Assessing the applicability of portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for obsidian provenance research in the Maya lowlands

Recent innovations in portable energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) spectrometry have increased its utility for the geochemical characterization of obsidian artifacts for archaeological provenance research. However, concerns over the utility of PXRF instrumental analyses have been raised, focused on the validity and reliability of the geochemical data produced. Here we adopt the framework of Richard Hughes (On Reliability, Validity, and Scale in Obsidian Sourcing Research, 1998), whereby reliability addresses instrument stability and issues of measurement while validity pertains to an instrument’s ability to discern geochemical source provenance. This is done in order to test the utility of PXRF instruments for archaeological provenance research. k-Means cluster analysis was used to test the accuracy of PXRF through statistical comparison of data acquired via laboratory and portable energy-dispersive XRF instruments. Multivariate analysis was employed to demonstrate obsidian source representation at two Classic Maya archaeological sites in southern Belize – Uxbenká and Ek Xux – and to test the validity of data obtained from a PXRF instrument in answering archaeological research questions pertaining to regional interactions between lowland Maya polities. Results suggest that portable XRF instruments produce internally consistent results. However, data acquired from a PXRF instrument are not statistically equivalent to other XRF instruments. This is to say that while PXRF is not a reliable technique, it is valid for questions pertaining to geochemical source representation.     

X-ray powder diffraction analysis of Late Holocene reservoir sediments

X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis of clays from anthropogenic Late Holocene reservoir sediments can provide a paleoclimatic proxy. Illite and smectite are climate sensitive clay minerals and their relative amounts correlate with climatic episodes. Relative percent composition of clays in Late Holocene reservoir sediment is diagnostic of different mineral source areas and their hydraulic transport processes, which are climate controlled. Climosequences of clay minerals from Late Holocene reservoir sediments are correlative with magnetic susceptibility records and provide a relatively simple and cost-effective tool for gaining insight into paleoclimate.     

Cemented ash as a receptacle or work surface for ochre powder production at Sibudu,South Africa, 58,000 years ago

The white ash of Sibudu hearths sometimes became cemented and, when this was the case, some of these crusts were used as work surfaces or receptacles, particularly in occupations dating about 58,000 years ago. Substantial deposits of red and yellow ochre powder have been found on these crusts. This suggests that the ochre was not associated with hearths for heat treatment because yellow ochre readily transforms to red even at low temperatures. XRF readings suggest that the ochre used at the site derives from different geological sources. Micromorphological studies imply that phosphatization caused the cementation of the ashes in some hearths, while gypsum growth hardened one of the hearths described here.     

Hunting behavior and Neanderthal adaptability in the Late Pleistocene site of Pech-de-l'Azé I

The late Mousterian of Acheulian tradition (MTA) site of Pech-de-l'Azé 1 shows a very particular stratigraphic sequence characterized by numerous elements not usually found in Mousterian contexts such as avifauna exploitation and the use of hundreds of mineral pigments. Recent zooarchaeological and skeletochronological analyses provide new insights into the evolution of subsistence behaviors and settlement patterns of the Neanderthals that inhabited the shelter. Due to changes in hunting season, Neanderthals adapted their hunting strategies, exploiting various red deer populations which presented very different behavior. The evolution in the seasonal occupation of the shelter may have been the results of major modifications of its (series of roof collapsed) which induced a shrank in inhabitable space., which forced the Mousterians to adjust the way they used the cavity to its characteristics in order to optimize its exploitation. The conclusions underline the excellent adaptability of the Neanderthals to their physical environment.     

行政边界区域土地利用与空间发展模式研究——以长株潭结合部为例

以长株潭结合部暮云镇为例,主要采用2004与2010年土地利用数据,从动态变化与多维综合视角,对行政边界区域土地利用与空间发展的特征、机制及问题进行系统分析,在此基础上归纳理论模式。研究表明:①暮云镇土地利用结构由农村型向城镇型快速转变,城镇用地比重年均约增加2个百分点,其中居住、教育科研、交通和工业等用地增加显著;②受主体功能定位、过境通道建设、周边城市辐射差异和规划管理制度变迁等因素影响,暮云镇空间格局与扩张模式快速演变,芙蓉大道沿线新增城镇用地占全镇82.78%,北、中、南区域开发强度分别上升20.95%、7.96%和1.58%,城镇用地平均图斑面积增长2.04倍。③研究区土地利用与空间发展存在诸多阶段性和结构性问题,应加强综合路网建设、公共设施用地供给、建设用地优化布局与集约利用以及生态环境保护。     

21 世纪以来西方犯罪地理研究述评

犯罪地理学主要研究犯罪现象的空间发生、发展和分布规律。从21 世纪以来SSCI、SCI 收录的地理学及相关学科期刊中整理500 多篇犯罪地理研究相关论文,分析西方近年来犯罪地理学发展态势,并选取100 余篇代表文献重点评述。总体来看,2000年以来,西方犯罪地理研究通过创新研究方法、加强学科融合等途径推进了犯罪过程和机制的研究,犯罪时空模式、城市社会环境与犯罪的关系、犯罪仿真模拟与地理画像、犯罪空间防控等领域发展迅速,犯罪地理研究不断扩展和深化,学科体系和发展脉络日益清晰。以此为鉴,未来国内的犯罪地理学应加强实证研究,以犯罪空间分析为重点,逐步形成包括新的研究方法、研究视角和空间观的研究体系。     

江苏省流动人口分布的格局演变及其驱动因素——基于城乡建设用地的探讨

基于乡镇单元人口普查数据以及相应年份的城乡建设用地数据,运用空间分析和统计分析方法,尝试分析城镇-农村尺度江苏省流动人口分布格局的时空演变特征,并揭示驱动人口流动的动力机制。结果表明：①规模分布特征是具有较长大值右尾部的正偏分布,总体的集聚趋势增强,城镇和乡村集聚流动人口差距变大;②空间呈现高值集聚特征,热点区主要集中在长江以南的城镇,沿江地区流动人口高密度区域逐渐连绵化;③增长变化呈现长江以北地区城镇的流入人口增加、农村的输出人口减少,以及长江以南地区城镇的流入人口快速增加、农村的流入人口普遍增加的特征;④经济发展水平差异、乡镇企业繁荣、交通可达和政策导向是影响江苏省流动人口集聚的四大动力。     

西方度假住宅研究进展

度假住宅是当前消费的一大热点,系统的理论研究却还十分匮乏。本文以大量的原文文献研究为基础,探寻西方度假房产研究的脉络线索,发现了以1980年代中期为分野的两个特征鲜明的阶段,进而对两个阶段的研究异同点进行了比较分析,勾勒出了西方度假住宅研究进展的轮廓,最后以西方为鉴对我国度假房产政策进行了评述。研究对于我国旅游开发、地理研究、城乡规划等具有参考价值。     

西安大都市与旅游地产发展互动模式研究

旅游地产作为旅游业与房地产业结合而产生的新兴产业,其发展模式灵活多样。本文从产业与品牌共同提升的视角,剖析了旅游地产与都市发展要素互动模式;从项目与资源共同整合的视角,剖析了旅游地产与都市运营机制互动模式;从内涵与外延共同拓展的视角,以曲江新区、"皇城复兴区"、浐灞生态区、大明宫遗址区、"纺织城"、秦岭北麓休闲游憩带等城市典型功能区为例,剖析了旅游地产与都市空间演化互动模式,进而论证了西安旅游地产在西安都市发展中的核心带动作用。在此基础上,试图探索一条通过旅游地产开发带动都市圈空间与人文资源整合,从而实现城市全面、协调、可持续发展的全新路径。     

差异分权与多元碎化:大都市边缘地区城镇化空间模式研究——基于武汉市蔡甸区的实证

大都市边缘地区是大都市经济增长与空间拓展的主要地域,也是分权化治理最为复杂的区域。大都市边缘地区往往针对不同主体采取不同模式的分权化来调整其空间治理结构以适应发展需求。本文构建从分权化治理到城镇化空间的逻辑框架,从大都市边缘地区"差异分权"的空间治理格局入手,落脚在"多元碎化"的城镇化空间模式上,进而对从空间治理的"差异分权"到城镇化空间模式的"多元碎化"间的制度逻辑进行了解析,认为差异分权格局是当前大都市区边缘地区城镇化空间模式多元碎化的直接诱因,因此新型城镇化迫切需要从治理结构上予以破解。