Close or not so close? Provenance studies of megalithic monuments from Alentejo (Portugal)

There has been a significant amount of studies about megalithic tombs conducted in the Alentejo region. However the geological provenance of monoliths used in the construction of those tombs usually was not a priority among researchers with rare exceptions (Dehn, Kalb and Vortisch, 1991; Boaventura, 2000). Recent studies of dolmens (Oliveira, 1997 and 2006; Gonçalves, 2003) refer only to a brief characterization of rocks, such as "granite or schist slabs", highlighting certain types if the geological stratum is identical or not to the stone blocks. On the other hand, when the type of raw material appears to be similar with the bedrock, it is common and empirically assumed its local provenance. With the aim of testing and expand the knowledge about the provenance of the slabs used in the construction of megalithic tombs, several lithic samples from dolmen slabs and outcrops in their surroundings were collected for analysis and comparison. The samples were characterized by petrographic studies in thin section as well with a geochemical analyses performed by XRF that gives major elements as well some trace elements. The dolmens tested for this project are located roughly between the northeast to west of the town of Monforte (Upper region of Alentejo, Portugal) and are named, from south to north, as Serrinha, Rabuje group (1 to 5), Geodésico de Besteiros 3 and Velho. The field work and petrographic studies revealed that the slabs are constituted mainly by several types of granitoids (gnaissic, red, white, tonalitic), amphibolites and mottled schist shale. The comparison of chemical analyses between slabs and selected outcrops revealed that the provenances are in most of the cases from the nearby geological stratum. In fact, major elements (e.g. MgO, SiO2, CaO) as well trace elements (e.g. Sr, Y, Zr, Nb) compositions are similar on slab samples and in rocks from the outcrops. If in terms of major elements a similarity was already expectable, or easier to obtain, the trace elements (namely immobile elements such as Y or Nb) compositions corroborated that slabs and geological bedrock were alike. The capstone slab that covers the dolmen of Rabuje 1 group does not belong to the nearby geological stratum. Nevertheless, a probable matching source-outcrop was located sampled and characterized in terms of geochemistry and petrograpphy and compared with the megalithic capstone. This work allowed a better characterization of the rocks used in megalithic tombs as well as corroborat a pragmatic attitude of Neolithic populations in the search of the appropriate slabs for construction as proposed previously (Boaventura, 2000). When available, the megalithic stones were likely collected from the nearby stratum and therefore the distances traveled were small (in situ or less than 1-2 km). Nevertheless, when the type of stone needed was not available in the vicinity (e.g fracturing provided only smaller stones) it would be necessary to travel longer distances, up to 8 km (Boaventura, 2000), as in the case of the dolmen of Rabuje 1. Boaventura, R. (2000) - A geologia das Antas de Rabuje (Monforte, Alentejo), Revista Portuguesa de Arquelogia. Vol. 3;2.pp-15-23. Dehn, W.; Kalb, P.; Vortich, W. (1991) - Geologisch-Petrographische Untersuchungen an Megalithgräbern Portugals. Madrider Mitteilungen, 32, p. 1-28. Oliveira, J. (1997) - Monumentos megalíticos da bacia hidrográfica do Rio Sever. Ibn Maruan. Castelo de Vide. Special Edition. Oliveira, J. (2006) – Património arqueológico da Coudelaria de Alter e as primeiras comunidades agropastoris. [Évora]: Colibri

Do predators always win? Starfish versus limpets. A hands-on activity examining predator-prey interaction

In this article we propose a hands-on experimental activity about predator–prey interactions that can be performed both in a research laboratory and in the classroom. The activity, which engages students in a real scientific experiment, can be explored not only to improve students’ understanding about the diversity of anti-predator behaviours but also to promote their understanding about the various stages of experimental scientific procedures, such as the definition of a research problem, the statement of testable hypotheses, designing the experiments and drawing conclusions based on the evidence

A funcionalidade e o controlo do tronco em atletas de basquetebol em cadeira de rodas e a sua relação com o desempenho motor

Projeto de Graduação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Licenciado em FisioterapiaObjetivo: avaliar a correlação entre a funcionalidade e o controlo do tronco de atletas de basquetebol em cadeira de rodas, com o seu desempenho motor. Materiais e métodos: 7 atletas do sexo masculino de basquetebol em cadeira de rodas da Associação Portuguesa de Deficientes de Braga de Basquetebol em Cadeira de Rodas (APD Braga BCR) composeram a amostra deste estudo. O “Modified Functional Reach Test” foi utilizado para avaliar o controlo do tronco. Seis testes de habilidades foram usados para avaliar o desempenho dos atletas: “Corrida em velocidade na distância de 20 metros”; “Lançamento-livre”; “Passe à distância”; “Passe com precisão”; “T-Test modificado”; “Pick-Up test”. Resultados: Foram encontradas diversas correlações na relação entre o desempenho e o controlo do tronco, sendo a mais fraca a correlação entre o teste “Lançamento-livre” e o teste de controlo do tronco; Por outro lado, a melhor correlação foi a do teste “T-Test modificado” igualmente com o teste de controlo do tronco. Na relação entre o desempenho e a Classificação Funcional (CF) da International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) encontraram-se correlações fracas em quase todos os testes, exceto no teste “Corrida em velocidade na distância de 20 metros”. Conclusão: parece existir alguma relação entre o controlo do tronco e o desempenho, no entanto o mesmo não acontece na relação entre a CF e o desempenho.Purpose: the aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between functionality and trunk control. Materials and Methods: 7 male wheelchair basketball athletes from the Associação Portuguesa de Deficientes de Braga de Basquetebol em Cadeira de Rodas (APD Braga BCR) participated in this study. The “Modified Functional Reach Test” was used to evaluate the athletes trunk control. Six skill tests were used to evaluate the athletes performance: “20 m sprint”; “Free-throw”; “Pass for distance”; “Precision pass”; “Modified T-test”; “Pick-Up test”. Results: Different correlations were found in the relationship between performance and trunk control; the weaker correlation was between the “Free-throw” test and the trunk control; On the other hand, the best correlation was between “Modified T-Test”, also with the trunk control test. The relationship between performance and the IWBF Functional Classification met weak correlations about almost all tests except the “20 m sprint” test. Conclusion: there seems to have some relationship between the trunk control and performance, however the same is not true regarding the relationship between the functional classification level and performance.N/

A etnomatemática presente na prática social de construção de engenhos

TCC (graduação) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Físicas e Matemáticas, Curso de Matemática.Esta investigação constitui-se em uma pesquisa qualitativa de inspiração etnográfica que teve como objetivo identificar a racionalidade matemática presente na prática social de construção de engenhos, especificamente na construção da bolandeira e do fuselo. Essas constituem-se em engrenagens de fundamental importância para o funcionamento do engenho. Para subsidiar a pesquisa, utilizei-me do campo teórico da Etnomatemática que propõe estimular o desenvolvimento da criatividade de formas de matematizar o mundo, conduzindo assim, ao estabelecimento de novas formas de relações interculturais. Os dados foram coletados através de entrevista e observação do trabalho realizado por um construtor de engenho com larga experiência neste ofício e que pouco frequentou os bancos escolares. O resultado dessa pesquisa apontou para existência de conceitos matemáticos bastante complexos na construção das engrenagens e para a necessidade de identificar e aproximar os saberes matemáticos presentes nas práticas sociais com os conhecimentos matemáticos desenvolvidos na escola

Fortuna Crítica

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