ARAMAIC BASALT STATUES FROM TELL HALAF,SYRIA: LOCATING THE ANCIENT QUARRIES

Tell Halaf is the locality of the ancient Aramaic city of Guzāna (c. 1000–800 bc ) in Syria. The statues of Tell Halaf were made from monolithic basalt blocks, comprising massive as well as amygdaloidal types. However, the exact location of the original quarries was as yet unknown. Reconnaissance mapping and sampling concentrated on the four basaltic centres in the vicinity of Tell Halaf, covering both south‐eastern Turkey and north‐eastern Syria. In addition, basaltic artefacts from the two archaeological sites of Tell Beydar (c. 2700–2300 bc ) and Djebelet el Beda (c. 2600–2350 bc ) were investigated. All basalt samples were analysed for their bulk rock major and trace element compositions by X‐ray fluorescence, ICP–MS analysis and the mineral chemistry of individual minerals by combined electron microprobe analysis and laser‐ablation ICP–MS. The data show that basalt works of art from all three archaeological sites were derived from the Syrian basalt plateau of Ard esh‐Sheikh, approximately 57 km south of Tell Halaf. Accordingly, this basalt quarry was actively exploited over a considerable time span of c. 1900 years. This study demonstrates that petrographic and geochemical investigations of basalt, combined with electron microprobe and laser‐ablation ICP–MS analysis of minerals, are powerful tools to discriminate between possible sources of raw materials, especially if isotopic data yield unsatisfying results.     

寻着毛泽东塑像去旅行

<正>就这样,我想着,走着,找着,拍着,问着,从1997年开始了寻着毛泽东塑像的旅行。这个旅行间续进行着,不经意已经走过了10多年。喜欢旅行。在读中学的时候即便是不能自由自在地四方奔跑,也时常在课堂上注意力从老师那里偏移到课桌下的地图册上。长大以后,"独立"了,有机会有点盘缠就会去到处转。这时旅行不管是目的地,还是在路途中,都无外乎"大好河山"风土民情"。然而在20年前的两次行程后,渐渐让我有了寻着毛泽东塑像旅行的决     

TECHNOLOGICAL STUDY OF PTOLEMAIC – EARLY ROMAN FAIENCE FROM MEMPHIS,EGYPT*

Fourteen fragments of faience vessels from the Ptolemaic/Roman period found at the Egyptian site of Memphis, near Cairo, were analysed by SEM. The fragments included high‐relief polychrome vessels, which are first produced in numbers in this period. Analysis allowed the composition and microstructure of the vessels to be assessed and conclusions drawn as to the raw materials of manufacture. Combining this information with archaeological evidence from excavation of the kilns and associated finds, it was possible to reconstruct the production technology of the vessels.     

ELEMENTAL ANALYSES OF A GROUP OF GLAZED TERRACOTTA ANGELS FROM THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE,AS A TOOL FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A COMPLEX CONSERVATION HISTORY*

A group of Italian glazed terracotta sculptures, attributed to the della Robbia workshop of Florence, is partly displayed in the Louvre Museum. Analyses of the apparently homogeneous sculptures by techniques such as PIXE, SEM, ICP/AES and ICP/MS have identified differences in the materials used. The data provide a subdivision of the sculptures, which is compatible with what is known from historical documents and artistic considerations, and suggest a date for this ensemble at the end of the 15th century, when the della Robbia family was involved in the decoration of the San Frediano church in Florence.     

邢台南宫普彤塔明代铜造像

普彤塔位于邢台南宫市西北1.5公里,旧城村东北约200米处,原普彤寺内(图一)。1966年3月8日,邢台大地震时从普彤塔上震落观音铜造像3尊(NW006、NW040、NW047)。1990年10月,河北省文物局拨款对四层以上普彤塔进行落架重修时在塔身佛龛内又发现铜造像39尊。     

TWO STATUES OF HERCULES IN THE FORUM BOARIUM IN ROME

Summary. This paper is concerned with two statues of Hercules associated with his cult in the Forum Boarium in Rome. First, the gilded bronze in the Conservatori Museum, usually thought to have been the cult image, carried from Greece, of a late Hellenistic rotunda, is here dated to the first–second centuries AD and considered an independent dedication standing in the Forum. Second, the Julio-Claudian marble seated Hercules in the Palazzo Altemps is discussed in relation to the so-called Invictus type reproduced in the minor arts of the first to second centuries AD. In addition, we speculate on its possible inspiration from a prototype of the 430s BC in South Italy.     

INVESTIGATION OF THE CONTENT OF ANCIENT TIBETAN METALLIC BUDDHA STATUES BY MEANS OF NEUTRON IMAGING METHODS

Many important cultural and religious objects from Asia consist of outer metallic shapes, usually bronze, which fully enclose inner contents made of organic materials such as wood, bark, paper, textile, plants and others. Bronze and other metallic materials, such as copper and silver, are generally more transparent to neutrons than to X‐rays. However, organic materials are less transparent to neutrons than to X‐rays and therefore organic materials, enclosed by metallic materials, can be made visible with neutrons. Therefore, neutron imaging (radiography and tomography) was found to be an ideal tool for the inspection of objects that consist of metal outside and organic materials inside. This has been successfully demonstrated here with four metallic Tibetan Buddha statues, providing archaeometry with a powerful new tool. The first successful applications of this novel technique are described in this article. Further possible and useful applications of neutron imaging of cultural objects are outlined.     

CALCULATING THE COST OF TRANSFERRING STUDENTS FROM PAROCHIAL TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS: AN EXAMINATION AND CRITIQUE

Public sector aid to K-12 parochial schools is often justified on the basis that providing assistance is cheaper than having to absorb all those students into public school systems. But is it? The cost of transferring students from parochial to public K-12 schools has never been satisfactorily calculated. This article points to the weaknesses in previous efforts and outlines the elements that must be present in a comprehensive estimate of transfer costs.     

THE TECHNOLOGICAL AND TYPOLOGICAL BEHAVIOUR OF A NEANDERTHAL GROUP FROM EL SIDRÓN CAVE (ASTURIAS,SPAIN)

This paper presents the first detailed analysis of the lithic industry from El Sidrón Cave. Previously we have published other works concerning Anthropology and Palaeogenetics. The lithic assemblage contains 415 artefacts coming from both unofficial and official excavations and is largely flake‐based. The raw material derives from the immediate cave environment, and is mostly chert, with quartzite in a lesser proportion. To date, 67 artefacts have been refitted, including some tools and cores. The spatial distribution of the refitted lithic artefacts confirms, on the one hand, the unity of the assemblage and, on the other, its secondary context.     

A CHALCOLITHIC MACE HEAD FROM THE NEGEV,ISRAEL: TECHNOLOGICAL ASPECTS AND CULTURAL IMPLICATIONS

An interdisciplinary case study of the role of technology in ancient society is presented here based on a single copper object from the beginning of metallurgy in Israel during the late fifth to fourth millennium BC. This research is based on a combination of typological, chronological and technological analyses. The mace head is made of copper alloyed with arsenic and antitmony, cast in a ‘lost wax’ technique over a stone core. The metallurgical, metallographic and petrographic analyses not only help reconstruct the production technology but also shed light on fundamental questions concerning the origin, ore selection and function of this sophisticated type of metal production in prehistoric society.     

TECHNOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE COATINGS ON SOME ‘HAEMATITE-COATED’ POTTERY FROM SOUTHERN ENGLAND

The nature of the coatings on a selection of ‘haematite-coated’ sherds from Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age contexts in southern England has been investigated using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. It has been found that the term ‘haematite-coated’ is somewhat misleading. The study indicates that at least three distinct techniques (with local variations) were used to produce the red finishes which characterise these wares. In some instances visual examination and X-ray diffraction can provide a reliable indication of the type of red finish, but the use of a scanning electron microscope has been found to provide a more precise characterisation of the finishes and their relationship to the underlying sherd bodies.     

AN EXAMINATION OF POPULATION-GROWTH-MANAGING COMMUNITIES

This paper examines the fiscal, social, economic and environmental characteristics of 228 cities and counties. Using cluster analysis, 210 communities were classified into eleven types of communities. The empirical typings appear to support the proposition that communities control population growth to avoid adverse fiscal and environmental impacts and maintain the social and economic character of the community.     

GOLD AND SILVER ALLOY COATINGS OVER COPPER: AN EXAMINATION OF SOME ARTEFACTS FROM ECUADOR AND COLOMBIA

An examination, by metallography, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and electron probe microanalysis of some decorative metalwork and small items such as needles and fish-hooks from Ecuador and Colombia revealed that ‘fusion-gilding’ or ‘wash-gilding’ was employed in the manufacture of many artefacts. The coatings found included silver alloy coatings over copper and gold alloys over copper. The coatings are often themselves superficially enriched at the surface; they are thick, and completely different from the surfaces found on depletion gilded objects which are far more common in ancient Colombia. The evidence from Ecuador is piecemeal and a considerable number of additional analyses must be carried out to clarify the extent of use of this surface treatment technology.     

SOLDERING WITH GOLD ALLOYS IN ANCIENT SOUTH AMERICA: EXAMINATION OF TWO SMALL GOLD STUDS FROM ECUADOR

This paper presents the results of electron microprobe analysis of two gold studs, and their associated gold alloy solders. from La Tolita in Ecuador. Metallographic and compositional data are presented and the types of solders used are discussed.