Effect of organic and inorganic consolidation agents on Tlaltecuhtli monolith

A huge monolithic piece corresponding to the first years of the sixteenth century has been discovered in Mexico City. It represents the earth goddess Tlaltecuhtli. The preservation of such a magnificent piece is imperative. Therefore, the surface has to be characterized and the interaction of consolidants with the rock has to be understood.Some of the consolidation methods are impregnation of the mineral with nopal or silicic acid derivatives. In this work we compare the physico-chemical effects of organic and inorganic consolidants. Original and impregnated samples are characterized with a series of original techniques: X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, nitrogen adsorption and small angle X-ray scattering. Fractal dimension, specific surface area and pore size distribution clearly differentiated the samples. The organic materials, nopal gum or slobber, cover the mineral particles with a smooth layer. The KSE solutions react and lead to microporosity.     

四川绵阳出土的西汉饱水漆木器的前期保护工作

为保护四川绵阳出土的西汉饱水漆木器,使用脱水定型法对20件物进行了保护。选用甲醇脱水,十八烷醇加固定型的方法,继而作旧,封护。结果表明,经保护处理的物,其弦向平均收缩率为8％左右,径向平均收缩率为1％左右,说明保护处理是成功的。实验说明,甲醇一十八烷醇脱水定型法具有普遍的推广意义。     

Human taphonomy at Khuzhir-Nuge XIV,Siberia: a new method for documenting skeletal condition

This paper employs a new three-part method for documenting skeletal condition in order to examine human taphonomy at the Glaskovo (5000–3700 BP, calibrated) cemetery of Khuzhir-Nuge XIV, located in the Lake Baikal region of Siberia (Russia). Relationships among three distinct aspects of condition – completeness, fragmentation, and articulation – and 15 identified taphonomic factors are investigated in order to explain the high variability observed at the site. Intrinsic skeletal characteristics such as element type and age at death were found to be responsible for some of the variable condition, but cultural activities, particularly mortuary practices, appear to have played even greater roles – both direct and indirect. Articulation, in particular, appears to have been an aspect of skeletal condition which was directly affected by a number of cultural practices. In addition to applying a new method of documenting skeletal condition to human taphonomic analyses, this research explains much of the variable condition observed at Khuzhir-Nuge XIV and emphasizes the significance of cultural practices as taphonomic agents affecting human remains.     

《元声韵学大成》版本及研究状况考

明代濮阳涞的《元声韵学大成》具有鲜明的个性和革新精神,在明代韵书中有重要地位。但受《四库全书总目提要》评价过低的影响,近人和当代学者对该书只作概述性的介绍,不见深入剖析。本文对该书的作者、版本及研究状况加以介绍和考证,对该书在语音和语音史方面的价值加以讨论,希望籍此使该书的各方面价值都能得到认识和重视。     

Starch residues on museum artefacts: implications for determining tool use

A sample of 11 museum artefacts was examined to assess the preservation of any adhering organic residues, particularly starch granules, and to assess the potential for the identification of cooked starchy foods. The primary aim was to examine starchy deposits, extract starch granules and examine their physical condition to increase our understanding of the taphonomy of starch granules and associated organic residues in archived material and archaeological deposits. The study shows that organic plant residues could be recovered from archived artefacts and makes a significant contribution to understanding the function of this material. Recovered starch granules showed an interesting pattern of varying organic preservation on the surface of stone and wooden artefacts. Some starch granules were found to be well preserved while others in the same sample appeared to have been affected by enzyme degrading micro-organisms. Recovered residues included fully gelatinised starch.     

Reburial of shipwrecks in marine sediments: a long-term study on wood degradation

Historical shipwrecks in marine environments are continuously decomposed by wood-degrading organisms, adapted to this specific environment. To protect the wrecks from degradation and to preserve the unique remains for future generations, reburial of wrecks using various covering materials has been suggested as a long-term preservation method. The following experiment was carried out to study the bio-protective effect of sediment. Sound oak, pine, and birch samples were buried above and within marine sediment in Marstrand harbour, and retrieved for analysis after 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. Macroscopic as well as light-microscopic examinations were carried out on each occasion. Marine borers (shipworm, Limnoria), soft rot and tunnelling bacteria were wood degraders immediately above the seabed; soft rot, tunnelling bacteria, and erosion bacteria were active 10 cm below the seabed; erosion bacteria were the only degraders at a depth of 43 cm below the seabed. The wood species had different durability towards the decay agents. After 3 years, wood samples above the seabed were totally decomposed, whereas wood was highly protected at 43 cm depth in sediment. In the sediment, decay decreased significantly with depth of burial. The results suggest that reburial of shipwrecks in marine sediment can be recommended as a simple and efficient method for long-term preservation of the wooden cultural heritage.     

Civiliser en Grèce Ancienne Adoucir la Nature et Naturaliser la Force

Ancient Greeks had neither a single notion nor a single word to express the idea of civilization. As a process of living since the origins, civilization appears as a serie of acquisitions or losses that lead to an ambivalent human condition. As a state, it is a blend of three factors: a diet and an education that tame nature; a legal political system and just foreign politics. But in the Greek language, the same word expresses a political system and domination (archê). Dionysius of Halicarnassus by speaking of the Roman domination as a just and natural phenomena, makes it a civilizing power.     

光学传感器辅助氧气消耗法监测文物保存状况的研究进展

通过测量氧气消耗量可以完全无损地检查考古文物的稳定性,氧气的快速消耗说明样品状态不稳定。本工作综述了光学传感器辅助氧气消耗法的基本原理、影响因素、应用范围和适用对象。利用氧气的荧光猝灭性实现光学传感法监测氧气浓度。依靠光学传感的氧气消耗法可以快速、有效、准确地测量出文物样品的氧气消耗速率,对评估文物保存状态有重要意义。其监测系统会受相对湿度、温度、压力、光照等环境因素的影响。该方法根据文物样品的大小和形貌选择合适的监测体系,可以实现对所有氧气消耗反应的监测,具备更好的便携性和普适性。因此光学传感器辅助氧气消耗法可用于评估保护材料和保护手段的有效性。     

世界华商大会初探

世界华商大会自1991年举办至今,已发展成为当今世界的一项知名盛会。本文分析了大会产生的背景,概述了第一届到第八届大会的基本情况,并指出其发展具有四个特点:一是大会经济、政治、文化等方面的综合性;二是大会组织逐渐成熟、举办经验更加丰富;三是大会与中国经济发展壮大具有某种同步性;四是历次大会的主题体现了与时俱进的特点。作者最后认为,应实事求是地评估大会的作用。