scholarly journals Neue Ergebnisse zur Gletscher- und Klimageschichte des Spätmittelalters und der Neuzeit

1985 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 168-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Holzhauser

Abstract. This article contributes to the glacier and climatic fluctuations during the late Middle Ages and the Modern Times. With the aid of radiocarbon dating of fossil woods and a fossil soil (fAh) located in the gletschervorfeld of two glaciers (Glacier de Zinal and Riedgletscher, Valais), the foUowing glacier advances could be shown: between 890 yBP and 1095 yBP, at 515 yBP, in the seventeenth and in the nineteenth Century. The tree rings from a larch (Larix decidua Mill.) near the glacier and the tree line (Riedgletscher, 2180 m altitude) was analysed by the X-ray densitometry. The maximum density of the annual rings reflects the summer temperatures since the middle of the twelfth Century. The fluctuations of the maximum density shows a close interrelation with the fluctuations of the Grosser Aletschgletscher (Valais). The local climatic influence of the Riedgletscher during maximal extension is visible in reduced tree-growth. During the retreat phase, when the glacier melted back, the regional climate dominates the tree-growth again.

1986 ◽  
Vol 25 (97) ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven G. Ellis

Much more so than in modern times, sharp cultural and social differences distinguished the various peoples inhabiting the British Isles in the later middle ages. Not surprisingly these differences and the interaction between medieval forms of culture and society have attracted considerable attention by historians. By comparison with other fields of research, we know much about the impact of the Westminster government on the various regions of the English polity, about the interaction between highland and lowland Scotland and about the similarities and differences between English and Gaelic Ireland. Yet the historical coverage of these questions has been uneven, and what at first glance might appear obvious and promising lines of inquiry have been largely neglected — for example the relationship between Gaelic Ireland and Gaelic Scotland, or between Wales, the north of England and the lordship of Ireland as borderlands of the English polity. No doubt the nature and extent of the surviving evidence is an important factor in explaining this unevenness, but in fact studies of interaction between different cultures seem to reflect not so much their intrinsic importance for our understanding of different late medieval societies as their perceived significance for the future development of movements culminating in the present.


Images ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-24
Author(s):  
Michele Klein

This case study explores how a general lighting device transformed into a distinctive Jewish ritual object, the Havdalah candle. In late antiquity, the ubiquitous oil lamp served for the fire-light blessing during the end-of-Sabbath Havdalah ritual but in the fourth century, a sage added a torch, avukah, aggrandizing the ceremonial light. Jews showed little concern for the lighting utensil until the late Middle Ages, when a variety of contemporary torch-candles employed in Church ritual and among Christian aristocracy inspired new rabbinic interpretations of the term avukah. Ashkenazi Jews favored a costly Gothic-style implement with intertwined tapers, which particularly suited the words of the ancient Havdalah blessing. This became a distinctively Ashkenazi Jewish ritual object in the sixteenth century, after Christians abandoned the old-fashioned style of torch-candle. Following the drop in cost of wax, and massive Jewish migrations in modern times, all observant Jews adopted the Ashkenazi intertwined candle.


Author(s):  
A.O. Kadurina ◽  

Background.Rosa, as the "Queen of Flowers" has always occupied a special place in the garden. The emergence of rose gardens is rooted in antiquity. Rose is a kind of “tuning fork” of eras. We can see how the symbolism of the flower was transformed, depending on the philosophy and cultural values of society. And this contributed to the various functions and aesthetic delivery of roses in gardens and parks of different eras. Despite the large number of works on roses, today there are no studies that can combine philosophy, cultural aspects of the era, the history of gardens and parks with symbols of the plant world (in particular roses) with the identification of a number of features and patterns.Objectives.The purpose of the article is to study the symbolism of rosesin landscape gardening art of different eras.Methods.The historical method helps to trace the stages of the transformation of the symbolism of roses in different historical periods. The inductive method allows you to move from the analysis of the symbolism of roses in each era to generalization, the identification of patterns, the connection of the cultural life of society with the participation of roses in it. Graph-analytical method reveals the features of creating various types of gardens with roses, taking into account trends in styles and time.Results.In the gardens of Ancient Greece, the theme of refined aesthetics, reflections on life and death dominated. It is no accident that in ancient times it was an attribute of the goddesses of love. In antiquity, she was a favorite flower of the goddess of beauty and love of Aphrodite (Venus). In connection with the legend of the goddess, there was a custom to draw or hang a white rose in the meeting rooms, as a reminder of the non-disclosure of the said information. It was also believed that roses weaken the effect of wine and therefore garlands of roses decorated feasts, festivities in honor of the god of winemaking Dionysus (Bacchus). The rose was called the gift of the gods. Wreaths of roses were decorated: statues of the gods during religious ceremonies, the bride during weddings. The custom of decorating the floor with rose petals, twisting columns of curly roses in the halls came to the ancient palace life from Ancient Egypt, from Queen Cleopatra, highlighted this flower more than others. In ancient Rome, rose gardens turned into huge plantations. Flowers from them were intended to decorate palace halls during feasts. In Rome, a religious theme was overshadowed by luxurious imperial greatness. It is interesting that in Rome, which constantly spreads its borders, a rose from a "female" flower turned into a "male" one. The soldiers, setting out on a campaign, put on pink wreaths instead of helmets, symbolizing morality and courage, and returning with victory, knocked out the image of a rose on shields. From roses weaved wreaths and garlands, received rose oil, incense and medicine. The banquet emperors needed so many roses, which were also delivered by ships from Egypt. Ironically, it is generally accepted that Nero's passion for roses contributed to the decline of Rome. After the fall of the Roman Empire, rose plantations were abandoned because Christianity first associated this flower with the licentiousness of Roman customs. In the Early Middle Ages, the main theme is the Christian religion and roses are located mainly in the monastery gardens, symbolizing divine love and mercy. Despite the huge number of civil wars, when the crops and gardens of neighbors were violently destroyed, the only place of peace and harmony remained the monastery gardens. They grew medicinal plants and flowers for religious ceremonies. During this period, the rose becomes an attribute of the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ and various saints, symbolizing the church as a whole. More deeply, the symbolism of the rose was revealed in Catholic life, when the rosary and a special prayer behind them were called the "rose garden". Now the rose has become the personification of mercy, forgiveness, martyrdom and divine love. In the late Middle Ages, in the era of chivalry, roses became part of the "cult of the beautiful lady." Rose becomes a symbol of love of a nobleman to the wife of his heart. Courtesy was of a socially symbolic nature, described in the novel of the Rose. The lady, like a rose, symbolized mystery, magnificent beauty and temptation. Thus, in the Late Middle Ages, the secular principle manifests itself on a par with the religious vision of the world. And in the Renaissance, the religious and secular component are in balance. The theme of secular pleasures and entertainments was transferred further to the Renaissance gardens. In secular gardens at palaces, villas and castles, it symbolized love, beauty, grace and perfection. In this case, various secret societies appear that choose a rose as an emblem, as a symbol of eternity and mystery. And if the cross in the emblem of the Rosicrucians symbolized Christianity, then the rose symbolized a mystical secret hidden from prying eyes. In modern times, secular life comes to the fore, and with it new ways of communication, for example, in the language of flowers, in particular roses. In the XVII–XVIII centuries. gardening art is becoming secular; sesame, the language of flowers, comes from Europe to the East. White rose symbolized a sigh, pink –an oath of love, tea –a courtship, and bright red –admiration for beauty and passionate love [2]. In aristocratic circles, the creation of lush rose gardens is in fashion. Roses are actively planted in urban and suburban gardens. In modern times, rose gardens carry the idea of aesthetic relaxation and enjoyment. Many new varieties were obtained in the 19th century, during the period of numerous botanical breeding experiments. At this time, gardening ceased to be the property of the elite of society and became publicly available. In the XX–XXI centuries. rosaries, as before, are popular. Many of them are located on the territory of ancient villas, palaces and other structures, continuing the tradition.


Author(s):  
Olga Antowska-Gorączniak ◽  
Paweł Lech ◽  
Andrzej Sikorski

In July 2008 a roadside well was discovered on the cathedral island in Poznań (to date at least five drawing wells from the late Middle Ages and modern times have been registered).  The well was unearthed at the rose square (excavation pit 51/2008) about 18 m from the facade of the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary (and the now nonexistent churchyard) at the level of  56.09 meters above sea level (rubble fill-in) – 50.61 meters above sea level (end of exploration) – Fig. 1.  The object was situated directly next to the road, in a large oval or quadrilateral pit (with rounded corners) ca 3.6 m in diameter, and was ca 5.5 m deep. The wooden construction which protected the walls of the object was done in the post and beam technique – Fig. 2. Many different objects fell (were thrown) into the well while water was being drawn from it, perhaps some of them were redeemed while other remained at the bottom. However, most of the “sunk” relics got into the well while it was being dug or repaired, but especially when it was filled in, i.e. when water was no longer drawn from it (Figs. 4 and 5).The well, which was sunk during the rule of Bishop Jan Lubrański (1499-1520), i.e. at a time of prosperity of Ostrów Tumski in the 16th century, was in use and water was drawn from it in the 15/16-17th centuries. It is difficult to assert what reasons decided about its being


Author(s):  
Dosbol S. Baigunakov ◽  
◽  
Gulmira E. Sabdenova ◽  

In 2013, an archaeological and ethnographic expedition of the Scientific Research Institute of Culture LLP explored the southern regions of Kazakhstan. The main priority was given to field research on the issues of archaeology, ethnography, culture and art of nomads. In the village of Karnak, Turkestan Region, unique tombstones were discovered, which are an integral component of the moral foundations of Muslim culture. Karnak necropolis is located in the northern part of the village of the same name and covers more than 3 hectares of area, the main part of which is occupied by modern memorial complexes of the 20th century. The researchers' interest was aroused by a part of the Karnak cemetery, where monuments of funerary and cult architecture of the late Middle Ages and modern times were located. The novelty of this study is associated with an attempt to clarify a number of provisions in the study of the funeral and cult architecture of South Kazakhstan. Many people believe that traditional burial and cult architecture has survived only in the western regions of the republic. Nevertheless, the Karnak memorial complex studied for the first time and the materials contained in it prove that an attempt to reconstruct the history of the tombstones, identify its origins, the factors that caused the formation of various attributes are still far from being solved. The study of burial and cult architecture in the context of Muslim archaeology makes it possible to solve a number of issues in the humanities dedicated to the memorial complex and folk craft, including the stone-cutting art of the southern regions of Kazakhstan.


Slovene ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 414-450
Author(s):  
Sergey V. Gorodilin

The article, based on the historical realia mentioned in the Life of Isidore of Rostov, tries to date this source more precisely, as well as to find out more about the time St. Isidore spent in Rostov. The data obtained allows for a more detailed understanding of a social, political and cultural contexts of the appearance and development of the worship tradition of Isidore, who was the first Russian saint to be canonically accepted as a Fool-for-Christ (yurodivy). This tradition would later strongly influence the development of Russian yurodstvo in Late Middle Ages and Early Modern times.


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