Terrain Analysis and Stochastic modelling for Archaeological site prediction and landscape reconstruction in the Lake Manyara area, Northern Tanzania

In this study we focus on paleontological sites in the area of Lake Manyara and the Makuyuni River Basin, Northern Tanzania. This region is known for Middle Pleistocene fossil finds and artefacts. To analyze the spatial distribution of potential paleontological find locations we applied two different methodologies based on statistical mechanics and on boosted regression trees. The first one is able to handle presence-only datasets such as the locations proper. The second approach was used to study the variable importance and to derive information on the related geo-processes for classified paleontological sites. The locations and their spatial distribution were retrieved from literature and collected by own field work over the last years. For the modeling we utilized environmental information such as spatially continuous layers of topography (30 m SRTM DEM), derivatives of topography, vegetation information as well as ASTER multispectral data as predictor variables. The results revealpotential areas where further fossil sites may be located. Moreover, we assessed the processes that are related to sites with specific archaeological evidences. Therefore, the sites were grouped in three categories: i) artefacts sites, ii) fossil sites and iii) mixed sites. We applied boosted regression trees to analyse the processes related to the classified sites. The methodology considers not only site specific characteristics but implicitly also the related pedogenetic and morphogenetic processes. We were able to differentiate between artefact and fossil sites.  Moreover, our analyses indicate an influence of transportation processes on the artefacts, whereas deposition of fossils does not seem to involve large scale transportation. Finally, we show that also the landscape can be reconstructed such as the former lake margin

Regionale Erosionsmodellierung unter Verwendung des Konzepts der Erosion Response Units (ERU) am Beispiel zweier Flusseinzugsgebiete im südlichen Afrika

Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Dissertation wurden zwei Flusseinzugsgebiete im südlichen Afrika untersucht. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war es, einen Beitrag zum Verständnis der Erosionsprozessdynamik in semiariden bis subhumiden Flusseinzugsgebieten des südlichen Afrikas zu liefern. Hierzu wurde das Konzept der Erosion Response Units (ERUs) entwickelt. Dieser Ansatz ermöglicht die Identifizierung von Quellen des Sedimenteintrages ins Gewässersystem sowie die Darstellung ihrer räumlichen Verteilung. Gleichzeitig kann auch eine qualitative und quantitative Analyse der Erosionsprozesse und ihrer Dynamik durch eine integrierte distributive Modellierung dieser Prozesse vorgenommen werden. Neben Fernerkundungsmethoden zur Ableitung und Analyse von erosionsrelevanten Daten wurden im Rahmen der Studie auch Geographische Informationssysteme (GIS) als Informationsträger, Analyseinstrument und Dokumentationsmedium eingesetzt

Geballtes Wissen zur Bestandserhaltung: Rückblick auf den diesjährigen Sächsischen Werkstatttag

Der sächsische Werkstatttag für Bestandserhaltung erfreut sich bereits einer langen Tradition und ist als zentrale Fortbildungsveranstaltung fest etabliert. Er wird unter den Kollegen nicht nur aus Sachsen mit entsprechend reger Teilnahme wahrgenommen. Der diesjährige Werkstatttag fand am 24. September 2015 statt. Gastgeberin war die Universitätsbibliothek Leipzig, in deren Bibliotheca Albertina die Veranstaltung ihren schönen Rahmen fand. Das interessierte Fachpublikum war aus Bibliotheken, Archiven und Museen des Freistaates Sachsen angereist und zählte auch viele Gäste aus vier weiteren Bundesländern. Willkommen geheißen wurden außerdem Vertreter des Sächsischen Staatsministeriums für Wissenschaft und Kunst, der Koordinierungsstelle für die Erhaltung des schriftlichen Kulturgutes (KEK) und des Kompetenzzentrums Bestandserhaltung für Archive und Bibliotheken in Berlin und Brandenburg (KBE)

Viticulture in the Laetanian Region (Spain) during the Roman Period: Predictive Modelling and Geomatic Analysis

Geographic information system (GIS)-based predictive modelling is widely used in archaeology to identify suitable zones for ancient settlement locations and determine underlying factors of their distribution. In this study, we developed predictive models on Roman viticulture in the Laetanian Region (Hispania Citerior-Tarraconensis), using the location of 82 ancient wine-pressing facilities or torcularia as response variables and 15 topographical and 6 socio-economic cost distance datasets as predictor variables. Several predictor variable subsets were selected either by expert knowledge of similar studies or by using a semi-automatization algorithm based on statistical distribution metrics of the input data. The latter aims at simplifying modelling and minimizing the necessity of a priori knowledge. Both approaches predicted the distribution of archeological sites sufficiently well. However, the best prediction performance was obtained by an expert knowledge model utilizing a predictor variable combination based on recommendations on viticulture by Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella, the prominent ancient Roman agronomist. The results indicate that the accessibility of a location and its connectivity to trade routes and distribution centres, determined by terrain steepness, was decisive for the settlement of viticultural facilities. With the knowledge gained, the ancient cultivated area and number of wine-pressing facilities needed for processing the vineyard yields were extrapolated for the entire study region

Aspectos geodinámicos de un paleoestuario del desierto marginal de Chile: Río Copiapó

Las formas constituyentes del sistema estuarial del río Copiapó son analizadas durante el período de los últimos 30 años. Los trabajos de fotointerpretación y de terreno dan cuenta que durante tal período las formas esenciales del estuario no han sufrido cambios significativos, en tanto las del complejo estuarial, tales como la laguna estuarial, la playa arenosa y las dunas sí han presentado modificaciones. Los elementos morfológicos más significativos para la comprensión de estos fenómenos de cambio, han sido la hidrodinámica del oleaje y su correlación espacial con algunas componentes de la zona de surf y el continuum dunar. Las formas esenciales presentan una estabilización en su dinámica, lo que permite considerar al sistema estuarial del Copiapó, como un paleoestuario. In this investigation we analyze the evolution of forms that constitute the Copiapo River estuarine system during the past 30 years. Through photo interpretation and field work is possible to realize that during the period, the essential forms of the estuary haven't manifest significant changes, on the other hand, estuarine complex such as the estuarine lagoon, sandy beach and dunes have presented modifications. The most significant morphological elements in order to understand these phenomena of changes have been the dynamics of waves and their spatial correlation with the width of the surf zone and dune continuum. The basic shapes present stabilization in their dynamic, which allows us to consider the estuarine system of Copiapo, a paleoestuario

Macular hole surgery: an analysis of risk factors for the anatomical outcome with special emphasis on the experience of the surgeon

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors for the anatomical and functional outcomes of macular hole (MH) surgery with special emphasis on the experience of the surgeon. Methods: A total of 225 surgeries on idiopathic MHs (IMHs) performed by 6 surgeons with a mean follow-up period of 20.5 months were reviewed in this retrospective study. Outcome parameters focused on IMH closure, complications and visual acuity improvement. The results of MH surgeries performed by experienced surgeons were compared to those of surgeons in training. Results: The average MH size was 381 µm (standard deviation [SD]=168). Brilliant blue G (BBG) for internal limiting membrane (ILM) staining was used in 109 (48%) eyes and indocyanine green (ICG) in 116 (52%) eyes. As endotamponade, 20% SF6 was used in 38 (17%) cases, 16% C2F6 in 33 (15%) cases and 16% C3F8 in 154 (68%) cases. IMH closure was achieved in 194 eyes (86%). Mean preoperative visual acuity was 0.84 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (log MAR; SD=0.29, range: 0.3–1.5); surgery led to a mean improvement of 0.40 (SD=0.37) log MAR. Although the MH closure rate was the same using BBG or ICG for ILM peeling, visual acuity improvement was better in eyes peeled with BBG compared to eyes peeled with ICG (log MAR: BBG: 0.38 [95% CI: 0.32, 0.44] vs ICG: 0.48 [95% CI: 0.42, 0.54], P=0.029). Surgeons with previous experience in vitreoretinal surgery of ≥6 years achieved better visual outcomes compared to surgeons with 0–3 years of experience, regardless of the MH size, preoperative visual acuity, time to follow-up or dye used for ILM peeling (0–3 years [0.27, ∆log MAR] vs ≥6 years [0.43, ∆log MAR], P=0.009). Conclusion: Our results indicate that vitrectomy with ILM peeling performed by non-experienced surgeons is a safe procedure leading to good anatomical and functional results. Very experienced surgeons may achieve even better functional outcomes

assessment of natural hazards and vulnerability in the rio copiapo catchment a case study in the ungauged quebrada cinchado catchment

Las precipitaciones intensas en zonas desérticas son un fenómeno escaso. Sin embargo, cada ciertotiempo estos fenómenos pueden ocurrir, como sucedió en el año 1997, en la zona sur del Desierto deAtacama, Chile. El área de estudio, la cuenca del río Copiapó es un área intensamente explotada confines agrícolas, con viñedos para la producción de uva de mesa de exportación, que son regados conagua del río Copiapó y de los acuíferos subterráneos. La actividad agrícola se centra principalmenteen el fondo de valle, en laderas y conos aluviales, como también en subcuencas que se activan encaso de eventos de precipitación concentrada. Consecuentemente, se investigan los geo-amenazasrelacionadas con los eventos de precipitación a fin de poder evaluar el riesgo para la población y laszonas agrícolas asociadas. Se aplicó un modelo hidrológico y se calibró en la cuenca de la Quebradade Cinchado, afluente esporádico del río Copiapó. Se evidencia que eventos climáticos como los delas inundaciones de junio de 1997 pueden generar inundaciones y descargas de sedimentos que ponenen peligro a la población y las zonas agrícolas. La metodología aplicada permite la cuantificación delriesgo de inundaciones y flujos de barro como también evaluar la distribución espacial de los peligrosde origen natural

evaluacion de la amenaza natural en ambiente semiarido sustentada en la geomorfologia y el modelamiento de indices topograficos salamanca region de coquimbo chile

En el marco de las trasformaciones territoriales en el valle del río Choapa, se analizan los procesos dinámicos de la cuenca, y cómo éstos pueden verse modificados debido a las intervenciones antrópicas. En el dominio semiárido, tanto el paisaje natural como el antropizado, presentan una respuesta dinámica actual de diversa intensidad e impacto ante eventos pluviométricos principalmente al fenómeno de El Niño. La agricultura intensiva que se está desarrollando en laderas, conos, glacis, es una actividad incipiente pero en incremento, generando transformaciones topográficas, de cobertura vegetal y de suelo. Se analiza la geomorfología como formas heredadas y sus procesos dinámicos. Junto con la carta geomorfológica, se aplican modelos topográficos que complementan el análisis morfológico y contribuyen a deducir una condición dinámica. A partir de ello se modela la amenaza natural, para dos sectores específicos, Salamanca y Panguesillo. Si bien el marco geomorfológico es similar, no lo es en cuanto a uso del suelo y nivel de amenaza natural