Intra-site Spatial Analysis in Ethnoarchaeology

ABSTRACT

The interpretative power of quantitative intra-site spatial analysis has long been recognised by archaeologists. On the contrary, very few ethnoarchaeological works have engaged with the statistical analysis of intra-site pattern of artefacts and ecofacts. Nonetheless, ethnoarchaeology is uniquely placed to guide and assist in the identification of sound techniques and in the development of the methodology of analysis. The possibility to directly connect the distribution of the proxies under study with the activity that generated such distribution, provide the means of fine-tuning the tools we use for identifying these patterns in the archaeological record. As a consequence, archaeological methodology and interpretation both benefit from the application of improved methodologies. In this paper we review some of the most common techniques used to analyse activity areas and we provide examples of the application of such techniques to ethnoarchaeological contexts. The aim is to assess how archaeology can benefit from the intra-site spatial analysis of ethnoarchaeological contexts.     

Power to the people: when culture works as a social catalyst in urban regeneration processes (and when it does not)

This article focuses upon the relationship between culture, urban regeneration schemes, and their impact on socio-cognitive assets – namely, social and human capital. It examines three major urban regeneration projects in the districts of Saint Michel (Montreal, Canada), Auburn (Sydney, Australia) and Bicocca (Milan, Italy), where culture has been invoked as a main transformational driver at the economic and socio-environmental levels, but with different approaches and results. Through comparative analysis, we develop a more general reflection on the social impact of culture-led urban transformation processes, questioning the actual role of cultural initiatives – particularly those related to the creation of new cultural facilities and the programming of big cultural flagship events – and participation as a means to improve the local social milieu. We find that a key role for social efficacy is played by projects’ capacity to elicit the commitment of residents through inclusive cultural participation, as opposed to instrumental top-down initiatives mainly addressing city and neighbourhood branding and real estate marketing purposes.     

Balancing and Limiting Episcopal Power: Bishop Thomas Barlow’s Use of Common Law in Disputes with Arminian Anglican Clerics

Thomas Barlow was a Reformed theologian simultaneously fighting on three fronts against Catholic, Dissenting Protestant and Arminian Anglican opponents. The first two of these groups threatened the Church of England from the outside, while the last group was transforming Anglican doctrine through its domination of the most important posts in the episcopal hierarchy. Barlow could not argue directly against the power of bishops without assisting the external opponents, yet he had to find a way to prevent other bishops from interfering in his continued support for Reformed theology. In order to reduce their power within the Church of England, Barlow had to look outside the institution for ways to limit his superior’s power. This essay examines two arguments in which Barlow ventured into polemics about the secular law of England in an effort to maintain limits on his Anglican opponents’ exercise of power.     

清代早期四合如意云寸蟒纹织金妆花缎的结构分析与保护修复

受北京艺术博物馆的委托,对两件香色地四合如意云寸蟒纹织金妆花缎进行保护修复。两件妆花织物质地柔软、组织结构紧凑、纹样细腻、设色庄重。但经长期自然和人为因素的影响,织物多处破损、开裂、脱丝、破洞、污渍等,圆金和片金纹纬上的金片大量脱落,整体污染较为严重,质地脆弱,无法研究和展出。本文通过研究妆花所承载的历史文化信息、综合织物的质地、组织结构、纹样形态、设色特征等诸多因素,将其定为清早期织物。应用三维视频显微镜和电子丝绸尺软件对织物组织结构、破损程度进行了分析。在此基础上,制定了保护修复工作目标和方案。修复后的两件织物基本恢复了原貌,效果较好,可以作为研究中国丝织品的实物根据。     

记谷牧考察避暑山庄的重要谈话

1978年9月,谷牧副总理考察了驻避暑山庄单位搬迁和山庄、外八庙整修工程进展情况,在参观考察中和听取承德地市负责人汇报时,作了重要谈话,涉及避暑山庄和外八庙保护、整修、利用、开放、旅游、城市建设等方面,内容十分丰富,含意深刻,至今对文物保护仍有重要的现实意义。     

邳州车夫山汉画像石墓初步研究

江苏邳州车夫山汉墓是一座绘画内容繁缛、雕刻精美的画像石墓。该墓墓葬形制较为完整,砖石混合结构,有东汉中晚期墓葬特点。对图像资料的内容进行了分类和阐释。     

完善青海省农牧区社会保障制度促进社会和谐发展

完善社会保障制度,是社会安定的重要保证,是关注民生、构建和谐社会的首要问题。加快富裕、文明、和谐新青海建设进程,必须切实解决青海省农牧区社会保障制度中存在的问题,制定相应的对策。     

构建环青海湖少数民族循环经济示范区之我见

本文依据循环经济的理念,结合环青海湖地区经济社会发展的实际和特点,提出了建设环湖少数民族循环经济示范区的重要意义、发展目标及其措施。     

我国建立市场经济过程中的反贫困战略

我国贫困地区占全国总面积1/3以上,加速贫困地区经济发展对于我国的社会主义现代化建设具有重大意义。本文分析了贫困地区的形成原因,概述了改革开放以来扶贫开发工作的成就,在建立社会主义市场经济的新形势下贫困地区面临的挑战,提出了跨世纪的反贫困战略。     

科技创新是西部少数民族地区全面建设小康社会的第一推动力

科技创新作为科学技术中最活跃、最革命的因素,是科技进步的前提和核心．是西部少数民族地区全面建设小康社会的火车头和第一推动力。西部少数民族地区必须通过科技创新,调整发展思路,转变生产方式,培育新的优势;必须依靠科技创新,抢占发展的制高点,提高综合竞争力,促进西部少数民族地区全面小康社会建设,构建和谐社会。