Obituary—The Rev. Robert Mackenzie,M.A.

Abstract

This paper examines how CCTV-assisted bird-watching mediates people's relationship with a particular representation of an animal world. By focusing on people's interpretations and responses to CCTV camera technology at three bird-watching sites around Scotland, it is argued that the use of CCTV technology represents a qualitatively different mode of engaging with birds which has bearing on how this mediated animal world appears in and to people's everyday lives. It is asserted that the spatial relations invoked in the act of looking at birds through a CCTV lens inscribe a conceptual hyper-separation between see-er and seen that serve to normalise a vision of humanity inherently separate from and dominant over the wildlife on screen. As a technologically mediated way of seeing, the paper explores the use of CCTV cameras as inscribing particular ‘ways of being’ that serve to define and limit people's conduct towards the birds on view. By drawing attention to the conservation discourses that support, and are supported by the use of CCTV-assisted bird-watching, it is argued that the notion of ‘keeping an eye on nature’ is embedded in a cultural agenda that assists with the construction of nature as tele-visual commodity.     

An English Tree-Ring Chronology,A.D. 404–1216

AN 813-YEAR OAK CHRONOLOGY, A.D. 404–1216, is presented. Its construction has taken three years because of the difficulty of finding suitable Saxon timbers and the need to test the reliability of the dating. Although based on only a few timbers for the period c. A.D. 700, it can be used to date Saxon and medieval timbers whilst more material is found to consolidate that section of the chronology.     

Early? Late? A reply to F.H. Cryer

Abstract

The article clarifies the position taken in the author's 1990 doctoral dissertation vis‐'a‐vis the distinction between Early and Late Biblical Hebrew. This distinction functions as a frame of reference for what is essentially an effort to detect linguistic similarities and differences between the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles.     

Geophysical Investigations at Teotepec,Mexico (1000 B.C.–A.D. 1000)

Abstract

Recent investigations at the site of Teotepec in the Sierra de los Tuxtlas in southern Veracruz, Mexico explored Middle Formative through Late Classic (1000 B.C.–A.D. 1000) socioeconomic conditions. A central focus was the form and function of the site's distinctive architectural configuration, the Long Plaza Group. During the 2007 and 2008 field seasons, a systematic geophysical survey of Teotepec obtained initial information on the layout, orientation, and possible function of the site's central architectural core. Results from the survey allow for a clear definition of the site's Long Plaza Group in addition to the identification of a possible ball court along its eastern edge. It is also clear that Teotepecans incorporated natural features into their architectural core by placing a pyramid atop a volcanic landform and modifying a natural basalt flow in order to create a level plaza. Finally, the geophysical data indicate significant time depth in architectural construction by suggesting diffirent mound construction techniques, thus underscoring the importance of Teotepec as a persistent place in a region marked by significant population fluctuations in the Formative and Classic periods.     

A ‘SMALL TOWN’ DISCOVERED TWICE: A FORGOTTEN REPORT OF MAJOR H. H. KITCHENER

Abstract

This paper revisits the contribution of the Palestine Exploration Fund (PEF) to the study of the ancient copper mines of Faynan, Jordan. It reveals that it was a PEF expedition that first reported smelting remains in the northern part of the Faynan region, and demonstrates that the reported remains are the Iron Age site of Khirbat al-Jariya.     

A Naturally Formed Pagoda at Mt. Murdo

ＡＮａｔｕｒａｌｌｙＦｏｒｍｅｄＰａｇｏｄａａｔＭｔ．Ｍｕｒｄｏ￥ｂｙＬｈａｒＯ＇ｇｙａｉＴｈｅｇｒａｎｉｔｅｐａｇｏｄａｔｏｗｅｒｉｎｇｏｖｅｒｔｈｅＭｕｒｄｏＭｏｕｎｔａｉｎｓｌｏｐｅｗａｓ．．ｈ，ｉｌｔｌｉｂｙｔｈｅＭｕｒｄｏＭｏｕｎｔａｉｎＧ...