Last meals inferred from the possible gut contents of a mummy: A case study from Astana Cemetery,Xinjiang, China*

The gut contents of ancient humans have been proven to be the most direct evidence for palaeodietary study. In the Xinjiang region of north-west China, large numbers of mummies are well preserved owing to the extremely dry environment to be found there. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) combined with multi-archaeobotanical methods, including macrofossil examination, starch grain analysis, phytolith analysis and bran fragments analysis, were applied to investigate the possible gut contents (c.1300 bp by ¹⁴C dating) of a person unearthed at tomb 75TAM601 in Astana Cemetery, which were the public graveyards of the ancient Gaochang people (residents of Turpan, dating from about the third to the ninth centuries ce ), in Turpan, Xinjiang. The result of the FTIR analysis showed that the matrix of the possible gut contents consisted of protein and starch and was characterized as undigested food residue. The white mineral fragments of this sample were from the decomposition products of the skeleton. The microfossil analysis demonstrated that Setaria italica, Panicum miliaceum and Triticum aestivum were the main cereal resources for the last meals eaten by the deceased. Moreover, direct macrofossil evidence also advocates for the importance of the three aforementioned cereal crops and fruits of Cucumis melo and Vitis vinifera in the person's diet.     

Lead isotopic analyses of copper ores in the Early Bronze Age central Hexi Corridor,north-west China

This paper explores the possible provenance of ores employed for metallurgical production during the Early Bronze Age in the central Hexi Corridor of north-west China. In total, 78 pieces of copper (Cu) ore samples were collected from five Early Bronze Age sites and one Cu deposit site (the Beishantang Cu deposit) in the Heihe River region of the central corridor. These sites were dated to the late Machang (4100–4000 bp ), Xichengyi (4000–3700 bp ), Qijia (4000–3600 bp ) and Siba (3700–3400 bp ) cultures. After comparing with published lead (Pb) isotopic data from other possible Cu deposits in north-west China, the results show that the Cu ores collected from the Early Bronze Age sites were most likely derived from the adjacent Beishan Cu deposit. More intriguingly, for the first time in Hexi Corridor, a dozen Cu ores were discovered containing highly radiogenic Pb. Though fundamentally different from those in the Central Plains, they illustrate a possible new type of Cu used in Bronze Age western China, and the first-hand materials are significant for further understanding the provenance of raw metals for metallurgical production in the prehistoric Hexi Corridor.     

《吐鲁番文书总目(欧美收藏卷)》

荣新江先生主编的《吐鲁番文书总目（欧美收藏卷）》是全部《吐鲁番文书总目》三大册中的第三册。此前已出版陈国灿、刘安志先生主编的第二册《日本收藏卷》（武汉大学出版社，2005年），颇受学界好评。两册国外收藏的吐鲁番文书目录先后出版，     

青莲教道脉源流新论——兼谈九祖“黄德辉”

本文根据青莲教早期文献,推证该教流传的祖脉源流系谱及祖师是仙佛化身的说法,至迟在袁志谦时代已形成。结合祖脉系谱中三祖"普庵"的记载的特殊描述,进而追索该"祖脉源流"的由来,可能与江西人吴子祥或黄德辉有关。该"祖脉源流"除记载教中祖师外,亦传达"道落火宅"、"释终儒起"等观念。至于教中九祖"黄德辉",对照档案记载,就是黄廷臣。     

史前捐弃房屋风俗的再研究

在我国史前时期曾存在着捐弃房屋的风俗.捐弃房屋的方式有烧毁、捣毁、废弃等几种方式.这种风俗存在的原因,主要应是与死者有关,是与安葬死者相关的一种仪式.它反映了远古先民的灵魂观念、禁忌习俗、尊卑观念和财产意识.     

考古所见中国古代的太阳崇拜

太阳崇拜是中国古代宗教的一个重要组成部分.本文通过对考古资料中与太阳相关遗迹、遗物及各地岩画中太阳图像的类型及年代分析,结合文献资料,揭示了中国古代太阳崇拜的发展阶段性.     

宁波市构建现代化生态城市战略思考

现代化城市建设对生态环境提出了新的要求,能否拥有一个良好的生态指标,将成为未来城市能否立足于世界的又一个重要标准。通过探讨生态城市概念及重要性分析,对宁波建设现代化生态城市所面临的制约因素进行了深入的定性和定量研究,并从宁波市实际出发,提出了建设生态城市的具体对策。     

人文地理研究能为制订国家政策作贡献：——以城市发展方针研究为例

本文综述了我国关于城市发展方针的争论和最新动态。作者以自己多年来围绕中国城市发展方针的研究为例,说明人文地理学能够为国家制订政策作贡献。其感受是要敢于面对问题;通过深入研究,有站得住脚的观点;要坚持不懈,不怕坐冷板凳。     

论大汶口文化大口尊

大汶口文化大口尊是随着社会发展的节拍而出现的时代性器物,与当时的生产力发展、意识形态的转变以及宗教活动都有着密切的联系,加上大口尊上的刻划符号,更是显示了这种特殊器物的深奥意义.大口尊不是普通生活用具,而是在当时的社会背景下新出现的一种特定器物.同时,大口尊上的刻划符号,表达的也是一种具有宗教内容的刻符.     

龙门路洞几个问题的讨论

本文是《龙门路洞调查报告》的第二部分,着重对路洞的雕刻题材、洞窟开凿的时间、窟主及其建筑的艺术风格、特点进行了研讨.