London-Bahrain Archaeological Expedition: 1991–2 excavations at Saar

Preliminary results are presented of the third season of excavations at Saar, Bahrain, by the London-Bahrain Archaeological Expedition. Research at this second millennium BC site continued in the temple, as well as in parts of the upper town. Bedrock was reached at a depth of approximately 5.45 metres in the sondage below the temple. Several new buildings were found and work was completed in houses discovered in previous seasons. The article goes on to discuss the numerous seals and seal impressions found this season.     

THE SIMULATION OF URBAN SYSTEM DYNAMICS IN ATLANTIC CANADA, 1951–1991

A dynamic urban model is used to study the post-war evolution of the Atlantic Canada urban system. The computer-based simulation model is calibrated for the period 1951-86 and then employed to predict the 1991 population of each cma and ca within the system. The simulation results show that, to a large extent, the evolution of the system can be understood in terms of endogenous system dynamics rather than exogenous events. Specifically, competition among the cities of the region is a significant factor in the urban system evolution. The high degree of abstraction of the model means that data requirements for application are minimal, and the calibration procedure is relatively simple. The successful predictions show that the model can yield useful results in spite of its simplicity.
Un modèle dynamique est employé afin ďétudier ľévolution du système urbain de la région atlantique du Canada depuis 1951. Le modèle de simulation est ďabord calibré sur la periode 1951-86, et ensuite utilisé pour générer une prévision de la population en 1991 de chaque rmr et ar dans la région. Les résultats montrent que ľévolution démographique du système peut être expliqué, pour la plupart, par la dynamique inhérente du système. Plus précisement, le processus de concurrence économique et démographique entre les villes de la région est décisif; les événements exogène sont ďune moindre importance. Le modèle est plutot simple et abstrait; par conséquent, son application exige relativement peu de donnés, et le procédé calibration est relativement simple. La qualité des prévisions déographiques indique que ce genre de modèle, malgrésa simplicité peut êre utile.     

Constructing the subject: geographical models in English schools, 1870–1944

Between 1870 and 1944, three-dimensional models of the world's physical and human features were widely and regularly used by teachers of school geography in England. Whilst visually striking, models also provided tangible illustrations of geographical phenomena which were said to transform abstract notions into concrete realities. Suggestions that geographical models were of greatest educational value when built by pupils themselves were endorsed by increasingly influential theoretical arguments in favour of “natural” and “child-centred” education. The co-ordination of hand and eye activity which modelling required was considered an especially potent means of stimu-lating rational deductive thought and powers of imagination, vital prerequisites of “thinking geographically”. The first half of this paper discusses models as media for demonstrating geographical principles to children. Model-making by the pupils themselves is addressed in its second section. The theoretical assumptions underlying models' widespread adoption for each purpose are explored and examples of their use discussed. Particular attention is paid to their perceived effects in helping to build English children's understanding of their individual and collective place as local, national, Imperial or global citizens of the world.