Geophysical archaeological prospection, the road ahead ...

We provide an overview of challenges and possible promising developments that lie ahead in the field of archaeological geophysics. The presented ideas can serve as blueprints for exciting new developments

A semi-autonomous driverless geophysical survey system for efficient large-scale high-resolution archaeological prospection

This research and development project aims to evaluate the feasibility of conducting large-scale autonomous ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys. An electric autonomous implement carrier was used to integrate a 22-channel GPR array. This innovative approach shows promise for advancing GPR survey capabilities in the future

Documenting Bronze Age Akrotiri on Thera using laser scanning, image-based modelling and geophysical prospection

The excavated architecture of the exceptional prehistoric site of Akrotiri on the Greek island of Thera/Santorini is endangered by gradual decay, damage due to accidents, and seismic shocks, being located on an active volcano in an earthquake-prone area. Therefore, in 2013 and 2014 a digital documentation project has been conducted with support of the National Geographic Society in order to generate a detailed digital model of Akrotiri’s architecture using terrestrial laser scanning and image-based modeling. Additionally, non-invasive geophysical prospection has been tested in order to investigate its potential to explore and map yet buried archaeological remains. This article describes the project and the generated results

A voz indígena em “Meu tio o iauaretê”, de Guimarães Rosa

o artigo propõe uma leitura do conto “Meu tio o Iauaretê”, de Guimarães Rosa, a partir da questão da voz e de aspectos da cultura indígena: o recorrente uso de termos do tupi-guarani e o aproveitamento de uma das mais conhecidas lendas amazônicas, a lenda da Iara, sereia dos rios cuja voz, canto e beleza atraem um jovem índio em direção à morte. O conto é narrado por um onceiro que, conforme fala, sofre uma metamorfose em onça. Com isso, a narrativa se elabora nas fronteiras entre humanidade e animalidade, entre palavra vocalizada e ruído animal sem sentido, bem como entre o português e o tupi-guarani

Magnetic surveys of Early and Middle Neolithic settlements in Austria

Introduction Archaeological prospection has become more important during the last few decades because of technical developments in hard- and software. Magnetic prospecting using high resolution multisensor caesium-gradiometer systems with sensitivities of 0.005 nT is used for detailed mapping of sites detected by aerial archaeology. The instrumentation makes it possible to measure up to 1 ha/h with a resolution of 0.5 x 0.125 m. All prospection data are integrated into a GIS which provides th..

How much rain is too much for a GPR survey? Results of the Borre Monitoring Project

Soil moisture variation is complex and depends on a range of factors, which complicates the formulation of recommendations for GPR surveys. Low amounts of soil moisture produced GPR data of higher quality. However, precipitation rates as well as chronological sequence of precipitation/thawing processes and the GPR survey are of importance. Winter months can offer favorable conditions for GPR surveys if temperatures remain negative over a prolonged time period, allowing for frost to build in the ground. Results of the Borre Monitoring Project (BMP) are valid only for sites with similar settings as Borre; the monitoring approach, however, can be transferred to larger regions with more representative sites

IgG-index predicts neurological morbidity in patients with infectious central nervous system diseases

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Prognosis assessment of patients with infectious and neoplastic disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) may still pose a challenge. In this retrospective cross-sectional study the prognostic value of basic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters in patients with bacterial meningitis, viral meningoencephalitis and leptomeningeal metastases were evaluated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>White blood cell count, CSF/serum glucose ratio, protein, CSF/serum albumin quotient and Immunoglobulin indices for IgG, IgA and IgM were analyzed in 90 patients with bacterial meningitis, 117 patients with viral meningoencephalitis and 36 patients with leptomeningeal metastases in a total of 480 CSF samples.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the initial spinal tap, the IgG-index was the only independent predictor for unfavorable outcome (GOS < 5) in patients with infectious CNS diseases but not in patients with leptomeningeal metastases. The sensitivity and specificity of an IgG-index of 0.75 and higher for predicting unfavorable outcome was 40.9% and 80.8% in bacterial meningitis and 40% and 94.8% in viral meningoencephalitis, respectively. No significant associations between CSF parameters and outcome could be observed in follow-up CSF samples.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present study suggests that in infectious CNS diseases an elevated IgG-Index might be an additional marker for the early identification of patients at risk for neurological morbidity.</p

Die Ergebnisse der interdisziplinären stratigraphischen Grabung Schwarzenbach-Burg, Schnitt 5, 2002 bis 2003

Bei der Fundstelle Schwarzenbach/Burg handelt es sich um eine befestigte Höhensiedlung verschiedener Zeitstellungen im südöstlichen Niederösterreich. Diese Arbeit befasst sich mit der Auswertung der stratigraphischen Grabung Schnitt 5, 2002-2003, im Gipfelbereich des Burgberges. Ziel der Arbeit war es die über 400 einzelnen Stratifikationseinheiten aufgrund ihrer stratigraphischen Beziehungen zueinander und des aus ihnen stammenden Fundmaterials, in eine zeitliche Abfolge zu bringen und, sofern möglich, einzelnen archäologischen Strukturen, wie beispielsweise Hausgrundrissen, zuweisen zu können. Als Grundlage für diese Analyse standen Daten aus mehreren geophysikalischen Prospektionskampagnen, der stratigraphischen Grabung und ihrer digitalen Dokumentation sowie das gesamte Fundmaterial zur Verfügung. Die Auswertung erfolgte auf Basis einer überarbeiteten Harris-Matrix und eines GIS-Projektes mit allen relevanten Daten. Aufgrund der umfassenden digitalen Dokumentation (Totalstation, 3D Laserscanner, Digitalfotografie) stand ein vollständiger dreidimensionaler Datensatz der gesamten archäologischen Stratifikation zur Verfügung. Darauf basierend erfolgte eine Interpretation der archäologischen Stratifikation, die während der Ausgrabung nur bedingt erfolgen kann. Es konnten zahlreiche, eindeutige Siedlungsstrukturen des Neolithikums, der Bronzezeit, der Eisenzeit sowie der Völkerwanderungszeit festgestellt werde, sowie weitere Hinweise auf Nutzung des betreffenden Areals im Mittelalter und der Neuzeit. Besonders die gut fassbaren neolithischen und frühbronzezeitlichen Strukturen stellen wesentliche neue Erkenntnisse über die Siedlungsgeschichte im ostösterreichischen Raum dar. Aufgrund der nun vorliegenden Ergebnisse kann eine weitere, chronologische und typologische Auswertung des Fundmaterials erfolgen.The site of Schwarzenbach/Burg is a fortified hillfort in south-eastern Lower Austria, which was populated during different prehistoric and protohistoric periods. It is most known for its late Iron Age fortified settlement - a so called oppidum. This thesis is the analysis of the stratigraphic excavations at trench 5, 2002-2003, close to the summit of the so called Burgberg. More than 400 single units of stratification were observed and documented during the excavation. The aim of this work is to periodize and interpret the archaeological stratification. Digital data of multiple geophysical prospection campaigns and the documentation of the excavation as well as the entire finds were the basis for the analysis. A revised Harris-Matrix and a newly setup GIS-project including all relevant data were the starting point for this work. Due to the complete digital documentation (using a total station, different 3D laser scanners and digital photography) a virtual, three-dimensional reconstruction of the stratification was possible and allowed an interpretation of the data which might not have been possible during the excavation. Various settlement structures of the Neolithic, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age and the Migration period could be observed as well as traces of further utilization of the area during the Middle Ages and the World War II. In particular the results for the Neolithic and the Early Bronze Age display important new knowledge for the prehistory of this region