scholarly journals Creating the funerary landscape of Eastern Sudan

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0253511
Author(s):  
Stefano Costanzo ◽  
Filippo Brandolini ◽  
Habab Idriss Ahmed ◽  
Andrea Zerboni ◽  
Andrea Manzo
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Point Pattern Analysis ◽  
Point Pattern ◽  
Funerary Monuments ◽  
The Social ◽  
Semi Arid Region ◽  
Geological Constraints ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Eastern Sudan

Funerary landscapes are eminent results of the relationship between environments and superstructural human behavior, spanning over wide territories and growing over centuries. The comprehension of such cultural palimpsests needs substantial research efforts in the field of human ecology. The funerary landscape of the semi-arid region of Kassala (Eastern Sudan) represents a solid example. Therein, geoarchaeological surveys and the creation of a desk-based dataset of thousands of diachronic funerary monuments (from early tumuli up to modern Beja people islamic tombs) were achieved by means of fieldwork and remote sensing over an area of ∼4100 km2. The wealth of generated information was employed to decipher the spatial arrangement of sites and monuments using Point Pattern Analysis. The enormous number of monuments and their spatial distribution are here successfully explained using, for the first time in archaeology, the Neyman-Scott Cluster Process, hitherto designed for cosmology. Our study highlights the existence of a built funerary landscape with galaxy-like aggregations of monuments driven by multiple layers of societal behavior. We suggest that the distribution of monuments was controlled by a synthesis of opportunistic geological constraints and cultural superstructure, conditioned by the social memory of the Beja people who have inhabited the region for two thousand years and still cherish the ancient tombs as their own kin’s.

Bedrock, foothills and kinship: reconstructing the funerary landscape of Eastern Sudan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Costanzo ◽  
Filippo Brandolini ◽  
Habab Idriss Ahmed ◽  
Andrea Zerboni ◽  
Andrea Manzo
Keyword(s):  
Regional Scale ◽  
Local Scale ◽  
Point Pattern Analysis ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Point Pattern ◽  
Funerary Monuments ◽  
Funerary Architecture ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Cattle Breeders ◽  
Eastern Sudan

<p>Monumental funerary landscapes are paramount representations of the relationship between environment and superstructural human behavior. Their formation sometimes requires millennia and they cover wide territories, often adding up to complex palimpsests of monuments belonging to different time periods. In this regard, the funerary landscape of the semi-arid foothill region of Kassala (Eastern Sudan) represents a solid example. Therein, a comprehensive geoarchaeological investigation conducted by means of field survey and remote sensing allowed the creation of a regional geomorphological base-map and a dataset of funerary monuments. The latter comprises several thousand raised stone-built tombs spanning from the early first millennium AD clusters of tumuli (belonging to the pan-African traditions) to regionally exclusive variants of medieval Islamic funerary architecture (<em>qubbas</em>). Funerary monuments are found as eye-catching scatters of hundreds of elements along the foothills of the many rocky outcrops dotting the pediplain of the western periphery of the Eritrean Highlands. In this study, the two categories of monuments were not considered as separate <em>burialscapes</em>, but rather examined as a unique, diachronic funerary landscape in its relationship with the geological and geomorphological settings and constraints. Point Pattern Analysis (PPA) was employed to determine the main environmental drivers of their locations on a regional scale, as well as to assess the existence of superstructural factors acting on their aggregation at the local scale. Our results strongly suggest the presence of a geological/environmental/societal synthesis underlying the choice of monuments’ location: at the regional scale, the pattern follows a precise set of rules residing in the concomitant presence of stable, gently rolling slopes and available metamorphic rock slabs; at the local scale, the clustering is heavily conditioned by superstructural dynamics that most likely reside in kinship and collective social memory of local Beja people. We suggest that the creation of the funerary landscape of Eastern Sudan is the result of a repeated and well coded social behavior of the Beja people, semi-nomadic cattle breeders known to have inhabited the region since “time immemorial”. Despite their mobile lifestyle and cultural contact with other North African and Arabic cultures, the monumental palimpsest portrays how the funerary habits of this millennia-old society persisted almost undisturbed, valuing location and kinship over external influences.</p>

scholarly journals Human, not too Human: Technology, Rites, and Identity

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-202
Author(s):  
Stefania Operto
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Technological Progress ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Cultural Models ◽  
Conceptual Category ◽  
Human Behaviors ◽  
The Social ◽  
History Of ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract In the social sciences, the term “rite” identifies a set of practices and knowledge that contribute to forming the cultural models of a given society and has the aim of transmitting values and norms, institutionalization of roles, recognition of identity and social cohesion. This article examines the relationship between technology and ritual and the transformations in society resulting from the diffusion of new technologies. Technological progress is not a novelty in human development; though it is the first time in the history of humanity that technology has pervaded the lives of individuals and their relationships. The analyses conducted seem to show that the ritual is not intended to disappear but to change; to change forms and places. Postmodern societies have undergone profound modifications, but the conceptual category of ritual continues to be applicable to many human behaviors and it would be a mistake to support the idea that rituals are weakening.

scholarly journals Spatial distribution of four sympatric owl species in Carpathian montane forests

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karol Šotnár ◽  
Ján Obuch ◽  
Samuel Pačenovský ◽  
Benjamín Jarčuška
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Species Coexistence ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Point Pattern Analysis ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Point Pattern ◽  
Montane Forests ◽  
Aegolius Funereus ◽  
Coexistence Mechanisms

AbstractKnowledge about spatial distribution of owl species is important for inferring species coexistence mechanisms. In the present study, we explore spatial patterns of distribution and habitat selection of four owl species – Eurasian pygmy owl (Glaucidium passerinum), boreal owl (Aegolius funereus), tawny owl (Strix aluco) and Ural owl (Strix uralensis) – ranging in body mass from 50 g to 1300 g, with sympatric occurrence in temperate continuous montane forests in the Veľká Fatra Mts., Western Carpathians, central Slovakia. Locations of hooting owl males were surveyed between 2009–2015 in an area of 317 km2. Spatial point pattern analysis was used for analysis of owl distribution. Random patterns of owls’ spatial arrangement dominate at both intra‐ and interspecific levels within the studied area. Only intraspecific distribution of pygmy owls and interspecific distribution of Ural owls toward tawny owls exhibited positive associations. This discrepancy with other studies can be explained in terms of pygmy owls’ preference for high‐quality nest sites and/or spatial clustering in their prey distribution, and due to aggressive behaviour of dominant Ural owls toward subdominant tawny owls, respectively. Moreover, we found considerable overlap in habitat preferences between owl species, considering stand age, stand height, tree species richness, distance to open area, elevation, slope, percentage of coniferous tree species and position on hillslope, although pygmy owls were not registered in pure broadleaved stands, Ural owls were not registered in pure coniferous stands, and boreal and Ural owls were more common on slope summits and shoulders than tawny and pygmy owls. The observed patterns of spatial arrangement might suggest developed coexistence mechanisms in these owl species; differences between studies may indicate complex interactions between intra‐ and interspecific associations and habitat quality and quantity, food availability and owl species involved in those interactions on a landscape scale.

Selected Writings

October ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 153 ◽  
pp. 14-41
Author(s):  
Roberto Jacoby
Keyword(s):  
Mass Media ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Political Crisis ◽  
Art World ◽  
Military Dictatorship ◽  
The Social ◽  
Song Lyrics ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Relationship

This selection of texts by the Argentinean artist Roberto Jacoby includes seven that are here published in English for the first time, and two others rendered in new translations. The majority of the texts (all but three) were written in the 1960s. Some, such as “Scale Model of an Artwork” (1966), “Automatic Circuit (work no. 1 for Telephone Circuit)” (1967), and “Message at the Di Tella Institute” (1968), are short descriptions of artworks. Another, “An Art of Communications Media (Manifesto)” (1967), takes the form of a manifesto, co-written by Jacoby and two other artists. “Demonstration: A Mass Media Artwork” (1967) touches on various issues topical in the mid-1960s art world in Argentina and beyond, including the relationship between art and life, society, and politics, and “Against the Happening” (1967) considers an art that harnesses the mass media for its production. The section also includes translations of song lyrics written by Jacoby that link intimate themes of love with international politics. The songs were put to music and recorded by the Argentinian rock group Virus for its fifth record, “Surfaces of Pleasure” (1987). The section concludes with “Strategy of Joy” (2000), an article that theorizes a biopolitical form of resistance to the civil-military dictatorship that brutalized the Argentinian population in the 1970s and early 1980s, and “Report on the Venus Project” (2002), which focuses on an experimental community formed in the midst of the social, economic and political crisis that befell Argentina in the summer of 2001, and, according to some, is ongoing.

scholarly journals Pattern analysis of visible faulty fruits in capitula: A case in cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis F. Hernández ◽  
Cecilia N. Pellegrini
Keyword(s):  
Pattern Analysis ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Pattern Generation ◽  
Point Pattern Analysis ◽  
Point Pattern ◽  
Random Pattern ◽  
Physical Factors ◽  
Type I ◽  
Type Iv

The analysis of spatial arrangement of incompletely developed fruits (IDF) in capitula could be used to understand the nature and the relative arrangement of these fruits at maturity, previously unexplained by current models. The objective of this work was to quantify and define the distribution pattern of visible IDF (IDFvis) at physiological maturity in the capitulum of the cultivated sunflower, in two genotypes with different self-compatibility expression grown in three different environments. Spatial characteristics and the possibility of randomness of IDFvis pattern generation were also evaluated. We were able to define four IDFvis patterns: Type I, where the distribution of the IDFvis was located mainly at the capitulum center, Type II, where the distribution remained grouped at its center but spreads towards the periphery, Type III, where the distribution was more homogeneous over the entire capitulum surface and Type IV with a homogeneous but very dispersed distribution over the entire capitulum surface. Second order spatial point pattern analysis techniques for a plane (Ripley’s K) were applied to the distribution of IDFvis in the four predefined IDFvis patterns. Using the ADE-4 software, spatial distribution patterns contained in a circular surface and corrected for edge effects were analyzed. By grouping the different types of IDFvis patterns by environment and genotype, a tendency was observed to generate preferably two types of patterns, Type I and Type IV, directly related to the genotype and not to the environment. The K index obtained for each type of pattern showed that, for the scales analyzed, Types I, II and III can be defined as grouped, since they laid outside the Poisson confidence limits. The Type IV pattern presented results consistent with a completely randomized distribution. It was observed a low- frequency appearance of the IV (random) pattern and only for one genotype in the different environments studied, while in the rest of the genotype x environment combinations there was always a greater degree of grouping (non random; Type; I, II and III patterns). Proved that mostly of the IDFvis patterns presented in the sunflower capitulum were mainly non random, the results shown here suggest that, to the intrinsic characteristics of the plant to express this character, mainly physiological, intra-receptacle physical factors could be added in the post-pollination stage, capable of altering the normal development of the embryos.

scholarly journals Leaders benefit followers in the collective movement of a social sawfly

2014 ◽  
Vol 281 (1796) ◽  
pp. 20141700 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. K. Hodgkin ◽  
M. R. E. Symonds ◽  
M. A. Elgar
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Evolutionary Significance ◽  
Behavioural Type ◽  
Collective Decisions ◽  
The Social ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Leaders And Followers ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Relationship

The challenges of maintaining cohesion while making collective decisions in social or aggregating insects can result in the emergence of a leader or leaders. Larval aggregations of the steel-blue sawfly Perga affinis forage nocturnally, and some larvae lead the aggregation on foraging trips more often than expected by chance. We investigated the relationship between these leader and follower roles by comparing the weight and growth of individual larvae with different roles. Our observations reveal no significant difference between the growth of leaders and followers, suggesting that the role of leadership may not provide direct foraging benefits. However, by experimentally manipulating the social structure of larval aggregations, we found that individuals within aggregations that comprise a mixture of leaders and followers enjoy higher growth rates than those in aggregations comprising a single behavioural type. These data demonstrate, for the first time, individual benefits to maintaining a balance of leader and follower roles within larval aggregations, and highlight the importance of considering the perspectives of both leaders and followers when investigating the evolutionary significance of this behavioural variation within animal groups.

Teachers' professional vision in action

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Yizhen Huang ◽  
Kevin F. Miller ◽  
Kai S. Cortina ◽  
Dirk Richter
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movements ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Point Pattern Analysis ◽  
Point Pattern ◽  
Expert Teachers ◽  
Professional Vision ◽  
Distinctive Features ◽  
Selective Visual Attention ◽  
Fast Pace ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. In need of simultaneously tackling various tasks at a fast pace, teaching is a job that requires skillful attention allocation. Selective visual attention forms the basis of teacher's professional vision – the expertise of attending to and interpreting classroom features, but it is also a process mostly hidden from direct observation. Eye tracking can capture this otherwise invisible attentional process and has long been used in demonstrating the visual expertise in various skill domains. Yet, the relationship between expertise and teachers' eye movements during real-life teaching remains a seldom explored area. The current study investigated the distinctive features of teachers' gaze in relation to their expertise levels. Specifically, eye movements were collected from 25 pairs of expert and novice teachers, with each pair teaching in the same classroom and with the same content. The eye movements were analyzed using scanpath comparison and point pattern analysis method. Results revealed that compared with novices, expert teachers had overall shorter fixation durations and larger quantity of fixations. They also had smaller proportion of fixations directed to objects irrelevant to teaching and the distribution of their fixations were wider. These results demonstrated that teachers had distinctive eye movement features in relation to their expertise levels. Most importantly, expert teachers exhibited better selective attention – a key component of professional vision. The implications regarding teacher education and instruction were also discussed.

scholarly journals Using Point Pattern Analysis Techniques to Describe Spatial Arrangement of Date Palm Trees in Iraq

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 4074-4079
Author(s):  
Bashar S. Al-Dabbagh ◽  
Laith Alzubaidi ◽  
Reem Ibrahim Hasan ◽  
Haider A. Alwzwazy
Keyword(s):  
Date Palm ◽  
Pattern Analysis ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Point Pattern Analysis ◽  
Point Pattern ◽  
Analysis Techniques ◽  
Palm Trees

Communities of Disagreement

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-353
Author(s):  
Lars Laird Iversen
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Social Context ◽  
Common Knowledge ◽  
Shared Values ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Social ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Democratic Communities ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract This guest column in Common Knowledge presents the concept of “communities of disagreement” to an international and interdisciplinary audience, perhaps for the first time. It takes as its starting point the contrast between agonistic and deliberative democratic theories, and it attempts to outline how democratic groups may live well with unresolved disagreement yet not give on up developing truth-sensitive decision-making processes. It argues against the widespread idea that shared values are the social glue of democratic communities. By developing arguments of Manfred Frank, the article outlines a model of the relationship between social context, interpretation, and information.

scholarly journals RELASI BAPA DAN ANAK PADA PERISTIWA SALIB MENURUT PANDANGAN JÜRGEN MOLTMANN

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-85
Author(s):  
Lidya Thauwrisan
Keyword(s):  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Karl Rahner ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
The Social ◽  
Triune God ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Social Trinity ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract: The cry of Jesus saying "My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?" draws Jürgen Moltmann’s attention to investigate what happened in the relationship between the Father and the Son at the event of the cross. Moltmann sees that in this event of the cross, for the first time, Jesus crying out called the Father not as Father but as "God". The exclamation is then seen as an indication of separation in the intratrinity relationship. Moltmann supports his conclusion with the thought of Karl Rahner who believes that "the immanent Trinity is the economic Trinity." In an attempt to explain what happened in the relationship between the Father and the Son at the cross, Moltmann uses the trinitarian point of view, namely seeing the Triune God first as three distinct persons and then seeing the unity. The weakness of Moltmann's thinking is that it creates the impression that the economic Trinity can change the immanent Trinity and falls into the understanding of the social Trinity. This understanding can also give the impression that the cross event can separate the relationship between the Father and the Son. By using a descriptive analysis method, this paper will show that even in the event of the cross, the relationship between the Father and the Son remains intact and one. First of all, the author describes Moltmann's view and provides some reviews of these views. Then, the author gives a view of the relationship between the Father and the Son with respect to the call of Jesus at the cross. Keywords: Jürgen Moltmann, broken Trinity, intratrinity relation, cross.   Abstrak: Seruan Yesus yang mengatakan “Allahku, Allahku, mengapa Engkau meninggalkan Aku?” menarik perhatian Jürgen Moltmann untuk menyelidiki apa yang terjadi dalam relasi Bapa dan Anak pada peristiwa salib. Moltmann melihat bahwa pada momen ini untuk pertama kalinya Yesus berseru memanggil Bapa bukan dengan sebutan Bapa, tetapi dengan sebutan “Allah”. Seruan ini kemudian dilihat sebagai indikasi terjadinya keterpisahan dalam relasi intratritunggal. Moltmann mendukung pernyataannya ini dengan mengadopsi pemikiran Karl Rahner yang meyakini bahwa “the immanent Trinity is the economic Trinity.” Dalam upaya untuk menjelaskan apa yang terjadi dalam relasi Bapa dan Anak pada peristiwa salib, Moltmann memakai sudut pandang trinitaris, yaitu melihat Allah Tritunggal pertama-tama sebagai tiga pribadi yang berbeda kemudian melihat kesatuannya. Kelemahan dari pemikiran Moltmann adalah menimbulkan kesan the economic Trinity dapat mengubah the immanent Trinity dan jatuh pada pemahaman Trinitas sosial. Pemahaman ini juga dapat menimbulkan kesan bahwa peristiwa salib dapat membuat relasi Bapa dan Anak terpisah. Dengan menggunakan metode analisis deskriptif, tulisan ini akan memperlihatkan bahwa pada peristiwa salib pun, relasi Bapa dan Anak tetap utuh dan satu. Pertama-tama penulis memaparkan pandangan Moltmann dan memberikan beberapa tinjauan terhadap pandangan tersebut. Kemudian, penulis memberikan pandangan tentang relasi Bapa dan Anak terkait dengan seruan Yesus. Kata-kata Kunci: Jürgen Moltmann, keterpisahan Tritunggal, relasi intratritunggal, salib.

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