Radiocarbon-based investigations into the authenticity of Mesoamerican artefacts in museum contexts

In this article, radiocarbon dating has been used as a tool for investigating the authenticity of two Mesoamerican artefacts from the collection of the National Museum of World Cultures (Museum Volkenkunde), Leiden, the Netherlands. The first artefact is a ceremonial Aztec, possibly a tecpatl, knife, and it is presumed to date to 1300–1500 CE. The second object is a decorated Mixtec skull, presumed to date to 1400–1520 CE. The efficacy of radiocarbon dating was thoroughly tested in this study, especially in regard to the tiny quantities that could be sampled from the skull. However, with the newly revamped radiocarbon facility at the University of Groningen, this was an opportune moment to attempt such research.  Ultimately, a credible result could not be obtained on the skull; however, the ceremonial knife was dated reliably to the Aztec period. The article also discusses the broader issue of whether radiocarbon results can be used as a definitive proof of authenticity and examines the risk-reward nature of radiocarbon testing

Traction in Neolithic Çatalhoyük?:Palaeopathological analysis of cattle and aurochs remains from the East and West Mounds

Cattle traction was a technological innovation that made a significant impact on production, individual and household wealth, and social organisation. Despite ongoing debates regarding the origins and extent of the harnessing of cattle power among early agropastoral societies, only a few studies have attempted at addressing this matter systematically. In Neolithic Çatalhoyük, several studies have explored the symbolism and domestication of aurochs and cattle, while the systematic investigation of Bos skeletal remains regarding the presence of cattle traction has been missing. This study focuses on Neolithic Çatalhoyük in Central Anatolia, renowned for its cattle symbolism, to explore the possibility of cattle traction in the 7th and 6th millennium BCE. We studied the palaeopathological traces on the lower limbs of Bos from Çatalhoyük East (Early, Middle, and Late) and West Mounds. Our results suggest that arthropathies are present on the Bos lower limbs (particularly anterior elements) in all phases of Neolithic Çatalhoyük. ̈ Pathological and sub-pathological changes are on average more severe among the small cattle of Çatalhoyük ̈ West than in the preceding periods at Çatalhoyük East, a result affected by a few rather deformed specimens in Çatalhoyük West. We did not observe any clear correlation between cattle survivorship, size, and pathology severity. Although an unequivocal association between pathologies and traction in prehistoric cattle remains challenging, we discuss plausible explanations for the changing nature and intensity of cattle pathologies at Çatalhoyük ̈ throughout time. Furthermore, we discuss the implications of possible draught use of cattle for the socioeconomic shifts Çatalhoyük experienced in the 6th millennium BC

Evidence for European presence in the Americas in ad 1021

Transatlantic exploration took place centuries before the crossing of Columbus. Physical evidence for early European presence in the Americas can be found in Newfoundland, Canada(1,2). However, it has thus far not been possible to determine when this activity took place(3–5). Here we provide evidence that the Vikings were present in Newfoundland in ad 1021. We overcome the imprecision of previous age estimates by making use of the cosmic-ray-induced upsurge in atmospheric radiocarbon concentrations in ad 993 (ref. (6)). Our new date lays down a marker for European cognisance of the Americas, and represents the first known point at which humans encircled the globe. It also provides a definitive tie point for future research into the initial consequences of transatlantic activity, such as the transference of knowledge, and the potential exchange of genetic information, biota and pathologies(7,8)

Investigating the effect of different soil depth on germination speed of the Lens culinaris seeds

Germination is defined as a plant emerging from a seed after a period of dormancy.1 A research question is formed; ‘Does different soil depths have an effect on germination speed of the Lens culinaris seeds?’ An experiment is designed to investigate. Lens culinaris seeds are used, because the volume and shape of the seed being convenient. The volume and mass of Lens culinaris seeds are small, and the shape is round. These features are the perfect fit for the experiment, because the depth of the seeds will be changed and it is important to reduce the errors while planting the seeds. There are also lots of types of Lens culinaris seeds for example, Indian brown, French Green, Red Chief lentil…2 In the experiment, Indian brown lentil seed types are used, this type of seed can be found in every grocery store. 35 seeds were planted in 35 cups with different depths each 5 trial. They were all tried to be kept in same conditions and each of them was watered 10 ml day by day. The day and time were recorded when the seeds planted and the time when seeds germinated, and by this process, the time taken for the germination is calculated. The germination process of the seeds in all of the trials was controlled per 2 hours between the hours 08:00 and 23:00 pm. After the experiment, the results confirmed the alternative hypothesis. ANOVA One Way statistical analysis is made to compare the data in the experiment. The p-value found in this analysis was 1.57 x 10-5, which is smaller than the alpha value(0.05). Therefore, the Lens culinaris seeds planted near the surface emerged from the soil quicker than the other seeds

Topçu Onbaşı Yusuf Erdil'in Trablusgarp Savaşı öncesi ve sonrası hayatı

Ankara : İhsan Doğramacı Bilkent Üniversitesi İktisadi, İdari ve Sosyal Bilimler Fakültesi, Tarih Bölümü, 2014.This work is a student project of the The Department of History, Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences, İhsan Doğramacı Bilkent University.by Karabağ, Müzeyyen