18 research outputs found
Raman and micromorphological characterization of carbonates in plaster-like materials from the Natufian site of Eynan (Ain Mallaha), Israel
The archaeological site of Eynan, located by the spring of Ain Mallaha and on the shores of Lake Hula in the Upper Jordan Valley, Israel, existed for several millennia at the end of the Pleistocene. During the Natufian culture of the Levantine Epipalaeolithic, the site was one of the largest known occupations in the Levant for some millennia (ca. 14,300 - 11,900 cal BP). Remains of Natufian architecture were found, together with evidence of early experimenting with pyrotechnology for the creation of lime plaster. Several features were identified during the excavations as assumed lime plaster installations. Samples investigated by micromorphology methods under the polarizing microscope revealed that while all were composed of calcium carbonate, and some indeed represent anthropogenic burnt lime products, others reflected the results of post-depositional or contemporaneous natural processes rather than technological products. The study of the samples at a molecular level through Raman spectroscopy enables a new methodology for the quick distinction between the features observed by micromorphology
Genetic and environmental factors associated with migraine in schoolchildren
Objective.-The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of migraine and headache in schoolchildren in the United Arab Emirates and to determine the genetic and environmental factors associated with these conditions
The Plastered Skulls from the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B Site of Yiftahel (Israel) â A Computed Tomography-Based Analysis
Excavations at Motza in the Judean Hills and the Early Pre-Pottery Neolithic B in the Southern Levant
International audienceRecent excavations at Motza near Jerusalem revealed a large Neolithic site that was continuously inhabited from the EarlyPPNB until the Pottery Neolithic period. The well-dated Early PPNB occupation comprises various architectural remains, human burials, clay and stone figurines, and rich flint and obsidian assemblages. Layer VI is approximately 2 m thick and consists of three discrete occupational levels with distinct architectural remains. These include curvilinear and rectangular structures with lime plastered floors, courtyards, hearths, and long massive walls of up to 1 m width. This layer is dated by sixteen radiocarbon dates, all falling within the range of 8600-8200 cal. BC. The EPPNB flint assemblage at Motza demonstrates a combination of the continuation of the earlier PPNA traditions together with the introduction of new technological innovations. The formal tools are dominated by Helwan and Jericho points, with many of the former being made on bidirectional blades in the north Levantine mode. Sickle blades are also mainly fashioned on bidirectional blanks. Mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella), the dominant species of the EPPNB faunal remains, indicates that hunting was still important. Gazelle bones were preferred for manufacturing bone tools, continuing PPNA Sultanian practices. Most of the human remains were primary burials, with no preference in the orientation of the bodies, although they were tightly flexed. Graves illustrate various funerary practices although primary inhumations on tightly flexed position are more common. All three primary graves of adults show evidence of later skull removal. Corpse treatment seems nonetheless quite particular at Motza as most of the graves were associated in different ways with remains of plaster, more frequently, as patches mixed in the fi lling of the grave. The archaeological evidence from Motza revises the hypothesis held by some that the PPNB in this region only started in the MPPNB. In addition, the advanced naviform technology and Helwan points present at Motza appear to be chronological markers of this period and together with radiocarbon dates confi rm the existence of this stage of the PPNB in the southern Levant.Les fouilles effectuĂ©es rĂ©cemment Ă Motza, prĂšs de JĂ©rusalem, ont rĂ©vĂ©lĂ© la prĂ©sence dâun important site nĂ©olithique occupĂ© de maniĂšre continue du PPNB ancien au NĂ©olithique cĂ©ramique. Bien datĂ©e, lâoccupation du PPNB ancien a livrĂ© de nombreux vestiges architecturaux, des sĂ©pultures, des fi gurines dâargile et de pierre, ainsi quâune abondante industrie sur silex et obsidienne. Le niveau 6, Ă©pais de prĂšs de deux mĂštres, comporte trois couches dâoccupation successives, prĂ©sentant des restes architecturaux distincts. Ceux-ci incluent des structures curvilinĂ©aires et rectangulaires avec des sols de chaux, des cours, des foyers et des murs massifs de plus dâun mĂštre dâĂ©paisseur. Cette couche est datĂ©e par seize datations radiocarbone toutes comprises entre 8600 et 8200 av. J.-C. (cal.). Lâindustrie lithique de Motza prĂ©sente une combinaison de traditions plus anciennes du PPNA associĂ©es Ă des innovations technologiques. Les pointes dâHelwan et de JĂ©richo dominent lâoutillage et beaucoup sont façonnĂ©es sur des lames bidirectionnelles comme au Levant Nord. La plupart des lames de faucilles sont elles aussi façonnĂ©es sur des produits bipolaires. La gazelle (Gazella gazella) qui dominelâassemblage faunique du PPNB ancien indique que la chasse reste importante Ă cette pĂ©riode. La gazelle sert prĂ©fĂ©rentiellement de support pour lâindustrie osseuse, un choix hĂ©ritĂ© du Sultanien. Les pratiques funĂ©raires sont variĂ©es, mais les inhumations sont majoritairement primaires et la position sur le cĂŽtĂ© en fl exion forcĂ©e domine. Dans les trois inhumations primaires dâadultes, les crĂąnes ont Ă©tĂ© prĂ©levĂ©s aprĂšs dĂ©composition. Le traitement des corps observĂ© Ă Motza se singularise par la prĂ©sence de plĂątre associĂ© aux sĂ©pultures de diverses maniĂšres, particuliĂšrement des morceaux mĂȘlĂ©s au remplissage. Les dĂ©couvertes faites Ă Motza invitent Ă revoir lâhypothĂšse selon laquelle, dans cette rĂ©gion, le PPNB nâaurait dĂ©butĂ© quâavec sa phase moyenne (MPPNB). De plus, la technologie naviforme Ă©voluĂ©e et les pointes dâHelwan prĂ©sentes Ă Motza, apparaissent comme des marqueurs chronologiques de cette pĂ©riode ; associĂ©es aux datations C14, elles confi rment lâexistence de cette phase ancienne du PPNB au Levant Sud