The Environmental History of Mass Graves

ABSTRACT

The author presents an ecological-necrological perspective on the ontology of the human dead body and remains in the context of Holocaust studies. The article examines the environmental history of mass graves and reflects on the ontological status and condition of human remains. The author proposes an approach that combines humanities and soil sciences while thinking about post-genocidal spaces and sites of mass killings in order to discuss the issue of protecting human remains from politicization and commercialization and to prefigure appropriate long-term approaches to the preservation of sites containing human remains. The article suggests focusing on humus while examining the process of dehumanization through decomposition (organic decay) and unbecoming human by “becoming-soil.” To enrich and problematize the humanities’ conception of humus, the article draws on conceptions of humus proposed by soil scientists. What is argued here is that the ecological perspective becomes a necessary and essential element in managing post-genocidal (and post-Holocaust) sites, particularly when it comes to planning their conservation and preservation.     

What role for culture in the age of sustainable development? UNESCO’s advocacy in the 2030 Agenda negotiations

ABSTRACT

The article presents the nuanced role of culture in the sustainable development agenda of the United Nations, highlighting the contribution of UNESCO. While UNESCO has been engaged in the intersections between culture and development since 1980s, when the World Decade for Cultural Development was proclaimed, it was only with the negotiation of post-2015 development framework that culture began to enter the mainstream development discourse. It is argued that this process, influenced by both external and internal factors, has led to the reconceptualisation of the culture-development nexus. While the role of culture in the human development paradigm was focused on poverty alleviation and other human needs, including identity, education, and health, the sustainability agenda significantly widens the possible roles for cultural factors. UNESCO’s three approaches are discussed: culture as a unique dimension of sustainable development, and culture as a driver and enabler of sustainability.     

The Postholocaust Landscape of Chelmno on the Ner (Kulmhof an der Nehr): An Ecological Perspective

ABSTRACT

This article shows how the ecology and nature of the Rzuchów Forest (in the Rzuchów district of the Ko?o forestry inspectorate in Greater Poland) was indirectly affected by the extermination of the Jewish population as a result of it being used to camouflage evidence of the crimes. Tracing the environmental history of commemoration in the forested part of the former death camp at Che?mno on the Ner (Che?mno nad Nerem/ Kulmhof an der Nehr) will give an indication of the ecological consequences of efforts to preserve the material traces of the camp and its natural surroundings. These efforts continued into the late 1980s. The ecology of commemoration and environmental commemoration form the two poles of this ecological continuum. It is possible to bring them closer together by furthering debates on the relationship between genocide and ecocide, while also expanding existing narratives on the Holocaust by turning to environmental aspects. This research is guided by the idea that it is necessary to rethink existing (and planned) forms of commemoration of crimes against humanity in the context of environmental ethics, with this approach leading to forms of commemoration at killing sites that give more consideration to the environment.     

Fast Nonlinear Analysis of Traditional Chinese Timber-Frame Building with Dou-Gon

ABSTRACT

This article presents a study of the applicability of fast nonlinear analytical (FNA) models in predicting the global response of Chinese traditional timber-frame building with Dou-Gon under seismic excitation. Efforts are made to overcome challenges in establishing simplified calculation models, and the corresponding dynamic equations are derived considering the mechanical behavior of sliding column root, mortise-tenon joint and Dou-Gon (bracket sets). Furthermore, nonlinear time-history analysis is conducted under different seismic excitations. Through a verification study, a good correspondence is obtained with previous shake-table test results. Seismic response analysis is also conducted to investigate the energy dissipation of column root sliding, mortise-tenon joint, and Dou-Gon. Subsequently, peak responses of column root and roof under increased values of peak ground acceleration (PGA) are also analyzed. And then, seismic isolation ability and damping characteristics of the model are discussed.     

Propagation of error formulas for K/Ar dating method

In this paper has been derived the most relevant propagation of error formula in the case when argon peaks are measured. The most frequently cited formula published by Cox and Dalrymple deals with the isotope ratios, instead of isotope peaks heights, considered as independent variables.     

早期鄂豫陕间文化交流通道的初步研究

今鄂豫陕三省的交界地带,特别是以南阳盆地为中心的地区,是早期中原、荆楚、关中各大区域之间往来的交通要道,这些通道实际上就是各区域之间文化交流的地理舞台,更是三代国家实现区域联合不可缺少的信息传输纽带。