Accurate measurements with primitive instruments: the “paradox” in the qanat design

Qanats are up to 3000 years old artificial sub-horizontal underground water channels, 5–80 km long, widespread in Iran, but also common in western China, Arabia and the Mediterranean; they were excavated from the bottom of vertical shafts, starting from their exit and advancing upstream till main, productive wells, constructed at the very beginning of the project were met. Successful qanat excavation therefore required accurate geodetic design, though based on primitive instruments; an apparent “paradox”, obscured by the tremendous social and economic significance of qanats controlling lifestyle in arid regions.     

Ancient DNA of the Pacific rat (Rattus exulans) from Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

We report analysis of ancient mitochondrial DNA sequences from nine archaeological specimens (8 femura and 1 incissor) of Rattus exulans excavated from Anakena Beach Dune on Rapa Nui. Sequence of a 239-base-pair fragment of the hypervariable mitochondrial control region reveals a single mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence of all samples corresponding to the R9 haplotype prevalent in East Polynesia. This suggests a single or very limited introduction of Rattus exulans to the island. Rapa Nui, like other remote islands of Polynesia, remained effectively isolated following colonization.     

不同藩属体系的重组与王朝疆域的形成--以西汉时期为中心

本文以西汉王朝为例,对古代中国王朝的疆域形成进行了探讨。认为,不同藩属体系的碰撞和重组是王朝疆域形成的主要途径。在西汉初期,中华大地上存在以西汉王朝和匈奴为核心的两大藩属体系,以及众多的亚藩属体系和弱藩属体系。自武帝时期开始,随着西汉王朝国力的增强,两大藩属体系进入碰撞、重组阶段,其结果是不仅以匈奴为核心的藩属体系被纳入西汉王朝的藩属体系中,其他弱藩属体系也进入其中,属于西汉王朝藩属体系的亚藩属体系则成为了郡县,由此最终形成了郡县、特设机构、藩属国三个不同层次构成的西汉王朝疆域。     

古代治边观念的研究内容与主要特点

本文对古代治边观念的研究内容和主要特点进行了探讨。认为古代治边观念是中国古代逐步形成的关于边疆、历史疆域形成与管辖及相关问题的处理,在态度、方略和措施方面的一系列认识。其研究内容十分丰富,大体上包括古代边疆观、古代治边观以及对其他边疆有关问题的认识观三个主要方面。治边观念的特点主要有对历代边疆施治产生了深刻影响;与国势兴衰相关联;中原王朝与边疆政权的治边观念有一定差异;经历了发展演变的过程。     

"中国世界秩序"观之影响及其与中国古代边疆研究--费正清《中国世界秩序:中国传统的对外关系》读后

本文概述了费正清“中国世界秩序”观及其对西方中国近代史研究的影响,认为费氏的理论在中国边疆史地研究中也有着积极意义,特别是在中华民族共同意识和共同价值观的形成以及历代边疆的治理及中国疆域的确立等方面。     

吕祖谦编选《古文关键》质疑

长期以来,《古关键》一书都被认为是吕祖谦所编撰。本以清徐树屏冠山堂刻本里所收无名氏的跋语为证,并通过对该书所选录的作家作品和其评论之间所存在的明显矛盾的分析,说明它很可能是先有人选录完毕,吕祖谦对之加以批论评点,再由南宋蔡子作注而完成的,并指出弄清这问题的价值和意义。     

古埃及人的数学成就

古埃及文明的重要成就之一就是科学技术发明 ,其中数学成就引人注目。从保留下来的纸草文献中 ,我们可以了解到古埃及人的数学知识相当丰富 ,他们的数学知识包括算术、代数和几何三个方面。古埃及人的数学产生于生活和实践 ,并广泛应用于生产实践 ,取得了辉煌的成就 ,对人类文明做出了重要贡献。     

台湾出土部分古代玻璃珠的科学分析

使用北京大学科技考古实验室的激光剥蚀电感耦合等离子体发射光谱分析了台湾省出土的18件古代玻璃珠子标本．结果表明这些珠子主要属于钙镁玻璃系统、钾玻璃系统、铅玻璃系统以及钠钙玻璃系统．除钠钙玻璃以外其它玻璃的制作技术均和同时期在大陆流行的玻璃制作技术同源。而成分分析结果显示钠钙玻璃可能来自印度或者东南亚,说明中古时期台湾岛是“海上丝绸之路”的重要中转站。     

On the elimination of extraneous DNA in fossil human teeth with hypochlorite

Elimination of extraneous DNA in fossil specimens is of paramount importance for the successful isolation and analysis of authentic DNA; this is especially true when the specimens are of human origin. Bones and teeth are commonly decontaminated with bleach containing the powerful oxidising hypochlorite ion. The procedures involve either submersion in or wiping with the chlorine agent. Using the radioactive isotope Cl³⁶ we showed that submersion of fossil teeth in solutions of small ions such as Cl⁻ or hypochlorite, ClO⁻, cause that they migrate right into the pulp. This may lead to the unwanted destruction of authentic DNA. However, using pairs of teeth from the remains of four ancient Europeans (1000–2000 YBP) as well as tooth and hair from an Inuit skull (>300 YBP) we provide evidence that at least some endogenous human fossil DNA survives in powdered pulp/dentin that has been submersed in 2% hypochlorite. Further, we show that powdered pulp/dentin deliberately contaminated with huge amounts of a 414 bp PCR product is effectively decontaminated by suspension in 2% hypochlorite for 5 min. Decontamination of fossil material from teeth may therefore be accomplished by a short direct action of hypochlorite on the powdered specimen rather than less controllable and less efficient external treatments of the whole specimen.     

A DNA test for sex identification in cattle confirms osteometric results

It is of vital importance to be able to sex identify cattle remains to understand the strategies and importance of cattle husbandry in an ancient society. This is usually done from osteoarchaeological assemblages and often relies on measurements of metapodials. The breadth measurement of the distal trochlea is considered an easy way to identify the sex. Bones from males appears to be easily distinguishable from female counterparts, although it has been complicated to find an external control for the morphological results. Here we investigate the reliability of these particular morphometrics for sex identifying cattle bones with molecular genetics. We use a sex discriminating single nucleotide polymorphism in the ZFXY gene and we apply it to DNA from the bones. To keep the fragment size short and suitable for ancient DNA we base the test on a SNP. The test confirms the osteological sex identification in all cases were DNA could be retrieved. This molecular method can also be used when no fragments suitable for osteological sex identification can be found or when the measurements are non-conclusive.