Later Stone Age ostrich eggshell bead manufacture in the Northern Cape,South Africa

Two different prehistoric manufacturing pathways are identified in the manufacture of ostrich eggshell beads in the South African Later Stone Age. In Pathway 1, blanks are drilled prior to being trimmed to rough discs. This is the dominant production strategy and is consistent with most ethnographic accounts. That in which the trimming occurs first, Pathway 2, was rarely practiced. The data from five bead factory sites in Namaqualand show that most breakage occurs during the drilling stage and that the production process has not changed through the last 4000 years. The use of grooved stones for smoothing beads is contentious and the identity of drilling tools remains unknown. Contrary to the suggestions of others, beads seem to have been readily produced at both short and long term occupation camps and scarcity of ostrich egg is unlikely to have been a determining factor. The lack of production debris reflecting large beads suggests these beads were brought into Namaqualand from elsewhere.     

微生物技术在文物保护中的应用研究述略

近年来,微生物技术作为一种新方法开始在文物保护中应用,并且受到越来越多国内外专家学者的重视。文物保护中应用的微生物技术可视为一种运用生物体来生成材料的科学与技术。构建“生物技术-文物保护”技术体系,运用微生物技术方法保护文物,有较好的应用前景。本文通过查阅国内外文献,简要概括了国内外微生物技术在各类材质文物保护中的研究现状。     

Environment and Subsistence of the Early Inhabitants of Coastal Southwestern Nigeria

From where did the early inhabitants of the Badagry coastal area of southwestern Nigeria originate? Has the area been occupied from “ancient times,” as claimed by oral traditions? What was the nature of the environment and subsistence of these early inhabitants? Excavations at Apa, west of Badagry, provided answers to these questions. A radiocarbon date of 2670 ± 90 bp showed that human occupation there is at least 3000 years old, and implied occupation during the Late Stone Age. The occupation was in two phases: a prehistoric phase, during which Apa site 1 (Ap1) was occupied, and an historic phase, with occupation of Apa site 2 (Ap2). Sedimentological and archaeological data also showed that the environment at the beginning of occupation was similar to today. The presence of a groundstone axe, charred palm kernels, and charcoal at the Ap1 site is interpreted to imply the clearing and burning of vegetation, probably preparatory to planting and the exploitation of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) from about 2670 ± 90 bp. D'où sont venus les premiers habitants de la région côtiere Badagry du sud-ouest du Nigeria? Est-il vrai que la région a été occupé depuis les temps anciennes, comme confirme les traditions orales? Quelle étaient la nature de l'environnement et du subsistence de ces habitants préhistoriques? Des fouilles archéologiques à Apa, a l'ouest de Badagry, ont fourni des réponses nécessaires à ces questions. Un date radiocarbone de 2670 ± 90 bp a montré que les activités humaines de ce site date au moins de 3000 années, qui indique que l'occupation des habitants à c'endroit étais durant la periode de l'Age de la Pierre Recent. L'occupation de cette region était en deux phases: un phase prehistorique, la période pendant lequelle le site d'Apa 1 (Ap1) était occupé, et la phase historique, qui a marqué l'occupation du deuxième site d'Apa 2 (Ap2). Les données de la sedimentologie et de l'archéologie ont aussi montrent que l'environnement au commencement d'occupation était similaire de nos jours. On pense que la presence d'un hache “groundstone,” de l'amande de palmier et du charbon à la site d'Ap1 indiques la déstruction de la vegetation, preparant probablement la terre pour la semence et l'exploitation du l'huile de palme (Elaeis guineensis) d'environ de 2670 ± 90 bp.     

乾陵石刻内部裂隙的超声波探测研究

利用岩石与超声波波速之间的相关关系,对乾陵不同截面形状的石刻分别进行了网格法、层析法的超声波现场布点探测,通过测定、计算,估测出所测石刻断面内部各点(或区域)的超声波波速分布及变化规律,并辅以反射波法来进一步确定石刻内部结构情况,从而探测出石刻内部的裂隙或风化情况。     

Site Reconnaissance in the Kipsing and Tol River Watersheds of Central Kenya: Implications for Middle and Later Stone Age Land-Use Patterns

Two seasons of archaeological site reconnaissance and geo-archaeological fieldwork in the Kipsing and Tol river valleys of central Kenya have resulted in (1) the location of 58 surface sites and 13 spot finds and (2) the excavation and dating of 11 alluvial stratigraphic profiles. These data are incorporated with our previous work in the study area to yield a preliminary interpretation of Middle and Later Stone Age tool technologies and land-use strategies during the Late Pleistocene period there. Specifically, the nature of the lithic inventories and observed distribution of archaeological sites suggests that people in the Middle Stone Age employed a patch choice resource and land-use strategy while those in the subsequent Later Stone Age period utilized a logistical strategy.Pendant deux saisons de la reconnaissance archéologique d'emplacement et des travaux sur le terrain geo-archéologiques les vallées dans de Kipsing et de Tol fleuve du Kenya central ont eu comme conséquence (1) l'endroit de 58 emplacements extérieurs et 13 trouvailles de tache et (2) l'excavation et dater 11 profils stratigraphiques alluviaux. Ces données sont incorporées avec nos travaux précédents dans le secteur d'étude pour rapporter une interprétation préliminaire de milieu et de stratégies postérieures d'utilisation de la terre de technologies d'outil de âge de pierre pendant la période pléistocène en retard là. Spécifiquement, la nature des inventaire lithic et la distribution observée des emplacements archéologiques suggère que les gens dans le âge de pierre moyen aient utilisé un choix de morceau (patch choice) stratégie de ressource et d'utilisation du territoire, alors que ceux dans la période postérieure suivante de âge de pierre utilisaient un logistique stratégie.     

Picture Perfect: Using Drone Technology and Photogrammetry Techniques to Map the Western Stone Forts of Ireland

The Western Stone Forts form some of the most spectacular archaeological monuments in Ireland and include well known sites such as Dún Aonghasa in Co. Galway and Cahercommaun in Co. Clare. The group comprises a number of heterogeneous forts characterized by their exceptionally thick and high stone walls and other distinctive architectural features such as terraces, steps, guard chambers, and chevaux de fries. It is clear, however, that they form a loosely defined group of monuments that have a broad chronological span ranging from the Late Bronze Age to the Early Medieval period. The aim of this project is to create a complete suite of high resolution three-dimensional models of the Western Stone Forts on the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and assess the applicability of photogrammetry techniques to landscape studies and heritage management.     

Reconnaissance of Prehistoric Sites in the Red Sea Coastal Region of the Sudan,NE Africa

This paper reports results of a recent Stone Age-focused archaeological survey in the Red Sea coastal region of the Republic of Sudan, northeast Africa. Bifaces (handaxes) are the most conspicuous artifact class encountered during the survey and are characteristic of the Acheulean technocomplex. Other recorded artifact types include points, scrapers, and prepared core products referable to the Nubian and recurrent Levallois methods. Most of the artifact-bearing localities lie landward—outside of the coastal margin—thus, the evidence does not signify direct coastal adaptation per se. Our preliminary findings suggest that multiple Pleistocene-age hominin settlements tied to a terrestrial niche existed in the region. The western margin of the Red Sea occupies a pivotal location, linking the Horn of Africa and the Levant, two vital regions in human evolutionary research. Thus, the Stone Age data from the Sudan region has direct relevance for assessing hominin dispersal routes out of Africa.     

Stone Tool Forms and Functions: A Morphometric Analysis of Modern Humans' Stone Tools From Song Terus Cave (Java,Indonesia)

Stone industries from the beginning of the Holocene of South‐East Asia are difficult to characterize typo‐technologically. We apply modern morphometrics to informal pieces to complement usewear analysis and gain a better understanding of the relation between forms and functions. Both the log shape ratio (LSR) based on linear measurements and elliptical Fourier analysis (EFA) based on 2D outlines are used to analyse a sample of 2372 stone artefacts from Song Terus cave (Java, Indonesia). The results show that no specific form corresponds to a specific function or vice versa. Nevertheless, among used artefacts, EFA highlighted several shape tendencies.     

浙江诸暨牌头六朝墓的发掘

诸暨牌头镇六朝古墓葬的发掘,出土了一批精美的六朝青瓷器,特别是诸牌水M2发现了南朝“永初年宣”4字模印墓砖,为六朝墓葬的分期断代提供了重要的实物资料。     

大理岩石刻文物黑色结壳清洗研究

大理岩是古代石刻和建筑的主要石材之一。随着近现代工业发展,很多大理岩石刻文物表面出现了大量黑色结壳——不仅严重影响了文物外观审美,而且会不断吸附各种污染物,吸收更多的辐射热量,造成文物的进一步劣化,因此亟需清洗。在前期对北京地区石刻文物本体及黑色结壳科技分析的基础上,选用碳酸铵法、乙二胺四乙酸法、物理法进行清洗试验用于对比,并于北京不同区域的6处典型石刻上进行现场试验,根据实际情况做出优化改良。采用便携式X射线荧光光谱仪、分光测色仪、显微镜和离子色谱仪对清洗前后状态及可溶盐含量进行评估,结果表明碳酸铵法对大理岩石刻文物表面黑色结壳具有较好的清洗效果,清洗方案比较高效合理,有助于相关石质文物病害的清洗和保护。