Diagnostic morphometric applicability of confocal laser scanning microscopy in Osteoarchaeology

The confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) has become an essential tool for a wide range of biological and clinical studies and imaging applications. The major imaging modes of the CLSM include single and serial optical sections from thick specimens (100 µm), multiple wavelength images and three‐dimensional reconstruction. Such images provide measurement of length, surface or volume of objects. Surprisingly, this advanced microscopic method has been very rarely used in anthropological research, although numerous clinical and basic science research projects showed its value to study, bone growth, bone micro‐architecture and 3D bone morphometry. We present the basic principles and advantages of CLSM and outline practical aspects of specimen preparation, image collection and digital image processing specifically appropriate for historical bone and hair material. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ASSESSING WHAT LIES BENEATH THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF A ZOOARCHAEOLOGICAL RECORD: THE USE OF GIS AND SPATIAL CORRELATIONS AT EL MIRÓN CAVE (SPAIN)*

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are being incorporated into archaeology as a technique to improve the understanding of spatial organization and the relationships among finds within specific areas. Although their use as a basic tool in predicting the location of archaeological sites or in assessing the extent of their catchment areas is relatively common, in general, they have less often been applied to the study of the spatial distribution of archaeological remains within individual deposits, and in particular to faunal assemblages. Despite this, they can prove essential to understanding dispersion and grouping patterns within deposits fully, and, together with various correlation analytical techniques, they provide valuable information about the economic organization of settlements and inhabitant lifeways. To demonstrate the potential of this methodology, a zooarchaeological GIS has been prepared for the Middle and Late Magdalenian and Azilian layers in El Mirón Cave (eastern Cantabria, Spain), and the spatial distribution patterns of various attributes of the archaeological record have been analysed. Significant conclusions in terms of type and duration of human occupation have been drawn.     

The face of the poet Dante Alighieri reconstructed by virtual modelling and forensic anthropology techniques

This paper describes the multi-disciplinary approach to reconstruct the face of Dante Alighieri (1265–1321). Since Dante's sepulchre will be opened in 2021, the reconstructive process is based on morphological and metric data collected on the poet's cranium during the formal identification of his remains in 1921 by the anthropologist Fabio Frassetto, as well as on the resulting plaster model. Starting from this plaster model and a morphologically compatible reference mandible, since the original mandible was never found, a 3D digital model of the complete skull was obtained by reverse engineering and virtual modelling techniques. The most important aspect in this work was the method of virtual modelling proposed for the ex novo generation of the mandible. The physical model of the skull (cranium + mandible) was then produced by means of a rapid prototyping system. This model was finally used to recreate Dante's face via traditional facial reconstruction techniques currently used in forensic anthropology.     

Three-dimensional (3D) visualisation: the application of terrestrial laser scanning in the investigation of historical Scottish farming townships

Recent developments in digital technologies are heralding significant changes in the way we acquire, visualise and analyse archaeological data. Terrestrial laser scanners can be used to create photo-realistic virtual copies of landscapes, and archaeological features, and offer the potential to improve our understanding of three-dimensional (3D) spatial relationships at study sites. Here we present a methodology for the integration of a high-resolution 3D site model with soil chemical data obtained from an abandoned settlement site located in the Central Highlands of Scotland. At this site, the multi-element concentration in soil, co-visualised within a topographic setting, has an important role to play in elucidating settlement layout and activity. The methods described here are also of significance in archiving sites of archaeological/historical importance where development activities and/or environmental processes may destroy remains, or where access to field sites is restricted.     

Virtual skeletons: using a structured light scanner to create a 3D faunal comparative collection

Appropriate comparative animal skeletons are not always available to faunal analysts for use in identifying archaeofaunal remains. This is especially pertinent when working in locations where no comparative collections are available locally, and the archaeological assemblage cannot be transported to another facility. In order to fill this gap, we are building a virtual comparative faunal collection using a structured light scanner to scan modern skeletal material in 3D. The resulting high resolution 3D color models are a valuable resource for identifying fossil specimens. Scan data can be converted into a variety of formats for viewing and can be transported on a portable digital device for use at field or laboratory localities. In addition, scans can be printed three dimensionally to produce a replica of the scanned skeletal part. A particular advantage of this digital technology is that we can eventually create a complete 3D representation of a taxon's skeleton from scans of several components of what are incomplete skeletons of one animal taxon in a museum collection. The results of our project thus far are available to other researchers and educators by means of the internet. A variety of interested parties could benefit from such a collection, including zooarchaeologists, paleontologists, biologists, teachers and museum curators.     

缺失彩绘的虚拟三维重建——秦俑彩绘

利用三维测量技术和计算机技术,以及科学的数据计算,计算机可以制造出虚拟三维形象,便于展示与交流。至今为止,秦俑坑中出土的大多数陶俑的彩绘留存不多甚至没有。色。大部分原始彩绘均已脱落,只有极少部分彩绘保留至今。本文以虚拟三维模型重构了秦俑原始彩绘,显示了其功能与意义。俑（T21G18-03）是这次工作的对象。陶俑主要显现出灰暗的陶一尊将军俑（T9：1）和一尊跪射陶俑出土时彩绘的纪录档案是重构工作的出发点。通过三维扫描仪将陶俑表面形状进行数据记录,这是重构工作的基础。然后通过数码照片记录彩绘现状,并将这些照片进行三维机理处理。采用三维绘制软件进行重建和摹绘工作。数据模型过程可以模拟和大多数彩绘和表面情况。这项工作的开展通过几件典型陶俑,将秦俑的原始状态展示给大家。通过计算机模拟,多彩的秦俑军阵活灵活现的呈现在观众面前。     

FROM SUSA TO ANURADHAPURA: RECONSTRUCTING ASPECTS OF TRADE AND EXCHANGE IN BITUMEN‐COATED CERAMIC VESSELS BETWEEN IRAN AND SRI LANKA FROM THE THIRD TO THE NINTH CENTURIES AD*

In contrast with artefactual studies of long‐distance trade and exchange in South Asia during the Prehistoric and Early Historic periods ( Ardika et al. 1993 ; Gogte 1997 ; Krishnan and Coningham 1997 ; Tomber 2000 ; Gupta et al. 2001 ; Ford et al. 2005 ), few scientifically orientated analyses have focused on artefacts from the region's Historic period. During excavations at the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, a number of buff ware ceramics with a putative organic coating on the interior were recovered ( Coningham 2006 ). Dated stylistically to between the third and ninth centuries ad , analysis of the coatings using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and stable isotope analysis (carbon and deuterium) confirmed that the coatings are bitumen—an organic product associated with petroleum deposits. There are no known bitumen sources in Sri Lanka, and biomarker distributions and isotopic signatures suggest that the majority of the samples appear to have come from a single bitumen source near Susa in Iran. The relationship between the bitumen coatings and the vessels is discussed, and it is suggested that the coatings were used to seal permeable ceramic containers to allow them to transport liquid commodities. This study enhances our knowledge of networks of trade and exchange between Sri Lanka and western Asia during Historic times.     

西周倗国墓地绿松石珠微痕的数码显微镜分析

为有效揭示史前和历史时代早期出土玉器的加工痕迹,了解古代机械加工的起源和演变过程,选择西周倗国墓地出土的一枚穿孔绿松石珠,在带有景深扩展技术和三维图像重建功能VHX-500K型数码显微镜下进行微痕分析。发现其表面的打磨痕迹和孔壁上钻孔形成的多圈平行螺旋纹皆十分清晰。结合现代绿松石打磨的模拟实验和前人的工作,认为该枚绿松石珠表面打磨的工具应为一种机械转动磨盘,其具备粗磨和细磨两个功能。有关磨料的颗粒甚粗,其尺寸远大于现代细磨盘的磨料颗粒度。至于珠上的穿孔为对钻贯通,推测为空心管钻配合解玉砂高速旋转而成。这是国内首次将数码显微镜的景深扩展和三维重建技术应用于微痕分析,其研究成果可为古玉的科学鉴定,从加工工艺角度提供重要的信息。     

Factors affecting fluid flow in strike–slip fault systems: coupled deformation and fluid flow modelling with application to the western Mount Isa Inlier, Australia

Deformation and focused fluid flow within a mineralized system are critical in the genesis of hydrothermal ore deposits. Dilation and integrated fluid flux due to coupled deformation and fluid flow in simple strike–slip fault geometries were examined using finite difference analysis in three dimensions. A series of generic fault bend and fault jog geometries consistent with those seen in the western Mount Isa Inlier were modelled in order to understand how fault geometry parameters influence the dilation and integrated fluid flux. Fault dip, fault width, bend/jog angle, and length were varied, and a cross-cutting fault and contrasting rock types were included. The results demonstrate that low fault dips, the presence of contrasts in rock type, and wide faults produce highest dilation and integrated fluid flux values. Increasing fault bend lengths and angles increases dilation and integrated fluid flux, but increasing fault jog length or angle has the opposite effect. There is minimal difference between the outputs from the releasing and restraining fault bend and jog geometries. Model characteristics producing greater fluid flows and/or gradients can be used in a predictive capacity in order to focus exploration on regions with more favorable fault geometries, provided that the mineralized rocks had Mohr–Coulomb rheologies similar to the ones used in the models.     

重庆巫山土城坡墓地Ⅲ区东汉墓葬发掘报告

土城坡墓地位于巫山县旧城区北部,是一处依山傍水的高台地。2005年元月,武汉市文物考古研究所联合巫山县文物管理所对墓地台顶南部大操场及附近地区(Ⅲ区)进行发掘,发掘面积约3571平方米,清理古代墓葬57座。本文主要报道的是Ⅲ区东汉时期4座墓葬的发掘材料。