ARCHAEOMETRICAL INVESTIGATION OF SICILIAN EARLY BYZANTINE GLASS: CHEMICAL AND SPECTROSCOPIC DATA*

A series of early Byzantine glasses, recovered in Ganzirri (Sicily, Italy), was analysed for major, minor and trace elements. All the analysed fragments were found to be natron-based silica–lime glass. Concerning minor and trace elements, the samples can be divided into two groups: glass with high Fe, Ti and Mn contents ( HIMT glass) and glass with low levels of Fe, Ti and Mn. These results, strictly in agreement with literature data for glass of the Mediterranean region, can be interpreted as a consequence of the wide trade network established in this region and of the intense circulation of raw glass and artefacts from different Mediterranean areas. X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies at Fe and Mn K-edges, performed on HIMT glass, indicate that Fe is in the oxidized form while Mn is in the reduced form.     

关于姚永朴《史学研究法》的认识

《史学研究法》是桐城派晚期学者姚永朴系统阐述其治史理论与方法的专著。从姚永朴所论史学的意义与功能、史著的体例、史文的古今奇偶繁简曲直之分,以及使用比较浅显的文言文形式等方面来看,其《史学研究法》不仅是对中国传统史学的总结,也是对当时西方史学在中国传播所做出的回应。     

DISTINCT,LATE BRONZE AGE (c. 1650 bc) WALL‐PAINTINGS FROM AKROTIRI,THERA, COMPRISING ADVANCED GEOMETRICAL PATTERNS*

This paper studies a set of wall‐paintings of the Late Bronze Age (c. 1650 bc ) initially decorating the internal walls of the third floor of the edifice called ‘Xeste 3’, excavated at Akrotiri, Thera, whose restoration is now in progress. It deals with the methods used for the drawing of the geometrical figures appearing in these wall‐paintings. It is demonstrated that most of the depicted configurations correspond with accuracy to geometrical prototypes such as linear spirals and canonical polygons. It is pointed out that the steady lines of the figures, their remarkable repeatability, the precision of the geometrical shapes and their even distribution in the wall‐paintings indicate a very distinctive use of the ‘Xeste 3’ third floor, which is now investigated.     

SOUTHERN ASIA'S OLDEST INCENDIARY MISSILE?*

A small burnt ball was recovered in 1995 from the basal fills of a ditch surrounding the Bala Hisar, or High Fort, of Charsadda, Pakistan. Associated by Sir Mortimer Wheeler with the siege of the ancient site by Alexander the Great in 327 bce , the ditch forms part of the city's defensive circuit. Using geochemical and microscopic techniques (X‐ray diffraction, micro‐FTIR, SEM and GC–MS) the ball is identified as an artificial composite of mineral (mostly barite) and flammable resinous organic matter originating from conifers from the Podocarpaceae, Araucariaceae and Cupressaceae. The physical and chemical nature of the find suggests that the ball was ignited in a fire, although whether this was a deliberate or accidental occurrence is impossible to establish. The analytical data, combined with the archaeological context of the find, leads us to evaluate whether the find represents southern Asia's earliest incendiary missile.     

ORGANIC RESOURCES AT THE IRON AGE DÜRRNBERG SALT‐MINE (HALLEIN,AUSTRIA)—LONG‐DISTANCE TRADE OR LOCAL SOURCES?*

Remarkable preservation circumstances for organic material at the Iron Age salt‐mine on the Dürrnberg Mountain offered the opportunity to analyse a large amount of wood and human faeces. One aim of the studies was to discover the origin of the important resources food and wood. Concerning the question of ‘the linking role of the Alps in past cultures’, the archaeobotanical record proves intracultural but no intercultural connections at this place in Celtic times. The preliminary results show that the Dürrnberg population used differentiated strategies to manage a continuous food and wood supply. While the wood supply was based on the management of local sources, the food supply had to be linked into a regional and long‐distance trade system.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance of mosaic glasses from the Mediterranean area*

Ancient mosaic glass tesserae sampled from archaeological sites located in the Mediterranean area have been analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP‐OES). The aim of the research was to understand the role played by 3d transition metals in the optical properties of such samples. In order to better identify the specific effect of the main chromophorous element, modern samples have been prepared in the laboratory by adding to a colourless base frit controlled concentrations of colouring oxides. Samples with compositional and optical properties similar to the ancient ones have been obtained. For all these modern samples, as well as for all the ancient ones, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements have been performed. The features of the EPR spectra could be successfully associated with the presence and abundance of the paramagnetic colouring ions (namely iron, manganese and copper) and to their oxidation states. This could be a basic step towards understanding the provenance and chronological attribution of mosaic glass tesserae.     

CHEMICAL AND MINERALOGICAL APPROACHES TO THE ORGANIZATION OF LATE BRONZE AGE NUZI WARE PRODUCTION

In order to investigate the nature and organization of high‐status ceramic production in the Late Bronze Age, samples of Nuzi Ware from four different sites were analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM–EDS) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP–AES). Chemical and mineralogical evidence suggests that Nuzi Ware was produced in at least two distinct regions, one probably in the Adhaim Basin in northern Iraq and another possibly in the Orontes catchment in southeastern Turkey. The existence of individual production units probably developed in response to the local elites' desire to imitate the tastes of the Mitanni aristocracy, resulting in a mapping of political relationships on to material culture.     

Adversarial Map-Making in Pre-Reformation Lancashire

Abstract

'Adversarial Map-Making in Pre-Reformation Lancashire'. A map in the National Archives dated to 1531 showing part of the Fylde in Lancashire has been published on several occasions; but its relationship to another map in the National Archives has not previously been recognised. These two maps were made by the opposing parties in a dispute before the court of the Duchy of Lancaster, and may be the earliest examples of adversarial map-making in a case before an equity court. The case concerned land which had apparently long been regarded as intercommon, but which was now being claimed to be in exclusive ownership. The newly recognised map was made to illustrate recently acquired documentary evidence as to the ownership of the land in question. This map appears broadly trustworthy, and was accepted as such by the court; but the defence map seems rather to have been designed to mislead. In recent years the defence map has been regarded as evidence for the appearance of the locality concerned in the 1530s, but this study shows that it was in fact regarded by the court as unreliable, thus highlighting the need to treat all maps other than those actually commissioned by the courts themselves as partial and therefore suspect.     

Illegitimacy and Authority in the North of England,c. 1450–1640

Abstract

This article explores the impact of illegitimacy upon the social, judicial and political landscape of the North of England, from the late medieval period to the eve of the English Civil War. Historiographies of the gentry and of marriage might suggest that irregular unions and resulting bastardy were increasingly frowned upon and of declining significance. At a time when civil strife and Reformation settlements altered the political structures of the North of England and provided alternative approaches to office holding, social and religious commentators expressed concern about the ordering of society at elite levels. In the face of that, this article considers some of the evidence which suggests the extent of bastard-bearing among the elite throughout the period. It further demonstrates the degree of acceptance of this phenomenon among gentry families, including the inheritance of land, property and goods, and involvement in informal political networks, and demonstrates that base-born sons of the nobility and gentry were often accepted into the Church and ranks of northern officialdom, holding highly localised but strategically important offices as Wardens of the Marches in the far North and acting as Justices of the Peace.     

Merchants,Overseas Trade,and Urban Decline: York,Beverley, and Hull c. 1380–1500

Abstract

Between 1642 and 1660, the Church of England was directed and administered by centrally-appointed government committees, who oversaw the appointment of clerics, arranged generous salaries for many ministers, and undertook ambitious policies that would have revolutionised the medieval parochial structure of the Church. Yet these committees have rarely been discussed, largely because historians remain sceptical about the nature of the Church in this period, and have too often been distracted by doctrinal matters. This essay will analyse the key activity of these committees within Lancashire, the augmentation of clerical wages, and demonstrate that there was a functioning, national, established Church in existence during this period, and that, for some of the clergy at least, this was a golden age of doctrinal tolerance and financial remuneration.