Cattle mobility in prehistoric Britain: strontium isotope analysis of cattle teeth from Durrington Walls (Wiltshire,Britain)

An important role has been envisaged for cattle during the Neolithic period in Britain based on their prominence within the faunal assemblages of the period as a whole. The relative ease with which cattle can be moved over long distances and the requirement to provide ample pastureland leads almost inescapably to the consideration of prehistoric cattle movement. This paper presents the results of an investigation into the mobility of Late Neolithic cattle at the well-known site of Durrington Walls, Wiltshire. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values from cattle (Bos taurus) teeth were compared to local vegetation samples, well established values from archaeological material and to known geological conditions in order to determine whether individual animals were raised in areas with similar geological conditions as those found at the site (i.e. chalkland), and therefore whether the animals were of allochthonous or autochthonous origin. In total, 13 mandibular molars from Durrington Walls were analysed. Two of the animals included in the study were certainly raised under conditions similar to those found in the vicinity of Durrington Walls, but the other 11 provided signatures so distinct from that found locally that they could not have been raised on chalkland. From the results it is suggested that cattle were brought to the site from a variety of grazing areas in different parts of Britain. The implication of these findings is that the movement of cattle was undertaken during the Late Neolithic, and that in a number of cases substantial distances must have been traversed in order for animals to reach the site. In addition, the study provided valuable information for the interpretation of the site, which attracted people from a variety of regions, probably for ceremonial reasons.     

Morphological changes in domestic cattle in Gaul,from the second century BC to the fifth century AD: diversity of herds in the Seine valley (France) and northern Gaul

In Western Europe the transition from the Iron Age to the Roman period is the scene of a rapid economic and agro-pastoral evolution characterized in particular by a modification in the shape of the cattle. Understanding this phenomenon, its implementation mechanisms and development dynamics represents a major challenge in archaeozoology. In our study a local and regional approach of the evolution in cattle morphology is carried out first on the scale of the middle Seine valley, then of the northern Gaul. Its purpose is to observe and compare the evolution rates in domestic cattle between Middle La Tène and the fifth century AD, and with the help of a tight chronological and geographical grid, to estimate to what extent the shape of the cattle has been influenced by the indigenous cultures, the Roman economic pattern or even the environment. This osteometrical study is based on the Log Size Index method and on a measurement corpus of 12,969 bones collected on sites located on 117 communes in France (for most of them), Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland. The results we obtained show local specificities in terms of breeding methods and animal morphologies, observed on a very fine scale and taking place long before the Conquest. Moreover the growth patterns of the various herds happen to be different and to evolve under the impetus of the developing Roman economic pattern. This work thus points out an essential aspect of the agro-pastoral turmoil that took place in Gaul at the turning point of our era. The Roman pattern is not the cause of the morphological changes of the cattle, nor of the diversity in cattle shapes in Gaul, but it provokes a reshaping of the agricultural systems and a redefining of the breeding strategies which boost and completely change the cattle growth patterns.     

Stable isotope palaeodietary study of humans and fauna from the multi-period (Iron Age,Viking and Late Medieval) site of Newark Bay,Orkney

We report here on stable carbon and nitrogen isotope measurements of human and faunal bone collagen from the Iron Age, Viking Age, and Late Medieval site of Newark Bay, Orkney, Scotland. We found a wide range of results for humans in both δ¹³C (−15.4‰ to −20.3‰) and δ¹⁵N (8.6‰–15.6‰) values. The enriched carbon and nitrogen values indicate the consumption of significant amounts of marine protein, which is very unusual for post-Mesolithic (e.g. 4000 cal BC) UK and European populations. Also of interest is a statistically significant difference in δ¹³C (t = −2.48, p = 0.011) and δ¹⁵N (t = −2.44, p = 0.011) values, and therefore diets, between adult males and females at this site, with males (δ¹³C = −17.8 ± 1.2‰, δ¹⁵N = 13.2 ± 1.6‰) having, on average, a higher proportion of marine protein than females (δ¹³C = −18.9 ± 1.1‰, δ¹⁵N = 11.8 ± 1.8‰). The weaning age of the sub-adults was difficult to interpret due to the large isotopic variation in the adult females, but nearly all individuals between birth and 1.25 years have elevated δ¹⁵N values indicating that they were breastfed to some extent.     

Late Stone Age subsistence in the Tilemsi Valley, Mali: Stable isotope analysis of human and animal remains from the site of Karkarichinkat Nord (KN05) and Karkarichinkat Sud (KS05)

The pathways leading to the adoption of cereal cultivation and pastoralism in West Africa are poorly understood. In order to elucidate the transition to food production during the Late Stone Age in Mali’s Tilemsi Valley samples of ancient and modern human and animal remains were selected for carbon and oxygen isotope analysis. Our results indicate the inhabitants of Karkarichinkat Nord (KN05) consumed considerable quantities (85%) of carbon derived from C₄ plants, either directly in the form of C₄ grasses such as wild Panicum sp. and possibly domestic Pennisetum sp. or indirectly through the consumption of C₄ grazers such as Bos sp. and Ovis sp.     

The glass of Nogara (Verona): a “window” on production technology of mid-Medieval times in Northern Italy

The site of Nogara (province of Verona, Italy) provides valuable insights into the complexities of the glass industry in mid-Medieval times, due to its timing, which ranges mainly between the 10th and 11th centuries AD, and to the great quantity of glass findings, mainly tableware. In the present paper, the combination of archaeological, chemical and textural data allows us to identify production technologies in a time-interval perceived to be a period of technological transition for glass. In particular, the frequent occurrence of recycled natron glass and only a few glass samples made with soda plant ash indicate that recycling of earlier glass was common in inland Northern Italy in the 10th–11th centuries AD. In addition, blue and reticello decorations were obtained by recycling earlier glass mosaic tesserae, as shown by much Co, Cu, Sn, Sb and Pb and the presence of crystallised calcium antimonates. A few glass samples with chemical compositions intermediate between natron and soda plant ash glass were also identified, suggesting a gradual change in glass composition from natron-based towards soda ash-based production technology, which prevailed in the 13th-14th centuries. In conclusion, the difficulty in describing mid-Medieval glass as a well-defined entity, due to the great propensity for recycling earlier glass samples which causes variability in chemical compositions, particularly those of trace elements, is clearly documented here. In any case, this paper contributes to a new type of chrono-typological scanning and to more detailed knowledge of glass production technology during mid-Medieval times in Northern Italy, little found in the literature until now.     

《前秦建元籍》与汉唐间籍帐制度的变化

《前秦建元籍》是目前所见最早的纸本户籍,其第三栏登载的是每户的赀产状况,而非财产转移的记录。该文书标明三月籍,不同于秦汉时期的八月造籍和唐代的正月造籍,这可能与当时特定的历史背景有关。该籍中户主的籍贯分别注明州、郡、县、乡、里,与秦汉三国时期的户籍简只注明里名有很大差异,说明纸本户籍不再局限于保存在乡、县,而是要进一步上呈郡、州,直至中央机构。从登载的内容和统计的重点看,《前秦建元籍》与走马楼户籍简中的凡口若干一类性质相近;但以往的户籍简是一年更造,该籍与南朝户籍则是数年一造,据此可以推测当时的纸本户籍背后已有每年度编造的计帐类文书存在。     

大高玄殿建筑群变迁考略

大高玄殿始建于明代嘉靖二十一年,殿内供三清等道教诸神,是明世宗建造用于祈祷斋醮的一座皇家道观。清代沿用,仍作为皇帝拈香祈拜之所。乾隆朝,曾对大高玄殿建筑进行局部调整,但宫殿主体格局未变,一直保持至清代末年。民国以后,为了便利交通,拆除了山门外的牌楼和音乐亭,其他宫殿保存至今。这些宫殿建筑类型齐全,大木结构各具特色,反映了明代中期建筑营造的技艺水平;宫殿的平面布局以及遗存的建筑彩画、石质雕刻等具有鲜明的皇家道观特点。这处曾作为皇家宗教活动重要场所的明清宫殿建筑群,无论在宫廷建筑史还是宗教史领域都有较高的研究价值。     

西汉淮阳国(郡)辖域的变迁

西汉淮阳国封域变迁分为三个时期.高帝至景帝时为第一个时期,淮阳在郡、国之间转换频繁,封域有增有减;景帝三年至宣帝元康三年时为第二个时期,淮阳郡东界、北界不断拓展,先后得到楚国、梁国一些区域.第三个时期为宣帝重置淮阳国直到新莽时国除,此时淮阳国的封域大为削减.淮阳国所处的"中间地带"是决定其封域变迁的地理基础,而汉廷对诸...     

The production of speiss (iron arsenide) during the Early Bronze Age in Iran

In this paper, analyses of some unusual slag samples from the prehistoric site of Tepe Hissar in northeastern Iran are presented. These slags are the remains of a five-thousand-year-old pyrotechnological process that produced speiss, a quasi-metallic material usually formed as an accidental by-product of copper or lead smelting. We argue that the “speiss slags” from Tepe Hissar suggest the intentional production of iron–arsenic alloy (“speiss”) in prehistory. Why the Tepe Hissar metalworkers produced speiss is a question that requires further investigation, but our preliminary assessment suggests that it was to provide arsenic as an alloying component for arsenical copper, the preferred copper alloy during much of the Early Bronze Age in Iran, and widely used across the ancient world. This recognition significantly advances our understanding of the early stages of metallurgy in the Old World.     

Dental microwear study of pigs from the classical site of Sagalassos (SW Turkey) as an aid for the reconstruction of husbandry practices in ancient times

Abstract

Microwear analysis of pig teeth from the classical site of Sagalassos (SW Turkey) is undertaken to obtain insight into pig management strategies in this region from the 1st to 7th centuries AD. Earlier research on modern pigs revealed significant differences in microwear patterns between stall-fed and free-ranging, rooting individuals. A comparison of the microwear data of the Sagalassos pig with those from archaeological and modern pigs with a known or presumed type of management shows that the microwear of the Sagalassos pigs is very different. It is suggested that the Sagalassos pigs had a very soft, non-abrasive diet, that in the first instance cannot be attributed to either management type. Therefore, the nature of the substrate on which the animals were foraging and its impact on microwear are considered and the microwear data are compared with the results of previous archaeozoological research carried out at the site. Further, diachronic changes in microwear patterns are investigated.     

Changes in the Physico-Chemical and Microbial Nature of Wetlands from the Leaching of Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA)-Treated Wood

Abstract

Microbial activities are responsible for reducing the harmful effects of pollutants in different burial environments. Within wetlands in particular, microorganisms play an important role in the transformation of heavy metals and metalloids via direct or indirect oxidation/reduction. In turn, these microbial transformations can lead to the detoxification of pollutant elements such as copper, chromium and arsenic that comprise CCA-treated wood.

CCA was the most commonly used wood preservative in the UK (up until its partial ban in 2004). CCA prolongs the service life of wood by making it resistant to microbiological attack. As such, it has been regularly used in the construction of platforms and boardwalks in wetlands. However, recent concerns over the impact of the chemical constituents of this treatment on both the environment and human health have prompted the introduction of legislation in order to ensure that this type of treated wood is disposed of in accordance with the relevant health and safety guidelines.

In light of this information, it is important to assess changes in the physico-chemical and microbial nature of wetlands associated with the leaching of CCA from wooden structures. The results will not only provide a greater scope for understanding the implications associated with the in situ preservation of the archaeological resource contained within these environments, but also highlight the potential ramifications for wetland ecosystem dynamics.     

从《味水轩日记》、《六研斋笔记》看李日华绘画史观之转变

明代书画家、收藏家李日华没有象董其昌那样用明晰的语句来概述他对绘画史的整体认识,但从李日华《味水轩日记》、《六研斋笔记》等著作对绘画作品的品鉴中,仍可看到他对绘画史有一个自成体系的把握和理解。本文试图将李日华现存著述、题跋中有关绘画的品鉴和个人认识汇集起来,从而勾勒出李日华的绘画史观念。     

Dysentery in the crusader kingdom of Jerusalem: an ELISA analysis of two medieval latrines in the City of Acre (Israel)

Dysentery was a significant cause of ill health during medieval times according to written sources of the period. However, it has been very difficult to detect the organisms that cause dysentery in archaeological samples from latrines and cesspools. This is because the cysts of the enteric parasites that cause dysentery are very small and usually fragment in the soil, in contrast to the robust ova of parasitic intestinal worms. This study uses a monoclonal enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique to identify the fragments of those enteric parasites that cause diarrhoea. Samples were taken from two excavated medieval latrines in the city of Acre. Coins and radiocarbon dating suggest that the latrines were in use during the thirteenth century CE. Positive results were noted for Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia duodenalis, while Cryptosporidium parvum was negative. This is the first time that either of these parasites have been identified in the Middle East using these methods.     

Ushnus of the Inca provincial region: An analysis of two ceremonial platforms from Inca sites in Catamarca (Argentina)

The Inca polity deployed a variety of strategies in the establishment of imperial relations with the local communities of the southern provinces. These strategies included the translation of symbols materialized in architectural structures. In this sense, the ceremonial platforms denominated ushnus were spaces with particular significance and high hierarchy.     

个旧锡业开发与生态环境变迁(1890-1949)

随着1889年蒙自的开关,尤其是1910年滇越铁路的全线通车,极大地改善了云南的对外交通运输条件,推动了个旧锡业的迅速发展。在1890年至1949年的60年间,个旧共生产大锡323042吨,个旧锡业也取代铜业成为近代云南的矿业支柱。个旧锡业在推动云南矿业发展的同时,也对个旧及周边地区生态环境产生了巨大的影响。在1890年至1949年的60年间,个旧地区仅土法炼锡就至少消耗45万吨以上木炭。个旧、蒙自、建水、开远和石屏五县地区天然林平均覆盖率从清初的90%锐减至1940年的2.98%,近三百年间减少了80%以上,个旧锡业开发显然是五县天然林平均覆盖率急剧减少的重要原因。同时,锡矿的大量粗放开采和冶炼,也污染了个旧地区的土壤、水源和空气环境,带来了环境污染问题,影响了当地民众尤其是矿工的身体健康。因此,锡业开发是导致近代个旧及周边地区生态环境变迁的重要原因。     

日伪时期淮南煤矿的经营管理(1938-1945)

淮南煤矿是国民政府建设委员会创建的官办煤矿.日军侵占淮南煤矿,目的在于掠夺淮南煤炭资源,为其侵华战争服务.为此,日本帝国主义采用高度垄断的方式和掠夺式的开采方法经营管理淮南煤矿,使日伪时期淮南煤矿的经营管理具有垄断性、掠夺性和残酷性特征.     

南京国民政府前期官费留学经费考察(1927-1937)

近代中国留学事业蓬勃兴起.南京国民政府成立初期,在留学管理政策等方面基本延续了晚清和北洋政府时期的相关政策,但还是有一定的区别,主要体现在留学经费的来源与使用方面.南京国民政府初年留学经费来源渠道不一,在经费拮据的前提下,政府实行了严格的预决算制度.此外,政府还通过鼓励团体和私人资助等形式多方筹措资金,以保障公费留学生的培养所需.经费使用方面,政府在保障学费供给的前提下,为鼓励留学生学业更进一步,对于继续深造的学生往往给予一定资费补助,同时加大了对自费留学生的奖励和扶持.通过对南京国民政府初年留学经费来源和使用情况的考察,发现其经费虽捉襟见肘,但经费的筹措与使用逐步明晰化、制度化,因而在留学生培养上取得了一定成效.     

北宋时期疫灾地理研究

北宋时期(960-1127年)有记载的疫灾年份59个,疫灾频度为35.1%。其疫灾多发生于春、夏季节,秋、冬季节较少发生。整个北宋时期,疫灾频度呈周期性波动上升趋势,除960-969年上接五代疫灾周期和1120-1129年下接南宋疫灾周期外,其余时间可以划分出3个波长为50年的波动周期,第一波(970-1019年)疫灾频度为10%-40%;第二波(1020-1069年)疫灾频度为20%-60%;第三波(1070-1119年)疫灾频度为20%-70%。疫灾主要发生在黄河中下游、江淮之间及长江中下游地区,华南地区很少有疫灾流行,且疫灾都与战争有关。长江三角洲和开封地区为全国一级疫灾中心,成都、西安、洛阳、长沙为次一级疫灾中心。这些疫灾中心的形成,既与其人口密度相对较高有关,也与其人口流动性相对较高有关。     

中国北方地区龙山时代聚落的变迁

黄河流域的龙山时代对于考察复杂社会的发展是极其重要的。因为在中国,考古学被认为是一门历史学科,许多关于龙山时代的研究涉及到对后来夏、商、西周的先行文化的识别。与之相关的另一重要问题是中...