RAILWAYS AND MINING: THE ROLE OF THE TRAIN IN THE EXPLOITATION OF THE CERRO MURIANO MINE (CÓRDOBA,SPAIN)

Abstract

Since its inception, the railway has been intimately connected with mining. On one hand, the arrival of trains permitted the large-scale development of numerous mines far from the sea, with the railways facilitating supply delivery to the mine as well as the transport of its products to ports or industrial centres and other interior points. On the other hand, railways depended on the mines being provided with raw materials and fuel. Thus, during the 19th and 20th centuries, a close relationship was established between the two industries, often reflected in the capital invested. In this article, we study this relationship using the example of the British-worked Cerro Muriano mine (Córdoba, Spain).     

THE CONCEPTS OF “LI(礼)” AND “FA(法)” AS WELL AS THEIR LEGAL EXPRESSION IN ANCIENT CHINA AS SEEN IN THE EXCAVATED QIN AND HAN DOCUMENTS:A DISCUSSION OF THE THEORY OF THE CONFUCIANIZATION OF ANCIENT CHINESE LAW

<正>I.The problem of the relationship of li and fa in ancient Chinese law Because of differences in culture,an independent law system,the Chinese Law System,came into being with its differences from other law systems of the world,which are represented by the Continental Law System(also known as the Code Law System)and Anglo-American Law System(also known as the     

MAIZE ADOPTION AND INTENSIFICATION IN THE CENTRAL ILLINOIS RIVER VALLEY: AN ANALYSIS OF ARCHAEOBOTANICAL DATA FROM THE LATE WOODLAND TO EARLY MISSISSIPPIAN PERIODS (A.D. 600–1200)

Abstract

We consider the causes and timing of maize (Zea mays) intensification in the central Illinois River valley and argue that an understanding of changes in maize production requires a consideration of changes occurring in the entire plant subsistence system. To this end, we explore trends in the collection and production of plant foods from the Late Woodland (A.D. 600–1100) to Early Mississippian periods (A.D. 1100–1200). The plant data reveal a stepwise decrease in nut collection during the Late Woodland period, and again during the transition to the Early Mississippian period. This pattern is accompanied by statistical increases in maize abundance, indicating an intensification of maize production around A.D. 1100. We consider these patterns in light of similar maize increases occurring throughout the Eastern Woodlands and evaluate several possible interpretations related to population pressure, climate change, competitive generosity, and cultural emulation, the latter which appears to have been inspired by prolonged contact between local populations and Mississippian groups in the greater Cahokia area.     

RADIOCARBON TRENDS AND THE EAST TEXAS CADDO TRADITION (CA. A.D. 800–1680)

Abstract

Through the employment of radiocarbon (¹⁴C) dates as data, we use the date combination process to refine site-specific summed probability distributions for 555 dates from Caddo sites (n = 19) in East Texas with 10 or more ¹⁴C dates. Summed probability distributions are then contrasted across river basins and natural regions with the remainder of the East Texas Caddo Radiocarbon Database (n = 338 dates from 132 other Caddo sites), highlighting the temporal and spatial character of Caddo archaeological sites throughout East Texas.     

THE TECHNOLOGY OF PRODUCTION OF SASANIAN GLAZED POTTERY FROM VEH ARDAŠ?R (CENTRAL IRAQ)

Scanning electron microscopy coupled with an energy dispersive X‐ray detector (SEM‐EDS) has been used to study samples of Sasanian glazed pottery. Analysis of ceramic bodies revealed a general homogeneity in composition among the studied samples and the use of calcareous clay for their manufacture. Glazes are typically alkaline in composition, with sodium and potassium oxide contents between 8 and 13%, and between 3 and 5%, respectively; calcium and magnesium oxide contents are between 7 and 10%, and between 3 and 5%, respectively. These data suggest the use of plant ash together with a silica source for glaze production. Coating thickness is highly variable among different samples, from some 400 up to 1200 µm, but it is generally uniform when a single sample is concerned. Glazes are mostly coloured blue or blue‐green; copper and iron are the colouring agents detected; abundance of bubbles, silicate crystals and relics of unmelted material are responsible for their generally opaque appearance, together with the presence of weathering products. The characteristics of the body to glaze contact zone, together with the widespread presence of bubbles, would not rule out production by a single firing process. A few samples feature a peculiar gritty coating on one side of their surface; SEM images show that they are actually partially vitrified, and EDS data denote a rather heterogeneous composition. It seems possible that they result from mixing clay together with the frit used for glaze development.     

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF CERAMICS FROM THE CHRONOLOGICALLY TRANSITIONAL (LATE BRONZE – EARLY IRON AGE) SITE OF LINYOVO-1, SOUTHERN SIBERIA: METHODOLOGICAL PROSPECTS AND INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS

Linyovo-1, a Late Bronze – Early Iron Age site in southwestern Siberia, is highly important for the study of ceramic production as it offers a rare opportunity for directly examining the clay and paste of which the vessels were made. Technological analysis has allowed us to trace the changes produced by fi ring. For the fi rst time, results of petrographic, X-ray phase, and thermal analysis of vessels are being published. An algorithm of derivatographic measurements and the techniques of data processing and interpretation are outlined in some detail. Prospects for science-based methods of studying pottery are discussed. As an alternative to the traditional approach for assessing fi ring temperature on the basis of thermal analysis, we suggest using a comparative analysis of the preservation of clay components in the ceramic paste to evaluate the quality of fi ring. This approach can be used with regard to vessels from a single site as well as those from different sites and even with regard to various parts of a single vessel.     

WHERE DID THE LUSTRE TILES OF THE SIDI OQBA MOSQUE (ad 836–63) IN KAIROUAN COME FROM?*

Metallic lustre decoration of glazed ceramics is a very special kind of ornament, because its colours change with the observational conditions. In diffused light, they can be green, brown or ochre–yellow. In specular reflection, they show an associated coloured metallic shine (blue, golden‐yellow or orange). The lustre tiles at the Sidi Oqba Mosque in Kairouan still have no defined origin (possibly Kairouan and/or Mesopotamia). Physicochemical analyses of eight Kairouan lustre tile samples and four Mesopotamian lustre pottery samples show that the Kairouan tiles probably came from Mesopotamia, from a major production centre, possibly Baghdad, Samarra or Basra.     

ENGINEERING EVALUATION OF THE 1 OCTOBER 1995 DİNAR EARTHQUAKE (ML = 5.9)

In 1995, a swarm of earthquakes affected the city of Dinar, Turkey, which is located in Southwest Anatolia and has a population of 35 000. The mainshock having a local magnitude of 5.9 occurred on 1 October 1995. It was preceded by foreshocks in the previous four days, the largest one with a magnitude of 4.7. These foreshocks initiated structural damage in many buildings, which was then severely aggravated by the mainshock and a strong aftershock two hours later, with a magnitude of 5.0. Numerous aftershocks were recorded throughout the following three months. Strong ground motions were recorded within the city. The mainshock produced peak horizontal accelerations of 0.28 g and 0.29 g. The Dinar earthquake caused a death toll of 92 and more than 200 injuries. The economic losses due to structural damage alone are estimated at 250 million USD.