The Use of Optical Coherence Tomography for Monitoring the Subsurface Morphologies of Archaic Jades

We demonstrate the use of the Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) technique for non‐invasive scanning of the subsurface morphologies of jade objects. The two‐dimensional tomography images show the refractive index or dielectric constant variations in the samples, reflecting their structures. Three samples of archaic jade objects from the Qijia and Liangzhu cultures in China are scanned in order to understand the subsurface morphologies of the naturally whitened jades. Also, two jade objects with artificial treatments (burning) are scanned and compared with the original materials in subsurface structures. In the original objects, the jade materials can generally be quite transparent, such that the backscattering intensity is weak, although the large‐scale (tens of microns or larger) subsurface morphology can be clearly observed. After burning, small‐scale (smaller than a few microns) structures are formed and the backscattering intensity is enhanced. In this situation, the large‐scale structures may be preserved or even newly generated. On the other hand, in an archaic object with natural whitening, small‐scale structures are also formed. Hence, the deeper distributions of significant backscattering intensity are observed, when compared with the unwhitened objects. Nevertheless, the large‐scale features diminish during the whitening process. With OCT scanning, such differences in subsurface morphology can provide us a valuable reference for authenticating archaic jade objects.     

First Trials to Set Up a Microwave Reflectometric Tool for the Survey of Historic Timber Structures

Timber structures can be degraded during their life both by structural problems and by biological degradation factors like fungi and insects. The occurrence of those biodegradation agents could lead to a loss of their structural integrity, in the absence of appropriate maintenance. An early assessment of the decay is even more important when the wooden structures are part of historical buildings, in the interest of conservation of cultural heritage.

This article presents an application of microwave reflectometry for the in situ evaluation of timber structures. The measurement system allows detecting anomalies inside the material in a non-destructive and non-invasive manner.

The reflection coefficient is measured by means of a vector network analyzer (VNA) using a double-ridge antenna which transmits the continuous-wave (CW) microwave signal and receives the signal reflected by the material under investigation.

Measurements on laboratory models demonstrated the feasibility of the method. Results obtained on timber beam sections, compared with the findings of traditional investigation methodologies, demonstrate the potentiality of microwave reflectometry, suggesting its possible usefulness during the diagnostic phase as a non-invasive tool for preliminary screening.     

从宋代诗文看幽思与胜览思想对宋代地图学发展的影响

幽思与胜览是两宋时代地图学中的两个重要思想脉络。在思想感情与意识形态之外,它们对当时地图学发展的影响大致体现在这样几个方面:促进了政府测绘边疆地图的同时,激发了私人对边地的探险旅行和地图测绘活动;各类"天下"舆图的绘制,在文化和空间上塑造了王朝整体地域形象;推动了历史地图和州郡类区域地理图的不断发展。另一个值得注意的现象则是,在强烈的思想感情驱使下,石碑作为一种特殊的材质成为宋代地图绘制的重要载体,推动了地图绘制形式的发展。与幽思相比,胜览更多地体现了宋代地图学发展中的乐观因素,推动了八景图意象的兴起和山岳地图的流行,在中国地图学中开出一朵灿烂夺目的以审美为核心的地图分支。     

The Woodland and Mississippian traditions in the prehistory of Midwestern North America

Cultural developments in Midwestern North America between 5000 and 400 B.P. are reviewed and related to two overlapping, but contrasting, cultural traditions: Woodland and Mississippian. Significant changes in prehistoric subsistence systems, settlement patterns, and sociopolitical organization are reviewed within a three-division framework, beginning with a Transitional period (5000–2000 B.P.) when Late Archaic and Early Woodland societies settled into different regions, constructed regional markers (cemeteries, mounds, earthworks), and established economic and social relations with both neighboring and more distant groups. This was followed by the Middle Woodland period (2000–1500 B.P.) that is associated with the Hopewell climax of long-distance exchange of exotic materials, mound building, and ceremonial activities, although all Middle Woodland groups did not participate in this Hopewell interaction sphere. In the Late Prehistoric period (1500–400 B.P.), the Woodland tradition persisted in some areas, while the Mississippian tradition developed from local Late Woodland societies elsewhere. Finally, the patterns of interaction between the two traditions are discussed.     

汉代华北的耕作与环境:关于三杨庄遗址内农田垄作的探讨

2003年,河南省内黄县三杨庄汉代村落遗址内发现有大面积的农田遗迹,其中保存有比较完整的旱田垄作形态。汉代聚落遗址内出现农田垄作这一事实,很容易使人联想到汉武帝晚期主要在黄土高原地区推行过的"代田法",现在已经有相关学者对两者作过初步的比较研究;三杨庄遗址内的农田在当时处于华北平原黄河下游的沿岸地带,受当地自然环境的显著影响,其垄作形态相对于"代田法"也出现了一些变化。在相当长的历史时期内,华北平原的自然环境与黄土高原地区一直存在着很大的差异,两地的农业技术也遵循各自独特的发展规律,因此,不能简单地认为三杨庄遗址内农田就是"代田法"的遗存;三杨庄农田遗址的"垄作"作为反映汉代华北平原耕作情况的一个珍贵个案,不会脱离春秋战国时期"畎亩法"的范畴以外,在研究中应该将"垄作法"发展的历史与华北平原的特殊环境结合起来,以探讨三杨庄遗址农田垄作的真实面貌。     

当代德国史学界国际关系史研究新趋势

近年来,德国史学界的国际关系史研究发生了一系列变化,其研究内容不仅仅包括传统的外交关系,而且也包括国家和非国家行为人跨民族、跨文化的交往。虽然强调文化的重要性的观点只在小范围内得到贯彻,但是对外交官身边的人的研究、对正式外交关系建立之前的前外交活动的研究日益增多。以往有关国家关系研究主要是以欧洲为中心的,现在,欧洲国家同欧洲以外的"异文化边缘共同体"的关系也被列入国际史学研究的日程表了。     

《后魏孝文帝与高句丽王云诏》中所见魏、丽形势及双方关系

北魏孝文帝给高句丽王高云的诏书是一份非常重要的文献,诏书于太和十六年九、十月份发出,要求高句丽派遣王弟入朝,高句丽最终顺从了北魏的要求。诏书内容可以弥补多件文献阙载的历史事件,可以藉此了解孝文帝精心策划迁都洛阳过程中对内树立权威、对外极力笼络的手段,对研究高句丽国情、魏丽关系大有裨益。     

湖滩争夺与省界成型——以皖北青冢湖为例

在传统地方史志的记载中,对于一个行政区疆域的记载往往是以"四至八到"的形式来表示的,依照这种粗略的记载,在很多地区根本无法准确的划出政区之间的边界。在各级政区的边界类型中,又属省界的地位比较特殊。对于省界争端的处理往往会面临"属人主义"和"属地主义"两种原则的抉择,而争端的处理过程其实体现了中央政府、省政府、基层政府与普通民众之间的多重复杂、互动的关系。民国时期青冢湖苏皖省界纠纷的处理过程正是体现了上述关系,并且展现了原本模糊的省级政区界限逐渐演变为精确的几何界线的动态过程。     

试论古代以色列民族的历史观——从资料构成、史书编集到观念的形成

与古代埃及和西亚诸国只留下编年体的历史记载不同,古代以色列民族具有自己鲜明的历史意识;与古代希腊充满人本精神的历史记载也不同,以色列民族历史观的实质是一神论的神权历史观.他们将对耶和华神的信仰融入对民族历史发展的思考和解释之中,其历史书卷的编写几乎持续了一千年之久,在这一过程中,以色列历史成为"历史就是耶和华神对以色列民族的救赎史"的生动体现.     

隋唐长安辖县乡里考新补

隋代长安城下辖大兴、长安二县,唐代为万年、长安二县。它们的郊区,据宋敏求《长安志》记载共有104乡。但其乡名、里名及其位置多已淹没无闻。武伯纶曾据唐代墓志资料补出了近70个乡的名称,并推定了大多数乡的位置。本文在武伯纶等人论文的基础上,利用新出墓志资料补出了隋代14乡、5里,唐代16乡、33村、19里。唐代的乡名基本沿用隋代之旧。唐代的乡与里分属不同的系统,之间无统辖关系。清代董曾臣所谓“唐长安有50乡”,是因版本而致误,唐长安的乡数应以宋敏求的记载为准。     

楼兰简纸文书西晋纪年中断始末

自曹魏以来,楼兰文书一直行用中原纪年,却于晋武帝泰始六年(270)中断。根据楼兰简纸文书、元康三年(293)苻信简等出土资料,结合传世文献,作者认为学界已有树机能叛乱使纪年中断的观点恐不能成立,苻信简透露出西部鲜卑南下滋扰,西晋为此采取了收缩政策。张轨刺凉后,彻底肃清了河西寇乱,重建了楼兰的屯戍,楼兰文书得以再现西晋正朔。     

The Ogygoptyngidae,a new family of owls from the Paleocene of North America

When Ogygoptynx wetmorei was reported by Rich & Bohaska (1976), it appeared to represent a unique and new avian group. Detailed comparisons of this Early Paleocene form from Colorado (USA) have clearly demonstrated that it is distinct from North American protostrigids and all European Palaeogene owls and that it is intermediate between the modern typical owls (Strigidae) and barn owls (Tytonidae). A new monotypic family of owls, the Ogygoptyngidae, is proposed to include this form.     

《师旂鼎》所反映西周的军法制度

《师旂鼎》铭文所记载的是一篇军法判例。本文根据铭文记载的内容归纳出西周有关军法制度的若干法律条文,这些条文反映了西周初期司法程式的完备,对西周法律制度的研究有重要作用。     

伏虎罗汉、行脚僧、宝胜如来与达摩多罗——11至13世纪中国多民族美术关系史个案分析

本文从分析宁夏贺兰山山嘴沟所见伏虎罗汉入手,梳理了汉藏罗汉图像的差异,重点考察了藏传佛教罗汉中伏虎罗汉、布袋和尚与达摩多罗图像的来源。作者认为,达摩多罗名号与图像的形成与吐蕃禅宗、禅宗保唐派、唐五代行脚僧及其变化的宝胜如来信仰密切相关,并与佛陀波利以及流行于两宋的布袋和尚信仰相互交织。论文解释了新罗僧与宝胜如来的信仰如何引发藏传罗汉达摩多罗与宁夏贺兰山之间特殊的联系,这些错综复杂的信仰与图像演变是中国11—13世纪多民族美术关系史的集中映现。     

美国中央情报局在中国西藏的准军事行动新探(1949～1969)

1949～1969年,美国中央情报局在中国西藏从事了一系列准军事行动,其实质是为美国远东战略利益服务,目标是利用西藏分裂势力遏制与分裂中国。其具体内容包括:为西藏叛乱分子提供情报和准军事训练技术;在西藏实施公路袭扰和破坏行动;为达赖集团提供军事物资和活动经费;开展针对中国的情报活动,等等。     

唐折冲府补考

劳经原、罗振玉、谷霁光三家曾利用各种文献与出土的金石、墓志等对唐代折冲府予以补校和研究,而后,随唐代墓志的大量出现和整理,一些学者也开始关注此问题,并相继发表了一些相关论文。笔者继之,据新刊唐代墓志及所见文献等,依前人之成例,对唐代折冲府略做补考。     

The use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis in ancient skeletons

The polymerase chain reaction has been used to extract ancient DNA from a wide range of different types of material. We have considered the possibility of finding residual bacterial DNA in bone that may have been infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis using this technique. We propose a method of collecting samples and testing for the presence of degraded genetic material in ancient bone. The steps of the polymerase chain reaction are detailed and discussed, as are those for the preparation of the bone sample. Results obtained would suggest that this technique could have wide application in osteoarchaeological research by giving us new information on diseases of antiquity. Future avenues for the investigation of bacterial DNA in ancient bone are suggested.