A Bayesian AMS C chronology of the Classic Maya Center of Uxbenká, Belize

Archaeologists require precise chronologies of cultural change to understand the nature and timing, and causes and effects, of ecological and social transformations. The Uxbenká Archaeological Project (UAP) has made chronology building a main goal, employing epigraphic data, artifact seriation, and high-precision AMS ¹⁴C dating. With more than 60 ¹⁴C dates with measurement errors below ±25 ¹⁴C yr, primarily on single charcoal specimens, Uxbenká may be the most intensively dated Classic Period site in the tropical Maya Lowlands. Here we take the next step, combining this rich chronometric dataset with associated stratigraphic information in OxCal's Bayesian framework to generate a high-resolution chronology of Uxbenká's early development and expansion in southern Belize. We show how archaeologists may take advantage of complex architectural stratigraphy to constrain broad calibrated ranges during the Classic Period, and to estimate dates for observed construction events that can not be directly dated (e.g., clearing/leveling plazas, laying plaster floors, renovating/rebuilding structural elements). Our analysis confirms the antiquity of the ceremonial Stela Plaza (Group A), where first construction is estimated between 60 cal BC and cal AD 220 and is associated with a Pre-Classic structure obscured by later construction and reorientation of the group to a N-S alignment ca. AD 150–310. The analysis also indicates initial leveling and construction at plaza Group B from cal AD 60–310 and Group D from cal AD 20–240, both earlier than previously assumed. Though Late Classic contexts are not as well represented by direct dates, architectural modifications are documented at all three plaza groups after AD 550, including the extensive plastering, laying paving stones, and construction of facades on existing structures. The resulting chronology revises our previous thinking on the mode of settlement and development of Classic Maya society at Uxbenká and indicates specific areas of investigation to elucidate events in the Late and Terminal Classic at the site, including political and social fragmentation and the abandonment of the urban core late in the Classic Period.     

Islamism and Iran’s Islamic Period Museum

The Islamic Period Museum of Iran was established, almost 16 years after the Islamic Revolution, as an addition to the previous National Museum building – the Iran Bastan, or Ancient Iran Museum – in 1996. By examining the components of state Islamism, the space of the museum and key exhibits, this paper reveals the analogous relationship between the museum and state ideology. That relationship suggests that the museum embodies fundamental ambiguities and inconsistencies inherent in Iranian state Islamism. Those ambiguities and inconsistencies are only concealed, in the museum as in the ideology, by employing traditionalist rhetoric with regard to religion and identity.     

略论民国时期对内蒙古开发道路的认识与认定

民国时期关于内蒙古的开发道路 ,存在“农垦实边”、“林牧兴边”、“农牧并重”三重认识分野 ,内含了巩固边防、内地问题、边省利益、经济增长、民族关系、生态平衡等六种目标取向。受边疆危机、内地灾荒等现实问题的困扰 ,关乎长远的林牧一途无由践行 ,内蒙古未能越出以农为主的误区。     

Pollen analysis of a soil sample associated with a Greek cult statue as a guide to provenance

A Classical Greek cult statue of a Goddess, “Aphrodite”, currently on display in the J. Paul Getty Museum has recently been reclaimed by the Italian government. The statue is thought to have been sculpted between 425 and 400 B.C. in southern Italy or Sicily, but its provenance is obscure. Soil incorporated into the true right arm socket of the acrolithic statue at the time of burial was pollen analyzed to provide information on its geographic origin. Since palynomorphs are often not well preserved in soils, a preliminary study was undertaken to investigate preservation and abundance of palynomorphs to determine the potential benefits of undertaking further analyses. Although concentration was low, the soil contained sufficient pollen and spores to determine the environment in the vicinity of the burial site of the statue. The landscape had been cleared of natural arboreal vegetation and intensively cultivated. Juglans regia and cereals were cultivated, and pastoralism may have been practiced. A specific geographic location could not be inferred without comparative soil analyses.     

走马楼吴简所见户与里的规模

根据吴简统计,户平均4.80人,与传世文献中经常提到的"五口之家"相符.吴简中的里,其规模多在2～50户之间,不像传世文献中所说的那样整齐划一.长沙郡自东汉以来,人口密度已略有提高,但直到三国初期,地广人稀的状况依旧,里的规模仍然无甚变化,说明此时经济发展水平尚无明显改观.     

寿县西圈发现的墓葬

寿春城遗址西部清理的3座墓葬,从建造规模及随葬的铜饰件、车马器、铜剑来看,均为中型墓葬,年代可能为春秋晚期,该墓地很可能是历史上的蔡国故地。     

春秋战国时期优抚思想管见

优抚思想在春秋战国时期的发展．与长期的战争环境有直接关系,是时代的产物。战争要求军事家和政治家们调动一切手段来激励将士奋勇杀敌,这是优抚思想产生和发展的最重要动因。春秋战国时期的优抚范围涉及所有将士,优抚对象有烈士家属、现役军人家属、残疾军人和没有后代的阵亡将士等;优抚内容既有物质奖赏．也有精神鼓励;优抚费用来自国家税收和“以战养战”。     

汉魏十六国时期河陇大族势力的崛起及其在西北边疆开发中的作用

本文在前人研究的基础上,对汉魏至十六国时期几百年来河陇大族势力的形成发展轨迹、崛起原因、历史地位及其崛起的历史意义作了全面的考察和深入探讨,提出了一些新的见解,充分肯定了河陇大族在晋末十六国时期西北边疆开发中的积极作用。     

河南三门峡市后川战国车马坑发掘简报

2002年秋,三门峡市文物考古研究所配合城市基本建设在市区北部,原后川村西侧发掘出一座车马坑,发 现8马3车。根据车马坑形制及木车结构特征推测,该坑年代为战国早、中期。     

秦为春秋大国说

古今学者或称春秋之世秦不为强国。其实,秦在春秋之世曾护平王东迁、称雄西戎、助晋称霸、救楚危难,是一个名副其实的大国、强国。究其原因,则是由于其在东周之初得为封诸侯,领有周之故地,取得政治与经济上的优势;同时又凭借其独特的易守难攻之势,全力经营西戎,没有在中原的争霸中无谓地消耗能量;再就是用人得当,用人得力。凡此种种,导致秦成为春秋四强之一。