System of measurement of the severity of periodontal disease in past populations

This paper presents a review of the antiquity of periodontal disease, discussing past aetiological concepts in comparison to current research on the causes of this condition. As periodontal disease is analysable on dry bone specimens, it is possible to document its natural history. To date, little work has been done on an actual system of measurement for periodontal disease in such specimens. A new system of measurement is proposed, which is confined to evaluating the periodontal status of post-mortem skulls. The system is a modification of the Ramfjord index for periodontal disease (PDI) and can be adapted for both individual specimen measurement and for population studies. Seven skulls, ca. AD 500–700, from the Varden Site at Long Point, Ontario, were examined using the proposed system. Mean attachment loss was computed for each of the seven specimens. The results revealed one specimen with early periodontitis, four with moderate periodontitis and two with advanced periodontitis. This system provides a concise method for classification of the severity of periodontal disease in dry bone specimens that will be useful in documenting the history of this disease.     

前视全景钻孔电视在龙门石窟防渗工程中的应用

影响龙门石窟雕刻艺术品长期保存的主要病害是渗水,卸荷裂隙往往切割洞窟、隙宽较大而成为洞窟渗水的主要通道。为查明洞窟卸荷裂隙的分布位置,最可靠的方法是在现场进行水平钻探。但受钻探施工的干扰,钻孔岩芯可能在钻探取芯的过程中造成折断或破裂,钻孔取芯率也会相对较低,因而仅靠观测岩芯难以确定卸荷裂隙的准确部位。为此,采用有潜在价值的钻孔电视方法,以识别不同的岩层,确定裂隙的分布情况及裂隙中的充填物。研究结果表明钻孔电视在龙门石窟防渗工程中取得成功的应用,说明这是一种值得在岩土文物保护工程中推广应用的新技术。     

A Multi-Method Approach to Reconstructing Occupational History and Activity Areas: A Case Study at the Formative Site of Tlalancaleca,Central Mexico

While surface collection constitutes an important component of field research at the site and regional levels, the association between surface and sub-surface materials needs to be examined through independent lines of evidence. This study employed manual bucket auger probing and soil geochemistry at the Formative site of Tlalancaleca, Central Mexico (800 b.c.–a.d. 250), to evaluate the results of surface collection and to understand the formation process of the anthropogenic landscape. The combined results at one of the largest architectural complexes at Tlalancaleca indicate that it was built during the Late Formative period (500–100 b.c.) and rebuilt during the subsequent Terminal Formative period (100 b.c.–a.d. 250), which is corroborated by radiocarbon dates. Moreover, the results suggest segregated uses of space such as cooking/storage, waste disposal, and craft production areas within the complex. Overall results demonstrate the effectiveness of this multi-method approach for reconstructing occupational history and activity areas.     

“季夏”名称探源

"季夏"这一概念是战国时的邹衍正式提出来的,本文归纳出古人对"季夏"最有代表性的两种说法夏秋之交说与主四季最后十八天说。最后通过分析并得出"季夏"处于夏秋之交说是较有说服力的。     

Compositional Analysis of 14th–15th Century Enamels from the Altar of San Giovanni in Florence: an Integrated Study by Portable X‐Ray Fluorescence and Electron Probe Microanalysis

The enamels of the Altar of San Giovanni, from the Baptistery of Florence, were investigated using both non‐invasive and micro‐invasive analysis in order to elucidate the glass melting and colouring techniques. A few fragments detached from the altar and recovered by the restorers were analysed in cross‐section by electron probe microanalysis. Moreover, non‐invasive investigations by portable XRF allowed a large number of enamelled plaques to be investigated. The results showed a good agreement between the two techniques and made it possible to identify similarities or differences in the enamels of the three manufacturing periods of the altar.     

Chemical Analyses of Sarmatian Glass Beads from Pokrovka, Russia

The chemical composition of 18 glass beads from Early Sarmatian period burials were determined using electron probe microbeam analysis and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence. The beads were made from high-magnesia-soda-lime-silica glass, leaded-soda-lime-silica glass, low-magnesia-soda-lime-silica glass and low-magnesia-high-potash glass. Multivariate analysis of the major oxides suggests that there are five distinct glass recipes used to manufacture these beads. These various glass recipes indicate the involvement of the Sarmatians in exchange/trade networks linking the Eastern Mediterranean, the Indian subcontinent, and China.     

The standardized pricking probe surveying and its use in Archaeology

In this paper we present the so-called standardized pricking probe surveying technique and demonstrate its usefulness in an archaeological study. The buried target is a Palaeochristian sepulchral chapel, which had already been excavated 82 years ago, then re-buried and forgotten.     

Lisht as a New Kingdom Glass‐Making Site with Its Own Chemical Signature

Lisht is one of a few New Kingdom sites with known glass‐working debris. Here, we present evidence for the primary production of glass at Lisht, including crucible fragments and semi‐finished glass. We also provide 12 new chemical analyses of glass from Lisht, including trace elements. We argue that the glass made at Lisht has a specific chemical signature within the broader range of Late Bronze Age glass compositions from Egypt, further underlining the former existence of primary glass production there and offering the possibility of identifying Lisht‐made glass elsewhere in Egypt and beyond.     

中国古代青金石颜料的电镜分析

运用扫描电子显微镜、电子探针微量分析等仪器分析手段对甘肃敦煌莫高窟、西千佛洞、永靖炳灵寺、天水麦积山、青海乐都瞿昙寺等地石窟寺、寺院彩绘艺术中所应用的青金石颜料进行了显微形貌和成分分析。结果表明：从西秦、北魏、西魏、北周、隋、唐、五代、宋、西夏、元、明十余个朝代,千余年间,不同地区所用青金石颜料的微量元素大致相同。在敦煌莫高窟、天水麦积山石窟样品中发现了Zn元素,经XRD分析证实,颜料中有ZnO存在。     

On the post-mortem accumulation of lead by skeletal tissues

Lead concentrations in a number of bones and soil samples taken from the same graves at the site of Bordesley Abbey were significantly correlated. Statistical analysis of the results indicated that 59% of the variation in the bone lead concentrations was due to contamination from the soil.A study of the distribution of lead in a tooth from the Romano-British site at Cirencester by fast particle activation analysis indicated that virtually all the lead was on the external surface, indicating post-mortem absorption.These results strongly suggest that lead is absorbed by skeletal tissue after death even in soils which have an alkaline pH. In the light of these findings, suggestions are made for the strategies which might be adopted for further research in this area.