Trace Elements in Ancient Human Bone and Associated Soil Using NAA

The elemental composition of 44 human bone samples and 56 soil samples from the Pre-Colombian Tutu site, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands were determined by neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Soils from the site were analyzed for the purpose of assessing diagenetic change in the bone samples after deposition. Twenty two elements were observed in the Tutu bones. The compositional data will be considered for use, along with other archaeological information, to aid in dietary reconstruction at the Tutu site

An Integrated Analysis of Pre-Hispanic Mortuary Practices: a Middle Sicán Case Study

Recent debate has raised serious questions about the viability of the social and ideological reconstruction of prehistoric culture on the basis of mortuary analysis. In recent years bioarchaeology has gained considerable prominence, underscoring the fact that death, burials, and associated mortuary practices are multifaceted phenomena shaped by biological, social, ideological, and taphonomic factors. Few studies attempting social reconstruction through mortuary analysis, including those of a bioarchaeological character, have adequately addressed this multidimensionality. This study shows that social, ideological, and bioarchaeological reconstruction can be productively pursued through tight integration of a multitude of approaches and perspectives set within a long-term regional study. Focusing on two large 1,000-year-old Middle Sicán shaft tombs on the north coast of Peru, it integrates analyses of mitochondrial DNA, inherited dental traits, developmental health, diet, placement of interred individuals and associated grave goods, and data from ground-penetrating radar surveys. Overall it shows that these tombs reflected the broader social organization and were part of a planned elite cemetery and that the overlying monumental adobe mound served as the physical focus of ancestor worship

Structural Characterization and Redox Activity of a Uranyl Dimer and Transition-Metal Complexes of a Tetradentate BIAN Ligand

The synthesis and characterization of a new ligand system combining the redox-active backbone of Ar-BIANs (<i>N</i>,<i>N</i>′-bis­[(aryl)­imino]­acenaphthenes) and a mixed-donor O–N–N–O salen-type binding pocket is reported. Complexes of Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and UO₂²⁺ were prepared and characterized through single-crystal X-ray diffraction and electrochemical studies. The Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺ complexes have been used as references against which to compare the unique behaviors exhibited by the uranyl (UO₂²⁺) complex, as the latter forms two distinct solid-state structures with unusual oxo contacts to CH₂Cl₂ and CHCl₃ and displays a rich electrochemical profile that indicates a wide range of accessible metal oxidation states through the formation of mixed-valent U­(VI)/U­(V) and U­(V)/U­(IV) species in solution

Structural Characterization and Redox Activity of a Uranyl Dimer and Transition-Metal Complexes of a Tetradentate BIAN Ligand

The synthesis and characterization of a new ligand system combining the redox-active backbone of Ar-BIANs (<i>N</i>,<i>N</i>′-bis­[(aryl)­imino]­acenaphthenes) and a mixed-donor O–N–N–O salen-type binding pocket is reported. Complexes of Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and UO₂²⁺ were prepared and characterized through single-crystal X-ray diffraction and electrochemical studies. The Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺ complexes have been used as references against which to compare the unique behaviors exhibited by the uranyl (UO₂²⁺) complex, as the latter forms two distinct solid-state structures with unusual oxo contacts to CH₂Cl₂ and CHCl₃ and displays a rich electrochemical profile that indicates a wide range of accessible metal oxidation states through the formation of mixed-valent U­(VI)/U­(V) and U­(V)/U­(IV) species in solution