Craft specialization and social organization in the Chalcolithic Deccan, India

Antiquity ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 65 (249) ◽  
pp. 796-807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasant Shinde
Keyword(s):  
Arid Zone ◽  
General Tendency ◽  
Western Coast ◽  
Site Location ◽  
The North ◽  
Main River ◽  
Major River ◽  
Farming Village ◽  
Early Farmers ◽  
River Valleys

The Deccan Chalcolithic and its sitesSystematic archaeological research began in the Deccan after 1950 when a Chalcolithic settlement was discovered at Jorwe near Sangamner in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra state. The Deccan, which includes the present states of Maharashtra, (except for the western coast and some parts of Vidarbha in the east) and northern Karnataka, falls in a semi-arid zone with a precipitation ranging between 400 and 900 mm. There are three major river valleys in the Deccan, the Tapi in the north, the Godavari in the centre and the Bhima in the south. Microecological variations in each valley have considerably affected the settlement patterns of the early farmers. Altogether 150 Chalcolithic settlements have so far been discovered in this part of India. The Tapi valley in the north, considered to be one of the most fertile tracts in the country and well watered by the Tapi and several of its perennial tributaries, was extensively occupied, for over 100 Chalcolithic settlements have so far been discovered there (Shinde in press). It was also observed that there was a general tendency to locate a settlement away from the main river because of the danger posed by the severe monsoon floodings. Most of the settlements were located along the banks of its tributaries, which are safe. In the Godavari and Bhima basins, on the other hand, because of the inadequate perennial water supply and limited availability of fertile soil, there were sporadic settlements (Shinde 1989) (FIGURE1 ). On the basis of environmental studies, surface finds, site location, the extent and thickness of habitation deposits, the Chalcolithic sites in the Deccan have been divided into different categories such as a regional centre, a farming village, a farmstead, a herding unit, and a camp to exploit localized resources (Shinde in press).

The topographic and environmental context of the earliest village sites in western South Asia

Antiquity ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 86 (334) ◽  
pp. 1055-1067 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.A. Petrie ◽  
K.D. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
South Asia ◽  
Border Zone ◽  
Similar Process ◽  
Alluvial Fans ◽  
Local Environments ◽  
Major River ◽  
Early Farming ◽  
Indus Civilisation ◽  
Early Farmers ◽  
River Valleys

Researchers in several continents have found that agriculture began not in major river valleys but up in the hills, where early farmers tended crops on alluvial fans and improved irrigation by building earth barriers across them. Here the authors reveal a similar process in the hills of Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where early farming villages overlook the plains of the Punjab and Sindh, heartland of the later Indus civilisation. Today this is a troubled border zone, with difficult access on the ground, but our researchers make exemplary use of satellite survey to map the villages in their specific local environments.

River Valleys Shaped the Maternal Genetic Landscape of Han Chinese

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 1643-1652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Chun Li ◽  
Wei-Jian Ye ◽  
Chuan-Gui Jiang ◽  
Zhen Zeng ◽  
Jiao-Yang Tian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Divergence ◽  
Population Expansion ◽  
Han Chinese ◽  
Gene Pools ◽  
The North ◽  
Main River ◽  
Migration Barriers ◽  
Genetic Landscape ◽  
River Valleys ◽  
Relative Migration

AbstractA general south-north genetic divergence has been observed among Han Chinese in previous studies. However, these studies, especially those on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), are based either on partial mtDNA sequences or on limited samples. Given that Han Chinese comprise the world’s largest population and reside around the whole China, whether the north-south divergence can be observed after all regional populations are considered remains unknown. Moreover, factors involved in shaping the genetic landscape of Han Chinese need further investigation. In this study, we dissected the matrilineal landscape of Han Chinese by studying 4,004 mtDNA haplogroup-defining variants in 21,668 Han samples from virtually all provinces in China. Our results confirmed the genetic divergence between southern and northern Han populations. However, we found a significant genetic divergence among populations from the three main river systems, that is, the Yangtze, the Yellow, and the Zhujiang (Pearl) rivers, which largely attributed to the prevalent distribution of haplogroups D4, B4, and M7 in these river valleys. Further analyses based on 4,986 mitogenomes, including 218 newly generated sequences, indicated that this divergence was already established during the early Holocene and may have resulted from population expansion facilitated by ancient agricultures along these rivers. These results imply that the maternal gene pools of the contemporary Han populations have retained the genetic imprint of early Neolithic farmers from different river basins, or that river valleys represented relative migration barriers that facilitated genetic differentiation, thus highlighting the importance of the three ancient agricultures in shaping the genetic landscape of the Han Chinese.

Geochronology and Settlement Disposition in the Early Palaeo-Indian Occupation of Southern Ontario, Canada

1983 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 388-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Main Stage ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Southern Ontario ◽  
The North ◽  
Lake Algonquin ◽  
Ice Retreat ◽  
Major River ◽  
Late Wisconsinan ◽  
Edge Features ◽  
River Valleys

AbstractExamination of a sample of 150 fluted-point localities from southern Ontario, Canada in relation to datable features of Late Wisconsinan ice retreat discloses maximum possible ages for early Palaeo-Indian occupation and reveals selection of specific physiographic situations. General relationship to maximum ice-advance positions suggests occupation during the Two Creeks Interstade after Port Huron ice retreat about 12,300 yr B.P. Specific relationship to 14C-dated proglacial Great Lake strands favors occupation during the North Bay Interstade after Greatlakean ice retreat about 11,500 yr B.P. Locality frequency on Lake Algonquin strands suggests contemporaneity with the main stage of this lake about 11,500 to 10,400 yr B.P., with a small number of lake-plain localities indicating minor post-Algonquin persistence. Radiocarbon dates for fluted-point sites elsewhere in the glaciated northeast place occupation coeval with the southwestern Folsom fluted-point tradition of about 10,850 to 10,200 yr B.P. Locality situation in regions dominated by proglacial sediments, on lake-edge features adjacent to strand-dissecting tributaries, within major river valleys, implies selectivity reflecting primary adaptation. Fluted-point associations with caribou and elk remains suggest that “focal” adaptation to cervids, comparable to southwestern Folsom bison exploitation, might underlie the homogeneous nature and distribution of early Palaeo-Indian localities throughout the northeast.

Meadows of the North-Eastern Altai

2002 ◽  
pp. 22-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. V. Maltseva ◽  
N. I. Makunina
Keyword(s):  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Wet Meadows ◽  
Abies Sibirica ◽  
Dark Coniferous Forest ◽  
Hay Meadows ◽  
The North ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Humid Area ◽  
River Valleys

The North-Eastern Altai is an ultra-humid area with climax vegetation represented by tall-herb fir (Abies sibirica) dark-coniferous forest. Its meadows belong to the class Molinio-Arrhenatheretea. The typical asso­ciation Aegopodio podagrariae—Dactyletum glomeratae originates in the watershed clearings after climax forests whereas ass. Hyperici perforati—Agrostietum giganteaereplaces the previous one under mowing and grazing. The Molinietalia wet meadows are widespread in the river valleys. The meadows of ass. Cirsio heterophylli—Calama­grostietum langsdorffii occur on wet soils in small depressions and along floodplain mire margins, and ass. Ca­rici ovalis—Deschampsietum cespitosae comprises typical floodplain hay-meadows on moist, nutrient-rich soils.

The large-scale vegetation maps of the western coast of Peter the Great Bay (Far East, the Sea of Japan)

2000 ◽  
pp. 50-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. V. Osipov ◽  
V. P. Verkholat
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Far East ◽  
Peter The Great Bay ◽  
The Sea Of Japan ◽  
Western Coast ◽  
Spatial Unit ◽  
Peter The Great ◽  
Great Bay ◽  
River Valleys

Two territories on the western coast of Peter the Great Bay were mapped in the large scale. The geobotanical mapping means revealing and displaying the essential regularities of vegetation cover. Both the spatial and temporal regularities of vegetation under natural and anthropogenic influences are well pronounced in the territory under consideration. The concept of the vegetation spatial unit (vegetation complexes) was applied as a basis for mapping. The maps and their legend were worked out as a system of vegetation combination types (vegetation combination is a spatial unit of the supracoenotic level). Such categories, as vegetation of tops and slopes, lowlands and river valleys, sea coasts reflect maximal contrasts in vegetation cover, so they are the highest level divisions of the map legend. Types of succession series and stages of series are developed for construction of the second and third levels of the legend. Communities, similar in ecotope, total species composition, saplings and some other characteristics, are referred to one type of series. 5 types of series have been distinguished: dry, fresh, moist, very moist, wet. The main factor of dynamics in considered territory is fire and the series are mainly pyrogeneous. Series are presented as sequences of vegetation stages. The vegetation stages for tops and slopes are: closed low forest — open low woodland — shrub thicket with saplings — meadow with saplings, for lowlands and river valleys they are: open low woodland — thicket of saplings — meadow or mire with saplings.

MONITORING THE DYNAMICS OF THERMOABRASION COASTS AT KHARASAVEY AREA, WESTERN YAMAL (KARA SEA)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmitry Kuznetsov ◽  
Dmitry Kuznetsov ◽  
Anatoliy Kamalov ◽  
Anatoliy Kamalov ◽  
Nataliya Belova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Impact ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Kara Sea ◽  
Motor Vehicles ◽  
Yamal Peninsula ◽  
Western Coast ◽  
Frozen Ground ◽  
Coastal Dynamics ◽  
The North ◽  
Ice Content

The dynamics of thermoabrasion coasts on loose sediments under permafrost conditions are highly variable due to several factors: length of the dynamic period of the year, mechanic composition of the frozen ground and its ice content, hydrometeorological conditions, and human impact. Multiannual monitoring of the coastal zone was carried out by Lab. Geoecology of the North (Moscow State University) at the 22 km long Kharasavey deposit site, Western Coast of Yamal Peninsula (Kara Sea). The methods include direct measurements and observations (repeated topographic survey of shore transects from 1981 to 2012) along with remote sensing data analysis (images from 1964 to 2011). This allowed producing detailed characteristics of coastal dynamics. At the site, thermoabrasion coasts occupy the most part, and accumulative coasts are present in the north. Data on natural relief forming factors and ground composition are included in the detailed geomorphologic map of the site. Shore retreat rate shows correlation to amounts of wind-wave energy and to specific wind directions. Human impact on the coast includes dredging at the port channel, mining of sand, driving motor vehicles, and deposition of construction debris. Relations between shore retreat rate and aforementioned factors were studied, including dependencies on ice content, and shore segmentation was carried out. This allows for coastal dynamics forecasts in the region.

Sources of Chlorophenolic Compounds to the Fraser River Estuary

1988 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Carey ◽  
J. H. Hart
Keyword(s):  
River Flow ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Pulp Mills ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Downstream Site ◽  
Upstream Site ◽  
The North ◽  
Main River

Abstract The identity and concentrations of chlorophenolic compounds in the Fraser River estuary were determined under conditions of high and low river flow at three sites: a site upstream from the trifurcation and at downstream sites for each main river arm. Major chlorophenolics present under both flow regimes were 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP), 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol (2,3,4,6-TeCP), pentachlorophenol (PCP), tetrachloroguaiacol (TeCG) and a compound tentatively identified as 3,4,5-trichloroguaiacol (3,4,5-TCG). Under high flow conditions, concentrations of the guaiacols were higher than any of the Chlorophenols and concentrations of all five chlorophenolics appeared to correlate. Under low flow conditions, concentrations of chloroguaiacols were higher than Chlorophenols at the upstream site and at the downstream site on the Main Arm, whereas at the downstream site on the North Arm, concentrations of 2,3,4,6-TeCP and PCP were higher than the chloroguaiacols in some samples. Overall, the results indicate that pulp mills upstream from the estuary are important sources of chlorophenolics to the estuary under all flow conditions. Additional episodic inputs of 2,3,4,6-TeCP and PCP from lumber mills occur along the North Arm. When these inputs occur, they can cause the concentrations of Chlorophenols in the North Arm to exceed provisional objectives. If chloroguaiacols are included as part of the objective, concentrations of total chlorophenolics in water entering the estuary can approach and exceed these objectives, especially under low flow conditions.

scholarly journals Evidence of Unknown Paleo-Tsunami Events along the Alas Strait, West Sumbawa, Indonesia

Geosciences ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Bachtiar W. Mutaqin ◽  
Franck Lavigne ◽  
Patrick Wassmer ◽  
Martine Trautmann ◽  
Puncak Joyontono ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Pyroclastic Flows ◽  
Western Coast ◽  
Eastern Shore ◽  
Tsunami Deposits ◽  
The West ◽  
Marine Deposits ◽  
Sedimentary Records ◽  
The North ◽  
Large Earthquakes

Indonesia is exposed to earthquakes, volcanic activities, and associated tsunamis. This is particularly the case for Lombok and Sumbawa Islands in West Nusa Tenggara, where evidence of tsunamis is frequently observed in its coastal sedimentary record. If the 1815 CE Tambora eruption on Sumbawa Island generated a tsunami with well-identified traces on the surrounding islands, little is known about the consequences of the 1257 CE tremendous eruption of Samalas on the neighboring islands, and especially about the possible tsunamis generated in reason of a paucity of research on coastal sedimentary records in this area. However, on Lombok Island, the eruption of the Samalas volcano produced significant volumes of pyroclastic flows that entered the sea in the North and East of the island. These phenomena must have produced a tsunami that left their traces, especially on Sumbawa Island, whose western coastline is only 14 km away from Lombok’s eastern shore. Therefore, the main goal of this study is to investigate, find evidence, and determine the age of marine-origin sediments along the shore of the Alas Strait, Indonesia. We collected and analyzed samples of coral and seashells from marine deposits identified along the west coast of Sumbawa, i.e., in Belang Island and abandoned fishponds in Kiantar Village, in order to identify the sources and the occurrence period of these deposits events. Based on the radiocarbon dating of coral and seashell samples, we concluded that none of the identified marine deposits along the western coast of Sumbawa could be related chronologically to the 1257 CE eruption of Samalas. However, possible tsunami deposits located in Belang Island and abandoned fishponds in Kiantar Village yielded 4th century CE, 9th century CE, and 17th century CE. We also conclude that past large earthquakes triggered these tsunamis since no known volcanic eruption occurred near the Alas Strait at that time that may have triggered a tsunami.

Biochemical responses of the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis to petrochemical environmental contamination along the North-western coast of Portugal

Chemosphere ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 66 (7) ◽  
pp. 1230-1242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inês Lima ◽  
Susana M. Moreira ◽  
Jaime Rendón-Von Osten ◽  
Amadeu M.V.M. Soares ◽  
Lúcia Guilhermino
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Contamination ◽  
Mytilus Galloprovincialis ◽  
Western Coast ◽  
Marine Mussel ◽  
Biochemical Responses ◽  
The North ◽  
North Western

A Reinterpretation of the Microlithic Industries of Wales

1963 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 99-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. Wainwright
Keyword(s):  
Short Distance ◽  
The South ◽  
The West ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
North Wales ◽  
River Valleys

The distribution of Mesolithic sites in Wales is controlled to a great extent by the terrain, for physiographically, Wales is a highland block defined on three sides by the sea and for the greater part of the fourth side by a sharp break of slope. Geologically the Principality is composed almost entirely of Palaeozoic rocks, of which the 600-foot contour encloses more than three quarters of the total area. There are extensive regions above 1,500 feet and 2,000 feet and in the north the peaks of Snowdonia and Cader Idris rise to 3,560 feet and 2,929 feet respectively. Indeed North Wales consists of an inhospitable highland massif, skirted by a lowland plateau and cut deeply by river valleys, providing only limited areas for settlement. The hills and mountains of Snowdonia with their extension at lower altitudes into the Lleyn Peninsula, and the ranges of Moelwyn, Manod Mawr, Arenig Fach and Cader Idris, are discouraging obstacles to penetration, save for a short distance along the river valleys. To the east of these peaks are extensive tracts of upland plateau dissected by rivers, bounded on the west by the vale of the river Conway and cleft by the Vale of Clwyd. To the east of this valley lies the Clwydian Range and further again to the east these uplands descend with milder contours to the Cheshire and Shropshire plains.To the south the district merges into the uplands of Central Wales, which are continuous until they are replaced by the lowland belt of South Wales.

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