Roman-Era Millstone and Mixer Makers Knew Their Rocks

The geochemistry of basalt millstones and mixers from the city of Volubilis suggests a local origin—and that rocks were picked for specific purposes, from crushing olives to mixing dough.

Millstones from Revne at Bukovyna

In the article stones from light hand millstones from Revne group of settlements of the 8th — 10th centuries left by the Slavs — bearers of the Raiky archaeological culture are published (fig. 1; 2). The lithological composition of rocks was determined. The millstones were made of two types of rocks: 1 — organogenic-detrital limestone, layered, cavernous, grayish-yellow (fig. 3: 1, 2); 2 —organogenic detrital limestone, massive, finely cavernous, yellowish-gray (fig. 3: 3). Such rocks are typical for the area of Revne agglomeration. This confirms the local origin of the raw materials (fig. 4). The rocks can be easily processed with iron tools. At the same time, they are strong enough and not prone to fracture and small fracturing. An average density of limestone is 2.7 g/cm3. Millstones are widely known from the materials of the Raiky culture sites (fig. 5). Probably, in all cases, local raw materials were used. On this background mention of the finds of grain graters occurs in scientific literature less often. In the materials of Revne agglomeration of the 8th — 10th centuries grain graters are unknown. Discovered millstones are divided into «spoilage» or blank (fig. 3: 1), bed stone (fig. 3: 2) and runner stone (fig. 3: 3). There is a sufficient basis for the general reconstruction of a light hand millstone. It consists of archaeological finds (stones and occasionally other parts made of iron and wood), ethnographic and iconographic data (fig. 6). All these sources were qualitatively analysed by R. S. Minasyan and he proposed his own classification. Today, we consider his work to be the most generalizing and reliable basis for descriptive reconstruction of the millstone. However, the classification itself is not quite user-friendly. Therefore, we offer systematization as a combination of main features. It is presented in a tabular form (fig. 7). According to the proposed systematization, the millstones from Revne can be characterized as ІІ.2.A—B — bed stone with a hole and a wooden pin (not preserved), with runner stone and rind (not preserved), with a hole for a handle of indeterminate length (not preserved).

Traditional Belarusian wooden calendar from Sluck County

Carved wooden calendars were known to many peoples from the Middle Ages to the beginning of the 20th century. For example, the Scandinavian ones are well enough studied, but about the existence of such calendars among Belarusians wasn’t known for a long time. The Russian Museum of Ethnography has a carved calendar from the Sluck County. Today it is the only such Belarusian artifact. The article presents a description of a carved wooden calendar from the Čudzin Village, Sluck County. A brief overview of other calendars of a similar type is shown. The prerequisites for the formation and distribution of such artifacts on the territory of Belarus were studied. The article discusses the sign system used to designate holidays and working periods, which correlate with the calendar tradition of the region. Based on the data obtained, the authors draw conclusion about the local origin of the calendar.

Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium L. Syn. Cerasus avium Moench.): A Study of its Distribution in Latvia and Superior Clone Selection for Cherry Plantations for Wood in Local Climatic Conditions

The distribution of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L. syn. Cerasus avium Moench.) in natural woodlands of Latvia was studied. The growth, vitality and stem quality of the first-generation plantations established in Latvia in different agricultural soils using the planting stock of local origin was assessed. In woodlands, sweet cherry is found in 11 Forest Resource Monitoring plots in the administrative regions of Madona, Kuldīga, Alsunga, Saldus, Cīrava, and Kazdanga. In the last decade, interest in sweet cherry as a wood producer has increased and plantations with a total area of 21.92 ha were established in 22 localities (Priekule, Kazdanga, Durbe, Talsi, Ventspils, Kuldīga, Tukums, Saldus, Dobele, Bauska, Cēsis, Pārgauja, and Krāslava). Survey was made of sweet cherry plantations established between 1997 and 2019, using both local and foreign origin clonal stock (Danish clone Truust and Swedish clones nos. 9 and 10) in different agricultural soils (typic sod-calcareous soil; sod-podzolic soil; stagnogley sod-podzolic soil) in the districts of Priekule, Kuldīga, Dobele, Bauska, Ķegums, and Smiltene. In plantation forests with optimal growing conditions (typical sod-calcareous soil; pH 6 to 7), 22-year-old sweet cherries of local origin had height (H) of 15.1 m, the diameter at breast hight (DBH) — 16.4 cm and stem volume 157.7 dm3 on average. The maximum H and DBH observed for the largest trees reached 17.6 m and 25.3 cm, respectively. The Danish clone Truust and the Swedish clones nos. 9 and 10 of sweet cherries were promising for growing in Latvian climatic conditions. Selection of perspective clones for establishment of second-generation plantations was made for sweet cherries of local origin.

Reproduction of winter garlic air bulbs

Relevance. It is possible to significantly increase the multiplication factor of varieties of winter garlic by growing from air bulbs (bulbs). For successful culture using air bulbs, it is very important to correctly determine the most productive fraction for each variety and calibrate it for sowing.Material and methodology. In our collection, there are more than 70 samples of winter garlic collected from different regions of Russia and two CIS countries. The air bulbs were calibrated using a set of round sieves with apertures of 3, 5, 7, 10 mm.Results. On average, the samples of the collection have a high percentage of ripening of air bulbs - 75- 83%. The number of underdeveloped flowers on average for samples of different origins varies slightly – 37-48 pcs. in the inflorescence. The mass of inflorescence on average in specimens of local origin (Sverdlovsk region) is 4.2 g, of different origin (Ukraine, Uzbekistan, 5 regions of Russia) – 4.9 g, of southern origin (Dagestan) – 5.6 g. In specimens of local origin air bulbs of medium (5-7 mm) and small fraction (3-5 mm), different origin – large (7-10 mm) and medium fraction, southern origin – large, medium and small fraction. For reproduction by air bulbs, samples 9/5-1. 9/5-2 of local origin were allocated (Sverdlovsk region); 9/4 (Ukraine), 8/15, 10/5, 10/10 (Moscow), 9/3-1, 9/3-2 and grade Shadeyka (Perm); sample-5, 10/11, 10/13 (Dagestan).

Archaeometry and Analysis of Ceramic Materials from Ávila (Spain): Late-Vetton Evidence

From the archaeological excavations carried out during 2019/2020 in the walled Ávila city (Spain), numerous ceramic fragments of different chronologies have appeared that have allowed us to find settlement sequences in this city that place its beginnings before Romanization. The latest interventions allow us to know that the wall of Ávila has a Roman origin, and it was developed on an indigenous nucleus from the 1st century BC that received the Romanizing influence during the 1st century AD. In addition, it was possible to establish that the materials used for their preparation are consistent with the materials of the geological environment, which suggests a local origin. This paper presents the study of a set of ceramic samples using XRD, ICP/MS, SEM/EDX, and linescan analysis. A statistical analysis of the samples using the minor elements concentrations has suggested that even though the local origin, there were several production centers within painted ceramics that until now were always included as a single set. Finally, due to the importance of the “late-Vetton” or “late Iberic” ceramics (mid-1st century BC—middle of the 1st century AC) from the archaeological aspect, for the first time, these ceramics are studied in detail from chemical and mineralogical tests. It was discovered that these samples had been made in an oven that had not exceeded 800 °C due to the persistence of different phases after cooking.

The investigation of biological and pomological indicators of apricot in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic

According to the field expeditions, in the conditions of stationary and cameral laboratory investigations the genofund of apricot cultivated in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is defined. The biological features and pomological parameters are specified and the comparative analysis is carried out. As a result of the analysis, it became clear that among the apricot cultivars grown on the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, 42.9% are of local origin, 11.9% are introduced cultivars and 45.2% are forms. The distribution area of cultivars are determined and it is noted that Abutalibi, Haqverdi, Girmiziyanag, Aghchanabhat, Agh novreste, Khosropshahi, Teberze, Balyarim, Shalakh cultivars have much productivity importance and they widely cultivated in the region. During the conducted expeditions, it was revealed that apricot is mainly grown in the Ordubad district of the Autonomous Republic. It was defined that 30.5% of cultivars are early ripening, 47.8% of them are midseason ripening, 21.7% of them are late ripening; but 31.6% of forms are early, 42.1% of them are middle, 26.3% of them are late ripening. The research revealed that Nakhchivan novresti cultivar and Kotam-2, Dasta-4 forms are the most early ripening in comparison with other cultivars and forms. During the learning of the phase it was proved that the blossom period is depend on climate factors and ripening period is depending on genotype features. Weight the cultivars and forms is about 32.0-58.4 g and the pulp is between 90.0-95.8%. As a result of biological and zoological studies, 41.9% of cultivars and forms were distinguished by high values of these indicators. During the dequstation Nakhchivan novresti, Shalakh, Abutalibi, Balyarim, Agh erik, Goyjenabad, Girmizi partizan sorts and Jugha-5, Dasta-4, Dasta-9, Ordubad-12, Sharur-5 forms are rated with the highest scores.

Development of recipes and technologies for producing functional desserts using sea buckthorn fruits

In modern society there is a problem of malnutrition of the population associated with the consumption of high-energy food containing an insufficient amount of macro and micro elements, vitamins and other essential substances. Technological progress leads to a significant decrease in physical activity, which determines the need to reduce the calorie content of food consumed. Currently, most confectionery products are high in calories and low in dietary fiber, pectins, vitamins and minerals. This fact determines the need to increase the content of nutrients in desserts and reduce their energy component. Fruit and berry raw materials of local origin occupy one of the leading roles in the development of high-quality functional desserts, since they contain micronutrients that play an exceptional role in a healthy diet. The aim of the research is to develop a recipe and technology for the production of functional desserts using local sea buckthorn fruits. As a result of the research, the optimal amounts of ingredients in the recipes, the method and technology for the production of desserts have been determined. It has been shown that convective drying with a heating temperature of 45ºС is a promising preparation method for maximum preservation of vitamins in the dessert. On the basis of the laboratory research and the study of the physicochemical composition of the developed products, the efficiency of the production of functional desserts using sea buckthorn fruits containing such physiologically important ingredients as dietary fiber, pectin, vitamins, macro and microelements has been substantiated. The developed desserts are characterized by a reduced calorie content, and their consumption corresponds to the recommended norm of an adult’s physiological need for vitamin B1. The need for vitamin C not only satisfies the daily norm, but also corresponds to the recommended one for colds and fully covers an adult’s need. Laboratory studies have confirmed the effectiveness of the use of sea buckthorn fruits of local origin in expanding the range of functional desserts.