scholarly journals How the Uruk Potters Used the Wheel. New Data on Modalities and Conditions of Emergence of the Potter’s Wheel in the Uruk World

2021 ◽  
Vol XII (2) ◽  
pp. 181-199
Author(s):  
Johnny Samuele Baldi ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Production ◽  
Near East ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Ceramic Materials ◽  
Cultural Environment ◽  
Iraqi Kurdistan ◽  
Early Appearance ◽  
Cultural Sphere ◽  
New Criteria ◽  
Southern Iraq

The phase and the ceramic materials that, in Southern Mesopotamia, go under the label of “Uruk” (after the toponym of the site in southern Iraq) have traditionally been considered the origin for the development of the potter’s wheel in the Near East, according to a perspective that associated the emergence of the potter’s wheel, the “mass” production of the so-called bevelled-rim bowls and first urbanization. According to recent excavations and ceramic studies it is now clear that this was a narrative based on a priori convictions. However, even if under very different socio-technical conditions, it is true that the potter’s wheel made an early appearance in Southern Mesopotamia within the Uruk cultural sphere, and then developed in a widespread and discontinuous way in the Uruk network. Based on recent ongoing fieldwork data from Syria (Tell Feres) and Iraqi Kurdistan (Logardan and Girdi Qala), ceramic analyses have taken into account new criteria to identify the use of the potter’s wheel. This paper outlines the chronological and socio-technical scenario behind the adoption of the potter’s wheel in the Uruk world, picturing the peculiarities of this cultural environment, as well as the parallels with the emergence conditions of the potter’s wheel in northern Mesopotamia and other areas of the Near East.

The Decline of Green-Glazed Jars after the Early Abbasid Period

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-43
Author(s):  
Elon Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Near East ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Horn Of Africa ◽  
Date Syrup ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
China And Japan ◽  
Early Islamic ◽  
Southern Iraq

Abstract Green-glazed jars were manufactured in southern Iraq during the Parthian, Sasanian, and early Islamic periods. In the latter period, they were distributed in great numbers in the Near East and in coastal areas along the Indian Ocean from the Horn of Africa to China and Japan. The jars are thought to have been used chiefly for storing “date-syrup.” Around the 4th/10th century their production was significantly reduced and their prevalence greatly declined, a phenomenon that has puzzled archeologists. In this study, I identify these jars with “the green jars” (al-jarr al-akhḍar or ḥantam) mentioned in some classical Islamic texts. According to numerous Ḥadīth, the Prophet prohibited nabīdh (date-wine) in “green jars.” While many Muslim jurists held that the Prophet withdrew this prohibition and that these jars were lawful, many found the use of these jars reprehensible or even forbidden. I suggest that the Ḥadīth in which the Prophet prohibited green jars may have contributed to the decline of green-glazed jars.

Spice Prices in the Near East in the 15th Century

1976 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Ashtor
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ages ◽  
Near East ◽  
Great Increase ◽  
A Priori ◽  
The Other ◽  
16Th Century ◽  
Near Eastern ◽  
15Th Century ◽  
European Markets ◽  
Tremendous Impact

It is a well-known fact that the discovery of the sea route to India and the ensuing scarcity of spices and other Indian products on the markets of Alexandria and Damascus resulted in their prices rising steeply. Judging from Venetian sources, the change in the condition of the Levantine trade was considered catastrophic. On the other hand, some scholars have already drawn attention to the fact that pepper prices fell considerably on European markets in the period preceding the expedition of Vasco da Gama, and especially in the second quarter of the 15th century. It is probable, a priori, that this was caused by a downward trend of prices in the Near East. But other factors, such as the level of demand in European countries and the conditions of trade (communications with the Near East, direct or indirect trade), could also have influenced the course of spice prices in Europe. In order to explain the tremendous impact of the rise of spice prices at the beginning of the 16th century, I have suggested, in my Histoire des prix et des salaires, the probability of a fall of prices in the Near Eastern emporia in the pre-Vasco period. In a paper published a few years later I tried to substantiate this conjecture by additional materials and, further, by the supposition that it was accompanied by a great increase in the volume of the Levantine trade, and also a general price-decline in the Near East at the end of the Middle Ages.

scholarly journals The Legality of Small Arms Production

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 91-107
Author(s):  
Nicola Piccini
Keyword(s):  
Mass Production ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Manufacturing Industries ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Trade Restrictions ◽  
Small Arms ◽  
Commercial Viability ◽  
Intended Purpose ◽  
Arms Trade

Officially, international control of small arms and light weapons (SALW) has made considerable advancements in recent years, most notably in the form of the 2014 Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Nonetheless, important systemic and structural deficiencies seem to persist, which prevent these control mechanisms from achieving their intended purpose. In an attempt to find an explanation for these shortcomings, this article traces back previous attempts aimed at combatting the illicit proliferation of SALW, by emphasising both their unbowed demand and the trade’s continuous commercial viability. The example of Bulgarian-made AK-47 machineguns underlines the picture of a system intentionally failing to prevent the weapons’ profitable export. It concludes that following the rise of globalisation, the privatisation of SALW manufacturing industries appears to have become the biggest impediment to effective control. Subsequently, it is argued that most anti-proliferation treaties are deliberately limited to a priori insufficient trade restrictions, as they lack any pre-emptive measures that target these weapons’ mass production in the first place. Once produced, SALW will find a buyer – no matter the existence of trade restrictions.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIGNALS OF SUCCESS OF CAREERS OF THE FACTOR SOCIO-CULTURAL SPHERE

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (13) ◽  
pp. 157-170
Author(s):  
Khrystyna Vasylivna Pletsan
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Career Development ◽  
Career Success ◽  
Development Planning ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Professional Activity ◽  
Cultural Environment ◽  
Self Development ◽  
Cultural Sphere ◽  
Definition Of

The article analyzes the state and problems of the development of the synergy of the career success of a specialist in the socio-cultural sphere. The main aspects of career development formation are highlighted, attention is paid to the definition of “career specialist’s success” as a process of development, implementation and decision making on the basis of human-centeredness, motivation, self-development and self-realization, a system of professional knowledge, skills and skills that provides professional development, achievement of goals and satisfaction with professional activity.The synergy of career success of a specialist as a targeted activity of a specialist in the socio-cultural sphere in relation to the achievement of the goals and objectives of professional activity was characterized. The preconditions for the career success of a specialist in the socio-cultural sphere have been argued and outlined. In particular, the presence of special features of the cognitive and intellectual spheres, providing a reflection of the activity; developed intellect; high ability to goal-setting; wide horizons; morality; personal maturity, supporting the desire for constant self-development, self-improvement; ability to self-control, self-control and self-realization. Factors, factors, indicators, criteria, components are analyzed. Functions of the career success of specialists in the socio-cultural sphere. The relevance of the management of the success of a career in a specialist in the socio-cultural environment has been substantiated through the implementation of the relevant cycles: professional definition → professional education → selection for the position → professional adaptation → career development planning → professional development → professional development → evaluation of the results of professional activity. It is proved that the success of the career of specialists of the socio-cultural sphere is formed, in accordance with the general laws of development, which contain creative and innovative principles of professional and personal growth. The corresponding subsystems of career success of the specialist of socio-cultural activity, namely: personnel, organizational, personal, and cultural-ethical subsystems, are determined. It is noted that due to the functions of the involved subsystems and associated career orientations, the specialist of the socio-cultural environment, given their interaction and interrelationship taking over the nature of the mutual perception of the activities of these elements, you can get the programmed result — the success of a career. It is substantiated that in order to achieve the success of a career, a specialist in the socio-cultural sphere must possess the appropriate complex of competencies. Namely: the definition of the direction of activity and vision; effective communication; decency and justice; delegation of authority; strategic thinking; making managerial decisions; analytical thinking; skills of working with information; innovation; leadership; professional experience; improvement of activity; change management; demanding possession of knowledge and skills of self-management; ability to make the most of their own abilities; stress management; self-confidence, decisions taken; ability to work in a team; creativity (the ability to creatively approach the decision of managerial tasks, the tendency to improvisation); responsibility; self improvement; organizational skills; trust; conflict management; rational resource management; criticality; orientation to the result. The conclusion is made that the synergy of the career success of specialists in the socio-cultural sphere can be presented in the form of such a structural process: a successful specialist → self-improvement and self-realization of a specialist → creative and innovative principles of professional development of a specialist → human centered dimension of the socio-cultural sphere → achievement of the determined goals and goals of the specialist → measure of goals and goals → synergy of success and career specialist socio-cultural environment.

Atmospheric Escape Processes and Planetary Atmospheric Evolution: from misconceptions to challenges

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Gronoff ◽  
Phil Arras ◽  
Suleiman Baraka ◽  
Jared M Bell ◽  
Gael Cessateur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
A Priori ◽  
Careful Analysis ◽  
Space Physics ◽  
Habitable Zone ◽  
M Dwarfs ◽  
Geophysical Research ◽  
Atmospheric Evolution ◽  
Atmospheric Escape ◽  
Surface Location ◽  
New Criteria

<p>The recent discoveries of telluric exoplanets in the habitable zone of different stars have led to questioning the nature of their atmosphere, which is required to determine their habitability. Atmospheric escape is one of the challenging problems to be solved: simply adapting what is currently observed in the solar system is doomed to fail due to the large variations in the conditions encountered around other stars. A better strategy is to review the different processes that shaped planetary atmospheres and to evaluate their importance depending upon the stellar conditions. This approach allowed us to show that processes like ion-pickup were a more important way to lose atmosphere at Mars in the past. </p> <p>We reviewed the different escape mechanisms and their magnitude in function of the different conditions. This led us to discover discrepancies in the current literature concerning problems such as the Xenon paradox or the importance of a magnetic field in protecting an atmosphere.<br />This shows that one should be very careful before claiming the presence of an atmosphere on planets in the habitable zone of their M-dwarfs: new criteria such as the Alfven surface location with respect to the planet should be taken into account a-priori.<br />Overall, the habitability of a planet should not be claimed only on by its location in the habitable zone but also after careful analysis of the interaction between its atmosphere and its parent star [Gronoff et al. 2020]. </p> <p> </p> <p><br /> Gronoff, G., Arras, P., Baraka, S., Bell, J. M., Cessateur, G., Cohen, O., et al. ( 2020). Atmospheric Escape Processes and Planetary Atmospheric Evolution. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 125, e2019JA027639. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JA027639 </p>

scholarly journals Involutina farinacciae Bronnimann & Koehn-Zaninetti 1969, a marker for the Middle Liassic in basinal and some platform facies of Mediterranean and near east areas: The discussion concerning the paleogeography of Montenegro-Albania border region (the Scutari-Pec lineament)

2011 ◽  
pp. 47-61
Author(s):  
Rajka Radoicic ◽  
Divna Jovanovic
Keyword(s):  
Near East ◽  
Carbonate Platform ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Border Region ◽  
Geological History ◽  
Iraqi Kurdistan ◽  
Foraminiferal Species ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Mirdita Zone

Foraminiferal species Involutina farinacciae BRONNIMANN & KOEHN-ZANINETTI, is a marker of Middle Liassic basinal and transitional platform bassin facies widely distributed in Mediterranean area (Umbria-Marche, Pindos, Budva, Sicilia and the Inner Dinarides basin), also in Iraqi Kurdistan (?Avroman? Basin). In the Dinaric Carbonate Platform (DCP) it indicates intramarginal and intraplatform depressions. Paleogeography of the Montenegro-Albania border area formed by the inherited prealpine paleogeographic scenario that resulted in a different arrangement of the paleogeographic units westward and eastward of the paleostructure (Scutari-Pec Lineament) which controlled the geological history of the region. This transverse paleostructure was a) coincident with the paleogeographic front of the DCP, and b) the westward limit of the overtrusted Mirdita Zone. The difference in the paleogeographic features in the prolongation from the DCP througout Albania, controlled by paleostructure, are the source of seizmicity, rotation and deviation (SE to NW, into NE) of the Complex Mirdita Zone.

Afterthoughts on biases in history perception

2010 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-90
Author(s):  
Maciej Dymkowski
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Common Sense ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Social Information ◽  
Cultural Environment ◽  
The West ◽  
Sequence Of Events ◽  
Cultural Sphere ◽  
Common Sense Psychology

Afterthoughts on biases in history perception Contemporary social psychology describes various deformations of processing social information leading to distortions of knowledge about other people. What is more, a person in everyday life refers to lay convictions and ideas common in his/her cultural environment that distort his/her perceptions. Therefore it is difficult to be surprised that authors of narrations in which participants of history are presented use easily available common-sense psychology, deforming images of both the participants of history and their activities, as well as the sequence of events determined by these activities. Which cognitive biases, how often, and in what intensity they will be presented in historical narrations depend on statements of dominating common-sense psychology. The article outlines some biases made by historian-lay psychologists, such as attributional asymmetry or hindsight effects, whose occurrence in their thinking, as formed in the cultural sphere of the West, influences history perception and conducted historical interpretations.

Materials Design of Ceramic-based Layer Structures for Crowns

2002 ◽  
Vol 81 (6) ◽  
pp. 433-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.R. Lawn ◽  
Y. Deng ◽  
I.K. Lloyd ◽  
M.N. Janal ◽  
E.D. Rekow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Loads ◽  
Clinical Performance ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Ceramic Materials ◽  
Dental Ceramics ◽  
Damage Initiation ◽  
Applied Loading ◽  
Layer Structures ◽  
Ceramic Crowns

Radial cracking has been identified as the primary mode of failure in all-ceramic crowns. This study investigates the hypothesis that critical loads for radial cracking in crown-like layers vary explicitly as the square of ceramic layer thickness. Experimental data from tests with spherical indenters on model flat laminates of selected dental ceramics bonded to clear polycarbonate bases (simulating crown/dentin structures) are presented. Damage initiation events are video-recorded in situ during applied loading, and critical loads are measured. The results demonstrate an increase in the resistance to radial cracking for zirconia relative to alumina and for alumina relative to porcelain. The study provides simple a priori predictions of failure in prospective ceramic/substrate bilayers and ranks ceramic materials for best clinical performance.

scholarly journals Alternative Conception of Art History Course in Professional Higher Education Study Programmes

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 423
Author(s):  
Jelena Jermolajeva
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Art History ◽  
Alternative Conception ◽  
Cultural Environment ◽  
Regional Approach ◽  
Visual Objects ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Education Study ◽  
Ancient Times ◽  
Cultural Sphere

Cultural environment becoming increasingly visualized, humanitarians and professionals in socio-cultural sphere should adequately read, analyze, and effectively use various visual objects. Therefore many professional higher education study programmes include an Art History Course. The paper criticizes the traditional chronological/regional approach to the structuring of this Course. The aim of the study is to propound an alternative approach, where the historical art process is regarded as coexistence of and interaction between the six Main Art Trends, each of them developing from the ancient times to the present days. The paper discusses the advantages of this approach. The study draws upon the conceptions of art styles developed by F. Niezsche, D. Cizevsky, M. Lotman and some other philosophers and culturologists of the 19th–20th centuries.

Ritual Experts and Participants in the Ancient Near East and the Hebrew Bible

2020 ◽  
pp. 178-193
Author(s):  
Thomas Hieke
Keyword(s):  
Old Testament ◽  
Hebrew Bible ◽  
Historical Development ◽  
Near East ◽  
Special Functions ◽  
Ancient Egypt ◽  
Ancient Near East ◽  
Cultural Environment ◽  
Fourth Section ◽  
First Millennium

The chapter summarizes the roles and tasks of ritual experts and participants within the Hebrew Bible and its cultural environment. The first part reflects on the responsibilities of the kings, the priests, and the priestesses within the ancient Near East (Mesopotamia, Mari, Hittite Anatolia) and ancient Egypt. Then the chapter turns to the concepts of the Hebrew Bible. The second part demonstrates how the priests and Levites take care for the rituals, the sacrifices, purity, teaching, and administration. Cult prophets and the king have their limited and special functions. Third, at certain points lay people may participate in the cult: the offering person, women, children, and the non-Israelite (the foreigner). The fourth section provides a brief overview over the historical development within the first millennium bce regarding the concepts and circumstances as they are represented in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document