Assessing the function of early hominin bone tools

Bone tools from early hominin sites in southern Africa continue to intrigue researchers interested in the development of early human technology and cognition. Sterkfontein, Swartkrans and Drimolen have all yielded bone tools dated to between 1 and 2 Mya associated with numerous Paranthropus robustus and few early Homo remains. The bone tools are described by different authors as implements used to excavate tubers from the ground and termites from their nests, work hides and strip bark from trees. The purpose of this research was to develop a more powerful analytical tool for the study and interpretation of bone surface modifications in general, and early hominin bone tool function(s) in particular. We used an optical interferometer to scan the worn areas of a sample of bone tools from Swartkrans and Drimolen, an ethnographic collection of implements used for defleshing marula fruits, and a set used experimentally to excavate in the ground and in termite mounds. The 3D rendering of archaeological and experimental wear patterns better highlights previously described differences between these patterns, and demonstrates the pertinence of this analytical tool to visually discriminating between different bone modifications. Analysis of selected 2D and 3D roughness variables indicates that the wear pattern on the early hominin bone tools from Drimolen is significantly different from that of tuber digging, very similar to termite foraging, and not unlike marula fruit processing. Marked differences are detected between the Swartkrans and Drimolen wear patterns, which suggests that the tools from these sites may have been used with different motions, in contact with abrasive particles of different size, or in different tasks. Principal component analyses conducted on 2D and 3D variables suggest that early hominin bone tools from southern Africa may have been used to forage for termites, extract tubers in a motion parallel to the tool main axis, process fruits and conduct other, as yet unidentified, tasks.     

城市规划中的社会公平性问题浅析

本文以可持续发展的观点,分析了在现代市场经济条件下城市规划中的社会公平性问题的表现形式;并通过建立分析模型,借助地理信息系统的空间分析功能对规划用地中的公平性问题进行了探讨性的分析研究;文中还就苏州工业园区为例,介绍了其规划中的公平性问题处理的成功经验,最后强调了城市规划中对规划公平问题重视的重要性。     

A 3D digital workflow for archaeological intra-site research using GIS

Across a range of archaeological projects in Northern Greece, a context-based system, which has much in common with similar stratigraphic methods applied elsewhere in the world, is in use to record the excavation process. Here, we discuss a formal data model and complete digital workflow for the documentation of this process in 3D using the prehistoric site of Paliambela Kolindros, Greece, as a case study. The entire digital process has the advantage of being implemented on a single software platform. In addition, the combination of formal ontology and custom object-oriented programming enables a suite of techniques for exploratory data analysis and stratigraphic interpretation.     

南京市区就业空间布局研究

本文采取就业密度分析方法,对南京市区就业空间布局进行实证研究。在南京市区现有11个区的基础上将南京市区划分为159个研究单元。依据2005年南京市1%人口抽样调查资料中\"区县层面\"分行业就业数据,以及2006年南京市用地现状图,修正匹配得到各个研究单元制造业、服务业、商业金融业及总的就业密度值。并运用Arcgis软件对就业密度值进行核密度分析以及3D模拟,分析南京市区制造业、服务业以及总就业的空间布局特征及原因机制。     

THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR DATA-BANK

Several countries have made large investments in building historical Geographical Information Systems (GIS) databases containing census and other quantitative statistics over long periods of time. Making good use of these databases requires approaches that explore spatial and temporal change. The authors use a variety of visualization and spatial analysis techniques to explore population change in Ireland during and after the Great Famine of the late 1840s. Importantly, the techniques allow differences over space and time to be explored, thus stressing the diversity between places, rather than making all places appear the same, a common criticism of many statistical approaches. The authors demonstrate the potential of these techniques to explore geographical and temporal variations in large quantitative GIS datasets.     

The 4th-century B.C. shipwreck at Mazotos,Cyprus: New techniques and methodologies in the 3D mapping of shipwreck excavations

Abstract

Well preserved ancient shipwrecks are rare in the archaeological record, but when discovered, they can provide valuable information on a wide range of research issues if analyzed and documented properly. In this paper we discuss the significance, potential, and constraints of mapping methods applied during the underwater excavation of shipwreck sites with special emphasis on stratigraphy, documentation of finds, and reconstruction of site formation processes. As a case study, we present the digital photogrammetry and computer vision software programs used in the excavation of the 4th-century b.c. shipwreck at Mazotos, Cyprus. Our goal is to develop a targeted documentation and mapping method of ongoing shipwreck excavations so that others can address complex research questions concerning this unique discipline of archaeology.     

Placing GIS in sustainability education

As public awareness about sustainability grows and as higher education advances sustainability more comprehensively, geographers have an opportunity to take a role in sustainability education. This article examines (1) what constitutes sustainability education, (2) how geographic concepts and Geographic Information System (GIS) are relevant to sustainability education, and (3) how geospatial thinking can be incorporated into the sustainability curriculum using GIS. This research proposes five geospatial inquiries that students can make to explore sustainability issues using GIS, which are spatial distribution, spatial interactions, spatial relationships, spatial comparisons, and temporal relationships. Definition, examples, and uses of these five geospatial inquiries supported by GIS are provided.     

Developing a documentation system for desert palaces in Jordan using 3D laser scanning and digital photogrammetry

Desert palaces in Jordan are unique pieces of art scattered in the desert as standing symbols of ancient civilizations. Due to their location, these palaces witness different environmental conditions which affect their status and sustainability. This raises the need to have a 3D documentation system reporting all spatial information for each palace, which can be used later for monitoring purposes. Digital photogrammetry is a generally accepted technique for the collection of 3D representations of the environment. For this reason, this image-based technique has been extensively used to produce high quality 3D models of heritage sites and historical buildings for documentation and presentation purposes. Additionally, terrestrial laser scanners are used, which directly measure 3D surface coordinates based on the run-time of reflected light pulses. These systems feature high data acquisition rates, good accuracy and high spatial data density. Despite the potential of each single approach, in our opinion, maximum benefit is to be expected by a combination of data from both digital cameras and terrestrial laser scanners. By these means the efficiency of data collection as well as the geometric accuracy and visual quality of the collected textured 3D models can be optimized. Within the paper, a 3D documentation system for Umayyad desert palaces in the Jordan desert will be presented using digital photogrammetry and laser scanning. The approach is demonstrated by generating high realistic 3D textured models for Amra and Kharanah palaces.     

GIS技术在萨拉乌苏考古遗址公园规划设计中的应用

传统规划设计工作的技术平台多以计算机辅助设计(CAD)为主,本工作以内蒙古自治区鄂尔多斯萨拉乌苏考古遗址公园规划为例,将Arc GIS Desktop作为技术平台应用到公园的规划设计工作中。首先,通过对规划区的实地踏勘,采集相关数据和资料,进行规划区数据库建设;其次,在数据库建设的基础上,通过GIS技术构建与现实环境对应的虚拟地理信息空间,实现规划区景观的三维可视化;最后,利用三维景观模型对现实地理环境进行模拟、分析及虚拟场景飞行。不同于传统CAD的二维工作平台,本工作借助GIS对空间数据和属性数据的强大处理功能及其三维景观可视化模块,为实现内蒙古鄂尔多斯萨拉乌苏考古遗址公园的科学规划提供辅助。     

基于GIS的农村医疗设施空间可达性分析——以河南省兰考县为例

针对农村医疗设施空间分布的公平性问题,提出了使用GIS技术和空间可达性指标评估医疗设施的区域分布特征。以兰考县乡级以上卫生院为例,建立人口分布、医疗设施位置、行政区域等地理数据库,选择人均医疗资源分配、就医的最近距离、选择医院的机会、重力模型及改进的重力模型5个空间可达性模型,计算了各乡镇、各行政村的医疗设施可达性指标,并制作了相应的专题地图;在此基础上对医疗设施的空间布局进行了分析。空间可达性指标全面地反映医疗设施的空间分布特征,鉴别出资源分配较薄弱的区位,是农村医疗改革中设施规划和资源分配的重要依据。     

基于高精度三维模型的大型石窟类文物等比例复制

文物复制是文化遗产(尤其是超大型不可移动文物)保护、传承和发展的重要基础,三维激光扫描、3D打印等新兴技术的发展为文物复制提供了新的思路。本研究以云冈第18窟为研究对象,首次探索并建立了基于高精度三维模型的超大型文物等比例高保真复制技术体系,主要包括:高保真数据获取、三维重建、复制模型分块、打印与安装、高保真涂料喷绘。该方法已应用在云冈第18窟等大型石窟类文物的等比例高保真复制工程。结果表明,本方法能够实现大型石窟类文物的高保真等比例复制,复制成果满足可移动的实际需求。该方法可为类似的文化遗产保护工作提供一定的借鉴和指导。     

基于L-3D方法的云南省物流经济空间格局研究

为科学分析物流经济空间格局,基于经济地理学3D理论的密度(density)、距离(distance)和分割(division)框架,建立了物流经济空间格局的L-3D分析体系,利用地理集中度、物流经济联系强度及区位商等测度指标,分析了云南省物流经济空间格局的密度、距离及分割特征。结果表明:云南省物流经济密度的空间分异特征显著,呈现以昆明为中心的横纵扩散模式,外圈物流经济明显薄弱;物流经济空间距离呈现中心-通道发展模式,滇中城市群发展优势明显,西部边界物流经济距离较大;物流经济分割特征体现于昆明的区位商值较低,滇中城市群物流经济发展差异显著,以昆明为基准,大理及其周边地区分割严重。