Diglossia and the Neo-Assyrian Empire’s Akkadian and Aramaic Text Production

As this paper aims to highlight, the Assyrian Empire’s language environment, and in particular its scribal production, was diglossic, with a sharp distinction between the highly codified literary language of Standard Babylonian for high status texts and three vernacular languages for lower status communications (Neo-Assyrian, Neo-Babylonian and Aramaic). It is argued that between these languages, the distinction between the highly codified lect on the one hand and the three vernacular languages on the other hand is far more significant than the fact that three of these languages were written in cuneiform and the other in alphabetic script

Capturing the dynamics of the South African sunflower seed market in a partial equilibrium framework

Sunflower is the most important oilseed crop in South Africa and accounts for approximately 60 % of all oilseeds produced locally. The primary by-products of the sunflower seed crushing industry provides high-value inputs towards the food and animal feed manufacturing sector in the form of edible oil and protein meal. Prior to 1996, the South African sunflower seed complex market was controlled by the Oilseed Board, which operated a single-channel pool scheme and regulated the marketing of oilseeds and oilseed products. Since the liberalisation of the South African agricultural sector, role-players have been fully exposed to the dynamics and risks of the international oilseed complex market. Over the years participants in the agricultural commodity markets have developed various instruments to assist them in their decision-making process – one of them being commodity modelling, which is described as a methodological technique that provides a powerful analytical tool for examining the complexities of commodity markets. In South Africa, many role-players in the various agricultural industries make use of a multi-sector commodity level partial equilibrium model better know as the BFAP sector model which is maintained by the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) at the University of Pretoria. The objective of this study was to expand the coverage of the existing BFAP sector model by developing a comprehensive system of equations for the total sunflower seed complex, which includes not only a partial equilibrium model for sunflower seed, but also sunflower oil and cake. In this study much emphasis was not only placed on the formation of prices of the various products, but also the application of the most suitable model structures in order to trace the behaviour of the various prices under real market conditions as accurately as possible. This study applied the methodology developed by the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) and further adapted by the Bureau for Food and Agriculture Policy (BFAP) to develop the partial equilibrium model of the South African sunflower complex. The single equations were estimated by mainly using ordinary least squares (OLS), but in cases where the results of the OLS were contradictory to the theory or where insufficient data was available, calibration techniques were employed and the equations were synthetically constructed. The constructed model was applied to lay down a baseline projection for the total production and consumption blocks of sunflower seed, oil and oilcake. The baseline projections also formed part of the ex post validation of the model’s performance. Finally the consistency of the model was evaluated in the form of scenario analysis. Various real-world market- and policy-related shocks were imposed and the results were compared to the baseline projections. In general the model developed in this dissertation performed well and can be used to analyse the effects of economic, technological and policy changes on the South African sunflower seed complex. It also provides a sound structure for the development of a complete South African oilseed complex model that includes soybeans, canola, groundnuts, cotton and imported palm oil. CopyrightDissertation (MScAgric)--University of Pretoria, 2010.Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Developmentunrestricte

Three-dimensional model of an ancient Egyptian falcon mummy skeleton

Published ArticlePurpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the first detailed three-dimensional (3D) print from micro-computed tomography data of the skeleton of an ancient Egyptian falcon mummy. Design/methodology/approach – Radiographic analysis of an ancient Egyptian falcon mummy housed at Iziko Museums of South Africa was performed using non-destructive x-ray micro-computed tomography. A 1:1 physical replica of its skeleton was printed in a polymer material (polyamide) using 3D printing technology. Findings – The combination of high-resolution computed tomography scanning and rapid prototyping allowed us to create an accurate 1:1 model of a biological object hidden by wrappings. This model can be used to study skeletal features and morphology and also enhance exhibitions hosted within the museum. Originality/value – This is the first replica of its kind made of an ancient Egyptian falcon mummy skeleton. The combination of computed tomography scanning and 3D printing has the potential to facilitate scientific research and stimulate public interest in Egyptology

The Many Faces of the Goddess: The Iconography of the Syro-Palestinian Goddesses Anat, Astarte, Qedeshet, and Asherah c. 1500-1000 BCE

The goddesses of ancient Syro-Palestine have recently received detailed attention. This study attempts to make a contribution to the iconography of Anat, Astarte, Asherah and Qedeshet in the period 1500-1000 BCE. Because Anat and Astarte were closely related, and it is sometimes argued that Qedeshet was a mere epithet of the goddess Asherah, these goddesses need to be studied together. It is argued that it is possible to differentiate between these goddesses and that Qedeshet was an independent goddess with her own iconography. The main iconographic types (armed, seated, standing, equestrian, naked woman with objects) are discussed, attributes compared, items identified with a specific goddess, and an iconographic typology established. Like Astarte, Anat was depicted armed and Astarte is also shown on horseback. The woman holding objects is identified as Qedeshet. This book presents a detailed catalogue of items related to these goddesses, with photographs and comparative drawings. The catalogue has been updated for this second, slightly revised edition

The Iconography of the Canaanite Gods Reshef and Ba'al: Late Bronze and Iron Age I Periods (c 1500 – 1000 BCE)

Although the Canaanite deities Reshef and Ba'al are both represented as so-called "smiting gods", their iconography is much more complicated and varied. This publication presents a catalogue of representations of Reshef and Ba'al in the Late Bronze and Iron Age I periods (c 1500 – 1000 BCE). It deals with different motifs: "the menacing god", "the standing god", "deities on animals" and "the monster slayer". Photographs of the originals are included, a full catalogue description is given and the iconographic attributes are compared and discussed. It is concluded that the iconography of the deities under discussion can be distinguished according to their different attributes and functions. It is established that Reshef carries a shield and is the protector of individuals' life, while Ba'al holds a plant and, as the bearer of life, has royal and cosmic connections

A missiological evaluation of four models of encounter between Christianity and Marxism

Thesis (D. Th.) -- University of Stellenbosch, 1988.Full text to be digitised and attached to bibliographic record

n Teologies-kritiese besinning oor die verhouding tussen Zen-Boeddhisme en die Oosterse selfverdedigingskunste

Proefskrif (M. Th.) -- Universiteit van Stellenbosch, 1979.Full text to be digitised and attached to bibliographic record