DNA FROM HUMAN ANCIENT BACTERIA: A NOVEL SOURCE OF GENETIC EVIDENCE FROM ARCHAEOLOGICAL DENTAL CALCULUS

We report a molecular methodology to obtain and analyse ancient bacterial DNA from archaeological dental calculus. Recent and archaeological DNA samples, as old as 4000 bp , were successfully extracted and amplified with species‐specific PCR primers. We propose this approach in order to: detect the presence of specific bacterial species infecting past human populations; compare the composition of ancient oral microbiomes among human populations; and analyse the genetic variability and covariation of bacteria and human host populations. Genomic analysis of bacteria from dental calculus is a promising source of evidence for palaeopathological and micro‐evolutionary studies, focused either on micro‐organisms or their human hosts.     

STUDIES OF CERAMIC TILES ATTRIBUTED TO GABRIEL DEL BARCO

This study reports the mineralogical and chemical characterization of the ceramic body of tiles created by Gabriel del Barco, an important tile painter in Lisbon from the 17th century. Six tile panels were studied: four are signed and two are attributed to the painter. The results obtained from the signed panels revealed that the samples have almost the same characteristics, with a magnesium‐rich phase, meaning that the artist, or the pottery where the tiles were made, kept to the same manufacturing procedure over some time. In contrast to this, the results of samples from the masterpiece Vista de Lisboa showed some heterogeneity, as two patterns were observed. However, one of these patterns matches with the one observed in the signed tile panels. Although a more detailed study still needs to be done, these findings, together with historical sources linked to painting characteristics, suggest that Gabriel del Barco was also the author of the non‐signed tiles.     

The Embodiment of Social Life: Bodylore and the Kirkwall Ba' Game (Orkney,Scotland)

This paper focuses on the practice of playing folk football on Christmas Day and New Year's Day in Kirkwall, Orkney, and on the idea of “embodiment” in traditional games. The comparison of empirical data from field research with theoretical interpretations illuminates the embodiment processes in the Kirkwall Ba' game, giving evidence of the intricate interaction between three essential dimensions in bodylore: the individual, society, and the environment.     

Specimens of Somali Tales.

A BALLAD OF KERALA. By M. D. RAGHAVAN, B.A. Reprinted from the Indian Antiquary, vol. lxi., pp. 9–12, 72–77, 112–116, 150–154, 205–211. Reviewed by F. J. R..

MYTH AND RITUAL. Essays on the Myth and Ritual of the Hebrews in relation to the Culture Pattern of the Ancient East. Edited by S. H. HOOKE. Oxford University Press, 1933. Pp. xix + 204. Illust. 20. Price 10s. 6d. Reviewed by A. M. Hocart.

THE ELIZABETHAN FAIRIES, THE FAIRIES OF FOLKLORE AND THE FAIRIES OF SHAKESPEARE. By MINOR WHITE LATHAM, Ph.D. Columbia University Press, 1930. 8½″ x 5½″. Pp. viii + 313. 18s. 6d. Reviewed by H. C. L..

INDO-EUROPEAN FOLK-TALES AND GREEK LEGEND. By W. R. HALLIDAY. Pp. vii.+ 158. Cambridge University Press, 1933. 7s. 6d. 8″ x 5½″. Reviewed by H. J. Rose.

DRAGUTIN SUBOTI?. YUGOSLAV POPULAR BALLADS, THEIR ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT. Cambridge, University Press, 1932. Price 10s. 6d. 288 pp. 8vo. Reviewed by M. Gaster.

SACRAMENTS OF SIMPLE FOLK. By R. R. MARETT, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1933. Pp. ii + 230. 10s.net. Reviewed by H. J. Rose.

PRIMITIVE ARTS AND CRAFTS. By R. U. SAYCE. Cambridge University Press. 1933. 7¾″ x 5½′ F - Pp. xiii + 291 Reviewed by M. M. B..

THE ALEXANDER BOOK IN ETHIOPIA : The Ethiopic versions of Pseudo-Callisthenes, the Chronicle of Al-Mâkin, the Narrative of Joseph ben Gorion, and a Christian Romance of Alexander. SIR ERNEST A. WALLIS BUDGE. London : Oxford University Press. 1933. i–xxix, and 1–277. 13 Plates. Price 7s. 6d. Size 7¾″ x 5¼″. Reviewed by M. Gaster.

QUILEUTE TEXTS. By MANUEL J. ANDRADE. Columbia University Contributions to Anthropology, Volume XII. New York: Columbia University Press ; Oxford : Humphrey Milford, 1931. 206 pp. 26s. 6d. Reviewed by Barbara Aitken.

TRIBES OF THE NIGER DELTA, THEIR RELIGIONS AND CUSTOMS. By P. AMAURY TALBOT, D.Sc. Illustrated. Map. London : The Sheldon Press. 1932. 9″ x 6″. Pp. xi + 350. 18s. Reviewed by Edwin W. Smith.

RECHERCHES SUR NOTRE ANCIENNE CHANSON POPULAIRE TRADITIONELLE. Exposé V. by PAUL COIRAULT. Libraire E. Droz, 25 Rue de Tournon, Paris. VIme. 1932. Pp. 321–685. 10″ x 6½″. Reviewed by M. M. B..     

Stray Notes on Oxfordshire Folklore

BIRDS IN LEGEND FABLE AND FOLKLORE. By ERNEST INGERSOLL. Longmans, Green &; Co., 1923. Ill. Front. Pp. v + 292. 12s. 6d. net. Reviewed by D. H. Moutray Read.

GAELIC PIONEERS OF CHRISTIANITY. By DOM LOUIS GOUGAUD, O.S.B. Dublin: M. H. Gill &; Son, 1923. Pp. xxiii. + 166. 7s. 6d. n. Reviewed by Eleanor Hull.

THE LATIN AND IRISH LIVES OF ST. CIARAN. By R. A. STEWART MACALISTER. Pp. 190. 10s. n. LIFE OF ST. DAVID. By A. W. WADE-EVANS. Pp. xx.+ 124. 7s. 6d. n. [Translations of Christian Literature : Series V., Lives of Celtic Saints.] Soc. for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1923. Reviewed by Eleanor Hull.

CONTES SLAVES DE LA MACÉDOINE SUD-OCCIDENTALE : Etude linguistique; textes et traduction; Notes de Folklore. Par ANDRÉ MAZON. Paris: Librairie Ancienne Honoré Champion, 1923. Reviewed by A. H. Krappe.

EGYPTIAN MYTHOLOGY. By W. MAX MÜLLER. [Being vol. xii. of The Mythology of All Races, 1923.] Geo. G. Harrap &; Co., 1923. Ill. Pp. xvi.+448. 10s. 6d. n. Reviewed by M. A. Murray.

LIFE IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA : THE MAGIC, BELIEFS AND CUSTOMS OF THE IBIBIO TRIBE. By P. AMAURY TALBOT. Macmillan &; Co., 1923. 8vo. Pp. xvi. + 356. Map; 51 ill. 21s. n. Reviewed by A. R. Wright.

THE GOLDEN ASS OF LUCIUS APULEIUS. In the translation of WILLIAM ADLINGTON. Edit., with an Intro., by F. J. HARVEY DARTON. Navarre Society, 1924. Ill. Pp. 359. 21s. net.