Salt no longer travels through the Bohemian Forest along the Golden Trail, but halophytic neophytes do

The Golden Trail, used for the transport of salt from alpine mines to the Czech Kingdom for centuries, was a crucial ancient trade route in the Central European region. The contemporary road I/4, copying the Golden Trail, plays the same role today. The I/4 is used year round with deicing salt, a common standard, applied for winter maintenance. Deicing salt is often used, even in sections where the I/4 passes through the Bohemian Forest and its protected areas. The effects of applying deicing salts on ecosystems in the region is well documented. In addition to many other effects, high concentrations of salt along the roads cause significant changes in plant communities. Plant species sensitive to salinity disappear and the abundance of halophytes increases. Roads are also trajectories for the migration of neophytes. Seeds or other propagules are transported with cargo or in car tires. In this paper, we present our findings on the pilgrimage of Plantago coronopus, a true halophyte, into the Bohemian Forest. We also describe the species’ colonisation strategy and human measures supporting its successful migration in a region of high conservation value.

Architectural and Historic-Geographical Mystery of the Church of Vasilcau Village

The article provides a comprehensive architectural and historical-geographical analysis of a unique monument of medieval religious-defensive architecture – the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin in Vasilcau village, located on the banks of the Dniester River, near the state border of the Republic of Moldova and the Ukraine. Vasilcau was the border point between the Principality of Moldavia and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the Middle Ages. Its geographical position led to the formation of a fortified border point here, which served as an eastern outpost of the Soroca tsinut (county). The elevated cape with steep slopes, on which a temple with a bell tower, a courtyard, a trading square, as well as an ancient trade road and a river crossing was built, is a vivid example of a natural, historical-cultural complex, the basis of which is a medieval fortified point with a unique cult-defensive monument of architecture. The church represents a widespread type of place of worship, whose architecture combines the planimetric features of wooden architecture with those used in medieval buildings built of stone, highlighted in the found proportions. The solution of the historical-geographical enigmas that envelop the history of the heritage monument in the absence of written sources is carried out on the basis of a complex poly-scale historical and cartographic analysis and the use of modern geoinformation methods.

Development of Chinese —Turkish Relations under “One Belt, One Road” Initiative

China and Turkey — countries located at the two ends of the ancient trade Silk Road, which at the beginning of the 21st century were again closely linked by the Chinese initiative “One Belt, One Road”, are considered in the article. It is shown how these two economies with high economic activity complement each other’s needs and benefits. Attention is paid to the interaction and cooperation between them in such areas as the development of contacts on political issues, road communications, trade, money circulation, communication between people. It is stated that China and Turkey have achieved certain successes in promoting sustainable and stable development of bilateral relations. The authors also note that there are many challenges faced by both sides in implementing “One Belt, One Road” Initiative. It is emphasized that in terms of geopolitics, foreign policy and foreign economic relations, Turkey is in a rather difficult situation, cooperation between China and Turkey within the framework of “One Belt, One Road” also contains many risks. It is concluded that as long as the two countries adhere to the idea of reviving the Great Silk Road and a pragmatic approach, more and more mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Turkey will move forward.

Characterization of Basalt for Conservation Use from Cultural Heritage Site of Umm El-Jimāl in Jordan

The present study is a multi-analytical approach to the characterization of several basalt stone samples, from Umm el-Jimāl Cultural Heritage site, northern Jordan, which represents ancient trade routes between Arabian Peninsula and Syria. In particular, Micro-X-ray Fluorescence Mapping as new in the mineralogy, X-ray Diffraction Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy are used for the determination of the petrological, geochemical, and mineralogical characteristics of the basalt used in this archeological site for conservation purposes. The results reveal that it belongs to the alkaline trachy-basalt to basanite-tephrite type. With predominant quartz, olivine, pyroxene, and plagioclase (albite) as major elements, the vesicular texture is occupied with secondary minerals such as biotite, gypsum, and calcite.

Ajanta Caves

The historical features of Ajanta caves form the theme of this article. Its locational significance in relation to ancient trade routes and the allusions to descriptions of the place in epigraphs of Vakataka times, the habitation less than a kilometre from the caves and the circumstances which led to the development of this cave architecture as also the range of patrons who made donations, figure here.

Mysteries of Vasilkov on the Dniester: history, geography, toponymy, architecture

The article provides a comprehensive historic-geographical, toponymic and architectural analysis of a unique monument of medieval religious and defensive architecture—the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin in Vasilkov on the Dniester and its surroundings, located on the modern state border of Moldavia with the Ukraine, and in the Middle Ages it served as the border point of the Principality of Moldavia with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Eastern outpost of the capital of the tsinut (county) of Soroky and its main fortification—the Soroka castle. The architecture of the rural temple with a bell tower, erected on the elevated cape with steep slopes, is a rare example of a preserved structure that combines the traditions of wooden architecture based on the proportions used in antiquity for the construction of stone churches. The medieval fortified point with a unique monument of the cult-defensive architecture together with a courtyard, a trading square, as well as an ancient trade road and a river crossing represent a united natural and historic-cultural complex. The solution of historic-geographical puzzles enveloping the monument of heritage is based on a comprehensive multiscale historic-cartographical analysis and the use of modern geographic information methods, including comparison of topographic maps with aerial and satellite images of the terrain, as well as high-precision digital elevation models, hydrography and other cartographic products. A method of comparing cartographic images of an area in chronological slices (in different historical periods) is supposed to be highly effective. It allows you to observe the historic-geographical evolution of the area. A research of the complex of toponymic problems associated with the territory under study reveals the processes of massive transfer of geographical names in antiquity, covering not only the North-Western Black Sea Region and adjacent territories, but also much wider spaces of the East European Plain, where modern toponymic landscapes were formed.

To Hegra through al-Qusayr. The al-'Ula-al-Wajh Survey Project

The al-ʿUlā – al-Wajh Survey Project deals with ancient trade routes between al-ʿUlā and Madāʿin ʿāliʿ (ancient Hegra) and the Red Sea in the area of al-Wajh in NW Saudi Arabia. This investigation is related to economics of long-distance maritime and caravan trade and the utilization of the "Incense Route" which served to convey frankincense and other commodities from South Arabia to the Mediterranean during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. The Project is also concerned with the localization of Nabataean seaports on the Red Sea coast, such as Leuke Kome and Egra Kome. The results of two fieldwork seasons are presented including a potential caravan route to Hegra along the Wādī al-ʿamʿ. The site of Nabataean al-Qusayr is highlighted here as the finds from there indicate a participation in the long-distance trade between the Mediterranean, Egypt and the Red Sea region.

India - Korea Ancient Maritime Trade Relations: Korean-Tamil Language, Food and Culture Similarities

A lot of language, food and cultural similarities found between Korea and Tamil culture of India that many people are unaware. The present article discusses about those similarities. The possible reason behind this language and cultural exchange may be ancient maritime trade and the spread of Buddhism from Tamilagam, India. In addition, evidences from Sangam literature 600 BCE and archeological findings prove Tamil people had an ancient trade with other countries. Recently, anthropologists found skeletal remains of Mongoloids in Adichanallur pre-historic harbor site indicating people indigenous to Southeast Asia travelled to the ancient seaport Korkai, Taminadu, India andTamil people may travelled Korea for trade purpose. This could be the possible reason behind the language and cultural similarities between these two peninsular nations. However, further research is required in this field.

TEACHING CHINESE PHONETICS TO NON-PHILOLOGY STUDENTS

China has been promoting the project of the “New Silk Road” (NSR) not just as a revival of the ancient trade road or a transport route between East and West. On a larger scale it is the redesigning of the entire commercial and economic model of the Middle East and Central Asia. Thus we have no time to wait until all the people involved in the project will graduate from the universities’ foreign language departments. We are well aware that we need short term language programs intended for non-philologist learners. One of the aspects that is compulsory for the beginner is the phonetics of the Chinese language. The article discusses the basic modern requirements for the content and form of teaching the phonetics of the Chinese language. The methods like synthesis, comparative analysis and literature review were used to outline the requirements for teaching phonetics of the Chinese language in short term language programs and in higher education. As a result of the study the textbook aimed at forming the correct pronunciation for beginners is introduced. While compiling the textbook the descriptive method and the method of comparison were used.