scholarly journals Finds of Lithospermum Nuts at Archaeological Sites in Ukraine

Archaeology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 47-60
Author(s):  
Halyna Pashkevych ◽  
◽  
Dmytro Chernovol ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Ancient Population ◽  
Biogenic Carbonate ◽  
Folk Remedy ◽  
Lithospermum Officinale ◽  
Archaeological Cultures ◽  
The Relationship

Lithospermum officinale L. and Buglossoides arvensis (L.) I.M. Johnston [syn. Lithospermum arvense L.] nuts were found among the fossil grains and seeds in the materials of various archaeological cultures of the territory of Ukraine. These finds have attracted the researchers’ attention for their large number, which sometimes reaches tens of thousands. Why were our ancestors interested in these small, unattractive plants? They have neither brightly fragrant flowers, nor edible fruits. The oldest and largest find, more than 40,000 nuts of Lithospermum officinale L., was found in two pots from Trypillia settlement Ozhevo-Ostriv (the last phase of ВІ — В / I stages, Cucuteni A4) dated by the last third of the 5th millennium BC. For what purpose was such a number of nuts collected? In the article there is data on the finds of gromwell nuts in Europe and the reasons for their gathering. There are several of them: the usage of nuts for future crops and preparation of plants roots with red coloring; making beads from nuts; the usage of nuts in herbal medicine as diuretics, anesthetics and as an aphrodisiac. For what purpose was a large number of nuts collected by the residents of Trypillia settlement Ozhevo-Ostriv? The ancient population may have used nuts as a folk remedy and as a dye. However, the laying of vessels with nuts under the platform No. 4 at the Ozhevo-Ostriv settlement did not imply such household usage. Probably, these nuts were collected and placed in vessels for ritual purposes and they should be considered as ritual items. The finds in materials from other archaeological cultures are less numerous. It is possible that gromwell nuts were used as herbal medicine or as a dye. The gromwell nuts are also of interest to modern researchers. Thanks to recent studies by K. Pustovoytov and S. Riehl, the possibility of using biogenic carbonate from the shells of nuts for radiocarbon dating has been established. Thus, the biogenic carbonate of the nut shell is a new source of chronological information. The same researchers established the relationship between the isotopic composition of oxygen from the biogenic carbonate of nuts and climatic conditions.

Suitability of biogenic carbonate of Lithospermum fruits for 14C dating

2006 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 508-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantin Pustovoytov ◽  
Simone Riehl
Keyword(s):  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Late Quaternary ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Quaternary Sediments ◽  
14C Dating ◽  
Biogenic Carbonate ◽  
Measurement Results ◽  
Cultural Layers ◽  
Absolute Age ◽  
Calcified Tissues

AbstractLithospermum (Boraginaceae) belongs to a small group of plant taxa that accumulate biogenic carbonate in their fruits. In this genus, carbonate incrustations form in the cells of the epidermis and sclerenchyma of the pericarp. Fossil Lithospermum fruits (nutlets) with well-preserved calcified tissues commonly occur in Quaternary sediments and cultural layers. We tested the suitability of biogenic carbonate of Lithospermum fruits for radiocarbon dating using a total of 15 AMS measurement results from four modern and 11 fossil samples. The 14C data from modern samples suggest that Lithospermum utilises only atmospheric carbon to synthesise calcite in the nutlets. In general, the ages determined through 14C dating of fossil fruitscorresponded well with the absolute-age intervals for archaeological sites over the last 5000 yr. Biogenic carbonate of Lithospermum fruits, like that of Celtis, represents a new source of chronological information for late Quaternary studies.

ЗУБРЫ НА СЕВЕРЕ РОССИИ — НАСТОЯЩЕЕ И БУДУЩЕЕ

2019 ◽  
pp. 42-44
Author(s):  
I.V. GUSAROV ◽  
V.A. OSTAPENKO ◽  
T.V. NOVIKOVА
Keyword(s):  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
European Bison ◽  
Rare And Endangered Species ◽  
The North ◽  
Rare And Endangered ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Relationship

Впервые в мире создана популяция зубров на территории 60 градусов северной широты. В новых климатических условиях разведения и сохранения зубров определены и проанализированы факторы существования вида на севере Европейской части РФ. Выявлены признаки, динамика численности, которые являются составной частью системы, предназначенной для управления биоразнообразием. Интродукция, являясь процессом введения в экосистему нехарактерных для нее видов, может усиливать изменения биоценозов как положительно, так и отрицательно. Насколько быстро и успешно проходит процесс адаптации заселенного вида, и усматривается его влияние на окружающую среду зависит дальнейшее существование зубров и в целом биоразнообразия. В статье обсуждаются вопросы взаимоотношения зубров с другими видами копытных и хозяйственной деятельностью человека, а также дальнейшим использованием зубров в сельскохозяйственном производстве. Пластичность зубров, выявление изменений и их анализ при вселении видов в новые условия обитания необходимы не только для определения развития или деградации биоценозов и в целом экосистемы, но и прогноза социально-экономических последствий интродукции как одного из методов сохранения редких и исчезающих видов фауны.For the first time in the world, a bison population has been created in an area of 60 degrees north latitude. In the new climatic conditions of breeding and preservation of bison, the factors of the species existence in the north of the European part of the Russian Federation are identified and analyzed. The signs, dynamics of abundance, which are an integral part of the system designed to manage biodiversity are identified, since the preservation of biological diversity on the planet is one of the main problems of our time. Introduction, being the process of introducing non-typical species into an ecosystem, can enhance changes in biocenoses, both positively and negatively. The question posing sounds especially when it comes to such a large hoofed animal as the European bison. How quickly and successfully the process of adaptation of the universe takes place and its environmental impact is seen depends on the continued existence of bison and biodiversity in general. The article discusses the relationship of bison with other types of ungulates and human activities, as well as the further use of bison in agricultural production. How these issues will be resolved positively depends on the future of these animals. Thus, the plasticity of bison, the identification of changes and their analysis, with the introduction of species into new habitat conditions is necessary not only to determine the development or degradation of biocenoses and the ecosystem as a whole, but also to predict the socio-economic consequences due to the introduction as one of the methods of preserving rare and endangered species of fauna.

scholarly journals A New Radiocarbon Pretreatment Method for Molluscan Shell Using Density Fractionation of Carbonates in Bromoform

Radiocarbon ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 1301-1311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M Russo ◽  
Jennifer A Tripp ◽  
Katerina Douka ◽  
Thomas F G Higham
Keyword(s):  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Separation Technique ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Density Fractionation ◽  
Pretreatment Method ◽  
Density Separation ◽  
Molluscan Shell ◽  
Archaeological Artifacts ◽  
Organic Remains

Coastal archaeological sites that lack organic remains for radiocarbon dating are often abundant sources of molluscan shells. As a substitute for materials such as bone and charcoal, shells can be analyzed with 14C dating to determine a site's age. Despite their being convenient, non-mobile archaeological artifacts, molluscan shells are plagued by several issues, including carbonate remodeling, in which aragonite in shells is converted to calcite as predicted by thermodynamics. We present here a carbonate density separation technique that addresses the issue of carbonate remodeling. Using a density fractionation with bromoform, aragonite concentrations are enriched in shells that have undergone significant remodeling. The technique has been applied to archaeological shells and has returned dates that are younger than those previously determined for the same shells.

scholarly journals Climate and the spread of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simiao Chen ◽  
Klaus Prettner ◽  
Michael Kuhn ◽  
Pascal Geldsetzer ◽  
Chen Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Phone ◽  
Visual Inspection ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Air Travel ◽  
P Value ◽  
Age Dependency ◽  
Similar Extent ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Age Dependency Ratio ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractVisual inspection of world maps shows that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is less prevalent in countries closer to the equator, where heat and humidity tend to be higher. Scientists disagree how to interpret this observation because the relationship between COVID-19 and climatic conditions may be confounded by many factors. We regress the logarithm of confirmed COVID-19 cases per million inhabitants in a country against the country’s distance from the equator, controlling for key confounding factors: air travel, vehicle concentration, urbanization, COVID-19 testing intensity, cell phone usage, income, old-age dependency ratio, and health expenditure. A one-degree increase in absolute latitude is associated with a 4.3% increase in cases per million inhabitants as of January 9, 2021 (p value < 0.001). Our results imply that a country, which is located 1000 km closer to the equator, could expect 33% fewer cases per million inhabitants. Since the change in Earth’s angle towards the sun between equinox and solstice is about 23.5°, one could expect a difference in cases per million inhabitants of 64% between two hypothetical countries whose climates differ to a similar extent as two adjacent seasons. According to our results, countries are expected to see a decline in new COVID-19 cases during summer and a resurgence during winter. However, our results do not imply that the disease will vanish during summer or will not affect countries close to the equator. Rather, the higher temperatures and more intense UV radiation in summer are likely to support public health measures to contain SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Effect of Weave Structure on Thermo-Physiological Properties of Cotton Fabrics

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheraz Ahmad ◽  
Faheem Ahmad ◽  
Ali Afzal ◽  
Abher Rasheed ◽  
Muhammad Mohsin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Resistance ◽  
Cotton Fabrics ◽  
Air Permeability ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Plain Weave ◽  
Weave Structure ◽  
Physiological Properties ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract This paper aims to investigate the relationship between fabric weave structure and its comfort properties. The two basic weave structures and four derivatives for each selected weave structure were studied. Comfort properties, porosity, air permeability and thermal resistance of all the fabric samples were determined. In our research the 1/1 plain weave structure showed the highest thermal resistance making it suitable for cold climatic conditions. The 2/2 matt weave depicted the lowest thermal resistance which makes it appropriate for hot climatic conditions.

scholarly journals Radiocarbon Dating of Calcined Bones: Where Does the Carbon Come from?

Radiocarbon ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 601-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Zazzo ◽  
J-F Saliège ◽  
A Person ◽  
H Boucher
Keyword(s):  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Tooth Enamel ◽  
Skeletal Remains ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Carbonate Content ◽  
The Past ◽  
Mineral Fraction ◽  
Different Temperatures ◽  
C Value ◽  
Paleodietary Reconstruction

Over the past decade, radiocarbon dating of the carbonate contained in the mineral fraction of calcined bones has emerged as a viable alternative to dating skeletal remains in situations where collagen is no longer present. However, anomalously low δ13C values have been reported for calcined bones, suggesting that the mineral fraction of bone is altered. Therefore, exchange with other sources of carbon during heating cannot be excluded. Here, we report new results from analyses on cremated bones found in archaeological sites in Africa and the Near East, as well as the results of several experiments aiming at improving our understanding of the fate of mineral and organic carbon of bone during heating. Heating of modern bone was carried out at different temperatures, for different durations, and under natural and controlled conditions, and the evolution of several parameters (weight, color, %C, %N, δ13C value, carbonate content, crystallinity indexes measured by XRD and FTIR) was monitored. Results from archaeological sites confirm that calcined bones are unreliable for paleoenvironmental and paleodietary reconstruction using stable isotopes. Experimental results suggest that the carbon remaining in bone after cremation likely comes from the original inorganic pool, highly fractionated due to rapid recrystallization. Therefore, its reliability for 14C dating should be seen as close to that of tooth enamel, due to crystallographic properties of calcined bones.

scholarly journals Notes on distribution and relative abundances of some animal species, and on climate in the Kruger National Park during prehistoric times

Koedoe ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ina Plug
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Animal Population ◽  
Faunal Remains ◽  
The Past ◽  
Relative Abundances ◽  
Insight Into

Faunal remains obtained from archaeological sites in the Kruger National Park, provide valuable information on the distributions of animal species in the past. The relative abundances of some species are compared with animal population statistics of the present. The study of the faunal samples, which date from nearly 7 000 years before present until the nineteenth century, also provides insight into climatic conditions during prehistoric times.

scholarly journals The influence of low temperatures on the incidence of sugary disease on sorghum

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 397-403
Author(s):  
Amauri Bogo ◽  
Ricardo Trezi Casa ◽  
Luis Sangoi ◽  
Paulo Tarcísio Domatos Borba
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperatures ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Male Sterile ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Claviceps Africana ◽  
Sorghum Genotypes ◽  
Fertile Hybrids ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Increased Susceptibility

The relationship between pre-flowering climatic conditions and sugary disease incidence was quantified in grain and forage sorghum genotypes at two sowing periods (mid November and mid December). The trials were carried out over the 2001/02 and 2002/03 growing seasons, in Lages, Santa Catarina State. Four commercial male-fertile sorghum hybrids (BR 600-forrage, BR 700-grain, BR 701-forage/silage and BR 800-forage) and one male-sterile inbred line (BR 001-A) were evaluated. When each genotype reached the flowering stage, 50 panicles were marked and sprayed with a suspension of Claviceps africana (1,000 spores mL-1). Air temperature, humidity and rainfall were recorded through out the growing cycle. Low temperatures three to four weeks prior to flowering, increased susceptibility. At both sowing periods, average night temperatures lower than 15°C during the critical period of pre-flowering turned the fertile hybrids as susceptible as the male-sterile inbred to ergot infection. The tested hybrids differed in their ability to tolerate pre-flowering cold stress. Seed set in uninoculated heads under pollination bags was also reduced, suggesting that increased susceptibility to sugary disease was the result of low temperature induced sterility.

scholarly journals Hydrochemical Characteristics of Surface Waters and Their Relationships to the Kashin–Beck Disease in Longzi County, Tibet

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Tian ◽  
Jianyu Xiao ◽  
Xinjie Zha ◽  
Chengqun Yu
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waters ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Hydrochemical Characteristics ◽  
Potential Toxic Elements ◽  
Essential Trace Elements ◽  
Cobalt Iron ◽  
Endemic Areas ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Beck Disease

Abstract Although previous studies have been reported between the Kashin–Beck Disease (KBD) epidemic and the hydrochemical characteristics of surface waters, the etiology of the disease remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between the KBD and the environment by comprehensively examining the hydrochemical characteristics of surface waters in Longzi County, Tibet, and the spatial incidence of the disease. Results show that, the pH (mean = 7.27±0.30), TH (mean = 57.08±45.74 mg L–1), and TDS (mean = 67.56±44.00 mg L–1) of surface waters in KBD endemic areas are lower than for those in the non-KBD endemic areas (means of pH = 7.49±0.30; TH = 262.06±123.29 mg L–1; TDS = 253.25±100.39 mg L–1). These results suggest that long-term consumption of low TDS, essential trace elements (e.g., nickel, cobalt, iron, selenium, zinc, molybdenum, and iodine) deficient, and potential toxic elements (such as arsenic) enriched waters by humans likely causes the KBD. Environmental factors such as the geology and geomorphology may produce biogeochemical imbalance, geomorphic, vegetation types and local climatic conditions may have significant impact on food fungi toxin poisoning and water organic compound poisoning, and these are also important in the KBD occurrence.

scholarly journals Human and Steppe in the Early Iron Age. Results of Interdisciplinary Research

2021 ◽  
pp. 6-30
Author(s):  
Mikhail Krivosheev ◽  
◽  
Evgeniy Pererva ◽  
Maksim Eltsov ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Structure ◽  
Iron Age ◽  
Natural Science ◽  
Climatic Changes ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Early Iron Age ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Mode Of Life ◽  
Archaeological Cultures ◽  
Science Disciplines

Introduction. Recent archaeological studies deal with the integration of natural science disciplines. Such scientific interaction includes the reconstruction of climatic changes, human adaptation to the changing conditions of nature, study of sociocultural specifics in nomadic groups as well as rising archaeological cultures, with emphasis on the interconnection between the fluctuations of steppe environmental conditions and steppe populations. Analysis. The article presents the results of the carried out interdisciplinary analysis of classic and modern archaeological studies and natural science disciplines. This allows evaluating the specifics of different factors (paleoclimatic, sociocultural, etc.) influencing the “steppe-human” system in a new way. Such factors as registered climatic changes, spreading areas of archaeological cultures, mortuary funeral rites, results of paleoanthropological examination, written records and ethnographic data provide evidence to reconstructing different time-span events of early nomads’ history in one context. The reconstruction of historical reality shows quite strong correlation between the environment and specific features in the development of ancient steppe societies. Human has high adaptive abilities to changing factors. However, the steppe population mode of life is extremely conservative and it has practically never changed during the Sarmatian or Sauromatian history. Climate fluctuations over the steppe area influenced the demographic and social structure of nomadic society. During auspicious periods, nomadic communities became populous and active politically and military. If negative factors dominated, the population tended to decrease and the social structure tended to simplify. Critical indicators of aridization and humidization in Eurasian steppes are followed with the population outflow, which is evidenced by small amount of archaeological sites or even by vanishing of cultures. Results. Thus, the authors conclude that when studying archaeological sites of the Early Iron Age nomadic cultures, it is necessary to consider the steppe and human as a single organism responsive to changing and a strong impact of environmental and socio-cultural factors.

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