LETHAL HEAD TRAUMAS OF THE BRONZE AGE (NEW METHODS OF STUDY)

Современные методы радиологии и визуализации сегодня вносят существенный вклад в изучение смертельных ранений у представителей разных археологических культур. В эпоху бронзы самым грозным оружием стал боевой топор. Настоящая статья посвящена применению метода микротомографии в описании некоторых впервые найденных травм на черепах из Пепкинского коллективного захоронения (абашевская археологическая культура, Среднее Поволжье). Наши данные позволяют оценить некоторые последствия применения боевых топоров и их тип. Трехмерные виртуальные реконструкции несквозных повреждений свода черепа, причиненных боевыми топорами, позволяют определить форму ударного края, которая имеет диагностическую ценность. Одновременно производились эксперименты по использованию боевого топора абашевского типа. Получены отпечатки в пластике ударов под разными углами. После микротомографии сопоставлялись 3D-виртуальные изображения ударного края оружия и травм черепа. Главный вывод данной работы заключается в констатации гибели пепкинских мужчин под ударами абашевских боевых топоров. Это означает существование возможного внутриплеменного конфликта в этой культурной общности. Today modern radiological and visualization techniques make great impact on the study of lethal wounds among representatives of different archaeological cultures. Battle axes became the most dangerous weapon of the Bronze Age. The current paper is devoted to description of some newly discovered cranial injuries from Pepkino mass grave (Abashevo archaeological culture, the Middle Volga area) with use of microtomography. Our data help to evaluate some consequences of battle axes use and evaluate its type. 3D reconstructions of some non exit wounds caused by axes allow estimate form of striking edge, which seems to be diagnostic. At the same time we experimented using the battle axe of the Abashevo type. Impressions of the strikes made at different angles were obtained on the plastic. After microCT were made scanning 3D virtual images of the weapon striking edge and the skull traumas were compared. The main conclusion of the analysis is that the Pepkino males were killed by Abashevo battle axes. This implies a possible conflict within the population group of this archaeological culture.

Form Class and Its Use in Estimating Sawtimber Volume of Sugar Maple Trees

The Mesavage-Girard form class for a composite of 242 sugar maple sawtimber trees in New York averaged 82 (±5.3), differing significantly from the regional average form class of 79 originally recommended in the Mesavage-Girard form class volume tables. Also, for 8 of 16 stands, the measured form class differed significantly from the recommended regional average. Findings suggest a need to estimate form class for each tree when making an inventory of sawtimber volume. A regression analysis using data from the 242 sample trees provided a prediction equation for estimating diameter inside bark at 17 ft height on the basis of dbh. That allows determination of a unique Mesavage-Girard form class for each diameter class of sugar maple trees and use of that diameter class average when computing the board-foot volume of standing trees.

Form Error Estimation Using Spatial Statistics

Form error estimation is an essential step in the assessment of product geometry created through one or more manufacturing processes. We present a new method using spatial statistics to estimate form error. Using large sets of uniform sample points measured from five common machined surfaces, we compare the form error estimates using individual points and fitted surfaces obtained through spatial statistical methods. The results show that spatial statistics can provide more accurate estimates of form error under certain conditions. [S1087-1357(00)01701-9]