Coils,slabs, and molds: examining community affiliation between Late Archaic shell ring communities using radiographic imagery of pottery

ABSTRACT

Radiographic imaging is used to determine the techniques used to form vessels from two contemporaneous Late Archaic shell rings in coastal Georgia. These data, in concert with decorative and technofunctional data, suggest that different potting communities occupied each ring. The presence of different communities at each ring corresponds with larger regional patterns in which localized socio-political bodies developed during the Late Archaic. The findings offered in this paper suggest that localized groups did not exist in isolation but rather lived near one another for centuries.     

Radiographic clues to fractures of distal humerus in archaeological remains

Today, distal humeral fractures occur most frequently in children and adolescents, and are usually the result of a fall onto extended arms, or less often on flexed elbows. Trauma to the distal humerus at the physis and epiphyses often produces non‐displaced or mildly displaced fractures that are difficult to recognize radiographically. To help identify these types of injuries, clinicians have developed two measurement techniques that are applied to the X‐rays of the injured bones. In a preliminary attempt to assess the usefulness of these measurement techniques for recognizing trauma in archaeological skeletal remains, 25 humeri from two Ontario ossuary samples were submitted to radiography. Clinical data on distal humeral fractures, their incidence, and mechanisms of injury were also used to interpret the lifestyles and cultural activities of the aboriginal individuals under study. While only one healed fracture was suspected after gross observation, a total of four fractures were ultimately identified using the two measurements, the humerotangential‐angle (HTA) and the anterior hunieral line (AHL). Our results provide indirect, but telling, evidence of accidental childhood injuries to distal humerus in an archaeological population. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

云南曹溪寺华严三圣的X光照相检测及初步研究

云南省曹溪寺大雄宝殿内的华严三圣属于木雕造像,是宋代大理国时期的遗物。三尊造像造型庄严肃穆,雕刻精美,是国内宋代造像的代表。为了更好地了解和保护木雕造像,通过X光照相检测,获得了三尊木雕造像的制作工艺、历史修复痕迹和保存状况等信息,这些信息对保护文物具有重要的参考价值。本工作是对大型木雕造像进行X光照相检测的一次有益尝试。     

The Meul Index: A non‐destructive method for estimating the cortical index in skeletal samples

The study of osteoporosis in past populations provides insight into the history and evolution of this condition. The Cortical Index is a relative measure of cortical bone often used for identifying individuals with age‐related bone loss associated with osteoporosis. Current methods of measuring the Cortical Index involve radiography or cutting actual sections of long bones at the mid‐shaft. We propose a new index, the Meul Index as means for estimating the Cortical Index without the use of radiography. Based on a preliminary study of 13 individuals consisting of 9 males, 3 females and one unknown sex, ranging in age from young to older adult, the Meul Index is highly correlated with the Cortical Index (r = 0.903). The proposed Meul Index provides a non‐destructive and inexpensive means for studying age‐related bone loss in prehistoric and historic populations represented by skeletal samples. Our research builds on the recent publication of Silva, A.M., Crubezy, E. and Cunha, E. 2008. Bone weight: new reference values based on a modern Portuguese identified skeletal collection. Int. J. Osteoarchaeol. DOI: 10.1002/oa.998. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

文物保护科技研究中的X射线照相技术

阐述了X射线机的工作原理,并列举软、硬X射线机在青铜、陶瓷、书画、漆木器等文物检测分析中的应用实例,揭示了X射线照相技术在获取文物内部信息,反映各类文物的保存状况、制作工艺、修复情况、病害现象、内部缺陷、真伪鉴别等方面的积极作用。同时,介绍了X射线照相技术应用在文物检测中的经验,并对X射线照相技术在文物无损检测中应用前景作了展望。     

The Use of Neutron Analysis Techniques for Detecting The Concentration And Distribution of Chloride Ions in Archaeological Iron

Chloride (Cl) ions diffuse into iron objects during burial and drive corrosion after excavation. Located under corrosion layers, Cl is inaccessible to many analytical techniques. Neutron analysis offers non‐destructive avenues for determining Cl content and distribution in objects. A pilot study used prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA) and prompt gamma activation imaging (PGAI) to analyse the bulk concentration and longitudinal distribution of Cl in archaeological iron objects. This correlated with the object corrosion rate measured by oxygen consumption, and compared well with Cl measurement using a specific ion meter. High‐Cl areas were linked with visible damage to the corrosion layers and attack of the iron core. Neutron techniques have significant advantages in the analysis of archaeological metals, including penetration depth and low detection limits.     

The relationship between harris line formation and bone growth and development

The leg bones of 54 juveniles from the Romano-British cemetery at Poundbury, Dorset were examined radiographically for Harris lines. No correlation was found between presence/absence of Harris lines and femoral length, cortical index or total cortical thickness, although all three were significantly correlated with dental age for both groups. These results are compared with those of previous studies and differences are interpreted in terms of the nature of the environmental stress which gave rise to the Harris line. In the light of these findings a strategy is suggested which might be adopted for future research in this area.     

A possible case of renal osteodystrophy in a skeleton from medieval Wharram Percy,England

The skeletal remains of a child aged 13–15 years, recovered from Wharram Percy, England, and dating from AD 960–1700, were examined using gross observation, radiography and scanning electron microscopy. Lesions suggestive of renal osteodystrophy were found. Palaeopathological recognition of renal disease has hitherto relied upon the identification of soft tissue lesions or the presence of urinary calculi. This appears to be the first palaeopathological identification of renal insufficiency on the basis of skeletal changes alone. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.