Dolní V stonice 15: Pathology and Persistence in the Pavlovian

Several lines of archaeological and human palaeontological data from the Moravian earlier Gravettian (or Pavlovian) indicate a high level of mobility among these earlier Upper Palaeolithic human populations. The congenitally abnormal young adult Dolní V stonice 15 human remains support this pattern. Dolní V stonice 15 suffered serious developmental abnormalities, most likely as a result of the X-linked dominant form of chondrodysplasia calcificans punctata, that included pronounced infantile and minor later childhood developmental defects of dental enamel (enamel hypoplasia), asymmetrical curvature and angular deformities of the proximal femora, asymmetrical shortening of the femora, a diaphyseal deformity of the distal right humerus, a probable healed left ulnar fracture with associated deformity of the radial diaphysis, elevated length asymmetries of the forearms, and an unusual pattern of anomalies of tooth position and number. These are combined with trivial intervertebral articular degenerations, plus localized pronounced osteoarthritis of the right glenohumeral joint and right second and fifth ray hand proximal interphalangeal joints. Yet, there is little asymmetry of the lower limbs distal of the mid-femora, and both diaphyseal hypertrophy of the humeri, femora and tibiae and relative arm and leg muscle attachment size and moment arms indicate a level of skeletal hypertrophy average to high for an earlier Upper Palaeolithic human. The severe upper limb osteoarthritis may indicate a pattern of pronounced and repetitive carrying or dragging of heavy loads. These data indicate the ability of the population to keep a severely affected individual alive through development, yet they also emphasize the necessity for all individuals to participate actively in the elevated mobility and overall activity levels of these earlier Upper Palaeolithic human populations.     

Modeling and Seismic Response Analysis of Italian Code-Conforming Reinforced Concrete Buildings

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the seismic response of reinforced concrete buildings designed according to the current Italian building code. Number of stories, site hazard, presence and distribution of masonry infill panels, and type of lateral resisting system are the key investigated parameters. The main issues related to design and modeling are discussed. Two Limit States are considered, namely Global Collapse and Usability-Preventing Damage. The main aim of the study is a comparison between the seismic response of the buildings, investigated through nonlinear static and dynamic analyses. Irregularity in the distribution of infill panels and site hazard emerge as the most influential parameters.     

Influence of Short Segments in the Trabeation With Opposing Inclined Edges on the Seismic Vulnerability of the Marble Blocks Colonnade in the Archaeological Site of Pompeii

This study presents the vulnerability analysis of a masterpiece of the architectural heritage of the ancient city of Pompeii in Italy. First, a historical analysis of the structure is proposed; then finite element analyses are discussed to evaluate the seismic vulnerability of the colonnade today, including the effect of water leakage and pollutants in between the marble blocks of the structure. Pompeii, in fact, is a partially buried Roman town-city; after suffering many earthquakes in the past it was destroyed during a long catastrophic eruption of the Vesuvius volcano in 79 ad and remained covered until its accidental rediscovery in 1749. After excavations, the ruins of the ancient town present many partially collapsed buildings, not only due to other earthquakes during the past three centuries, but also due to rapid degradation of the archaeological material. Temples and public places mainly present slender columns and typical shapes of discrete marble overlaying blocks. In the case of the colonnade of the Forum, residing in the main square of the town, an “innovative solution” was adopted for the trabeation. To avoid long span beams over the columns, short segments were built up providing opposing inclined patterned edges. Numerical analyses show the seismic vulnerability of a colonnade, in order to understand how a UNESCO World cultural heritage site can be preserved. The beam segmentation was an “innovative solution” for that period aiming to simplify the constructability of those structures. This solution did not substantially alter the colonnade current seismic vulnerability. Nevertheless any contemporary alteration between blocks could potentially increase the colonnade’s seismic vulnerability, potentially putting at risk cultural heritage and human life.     

Minero-petrographic characterization of fine ware from Cales (South Italy)

79 samples of black glazed pottery, Terra sigillata, fine common ware, and production indicators were recovered in the archaeological site of Cales and investigated via a multi-analytical program (polarized light microscopy, thermal analyses, XRPD, XRF, FESEM, FESEM-EDS). Among the materials, finds of important production indicators, represented by welded pieces of black glazed pottery and spacers, attest a local production. Polarized light microscopy shows that the inclusions consist of feldspar, quartz, mica, calcite, and lithic fragments of both volcanic and sedimentary nature. Additional information about the mineralogical assemblage comes from the XRPD that revealed the presence of neoformed Ca-silicates, indicating equivalent firing temperatures ranging from 750 to 1050°C. All the samples show a Ca-rich character and an extreme compositional homogeneity, including the production indicators. The comparison with some Ca-rich Campanian clay raw materials shows a greater affinity with the Mio-Pliocene marine clay sediments of the Apennine sector, which include local clays. This allowed us to formulate the first hypotheses about clay sources used to produce fine pottery during the third century BCE to the early imperial period in Cales.