Search Results (4,705)

The production technology and provenance of 22 beads from the Dvāravatī-period site of Khok Phithak at Khu Bua, central Thailand (6th–11th centuries CE), was investigated using a multi-analytical approach combining VP-SEM-EDS, LA-ICP-MS, and micro-Raman spectroscopy. Macroscopic and microstructural evidence indicates that most of the glass beads were manufactured by the drawn-tube method, consistent with the supply of imported Indo-Pacific beads rather than local primary glass production at Khu Bua. However, the assemblage is not technologically homogeneous. From a compositional point of view, 19 beads belong to the m-Na-Al-1 subgroup, linking them to South Asian glassmaking traditions and the large-scale Indo-Pacific bead industry. One bead corresponds to plant-ash soda–lime glass, indicating an additional supply stream, while two outliers, a slag-derived ferruginous glass bead and a chalcedony/agate bead, demonstrate that bead circulation at Khu Bua also involved materials of distinct technological and geological origin. Coloring and opacification technologies, including Pb-Sn opacifiers in green and yellow-green beads and copper-based striking in orange beads, further indicate the use of technologically controlled recipes beyond simple bulk glass import. These results support the interpretation of Khu Bua as an inland consumer center embedded within long-distance Indian Ocean exchange networks. Full article

Introduction: The Roma, historically referred to as “Gypsies” (a term now widely considered pejorative in many contexts), appear to have originated in northern India and settled in Europe in the 14th century, spreading mainly to Eastern and Southern Europe. In Greece, they make up 1.13% of the total population and live in all geographical areas of the country. Aim: The aim of this article is to investigate and study the dietary habits of Roma and their health consequences. Methodology: A literature review was conducted in Medline, PubMed and Scopus databases, using the keywords “nutrition”, “health”, “outcomes”, and “Roma”. Results: In Europe, as well as in Greece, Roma continue to experience poverty, unemployment, socioeconomic inequalities, limited access to health services, and phenomena of racism, despite the efforts of states. These conditions negatively affect their dietary choices, leading to an unhealthy and unbalanced diet, with consequences such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus. Conclusions: The profound gap between Roma and non-Roma populations in Europe requires not only targeted policies but also active interventions by health professionals. These interventions should aim at improving the nutritional status and general healthcare of Roma. Full article

This study examines the socio-economic structure of Rumnos, a village in the district of Devrek in the Ottoman province of Bolu (now in Devrek district, Zonguldak Province, Türkiye), on the basis of Temettuat Register no. 3378, dated 1844–1845. The analysis is confined to a single village and makes no comparisons, and its findings cannot be generalized to the country as a whole; nevertheless, they may provide a model for future research. According to this particular volume of the Temettuat Register, agriculture and animal husbandry were the village’s principal sources of income. The prevalence of occupations directly related to agriculture is remarkable, as it generates the majority of wealth. The types of taxes paid by the tax-liable heads of household, together with their incomes derived from their occupational activities, were identified, and their overall tax burdens were determined. An income distribution analysis using statistical methods was conducted for this study. A Lorenz curve was constructed, and the Gini coefficient was calculated as 0.33. The analysis determined that there was a moderate level of inequality in the income distribution among the households in the village of Rumnos. Full article

The recovery of measurements from the early instrumental period is crucial for improving the quality of historical climate reconstructions, enhancing model calibration, and increasing the reliability of long-term predictions. The study aims to recover, correct, and analyze the daily pressure observations made in Bologna by Jacopo Bartolomeo Beccari and his pupils from 1715 to 1774. The empirical quantile mapping at monthly level using the Padua series as a reference resulted in the most reasonable correction method. The quality of the reconstruction was assessed through a posteriori data analysis at monthly, seasonal, and annual time scales. The reconstructed Bologna series shows general agreement with the contemporary Padua series, in particular in the day-by-day variability and percentile distribution. Moreover, its main features reflect those of the 1961–1990 reference period. The annual cycle is also consistent with the Milan and Venice series for the overlapping periods. The notable difference between the 18th-century pressure observations in Northern Italy and the paleo-reanalysis dataset ModE-RA (Modern Era Reanalysis) is likely due to the fact that instrumental measurements are only assimilated from the 18th century onward. The paper provides a new 18th-century daily dataset and is part of a broader effort aimed at reconstructing the Bologna pressure series up to the present day. Full article

The historical connection between art history and archaeology dates back to the origin of art history in emerging as a discipline from classical archaeology. The practices of both continue to diverge and intersect, rendering an ironic status for both as summarised in this contribution. Ecological approaches to archaeology are problematic, with the role of -scapes (land, sea, sky, etc.) and environments being weighted differently, depending on region, time period, and research questions. These are influenced by broader methodological approaches such as environmental determinism (processualism), traditional art history, field archaeology, and the emphasis of environmental studies on macro (-scape studies) and micro (archaeobotany and phytolith analysis) levels. Field archaeology is by necessity interdisciplinary, requiring different but complementary areas of expertise as discussed below. This contribution will elaborate on the relationship between archaeology, its intersecting disciplines and approaches, and the role of collaboration. It concludes with a brief case study summarising the relationship between trade, complex society, and scapes in the Late Bronze Age (ca. 1700–1200 BCE) Mediterranean and the possible role of climate change, piracy, and religion that caused its collapse in the 12th century BCE. Full article

In the early 20th century and before, architectural styles were distinguished by the various cultures of different regions. However, under rapid globalization, these styles have become similar and seem interchangeable, disconnected from the city and human environment. This phenomenon is known as architectural homogenization. In response to this issue, the research aims to reconsider architectural typology as a strategic tool to reinforce architectural identity through a new proposed methodological approach—the Typology–Identity Matrix Model. The model is grounded in matrix and cross-impact analysis; it examines how typological approaches promote different architectural identity dimensions and uses a ternary scoring system to evaluate their relationships. Furthermore, by applying this model to both qualitative and quantitative analysis, the research could derive a range of design attempts significant for forming architectural identity. In literature and design practices, little research applies typology to form architectural identity; the research bridges these two concepts with the original Typology–Identity Matrix Model. In this way, the designed architecture could integrate the site’s characteristics and spirits, while offering new interpretations in the contemporary context. The outcomes provide practical support for contemporary architectural design and help advance disciplinary awareness at the theoretical level. Full article

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a synthetic derivative of L-cysteine, known since the mid-20th century as a mucolytic agent and, in recent decades, has attracted attention for its antioxidant and antibiofilm properties. Bacterial biofilms are structured communities of microorganisms enclosed in an extracellular polymeric matrix, which accounts for their markedly increased resistance to antibiotics (up to 1000-fold higher than in planktonic forms) and to the host immune response. According to the literature, up to 65% of infectious agents are associated with biofilm formation, making them a challenging therapeutic target. This review systematizes current data on the molecular mechanisms of the antibiofilm action of NAC, including disruption of matrix proteins and polysaccharides, degradation of extracellular DNA, suppression of the quorum sensing system, and disturbance of bacterial redox homeostasis. Particular attention is given to synergistic combinations of NAC with antibiotics of five major classes; effective concentrations are provided, and the types of interaction are characterized. The results of clinical studies from the last decade are reviewed, demonstrating the potential of NAC as an adjuvant in urinary tract infections, chronic rhinosinusitis, diabetic osteomyelitis, and cystic fibrosis. The main limitations (pH dependence, instability, low oral bioavailability) are critically evaluated, and approaches to overcoming them using nanoparticles, hydrogels, and combinations with propolis or chitosan are proposed. The review is intended for researchers in antimicrobial chemotherapy and developers of new drug delivery systems. Full article

This paper focuses on a radical claim that the Lotus Sūtra makes about itself—namely, that it contains the “whole body of the Thus Come One”—and its influence on material expressions of Lotus Sūtra worship in early medieval Japan. Iconographical strategies adopted in some of the copies of the sūtra produced in this period establish the identification between the scripture and relics by, for example, inscribing each character in a stūpa. The practice of burying sūtras, which began in earnest around the second half of the 11th century, extended this logic of identification between scripture and relic. Sūtra tubes, in which sūtra copies were stored before being buried, were at times made to reflect the symbolism of the stūpa, fashioned in the shape of jeweled stūpas or gorintō. These objects—copied sūtras and sūtra receptacles—reveal a great attention paid to discourses present in the Lotus Sūtra concerning the ontological status of the sūtra itself, but also a devotional approach that attempted to project that ontological status of the sūtra as relic onto its material forms of reproduction. The Lotus Sūtra, copied and buried, written and carved, was indeed understood, at least by some, as “the whole body of the Thus Come One.” Full article

Historical art materials have always been a starting point for better understanding artists’ artwork composition, the long-term stability of used formulations and for designing appropriate strategies for conservation. It is important to consider how artists have always been involved over the centuries in the selection and preparation of the materials they used. This changed with the advent of industrial formulations, which were produced and marketed on a large scale, leading to significant changes from the 19th century onwards. In this study, the study of a set of 30 green paint tubes from the Munch Museum collection (Oslo) is presented. The selected investigation method allows for a progressive acquisition of complementary and increasingly detailed information through three multi-analytical steps, involving elemental, spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques, with the aim of characterising these materials in their various inorganic and organic components. Results achieved allow the identification of green pigments’ chemical composition and classification of them in distinct groups, presence of inert additives and characterisation of organic binding media. Degradation processes were also highlighted through the detection of metal soap formations. Full article

This article focuses on a series of cat photographs taken by Belle Johnson, a photographer from Monroe City, Mo., in the early years of the 20th century. These photographs were included in a project called With Other Photographers, an initiative from 1909–1910 which showcased the studio set-ups and techniques of professional photographers. Through this set of photographs we see not only the finished results but also process shots of Johnson working with the cats in her studio. In this article I explore how these photographs were part of a larger discussion around two very different approaches to photography in the United States at this time while also insisting on seeing these cats as individual subjects with agency who played an active role in the creation of these images. Full article

This examines the development of the saltpeter industry in Chile after the War of the Pacific (1879–1883), a conflict between Chile and a Bolivian–Peruvian alliance. Chile’s victory meant the annexation of the territories of Antofagasta and Tarapacá, effectively controlling the production of sodium nitrate and the global saltpeter monopoly. Industrial development was reflected through changes in foreign and Chilean capitals, technologies, and work practices. In Tarapacá, the most important investments in the 19th century were British and German. In Antofagasta, Chilean, English, German, and Croatian investments were prominent in the 19th and 20th centuries. And since 1926, American capitals have occupied the spotlight. The dominant technologies were the Shanks system between 1880–1926, the Guggenheim from 1926–1954, and the introduction of Solar Evaporation in the 1950s. Work evolved from manual artisanal labor without legal protection to mechanization under social laws. Saltpeter represented, in the social and economic history of Chile, the rise of the proletariat, communal social movements, a strong labor press, and a series of strikes and massacres. From the saltpeter era sprouted powerful literature, poetry, and music throughout the 20th century until today. The nitrate industry reached its peak between 1881 and 1917. During this period, it had to confront competition from synthetic nitrate and ceased to be the main source of revenue for the national treasury of Chile. This was followed by a period of decline and crisis from 1918 to 1931, the latter intertwined with the global financial crisis. Various state and business measures made it possible for a small number of nitrate oficinas (processing plants and settlements) in Tarapacá and Antofagasta to continue operating until the nationalization of the nitrate industry in 1971. The nitrate industry took place during the first globalization of liberalism, one that brought flows of capital, migration from Europe to the American Continent, changes to marine navigation, and the opening of various markets in Asia, Europe, and Africa. Nitrate became the most effective fertilizer for agriculture and replaced guano in crop production. In order to analyze this topic, we will utilize the results of the main monographic studies, texts used for historical and political context, and works with interpretative theses about specific periods of nitrate production. Full article

Since the 17th century, when illustrations began to appear in children’s schoolbooks, the role of illustrations has undergone a development in concept. It has shifted from a narrow view of illustrations demonstrating the text, as well as lightening up the textual monotony, to a broader view of illustrations as a way of perceiving an additional interpretational layer of the meanings inherent in the text. Concurrently, the hierarchy indicating the supremacy of the written text over the illustrations has been undermined, opening the way to viewing children’s stories as a literary work in which the text and the illustrations conduct a complex relationship, together affecting the addressees’ experiencing of the meaning. After five decades of analyzing picturebooks, there are still some gaps between the research on children’s literature and the research on illustrations, whereby the study of children’s literature mainly deals with the textual aspects of works. The present research offers a model examining the functions of illustrations in children’s literature. The model includes a spectrum of layers located on an axis, which may be termed “the axis of influence”. This spectrum begins with illustrations that are limited to a simple description and adhere to the text, and it reaches illustrations that contrast with the text, accompanying it as a “counterpoint”. The illustrations’ modes of function are divided into three groups. The first group is that of illustrations describing the text faithfully. The second group includes illustrations which expand the meaning by providing layers that do not exist in the text: illustrations describing the space in which the protagonists are located; illustrations portraying the inner world of the protagonists; illustrations explicating complex concepts or themes; inclusive illustrations expanding the cultural and social variety of the characters in the story; and illustrations which promote social or national values. The third group includes illustrations subversive to the text, often even contradicting it or promoting a message that does not necessarily adhere to the contents of the text, thereby providing an independent narrative. The existence of an independent narrative leads to a poetic gap, by which there are two narratives dwelling in the same story. The research examines four types of subversive illustrations: illustrations creating gender correction; the implicative illustrations containing a visual subtext; illustrations casting a new light upon the story’s ending; and illustrations voicing a counterpoint to the content delivered in the text. Full article

This article examines the intellectual discourse in the earlier writings of the German Jewish writer Anna Seghers (produced in the 1920s–40s) and reveals that her emerging focus on socio-political themes was not only motivated by an introduction to left-wing liberal ideas during her formative university years but was also informed by her Jewish upbringing. This essay traces aspects of Judaism and social awareness that surface in Anna Seghers’s correspondence, diary entries, dissertation, and literary work, as well as her involvement with the Heinrich Heine Club. Seghers’s search for an intellectual philosophical stance sought to address the synergy between the individual and society and to create stories that represent two distinct but intertwined narrative frameworks: a mythic dimension and a socio-political reality. The article shows how the various dimensions of intellectual, mythical, political, and personal aspects contribute to the formation of a layered writing style which allowed Seghers to negotiate the intersection of her Jewish identity and her communist convictions while exploring the social injustice suffered by the working class and pointing to the wedge that Nazi persecution drove between German Jews and German society. Full article

Drawing on phenomenological observations from an extensive corpus of 68 Western travelogs and memoirs, this study analyzes the Ottoman urban and social fabric from the 15th to the early 20th century through the lens of stimulants and intoxicants. It examines how coffee and tobacco, entering the empire as cultural commodities in the 16th century, transitioned from theological objections to socio-legal legitimacy, fostering the emergence of coffeehouses as dynamic “third spaces” that reproduced social hierarchies. Concurrently, the consumption of alcohol and opium—evaluated from a jurisprudential perspective due to their intoxicating effects—is shown navigating a paradoxical relationship between official prohibitions and civil reality. Rather than replicating the Orientalist imagination that frequently encoded Eastern pleasure rituals through an ontology of inertia and indolence, this paper repositions these practices as constitutive elements of social dynamism, urban identity, and spatial memory. Ultimately, by deciphering the historical dichotomy between constructed Western discourse and the heterogeneous, everyday reality of the empire, this study offers a holistic perspective on Ottoman material culture. Full article

This article proposes the first systematic overview of some twenty-five medieval Iranian wall paintings in their architectural contexts (10–15th centuries). Its focus on the artistic technology of wall painting, epigraphic programmes, craftspeople’s workshops, decorative iconography and aesthetics is intended to promote their preservation. The study of these wall paintings contributes to the understanding of the history of religion, artists’ social statuses and patrons’ identities. The medieval Iranian monuments’ constructive and decorative chronology, and in some cases their dating, can be revised through scrutiny of their wall paintings. The article presents a model of the development of medieval wall painting technology and aesthetics. Recently published archaeometric analyses, combined with in situ documentation of wall paintings, facilitate discussion of wall painting production technology, craftspeople’s mobility, and regional characteristics of wall painting. The relationship between the arts of wall painting, carved stuccos, applied moulded and stencilled stuccos, and tile revetments is discussed to better understand the logic behind the use of wall paintings, their role in decorating monuments, and their position within the decorative hierarchy of multimedia decorative programmes. A contextualised interpretation of wall paintings’ aesthetics, function and meaning is proposed. Full article