Composition of the Lustre Pigment Used in the Production Of 13th Century AD Raqqa Lustreware from Syria

The very rare find of the relic of the original lustre pigment attached to the glazed surface of a sherd of 13th century ad Raqqa type lustreware from Syria has been analysed using a combination of analytical scanning electron microscopy (SEM), micro‐X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS). The composition of the pigment relic inferred from these analyses is shown to match those of recipes for lustre production given in the early treatises by Jazbir Ibn Hayyan (c. ad 721–c. ad 815) and Abū'l Qasim (ad 1301). Similarities and differences between this 13th century ad Syrian pigment and pigments used in the ninth century ad in Iraq, in the 14th century ad in Islamic and Hispano‐Moresque Spain, and in the 16th century ad in Renaissance Italy are discussed.     

THE EVOLUTION OF LUSTRE CERAMICS FROM MANISES (VALENCIA,SPAIN) BETWEEN THE 14TH AND 18TH CENTURIES

A set of 33 fragments of lustre‐decorated ceramics uncovered during an archaeological excavation in Manises (Valencia, Spain) have been studied. These ceramics were produced in Manises from the 14th to the 18th century. This well‐dated set of ceramic shards represents the diversity of Manises lustre production and is a complete time sequence of reference for the technological analysis. Texture analysis of the glazes has been carried out by SEM–EDAX, the inner and outer surfaces of the lustre decorations being analysed with non‐destructive ion beams by PIXE and RBS, and also by high‐resolution electron microscopy. The results are compared with other lustre productions and the time trend of the microstructures, glaze and lustre composition is analysed. It is concluded that Sn was used to opacify glazes until the beginning of the 17th century and that changes in the lustre microstructure occurred around ad 1500.     

ARCHAEOSEISMOLOGY IN ITALY: CASE STUDIES AND IMPLICATIONS ON LONG-TERM SEISMICITY

Four Italian cases from central Apennines and central-eastern Alps show how the use of archaeoseismology and paleoseismological investigations on deformed archaeological remains may improve the knowledge on long-term seismicity. In the Fucino Plain (central Apennines), the displacement of a Roman canal (built during the lst-2nd century AD) was caused by the movement of one of the active faults affecting the basin. The paleoseismological analysis and available archaeological data permitted to date the event at the 5th-6th century AD and to hypothesise that this earthquake was also responsible for significant damage to the Colosseum in Rome shortly before 508 AD. At the Egna site (Bolzano province, northern Italy), the displacement of a Roman building has been paleoseismologically investigated. It probably resulted from surface faulting, thus permitting to hypothesise the occurrence of strong earthquakes in an area for which seismicity does not show significant historical earthquakes. In the Sulmona Plain (central Apennines) the occurrence of a strong event around the middle of the 2nd century AD is testified by ah epigraph. Widespread evidence of building, collapses and abandonments characterise a number of archaeologically investigated sites and confirm the age of occurrence inferred from the epigraph. In the Trento area (northern Italy), evidence of earthquake-induced damage to medieval buildings suggests that the earthquake which affected northern Italy in 1117 may have been responsible for significant damage also in the Adige Valley. Gained experience indicates that in areas where historical research does not contribute significantly to the knowledge of the effects of strong earthquakes, the use of archaeological evidence of past earthquakes may be a valuable tool to obtain information on the historical seismicity related to moderate-large magnitude events.     

五四时期对新史料的接受与认识

19世纪末以来新史料的大发现 ,对史学发展产生了深远影响。五四前后是接受与认识新史料的重要时期 ,王国维等人积极利用新史料进行史学研究并大力介绍新史料 ,使五四时期的中国史坛很快认识到了新史料的价值 ,这对于五四时期史学乃至 2 0世纪史学都有着非常重要的意义。     

A Study on the Evolution in Design and Calculation of Iron and Steel Structures over the Mid 19th Century in Western and Central Europe

ABSTRACT

The design of metallic structures in the 19th century is a subject topic of much admiration, as many emblematic structures that are currently withstanding the test of time have become part of our built cultural heritage. Knowledge on the assumptions and design procedures available at that time is of importance to structural engineering nowadays. It allows for the understanding, maintaining and safe extending of the service life of historical metallic structures. The goal of this article is to describe the evolution in the design and calculation of metallic structures during the second half of the 19th century, with focus on Western and Central Europe. Special attention is paid to the similarities and differences between the 19th century design rules and the current structural design standards. Based on a literature survey, the evolution in terms of load definition, calculation methods, material properties, and verifications are described. Different design aspects are illustrated through a case study: The Garabit viaduct in France.     

LUSTRE COLOUR AND SHINE FROM THE OLLERIES XIQUES WORKSHOP IN PATERNA (SPAIN), 13TH CENTURY AD: NANOSTRUCTURE,CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND ANNEALING CONDITIONS*

Lustre is a medieval ceramic decoration, corresponding to a nanostructured thin layer formed by metallic copper and silver nanocrystals embedded in a glass matrix, which required deep knowledge on the part of the artisans with regard to the raw materials used and the kiln conditions. Their empirical knowledge led to the achievement of colourful lustre decorations ranging from reddish to yellowish or even greenish, some of them with a metallic shine with an associated purplish iridescence. Lustre ceramics dating from the 13th century from the Olleries Xiques workshop in Paterna (Spain) have been studied, linking their chemical composition and nanostructure with their colours and shine. Two kinds of nanostructures are found, yellowish lustre decoration constituted by a silver metal–glass nanocomposite, and reddish lustre decoration constituted by metallic copper nanocrystals and copper oxide nanocrystals; in some cases, metallic copper nanocrystals covered with an oxidized shell of CuO and partly Cu₂O have been found. However, even with significant amounts of copper oxide, the lustre still exhibits a copper metal‐like shine. The bluish iridescence observed at a specular angle in the lustre could not be explained completely by means of the chemical composition, and metallic silver nanoparticle light scattering is proposed as a possible explanation.     

The palaeo-Christian glass mosaic of St. Prosdocimus (Padova,Italy): archaeometric characterisation of ‘gold’ tesserae

A systematic and extensive archaeometric study was carried out on the loose polychrome tesserae of the palaeo-Christian glass mosaic which decorated the votive chapel of St. Prosdocimus in Padova until its replacement by the current frescoes of Renaissance age and which is one of the only two known in the Veneto region (Italy). In particular, the present paper focuses on the ‘gold’ tesserae, i.e., tesserae with a metal foil, usually composed of gold, and characterised by transparent glass not deliberately coloured or decolourised. The main research aims were the identification of the ‘base composition’ of the glass used for mosaics and the reconstruction of production techniques. In addition, comparisons with major compositional groups identified in the literature allowed us to contextualise Paduan ‘gold’ tesserae in the wider context of glass production in the 6th century AD. The compositional characterisation of Paduan ‘gold’ tesserae, carried out by means of EMPA and LA-ICP-MS analyses, showed that most of the glass samples were obtained with natron as flux, although the coexistence of various production technologies and the extent of recycling, which confirm the 6th century AD as a period of technological transition, are documented. Identification of some soda ash tesserae also allowed us to attest Medieval restoration operations. The good match between compositional groups identified in the literature for glass vessels and compositional groups identified in the ‘gold’ tesserae suggests technological links between these two production types. The chemical similarity between ‘gold’ tesserae from Ravenna and some from Padova also links production technologies in these two towns during the 6th century; coupled with the results of the historical-artistic study, these factors provide further evidence to the hypothesis that the Paduan production was mainly influenced by the nearby city of Ravenna, the capital of Byzantine mosaics in Italy.     

A Palaeopathological Assessment of the Late 19th and Early 20th Century Khoesan

Since the arrival of Dutch colonists in the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, Khoesan populations were subjected to severe political and economic marginalisation and often fell prey to racial conflict. These circumstances persisted until the early 20th century, during which an astonishing number of Khoesan skeletons were transported from South Africa to various locations in Europe, as at the time, different institutions competed to obtain these remains. The purpose of this study was to assess the health status of the late 19th and early 20th century Khoesan. Skeletal remains housed in two different European institutions were studied. The sample comprised 140 specimens from the Rudolf Pöch Skeletal Collection in Vienna, Austria, and 15 specimens from the Musée de l'Homme in Paris, France. These individuals represent both sexes and were aged between newborn and 75 years, with 54 being younger than 20 years of age. Results indicated high levels of typical disease conditions associated with groups under stress, such as periostitis, cribra orbitalia and porotic hyperostosis. Treponemal disease, rickets, osteoarthritis and trauma were also encountered amongst other more specific indicators of health and disease. This study provided additional knowledge on the health status and lives of the Khoesan people during this turbulent period and created new awareness regarding a group of severely mistreated individuals. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Glass and metal analyses of gold leaf tesserae from 1st to 9th century mosaics. A contribution to technological and chronological knowledge

An archaeometric study was carried out on 40 gold leaf tesserae from mosaics in Italy dated 1st to the 9th century AD. Glass layers and gold leaf were both analysed by X-ray microanalysis. The main aim was the identification of the composition of the glass and of the gold leaf, in order to assess the variations in composition and nature of the tesserae in the examined period.     

东晋南北朝古道经研究简述及分析

东晋南北朝道经属于重要的“古道经”系统,对道教史研究具有重要意义。本文对近五十年来西方、日本及国内的东晋南北朝古道经研究作了一个简略的综述,重点探讨了此类研究所采取的方法及其指导意义,并在此基础上进行了简单的总结。     

Hunters of forests and waters: Late Iron Age and Medieval subsistence and social processes in coastal northern Sweden

During the course of the 14th century the Swedish Crown and the Catholic Church made robust attempts to include the areas beside the Bothnian bay within their central fiscal and clerical organization. Salmon fishing in the productive river rapids became major targets for external commercial interests. Written records inform us about the situation from the perspective of the exploiters. However, there is a story running in parallel – that of the local population already occupying the lands and the fishing grounds. The study aims to analyse the significance of hunting and fishing to the overall subsistence of coastal communities in northern Sweden during the period AD 500–1600. The social context is of particular interest, specifically in relation to the successive conformation by the local communities to the Swedish fiscal system. The study draws on archaeological records and on historical records from the 14th to the 17th century, in addition to ethnographic accounts for hunting and fishing. We conclude that the legal cultures embraced by the indigenous population and that of the Swedish central powers were in essence incompatible. The acquisition of land and fishing rights was never settled between two equal parties, but one-sidedly enforced by the party holding the pen.     

Environmental changes in the Maryut lagoon (northwestern Nile delta) during the last ∼2000 years

Here, we interpret the evolution of Maryut lagoon (Egypt) during the past ∼2000 years. Chronostratigraphy and laboratory analyses have enabled us to identify four main phases since the 3rd century AD: (1) a fluvial-dominated lagoon between the 2nd–3rd and the 8–9th centuries cal. AD; (2) a gradual desiccation of the lagoon toward a sebkha-like environment from the 9–10th to the 13th centuries cal. AD; (3) a fluvial-dominated lagoon from the 13th century cal. AD; and (4) a second gradual desiccation between the 17th and the 18th centuries cal. AD. The general aridification trend described throughout the study period may be linked to the gradual decline of the Canopic branch, which supplied the Maryut lagoon with freshwater. Nonetheless, at shorter timescales, the different phases of lagoon aridification and flooding coincide with land abandonment and irrigation works in the region. It is suggested that the history of the Alexandria countryside has been a key driver in shaping the environmental history of the Maryut during the past ∼2000 years.     

20世纪史家论历史文学

本文概述了 2 0世纪历史文学研究的历程 ,把 2 0世纪史家关于历史文学的观点归纳为三种 :一是强调科学性而不主张使用文学笔法 ,代表人物是陈垣、何炳松 ;二是强调历史写作的艺术性 ,代表人物是梁启超、张荫麟 ;三是既强调科学性 ,又重视艺术性 ,提出“准确、凝练、生动”的历史文学原则 ,代表人物是白寿彝。认为应当继承和发扬 2 0世纪史家在历史著述方面的优良学风     

Tonnages and displacements in the 16th century

Questions associated with the size of ships suggested in historical documents are relevant to giving an idea of the volume of cargoes, the size of crews, cost of freights, or when trying to evaluate competitive advantages in war and commerce. Good estimates are often difficult to obtain from the written record, although some values concerning basic hull dimensions are sometimes mentioned. The establishment of reliable relations between registered capacity, as expressed in coeval documents, and displacement, as it is defined nowadays, would be helpful to both historical and archaeological research. This paper probes into the relations between a number of known formulas to calculate tonnages in the 16th century, and the reconstructed hull of the Pepper Wreck, an archaeologically excavated shipwreck dated to 1606.     

The Relationship Between Linear Enamel Hypoplasia and Social Status in 18th to 19th Century Edo,Japan

Linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) has been utilised in human bioarchaeology as an indicator of growth disturbance during childhood. However, only a few studies have compared populations of different socio‐economic status in the same time period. This study examines the association between the LEH occurrence pattern and social status in the 18th to 19th century populations in Japan. Detailed archaeological studies on burials from the Edo period (1603–1867) excavated in Tokyo have facilitated estimating an individual's social status by its burial type. In this study, 112 individuals from the Sugenji‐Shokenji site were divided into three burial structure groups (ceramic jar coffins for middle‐class warriors, wooden square coffins for low‐class warriors and townspeople and wooden circular coffins for townspeople) and examined for the general prevalence of LEH, number of LEH and the chronological distribution of LEH. A high general prevalence of LEH was observed in every group, especially in lower canine (79.3–100.0%). However, individuals in the jar coffin group showed a lower prevalence and smaller number of LEH per tooth, suggesting that individuals of higher social status experienced better living environments in their childhood. There was no significant difference in the chronological distribution of LEH formation between coffin groups. Such data are essential for understanding the association between socio‐economic status and living conditions in specific societies in the past. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evidence for Indo-Roman Trade from Bet Dwarka Waters, West Coast of India

India had a very active maritime trade contact with the Roman world between the 4th century BC and the 4th century AD. In this context recent finds of stone anchors, potsherds, lead anchors and a lead ingot from 5 to 8 m water-depth near Bet Dwarka jetty is significant. The sherds include amphoras, jars, bowls and lids. Archaeological finds along the Indian coast and comparison between amphoras from Bet Dwarka and the Mediterranean suggest that the artefacts from Bet Dwarka may be datable to between the 1st century BC and the 2nd century AD. The numbers of stone anchors suggests that this was an ancient anchorage.
© 2005 The Nautical Archaeology Society     

20世纪西方分析或批判的历史哲学

分析或批判的历史哲学的兴起,一方面批判了思辨的历史哲学,另一方面将历史哲学研究的重点从解释历史的性质转移到解释历史知识的性质上来。这极大地推进了史学理论的发展,也为历史学确立了更为稳固的根基。德国历史哲学家狄尔泰、文德尔班、李凯尔特继承德国历史主义传统,从文化科学与自然科学相异的角度来分析历史知识的性质;克罗齐、柯林武德也遵循了这个传统。分析学派罗素、波普尔、亨佩尔等人,则从语言逻辑的角度来分析理解历史的方式和历史知识的可能性。这两个方向共同构成了20世纪西方历史哲学的主流,进一步深化了人们对自我的认识。     

Finding Mid-19th Century Native Settlements: Cartographic and Archaeological Evidence from Central California

Historical maps have the potential to aid archaeological investigations into the persistence of Native American settlements during the mid-19th century, a time when many Native communities disappear from archaeological view. Focusing on Tomales Bay in central California, we evaluate the usefulness of historical maps as a way to discover and interpret archaeological deposits dating to the period, with the aim of better understanding indigenous patterns of residence at the transition from missionary to settler colonialism. In particular, we focus on diseños and plats created to document Mexican-era land grants as well as early maps produced by the General Land Office and United States Coast Survey. Although we note inconsistencies regarding the inclusion of indigenous settlements on historical maps, our case study offers an example of how archaeologists can employ historical maps and targeted archaeological ground-truthing to discover sites that are poorly represented in the historical and archaeological records.     

16世纪末17世纪初嫩科尔沁部牧地变迁考

本依据明末汉籍、17世纪初蒙古书档案和(满老档),对16世纪末17世纪初嫩科尔沁部牧地进行考述,认为嫩科尔沁部牧地最初位于东胜边外的蛤蜊河,即今鞍山市以西、辽河下游一带,后移牧开原、铁岭西北边外的上辽河流域。1588年,由于嫩科尔沁部向西南方向的发展遭到扎鲁特等内喀尔喀诸部阻挠,以恍惚太为首的嫩科尔沁部避居开原东北千余里的混同江和嫩江汇合处。恍惚太子奥巴洪台吉所住格勒珠尔根城位于嫩江东岸,即清代哲里木盟杜尔伯特旗西南的柯勒吉勒格。1631年起嫩科尔沁部牧地逐渐向南迁移后,清代哲里木盟十旗游牧范围才最后形成。