释甲骨文中的“秉棘”

甲骨文中有秉棘一语,以往对棘字不识或误读,影响了对卜辞的理解。本文通过对棘字的考释,指出秉棘乃手持酸枣树的枝条之意。秉棘的目的是为了驱鬼。以棘驱鬼作为巫术之一种,有着久远的来源和很强的延续性。通过对卜辞秉棘一语的考释,可以窥见殷代巫术文化之一斑。     

蒙古国博格达汗宫建筑木构件彩绘工艺及材料分析

本研究应用剖面显微观察和显微红外光谱等分析手段对蒙古国博格达汗宫建筑彩绘的制作材料和工艺特征进行了分析,剖面显微观察显示历次彩绘重彩层次结构;紫外显微剖面观察还发现了彩绘层中施胶的信息。分析结果还显示：博格达汗宫建筑彩绘工艺与中国彩绘传统工艺基本相同。     

The search for graves with ground-penetrating radar in Connecticut

The search for unmarked and clandestine graves is a labor-intensive, time-consuming, and often frustrating task. Several geo-physical methods are available, which can be expediently used with little or no disturbances to sites, among which ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is often considered the most useful tool to delineate possible graves. This paper is the result of many years of GPR testing for unmarked graves in Connecticut. Natural and cultural conditions are considered in the failure and/or success of detection, and the use of GPR in archaeological studies.     

Further Insight into Mesoamerican Paint Technology: Unveiling the Colour Palette of the Pre‐Columbian Codex Fejérváry‐Mayer by Means of Non‐invasive Analysis

Here, we report on the analytical findings and their cultural implications of a multidisciplinary study of the pre‐Columbian Codex Fejérváry‐Mayer. Today conserved at the World Museum in Liverpool, it is one of the finest Mesoamerican codices among the few extant. Thanks to the exploitation of non‐invasive analytical methodologies accessible through the MOLAB European mobile facility, the study allowed us to disclose the chemical composition of the painting materials used in the codex, which have never been analysed before. The results are discussed and compared with the outcomes of previous studies on other Mesoamerican codices.     

Investigation Techniques for the Seismic Response Assessment of Buildings Located in Historical Centers

ABSTRACT

It is an acknowledged fact that historical centers, given its significance from the cultural and architectural viewpoint, bring further challenges in terms of maintenance planning, survey, and safety assessment. The preparation of an adequate investigation plan and the extent of data to be collected is highly reliant on many aspects, such as the category of the architectonic asset, the importance of the heritage site, or the resources available, for example. In what regards the seismic response assessment of urban cultural heritage assets located in historical centers, the amount and detail of data also depend on this article, scale of assessment, and current state of conservation and occupation. Within this framework, this article provides an overview of the state of the art of investigation techniques currently used in survey operations, which are currently available for improving the knowledge level of urban cultural heritage assets within historical centers, as a supporting tool for the seismic response assessment of such singular assets. Finally, acknowledging the lack of accuracy when evaluating the seismic response of an asset enclosed in aggregate as an isolated structure, this article also focuses on the identification of the main particularities inherent to buildings enclosed in aggregate.     

Bias in Fish Bone Recovery from Differential Collection Techniques and Its Impact on Cultural Interpretation in California

ABSTRACT

While studies on recovery bias are numerous in the literature, the current research focuses on defining best practices in field collection techniques to provide a more accurate representative of site constituents, particularly fish remains. Methods to determine best practices included use of 1/4-inch, 1/8-inch, and 1/16-inch mesh to process excavated material from 10 × 10?cm and 40 × 40 cm-sized bulk column samples and from a 1 × 1 m test unit. Fish remains were compared to determine density and diversity differences between the samples and how these different data sets may impact cultural interpretations. This research shows that while collection of larger column samples processed using a smaller mesh size provides a more robust data set, the taxonomic richness present in a 1 × 1 m test unit provides complimentary data that are critical to understanding subsistence trends as a whole.     

Metal Ties in Genoa,Italy: Manufacture,Trade, and Use from the 15th to the 18th Century

The article deals with the use of metal ties in an ancient and stratified urban context, the city of Genoa, starting from the notarial documents preserved in its State Archives. The work has different objectives: to show the results that can be obtained, on an urban scale, thanks to a research path that compares indirect sources of different types with the observation of historical buildings; to highlight the “weight” and the role that the ties, often hidden, had in buildings, and not only the monumental ones; to increase knowledge of the production process of this constructive element. The wide and diversified use of metal ties found in Genoa seems to proceed in parallel, in the 15th century, with the development of a flourishing productive and mercantile business based on the commercial monopoly of the hematite of the island of Elba by the city oligarchy and, between the 16th and 17th centuries, with the huge investments in the construction sector highlighted by the abundant documentary sources.     

Paleodietary implications from stable carbon isotope analysis of experimental cooking residues

The regional timing of maize introduction in eastern North America is a long-standing topic of archaeological interest. Most recently, Morton and Schwarcz [2004. Paleodietary implications from stable isotopic analysis of residues on prehistoric Ontario ceramics. Journal of Archaeological Science 31, 503–517] investigated the timing of maize introduction in Ontario through isotope analysis of charred cooking residues adhering to the interior of prehistoric ceramic containers. They interpret their results to suggest maize was incorporated into diets after A.D. 600. We assess their approach and conclusions with stable carbon isotope assays on three sets of experimental cooking residues, evaluating the variable combustion of carbon fractions, contributions of fats and carbohydrates, and the contribution of total carbon. We also undertake multiple resource modeling of two part food mixes with green maize and maize flour. Our results suggest that systematic under representation of maize can result depending on residue composition and that some prior knowledge of C3 plant and animal contents is necessary to interpret stable carbon isotope values on cooking residues. We question the independent use of stable carbon isotope analysis of charred cooking residues as a viable technique for extracting paleodietary information.     

珠海宝镜湾岩画年代的界定

珠海宝镜湾岩画年代从其刻凿内容、刻凿手法以及户外摩崖的选择与遗址出土玉石、陶器等形态的比较中,推论距今约4200年～4500年之间。     

酒泉丁家闸五号壁画墓现状调查

酒泉丁家闸五号墓壁画为十六国时期壁画代表,从物保护角度出发,在前期研究的基础上。从壁画制作工艺、病害机理、地仗脱落状况及原因与水水质等方面进行了详细调查,为潮湿环境下壁画保护与研究提供信息和资料。