Analysis of Construction Timber in Rural Austria: Wooden Log Walls

House-building with wood has a long tradition in Austria. In this study, 47 houses from the Austrian Alps and the alpine foothills were analyzed. Dendrochronology was used to date the houses and to extract further information as construction phases within one building and time needed for harvesting. The construction dates range between 1452 and 1934. The focus was set on log constructions and in particular on wooden log walls. All wooden walls were made of softwood, clearly dominated by Norway spruce (Picea abies). A remarkable decline in the utilization of spruce wood as construction timber was found during the 19th century, which might be due to the high charcoal production at that time. By analyzing age, wood species, time of harvesting and way of processing, knowledge about wood utilization and historical forest management can be regained. Furthermore, some social and economical background of the farmers can be lifted. Technical dates as wall thickness and total wood volume required to build a residential building is provided.     

Genetic analysis of archaeological wood remains: first results and prospects

A total of 51 ancient oak wood samples originating from various European archaeological sites, dating from the Neolithic period to the 18th century, were assayed for the presence of reproducible chloroplast (cp) DNA sequences. Five polymorphic chloroplast fragments were targeted. Only five of the samples could be fully genetically characterised, revealing four different oak cpDNA haplotypes. In all cases, the haplotypes detected on ancient woods and the haplotypes characterised from fresh samples from the same localities matched. Overall, this congruence is consistent with a genetic continuity between ancient and modern European oaks, confirming the hypothesis that the mapped genetic patterns largely reflect the original structure that established during the post-glacial. This stability of the genetic structure implies that, in the future, the technique could be used to infer or confirm the transport of wood by man, providing interesting perspectives for the genetic analysis of ancient woods.     

Where are the witches of prehistory?

Why are certain common classes of ritually destroyed objects (persons, artifacts, or architecture), such as persecuted witches, so difficult to identify in the archaeological record? Although a common topic in cultural anthropology, witches seldom receive the attention of archaeologists. The difficulties archaeologists face in the study of religion derive, in part, from the lack of correlates linking ritual activities to the formation of archaeological deposits. This paper defines ritual as a technology and employs an object life history approach that draws upon ethnographic, archaeological, and experimental research to begin building such linkages—including those describing the presecution and deposition of witches, sorcerers, and other victims of ritual violence. These new directions are illustrated through a case study of anomalous deposits of human skeletal remains from the North American Southwest     

Characterization of archaeological lime mortars in a Ming dynasty tomb: A multi-analytical approach

Lime mortars have played an important role in constructing ancient Chinese masonry structures, including city walls, buildings, and tombs. A tomb built with lime mortars and stones belonging a Ming high-ranking official, Xu Jie, was discovered in Huzhou City of China. Eight different samples from Xu Jie’s tomb, representing four types of lime-mortar-based materials: joint mortar between stone bricks, bedding mortar, grouting mortar, and plaster mortars were collected for analysis and comparison. The characterization of the construction materials has therefore become of primary importance. The function of each mortar was reported and studies into the micro-textural features and mineralogical compositions of those mortars were performed via a multi-analytical approach. The joint mortars were all found to be aerial lime mortars with predominately lime. The bedding mortar was found to consist of lime, soil and sand, typical of a tabia mortar. The grouting mortar was found to consist of lime and ground contact metamorphosed limestone. Analysis of plaster sample taken from the roof of the main tomb identified the presence of calcium stearate/palmitate, indicating the usage of plant-based tung oil as an additive. The analytical results will promote our understanding of Ming architectural technology and craftsmanship, and provide critical information for the conservation of Xu Jie’s tomb.     

明代两件加彩木雕坐像的保护处理——以馆藏明代加彩木雕坐像的保护处理为例

针对深圳博物馆收藏两件明代加彩木雕坐像存在的虫蛀、糟朽、彩绘脱落、开裂、残损等病害,急需进行保护处理的情况。本工作在前期调研和分析检测的基础上,即分别采集了木雕坐像的胎木、加彩层、污染物等样品,利用红外光谱、拉曼、扫描电镜等分析方法对其材质组成、制作工艺及病害进行了综合分析基础上,建立了坐像保护处理工艺步骤:原始档案建立、表面清理、菌虫防治处理、木质朽蚀部位和彩绘层渗透加固、破损及残缺部位修复补全、建立保护修复档案等。选择Primal SF-016作为两件木雕坐像的渗透加固材料,选择无水乙醇作为溶剂,采用较低浓度多次渗透的方法,保证了最佳的加固和防腐防虫效果;修补材料选择聚醋酸乙烯乳液和锯木屑调和补配。处理后的木雕文物器形完整,形态稳定,色泽协调,达到了理想的保护效果。这是对传世彩绘木质文物保护技术的有益探索,对日后同类文物的加固处理有借鉴意义。     

当代法国田野考古发掘方法与技术

本文以在法国具体从事田野考古发掘和室内整理的工作实践为基础,结合相关国外考古书籍,对目前法国所流行的考古发掘方法与技术作一概括性介绍,并与中国当代田野考古发掘方法与技术进行了对比研究。     

中国的"原史时代"

本文由西方对"原史时代"的界定,讨论中国原史时代的定义,以及考古学在原史时代研究的地位.由西方对原史时代的定义考察中国古史,认为中国的原史时代的时间段应定于文献所记载的夏至西周晚期,考古学上的龙山时代至西周晚期;而中国原史时代的研究工作是对以中原为中心,兼及与之有联系的各种族群、文化进行全方面的、多学科的综合性研究.     

江西德安陈家墩遗址第二次发掘简报

江西德安陈家墩商周遗址的第二次发掘面积达710余平方米,清理了房址、灰坑、灰沟、水井、土台等遗迹,出土了一批较为重要的文物,为考古学研究提供了第一手实物资料。     

考古对象对考古学研究的影响——考古学反思之一

考古学与人类学、社会学、历史学等社会科学或人文科学一样,其总的研究对象都是人类社会。所不同的是,考古学研究的起点是古人活动遗留下来的遗迹和遗物(总称...