Le Paléolithique supérieur dans l’île d’Hokkaïdo

Since the discovery of the first Paleolithic site in Hokkaido, we consider that the time in the half more than centuries already passed, and float today. However, our research is still a way. By today, we have not discovered the trace about a Pithecantropines (Homo erectus) and a Paleanthropic man (Homo sapiens neanderthalensis) at all in this region. We know that a Neanthropic man (Homo sapiens sapiens) dominated all the continents except Antarctica in the final time of the Pleistocene era. And they passed along the dried shoal which appeared to the north in the same time from the Asian Continent to the Island of Hokkaido, and reached it to this place. The first attainment time is an age which exceeds 20,000-years before a little from the present. We are not checking a fact which exceeds it you to be much. However, the habitants of these beginnings left the trace of the activity of them in large numbers, so that he was wonderful to inside of this island. The studies-of-prehistory research in Hokkaido has little proof of the natural science field concerned on age determination or chronology. This has serious restriction. However, the tephra-chronology of volcanic ashes has played the big role uniquely. The eruption of the Eniwa volcano of the Hokkaido central part is especially a very important index. This volcano blows off ash fall (En-a) in large quantities, and covered all large ranges. This deposited volcanic-ashes layer plays a big role to discernment of an old industry and a recent industry on the cultural chronology. The obsidian from this island and nearby hard shale was used for many industries of this Upper Paleolithic cultures as main materials. Although obsidians in the island where the different four outcrops are known well. This rock was mined in large quantities, and was carried in various places. As well as many examples in the world, we divided this rock, and the human beings of the prehistoric age were demanded for it, and it was often utilized. In it, especially the outcrop of Shirataki was located in the northern part of Hokkaido, and was very important. Large quantities of obsidian from Shirataki outcrop is discovered in a large number of Paleolithic sites within a segment 700 km in diameter at least. It covered the territory in Hokkaido and circulated further also except this island. This fact circulated as important trade materials on stone-tool fabrication among the human-beings groups from whom this island's every place differed. In this time, human beings’ activity in Hokkaido is a clear proof, which was not isolated at all. As for the studies of the prehistorians of Hokkaido distinguish, the exception put the technical process of eight different microblade productions. The technical process of some of them was limited only to the specific narrow area. Or it is proved that other technical processes are widely connected with the human-beings group of the Asian Continent on the contrary. At present, our research grasps the whole second-half Paleolithic culture, and has not yet established the year system edited by locally complete. The oldest industry of this area composed the typical stone tool of second-half Paleolithic culture from the beginning, and was accompanied by the manufacturing technique of a braid and microblade. The feature is the example in which the ruins of Kashiwadai-I were most excellent. These ruins correspond at time older than deposition of the Eniwa volcano tephra. It is located at the chill time in the second half of a Würm glacial period. The second continuing step is an industry of succession newer than this volcano tephra. It is raised as an example with Ôsatsu-16 typical ruins etc. The third phase is an industry of the end term of second-half Paleolithic culture. It is simultaneously located in the dawn of Jōmon culture. The feature of this cultural aspect is a transitional cultural stage which earthenware appears and is called what is called “Sub-Neolithic-Culture”. We can check having passed expansively, while the aspect of this last continues within a short period of time relatively.     

东亚和东南亚旧石器初期重型工具的类型学：评Movius的分类体系

实践证明,Ｍｏｖｉｕｓ在本世纪４０年代建立的东亚,东南亚旧石器分类体系有严重缺陷。经过厘定,目前在欧洲和非洲通用的吹斫器,手斧,薄刃斧,手镐,球状器和刮削器等分类概念,也适用于东亚,东南亚旧石器初期的重型工具工业。     

Impact of climatic variability on parameters used in typology and ecological quality assessment of surface waters—implications on the Water Framework Directive

In most cases the negative impacts of climate change to aquatic ecosystems cannot be mitigated by measures in the river basin management. Ignoring climate change by the Water Framework Directive may have strong implications for the typology and quality assessment systems used for water bodies. As a result of climate change, water bodies, especially those located near the type boundaries may change their type. Compared to typology characteristics, water quality parameters are even more labile and may be easily affected by climate change. The paper exemplifies that the anticipated deterioration of water quality within the time frame relevant for WFD implementation may be large enough to endanger the fulfillment of the set water quality objectives. The review of the river basin characterization every six years, as required by the WFD, might also include re-evaluation of reference conditions according to the changes observed at pristine reference sites. As a consequence, the restoration targets (i.e., the good ecological status) would also need to be evaluated periodically.     

Diversity and multiplicity in the Asian Acheulian

The emergence of the Acheulian Techno-Complex in Asia appears to have occurred quasi-concurrently in the Levant, South Asia, East and South Africa. Throughout many parts of the huge geographical expanse of Asia, as elsewhere, this genesis was followed by the rapid diffusion of Acheulian techno-behaviors. This phenomenon of cultural radiation is attested in the archeological record throughout the Old World by an increased number of occurrences documenting growing demographic trends of Acheulian peoples, into the latter phases of the Middle Pleistocene. The “Homogeneity to Multiplicity Model” (HMM) is used here to provide a window for understanding the mechanisms behind the evolutionary changes observed throughout the very long duration and extensive geographical context of the Asian Acheulian. Since the beginning of the 19th century, Asia has continuously provided archeological evidence that is vital to our understanding of the “Acheulian revolution” and the plausible links it may have had with the appearance and evolution of Homo erectus s. l. The emphasis traditionally put on handaxes as hallmarks of Acheulian culture has falsely led many archeologists to propose models of cultural diffusion that have masked the true nature of the Acheulian as a worldwide phenomenon in which Asia has always played a key role.     

Blood,sweat and plaster casts: Reviewing the history,composition, and scientific value of the Raymond A. Dart Collection of African Life and Death Masks

This paper addresses the history, composition and scientific value of one of the most comprehensive facemask collections in Africa, the Raymond A. Dart Collection of African Life and Death Masks. Housed within the School of Anatomical Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), it comprises 1110 masks (397 life, 487 death, 226 unknown). Life masks represent populations throughout Africa; death masks predominately southern Africa. Males preponderate by 75%. Recorded ages are error prone, but suggest most life masks are those of <35 year-olds, death masks of 36+ year-olds. A total of 241 masks have associated skeletons, 209 presenting a complete skull.Life masks date between 1927 and c.1980s, death masks 1933 and 1963. This historical collection presents uncanny associations with outmoded typological and evolutionary theories. Once perceived an essential scientific resource, performed craniofacial superimpositions identify the nose as the only stable feature maintained, with the remaining face best preserved in young individuals with minimal body fat. The facemask collection is most viable for teaching and research within the history of science, specifically physical anthropology, and presents some value to craniofacial identification. Future research will have to be conducted with appropriate ethical considerations to science and medicine.     

Typologie et provenance de l’obsidienne du site néolithique d’A Guaita (NW Cap Corse,Corse, France)

The provenance of a large fraction of the obsidians from the Neolithic site of A Guaita was determined for its three chronocultural layers, between the second half of the 6th millennium and the beginning of the 4th millennium. The elemental composition of 140 samples was obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM–EDS) and/or ion beam analysis (PIXE). One hundred and thirty-eight obsidians were found to come from Sardinia and the remaining two from Palmarola Island. This result confirms the almost unique presence of Sardinian obsidians in Corsica and extends this observation to the northern end of the island. The three main Sardinian obsidian types, SA, SB2, and SC, are represented at A Guaita, with a predominance of SB2 and SC. The occurrence of two obsidians from Palmarola suggests that occasional contacts with the Italian Peninsula were in effect from the 6th millennium, in agreement with previous data from ceramics.     

白岩脚洞石器类型的研究

本文讨论和分析了贵州普定白岩脚洞发现的砾石石器(砍砸器)和石片石器的类型。刮削器数量多,类型复杂,加工精致;尖状器数量较少,加工也不很精致;端刮器和修背石刀不太发达;雕刻器和凹缺刮器并不发达;砍砸器仍占相当比例。     

旧石器时代早期石核分类方法试析

石核是石制品的重要类型,对于揭示早期人类对原料的利用程度、技术发展序列和认知能力等具有重要作用。对于旧石器时代早期石核类型的划分,中国学者经常以台面数量的多少作为标准。但是,这一分类方法忽视了石核剥片技术的多样性,难以深入揭示古人类石器技术及相关行为与认知能力等方面的信息。目前,国际同行所使用的旧石器时代早期石核分类方法多样,其中以Mary Leakey、J.Desmond Clark、Glynn Isaac、Eric Boёda、Kathleen Kuman和Ignacio de la Torre所建立和使用的分类体系最具代表性。本文对中国旧石器时代早期石核类型划分进行回顾,并对上述几种石核分类体系进行评述和比较,分析各自的优劣。在此基础上,对今后国内相关研究工作进行讨论。     

Morphology and anatomy of inflorescence and inflorescence axis in Paepalanthus sect. Diphyomene Ruhland (Eriocaulaceae,Poales) and its taxonomic implications

Paepalanthus sect. Diphyomene has inflorescences arranged in umbels. The underlying bauplan seems however to be more complex and composed of several distinct subunits. Despite appearing superficially very similar, the morphology and anatomy of the inflorescences can supply useful information for the understanding of the phylogeny and taxonomy of the group. Inflorescences of Paepalanthus erectifolius, Paepalanthus flaccidus, Paepalanthus giganteus, and Paepalanthus polycladus were analyzed in regard to branching pattern and anatomy. In P. erectifolius, P. giganteus and P. polycladus the structure is a tribotryum, with terminal dibotryum, and with pherophylls bearing lateral dibotrya. In P. flaccidus, the inflorescence is a pleiobotryum, with terminal subunit, and without pherophylls. Secondary inflorescences may occur in all species without regular pattern. Especially when grown in sites without a pronounced seasonality, the distinction between enrichment zone (part of the same inflorescence) and new inflorescences may be obscured. The main anatomical features supplying diagnostic and phylogenetic information are as follows: (a) in the elongated axis, the thickness of the epidermal cell walls and the cortex size; (b) in the bracts, the quantity of parenchyma cells (c) in the scapes, the shape and the presence of a pith tissue. Therefore, P. sect. Diphyomene can be divided in two groups; group A is represented by P. erectifolius, P. giganteus and P. polycladus, and group B is represented by P. flaccidus. The differentiation is based in both, inflorescence structure and anatomy. Group A presents a life cycle and anatomical features similar to species of Actinocephalus. Molecular trees also point that these two groups are closely related. However, inflorescence morphology and blooming sequence are different. Species of group B present an inflorescence structure and anatomical features shared with many genera and species in Eriocaulaceae. The available molecular and morphology based phylogenies still do not allow a precise allocation of the group in the bulk of basal species of Paepalanthus collocated in P. sect. Variabiles. The characters described and used here supply however important information towards this goal.     

Existe-t-il un Paléolithique inférieur au Japon ?

All Lower Paleolithic sites discovered by Mr. Shinïchi FUJIMURA from 1981 to 2000 were falsified by himself. We wonder if Lower Paleolithic sites really exist (corresponding to a period of 30,000 years ago in Japan) in the archipelago of Japan. We examined cultures of sites likely dating to the Early Upper Paleolithic and Lower Paleolithic discovered in the archipelago of Japan. While Japan was continuous with the continent in the Mindel glaciation (400,000 years ago) or in the Riss glaciation (200,000 years ago), Homo erectus or Homo heidelbergensis with the lithic industry of the Acheulean arrived in the archipelago of Japan. Thereafter, they survived on the islands of Japan cut the continent to the Upper Paleolithic while keeping the industry.