Models of Neolithisation of Northeastern Iberian Peninsula: New Evidence of Human Occupations During the Sixth Millennium cal BC

The goal of this article is to discuss the significance of the archaeological evidence from the sites of La Draga (Banyoles, Spain) and Coves del Fem (Ulldemolins, Spain), in the context of the neolithisation of Northeastern Iberia. The 14C dates have been analysed using Bayesian statistics. The stratigraphy of Coves del Fem covers the transition between the last hunter–gatherers of the region and the first farmers. The chronological sequence covers approximately 1,300 years, from 6065–5990 cal BC to 4700–4550 cal BC. The site of La Draga was occupied by the first farmers circa 5300–5230 cal BC when a wooden platform was constructed and first used. Subsequent repairs of the wooden piles have been dated as well. Another use of the wooden platform is documented around 5200–5085 cal BC, although until now new construction evidence has not been documented. La Draga site was reoccupied later, when several travertine structures dated in two moments between the years 5100–4900 cal BC and 4950–4700 cal BC were constructed and used. The radiocarbon dates of Coves del Fem and La Draga support the existence of two different models of neolithisation in Northeastern Iberia. In the southern part of the territory, Coves del Fem suggests that the Holocene hunter–gatherer populations remained in the area until the arrival of the first farmers, in a model similar to the one observed at the Ebro basin. On the contrary, the site of La Draga supports the hypothesis of the first farmers colonising a previously unoccupied territory.

KURGAN OF EARLY SСYTHIAN AGE IN KHARKIV REGION

The publication presents the results of excavations of the mound 4 of the Dushnovo group of large-scale graveyard of the Scythian time near the city Lyubotin, Kharkiv region (the Seversky Donets basin). It is important to emphasize that no one kurgan in this group was previously investigated by archaeologists. Part of the embankment was seriously damaged by the local people’s economic activity, and before excavation it was a height of up to 0.90 m with a diameter of about 30 m. In the course of works the remains of a square (4 Ч 4 m) original ground-based facility, with an in-depth foundation, which once had fence walls, were found under the embankment. The massive column-pillars, which originally frame the front of the building, were leaving the entrance to it free. The area around this object was lined with bark, and in the immediate vicinity there was a fairly large wooden platform. Several items were preserved in the robbery track, in particular, fragments of stucco dishes of the early Scythian period (a pot, a bowl, a scoop), fragments of the light-loamy Miletus amphora. The constructive feature of the structure and the preserved things make it possible to interpret this object as a sanctuary and date approximately not later than the end of VII century BC.

Airframe noise measurements on JAXA Jet Flying Test Bed “Hisho” using a phased microphone array

In 2015, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launched the Flight demonstration of QUiet technology to Reduce nOise from High-lift configurations project to verify by flight demonstration the feasibility of practical noise-reducing aircraft modification concepts. In order to serve as a baseline for comparison before modification, airframe noise sources of the JAXA Jet Flying Test Bed “Hisho” were measured with a 30 m diameter array of 195 microphones mounted on a wooden platform built temporary beside the runway of Noto Satoyama Airport in Japan. A classical Delay and Sum in the time domain beamforming algorithm was adapted for the present study, with weight factors introduced to improve the low-frequency resolution and autocorrelations eliminated to suppress wind noise at high frequencies. In the landing configuration at idle thrust, the main landing gear, nose landing gear, and side edges of the six extended flap panels were found to be the dominant “Hisho” airframe noise sources. Deconvolution by the DAMAS and CLEAN-SC algorithms provided clearer positions of these sound sources at low frequencies. Integration of acoustical maps agreed well with the sound pressure level measured by a microphone placed at the center of the microphone array and gave detailed information about the contribution of each noise source.

Biomechanics of Skateboarding: Kinetics of the Ollie

Seven top amateur or professional skateboarders (BW = 713 N ± 83 N) performed Ollie maneuvers onto and off an elevated wooden platform (45.7 cm high). We recorded ground reaction force (GRF) data for three Ollie Up (OU) and Ollie Down (OD) trials per participant. The vertical GRF (VGRF) during the OU has a characteristic propulsive peak (M = 2.22 body weight [BW] ± 0.22) resulting from rapidly rotating the tail of the board into the ground to propel the skater and board up and forward. The anterior-posterior (A-P) GRF also shows a pronounced peak (M = 0.05 ± 0.01 BW) corresponding with this propulsive VGRF peak. The initial phase of landing in the OD shows an impact peak in VGRF rising during the first 30 to 80 ms to a mean of 4.74 ± 0.46 BW. These impact peaks are higher than expected given the relatively short drop of 45.7 cm and crouched body position. But we observed that our participants intentionally affected a firm landing to stabilize the landing position; and the Ollie off the platform raised the center of mass, also contributing to higher forces.

Excavation of a Neolithic Wooden Platform, Stirlingshire

Parks of Garden, a Neolithic site in southern Scotland, is located within a thin wedge of peat which abuts a ridge of glacial moraine that stretches across the Upper Forth river valley. The site comprises a rapidly constructed small wooden platform dating to 3340–2920 cal BC, within the Early Neolithic period of Scotland. The platform may have functioned as a transitory hunting hide and as a preparation area for hunting and gathering expeditions across the fen and into the salt-marshes of the local environment.

Children's Snow Sleds: Age Appropriateness and Safety

The guidelines for age-labeling children's toys are summarized. Publications relating to the safe use of snow sleds by children are reviewed. The patent history of sled runners and steering is described. 140 children between the ages of 6 and 12 yr. old participated in the assessment of four different styles of snow sleds, using a downhill course which required a very small directional change. Sled style influenced the children's steering success. A traditional sled with a wooden platform and flexible metal runners provided the best steering for all age groups between 6 and 12 yr. old. Recommendations for parents, park managers, and manufacturers regarding the safety of children's sleds are provided.

Effect of task constraint during independent gait of children with Down syndrome and typical development

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of task constraint in the step length of the relative angle of internal ankle during independent gait of children with Down Syndrome (DS) and Typical Development (TD). Two children participated in the sample, whose task was to walk on a wooden platform in the flat and inclined surfaces. The results indicated that DS child was higher and less consistent in the two variables of analysis. Compared with TD child, was identified differences between the two children, emphasizing greater sensitivity of DS child to the restricted task.

Cheesecloth Flight Traps for Insects

The appearance of an article “Window flight traps for insects” by Chapman and Kinghorn (Can. Ent. 87 (1): 46-47. 1955) suggests that it may be well to describe another flight trap. Specimens taken by it have been labelled “caught in cheesecloth trap”, a statement which is true but perhaps enigmatic.While on the late Ralph Hopping's staff, the writer built a number of cages for rearing forest insects in southern British Columbia. These cages were all 6 × 6 × 6 ft., each on a cloth covered wooden platform, with a minimum super-structure of 2 × 2 in. lumber to the inside of which cheesecloth was tacked to form an insect-tight enclosure. One entered by a door on the lower part of the north or east side.