs.
Building levels BVIIId – BVI
The ceramic assemblage from levels BVIIId-BVI is
too scanty for detailed analysis and conclusions. It
may be generally related to the Early Chalcolithic,
Maritsa culture. Only the pottery associated with the
platform of unburnt wooden planks and ovens in sq.
M5, which was stratigraphically assigned to level BVI,
was more numerous. It carries some typical features
of phase III of the Maritsa culture.
Building level BV
The assemblage from level BV fits well with the cha-
racteristics of phase III of the Maritsa culture (i.e.
the end of the Early Chalcolithic), as defined by Hen-
rieta Todorova (1986.101). Among the typical shapes
are dishes with slightly inward-curved rims and gra-
phite decoration on both sides, S-shaped dishes and
bowls and lily-shaped dishes. The latter two types
are usually painted with graphite on both sides. Di-
shes with incisions on the rim have also been found.
Bowls and jars are predominantly represented with
rounded shapes. The common decoration techniques
are graphite painting (usually covering large parts of
the vessels or even their entire surface) and incised
decoration. The so-called ‘ladder-like’ incised orna-
ment is attested.
Building level BIV
The pottery from level BIV is quite scanty (less nu-
merous than the collection from BV), and few shapes
could be distinguished reliably. In general, the as-
semblage shares many of the typical characteristics
of level BV. Simple conical dishes and dishes with in-
ward-curved rims dominate. The latter are usually de-
corated with graphite on both sides. Bowls and jars
are predominantly preserved with rounded shapes,
sometimes with abundant graphite decoration. Frag-
ments of three-partite bowls with an outlined middle
part were also attested, and their upper part is deco-
rated with graphite. This shape developed further in
the Late Chalcolithic. A few sherds of jugs with verti-
cal handles and graphite paint were found. One frag-
ment of a jug with a horizontal handle on the neck
is documented. Among the decorated fragments, gra-
phite paint dominates. It seems that it covered a
large part of the vessels and both sides of dishes and
bowls. Incised decoration is less frequent and usu-
ally found on sherds of storage vessels.
The specifics of this assemblage suggest its dating to
the transition from the Early to Late Chalcolithic, or
to the so-called Middle Chalcolithic (phase IV of the
Maritsa culture).
The most interesting find from level BIV is a small
golden bead. It can be related to the earliest golden
artifacts known worldwide – beads from the burials
of Varna II and the cemetery of Durankulak (Todo-
rova, Vaisov 2001.13). They are assigned to the Mid-
dle Chalcolithic as well.
Building level BIII
The ceramic assemblage from level BIII (mainly buil-
ding BIII-1) shows continuity with the pottery from
the lower levels. Some typical characteristics from
levels BIV and BV are still present in the collection:
dishes with inward-curved rims and rounded bowls,
rich graphite decoration, incised decoration, as well
as most of the motifs. New shapes that are consid-
ered typical for the Late Chalcolithic appear: bicon-
ical bowls with carination, dishes with an inverted
rim or with an inward thickened rim. Shell impres-
sions are also attested.
Additionally, a few flat bone figurines were found
in building BIII-1 (Boyadzhiev et al. 2017.112, obr.
2). In general, the earliest known figurines of this
kind appeared in the Middle Chalcolithic, but their
large-scale distribution is assigned to the Late Chal-
colithic (Boyadzhiev 2007.89–91).
Building level BII
The pottery assemblage of level BII resembles the
characteristics of a ‘developed’ Late Chalcolithic or
phase II of the Karanovo VI horizon. Biconical bowls
are more abundant. New shapes appeared and de-
Yavor Boyadzhiev, Kamen Boyadzhiev, Lennart Brandtstätter, and Raiko Krauß
262
veloped in level BI: ‘elaborate’ bowls and amphora-
like vessels. Shell impressions are used more wide-
ly. Graphite painting was still the most common de-
coration technique and covered a large part of the
vessels and the inner surfaces of some types of di-
shes. In the case of bowls, the decoration is now re-
duced only to their upper surface.
A golden ‘ring-shaped idol’ was found in building
BII-21.
Building level BI
The ceramic assemblage from the last Chalcolithic
habitation layer at Tell Yunatsite includes a large
number of complete or restored vessels, which have
already been published (Mazanova 1992; Todoro-
va, Mazanova 2000; Todorova 2003). The specific
characteristics of this complex include new forms,
such as biconical cups with two vertical handles and
new decoration techniques, such as the use of red4
and yellow paste or high percentages of positive gra-
phite decoration, which find analogies in the Krivo-
dol culture and indicate contacts to the west (Maza-
nova 1992; Todorova, Mazanova 2000.338–341;
Todorova 2003.307).
More than 20 copper artifacts have been found, in-
cluding two hammer-axes of the Plo≠nik type (Maza-
nova 2004; new finds from the recent excavations).
Building level BI is dated to the final phase (III) of
the Karanovo VI culture. It was destroyed by an
enemy attack, the inhabitants were killed, and the
buildings were burnt down.
After this event, the tell was abandoned for at least
1000 years. During this long period a hiatus layer
accumulated. Due to a tilt of the surface to the south
as well as the remains of the Chalcolithic fortifica-
tion wall, which stopped the erosion of the sedi-
ment, this layer is best attested in the southern pe-
riphery of the tell, where it is up to 0.40m thick.
Modelling of the radiocarbon dates
To achieve greater precision compared to single mea-
surements, the available stratigraphic information
was employed to model the new set of radiocarbon
dates. These models were analysed using ‘Gaussian
Monte Carlo Wiggle Matching’ (GMCWM) and Baye-
sian Sequencing. Both approaches were performed,
analysed and compared.
Selection of the radiocarbon samples
The material for radiocarbon measurements was ca-
refully selected in 2018 from reliable contexts exca-
vated between 2014 and 2018 (Tab. 2, see Appen-
dix). The material from building levels BII to BVI
was excavated by context over a large surface area.
Material from BVII to BVIIId was selected from the
small test-trench in sq. M2-M3, where the depositio-
nal processes were harder to observe. Samples visi-
bly affected by bioturbation were excluded. Only
short-lived plant material and animal bones were
considered suitable for measurements. The species
of the bone samples were determined, and where
possible bones from herbivores were chosen. In
some rare cases a determination was not possible or
omnivores, mostly pigs, had to be picked.
The quality of the samples from different building le-
vels varied enormously. No new measurements have
been made for level BI, since there are already reli-
able dates available from short-lived materials (Tab.
1, see Appendix) (Boyadzhiev, Aslanis 2016; Ma-
thieson et al. 2018). Three samples from human
bones and teeth (Ly-5999/SacA-15568, MAMS-28134,
MAMS-28135), as well as one sample from charred
grain (Ly-5997/SacA-15566), were included. There
are some charcoal samples from BI that fit well with
the other samples, but they were excluded from the
analysis to reduce further uncertainty, especially
since these samples define the end of the Chalcoli-
thic habitation at the site.
The samples from level BII seem to be reliable and
fit well between BI and BIII. They include samples
made of charred lentils (Poz-109086) and cattle
bones (Poz-108890; Poz-108910).
There is only one sample (Poz-109084) from level
BIII. It was measured from charred grain found in
the destruction of house BIII-1. Even if the unmod-
elled date seems rather late, it should be consid-
ered as reliable given the clear context and materi-
al. Due to the character of the highly burned debris
of the houses from level BIII, no collagen could be
extracted from any other bone sample.
The sample Poz-108883 was taken from a concentra-
tion of bones covering building BV-1. Since there
were no other bones from reliable contexts from the
wider excavations recorded, the samples Poz-108886
and Poz-115801 were measured from animal bones
taken from the heavy fraction of the flotation of a
4 However, the use of red paint is attested in the lower levels as well.
Chronological modelling of the Chalcolithic settlement layers at Tell Yunatsite, Southern Bulgaria
263
floor layer covering the house BIV-2. These samples
are less reliable.
The sample Poz-115802 was found under the debris
of building BV-1 and is the only sample from level
BV. The debris of buildings BV-1 and BV-2 was heav-
ily burned and no collagen could be extracted for
further measurements. Compared with the age of
the samples Poz-109084 (debris of BIII-1) and Poz-
108883 (reliable context covering BV-1) the unmo-
delled date might seem too young. In the future fur-
ther measurements should be done for this building
level.
The sample Poz-115803 was collected from a layer
covering the wooden planks assigned to level BVI.
This area was left open in the building levels BV and
BVI and the sample was assigned to level BVI. A se-
cond sample Poz-108907 was taken from a concen-
tration of bones covering the uppermost plaster of
a sequence of 14 plasters belonging to the building
BVI-1, which was partly covered by a floor of the
building BV-1.
The samples from the levels BVII to BVIIId were ob-
tained from the small test-trench in squares M2/M3.
The size of the trench was about 1m2, which made
observations limited. Samples were taken from lay-
ers that were interpreted as floors. Further excava-
tions over a larger surface area will clarify these pre-
liminary observations.
Gaussian Monte Carlo Wiggle Matching
(GMCWM)
The methodology of wiggle matching was first ap-
plied by Charles W. Ferguson, Bruno Huber and
Hans E. Suess (1966). Gordon W. Pearson (1986) de-
scribed it first in mathematical detail, while Bern-
hard Weninger (1986) used it for sequenced archa-
eological data. A detailed comparison of wiggle mat-
ching methods was published by Christopher Bronk
Ramsey et al. (2001). The GMCWM approach used
in this article is an extension to the Wiggle Matching
method and was outlined by Weninger (1997) and
Reinhard Jung (Weninger, Jung 2009) to refine the
method and widen its possible use. It is integrated
in the program CalPal (Weninger, Jöris 2008).
In principle the method is using c2-tests to match
the best-fit between two datasets (the calibration
curve data and the archaeological test sample) per-
forming an optional number of runs. To achieve
this, an equidistant model, a model with fixed dis-
tances between the samples, is needed. The method
was specially designed for archaeological applica-
tions and is explained in detail by Weninger (Ho-
rejs, Weninger 2016.135). The aim of this approach
is to identify the overall best-fitting archaeological
timespan for the series of radiocarbon dates.
The technical parameters for each model used in
this study were the same. Each Wiggle Matching run
was performed 1000 times, each time only storing
the result of the best fit of 50 repli-
cations, where phase-internal chan-
ges of the position of the single ra-
diocarbon dates were allowed. Of-
fsets of the calibration curve and a
measurement error of the BP-date
were included in the modelling by
applying Gaussian variability of ±10
years for both parameters. The data
fitting was performed using the ‘non
central Chi-squared’ method, describ-
ed in (Krauß et al. 2017.294). All
age-calibrations and analyses employ-
ed the presently recommended Int-
Cal20 data (Reimer et al. 2020).
GMCWM model 01
All Chalcolithic contexts exposed by
the end of 2018 were grouped into
11 phases (BI–BVII; BVIIIa–d) accord-
ing to their stratigraphic position and
assigned building level. The 16 new
14C-samples were assigned to these
Lab Code BP date Phase unmodelled date modelled date
cal BC (2σ) cal BC
Ly-5997\SacA-15566 5560 ± 30 I 4399 ± 53 4395 ± 19
Ly-5999\SacA-15568 5560 ± 45 I 4415 ± 79 4403 ± 18
MAMS-28135 5578 ± 23 I 4403 ± 49 4411 ± 16
MAMS-28134 5632 ± 24 I 4452 ± 85 4419 ± 15
Poz-109086 5590 ± 40 II 4423 ± 76 4427 ± 13
Poz-108890 5620 ± 40 II 4448 ± 89 4438 ± 12
Poz-108910 5660 ± 40 II 4485 ± 119 4449 ± 10
Poz-109084 5730 ± 40 III 4573 ± 115 4460 ± 8
Poz-115801 5730 ± 40 IV 4573 ± 115 4492 ± 4
Poz-108886 5630 ± 40 IV 4451 ± 90 4502 ± 4
Poz-108883 5710 ± 40 IV 4566 ± 113 4513 ± 4
Poz-115802 5700 ± 40 V 4564 ± 115 4524 ± 6
Poz-108907 5630 ± 40 VI 4451 ± 90 4556 ± 10
Poz-115803 5690 ± 40 VI 4542 ± 135 4572 ± 13
Poz-108905 5680 ± 30 VII 4527 ± 80 4588 ± 15
Poz-108908 5740 ± 40 VIIIa 4581 ± 120 4620 ± 21
Poz-108888 5780 ± 40 VIIIb 4614 ± 109 4652 ± 27
Poz-108906 5810 ± 40 VIIIc 4665 ± 118 4684 ± 32
Poz-108889 5810 ± 40 VIIIc 4665 ± 118 4700 ± 35
Poz-108909 5860 ± 40 VIIId 4723 ± 113 4716 ± 38
Tab. 3. Results of the GMCWM model 01 for the Chalcolithic layers
of Tell Yunatsite.
Yavor Boyadzhiev, Kamen Boyadzhiev, Lennart Brandtstätter, and Raiko Krauß
264
phases. Additionally, four samples from short-lived
material (Ly-5997/SacA-15566, Ly-5999/SacA-15568,
MAMS-28134, MAMS-28135) from the uppermost
building level (BI) were integrated in the models
(Boyadzhiev, Aslanis 2016; Mathieson et al. 2018).
For statistical analyses, an equidistant model was
used, which assumed phases with an equidistant
length independent from the thickness of the lay-
ers or the recorded absolute depth of the sample.
The levels BI-BVII and BVIIIa-BVIIId were treated
equally and it was assumed that they cover the same
duration of time. Based on the hypothesis of 11
equidistant phases, GMCWM was performed. Three
dates were sorted out according to low collagen (Poz-
109419) or because they were obviously too old and
dislocated (Poz-108885, Poz-108887).
Based on these assumptions the analysis was per-
formed (Fig. 11, Tab. 3). The 11 phases cover the
timespan between 4750 and 4375 cal BC, with an
approximate duration of 32 years per phase. Espe-
cially at the beginning and the end of the habitation,
the dates fit quite well with the calibration curve.
Bayesian Sequence model 01
Bayesian chronological modelling (Buck et al. 1996)
has become a standard tool for analysing radiocar-
bon samples from archaeological sequences (Bayliss
2009; 2015; Hamilton, Krus 2018). The Bayesian
chronological model was calculated using the pro-
gram OxCal, version 4.4 (Bronk Ramsey 2009a)
and the integrated IntCal20 calibration curve (Rei-
mer et al. 2020).
The same assumptions used for GMCWM model 01
were applied to the Bayesian sequence model (Fig.
12). The 20 radiocarbon dates were grouped into 11
phases and separated by boundaries. Some of the
building levels had been exposed to fire and there-
fore some bone samples containing lower amounts
of collagen had to be included. Samples below 1% of
collagen have been omitted (Poz-109419). To accom-
Fig. 11. GMCWM model 01 for the Chalcolithic layers of Tell Yunatsite (Gaussian Monte Carlo Wiggle
Matching, using the program CalPal 2020.4 (Weninger, Jöris 2008) on the IntCal20 calibration curve
(Reimer et al. 2020).
Chronological modelling of the Chalcolithic settlement layers at Tell Yunatsite, Southern Bulgaria
265
modate the different amounts of collagen and there-
fore the different reliability of the sample an r-type
Outlier model has been included in the sequence
(Bronk Ramsey 2009b.1038). The prior probabili-
ties that bone samples with a lower amount of colla-
gen are misleading were set according to the study
from Meadows et al. (2019.1660–1662, Tab. 4),
which was performed using samples with low col-
lagen preservation, mostly measured in Poznan.
Prior probabilities for collagen yield between 1–2%
were set to 0.4, for 2–3% collagen to 0.2 and for
>3% collagen to 0.1. Prior probabilities were not ap-
plied to the samples from short-lived plant remains.
The model has an overall agreement of A=93.4,
Fig. 12. Bayesian Sequence and Outlier model for the Chalcolithic layers of Tell Yunatsite (using the pro-
gram Oxcal 4.4 (Bronk Ramsey 2009a) on the IntCal20 calibration curve (Reimer et al. 2020)).
Yavor Boyadzhiev, Kamen Boyadzhiev, Lennart Brandtstätter, and Raiko Krauß
266
which is robust. Only one probe failed the needed
agreement of A=60: Poz-109084 (A=51.5) from buil-
ding level BIII. This sample was assigned as reliable
and the rejection might be caused by possibly relo-
cated or contaminated samples, like Poz-108886 and
Poz-108907. Considering the massive cuts und re-
modelling events at the site, and the layout of the
model without any specific filtering or exclusion of
radiocarbon dates, the results are good.
GMCWM model 02
Based on the radiocarbon data from level BVI-BVIIId
and typological observations at different Chalcoli-
thic sites in Thrace, one can assume a model with a
length of 60 years per phase. This hypothesis (Fig.
13) has been tested by fixing the timespan of every
building level to 60 years and modelling it for the
best fit. Due to the higher number of dates from la-
yer BI–BIV the model matches best with the youn-
ger samples of the data series (level BI–BII), while
being unable to match the earlier dates with the ca-
libration curve.
GMCWM model 03
As mentioned before there were problems regarding
the low collagen preservation of some bones from
burned structures. In particular, building BV-2 and
the bones from level BV were affected. Additionally,
the samples from BIV and BVI were less reliable and
material of lower quality had to be chosen for dat-
ing. This is visible in the longer timespan of the sam-
ples from these levels as well as in the summed pro-
bability chart (Fig. 14).
To understand the different bias of the series of
dates and deal with the problem of the distribution
of the samples in the Middle and Late Chalcolithic,
an additional model was carried out. The dates were
grouped in two different series. The first includes all
samples from levels BVI–BVIII(a-d), which refer to
the Early Chalcolithic (based on pottery styles). The
dates from this period from other tell-sites in Bulga-
ria correspond well to the calibration curve. The se-
cond series with all the samples from the levels BI-
BV covers the Middle and Late Chalcolithic sequence.
In other sites from these periods in Bulgaria a dis-
crepancy between archaeological data (stratigraphic
sequence and relative chronology) and the radiocar-
bon dates has been observed. The samples in the se-
cond series were attained from the excavations in
the larger area (squares M-O 5-7), and those in the
first were mainly sampled from the small test-trench
in squares M2/3. Both series were modelled indepen-
dently using an approach with equidistant phases.
The results were plotted in one graph (Fig. 15.a-b)
and compared.
Fig. 13. GMCWM model 02 for the Chalcolithic layers of the site Yunatsite (Gaussian Monte Carlo Wiggle
Matching, using the program CalPal 2020.4 (Weninger, Jöris 2008) on the IntCal20 calibration curve
(Reimer et al. 2020).
Chronological modelling of the Chalcolithic settlement layers at Tell Yunatsite, Southern Bulgaria
267
While modelling the set from the levels BVI–BVIIId
showed a clear result of 50 years/phase (Fig. 15.a-
b – black), the results from the levels BI–BV were
blurry and differed in length between 14 years/
phase (Model 03a – Fig. 15.a) and 78 years/phase
(Model 03b – Fig. 15.b). Both results seemed unrea-
sonable but lack better alternatives. The single ra-
diocarbon measurements used for modelling are lo-
cated in a plateau of the calibration curve and have
standard deviations between 150 and 230 years.
The duration of the two independent models resam-
ple the picture from GMCWM model 01, where the
samples from levels BI/BII and BVII/VIII mark the
beginning and end of the habitation. The samples
from the levels in-between are overlaying due to the
layout of the calibration curve.
Discussion and conclusions
These models provoke different conclusions and in-
terpretations. Considering the complicated forma-
tion of layers at Tell Yunatsite, as well as the chal-
lenging preservation, the results are better than ex-
pected. While summed distributions for the different
levels present unrealistic long durations (Fig. 14),
modelling this data strictly according to stratigraphic
deposition provides a solid model for the habitation
of the site. Still these results
should be treated as prelimi-
nary, as future excavations su-
rely will provide more dates,
especially for the early levels.
Based on the initial assump-
tions, different chronological
trajectories can be made.
Using the current IntCal20 ca-
libration curve, GMCWM mo-
del 01 (Fig. 11) would be the
best fit. The beginning and
end of the series of radiocar-
bon dates of the Chalcolithic
habitation at Tell Yunatsite
are at 4750 and 4375 cal BC,
respectively. The difficult de-
positional processes at a tell
settlement as well as the ge-
neral nature of a radiocarbon
date are visible in the distri-
bution of the single dates plot-
ted on the calibration curve.
Modelling the dates in phases
using their stratigraphic infor-
mation provides a solid way to deal with this data.
This hypothesis was also tested by applying a Baye-
sian chronological outlier model (Fig. 12) using the
stratigraphic sequence. Even without filtering less
reliable samples the model agreement is Amodel=
93.4 and solid.
The model suggests an overall chronological dura-
tion of 375 years and an average timespan of 32
years/phase (considering 11 building levels or con-
secutive settlements). These results are in line with
published durations of building levels from other
tells in the region: Uivar (10–50 years/phase) (Dra-
sovean et al. 2017.643, Fig. 7), Vin≠a (from a few up
to 50 years/phase) (Tasi≤ et al. 2016.823, Fig. 14),
Pietrele (40–50 years/phase) (Reingruber, Rassa-
makin 2016.281, Fig. 5), Okoli∏te (30 years/phase)
(Hofmann 2013.473) or Karanovo (35–40 years/
phase) (Reingruber, Thissen online). However, such
a timespan can be viewed as too short considering
some archaeological data from Yunatsite and other
Chalcolithic tell-sites in Bulgaria.
First, the correlation of 14C dates series from Early
Neolithic multilayered sites with the calibration
curve shows average timespans for Early Neolithic
building levels (settlements) of about 60–70 years
Fig. 14. Chart of summed probability distributions for each phase (using
the package oxcAAR in R (Hinz et al. 2018; R Core Team 2020), OxCal 4.4
(Bronk Ramsey 2009) on the IntCal20 calibration curve (Reimer et al.
2020).
Yavor Boyadzhiev, Kamen Boyadzhiev, Lennart Brandtstätter, and Raiko Krauß
268
Fig. 15. GMCWM model 03a/b for the Chalcolithic layers of Tell Yunatsite (Gaussian Monte Carlo Wiggle
Matching using the program CalPal 2020.4 (Weninger, Jöris 2008) on the IntCal20 calibration curve
(Reimer et al. 2020).
Chronological modelling of the Chalcolithic settlement layers at Tell Yunatsite, Southern Bulgaria
269
(Boyadzhiev 1995; Gösdorf, Weninger 1992). The
construction of the buildings, as well as the average
thickness of the building’s levels, are similar or iden-
tical in the Neolithic and Chalcolithic times. We may
thus assume that the average timespan of a Neolithic
building level was similar to that of a Chalcolithic
one.
Second, if we accept this chronological frame for the
Chalcolithic levels at Tell Yunatsite we face a large
disproportion between the duration of the entire
Late Chalcolithic (about 100–120 years, similar sit-
uation is attested in Thrace and Northeast Bulgaria)
and the final phase of the Chalcolithic. The latter is
represented by a small number of thin-layered (one
or two building levels) settlements, mainly in West-
ern Bulgaria and the Rhodope mountains. In such a
scenario these sites would cover a period of 600
years (4400/4350–3800/ 3750 cal BC; Boyadzhiev
2015).
Another option would be to question the layout of
the current calibration curve for the period between
4600/4550–4100/4000 cal BC in the region, which
is archaeologically identified as the Late Chalcolithic
in Bulgaria. For this case, the GMCWM model 02 was
designed, which tries to find the best fit on the cali-
bration curve and the test data, accepting a duration
of 60 years/phase or 660 years of duration. As dis-
cussed above, a time-span of 60 years/phase was cho-
sen based on the durations of multi-layered Neolithic
settlements.
This model (Fig. 13) shows considerable deviation
between the dates from the early building levels
(VIIId to VI) and the calibration curve and fit at the
end of the Chalcolithic habitation at the site. The re-
sult can be explained by the higher number of dates
for the younger levels, which ties the whole series
to this part of the calibration curve. The obvious de-
viation between the calibration curve and the earli-
er Chalcolithic dates must lead to a rejection of this
model.
The third model (GMCWM model 03a-b; Fig. 15) con-
sists of two independently modelled data series: the
dates from the Early Chalcolithic (levels BVIIIa-d to
BVI) and the dates from the end of the Early, the
Middle and the Late Chalcolithic (levels BV-BI). The
series from the early levels (BVIIId – BVI) fits very
well with the calibration curve in the period between
4725 and 4460 cal BC. The dates from levels BV-BII
fit to the calibration curve in the period 4550–4420
cal BC (model 3a; Fig. 15.a) or the period 4680–4350
cal BC (model 3b; Fig. 15.b), but largely coincide
with the earlier series. Only the samples from the
final phase at Yunatsite (level BI) are later than those
from BVI. This situation corresponds well to the 14C
series from other Chalcolithic tell sites in Bulgaria:
the Early Chalcolithic dates fit well with the calibra-
tion curve, but ‘drop back’ towards the end of the
period, leading to overlapping dates between the
Early and Late Chalcolithic data series (Boyadzhiev
1988; 1995.167–173, 182–185; Görsdorf, Bojad∫iev
1996.144– 152).
As described by Yavor Boyadzhiev and Ioanis As-
lanis (Boyadzhiev, Aslanis 2016.165), the deviation
of dates from the Middle and Late Chalcolithic in
Bulgaria from the calibration curves may possibly
be caused by a local anomaly in the concentration of
14C in the atmosphere. The presence of such an ano-
maly, as well as its territorial and chronological span,
may be ascertained (or not) with series of dates
from consecutive levels in multilayered sites, cover-
ing all stages of the Chalcolithic period, i.e. Maritsa
I-IV and Karanovo VI in Thrace and synchronous
groups in the neighbouring regions. This phenome-
non is not fully understood yet and needs more ana-
lyses. The sequence from Yunatsite is hopefully view-
ed as a reason to intensify this research.
The results from the models draw very different
conclusions for the absolute duration of the differ-
ent building levels of the site Yunatsite, but also
show the potential of a dating strategy combining
detailed excavations by context and dating of strat-
ified short-lived material. Especially the multilayer-
ed tells in the Balkans provide good grounds for mo-
delling approaches using Gaussian Monte Carlo Wig-
gle Matching and Bayesian statistics.
Yavor Boyadzhiev, Kamen Boyadzhiev, Lennart Brandtstätter, and Raiko Krauß
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Chronological modelling of the Chalcolithic settlement layers at Tell Yunatsite, Southern Bulgaria
273
Lab.-No. BP_Date cal BC (1s) cal BC (2s) Material Building Context Literature
level
-2802 6050±140 5207–4792 5311–4616 charcoal EC – final central profile 8.55-8.59m Boyadzhiev 2015
-2801 5890±90 4898–4616 4992–4543 charcoal LC – BIII central profile 7.08-7.40m Boyadzhiev 2015
-2800 5460±170 4455–4054 4696–3955 charcoal LC – BI central profile 5.37-5.41m Boyadzhiev 2015
building 12
-2796 5650±90 4583–4362 4700–4342 decayed LC – BI central profile Boyadzhiev 2015
wood 5.30m< building 12
-2797 5560±70 4455–4341 4545–4258 decayed LC – BI central profile Boyadzhiev 2015
wood 5.52m< building 12
-2793 5410±70 4345–4076 4361–4049 decayed LC – BI central profile Boyadzhiev 2015
wood 5.45m< building 12
-2943 5520±160 4546–4071 4712–3991 bone LC – BI skeleton 66 Boyadzhiev 2015
-2944 5380±130 4341–4052 4493–3952 bone LC – BI skeleton 72 Boyadzhiev 2015
Ly-14792 5610±40 4488–4365 4536–4354 charcoal LC – BI T6 – occupation level Boyadzhiev,
close to outer wall Aslanis 2016
Ly-14793 5515±35 4442–4333 4446–4271 big LC – BI F9 – pit next to platform Boyadzhiev,
charcoal Aslanis 2016
Ly-14794 5725±40 4650–4499 4685–4457 big LC – BI S6–occupation level Boyadzhiev,
charcoal close to outer wall Aslanis 2016
Ly-5996\ 5630±30 4498–4371 4537–4365 small LC – BI beginning of burnt daub Boyadzhiev
SacA-15565 charcoal Aslanis 2016
Ly-5997\ 5560±30 4443–4355 4451–4346 grains LC – BI top part of burnt daub Boyadzhiev, 
SacA-15566 Aslanis 2016
Ly-5998 5585±35 4448–4364 4493–4348 charcoal LC – BI E8 – northern part Boyadzhiev, 
SacA-15567 of the tell Aslanis 2016
Ly-5999 5560±45 4445–4353 4493–4336 bone LC – BI skeleton 82–on top of Boyadzhiev, 
SacA-15568 and teeth burnt daub Aslanis 2016
MAMS- 5632±24 4499–4401 4537–4367 bone LC – BI skeleton 78–I0781 Mathieson et al. 
28134 2018
MAMS- 5578±23 4446–4363 4451–4354 tooth LC – BI skeleton 99–I0785 Mathieson et al
28135 2018
Poz-108890 5620±40 4493–4368 4537–4359 animal LC – BII P5–feature 222– this study
bone structure B2-21
Poz-109086 5590±40 4451–4362 4498–4347 seeds LC – BII O4–feature 385– this study
structure B2-21
Poz-108910 5660±40 4539–4451 4603–4366 animal LC – BII O7–feature 48–on top this study
bone of structure B3-1
Poz-109084 5730±40 4654–4501 4688–4458 seeds LC – BIII O7–feature 90– this study
structure B3-1
Poz-108885 6130±40 5207–4996 5210–4952 animal LC – BIII N6–feature 278–under this study
bone structure B3-1
Poz-108886 5630±40 4500–4369 4541–4361 animal LC – BIV M7–feature 230–on top this study
bone of structure B4-2–flotation
Poz-115801 5730±40 4654–4501 4688–4458 animal LC – BIV M7–feature 225–on top this study
bone of structure B4-2–flotation
Poz-109419 5460±50 4353–4254 4445–4170 animal LC – BV M6–feature 35–structure this study
bone B5-2–poor collagen
Poz-115803 5690±40 4581–4455 4676–4407 animal LC – BVI M5–feature 118–on top this study
bone of wooden planks
Poz-108883 5710±40 4606–4463 4678–4453 animal LC – BIV M3–feature 348–on top this study
bone structure B5-1
Poz-115802 5700±40 4596–4458 4678–4449 animal LC – BV L3–feature 396– this study
bone structure B5-1
Poz-108907 5630±40 4500–4369 4541–4361 animal bone LC – BVI M3–feature 439–8.18m this study
Poz-108905 5680±30 4542–4458 4606–4447 animal bone LC – BVII M3–feature 450–9.07m this study
Appendix
Tab. 1. List of radiocarbon dates for Tell Yunatsite (Görsdorf, Boyadzhiev 1996; Boyadzhiev 2015; Bo-
yadzhiev, Aslanis 2016; Mathieson et al. 2018).
AHN
L
AHN
L
AHN
L
AHN
L
AHN
L
AHN
L
AHN
L
AHN
L
Yavor Boyadzhiev, Kamen Boyadzhiev, Lennart Brandtstätter, and Raiko Krauß
274
Lab.-No. BP_Date cal BC (1s) cal BC (2s) Material Building Context Literature
level
Poz-108908 5740±40 4676–4538 4700–4461 animal LC – BVIIIa M3–feature 474–9.45m this study
bone
Poz-108888 5780±40 4691–4554 4723–4505 animal LC – BVIIIb M3–feature 484–9.37m this study
bone
Poz-108906 5810±40 4718–4609 4783–4547 animal LC – BVIIIc M2–feature 505–9.67m this study
bone
Poz-108889 5810±40 4718–4609 4783–4547 animal LC – BVIIIc M2–feature 518–10.4m this study
bone
Poz-108909 5860±40 4787–4694 4836–4610 animal LC – BVIIId M3–feature 521–10.4m this study
bone
Poz-108887 6200±40 5213–5066 5300–5032 animal LC – BVIIId M2–feature 523–10.32m this study
bone
-2794 4380±70 3259–2904 3333–2889 charcoal BA – central profile – 5.00m Boyadzhiev 2015
XVII\XVI
-2795 4090±60 2851–2501 2872–2476 charcoal    BA – XVII\ central profile – 5.00m Boyadzhiev 2015
XVI–XV
Ly-14795 4280±40 2925–2876 3016–2707 grains+ BA – XV K7–8 – building 34 – Boyadzhiev,
chaff 4.64m Aslanis 2016
Bln-3677 4080±70 2852–2495 2873–2471 grains BA – XV building 34 Görsdorf,
Boyadzhiev 1996
Bln-3678 4050±50 2661–2475 2858–2466 grains BA – XV building 34 ″
Bln-3675 4280±60 3011–2778 3091–2671 grains BA – XV building 31 ″
Bln-3676 4030±70 2836–2466 2868–2348 grains BA – XV building 31 ″
Bln-3672 4040±50 2623–2475 2857–2462 charcoal BA – XIII building 22 ″
Bln-3672A 4040±50 2623–2475 2857–2462 charcoal BA – XIII building 22 ″
Bln-3671 4180±50 2882–2675 2896–2586 grains BA – XIII building 22 ″
Bln-3673 3990±60 2620–2357 2842–2296 grains BA – XIII building 20 ″
Bln-3674 4020±60 2626–2466 2858–2347 grains BA – XIII building 20 ″
Bln-3670 3990±50 2576–2462 2828–2307 peas BA – XI square C 7\C 8 – ″
building 11
Bln-3679 4000±70 2629–2352 2857–2294 peas BA – XI C 7\C 8 – building 11 ″
Bln-3668 3830±60 2435–2151 2466–2066 lentils BA – X C 8–building 10 ″
Bln-3669 4090±50 2849–2503 2872–2489 grains BA – X U 8 ″
-2799 4070±150 2874–2467 3011–2150 charcoal BA – central profile – Boyadzhiev 2015
X–IX 3.30–3.60m
Bln-3665 4100±50 2851–2575 2874–2494 wood BA – IX P 7 Görsdorf,
Boyadzhiev 1996
Bln-3666 4070±60 2847–2492 2868–2470 grains BA – IX K 8 ″
Bln-3667 4050±50 2661–2475 2858–2466 charcoal BA – IX L 9 ″
-2798 4180±250 3283–2352 3508–2047 charcoal  BA – IX–VIII central profile – 3.30m Boyadzhiev 2015
Bln-3663 4100±50 2851–2575 2874–2494 grains BA – VIII O 8\M 6 Görsdorf,
Boyadzhiev 1996
Bln-3664 4140±50 2866–2631 2879–2579 grains BA – VIII O 8\M 6 ″
Bln-3662 3910±60 2469–2297 2570–2204 acorns BA – VII O 9 ″
Bln-3660 3970±50 2573–2354 2621–2298 charcoal BA – VI 3 9\K 6 ″
Bln-3661 4060±60 2840–2476 2868–2467 charcoal BA – VI 3 9\K 6 ″
Bln-3658 3780±50 2292–2136 2434–2034 acorns BA – V O 6\O 8 ″
Bln-3659 3700±50 2195–1986 2276–1946 acorns BA – V O 8\O 9 ″
Bln-3657 3760±50 2282–2050 2343–1985 acorns BA – IV 3 9–1.70m ″
Bln-3656 3760±50 2282–2050 2343–1985 acorns BA – III K 6 ″
AHN
L
AHN
L
AHN
L
AHN
L
Chronological modelling of the Chalcolithic settlement layers at Tell Yunatsite, Southern Bulgaria
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of
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ui
ld
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g 
B
II
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1 
ov
er
 th
e 
ov
en
 –
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w
er
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ye
r
Po
z-
10
88
86
56
30
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0
23
0
M
7
B
IV
n.
d.
lo
ng
bo
ne
1.
4
1.
5
5.
3
cl
ay
is
h 
la
ye
r 
on
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op
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f f
lo
or
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f b
ui
ld
in
g 
B
IV
-2
 –
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om
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oa
ta
tio
n
Po
z-
10
88
87
62
0
0
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0
52
3
M
2
10
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2
B
V
II
Id
B
os
 t
au
ru
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co
st
a
3.
9
1.
6
8.
7
gr
ey
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y 
la
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r
Po
z-
10
88
88
57
80
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0
48
4
M
3
9,
37
B
V
II
Ib
B
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au
ru
s
hu
m
er
us
3.
0
3.
4
9.
5
gr
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ro
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ot
te
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Po
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10
88
89
58
10
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51
8
M
2
10
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B
V
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Ic
B
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au
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a
6.
4
3.
0
8.
9
ha
rd
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re
y 
cl
ay
Po
z-
10
88
90
56
20
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0
22
2
P5
7,
15
B
II
B
os
 t
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ru
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ph
al
an
x
3.
7
0
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7.
3
bu
ild
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g 
B
II
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1
Po
z-
10
89
0
5
56
80
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0
45
0
M
3
9,
0
7
B
V
II
D
am
a 
da
m
a
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ia
3.
2
2.
8
8.
2
gr
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re
en
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la
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r
Po
z-
10
89
0
6
58
10
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0
50
5
M
2
9,
67
B
V
II
Ic
B
os
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au
ru
s
hu
m
er
us
5.
4
3.
5
9.
6
gr
ey
 n
on
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om
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en
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s 
la
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ne
d 
w
oo
de
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an
ks
Po
z-
10
89
0
7
56
30
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0
43
9
M
3
8,
18
B
V
I
O
vi
s\
C
ap
ra
m
et
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ar
pu
s
3.
1
2.
8
8.
2
flo
or
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ve
l
Po
z-
10
89
0
8
57
40
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0
47
4
M
3
9,
45
B
V
II
Ia
B
os
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au
ru
s
co
st
a
5.
7
3.
9
9.
8
gr
ey
 a
sh
y 
la
ye
r
Po
z-
10
89
0
9
58
60
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0
52
1
M
3
10
,4
B
V
II
Id
B
os
 t
au
ru
s
m
et
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ar
pu
s
2.
7
4.
0
11
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gr
ey
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ith
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om
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ar
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al
s
Po
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10
89
10
56
60
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0
48
O
7
B
II
B
os
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au
ru
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ph
al
an
x
2.
1
7.
6
19
.7
Ph
as
e 
2 
on
 t
op
 o
f b
ui
ld
in
g 
B
II
I-
1 
– 
ho
m
og
en
eo
us
 la
ye
r 
of
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la
y 
su
rf
ac
es
 
Po
z-
10
90
84
57
30
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0
90
O
7
7,
21
B
II
I
gr
ai
ns
co
nc
en
tr
at
io
n 
of
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ra
in
s 
in
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ur
nt
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es
tr
uc
tio
n 
of
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ui
ld
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g 
B
3-
1
Po
z-
10
90
86
55
90
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0
38
5
O
4
7,
53
B
II
le
nt
ils
B
ur
nt
 d
es
tr
uc
tio
n 
of
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ui
ld
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g 
B
2-
21
 (
in
 p
ot
 1
0
 u
nd
er
 fe
at
ur
e 
38
5)
Po
z-
10
94
19
54
60
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0
35
M
6
B
V
B
os
 t
au
ru
s
ph
al
an
x
0
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1.
6
5.
8
de
st
ru
ct
io
n 
of
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ui
ld
in
g 
B
V
-2
 –
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w
 c
ol
la
ge
n
Po
z-
11
58
0
1
57
30
±4
0
22
5
M
7
B
IV
O
vi
s\
C
ap
ra
ve
rt
eb
ra
2.
8
2.
6
8.
9
cl
ay
is
h 
la
ye
r 
on
 t
op
 o
f f
lo
or
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f b
ui
ld
in
g 
B
IV
-2
 –
 fr
om
 fl
oa
ta
tio
n
Po
z-
11
58
0
2
57
0
0
±4
0
39
6
L3
B
V
B
os
 t
au
ru
s
ph
al
an
x
1.
2
0
.7
4.
4
lo
w
er
 fl
oo
r 
le
ve
l o
f b
ui
ld
in
g 
B
V
-1
 
Po
z-
11
58
0
3
56
90
±4
0
11
8
M
5
8,
15
B
V
I
un
gu
la
te
ve
rt
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ra
1.
0
1.
2
5.
4
cl
ay
la
ye
r 
on
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op
 o
f u
nb
ur
ne
d 
w
oo
de
n 
pl
an
ks