人类最早出现在东北亚高纬度地区的新证据

<正>确定早期人类扩散到亚洲的时间是人类演化研究的中心课题之一。在华北泥河湾盆地马圈沟湖相沉积剖面发掘出四层无可争议的石器层。本项研究的磁性地层学结果表明,这四层石器层的年龄介于Olduvai极性亚时和Cobb Mountain事件之间的近34万年时间间隔内。层位最低的旧石器的年龄约1.66Myr,代表了东亚地区利用石器加工动物遗骨     

Beyond the grave: variability in Neolithic diets in Southern Germany?

Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses were undertaken on human and faunal remains from two Neolithic sites in Southern Germany; the LBK settlement at Herxheim and the middle Neolithic cemetery at Trebur. Stable isotope data were used to reconstruct the diets of individuals buried at these sites and to look at dietary variation between groups classified by their sex, age, grave goods and cultural affiliation. Overall there was surprisingly little variation in the diet between the groups, as described by the stable isotope analysis, despite significant differences in the composition of grave goods. Also surprising, considering the archaeological evidence for extensive grain cultivation in this region during the Neolithic, was that the majority of individuals had δ¹⁵N values consistent with the consumption of significant amounts of animal protein.     

A Procedure to Generate Thiessen Polygons

An algorithm to generate Thiessen diagrams for a set of n points defined in the plane is presented. First, existing proximal polygon computation procedures are reviewed and terms are defined. The algorithm developed here uses a rectangular window within which the Thiessen diagram is defined. The computation of Thiessen polygons uses an iterative walking process whereby the processing starts at the lower left corner of the diagram and proceeds toward the right top corner. The use of a sorted point sequence and dynamical core allocation provide for efficient processing. The presentation is concluded by the discussion of an implementation of the algorithm in a FORTRAN program.     

Variations in the bridging trait of the hypoglossal canal in 13th century Byzantine skulls

The presence of a bony bridge in the (bridging trait) hypoglossal canal, with five different modes, was investigated in 25 adult male Byzantine (13th century) skulls. First, we re‐evaluated the viability of proposed classification schemes, then for the first time, provided information on the structural features of this part of the occipital bone in a population of Asia Minor. Analysis of the data revealed minor differences in the Byzantine population compared to those previously investigated. Diverse geographical sources may be beneficial in understanding the role of developmental and genetic factors in bridging trait. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lifestyle,occupation, and whole bone morphology of the pre‐Hispanic Maya coastal population from Xcambó, Yucatan,Mexico

The present bioarchaeological study examines the external diaphyseal geometric properties of humeri, radii, femora and tibiae of the Classic period skeletal population of Xcambó, Yucatan, Mexico. The diaphysial proportions are evaluated using a biomechanical approach together with data from the material context and other osteological information. Our intent is to provide new answers to questions concerning lifestyle, domestic labour division and subsistence strategies of this coastal Maya settlement that was inhabited from the Late and Terminal Preclassic (300 BC–350 AD) to the Postclassic Period (900–1500 AD). Our results provide evidence for a marked sexual division of labour when compared with values from contemporaneous inland populations. The overall male and female loading patterns differ remarkably in terms of form and in bilateral comparison. A high directional asymmetry in the upper limbs is evident among males, a condition related to maritime transportation and trading activities. On the other hand, female upper limbs are characterized by very low side differences. Forces on the arms of women were probably dominated by food processing, in particular the grinding of grains or seeds. In the lower limbs, males show significantly higher anteroposterior bending strengths, which can be explained by greater engagement in transportation tasks and carrying heavy loads. In the course of the Classic period (350–900 AD), diachronic changes affect the male sample only, which suggests a shift of occupational pattern and physical demands. This shift, in turn, reflects Xcambó's changing role as the centre of a densifying settlement area and its place in the trading activities of northern Yucatan. Other topics of discussion relate to general regional trends and local prehispanic subsistence strategies. Our conclusions emphasize the value of geometric long bone analysis in the reconstruction of activity patterns and lifestyles in ancient coastal settlements. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Book reviews

PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT IN SOUTHERN ASIA, by Sydney D. Bailey. The Hansard Society, London, 1953, in co‐operation with the International Secretariat, Institute of Pacific Relations. Pp. 100. Price 9s.

INDEPENDENT IRAQ, a study in Iraqi Politics since 1932, by Majid Khadduri. Issued under the auspices of the Royal Institute of International Affairs. Oxford University Press. London, New York, Toronto, 1951.

NATIONALISM AND REVOLUTION IN INDONESIA, by George McT. Kahin. Cornell, New York 1952. Pp. 490.

LIBERATION IN SOUTH AMERICA 1806–1827: THE CAREER OF JAMES PAROISSIEN, by R. A. Humphreys. University of London: The Athlone Press, 1952. Pp. XI, 177. Maps and illus. Price 25/‐.

JAPAN IN WORLD HISTORY, by G. B. Sansom. Issued under the auspices of the Japan Institute of Pacific Relations, International Secretariate of the Institute of Pacific Relations, New York, 1951. 94 pp.