Ostracods in archaeological sites along the Mediterranean coastlines: three case studies from the Italian peninsula

Ancient harbour basins, lagoons and coastal lake sediments buried beneath the Mediterranean delta plains can be considered as long-term archives of anthropogenic impacts. The benefits of a micropalaeontological approach in studying archaeological sites located in marginal marine environments are that the archaeologically biased picture can be strongly enriched by detailed palaeolandscapes information. In marginal marine environments, ostracods are known to be excellent indicators because: (1) many species have a well-known tolerance to salinity variations; (2) the analysis of population structure provides good indications about the autochthony of the assemblage; and (3) they react to even subtle environmental changes, both natural and anthropogenically forced, in terms of densities, distribution of selected species and phenotypic traits. Examples of ostracod studies will focus on three site typologies: buried landlocked harbours, fluvial harbours and coastal lagoons/lakes. In those studies, the use of different but complementary approaches (archaeology v. micropalaeontology) allowed the reconstruction of diachronic landscapes, linking the natural evolution of coastal and alluvial plains to regional population and settlement dynamics

Palynology and ostracodology at the Roman port of ancient Ostia (Rome, Italy)

peer reviewedNew detailed palynological and ostracodological analyses together with texture data from a sediment core drilled in Ostia Antica confirm the existence of the ancient Ostia harbour and its location by the Tiber River. Using the different proxies analysed in this work and chronologically framing the sediment record with three AMS radiocarbon dates, four phases have been singled out: pre-harbour, harbour bay under fluvial influence, more protected harbour basin and post-harbour phase. Ostracodology is used to reconstruct the marine versus freshwater influence in the basin. Palynology is used to reconstruct the plant landscape and the surrounding environment. Phases with low pollen concentration and expansions of NPPs suggest soil erosion and are alternated with quieter ones, where human impact was very clear. Deciduous oaks typical of coastal plain forests are the main taxon during the harbour phases. The occurrence of riparian trees increases in periods with low pollen concentration, high NPPs and very high pine percentages. These should be the periods in which important sediment inputs inside the harbour basin arrived and could be the expression of intense flooding phases. The comparison between the ostracod assemblages recovered in the two cores and has led to speculate a complex harbour structure. A separation could explain the micropalaeontological differences between the cores. Thus, we suggest that a pier must have been built in order to protect the inner harbour from the marine influence and to unload the goods transported by the big ships

I sedimenti dei porti imperiali di Roma come archivi dei cambiamenti ambientali e del paesaggio: un approccio multidisciplinare

Roma, Tevere, litorale : Ricerche tra passato e present

I sedimenti dei porti imperiali di Roma come archivi dei cambiamenti ambientali e del paesaggio: un approccio multidisciplinare

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Géoarchéologie du bassin portuaire d’Ostie

International audienc

Géoarchéologie du bassin portuaire d'Ostie

International audienceA high-resolution study was carried out on the stratigraphic sequence of the Ostia harbour basin in Italy. The Soprintendenza Archeologicadi Ostia authorised two cores 12 metres deep. A total of 17 radiocarbon dates provide information for a palaeoenvironmental andgeoarchaeological reconstruction. This chrono-stratigraphy integrates three main stages : the pre-harbour, harbour and post-harboursequence. The pre-harbour features a river-marine mouth environment dated between the 8th and 9th centuries BC. The base of the portsequence is characterised by a dark grey silty clay facies and suggests the existence of a quiet lagoon connected to the river and sea. Itbegins to infill around the middle of the 4th century BC (360 BC) at the earliest, and no later than the end of the 3rd century BC (205 BC).At that time the depth of the basin went down 6 m below the ancient marine biological zero. This is very deep for the time, which impliesthat deep-sea vessels could access the basin. At this period, the sedimentation rate was high, about 2,6 cm/year. Yellow sands broughtby the flooding of the Tiber characterise the top of the port sequence. The protective role of the basin declined from 165 BC to 5 AD.The depth was then only 2,5 m below the ancient sea level and the sedimentation rate slowed to 0,8 cm/year. The basin lost its primaryfunction at the beginning of the Imperial Period when its depth was between only 60 cm (45 BC/25 AD) and 30 cm (80 and 230 AD).Three hiatuses were observed in the stratigraphy : (h1) at -6 m, corresponding to the excavation of the lagoon, (h2) at -2,5 m probablycorresponding to dredging and finally (h3) at -0,50 m corresponding to a decrease in the sedimentation rate or the maintenance of astructure related to a change of function or of the sector.Une étude haute résolution a été menée sur la séquence stratigraphique du bassin portuaire d’Ostie en Italie. Elle est issue de deuxcarottages de 12 m de profondeur autorisés par la Soprintendenza Archeologica di Ostia. Au total, dix-sept datations au radiocarboneviennent appuyer une reconstitution paléoenvironnementale et géoarchéologique. Cette chrono-stratigraphie intègre les trois étapesprincipales : le pré-portuaire, le portuaire et le post-portuaire. Le pré-portuaire se caractérise par un environnement fluvio-marind’embouchure daté entre le IXe et le VIIIe s. av. J.-C. La base de la séquence portuaire se caractérise par un faciès argilo-limoneux grisfoncé ; il s’agit d’un bassin calme en connexion avec le fleuve et la mer. Le remplissage débute au plus tôt au milieu du IVe s. av. J.-C.(360 av. J.-C.) et au plus tard à la fin du IIIe s. av. J.-C. (205 av. J.-C.). À cette époque, la profondeur du bassin atteignait 6 m sous le zéromarin biologique antique. C’est une profondeur très importante pour l’époque et qui implique que les navires de haute mer pouvaientaccéder au bassin. Le taux de sédimentation est élevé : 2,6 cm/an. Le sommet de la séquence portuaire se caractérise par des sablesjaunes apportés par les crues du Tibre. Le rôle protecteur du bassin diminue ainsi entre 165 av. J.-C. et 5 ap. J.-C. La profondeur n’estalors plus que de 2,5 m sous le zéro antique. Le taux de sédimentation ralentit à 0,8 cm par an. Le bassin perd alors sa fonction premièredès le début de la période impériale car sa profondeur n’est plus que de 60 cm vers 45 av. J.-C./25 ap. J.-C. et 30 cm entre 80 et 230 ap.J.-C. Trois hiatus sont observés dans la stratigraphie : (h1) à -6 m, correspondant au creusement du bassin ; (h2) à -2,5 m correspondantprobablement à un dragage ; (h3) à -0,50 m correspondant à une diminution du taux de sédimentation ou à l’entretien d’une structureliée à un changement de fonction de ce secteur

Géoarchéologie du bassin portuaire d'Ostie

International audienceA high-resolution study was carried out on the stratigraphic sequence of the Ostia harbour basin in Italy. The Soprintendenza Archeologicadi Ostia authorised two cores 12 metres deep. A total of 17 radiocarbon dates provide information for a palaeoenvironmental andgeoarchaeological reconstruction. This chrono-stratigraphy integrates three main stages : the pre-harbour, harbour and post-harboursequence. The pre-harbour features a river-marine mouth environment dated between the 8th and 9th centuries BC. The base of the portsequence is characterised by a dark grey silty clay facies and suggests the existence of a quiet lagoon connected to the river and sea. Itbegins to infill around the middle of the 4th century BC (360 BC) at the earliest, and no later than the end of the 3rd century BC (205 BC).At that time the depth of the basin went down 6 m below the ancient marine biological zero. This is very deep for the time, which impliesthat deep-sea vessels could access the basin. At this period, the sedimentation rate was high, about 2,6 cm/year. Yellow sands broughtby the flooding of the Tiber characterise the top of the port sequence. The protective role of the basin declined from 165 BC to 5 AD.The depth was then only 2,5 m below the ancient sea level and the sedimentation rate slowed to 0,8 cm/year. The basin lost its primaryfunction at the beginning of the Imperial Period when its depth was between only 60 cm (45 BC/25 AD) and 30 cm (80 and 230 AD).Three hiatuses were observed in the stratigraphy : (h1) at -6 m, corresponding to the excavation of the lagoon, (h2) at -2,5 m probablycorresponding to dredging and finally (h3) at -0,50 m corresponding to a decrease in the sedimentation rate or the maintenance of astructure related to a change of function or of the sector.Une étude haute résolution a été menée sur la séquence stratigraphique du bassin portuaire d’Ostie en Italie. Elle est issue de deuxcarottages de 12 m de profondeur autorisés par la Soprintendenza Archeologica di Ostia. Au total, dix-sept datations au radiocarboneviennent appuyer une reconstitution paléoenvironnementale et géoarchéologique. Cette chrono-stratigraphie intègre les trois étapesprincipales : le pré-portuaire, le portuaire et le post-portuaire. Le pré-portuaire se caractérise par un environnement fluvio-marind’embouchure daté entre le IXe et le VIIIe s. av. J.-C. La base de la séquence portuaire se caractérise par un faciès argilo-limoneux grisfoncé ; il s’agit d’un bassin calme en connexion avec le fleuve et la mer. Le remplissage débute au plus tôt au milieu du IVe s. av. J.-C.(360 av. J.-C.) et au plus tard à la fin du IIIe s. av. J.-C. (205 av. J.-C.). À cette époque, la profondeur du bassin atteignait 6 m sous le zéromarin biologique antique. C’est une profondeur très importante pour l’époque et qui implique que les navires de haute mer pouvaientaccéder au bassin. Le taux de sédimentation est élevé : 2,6 cm/an. Le sommet de la séquence portuaire se caractérise par des sablesjaunes apportés par les crues du Tibre. Le rôle protecteur du bassin diminue ainsi entre 165 av. J.-C. et 5 ap. J.-C. La profondeur n’estalors plus que de 2,5 m sous le zéro antique. Le taux de sédimentation ralentit à 0,8 cm par an. Le bassin perd alors sa fonction premièredès le début de la période impériale car sa profondeur n’est plus que de 60 cm vers 45 av. J.-C./25 ap. J.-C. et 30 cm entre 80 et 230 ap.J.-C. Trois hiatus sont observés dans la stratigraphie : (h1) à -6 m, correspondant au creusement du bassin ; (h2) à -2,5 m correspondantprobablement à un dragage ; (h3) à -0,50 m correspondant à une diminution du taux de sédimentation ou à l’entretien d’une structureliée à un changement de fonction de ce secteur

Fibrin sealants and axillary lymphatic morbidity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 clinical randomized trials

Axillary dissection is a highly mobile procedure with severe lymphatic consequences. The off-label application of fibrin sealants in the axilla, with the sole aim to eliminate dead space and to provoke sealing of the disrupted lymphatic vessels at the end of axillary dissection, is an experimental procedure to reduce lymphatic morbidity. The aim of our systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate the effects of fibrin sealants on lymphatic morbidity after axillary dissection. Our results show that this experimental procedure is able to decrease the total axillary drainage output, the number of days before the axillary drainage is removed, and the length of hospital stay. However, no effects on the occurrence rate of axillary lymphocele or on the surgical site complications rate were demonstrated Background: use of fibrin sealants following pelvic, paraaortic, and inguinal lymphadenectomy may reduce lymphatic morbidity. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate if this finding applies to the axillary lymphadenectomy. Methods: randomized trials evaluating the efficacy of fibrin sealants in reducing axillary lymphatic complications were included. Lymphocele, drainage output, surgical-site complications, and hospital stay were considered as outcomes. Results: twenty-three randomized studies, including patients undergoing axillary lymphadenectomy for breast cancer, melanoma, and Hodgkin’s disease, were included. Fibrin sealants did not affect axillary lymphocele incidence nor the surgical site complications. Drainage output, days with drainage, and hospital stay were reduced when fibrin sealants were applied (p < 0.0001, p < 0.005, p = 0.008). Conclusion: fibrin sealants after axillary dissection reduce the total axillary drainage output, the duration of drainage, and the hospital stay. No effects on the incidence of postoperative lymphocele and surgical site complications rate are found

Fibrin Sealants and Axillary Lymphatic Morbidity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 23 Clinical Randomized Trials.

BACKGROUND use of fibrin sealants following pelvic, paraaortic, and inguinal lymphadenectomy may reduce lymphatic morbidity. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate if this finding applies to the axillary lymphadenectomy. METHODS randomized trials evaluating the efficacy of fibrin sealants in reducing axillary lymphatic complications were included. Lymphocele, drainage output, surgical-site complications, and hospital stay were considered as outcomes. RESULTS twenty-three randomized studies, including patients undergoing axillary lymphadenectomy for breast cancer, melanoma, and Hodgkin's disease, were included. Fibrin sealants did not affect axillary lymphocele incidence nor the surgical site complications. Drainage output, days with drainage, and hospital stay were reduced when fibrin sealants were applied (p < 0.0001, p < 0.005, p = 0.008). CONCLUSION fibrin sealants after axillary dissection reduce the total axillary drainage output, the duration of drainage, and the hospital stay. No effects on the incidence of postoperative lymphocele and surgical site complications rate are found