The Human Web: A Bird's-EyeView Of World History by J. R. McNeill and William H. McNeill

T he H uman W eb : A B ird 's-E ye V iew O f W orld H istory . By J. R. McNeill and William H. McNeill.     

Technology Transfer at the Periphery of the Mycenaean World: The Cases of Mycenaean Pottery Found in Central Macedonia (Greece) and the Plain of Sybaris (Italy)*

The study of technology transfer in pottery production to the periphery of the Mycenaean world has been addressed by considering two different areas, southern Italy and central Macedonia. Technological features such as ceramic paste, decoration and firing have been determined for different ceramic groups established according to provenance criteria. The studies of technology and provenance have been performed following an archaeometric approach, using neutron activation analysis, petrographic analysis, X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results have revealed the existence of two different models. On the one hand, southern Italy seems to exhibit a more organized pottery production, which follows a Mycenaean‐like technology, while in central Macedonia production is probably more varied, being based in part on the technology of the local tradition.     

La Jicarilla

La Jicarilla was a distinct sub-region of eastern Apacheria, that seemingly limitless area northeast of early 18th century New Mexico in which various, usually friendly, Apaches lived. It was probably named after one or more of the igneous landforms found in northeastern New Mexico and was situated on the western Great Plains, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains. It was also situated astride the "Taos Trail" the most important transmountain road in northeastern New Mexico, and was of substantial strategic importance to the Spaniards of New Mexico. As Comanche, Ute and French pressure mounted in northeastern New Mexico, both the Spaniards of New Mexico and the Apaches of La Jicarilla saw advantages in the annexation of La Jicarilla by New Mexico and the placement of a presidio, mission and pueblo(s) there. Plans for these settlements were made, but before they could be implemented attitudes and priorities changed and they were never established. Instead, with decreased New Mexican concern for northeastern frontier defenses, the Apaches of eastern Apacheria were displaced by the Comanches, and La Jicarilla as an Apache settlement region ceased to exist. The use of "La Jicarilla" as a place name continued until the late 18th century.     

Studies in sociolinguistics

William Labov. Language in the Inner City: Studies in the Black English Vernacular. Conduct and Communication No. 3. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1972. xxiv + 412 pp. Figures, tables, bibliography, and index. $6.95 (paper).

William Labov. Sociolinguistic Patterns. Conduct and Communication No. 4. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1972. xviii + 344 pp. Figures, tables, biliography, and index. $5.95 (paper).     

Trauma in the Crusader period city of Caesarea: a major port in the medieval eastern Mediterranean

Caesarea is the first fortified city to undergo palaeopathological analysis of its Crusader period inhabitants. This study of the 12th and 13th century population aims to determine the major types of trauma present, whether from weapon injuries or accidents. Since the Crusades were known for the significant number of battles and raids that took place, weapon injuries were expected to be common. Thirteen cases of trauma are described and a highly unexpected pattern has come to light. These cases do not include one single example of weapon‐related trauma. Every fracture is of a type expected from accidents or interpersonal violence without weapons. Possible explanations include the location of the city deep within Frankish territory and the robust city walls giving effective protection to the inhabitants, and also that the population were involved in activities that left them prone to accidents but not weapon injuries. The other important finding from this study was that the cases of lower limb long bone spiral fractures had healed in a near‐anatomical alignment. This is not what we would expect, as a proportion of these injuries would normally have been unstable and tend to heal poorly aligned. The good position could have resulted from surgeons' use of splints to immobilise the bones while they healed. This suggestion is supported by laws of the kingdom of Jerusalem, which stated that surgeons were to be punished if they allowed such fractures to heal at an angle. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.