The building stone of the Roman city of Lixus (NW Morocco): provenance, petrography and petrophysical characterization

The characterization of building materials is a key tool to assess deterioration processes and improve potential restoration works of archaeological sites. The aim of this paper is to identify and characterize the most important building stones used in the construction of the Roman city of Lixus (Larache, Morocco) by means of petrographic and petrophysical techniques. Based on the visual analysis of the monuments, three major building stones (i.e. lithotypes) have been identified: i) Oligocene sandstones, ii) Quaternary sandstones and iii) Quaternary conglomerates. Based on the analysis of the regional geology and exploitation marks, these three lithotypes have been recognised to crop out in the surroundings of Lixus and the quarries, presumably Roman in origin, recognized. The Oligocene sandstone is the primary building stone in Lixus as it forms and crops out extensively in the Tchemmis hill, at the top of which the city is settled. The Quaternary sandstones and conglomerates, which represent nearshore deposits and eolianites, crop out along the Atlantic coast where they form part of the cliffs next to Larache. Petrographic results indicate that lithotypes differ notably in grain size, ratio of detrital to allochemical components, and the configuration of their porous system. Mechanical analysis shows that the Oligocene sandstones are more resistant to compression than the Quaternary sandstones and conglomerates, the latter exhibiting relatively low compressive strength. The Oligocene sandstones, which display scarce porosity and permeability, show a hydric behaviour characterized by a very low degree of absorption and desorption water, likely resulting from a poor connectivity of the pore network. Contrary to the latter lithotype, the Quaternary sandstones, which exhibit very high porosity and permeability, display a hydric behaviour characterized by high degree of both absorption and desorption of water. This is attributed to the low degree of cementation compared to porosity of this lithotype and the excellent connectivity of the porous network. Finally, Oligocene and Quaternary sandstones do not show a significant weight loss after the accelerated artificial aging test, indicating that both are slightly affected by salt crystallization and presumably ice formation. Results indicate that the relatively fine state of conservation of the building rocks of Lixus is linked to intrinsic factors such as mineralogy and petrophysical characteristics together with the favourable effect of the climatic condition of the study area

The building stone of the Roman city of Lixus (NW Morocco) : provenance, petrography and petrophysical characterization

Characterization of building material is a key tool to assess deterioration processes and improve potential restoration works of archaeological sites. The aim of this paper is to identify and characterize the building stone used in the construction of the Phoenician-Roman city of Lixus (Larache, Morocco) by means of petrographic and petrophysical technics. Based on the visual analysis of the monuments, three major building stones (i.e., lithotypes) have been identified: (1) Oligocene sandstones, (2) Quaternary sandstones, and (3) Quaternary conglomerates. Based on the analysis of the regional geology and exploitation marks, these three lithotypes have been identified to crop out in the surroundings of Lixus and the quarries, presumably Roman in origin, recognized. The Oligocene sandstone is the primary building stone in Lixus as form and crop out extensively in the Tchemmis hill, at top of which the city is settled. The Quaternary sandstones and conglomerates, which represent nearshore deposits and eolianites, are less abundant as building rocks in Lixus and crop out along the Atlantic coast where form part pf the cliffs close to Larache. Petrographic results indicate that lithotypes differ notably in grain size, ratio of detrital to allochemical components, and the configuration of their porous system. Mechanical analysis show that the Oligocene sandstones are more resistant to compression than the Quaternary sandstones and conglomerates, the latter exhibiting low compressive strength. The Oligocene sandstones, which display scarce porosity and permeability, show a hydric behaviour characterized by a very low degree of absorbing and desorbing water, likely resulting from a poor connectivity of the pore network. Contrary to later lithotype, the Quaternary sandstones and conglomerates, which exhibit very high porosity and permeability, display a hydric behaviour characterized by high degree of both absorbing and desorbing water. This behaviour is attributed to both the low degree of cementation and excellent connectivity of the porous network of the lithotype typical of coastal deposists. Finally, the accelerated artificial aging test they do not show a significant weight loss after twelve cycles of salt crystallization, indicating that the three lithotypes are not vulnerable to sodium sulphate attacks. Results of this study indicate that the good state of conservation of the building rocks of Lixus is linked to intrinsic factors as mineralogy and petrophysical characteristics together with the favourable effect of the climatic condition of the study area

Post-mortem examination of Hospital Inpatient COVID-19 Deaths in Lusaka, Zambia - A Descriptive Whole-body Autopsy Series

BACKGROUND: Since information on the pathology of COVID-19 from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remains scarce, the objective of our study was to define the gross pathology and histological features of COVID-19. We report data from 29 whole-body autopsies of COVID-19 deaths occurring in hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia - the first large autopsy case series from Africa. METHODS: We performed a descriptive post-mortem examination study of inpatient COVID-19 related deaths at two hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia. Whole-body autopsies were conducted according to Standard Operating Procedures. Gross and histopathological examinations of all organs were performed. Patient demographics, history, co-morbidities, autopsy gross and microscopic findings, and cause(s) of death were recorded and analyzed using STATA version 14. Variables were grouped and presented as frequencies and percentages. FINDINGS: Autopsies were performed on 29 decedents (mean age = 44 ± 15.8years; age range = 19-82; 17/29 [58.8%] males). 22/29 [75.9%] cases were <55 years of age. A spectrum of pathological manifestations of COVID-19 were seen in all organs. The commonest causes of death were pulmonary thromboembolism (13/29, 45%), Diffuse Alveolar Damage (9/29, 31%), and COVID-19 pneumonia (7/29, 25%). 22/29 (76%) had co-morbidities. Common co-morbidities included HIV (8/29, 28%), Hypertension (6/29, 20%) Tuberculosis (3/29, 10%), Diabetes (3/29, 10%). CONCLUSIONS: A spectrum of gross anatomical and histopathological findings are seen in COVID-19 deaths in hospitalized decedents. These appear broadly similar to those reported from China, Europe and USA. Differences include a younger age group, and co-morbidities of HIV and TB co-infection which require further investigation

Human occupations of Northern Morocco, Middle and Upper Palaeolithic. New data on the basis of archaeological research projects from 2005 to 2020

Nous présentons dans ce travail, un panorama synthétique des occupations humaines du Nord du Maroc, en mettant l’accent sur l’association des données anthropologiques et des données culturelles, ceci dans un cadre chronologique compris entre le Paléolithique Moyen (MSA) et le Paléolithique Supérieur. Nous présentons aussi les projets développés, durant ces 15 dernières années, et les résultats les plus intéressants que nous avons obtenus. Pour conclure, nous proposons quelques réflexions sur l’évaluation culturelle et historique des enregistrements archéologiques de la région de Tétouan dans les périodes du Paléolithique Moyen et Supérieur.In this work, we present a synthetic panorama of the human occupations of northern Morocco, with an emphasis on the association of anthropological with cultural records, within the framework of the Middle Palaeolithic (MSA) and the Upper Palaeolithic. We also present the projects developed over the past 15 years and the most interesting results we have obtained. And we conclude bay providing some reflections on the cultural and historical evaluation of the archaeological records from the Tetouan region in the Middle and the Upper Palaeolithic phases.Les résultats et les conclusions de cet article ont été obtenus grâce aux études qui ont été réalisées dans le cadre de la coopération scientifique internationale qui a permis le développement des projets de recherches archéologiques durant les quinze dernières années et qu’on peut résumer comme suit : • Les matières premières dans la préhistoire du détroit de Gibraltar. Code A/2893/05. Entités participantes : Université de Cadix (Espagne) et Université Abdelmalek Essaâdi (Maroc). Durée, de janvier 2006 à décembre 2006. Chercheurs responsables : Salvador Domínguez-Bella et Ali Maate. • Etude des collections du Musée Archéologique de Tétouan (I). Début de l’inventaire général et de l’analyse de certaines collections thématiques. Code : A/6867/06. Entités participantes : Université de Cadix (Espagne), Institut National des Sciences de l’Archéologie et du Patrimoine (Rabat) et Université Abdelmalek Esaâdi (Tanger-Tétouan) (Maroc). Durée, de janvier 2007 à décembre 2007. Chercheurs responsables : Mehdi Zouak et José Ramos-Muñoz. • Les matières premières dans la Préhistoire du détroit de Gibraltar. Code A/6317/06. Entités participantes : Université de Cadix (Espagne) et Université Abdelmalek Essaâdi (Maroc). Durée, de janvier 2007 à décembre 2007. Chercheurs responsables : Salvador Domínguez-Bella et Ali Maate. • Contribution à l’élaboration de la Carte archéologique du Nord du Maroc (Région Tanger-Tétouan). Analyse de faisabilité et conception du projet. Code A/5790/06. Entités participantes : Université de Cadix (Espagne) et Université Abdelmalek Esaâdi (Tanger-Tétouan, Maroc). Durée, de janvier 2007 à décembre 2007. Chercheurs responsables : Darío Bernal et Baraka Raissounni. • Étude des collections du Musée Archéologique de Tétouan (II). Début de l’inventaire général et de l’analyse de certaines collections thématiques. Code A/010823/07. Entités participantes : Université de Cadix (Espagne), Institut National des Sciences de l’Archéologie et du Patrimoine (Rabat) et Université Abdelmalek Essaâdi (Maroc). Durée, de janvier 2008 à décembre 2008. Chercheurs responsables : José Ramos-Muñoz. et Mehdi Zouak. • Proposition pour le remodelage du contenu du Musée Archéologique de Tétouan. Code AP/040139/11. Entités participantes : Université Abdelmalek Esaâdi (Tanger-Tétouan) (Maroc) et Université de Cadix (Espagne). Durée, de janvier 2012 à décembre 2012. Chercheurs responsables : José Ramos-Muñoz. et Ali Maate. • Projet Carte Archéologique du Nord du Maroc. Région de Tanger-Tétouan. Codes : DRCTT/08/328 ; DRCTT/09/267 ; DRCTT/ ; DRCTT/09/279 ; DRCTT/10/314, DRCTT/11/106, IRMHS-TT/12-48, IRMHS-TT/459/12, 0-094-2011 (BOE 314, 30-12-2011). Organismes de financement : AECID, Junta de Andalucía (Groupe PAI-HUM-440), Université de Cadix (Espagne). Entités participantes : Institut Nacional des Sciences de l’Archéologie et du Patrimoine (Rabat), Université Abdelmalek Esaâdi (Tanger-Tétouan) (Maroc) et Université de Cadix (Espagne). Durée, de janvier 2008 à décembre 2012. Chercheurs responsables : Mehdi Zouak, Abdelaziz El Khayari, Baraka Raissouni, Darío Bernal-Casasola et José Ramos-Muñoz. • Convention de collaboration pour la création du Laboratoire d’Archéologie et du Patrimoine Meknassi de la Région Tanger-Tétouan et le développement de la recherche archéologique et patrimoniale. Entités participantes : Université Abdelmalek Essaâdi, Université de Cadix et Direction Régionale de la Culture de la Région Tanger-Tétouan. Durée : du 24 mai 2012 au 24 mai 2017. Chercheurs responsables : Mehdi Zouak, Darío Bernal, José Ramos-Muñoz., Baraka Raissouni, Mostapha Ghottes et Tarek Moujoud. • Análisis de sociedades prehistóricas del Paleolítico Medio al Neolítico Final en las dos orillas del Estrecho de Gibraltar. Relaciones y contactos -HAR2017-8734P- (Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad -Agencia Estatal de Investigación, co financé par les fonds FEDER. Chercheurs responsables : José Ramos-Muñoz. et Salvador Domínguez-Bella. Nous tennons donc à remercier tous les chercheurs, les experts et les entités scientifiques, financières et administratives, qui ont permis la réalisation de ces projets de recherches archéologiques de 2005 à 2020

Estratigrafía y evolución paleogeográfica alpina del dominio gomáride (rif interno, Marruecos)

El presente trabajo constituye un estudio estratigráfico y paleogeografico de las distintas unidades que componen el dominio gomaride, con vistas a establecer la evolución alpina del mismo. existen dos dominios fundamentales: 1. La cobertura gomaride ss y los elementos frontales de la cobertura gomaride, con características similares pero también con notables diferencias. En el triasico-eoceno se asiste a una situación de margen distensivo que se transforma a partir del eoceno superior en una zona de compresión orogenica alpina, que alcanza su máximo en el aquitaniense. a partir del burdigaliense inferior cesa el paroximo alpino estableciéndose una situación post-mantos con importantes retoques posterioresTesis Universidad de Granada. Departamento de Estratigrafía y Paleontologí

Discovery of Dogger in the internal limestone dorsale to the S of Tetouan (Northern Rif, Morocco) - Paleogeographic consequences

The Dogger (Bajocian-Lower Bathonian) has been dated for the first time in the internal Limestone Dorsale of the Rif by means of ammonites and radiolarians. It shows radiolarian and nodular limestone facies. It is concluded, then, that radiolarian sedimentation began during the Dogger in this realm, and that a drowning of the `'Ghomaride margin'' occurred at that time

The building stone of the Roman city of Lixus (NW Morocco) : provenance, petrography and petrophysical characterization

Characterization of building material is a key tool to assess deterioration processes and improve potential restoration works of archaeological sites. The aim of this paper is to identify and characterize the building stone used in the construction of the Phoenician-Roman city of Lixus (Larache, Morocco) by means of petrographic and petrophysical technics. Based on the visual analysis of the monuments, three major building stones (i.e., lithotypes) have been identified: (1) Oligocene sandstones, (2) Quaternary sandstones, and (3) Quaternary conglomerates. Based on the analysis of the regional geology and exploitation marks, these three lithotypes have been identified to crop out in the surroundings of Lixus and the quarries, presumably Roman in origin, recognized. The Oligocene sandstone is the primary building stone in Lixus as form and crop out extensively in the Tchemmis hill, at top of which the city is settled. The Quaternary sandstones and conglomerates, which represent nearshore deposits and eolianites, are less abundant as building rocks in Lixus and crop out along the Atlantic coast where form part pf the cliffs close to Larache. Petrographic results indicate that lithotypes differ notably in grain size, ratio of detrital to allochemical components, and the configuration of their porous system. Mechanical analysis show that the Oligocene sandstones are more resistant to compression than the Quaternary sandstones and conglomerates, the latter exhibiting low compressive strength. The Oligocene sandstones, which display scarce porosity and permeability, show a hydric behaviour characterized by a very low degree of absorbing and desorbing water, likely resulting from a poor connectivity of the pore network. Contrary to later lithotype, the Quaternary sandstones and conglomerates, which exhibit very high porosity and permeability, display a hydric behaviour characterized by high degree of both absorbing and desorbing water. This behaviour is attributed to both the low degree of cementation and excellent connectivity of the porous network of the lithotype typical of coastal deposists. Finally, the accelerated artificial aging test they do not show a significant weight loss after twelve cycles of salt crystallization, indicating that the three lithotypes are not vulnerable to sodium sulphate attacks. Results of this study indicate that the good state of conservation of the building rocks of Lixus is linked to intrinsic factors as mineralogy and petrophysical characteristics together with the favourable effect of the climatic condition of the study area

Synthesis and biological evaluation of disubstituted N6- cyclopentyladenine analogues: The search for a neutral antagonist with high affinity for the adenosine A1 receptor

Novel 3,8- and 8,9-disubstituted N6-cyclopentyladenine derivatives were synthesised in moderate overall yield from 6-chloropurine. The derivatives were made in an attempt to find a new neutral antagonist with high affinity for adenosine A1 receptors. N6-Cyclopentyl-9- methyladenine (N-0840) was used as a lead compound. Binding affinities of the new analogues were determined for human adenosine A1 and A 3 receptors. Their intrinsic activity was assessed in [ 35S]GTPγS binding experiments. Elongation of the 9-methyl of N-0840 to a 9-propyl substituent was very well tolerated. A 9-benzyl group, on the other hand, caused a decrease in adenosine A1 receptor affinity. Next, the 8-position was examined in detail, and affinity was increased with appropriate substitution. Most derivatives were A1-selective and 20 of the new compounds (6-9, 15-21, 23-26, 28, 31, 33, 35, and 36) had higher adenosine A1 receptor affinity than the reference substance, N-0840. Compound 31 (N6-cyclopentyl-8-(N-methylisopropylamino)-9- methyladenine, LUF 5608) had the highest adenosine A1 receptor affinity, 7.7 nM. In the [35S]GTPγS binding experiments, derivatives 5, 14, 22, 23, 25, 26, 33 and 34 did not significantly change basal [35S]GTPγS binding, thus behaving as neutral antagonists. Moreover, four of these compounds (23, 25, 26, and 33) displayed a 4- to 10-fold increased adenosine A1 receptor affinity (75-206 nM) compared to N-0840 (852 nM). In summary, we synthesised a range of N-0840 analogues with higher affinity for adenosine A1 receptors. In addition, four new derivatives, LUF 5666 (23), LUF 5668 (25), LUF 5669 (26) and LUF 5674 (33), behaved as neutral antagonists when tested in [ 35S]GTPγS binding studies. Thus, these compounds have improved characteristics as neutral adenosine A1 receptor antagonists. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved