Beyond the Word: Ink in the Islamic Manuscripts of Northern Nigeria

2011 ◽  
Vol 1319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaelle L Biddle
Keyword(s):  
Material Culture ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
Historical Record ◽  
Northern Nigeria ◽  
Archaeological Heritage ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Arabic Script ◽  
Production Knowledge

ABSTRACTThis paper is focused on results of a survey and study in Northern Nigeria of the inks used in Islamic manuscripts and on related information on the extant traditional technologies of ink production. Knowledge of the specific inks used in the surviving, largely undated Northern Nigerian manuscripts written in Arabic script, often referred to as Islamic manuscripts, informs us about the society that created them and embeds their production within a specific cultural context. In a place such as Africa, where the historical record and archaeological heritage are so vulnerable, we look to all vestiges of material culture in order to expand out understanding of its people, its history and their culture. These manuscripts belong to the West African tradition of Islamic culture and scholarship, of which Timbuktu was a key center. Whilst another goal of the study was to establish a watermark chronology to provide information as to the papers‘ source, when particular papers were made, when manuscripts might have been copied, and their creators‘ paper preferences, the focus of this paper is on identifying and field-testing the inks used in these manuscripts. This study of over twelve thousand folios at fourteen manuscript Northern Nigerian repositories involved 4500 km of road travel and suggested a local, interrelated tradition of dye, ink and pigment fabrication. Preliminary data led to the hypothesis that the local technology provided the basis of the indigenous manuscript production, rather than one derived from the Mediterranean and the Islamic heartlands. Finally, the diversity of these manuscripts in Arabic script reflects a culture in which not everyone was Muslim but in which Islam played a dominant role.

Żelazna Nowa, stanowisko 2. Cmentarzysko kultury przeworskiej z Zapilcza na południowym Mazowszu

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Cieślak-Kopyt ◽  
Dorota Pogodzińska
Keyword(s):  
Material Culture ◽  
Archaeological Heritage ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Vistula River ◽  
Animal Bones ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Metal Detectors ◽  
Przeworsk Culture ◽  
Small Finds

The subject of the monograph, published as the 10th volume of the Saved Archaeological Heritage series, are the results of rescue excavations on a cemetery from the period of Roman influence on the Vistula River near Magnuszew in southern Mazovia (Poland), carried out several years ago at the initiative of the Museum in Radom. This necropolis, like many similar ones throughout the country, was systematically destroyed as a result of agricultural activities, and in recent years also through illegal prospection with the use of metal detectors. Archaeologists, with the cooperation of numerous volunteers, managed to protect against further destruction about 60 graves (urned and urnless) from the period between the 1st century BC and the 3rd century CE. These are an evidence of the settlement of the region by people whose material traces are referred to in the archaeological nomenclature as the Przeworsk culture (associated mainly with the Germanic tribes). The cinerary graves were equipped with ceramics, metal parts of clothing, tools, less often weapons, glass beads, imported vessels or dice. Among the forms of graves, the so-called groove object stands out: a kind of rectangular grave feature tied with survival to the beginnings of our era of Celtic traditions, arriving here from northern Małopolska. In addition to the standard catalogue with the description of graves, pottery and small finds, and very detailed illustration plates, the monograph includes an analysis of material culture and forms of burial, photographs of selected finds and very extensive specialist reports. The latter include both osteological materials (anatomo-anthropological analysis, analysis of animal bones placed in the graves), as well as other ecofacts and individual categories of furnishings (glass, faience, iron and bronze objects). The whole is complemented by clear plans with the location of graves and artifacts in the necropolises, as well as with the results of non-invasive research going far beyond the excavated area and of key importance for further in situ protection of this extremely valuable monument.

scholarly journals Earthquake, GIS and multimedia. The 1883 Casamicciola earthquake

1995 ◽  
Vol 38 (5-6) ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Bramerini ◽  
S. Castenetto ◽  
E. Cubellis ◽  
M. G. Martini ◽  
M. Rebuffat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Context ◽  
Seismic Event ◽  
Historical Record ◽  
Seismic Survey ◽  
Volcanic Earthquake ◽  
Heterogeneous Information ◽  
Seaside Resort ◽  
Socioeconomic Consequences ◽  
Italian Territory ◽  
Island Of Ischia

A series of multimedia monographs concerning the main seismic events that have affected the Italian territory are in the process of being produced for the Documental Integrated Multimedia Project (DIMP) started by the Italian National Seismic Survey (NSS). The purpose of the project is to reconstruct the historical record of earthquakes and promote an earthquake public education. Producing the monographs. developed in ARC INFO and working in UNIX. involved designing a special filing and management methodology to integrate heterogeneous information (images, papers, cartographies, etc.). This paper describes the possibilities of a GIS (Geographic Information System) in the filing and management of documental information. As an example we present the first monograph on the 1883 Casamicciola earthquake. on the island of Ischia (Campania, Italy). This earthquake is particularly interesting for the following reasons: I) historical-cultural context (first destructive seismic event after the unification of Italy); 2) its features (volcanic earthquake); 3) the socioeconomic consequences caused at such an important seaside resort.

SOCIOCULTURAL BASIS OF URBAN PLANNING REGULATION FOR PUBLIC OPEN SPACES

2021 ◽  
pp. 18-40
Author(s):  
Olga N. Bliankinshyein ◽  
◽  
Natalia A. Popkova ◽  
Matvey V. Savelyev ◽  
Natalia A. Unagaeva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Planning ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Landscape Planning ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Modern Approach ◽  
Public Open Spaces

The authors consider the problem of urban planning regulation of public open spaces from the perspective of their dominant role in the formation of a holistic socio-cultural structure of a city. Relevance of the study is determined by the modern demand for comfortable urban environment of the public open spaces, which has become the global urban planning trend in recent decades. The modern approach, promoted in the UN Charter and in federal and regional strategic development programs is aimed at increasing the emotional attachment of people to a place of living and fostering a sense of community. The improvement of public spaces should be based on the historical and cultural context, natural features, and the identity of a place. The implementation of numerous projects all over the country has revealed the flaws of urban planning regulations. This fact stimulated the emergence of targeted contests of applied research aimed at the development of new national and local regulations, standard architectural solutions which would provide high-quality development of the urban environment. Analysis of the approaches to public open space development reveals current trends in their planning regulation, which are considered in separate sections of the article. The first section explores the mechanisms which regulate the improvement of urban historical and cultural sites. It touches upon the problems of preservation of cultural heritage and the identification of landmark places. It also considers examples of the urban planning regulations for the areas of “historical urban regeneration” (Dresden, Ivanovo, Arkhangelsk, Voronezh, Belgorod) and the examples of completed projects in Siberian cities (Yeniseisk, Krasnoyarsk, Tomsk, Irkutsk). The second section is devoted to the identification and preservation of unique natural elements and images of a place through the urban landscape zoning. Different approaches to solving issues of improvement and humanization of the living environment are considered using examples of Berlin, Paris, London, Moscow, Krasnoyarsk. The third section presents a comparative analysis of existing Russian and foreign regulatory documents aimed at creating an environment of public open spaces in urbanized areas of a city. Of particular interest here are the methods of regulation that take into account functional content, development morphology, remoteness from city center, natural and socio-cultural characteristics, as well as those aimed at protecting the wildlife (Seattle, New York, Toronto, London, Victoria Australia). The socio-cultural phenomenon of public open spaces highlights the fundamental relationship between the quality of spatial environment and human consciousness, behavior, way of life. Therefore, a tailored approach to the creation of architectural and landscape planning regulations will allow to treat each public space substantively, preserving and maintaining the identity of the historical and cultural environment of a place.

Can We See the “Hoplite Revolution” on the Ground? Archaeological Landscapes, Material Culture, and Social Status in Early Greece

Men of Bronze ◽  
2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Foxhall
Keyword(s):  
Material Culture ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Historical Record ◽  
Eighth Century ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Site Survey ◽  
Archaic Greece ◽  
History Of ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
A Site

This chapter considers what a site survey might reveal about the appearance of a new class of small farmers in archaic Greece. It gives a brief history of the discipline and explains the strengths and limitations of using its findings for historical analysis. This study of eight survey projects across Greece, including Boeotia, the Argolid, Laconia, and Pylos, focuses on data for the Geometric through the Hellenistic periods. The chapter suggests that the archaeology tells us a different story than the historical record of citizens, soldiers, and property owners. The survey data show the rise of a densely populated countryside of small-scale farmers neither in the eighth century nor, universally, in the sixth century.

scholarly journals Metal Detecting in Finland - An Ongoing Debate

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Wessman ◽  
Leena Koivisto ◽  
Suzie Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Material Culture ◽  
Object Oriented ◽  
Archaeological Research ◽  
Ongoing Debate ◽  
Archaeological Heritage ◽  
Engagement Strategies ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Selection Of

AbstractThis outline article presents and critiques legislation as it affects the metal detecting hobby and the archaeological profession. It considers some of the ways in which metal detectorists themselves have caused controversy but also positive news in relation to archaeological heritage in Finland. A selection of examples of collaboration based on the authors own experiences is presented, also the impact of metal detecting on material culture and archaeological research. The continuing object-oriented focus of both metal detectorists and the media is identified. New collection and engagement strategies could enhance archaeological research, while engaging this particular section of the wider public.

Verbal Restrictions on the Communication of Turko-Mongols of Inner Asia

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 134-142
Author(s):  
M. M. Sodnompilova
Keyword(s):  
Material Culture ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Spoken Language ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Information Storage ◽  
Inner Asia ◽  
The Rich

Verbal restrictions common among the Turko-Mongol peoples of Inner Asia and Siberia are analyzed on the basis of folkloric and ethnographic sources. Their principal forms are silence, circumlocution, and whisper. The socio-cultural context of these restrictions is reconstructed. They are seen in various domains of culture, in particular relating to social norms, and are believed to refl ect fear of human life and the well-being of man and society in the communication with nature represented by deities and spirits. This is a natural reaction that has evolved under the harsh environmental and climatic conditions of Inner Asia. The sa me concerns, extending to social communication, have regulated interpersonal interactions. In a nomadic culture, verbal restrictions stem from the importance of the ritual function of language and a specifi c attitude toward spoken language, which, over the centuries, was the principal means of information storage and transfer, cognition and adaptation. This concept of speech affected the emergence of the principal behavioral stereotypes. The rigid norms of behavior account for the importance of the nonverbal context of the nomadic culture— the high informative potential of the entire space inhabited by the nomads, and the rich symbolism of their material culture, traditional outfi t, and dwelling.

scholarly journals Understanding African Socio-Cultural Context: Contemporary Challenges to Christian Missions in the 21st Century.

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 206-213
Author(s):  
Osbert Uyovwieyovwe Isiorhovoja
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Context ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Cultural Background ◽  
Christian Missions ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Economic Exploitation ◽  
The People ◽  
The Rich ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Way

Heuristically, the paper seeks to understand the religious perception of Africans otherwise regarded as the indigenous people and their contact with the missionary message. It adopts a historical, hermeneutical, and critical interpretation of some preconceived ideas about Africans as well as their reactions to the gospel message. It discovers that the introduction of the faith was done with clear intentions; slavery and economic exploitation, prejudices, and hence the demeaning attitude and bastardisation of the rich socio-cultural background of the people. However, the wisdom of the continent paved the way for the accommodation of messages. The paper concludes by recommending the following as some of the way forward: the messenger bearing the message should seek to know the socio-cultural background of African tradition, the Jesus’ attitude of non-condemnation should be adopted as a global standard for all missionary volunteers to present-day Africa in order to put on record the right perspective about the people and lastly, African charismatic which has played a dominant role in the daily lives of the people has been enculturated into the life of the churches in Africa as evidenced in the dance pattern and gospel music, these should be greatly encouraged.

scholarly journals THE AGGLOMERATIONS OF THE ANNALISTIC OVRUCH VOLOST

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 58-75
Author(s):  
A. P. Tomashevskyi
Keyword(s):  
Material Culture ◽  
Middle Ages ◽  
Settlement System ◽  
Archaeological Heritage ◽  
Settlement Systems ◽  
The Status ◽  
Functional Features ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Demographic Potential

The unique phenomenon of the chronicle Ovruch volost — agglomerations and agglomeration areas including the largest in the region and not directly related to fortified chronicle settlements is analyzed in the paper. The high degree of archaeological exploration of the Ovruch volost made it possible to identify and determine the seven largest and, correspondingly, the most inhabited settlements which can be considered the agglomerations in the course of studying and reconstructing the settlement system. Some of these powerful complexes of sites (Ovruch, Norinsk, Gorodets) have already been specially analyzed in some papers. This work presents the results of study of three largest distinguished agglomerations — Naogryany-Khluplyany-Pokalyov, Khotin and Orlov-Fosni-Biduny. The last two ones were discovered and examined just recently and are one of the most important discoveries of the Ovruch project which changed the views on the main features of the settlement system of the Ovruch volost and its unique features. The description of these complexes, their spatial and geographical structure, and paleonatural background are proposed. The internal planigraphic structure, area and configuration of the constituent parts of the agglomerations, their position and importance in the general and local settlement systems are analyzed. The features of material culture and the functional features of each of the studied agglomerations are determined separately. Indicators of the presence of the most important social and economic spheres of life of the agglomeration population are determined. Based on the synthetic analysis, the estimated sociopolitical and geo-strategic importance, economic and environmental specialization of these points and their likely demographic potential are determined. The totality of the ascertained characteristics of the agglomerations determines their place and importance in the Ovruch volost, and wider — within the borders of Rus. The brief discussion regarding the atypical nature of such a phenomenon in the Old Rus Middle Ages is presented, and effective approaches to its explanation are determined. The discovery of such agglomeration formations changes the existing views on the status and hierarchy of Old Rus settlements, the definition of Old Rus cities and their typology. The important role and importance of the application of geographical approaches and methods for the study and comprehension of socioeconomic and physical-geographical research of the phenomenon of Old Rus agglomerations is postulated. The urgent tasks of the special advanced study and preservation of agglomeration complexes as unique objects of historical and archaeological heritage are determined.

scholarly journals Tangled Transmissions: The Differentiation of Historic Telegraph and Telephone Lines through Material Culture

2020 ◽  
pp. 23-46
Author(s):  
Joshua Birndorf ◽  
Scott Ingram
Keyword(s):  
Material Culture ◽  
Transmission Lines ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Temporal Evolution ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Historical Record ◽  
Cultural Resources ◽  
Survey Area ◽  
Archaeological Work ◽  
Temporal Overlap

Historic telegraph and telephone material culture are frequently encountered but seldom differentiated during archaeological site and survey work in Colorado. The poles, wires, and insulators that comprise these cultural resources are often recorded simply as transmission lines. The research reported here is the first archaeologically focused comparative study of telegraph and telephone material culture designed to help archaeologists differentiate between the two communication systems. Differentiating and documenting these systems fills gaps in an inadequate historical record of their spatial and temporal evolution and contributes to site and survey area interpretations. We find substantial material culture similarities due to shared hardware and the temporal overlap of the introduction of these systems to Colorado. We also identify several material attributes to help differentiate the systems. Accurately identifying cultural resources is a mainstay of archaeological work and we make progress by understanding the possibilities and challenges of differentiating these poorly documented resources.

scholarly journals Al-Khaṭṭ al-‘Arabī wa Intisyāruhu fī al-Syarq wa al-Garb

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Muh Naim Madjid
Keyword(s):  
Arabian Peninsula ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Historical Record ◽  
Islamic Art ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Ancient History ◽  
The West ◽  
Deep Roots ◽  
Arabic Script ◽  
The Difference

 يتناول هذا البحث بداية نشأة الخط العربي وانتشاره في الشرق والغرب حيث سجّله التاريخ في اختلاف الآراء عن أصالته القديمة. وهذا الاختلاف قائم على انتقال الخط العربي بادئ ذي بدء من الحيرة مثلاً أو اشتقاقه من الخط النبطي أو أصله من الآرامي، وهلمّ جرًا. فيجري الحديث حول ظهور الأبجدية التي استعملها العرب قبل الإسلام، سواء كان بالرموز أم بالتشفير، إلى فن جمالها في الكتابة كما قد تأثرت بالإسلام. فالإسلام إثر مجيئه قد فتح انتشار الخط العربي على مصراعيه حتى يعمّ جزيرة العرب كلها ويبلغ بلدان الأمم الإسلامية وغيرها في آسيا وأفريقيا وأوروبا. فهذا أمر جذّاب يقدّمه الباحث كشفًا عن الخطوط العربية وأنواعها ومسيرتها الطويلة عبر العصور. واستخدم هذا البحث منهج التحليل الوصفي في مجال البحث الاستقرائي للوصول إلى النتائج الموثوقة بها. ومن أهم النتائج أن الخط العربي فن من فنون الإسلام له أصول وجذور عريقة. إنه قد بلغ الذروة بشمول الإسلام وفضيلته الكبرى في جمال التعبير والكتابة.      This research deals with the beginning of Arabic script and its spreading in the East and the West in a historical record of authenticity based on the difference of scholar’s views. For example, some ancient scholars claimed that Ḥīrah as the place where the Arabic script first evolved, some of them mentioned that it was derived from the Nabataean line, and others stated that Aramaic is the origin. The Discussion is started from the usage of the early alphabet in the Arabian Peninsula before Islam – by formulation or encryption – until the art of beautiful writing which more influenced by Islam. Obviously, Islam has opened widely the spreading of Arabic script in the Arabian Peninsula and also in Islamic countries such as Asia, Africa, and Europe. Therefore, the Arabic script, types, and the long journey through the ages become interesting to be disclosed by using the descriptive analysis method to get reliable results in the platform of qualitative research. The most important result is the Arabic script is Islamic art which has an ancient history and deep roots, while the Islamic virtue is the only reason for its spreading widely in the East and the West and it has reached the peak in both expression and writing. Kajian ini membicarakan tentang permulaan kemunculan khat Arab dan penyebarannya di Timur dan di Barat di mana terjadi perbedaan pendapat Ulama dalam rekaman sejarah mengenai keasliannya yang kuno. Perbedaan itu berkisar pada beberapa pandangan bahwa khat Arab itu pada mulanya berasal dari Ḥīra, sebagian lain menganggap khat Arab berakar dari khat Nabatī, bahkan ada yang mengklaim bahwa ia berasal dari bahasa Aram (Aramaik). Diskursus yang panjang ini dimulai dari kemunculan alfabet yang digunakan oleh bangsa Arab pra-Islam, dalam bentuk perlambangan ataupun penyandian, hingga kepada seni keindahan tulisan yang variatif yang banyak dipengaruhi oleh Islam. Kemunculan Islam telah membuka jalur penyebaran khat Arab seluas-luasnya di  semenanjung Arab hingga ke negara-negara Islam, dan negara lainnya di Asia, Afrika, dan Eropa. Untuk itu, menjadi sangat menarik bagi pengkaji mengungkap khat Arab dan jenis-jenisnya, dan menelusuri  perjalanannya yang panjang dalam lintasan waktu. Dalam penelitian kualitatif  ini metode analisis deskriptif digunakan untuk memperoleh hasil penelitian yang dapat dipercaya. Studi ini memandang penting khat Arab sebagai sebuah seni Islam yang memiliki akar yang mendalam yang telah mencapai puncaknya dengan ke-syumul-an Islam pada aspek estetika ungkapan dan tulisan.

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