L'Oman centrale nell'Età del Bronzo. Una ricostruzione storica ed archeologica a partire dagli scavi di Salut.

Le ricerche archeologiche condotte dalla Italian Mission To Oman (IMTO) sul sito di Salut e nell'area circostante a partire dal 2004 consentono ora di proporre una prima ricostruzione delle dinamiche del popolamento antico e delle modalità con le quali la regione si inseriva nei traffici commerciali anche a lunga distanza. A tal fine, i dati di scavo provenienti da un sito di Età del Bronzo, diretto dall'autore, e di una serie di tombe scavate sulle colline vicine da altri membri dell'IMTO, sono presentati e discussi nei loro diversi aspetti

Archaeological Survey of Sīnīya Island, Umm al-Quwain

The preliminary results of a comprehensive survey of Sīnīya Island in the Khawr al-Bayḍāʾ of Umm al-Quwain are presented here. The onset of human occupation remains to be confirmed, with scarce evidence for limited activity in the late pre-Islamic period (LPI, c. 300 BC – AD 300). The first major phase of occupation dates to the seventh and eighth centuries (early Islamic period) when a monastery and settlement were established in the north-east of the island. Probably the peak occupation falls between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, when the stone-town of Old Umm al-Quwain 1 was built, followed by the eighteenth to early nineteenth century when the settlement moved to neighbouring Old Umm al-Quwain 2. The town was destroyed by the British in 1820 and moved to the facing tidal island, where Old Umm al-Quwain 3 (the modern city of the same name) developed. This resulted in an emptying of the landscape, and Sīnīya Island was little visited in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, except for the estate of the ruling Āl Muʿallā represented by the Mallāh Towers.The preliminary results of a comprehensive survey of Sīnīya Island in the Khawr al-Bayḍāʾ of Umm al-Quwain are presented here. The onset of human occupation remains to be confirmed, with scarce evidence for limited activity in the late pre-Islamic period (LPI, c. 300 BC – AD 300). The first major phase of occupation dates to the seventh and eighth centuries (early Islamic period) when a monastery and settlement were established in the north-east of the island. Probably the peak occupation falls between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, when the stone-town of Old Umm al-Quwain 1 was built, followed by the eighteenth to early nineteenth century when the settlement moved to neighbouring Old Umm al-Quwain 2. The town was destroyed by the British in 1820 and moved to the facing tidal island, where Old Umm al-Quwain 3 (the modern city of the same name) developed. This resulted in an emptying of the landscape, and Sīnīya Island was little visited in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, except for the estate of the ruling Āl Muʿallā represented by the Mallāh Towers

Traditional masonry and archaeological restoration. A case study from Salūt, Oman

[EN] This paper shows the restoration work carried out on the mudbrick structures uncovered at the Iron Age (c. 1300-300 BC) site of Salūt, in central Oman. In the region, traditional earthen architecture represented the key building technique until modern times. The traditional concept of constant upkeep is arguably the only way of efficiently preserving ancient structures. However, different mud plaster compositions were tested which could provide a better aspect and a lower static load on the structures. The work strategy was meant to be sustainable from an economic, ecological, and sociological point of view, as it also aimed at documenting and hopefully reviving the traditional earthen architecture currently endangered by the disinterest of younger generations.[ES] Este artículo describe la restauración de las estructuras de adobe descubiertas en el sitio de Salūt, en el centro de Omán, que datan de la Edad del Hierro (c. 1300-300 a. C.). En esta región, la arquitectura tradicional de tierra ha representado la técnica de construcción clave hasta tiempos modernos. El concepto tradicional de mantenimiento continuo es la única forma de preservar eficazmente las estructuras antiguas. Por otra parte, se experimentó con revocos de barro de diversa composición que pudieran conferir un mejor aspecto y una menor carga estática en las estructuras. La estrategia de trabajo pretendía ser sostenible y se fijaba como objetivo documentar y tratar de revivir la arquitectura tradicional de tierra, actualmente en peligro por el desinterés de las generaciones más jóvenes.Bizzarri, S.; Degli Esposti, M.; Careccia, C.; De Gennaro, T.; Tangheroni, E. (2021). Albañilería tradicional y restauración arqueológica. El caso de Salūt, Omán. Loggia, Arquitectura & Restauración. 0(34):46-61. https://doi.org/10.4995/loggia.2021.15063OJS4661034ALVA BALDERRAMA, A.; CHIARI, G. (1995): «Protection and conservation of excavated structures of mudbrick», en Stanley Price, P. (ed.): Conservation on archaeological excavations. With particular reference to the Mediterranean area. Roma: ICCROM, 101-112.AVANZINI, A.; DEGLI ESPOSTI, M. (eds.) (2018): «Husn Salūt and the Iron Age of South East Arabia. Excavations of the Italian Mission to Oman 2004-2014». Arabia Antica, 15. Roma: L'«Erma» di Bretschneider.BIZZARRI, S. (2015): «Restoration works at Salūt», en Avanzini, A. (ed.): In the heart of Oman. The castle of Salūt. (Ancient Oman, 1). Roma: L'«Erma» di Bretschneider, 87-95.BIZZARRI, S.; DEGLI ESPOSTI, M.; CARECCIA, C.; DE GENNARO, T.; TANGHERONI, E.; AVANZINI, N. (2020): «The use of traditional mud-based masonry in the restoration of the iron age site of Salūt (Oman). A way towards mutual preservation», International archives of the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences, vol. XLIV-M-1-2020, pp. 1081-1088. Disponible en / Available at: . https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIV-M-1-2020-1081-2020DOAT, P.; HAYS, A.; HOUBEN, H.; MATUK, S.; VITOUXEDS, F. (1983): Construire en terre. París: Editions Alternatives.HAGO, A. W.; AL-RAWAS, A. (1997): «Properties of the Omani Sarooj». Engineering Journal of University of Qatar, 10, 81-91.ICOMOS (2003): ICOMOS Charter - Recommendations for the analysis, conservation and structural restoration of architectural heritage. Ratified by the ICOMOS 14th General Assembly in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, 2003. Disponible en / Available at: .MEDDAH, M. S.; BENKARI, N.; AL-BUSAIDI, M. (2019): «Potential Use of Locally and Traditionally Produced Bending Construction Material». IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, vol. 471, n.º 4: 471,MERSHEN, B. (2010): «Unveiling the Past: the Role of Oral History in Understanding Oasis Development», en Buerkert, A.; Schlecht, E. (eds.): Oases of Oman. Livelihood System at the crossroads. Muscat: Al Roya Press & Publishing House, 60-63.OGEGA, J. J. (2011): «Oral Traditions in the Conservation of Earthen Architecture», in Rainer, L.; Bass Rivera, A.; Gandreau, D. (eds.): Terra 2008: The 10th International Conference on the Study and Conservation of Earthen Architectural Heritage. Los Angeles: The Getty Conservation Institute, 124-128.PETZET, M. (2004): «Principles of preservation: An introduction to the International Charters for Conservation and Restoration 40 years after the Venice Charter», in Petzet, M.; Ziesemer, J. (eds.): International Charters for Conservation and Restoration. Monuments & Sites. I. Munich: ICOMOS, 7-29.RAINER, L. (2008): «Deterioration and pathology of earthen architecture». In Avrami, E.; Guillaud, H.; Hardy, M. (eds.): Terra Literature Review: An Overview of Research in Earthen Architecture Conservation. Los Angeles: The Getty Conservation Institute, 45-61.RUSKULIS, O. (2009): «Mud Plasters and Renders». Appropriate Technology Journal. Disponible en / Available at: (Consultado: 15 de enero de 2020)

Late Holocene onset of intensive cultivation and introduction of the falaj irrigation system in the Salut oasis (Sultanate of Oman)

This paper discusses the time and steps of the introduction of intensive agriculture and evolution of irrigation systems to sustain crops in the palaeo-oasis of Salut in the northern Sultanate of Oman. Various geoarchaeological methods allow reconstructing the exploitation of the natural resources of the region and technological development of irrigation methods since the Mid-Holocene. Intensive agriculture started during the Bronze Age and continued with some spatial and intensity fluctuations up to the Islamic period. Cultivations were initially sustained by surface irrigation systems and later replaced by a dense net of aflaj, the typical surface/underground system adopted in the Levant, Arabian Peninsula and western Asia to collect water from deep piedmont aquifers and redistribute it to the fields located in the lowlands. Our results indicate that the aflaj were in use for a long period in the palaeo-oasis formed along Wadi Sayfam and surrounding the citadel of Salut. Uranium-Thorium dating of calcareous tufa formed in the underground tunnels of the aflaj suggests that they were used between ∼540 BCE and ∼1150 CE. After ∼1150 CE Wadi Sayfam were abandoned and the size of the oasis shrank substantially. During the late Islamic period, a surface aqueduct descending from the piedmont of Jabal Shams secured water supply. Our work confirms that in arid lands archaeological and historical communities were able to actively modulate their response to climate changes by using a variety of technological strategies

Extraction and characterization of hydroxyapatite-based materials from grey triggerfish skin and black scabbardfish bones

The conversion of food industry by-products to compounds with high added value is nowadays a significant topic, for social, environmental, and economic reasons. In this paper, calcium phosphate-based materials were obtained from black scabbard fish (Aphanopus carbo) bones and grey triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) skin, which are two of the most abundant fish by-products of Madeira Island. Different calci nation temperatures between 400 and 1000°C were employed. Materials obtained from calcination of bones of black scabbard fish were composed by homogeneous mixtures of hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, HAp) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-Ca3(PO4)2, β-TCP). Because of the high biocompatibility of HAp and the good resorbability of β-TCP, these natural biphasic materials could be very relevant in the field of biomaterials, as bone grafts. The ratio between HAp and β-TCP in the biphasic compound was dependent on the calcination temperature. Differently, the material obtained from skin of grey triggerfish contained HAp as the main phase, together with small amounts of other mineral phases, such as halite and rhenanite, which are known to enhance osteogenesis when used as bone substitutes. In both cases, the increase of calcination temperature led to an increase in the particles size with a consequent decrease in their specific surface area. These results demonstrate that from the fish by-products of the most consumed fishes in Madeira Island it is possible to obtain bioceramic materials with tunable composition and particle mor phology, which could be promising materials for the biomedical fieldinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fluorescent Carbon Dots from Food Industry By-Products for Cell Imaging

Herein, following a circular economy approach, we present the synthesis of luminescent carbon dots via the thermal treatment of chestnut and peanut shells, which are abundant carbon-rich food industry by-products. As-synthesized carbon dots have excellent water dispersibility thanks to their negative surface groups, good luminescence, and photo-stability. The excitation-emission behaviour as well as the surface functionalization of these carbon dots can be tuned by changing the carbon source (chestnuts or peanuts) and the dispersing medium (water or ammonium hydroxide solution). Preliminary in vitro biological data proved that the samples are not cytotoxic to fibroblasts and can act as luminescent probes for cellular imaging. In addition, these carbon dots have a pH-dependent luminescence and may, therefore, serve as cellular pH sensors. This work paves the way towards the development of more sustainable carbon dot production for biomedical applications

Electronic Supplementary Information associated with the article: Degli Esposti Lorenzo, Marković Smilja, Ignjatović Nenad, Panseri Silvia, Montesi Monica, Adamiano Alessio, Fosca Marco, Rau Julietta V., Uskoković Vuk, Iafisco Michele, "Thermal crystallization of amorphous calcium phosphate combined with citrate and fluoride doping: a novel route to produce hydroxyapatite bioceramics." Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 9, no. 24 (2021):4832-4845, https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TB00601K

Figure S1. The shift in the crystallization peak for (A) Cit-ACP-1 and (B) Cit-FACP-1 to higher temperatures in direct proportion with the heating rate; Figure S2. TGA curves of calcined Cit-ACP-4, Cit-ACP-2, and Cit-ACP-1; Figure S3. Pictures of calcined (A) Cit-ACP-4 and (B) Cit-ACP-1Related to the peer-reviewed manuscript: [https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_dais_11640]Related to the article: [http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D1TB00601K]Related to the article: [https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_dais_11639

Bioinspired Mineralization of Type I Collagen Fibrils with Apatite in Presence of Citrate and Europium Ions

Synthetic nanostructured hybrid composites based on collagen and nanocrystalline apatites are interesting materials for the generation of scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. In this work, mineralized collagen fibrils were prepared in the presence of citrate and Eu3+. Citrate is an indispensable and essential structural/functional component of bone. Eu3+ endows the mineralized fibrils of the necessary luminescent features to be potentially employed as a diagnostic tool in biomedical applications. The assembly and mineralization of collagen were performed by the neutralization method, which consists in adding dropwise a Ca(OH)2 solution to a H3PO4 solution containing the dispersed type I collagen until neutralization. In the absence of citrate, the resultant collagen fibrils were mineralized with nanocrystalline apatites. When citrate was added in the titrant solution in a Citrate/Ca molar ratio of 2 or 1, it acted as an inhibitor of the transformation of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) to nanocrystalline apatite. The addition of Eu3+ and citrate in the same titrant solution lead to the formation of Eu3+–doped citrate–coated ACP/collagen fibrils. Interestingly, the relative luminescent intensity and luminescence lifetime of this latter composite were superior to those of Eu3+–doped apatite/collagen prepared in absence of citrate. The cytocompatibility tests, evaluated by the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) (MTT) colorimetric assay in a dose–dependent manner on GTL–16 human gastric carcinoma cells, on MG–63 human osteosarcoma cells and on the m17.ASC, a spontaneously immortalized mouse mesenchymal stem cell clone from subcutaneous adipose tissue, show that, in general, all samples are highly cytocompatible.This research was funded by Spanish MINEICO and co–funded by FEDER (grant number MAT2014–60533–R). C. V.–E. acknowledges the Spanish MINEICO for his contract PTA2015–11103–I. M.I. acknowledges support by the Italian National Research Program–National Research Council (PNRCNR) Aging Program 2012–2014. The Excellence Network of Crystallography and Crystallization “Factoría de Cristalización” FIS2015–71928–REDC funded by Spanish MINEICO is also acknowledged

Influence of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles on germination and plant metabolism of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.): Preliminary evidence

The Nutrient Use Efficiency in intensive agriculture is lower than 50% for macronutrients. This feature results in unsustainable financial and environmental costs. Nanofertilizers are a promising application of nanotechnology in agriculture. The use of nanofertilizers in an efficient and safe manner calls for knowledge about the actual effects of nanoproducts on the plant metabolism and eventually on the carrier release kinetics and nutrient accumulation. Hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) nanoparticles (nHA) have an interesting potential to be used as nanofertilizers. In this study, the effects of different nHA solutions stabilized with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) were evaluated on germination, seedling growth, and metabolism of Solanum lycopersicum L., used as model species. Our observations showed that the percentage germination of S. lycopersicum is not influenced by increasing concentrations of nHa, while root elongation is strongly stimulated. Tomato plants grown in hydroponics in the presence of nHA have not suffered phytotoxic effects. We conclude that nHA had nontoxic effects on our model plant and therefore it could be used both as a P supplier and carrier of other elements and molecules