Search results for "ARCHAEOLOGY"
showing 10 items of 6780 documents
A comparison of different methods for speleothem age modelling
2012
Abstract Speleothems, such as stalagmites and flowstones, can be dated with unprecedented precision in the range of the last 650,000 a by the 230Th/U-method, which is considered as one of their major advantages as climate archives. However, a standard approach for the construction of speleothem age models and the estimation of the corresponding uncertainty has not been established yet. Here we apply five age modelling approaches ( StalAge , OxCal, a finite positive growth rate model and two spline-based models) to a synthetic speleothem growth model and two natural samples. All data sets contain problematic features such as outliers, age inversions, large and abrupt changes in growth rate a…
Volcanic-gas monitoring
2015
The environmental impact of volcanoes is closely related to the rates, style and chemistry of their gas emissions (Delmelle, 2003). Monitoring the composition and mass flux of volcanic gases is therefore central to understanding how volcanism impacts our planet, on both global and local scales. There are two main modes of volcanic-gas release on Earth (Chapter 14): (i) the impulsive emission of large quantities of gases during episodic, large-scale volcanic eruptions, and (ii) the far more sluggish, but persistent, passive gas release from quiescent or mildly erupting volcanoes. Characterising the chemical composition of impulsive emissions has remained a challenge, and direct measurements …
Application of field portable EDXRF spectrometry to analysis of pigments of Levantine rock art
2010
The results of the analyses of elemental composition of red and black pigments of Levantine rock art from La Saltadora rock shelters (Valltorta gorge, Castellon, Spain) are presented in this paper. Nondestructive analyses were carried out using a portable energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer developed for in situ analysis. The results revealed the strong presence of calcium in all the analyzed locations due to the contribution of the underlying calcareous bedrock and the overlying crust. Iron is the main element detected in red pigments and manganese in black pigments. Iron and calcium ratios have been found indicative of the degree of preservation of the pictorial laye…
Rhine flood deposits recorded in the Gallo-Roman site of Oedenburg (Haut-Rhin, France).
2006
13 pages; International audience; From the first to the fourth century AD, the Gallo-Roman town of Oedenburg developed in the alluvial landscape of the southern Upper Rhine Graben. Throughout this period, the landscape mosaic, composed of palaeochannels, stable palaeoislands and river terraces, continued to evolve. A district of this town, situated on a lateral Rhine channel system, was archaeologically excavated. Largescale excavation and cross-section analysis provide evidence of changing fluvial conditions during the period under study. At about AD 20 or earlier, this lateral part of the floodplain, affected by very fine sedimentation, was occupied by moribund marshy palaeochannels. When…
Anthicidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) of the Lesser Sunda Islands – A Preliminary Review
2021
An account of the Anthicidae (ant-like flower beetles) from the Lesser Sunda Archipelago (politically shared between Indonesia & Timor Leste) is presented for the first time. Thirteen species new to science are described and illustrated: Anthicomorphus badengsp. nov. (Bali), Anthicus (s. str.) miroshnikovisp. nov. (East Java, Lombok, Timor Leste), A. (s. str.) renschisp. nov. (Flores), Anthelephila anthophilasp. nov. (Timor Leste), A. barsevskisisp. nov. (Timor Island), A. nusatenggarasp. nov. (Lombok), A. tamborasp. nov. (Sumbawa), Macratria marusp. nov. (Pura Island, Alor Archipelago), Sapintus degiovanniisp. nov. (Timor Leste), Pseudotomoderus reidisp. nov. (Timor Leste), Tomoderus balia…
Presence of cave bears in western Austria before the onset of the Last Glacial Maximum: new radiocarbon dates and palaeoclimatic considerations
2014
Tischoferhohle and Pendling-Barenhohle near Kufstein, Tyrol, are among the only locations where remains of cave bear, Ursus spelaeus-group, were found in the western part of Austria. One sample from each site was radiocarbon-dated four decades ago to ca. 28 14C ka BP. Here we report that attempts to date additional samples from Pendling-Barenhohle have failed due to the lack of collagen, casting doubts on the validity of the original measurement. We also unsuccessfully tried to date flowstone clasts embedded in the bone-bearing sediment to provide maximum constraints on the age of this sediment. Ten cave bear bones from Tischoferhohle showing good collagen preservation were radiocarbon-date…
A lake fortress, a floating chronology, and an atmospheric anomaly: the surprising results of a radiocarbon wiggle-match from Āraiši, Latvia
2014
Abstract An Iron Age timber settlement which, in view of the defensive structures uncovered, is described as a lake fortress, on an island in Lake Āraiši, north-eastern Latvia, was excavated in 1965–69 and 1975–79 by teams led by Jānis Apals, who distinguished five construction phases. Dendrochronological analysis produced a c. 100-year floating chronology for Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) timbers from the earliest phase. A 14C wiggle-match was undertaken to obtain an absolute date range for the final year of the floating chronology, and thus for the construction of the settlement. Ten blocks of wood from one timber, each comprising 6-11 years and collectively spanning the whole 9…
Timing the Mesolithic-Neolithic Transition in the Iberian Peninsula: The Radiocarbon Dataset
2019
In this paper, we describe the radiocarbon dataset compiled in the context of the project HAR2015-68962 EVOLPAST: Dinamicas evolutivas y patrones de variabilidad cultural de los ultimos cazadores-recolectores y el primer Neolitico en el este peninsular (7000–4500 cal. BC) funded by the Spanish government. The dataset offers the most complete and public radiocarbon dataset focus on the Neolithic Transition in the Iberian Peninsula. Funding statement: The data collection was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness grant HAR2015-68962-P to Oreto Garcia Puchol & Joan Bernabeu. SPG is supported by Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, Postdoct…
Rare and threatened pondweed communities in anthropogenic water bodies of Opole Silesia (SW Poland)
2011
The paper presents results of geobotanic studies conducted in anthropogenic water bodies like excavation ponds, fish culture ponds, other ponds, dam reservoirs, ditches, channels and recreational pools incl. watering places in Opole Silesia and surroundings in the years 2002-2005. The research focused on occurrence of threatened and rare pondweed communities. As the result of the investigations of several dozen of water bodies, 28 localities of rare pondweed communities were documented by 75 phytosociological relevés. Associations of <em>Potametum trichoidis</em> J. et R Tx. in R. Tx. 1965, <em>Potametum praelongi</em> Sauer 1937, <em>P. alpini</em> Br.-B…
Etna and the perception of volcanic risk
2013
Sicily’s uneven geological structure is positioned within a system of tectonic plates, and its very active volcano has always made it prone to disasters. Many Sicilian cities have in fact been destroyed by natural events many times over the centuries. This can certainly be understood negatively as the destruction of entire towns, the emission of volcanic ash, and the mutation of landscapes by a terrifying force have instilled fearful memories in local populations. But from another point of view one must consider the positive elements of Etna. Its beautiful landscapes were a major attraction on the Grand Tour, and its inhabitants have long associated the volcano with the concept of rebirth a…