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The Research Group for Palaeocological and Geoarchaeological Studies (GEPEG) of the University of Barcelona was created in 2005 with the purpose of, among others, conducting phytolith and mineralogical analyses of archaeological sediments to better understand the exploitation of plant resources by past populations, as well as to conduct climatic and vegetation reconstructions, taking into account the different postdepositional processes that can affect the archaeological material.

Along these years of research, GEPEG has created microphotographs of phytoliths that might serve as a reference catalog to identify the phytoliths from the different areas of study.

We are pleased to present the GEPEG Phytolith-Core Reference Collection. This is a new phytolith catalog which is available at http://gepeg.org/enter_PCORE.html

The catalog is based on phytolith images collected from three different sources:
- Modern reference plant material from the study areas.
- Modern soils collected from the same areas as modern plants or from areas that were previously described in terms of vegetation.
- Archaeological material.

The catalog not only provides microphotographs of phytoliths but also related information such as provenience of the sample, date of collection, in the case of modern soil assemblages, description of the vegetation from where the samples were collected, etc.

Single-grain OSL dating at La Grotte des Contrebandiers

Jacobs Z., Meyer M. C., Roberts R. G., Aldeias V., Dibble H.,El Hajraoui M. A. (2011). Single-grain OSL dating at La Grotte des Contrebandiers (‘Smugglers’ Cave’), Morocco: improved age constraints for the Middle Paleolithic levels. Journal of Archaeological Science, 38 (12): 3631-3643.

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) measurements of individual quartz grains are reported for Middle Paleolithic (MP) or Middle Stone Age (MSA) deposits in La Grotte des Contrebandiers, Morocco. Single-grain measurements enable rejection of grains that may lead to under- or over-estimation of age due to malign luminescence properties or remobilisation of grains after burial. We identified the former using a range of experimental procedures and objective rejection criteria. Three post-depositional factors influenced the distribution pattern of equivalent dose (D_e) values for the remaining single grains: the disintegration of roof spall liberating unbleached, older grains into otherwise well-bleached sediments; the intrusion of a small number of younger grains from the overlying Upper Paleolithic deposits; and small-scale differences in the beta dose received by individual grains. Roof spall contamination was a significant problem, so we characterised the OSL signals and obtained D_e values for the calcareous sandstone in which the cave is formed, which allowed bedrock-derived grains in the MP/MSA deposits to be identified and rejected prior to age determination. We collected 31 samples from the MP/MSA deposits, and were able to calculate ages for 30 of them. These ages suggest that MP/MSA occupation of Contrebandiers was restricted to the interval between about 120 and 90 ka ago (Marine Isotope Stages 5d to 5b). Weighted mean OSL ages were obtained for samples associated with archaeologically sterile deposits at the base of the excavations (126 ± 9 ka), followed by two phases of the Moroccan Mousterian (122 ± 5 and 115 ± 3 ka), interspersed with archaeologically sterile deposits (112 ± 4 ka). The base and top of the Aterian were dated to 107 ± 4 and 96 ± 4 ka, respectively. Based on the grand weighted mean ages of 116 ± 3 and 103 ± 3 ka for the Moroccan Mousterian and Aterian at Contrebandiers, we suggest that these two industries may be separated by an occupation hiatus of up to 13 ± 3 ka at this site. Our single-grain OSL chronology confirms previous age estimates obtained for Contrebandiers and other sites in the vicinity, but are generally more precise and stratigraphically more coherent, due to the inherent advantages of measuring individual quartz grains and rejecting contaminant and other unsuitable grains before age determination.

the introduction of the Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) [sacarrabos] in Iberia

Detry C., Bicho N., Fernandes H.,Fernandes C. (2011). The Emirate of Córdoba (756–929 AD) and the introduction of the Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) in Iberia: the remains from Muge, Portugal. Journal of Archaeological Science, 38 (12): 3518-3523.

We describe new finds of Herpestes ichneumon (Egyptian mongoose) from an archaeological context in Portugal, directly 14C dated to c. 800 AD. This is at least two centuries older than a previously reported find of this species from Andalusia (southern Spain; Riquelme-Cantal et al., 2008). Our finding provides further support to the hypothesis that the Muslims introduced this animal to the Iberian Peninsula. In particular, we suggest that Berber settlers might have brought it some time during the Umayyad conquest of Iberia or with the establishment of the Emirate of Córdoba.

Roman villa of Casal de Freiria

Rua H.,Alvito P. (2011). Living the past: 3D models, virtual reality and game engines as tools for supporting archaeology and the reconstruction of cultural heritage – the case-study of the Roman villa of Casal de Freiria. Journal of Archaeological Science, 38 (12): 3296-3308.

“Learn about the past to better understand the present and predict the future”. Although used abundantly to justify our interest in ancient societies, this statement lacks practical meaning due to the high degree of uncertainty which cloaks archaeological studies and theories, and the fact that there is no real way to prove or validate them. That is why it is so important to approach this study from a multidisciplinary point of view, providing several inputs which complement each other and so maximize the amount of factual information drawn from the analysis. Even then, the study will never be truly complete because there will always be a missing document, a small trace of an object (Verhagen, 2008), that still needs to be analysed. This paper aims to be a useful contribution to historical research, specifically to the study of architectural history. Its purpose is to create a series of methods and tools for testing and analysing theories and hypotheses for historical scenarios (Vasáros, 2008) through the use of 3D modelling tools and Virtual Reality (VR) engines. The project was developed in two stages: The first was the creation of several three-dimensional (3D) models, each representing a different theory or hypothesis. The models were based on accurate Computer Assisted Design (CAD) (Autodesk® AutoCAD) models for the reconstruction of the buildings, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (ESRI®) for the recreation of the terrain, thereby creating a realistic representation of what exists now, and a close approximation to what may have once existed. In the second stage, a simplified version of the models was imported into a Virtual Reality (VR) game engine (Bethesda Softworks®) to create the ambience of the villa at the time, allowing full exploration of the space. It also includes fauna and flora, as well as Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven avatars, as can be seen in the Video 1 provided in the electronic version of this manuscript.

Investigadores portugueses no último volume do Journal of Archaeological Science

O último volume do Journal of Archaeological Science conta com três artigos com participações e principais autorias de investigadores portugueses. Dois dos investigadores são colaboradores deste blogue, Cleia Detry e Vera Aldeias. Eis as referências:

Detry C., Bicho N., Fernandes H.,Fernandes C. (2011). The Emirate of Córdoba (756–929 AD) and the introduction of the Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) in Iberia: the remains from Muge, Portugal. Journal of Archaeological Science, 38 (12): 3518-3523.

Jacobs Z., Meyer M. C., Roberts R. G., Aldeias V., Dibble H.,El Hajraoui M. A. (2011). Single-grain OSL dating at La Grotte des Contrebandiers (‘Smugglers’ Cave’), Morocco: improved age constraints for the Middle Paleolithic levels. Journal of Archaeological Science, 38 (12): 3631-3643.

Rua H.,Alvito P. (2011). Living the past: 3D models, virtual reality and game engines as tools for supporting archaeology and the reconstruction of cultural heritage – the case-study of the Roman villa of Casal de Freiria. Journal of Archaeological Science, 38 (12): 3296-3308.

Colocarei em posts separados os resumos dos três artigos.

Oficina de Fotografia

Estão abertas até 18 de Outubro as inscrições para a Oficina de Fotografia de Objectos de História Natural que irá decorrer no Museu Nacional de História Natural.

Fotografar objectos de história natural, quer para catalogação ou ilustração científica, quer para fins estéticos e decorativos, implica o conhecimento e a correcta utilização de técnicas e materiais de fotografia de estúdio, bem como técnicas específicas de fotografia de cada objecto em causa.

Esta oficina vai desenrolar-se em 36 horas distribuídas ao longo de 6 sábados. Serão
abordadas técnicas gerais de fotografia (incluindo macrofotografia), técnicas gerais de iluminação em estúdio e técnicas especificas de iluminação utilizadas em fotografia de minerais, fósseis, animais naturalizados, animais conservados em álcool, esqueletos, conchas, sementes, plantas em herbário, entre outros. Todo o material necessário para as aulas será disponibilizado pelo MNHNC.
Calendário: Sábados de 22 de Outubro a 26 de Novembro, das 10.00 às 13.00 e das
14.00 às 17.00.

Formadores: José Vicente, Fernando Barriga

Custo: € 190
Inscrições até 18 de Outubro
Inscrições e Informações: MNHNC – 21 392 18 08 | geral@museus.ul.pt
José Vicente – 96 319 39 08 | zepvicente@gmail.com

"Escrita na Comunicação de Ciência"

O Programa WEB, CIBIO-UP, tem o prazer de anunciar a abertura do curso "Escrita na Comunicação de Ciência", que se irá realizar nas instalações do CIBIO no Campus Agrário de Vairão, no dia 28 de Novembro de 2011.

O curso de Escrita na Comunicação de Ciência tem como objectivo contextualizar, discutir e fornecer as ferramentas necessárias para escrever um texto de divulgação de ciência. Os participantes terão oportunidade de interagir com investigadores do CIBIO para a preparação de um texto final, que será publicado num jornal regional português.

O curso terminará com uma sessão de apresentação do projecto “Ciência e Tecnologia na Imprensa Regional Portuguesa”, aberta a todos os interessados. Para mais informações, por favor consulte a página do Programa WEB (http://popgencibio.org/web/).

Formador: António Piedade, bioquímico e coordenador do projecto “Ciência e Tecnologia na Imprensa Regional Portuguesa - Ciência Viva”

Público alvo: população em geral, estudantes, cientistas, jornalistas

Datas importantes

Inscrição: 13 - 23 de Outubro de 2011

Notificação de aceitação: 31 de Outubro de 2011

Confirmação de aceitação (pagamento): 7 de Novembro de 2011

Curso: 28 de Novembro de 2011

Inscrição

. Ficha de inscrição preenchida

. Carta de motivação

. Curriculum Vitae resumido

Os documentos podem ser descarregados na página do Programa WEB (http://popgencibio.org/web/). Por favor, guarde os documentos num só, em formato pdf, designando-o do seguinte modo: ApelidoNomepróprio_ESciComWEBapp.pdf.

Envie o documento final para: ritacampos@mail.icav.up.pt

Preço: 40 euros

[inclui dois coffee-breaks, almoço e material necessário]

Territórios de Fronteira

Vai ter lugar no próximo dia 11 de Outubro o novo ciclo de conferências Territórios de Fronteira no Museu Nacional de Arqueologia. Os três oradores convidados irão focar as suas apresentações no sítio arqueológico da Casa do Governador da Torre de Belém (Lisboa). São eles:

- Sónia Gabriel (IGESPAR, IP)
- Sílvia Valenzuela (UNIARQ; IGESPAR, IP; GRAPCE - U. Barcelona)
- Carlos Fabião (UNIARQ)

O ciclo terá início às 18 horas e é co-organizado pelo Grupo de Estudos em Evolução Humana (GEEvH), pelo Núcleo de Arqueologia e Paleoecologia da Universidade do Algarve (NAP) e pelo Museu Nacional de Arqueologia (MNA).