Ochre resources from the Middle Stone Age sequence of Diepkloof Rock Shelter,Western Cape,South Africa

Although no paintings are associated with archaeological contexts before the end of the Middle Stone Age, hundreds of ochre pieces were discovered on numerous southern African sites suggesting a lasting tradition of ochre use. The variability and the significance of ochre exploitation remain however poorly documented. The MSA site of Diepkloof Rock Shelter (Western Cape Province, South Africa) offers an ideal opportunity to discuss questions of ochre procurement, processing, and use over a long sequence. This study develops an original methodology based on observations on one hand, and SEM-EDS, XRD and Raman spectrometry analyses on the other hand. By comparing raw materials with our geological database, we show that some iron-rich raw materials were collected more than 20 km from the site. Such long-distance procurement combined with other elements of the overall context suggests a planning of procurement. One main chaîne opératoire based on grinding was identified at Diepkloof. In comparison with other South African sites, we observed no evidence for use as loading agent in adhesives. We conclude that ochre use may follow regional cultural patterns.     

Investigations of Byzantine glass bracelets from Nufăru,Romania using external PIXE–PIGE methods

The chemical composition of twenty glass bracelet fragments found in Nuf?ru, a Byzantine site from 10th–13th centuries A.D., nowadays located on Romania's territory, has been determined using Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and Particle Induced Gamma-ray Emission (PIGE) in external beam mode. Most of the Byzantine bracelet fragments were identified as “mixed natron-plant ash” soda-lime-silica glasses. The obtained chemical compositions indicated that the manufacturing of these finery items was performed using similar raw materials and techniques, in most of the cases involving colored glass recycling. PIXE–PIGE results highlighted the glass chromophores (cobalt, manganese, copper and iron ions) and provided hints about the mineral pigments used to paint the external surface of some bracelets.     

Acqua minerale di Sangemini: the Italian mineral water industry finds a place at the table

Abstract

Water is an important part of most Italian meals, and Italians are amongst the largest consumers of bottled mineral water in Europe. This article looks at the development of the mineral water industry in Italy from the nineteenth century to present by focusing on the case of Sangemini mineral water from Umbria, Italy. In particular, this article looks at how medical findings became part of a popular hygiene and health discourse that was central to developing a market for mineral water in Italy. Contrary to other international markets, bottled mineral water is still consumed in Italy for its health and nutritional benefits today.     

广元千佛崖莲花洞彩绘颜料拉曼光谱分析

为了解广元千佛崖莲花洞造像的制作工艺与彩绘颜料成分,利用体视显微分析、金相显微分析、激光拉曼光谱分析技术对其进行物相和成分分析。分析结果表明,莲花洞造像彩绘直接绘制在岩石雕像表面,无底层。彩绘颜料分为多层,最多有三层,说明历史上至少有两次重绘。红色颜料为赤铁矿、朱砂;蓝色颜料主要为青金石与石青;绿色颜料为石绿、碱式氯化铜;白色颜料为硫酸铅。同时也表明,拉曼光谱分析彩绘颜料成分组成简便、快速、对样品要求量小,对样品无损分析,符合文物材质分析的要求,并可得到准确的信息。造像彩绘制作材料及工艺的分析结果为莲花洞造像彩绘保护研究提供了科学依据。     

滇越铁路与云南矿业开发(1910—1940)

1910年滇越铁路全线通车,大大改善了云南对外交通运输条件,推动了云南经济尤其是矿业的发展。滇越铁路的通车首先方便了个旧大锡的出口,大锡成为云南对外贸易的支柱产品,锡业也代替昔日的铜业成为云南矿业的命脉。滇越铁路还刺激了煤炭需求,促进了整个云南煤业的发展。不过由于滇越铁路管理权被法国控制,导致该条铁路产生的巨大收益外流,在一定程度上阻碍了云南矿业的进一步发展。     

广州地区出土西汉青铜器矿料来源分析

广州地区出土汉代青铜器数量众多，在考古学方面研究成果不少，但通过科技考古研究其产地的却不多。为研究广州地区出土西汉青铜器矿料来源，通过对广州出土西汉青铜器进行成分分析和铅同位素比值测试，与广西、江西、云南、贵州、安徽、湖北、河南、河北、北京等地出土同时期青铜器成分进行比较，发现西汉中晚期各地青铜器合金配比情况基本趋同。且根据含砷等微量元素这一显著特征，认为与广西合浦出土同时期青铜器矿料可能来自同一个地方。测试的铅同位素比值高度集中，其矿料应该来自同一个地方。分别与广东、贵州、云南、陕西、河南等地战国至西汉青铜器铅同位素比值进行比对，发现与广东、贵州、云南出土青铜器矿料来源同属一个大的成矿区，与河南、陕西等地明显区别。验证了学者们在考古学研究认为岭南地区出土西汉青铜器产自本地的观点。     

东北亚地区矿产资源及其生产要素区位平衡的分析

作为亚太地区组成部分的东北亚地区,主要包括中国东北、俄罗斯远东地区、朝鲜、韩国、日本和蒙古。这六个国家(地区)相互毗邻,联系密切,而且交通方便,运输距离短。     

Raman microprobe analysis of stucco samples from the buildings of Maya Classic Copan

Micro-Raman spectroscopy has been applied to painted stucco samples from three buildings at the Maya site of Copan, Honduras. The buildings, Clavel (AD 450–550), Ani (AD550–650) and Structure 10L-22 (AD730,) date from three phases of the Classic Period (AD400–820) acropolis construction. The red pigment has been identified as haematite and the stucco as a mixture of calcite particles dispersed throughout a calcite based lime wash stucco. The physical structure of the stucco changed through time, indicating a refining of production techniques over this period. By combining Micro-Raman spectroscopy with other micro-ATR infrared spectroscopy and environmental scanning electron microscopy a detailed investigation of the materials and production techniques used to decorate these buildings has been made. Differences in the mineralogy of the red pigment used on each building indicate a different geological pigment source for each period.     

Scientific investigation of the paint and adhesive materials used in the Western Han dynasty polychromy terracotta army,Qingzhou, China

A royal tomb of early period of the Western Han dynasty (206 B.C–8 A.D) was excavated by archaeologists in Qingzhou County, Shandong Province in 2006. Over 2000 polychromy terracotta soldiers, horses, chariots, servants etc. were unearthed from the tomb. All the terracotta figures are one quarter or one sixth as large as the livings, most of them were painted with well designed patterns. In order to gain complete information about the materials and techniques used for the polychromy on the terracotta army, five samples from the painted areas were taken. In addition, one sample from the area to adhere one leg to the ploychromy horse body was also obtained. The analytical techniques applied include XRF, FTIR, Py-GC/MS and GC/MS. Chinese purple, cinnabar, lead red and ochre were used as pigments, while animal glue was identified as binding medium and adhesive in the polychromy terracotta army in the Han Dynasty. The results definitely will provide new evidence about the materials and technologies used in Han Dynasty. Especially, the binding medium identified is different in comparison with Qin Shihuang's terracotta army (259–210 BC).     

Using mineral magnetism to characterise ironworking and to detect its evidence in peat bogs

An experimental approach has been used to establish whether medieval ironworking activity could be identified in peat bogs using mineral magnetic measurements. The research project comprised three elements. First, magnetic susceptibility and remanence properties were obtained for materials from an experimental iron smelt, in a furnace of medieval design, and from material collected during the excavation of the medieval bloomery at Llwyn Du in Coed y Brenin, Snowdonia. Materials sampled and measured included charcoal, aerial dust, roasted bog ore and furnace dust. A second experiment determined whether small amounts of aerial dust released from the furnace could be detected in accumulating peat samples. This was achieved by sprinkling small quantities of dust on to a constructed ’peat core’ that had no detectable magnetic signature prior to the addition of the dust. The application rates used were within the range expected to fall on a peat bog located close to a medieval furnace. Thirdly, mineral magnetic measurements were made on a peat core collected close to the Llwyn Du bloomery. The results confirm that roasted bog ore, aerial dust released from and dust accumulating in the furnace after a smelt, are magnetically detectable. The aerial dust and roasted bog ore produced enhanced susceptibility and remanence signatures in the constructed ’peat core’ experiments. Peaks in IRM_(0.88T) and HIRM were measured in the Llwyn Du peat monolith and appear to correlate with a time when the medieval bloomery was operational. The results presented here suggest that it is possible to identify evidence of past ironworking in peat bogs using mineral magnetic measurements and that the signatures remain well preserved in the peat record even after burial for several hundred years.