Changes in starch grain morphologies from cooking

One of the three main plant microfossils, starch grains are increasingly used as markers of diet, plant domestication, tool use and site organization, because their morphology and features provide a means to identify the plant that produced them. However, starch grains are susceptible to damage when they are exposed to heat in the presence of water, as in cooking. We documented the changes that occur in the starch grains of 10 domesticated plant species due to exposure to different cooking methods, in order to better understand how cooking alters the appearance of the grains, and if these cooking methods might be identifiable in the archaeological record. Our results show that some cooking methods produce unique, identifiable damage on some types of plant starches, but generally each plant species reacts uniquely to cooking. In order to record the changes for each plant species, we have created a database, available at (http://www.osresearch.net/∼hollyf/starchdb/index.cgi), to which registered users can add their own images of cooked starch grains.     

New temple discovery at the archaeological site of Nysa (western Turkey) using GPR method

We carried out a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) study at specific sites around the Nysa city (western Turkey) to assess the potential of detection method and imaging of buried archaeological features. As a major educational and cultural Aegean city during the Hellenistic and Roman times, Nysa has been the focus of archaeological investigations for the last 100 yrs. Past and ongoing excavations have revealed major ancient buildings such as theatres, amphitheatres, a library and shops. However, it is suspected that the original city may have extended further and reached a larger size.     

3D modelling of magnetic data from an archaeological site in north-western Tlaxcala state,Mexico

In Archaeology, geophysical methods had been applied usually in a qualitative form, limited only to the use of filters that enhance the data display. The main objective in this work is the implementation of a modelling technique that allows us to reconstruct the geometry of buried bodies and the determination of their depths. This is done by means of the estimation of the magnetic moments of archaeological objects using a three-dimensional mesh of individual magnetic dipoles using the least squares method and the singular value decomposition of a weighted matrix to solve the linear problem. The distribution and shape of the underlying archaeological remains can be inferred. This methodology was applied to an archaeological site called Los Teteles de Ocotitla, in the state of Tlaxcala, Mexico. A high-resolution magnetic prospection was carried out in three selected areas (terraces). The most important total field anomalies found on each area were inverted, obtaining results that were corroborated by archaeological excavations. This investigation demonstrates the potential of quantitative geophysical methods for the characterization of archaeological structures, in extension and in depth.     

安特生与丁文江的早期中外考古合作及其影响——读《中国之前的中国》

马思中(Magnus Fiskesjo)博士[瑞典]和陈星灿博士合著《中国之前的中国:安特生、丁文江和中国史前史的发现》(China before China)由瑞典东方古物博物馆出版发行。本文对该书内容作了详尽的介绍,重现了当年安特生和丁文江等早期科学家在中国史前田野考古合作的历史,以及评价他们对中国早期考古学发展的贡献。作者强调了当前中国考古学国际合作的意义,特别是涉及了对中国文物海外收藏政策的制定。     

On Disciplinary Culture: Archaeology as Fieldwork and Its Gendered Associations

This paper discusses the disciplinary culture of archaeology, focusing in particular on the role of fieldwork in shaping the sense of identity for the profession. Based on the examination of the professionalisation of Australian archaeology, it is argued that there is a distinctive suite of attributes relating to the activity of fieldwork, which are central to the organizational culture of the discipline. These attributes can be seen to have a gendered dimension, revealing the extent to which archaeology is shaped by different gender regimes.     

Study of interactions between polyethylene glycol and archaeological wood components by C high-resolution solid-state CP-MAS NMR

While use of polyethylene glycols, PEG, polymers for archaeological wood conservation has been well established, there is almost no study of such composite materials with carbon thirteen high-resolution solid-sate NMR. We demonstrate that NMR is an useful analytical tool to characterize rapidly samples of conserved wooden objects. By choosing an appropriate value of the contact time (from 3 to 5 ms) for which the PEG component gives only a small residual NMR signal in the CP-MAS experiment, it is possible to edit selectively the spectra of the wood components. It allows one to visualize the degradation extent of the archaeological wood even when the conservation processes have been already applied. Moreover, by studying the kinetics of CP-MAS experiments, the time constants, T_1ρH and T_CH values for PEG moiety were computed. From these data, it is shown that either in the crude commercial product or in incorporated in archaeological woods, two components are present and they are the signatures of crystalline (or ordered) and amorphous (or disordered) molecular domains. Moreover, it was shown in the archaeological woods that almost 30% of PEG was in close molecular interactions with lignins. This study is the first evidence that the PEG in conserved wood can interact at a molecular level with wood components. It also demonstrates that the PEG diffuses inside the residual cell walls of archaeological wood. This data are important for scientists in charge of process development for the conservation of wooden artifacts.     

从《古史辨》前三册看“古史辨”运动的一个转向

时下学界对“疑古”思潮的反思,仍大多局限在“疑古”派的某些早期的观点和对中国文化传统的破坏上。这是作为“意识形态”的“疑古”思潮,只是它的一个层面。本文认为,从《古史辨》第一册到第二册之间,面对考古发现和新材料不断涌现的挑战,“疑古”思潮发生了一个重要的转向,即从意识形态的思想冲击到学术典范的建立,从而把它的视角主要集中在人们观念中的“上古”。《古史辨》第三册反映了顾颉刚“疑古”方法论的逐步完善,回到文献考订后,“层累造成古史”理论得到了发展。     

WAC Reflections Through Maori Eyes

For a while now issues surrounding ethics in archaeology have occupied my thoughts, as have case studies of ethical misconduct. In fact a large part of why I gravitated toward archaeology is rooted in past instances of poor ethical practice instigated against my people, and the overwhelming personal need I have, to seek redress and change for Iwi Maori. Part of my commitment to both of these endeavours, is expressed through my association with WAC, with whose present code of ethics and principles i find affinity with.     

基于气相色谱-质谱联用法研究考古土壤老化对文物中蛋白胶结材料鉴定的影响

蛋白胶结材料历经土壤埋藏老化,会流失明显、降解严重,氨基酸含量或多或少地发生改变,以致影响气相色谱-质谱联用法(GC-MS)对蛋白胶料的鉴定。为提高该分析方法的准确性,本研究通过模拟文物绝氧、避光、低温的考古埋藏环境,对动物胶原、蛋类和牛奶这3类常见蛋白胶料进行为期一年的土壤老化,利用GC-MS测试11种氨基酸含量变化并分析其箱式图、主成分聚类(PCA)图的分布特点。结果表明,3类胶的脯氨酸(Pro)、天冬氨酸(Asp)和谷氨酸(Glu)含量增高,丝氨酸(Ser)含量降低;猪皮胶的甘氨酸(Gly)和羟脯氨酸(Hyp),蛋类、牛奶的异亮氨酸(Ile)和苯丙氨酸(Phe)含量减少。上述变化导致3类胶的氨基酸箱式图分布、PCA图聚类位置出现一定改变,但可辨识性依旧很强。基于上述研究结果鉴定出西安郭杜唐墓壁画、彩绘陶器颜料层中存在动物胶原。该研究提高了GC-MS鉴定彩绘文物蛋白胶料的准确性,为后期探讨彩绘文物劣化机理、选择合适保护修复材料提供科学依据。     

考古木材降解评价的物理指标

为寻找一种能较为科学、方便地反映木材降解程度的指标,共收集不同地方出土的13种木材,8个树种,对这些树种的考古木材与新鲜木材的含水率、干缩性、基本密度、气干密度、综纤维素等指标进行对比分析。实验表明,基本密度和最大含水率(饱水含水率)基本上能够反映古木的降解程度,可以作为反映古木降解程度的物理评价指标。