Regional Approaches to Mesopotamian Archaeology: The Contribution of Archaeological Surveys

This work synthesizes and critically evaluates the results of field surveys conducted over the last 20 years in southern (lower) and northern (upper) Mesopotamia, with emphasis placed on the increasing contribution of off-site and intensive surveys to regional analysis. During the Ubaid period the density of settlement was probably higher in the rain-fed north than the irrigated south, and even during the phase of 3rd millennium B.C. urbanization, settlement densities in the north were probably equivalent to or even exceeded those in the south. Although trends in settlement were often synchronous between north and south, there was also a marked spatial variability in settlement, with declines in one area being compensated by rises elsewhere. Particularly clear was the existence of a major structural transformation from nucleated centers during the Bronze Age towards dispersed patterns of rural settlement and more extensive lower towns in the Iron Age.     

Biodeterioration dynamics of marine wreck-sites determine the need for their in situ protection

The condition of a wooden shipwreck varies considerably according to the nature of the site environment. Each marine site exhibits a unique biodeteriogenic potential influenced by prevailing hydrographic factors. The potential rate of degradation of organic archaeological material can be determined by monitoring the diversity and activity of marine organisms and is important in determining if in situ protection is required. To illustrate the deteriogenic potential of marine archaeological sites a cold water site (Langstone Harbour, UK) was compared with a warm water site (Zakynthos, Greece). The warm water site supported a greater diversity and activity of wood-boring crustaceans and molluscs than the cold water site. However, although the mycodiversity at the two sites was different the deteriogenic potential was similar. These results indicated that warm water sites are more hazardous and in situ protection is required during and after excavation.     

Paper 2: Climatic Study of the Underground Archaeological Site Coudenberg

Abstract

The excavation and valorization of subterranean archaeological remains, and eventually opening a site to the public, required a proper management and conservation strategy. This strategy was based on the evaluation of the delicate balance between the requirements for public health and safety, and the protection of the archaeological remains from future degradation. Controlling the climate can be essential for a preventive conservation strategy, which can be defined as an indirect action to increase the life expectancy of the archaeological remains, and by doing so keeping them in a preferred state of conservation to mitigate damage and/or deterioration.

Potential risks and possible interventions are outlined to avoid climatic conditions which are in conflict with the requirements for the visitors’ comfort while preventing damage phenomena to the materials.     

Paper 4: Mechanical Properties of Bricks of the Coudenberg Archaeological Site in View of a Proper Conservation Strategy

Abstract

Archaeological sites are essentially submitted to decay phenomena inherent on their history as well as the environment to which they are exposed after excavation. The history of such archaeological sites is particularly related to their long-term underground conservation conditions during which they were subject to salt migration into the architectural remains. This paper describes the results of drill resistance measurements using a drill resistance measurement (DRMS) device to evaluate the mechanical damage resulting from salt crystallization pressures. Further tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) was applied on powdered bricks of often moist archaeological remains. It was noticed that TEOS serves as potential nutrient for present moulds. The mechanical consolidation effect was evaluated by comparing the hardness profiles after treatment with the reference ones. Bricks used for the construction of the Aula Magna, situated underneath the Royal Square, are characterized by severe patterns of fissures for which the damage diagnosis was built up.     

Anthropomorphic Wooden Figures from the Trans-urals

Anthropomorphic wooden figures found in peat-bogs east of the Urals are described. Their archaeological context, chronology, and stylistics are analyzed. The Uralian specimens are compared with those from Western and Eastern Europe. The possible meaning of these representations is reconstructed on the basis of Ob Ugrian rituals and mythology.     

出土饱水木质文物的微生物腐蚀及防腐措施

在南方保存完好的出土木质文物大都处于饱水状态.出土后因为水和氧气的参与,在水解作用、微生物腐蚀等诸多因素的作用下,木质文物逐步被降解而变得腐朽.为此,本文从木质文物的微生物腐蚀机理着手,提出控制水活度的办法、控制氧气量、毒化微生物赖以生存的养料三种途径来防止或延缓木质文物的腐朽,以等待将来更好的脱水定型方法出现.     

试论“过风楼类型”考古学文化

南水北调工程的考古工作,在陕豫鄂三省交界地区获得了大批西周时期的陶器材料。通过初步的分析,基本可以确定陕豫鄂交界地区西周时期存在一个独特的考古学文化,可以称为过风楼类型文化。本文通过对新出土的陶器材料的简单梳理和归纳总结,推断过风楼类型文化很可能就是西周时期的楚文化     

咸阳“周王陵”为战国秦陵补证

关于周王陵确切时代及墓主身份的界定,学术界虽然先后有多位专家进行推测和研究,但至今多种观点并存,未能定论。近年来,随着西汉帝陵大遗址考古工作的展开,陕西省考古研究院联合咸阳市考古研究所对周王陵进行     

手工业生产专业化的考古学研究

手工业生产专业化的程度和形式被认为是衡量社会复杂化程度或文明化进程的重要指标.本文首先对西方有关手工业生产专业化的考古学研究作了简单回顾,提出近二十年来相关研究表现出三个特点:一是研究视野的扩展:二是日益重视运用多种手段从考古资料中榨取相关信息;三是解释理论日益多样化.文章对国内的相关研究也进行了回顾,提出应加强对早期...     

行李待领:谁拥有香港的考古遗产?

香港曾是英国在东南亚的殖民地.在1997年回归中国前,香港是一个借来的时间和空间.根据香港特别行政区的基本法,回归后的香港保持原有法律和行政架构.在一国两制的原则,中国的文物保护法不适用于香港特区.殖民地时期以前,香港只不过是中国的一个边缘地区.经历150多年的殖民地管治,殖民政府曾于1899年颁行宋王台保存条例,其后...