Different staining substances were used in decorative and therapeutic tattoos in a 1000-year-old Peruvian mummy

From a 1000-year-old mummy, found unwrapped in the sand of the desert at Chiribaya Alta in Southern Peru, two different kinds of tattoos were investigated: decorative tattoos displaying different animals and symbolic ciphers were present on the extremities and tattooed circles on the neck region.     

From the stigmatized tattoo to the graffitied body: femininity in the tattoo renaissance

This article analyzes the spectacularly rising popularity of tattoos by showing that tattoos have become a spatial project in the largest sense: the way they participate in the creation of social space is different from that of tattoos before the Tattoo Renaissance. I explain this project as a shift from tattoos to body graffiti. In the past (predominantly male) tattoo-spheres could be located within the margins of society. Once an identity had been assumed through the adoption of a tattoo, the person could be assigned a particular geographical position within an urban sphere. Contemporary tattoos have this one-dimensional identifying function to a much lesser extent, which influences the way in which these tattoos create space. Within the new tattoo space, the skin does not wear the stigmatic mark, nor does it function as a screen of male desire, but it becomes a wall on which multiple desires are projected. In this sense, tattoos have become graffiti. I establish the particularity of the female tattoo as opposed to the masculine tattoo by focusing on an important element of the pro/contra discussion of female tattoos: the purity and ‘blankness’ of the female skin. Jean Baudrillard's concept of the blank female skin as a ‘void’ that men rush to fill with their own desires is central to this discussion. Finally, I show that the spatial function of narcissistically oriented female tattoos is at least partly established within the Suicide Girls interactive website.     

Loyalist Tattoos and Tattooed Generals in the Song Dynasty

According to Yue Fei’s biography, when the legendary general was slandered and interrogated for treason, he tore the shirt off his body, exposing four characters tattooed on his back: “Exhaust one’s loyalty in service of the state.” This study looks at two components of the Yue Fei story—patriotic tattoos, and tattooed generals—and examines their meaning in the broader stretch of Song dynasty history. Yue Fei was not the Song dynasty’s only tattooed general who came to a tragic end. The Northern Song’s Di Qing was a tattooed soldier whose military merit allowed him to rise to the highest levels of power in the empire. Di Qing’s story makes it clear that tattooed generals were objects of suspicion and ridicule at court due to their military tattoos, a trait that linked them to the criminals and lower class men that manned the Song armies. Though military tattoos sometimes had a loyalist ring to them, they were carried out on a mass scale, and were a characteristic of coercion rather than fervent loyalism. This study shows that underneath the nationalist historical narrative of the Song dynasty, of which Yue Fei is a famous example, there lies a different story of social conflict within the Song state. Rather than a story of Chinese fighting non-Chinese and of traitorous and cowardly officials struggling with loyal patriots, this study offers a narrative of a social conflict between high-born clear-skinned officials and low-born tattooed military men.     

The investigation of a medieval barrel-latrine from Worcester

The contents of a 15th century barrel-latrine from Worcester (U.K.) have been investigated. Twenty edible plant taxa were identified, mainly fruit, including gooseberry—an unusual find—while fig and grape may be exotics. Weld (used for dyeing) and linseed were also found. Seeds from cornfield weeds, wayside and wetland plants show the past presence of straw, hay and sedge, and the pollen spectra also show this. Broad bean, hemp/hop and borage pollen may represent food or drink, and abundant bran demonstrates the remains of cereal food like bread. Intestinal parasite ova give evidence of faeces, and the beetle remains are comparable with those from modern cesspits, the remains of grain and legume pests possibly coming from beetles consumed with infested food. The herring and eel bones may also have been eaten, but the chicken bones and larger fruit stones represent rubbish which would not have been swallowed. Some cloth remains were found. This study shows something of latrines, rubbish disposal, diet, living conditions and the general surroundings at the time.     

The tattoos of the Tyrolean Iceman: a light microscopical, ultrastructural and element analytical study

The Tyrolean iceman, a 5300-year-old mummy, presents tattoos on different parts of his body. Skin samples of several line tattoos and a cross tattoo were investigated by optical microscopy and various electron microscopy techniques (TEM, EFETEM, EELS, EDXS, electron diffraction). The epidermis of the investigated skin areas was mostly lacking. The tattooing particles are distributed in the connective tissue and could be identified as soot. In some areas between the soot particles, different silicate crystals are present such as almandine and quartz, along with some not exactly definable crystals. The crystals possibly derived from stones of the fireplace from which the soot was taken for tattooing. Additionally, in the medial part of the right leg, putative ash particles were seen in the tattooed area. Furthermore, in non-tattooed skin areas, a vivianite crystal and small grains of CaPO₄ and nearby Fe, P and O could be detected, these having formed most probably after the death of the Tyrolean Iceman during his long period in the mountains. On the surface of two leg specimens, a small layer with brown granules was visible by means of optical microscopy, and these were identified as melanin granules in the stratum basale of the epidermis.     

The use of wood in funerary pyres: random gathering or special selection of species? Case study of three necropolises from Poland

In this study, the analysis of charcoal remains from three prehistoric necropolises is presented. This botanical material formed part of funerary pyres and thus represents purposely gathered wood used for cremation ceremonies. Therefore, its anthracological analysis may indicate a special selection of wood, which may be a source of palaeoethnographic information about past rituals. However, a question remains as to whether or not the charcoal assemblages that originated from graves may also provide some palaeoecological information. In order to test both hypotheses, analysis of three Polish necropolises dating to the Bronze and the Iron Age were performed. In all charcoal assemblages, a taxonomic diversity among charcoals was detected, which may suggest that the wood was collected based on availability. This may also be inferred after observing that the presence of the most ubiquitous and frequently found taxa may be strongly correlated with present-day vegetation growing in the vicinity of the necropolises.     

Length of the Cubit

Abstract

From excavations of Bronze Age Levantine sites only rarely has there been archaeobotanical evidence of a specific dietary event which may be seen to reflect the daily life of the people against the background of their farming economy. Even more rare is one that may be examined scientifically for evidence of dried or preserved foodstuffs. An Early Bronze Age archaeobotanical assemblage at Tell es-Sa'idryeh in the Jordan valley has provided an opportunity for such an investigation on food remains burnt by the sudden conflagration of the room in which they were found. Scanning electron microscopic examination and experimental replication of the charred remains have provided new and vital information regarding the role of pickled and stored plant foods within the diet at the site during the period. The results have also contributed towards a revised interpretation of the room containing the plant remains as well as a wider understanding of agricultural practices at the site.     

试论郑州小双桥商代祭祀遗存的有关问题

郑州小双桥遗址发现了众多与祭祀有关的遗存,多数研究者认为其性质为宗庙祭祀.通过与其他祭祀遗存的比较,并对其祭祀现象进行分析,本文认为目前的考古发现还没有证据表明小双桥祭祀遗存的性质为宗庙祭祀,而更有可能是对自然神或战争进行祭祀的场所.     

Characterization of a current coprogenic sample originated by Canis lupus as a tool for identifying a taphonomic agent

We study a skeletal sample digested by Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) in order to finding diagnostic features of digestion caused by this agent. The remains were taken from scats collected in different natural areas in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula. We tested different methods to recover the remains with the goal of not produce biases, and we evaluated the most appropriate methods. The results were compared with those reported by other authors who have also worked with samples digested by wolves. Bias during the procurement of the skeletal assemblages seems to be a significant cause of the differences observed between the samples. We found that it was necessary to fully recover all remains and individually analyze all modifications, even in small-sized remains. Taphonomic characterization was performed by analyzing physical and biochemical modifications. We believe that these results may be useful in the study of archaeological and paleontological assemblages.     

Birds and burials at Ajvide (Gotland,Sweden) and Zvejnieki (Latvia) about 8000–3900 BP

Animal bones in human burials may reveal aspects of the relationship between animals and humans. This article describes the roles of birds in mortuary practices and in the ideology of Stone Age northern Europe. Bird bones from two large burial sites, Middle Neolithic Ajvide (Gotland, Sweden) and Mesolithic and Neolithic Zvejnieki (Latvia) are investigated with osteological methods. Beads and pendants were fashioned from the wing bones of waterbirds, and used in the decoration of the body or the burial dress. The jay was found in three Neolithic burials at Zvejnieki, and it may have been a totem animal for the Middle Neolithic people at Zvejnieki, and its wings or feathers were presumably attached to dresses and costumes for the dead. Bird remains in burials at Ajvide, Zvejnieki and some other Stone Age cemeteries may indicate similar features in the way of perceiving birds, especially the possible symbolic roles of waterbirds and wings. The findings are discussed from the perspective of the cosmology of historical hunter–gatherer (and herding) groups in modern Russia.     

江西靖安老虎墩史前遗址发掘简报

老虎墩遗址位于江西省靖安县城西北约15公里,在高湖镇中港村邓家自然村东约200米的台地上。2009～2010年,江西省文物考古研究所、厦门大学历史系考古专业、靖安县博物馆联合对遗址进行了发掘,揭示出从史前时期到明代中期的文化内涵。本文主要对老虎墩遗址的史前遗存进行了介绍,分为下层遗存和上层遗存。下层遗存有房址、道路、灰坑等,出土有石器和陶器;上层遗存有墓葬、房址、灰坑,出土器物主要是陶器。下层文化陶器表现出较早的形态,初步推断其年代在距今6000年之前;上层文化可能是江西省一支新的古文化类型,年代距今5000～4500年。     

Premaxillary suture in early polynesians

The patency of the premaxillary suture in adult humans remains controversial. Here we report on the extent and shape of the suture in 51 precontact New Zealand Maori adults (21 males, 30 females). When data were combined for both sides and also for full or more than half patency, males showed a prevalence of 44.2% and females of 33.5%. Females were found to have significantly more sinusoidal rather than V‐shaped forms. We hypothesize that the retention of the premaxillary suture into adulthood may be a neotenic feature which has allowed the Maori to achieve their uniquely large phenotype. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Do temporal size differences influence species identification of archaeological albatross remains when using modern reference samples?

Zooarchaeological remains have been identified to species, using identification criteria based on specific morphological variations among modern specimens. However, temporal size changes in bones, due to micro-evolution and/or phenotypic plasticity, could distort identification of archaeological remains according to these criteria. We developed species identification criteria for North Pacific albatrosses (Short-tailed, Laysan and Black-footed Albatrosses) using both mensural- and DNA-based analysis and actually identified many archaeological remains from a site using these criteria. Our mensural-based criteria could accurately discriminate the modern Short-tailed Albatross from modern Laysan and Black-footed Albatrosses and indicated that the archaeological remains included both Short-tailed and Laysan or Black-footed Albatrosses. DNA-based criteria, however, suggested that all remains were Short-tailed Albatross. The most plausible explanation for this inconsistency would be misidentification using mensural-based analysis, due to temporal size changes in bones or existence of birds from extinct population(s) or breeding region(s) with mensurally different bones from recent birds. This is the first study that suggests temporal size changes in bones may distort the species identification of archaeological remains according to modern size variations. Further studies are required to judge if this pattern is unusual or not.     

陕西近年出土的水牛遗存及中国本土水牛的进化

本文分析了陕西渭河流域新出土的更新世杨氏水牛和全新世的圣水牛头骨和颅后骨,并对比了其他地区出土的水牛标本。作者根据新的资料讨论了水牛种属的分类、进化及驯化问题。渭河流域在更新世时期至少有圣水牛,它很可能是更新世短角水牛的后代。它在进入全新世之前形体也许有所减小;但全新世早、中期(距今8000-3000年),没有迹象表明它的形体有所缩小,圣水牛的这一变化应该不是受人类活动影响(如驯化)的结果,但是否为适应气候变化而发生还有待研究。     

黑龙江省海林市山咀子渤海墓葬

山咀子墓葬是一处重要的唐代渤海国时期墓地,位于黑龙江省海林市新安镇山咀子(大队)居民点。1966、1967年经前后两次调查并发掘了29座墓葬,其中7座为石棺墓,其余均为封土石室墓。山咀子墓群的葬俗有较复杂的形态,有一次葬、二次葬及两种葬式共存的现象。墓葬多数保存尚好,部分人骨亦较完整。发现了陶器4件,陶片数十件,铜器66件,铁器27件。这些发现为我们研究唐代渤海历史与文化提供了重要的实物资料。     

New radiological approach for analysis and identification of foreign objects in ancient and historic mummies

Traditional x-ray images of mummies may reveal foreign objects lodged within the body or its wrappings, but can only give a vague idea of the material of which these objects consist. More precise information may be obtained by means of computed tomography which delivers not only a three-dimensional reconstruction of the object's shape, but also a measurement of radiodensity and a representation of the radiological structure.While the density values and structures of body tissues and substances are well documented in radiological publications, little data exist of material not usually found in the human body. The aim of this study is to analyse the radiological density and structure of a series of test objects, so that these may serve as a reference for comparison with potential foreign objects found in mummified remains. Value and limitations of this method are discussed and the practical application is demonstrated through four examples.     

Evidence for Differential Ancient DNA Survival in Human and Pig Bones from the Norse North Atlantic

Current models of DNA degradation and previous research on Icelandic human skeletons predict ancient DNA preservation in the Norse North Atlantic faunal remains to be excellent. In contrast, we found that DNA preservation in Viking‐Age pig remains was poor. We posit that this discrepancy in DNA survival between human and faunal remains is due to differing taphonomies. Our results highlight that DNA degradation is strongly dictated by micro‐environmental taphonomic processes even in regions where the climate is conducive to DNA survival. Due to these differences, DNA preservation in animal remains may not be suitable proxies for DNA preservation in associated human remains. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Taphonomic analysis of remains of mammals eaten by pumas (Puma concolor Carnivora, Felidae) in central Argentina

Prey remains recovered from puma (Puma concolor) scat were analyzed in order to identify taphonomic features produced on them by this predator. Mammal remains are abundant in puma scat, but recognition of bone remains decreases as prey size increases. Modifications produced by digestion are strong. However, micromammal bones show a gradation in preservation that includes well preserved specimens. Data presented here and their interpretation may possibly be extrapolated to zooarchaeological or paleontological assemblage.     

Non-invasive Archaeology of Skeletal Material by CT Scanning and Three-dimensional Reconstruction

The remains of an ancient Sumerian skeleton, approximately 7000 years old, were investigated using the techniques of stereolithography. The very fragile and delicate skeletal material was recovered in a block, thus retaining it in the soil matrix. The excavated block was CT-scanned and the skeletal material was rendered in three dimensions. This formed the basis for a stereolithographic model of the mandible, which was used for physical and dental anthropological studies. Skeletal remains may thus be made available for research without having to remove them from the local matrix, which may be an advantage in an archaeological or palaeoanthropological setting. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

山东章丘市孙家东南遗址的发掘

1996年9月～11月,山东省文物考古研究所对章丘市龙山镇孙家东南遗址进行了钻探和发掘,所获遗存分西周晚期至春秋、战国早中期等几个阶段,其文化特征与中原地区基本一致,但也有一定的地方特色。该遗址与城子崖城址有较密切的关系。