历表、系连与年代史料──关于西周年代学研究中若干方法的讨论

本文通过对西周年代学中若干重要问题的检讨,认为：以往依靠现代构拟历表、青铜器类型特征以及主观选取史料进行年代研究,在方法与逻辑上具有一定缺陷,并提出改进后的研究方案以解决相关的断代问题。     

The Palaeolithic of the Middle Son valley, north-central India: Changes in hominin lithic technology and behaviour during the Upper Pleistocene

The Middle Son valley in north-central India preserves extensive Quaternary alluvial deposits. A long history of archaeological and geological research in the valley has resulted in the discovery of lithic assemblages ranging from Lower Palaeolithic to microlithic, a rich corpus of fossilised faunal remains, and ash deposits from the 74,000 year-old Toba supereruption. This paper reviews the chronology and stratigraphy of the valley’s Quaternary sediments, and presents a model that hypothesizes the temporal sequence of important lithic assemblages from excavated and surface contexts. Artefacts in these assemblages are analysed and changes in lithic technology through time are described; this evidence is used to propose shifts in hominin behaviour and demographic structure in this region during the Upper Pleistocene. Recognising gaps in our understanding of the Middle Son record, future avenues of research are recommended that will build upon previous research and address questions of palaeoanthropological significance. The Middle Son valley preserves a long and rich record of hominin occupation from all periods of the Palaeolithic that is rarely paralleled by other sites in India.     

《刘桢年谱》的史料价值

《刘桢年谱》是新发现的历史献。刘桢,明末清初河南新郑人,亲历了明清之际的历史变革。刘桢80岁时自订的这份《年谱》,真实地记录了明清之际的社会状况,对研究明清时期的科举制度、明末农民战争和明清社会史,具有很高的史料价值。     

浙江温州市瓯海杨府山土墩墓的年代及相关问题

杨府山土墩墓出土的青铜礼器、乐器和兵器的年代和性质,对探讨南方地区文化的互动、交融乃至民族的交往具有重要意义。通过对该墓所出鼎、簋、铙、短剑等的具体分析,可以断定这应是一批具有浓郁地域特色的南方系青铜器,时代应在商末周初,墓葬的年代最晚应为西周早期。     

Climate change and the expansion of the Scythian culture after 850 BC: a hypothesis

In south-central Siberia archaeological evidence suggests an acceleration of cultural development and an increase in the density of nomadic populations around 850 BC. We hypothesize a relationship with an abrupt climatic shift towards increased humidity caused by a decline of solar activity. Areas that initially may have been hostile semi-deserts changed into attractive steppe landscapes with a high biomass production and high carrying capacity. Newly available steppe areas could be invaded by herbivores, making them attractive for nomadic tribes. The central Asian horse-riding Scythian culture expanded, and an increased population density was a stimulus for westward migration towards southeastern Europe.     

Kozlov Mys-2 Burial Ground and Issues of Chronology for the Early to Late Iron Age Transition in the Trans-Ural Region

This article addresses issues of dating and the duration of the transition from the Early to the Late Iron Age using findings from Kozlov Mys-2 burial ground in the subtaiga Tobol region and sites attributable to the final stage of the Sargat culture. Absolute dates suggest that intermediate sites existed in the forest steppe and subtaiga areas east of the Urals in the first half of the 4th century AD.     

Un rituel collectif: analyse de 1 Ch 15-16 selon le modèle de E. Durkheim

RESUME

Après avoir rappelé la théorie des rituels collectifs de E. Durkheim, nous tâcherons, par une lecture attentive de 1 Ch 15-16, de relever les nombreux indices qui corroborent et spécifient une telle théorie. Cette approche sociale du rituel permet de mettre en exergue l'importance de la collectivité inscrite dans le rituel au point de vue de la définition de l'identité et de la mémoire collectives. Une collectivité qui tend à s'élargir et à inclure toute la création. Le rituel permet également la restauration et le maintien de l'harmonie entre les hommes, mais aussi dans leur relation avec Dieu. Il garantit la cohésion sociale d'un grand “nous” uni en une communion d'émotions et de gestes ressentis ou effectués ensemble.     

Prehistoric settlement chronology on Rapa Nui,Chile: obsidian hydration dating using infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy

The prehistoric Polynesian inhabitants of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) utilized obsidian for nearly 700 years in many activities connected with daily life. The near ubiquitous occurrence of the natural glass in both domestic residences and religious structures makes the application of obsidian hydration dating highly suitable for the investigation of cultural change. We have applied previously developed calibrations that estimate hydration rates for obsidian based upon the structural water content of the glass as determined by infrared spectroscopy. The archaeological ages estimated by this method were compared with accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dates using short-lived woody species endemic to the island. The convergence between the two dating methods is strong and we suggest that obsidian hydration dating may be used on Rapa Nui to reliably date contexts where suitable material for AMS dating may not be available.     

Technology,chronology and the role of crucible steel as inferred from iron objects of the ancient site at Junnar,India

Ordinary iron objects from an ancient habitation site at Junnar in India, dating to the 2nd BC to AD 2nd century, were examined for their microstructure, chemical composition and age. The objects were mostly made of high carbon steel with a homogeneous microstructure consisting of fine spherical particles of carbide in the ferrite background, free of non-metallic inclusions. Their carbon concentration ranged from 0.7% to over 1.6% with one exception at 0.2%. Some of them contained trace amounts of silicon, manganese and sulfur while one object retained cavities due to volume contraction during solidification reactions. These features indicate that the objects examined constitute an early example of Indian steel making in crucibles. Evidence was found that basic techniques needed for the success of crucible steel technology were mostly available at Junnar at the time. The radiocarbon measurement on carbon samples extracted from one of the iron objects placed its date between 176 BC and AD 20, in agreement with the radiocarbon dates of three charcoal samples from the same site. The forgoing results support that crucible steel was produced in India at a much earlier date than previously supposed, to serve as a material for specific needs arising in daily life.