Geochemical analysis of multi-element in archaeological soils from Tappe Rivi in Northeast Iran

Multi-element analysis in historical sites is a major issue in archaeological studies;however,this approach is almost unknown among Iranian scholars.Geochemical multi-element analysis of soil is very important to evaluate anthropogenic activities.The aim of this study consists of assessing the potential usefulness of multi-elemental soil analysis,obtained by Analytical Jena atomic absorption spectrophotometer(AAS) and ICP-MS,to recognize ancient anthropogenic features on the territory of Tappe Rivi(North Khorasan,Iran).For that purpose,a total of 80 ancient soil samples were sampled from each soil horizon and cultural layer.The research involved Fe,Al,Cd,Cu,Ni,Co,Cr,Pb,and P which trace element samples were extracted according to the International Standard ISO 11466 and phosphorus samples by Olsen method.Besides,the contamination of the soils was assessed based on enrichment factors(EFs) by using Fe as a reference element.This geochemical/archaeological approach highlights that the content of most elements in the Parthian and Sassanid ages were significantly higher than the contents of the elements in other zones,which shows that by the development of the eras,the content of the elements has also increased.Also,the accumulation of metals in the Rivi site was significantly higher than in the control area.Among the sampled zones,enrichment factor(EF) indicated that the enrichment of Cu and phosphate at the Parthian and Sassanid had the highest content.This result is important because it shows that the amount of metals and human activities are directly related to each other during different ages.

Ancient DNA unravels species identification from Laosicheng site,Hunan Province,China,and provides insights into maternal genetic history of East Asian leopards

DEAR EDITOR,The Laosicheng site in Yongshun County,Hunan Province,China,plays an important role in elucidating the animal population composition of the region prior to the middle Qing Dynasty(approximately 300 years ago).This site has yielded a substantial number of animal bones,11960 of which have been identified to the species level,serving as direct evidence of ancient animal populations(Hunan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology,2018).

Characteristics of Soil Fertility of Buried Ancient Paddy at Chuodun Site in Yangtze River Delta, China

Field investigation and laboratory analysis of 22 ancient paddy soils excavated at Chuodun site, Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, China were carried out in 2003 to （1） understand the basic characteristics of ancient paddy soils, （2） compare the difference of soil fertility between ancient paddy soils and recent paddy soils, and （3） inquire into mechanisms of the sustainability of paddy soil. The oldest paddy soils at Chuodun site can be dated back to Neolithic age, around 6000 aBP. These ancient fields were buried in about 1-m deep from the soil surface and their areas ranged from 0.32 to 12.9 m^2 with an average of 5.2 m^2. The paddy soils with 〉 5 000 pellets phytolith g^-1 soil were termed intensively cultivated paddy soils （ICPS） and those with 〈5000 pellets phytolith g^-1 soil were called weakly cultivated soils （WCPS）. The contents of organic carbon （OC）, and total N in the former were significantly higher than that in the latter. Ancient paddy soils had higher soil pH and C/N, total and available P, and lower contents of OC, DOC, total N, S, Cu, Fe, and available K, S, Fe, Mn, and Cu compared with recent paddy soils, which were attributed to application of chemical and manure fertilizers, pollution and acidification in recent paddy soils. The variation coefficients of OC and other nutrients in ancient paddy soils with higher PI were greater than that in ancient paddy soils with low PI, which indicated that human activities had a great impact on the spatial variability of soil nutrients. The contents of OC, total N, P and S in ancient paddy soils were higher than that in ancient moss of the same age, which indicated that planting rice during Majiabang culture period was beneficial to the accumulation of those life elements.

An Important Ornithischian Tracksite in the Early Jurassic of the Shenmu Region,Shaanxi,China

A large track site with multiple, well-preserved trackways of an Early Jurassic quadrupedal ornithischian dinosaur is the first report of Moyenisauripus-like trackways from Asia, herein named Shenmuichnus youngteilhardorum. The tracks occur in a clastic fluvial sequence in the Fuxian Formation in Shenmu County, Shaanxi Province, which is in the same general region as the discovery site of Sinoichnites, the first dinosaur track reported from China. Based on size and morphology, it is likely that Sinoichnites, which is now lost, also represents an ornithischian. The Shenmuichnus youngteilhardorum trackways show two modes of preservation： the first representing deeper tracks, with sediment rims, results in Deltapodus-like tracks, with indistinct pes digit traces and sub-circular manus traces, the second produces Moyenosauripus-like tracks, with clear tridactyl and pentadactyl digit traces in the pes and manus respectively. Thus the Shenmu trackways play a key role in resolving globally significant ichnotaxonomic problems surrounding the nomenclature of Sinoichnites, Moyenosauripus, Deltapodus and other named （Ravatichnus） and unnamed trackways from Asia, Africa and Europe. In addition they shed important light on the paleogeographical and paleoecological distribution of quadrupedal ornithischians in the Early Mesozoic. The track site has been the focus of a major excavation to transfer the trackways from their original remote location to the new Shenmu Museum, in Shenmu City. Other tracksites in the area which reveal Anomoepus, Grallator and the Deltapodus morphotype, together with Shenmuichnus and plant fossil evidence, suggest an Early Jurassic age for the tracksite.

Evidence for marine transgression between 7500–5400BC at the Luotuodun Site in Yixing,Jiangsu Province

Based on archaeological excavations, 217 samples were collected from the Luotuodun Site. Of them 63 samples from the section plane of the site layer were used for identification analysis of foraminifera, plant debris and seed fossils, and four samples were used for 14C dating and relevant analysis. Through many kinds of experiments, we have drawn some conclusions. Firstly, benthic foraminifera, such as Ammonia compressiuscula and Ammonia cff. sobrina, are found in the lOth layer, indicating that between 7500 and 5400 BC, i.e. before the emergence of the Majiabang Culture, Luotuodun Site and its nearby regions had ever experienced a marine transgression event. Secondly, we have found 450 plant fossils in this site, such as Polygonum sp., Scripus sp., Najas sp., Physalis sp., which indicated lacustrine or swamp environment.

Reconstruction of the Vegetation and Environment during Different Climatic and Sociotechnical Conditions of the Last 3000 Years in Southwestern Hungary

Sedimentary basins such as Lake Baláta in Southwestern Hungary provide information about the development of lake-bog systems, the climate change through time and the environment of the surrounding area. The present study provides combined palynological, anthracological and macrobotanical data regarding climatic, vegetation and hydrological changes of a protected area for the last 3000 years. Lake Baláta is a sedimentary basin developed in a wind-blown yardang system in Southwestern Hungary. Due to its deeper location and the higher groundwater-level, the boggy lake functioned as a sediment catch. Geological drilling with an auger head drill provided an undisturbed sediment core. During the laboratory analysis different methods, such as sedimentological, geochemical, macrofossil, pollen and charcoal analysis were applied. The different stages and the evolution of the lake-bog system and the vegetation around the lake could be reconstructed and human impact was detected for the last 3000 years. Human impact and the transformation of vegetation was detected from the Early Iron Age (900/800 BC). Human impact reached its maximum during the 10th and 12th centuries when extent plant cultivation and grazing field zones were created. Climate change, increasing precipitation and consequently forest regeneration started in the 13th and 14th centuries. Parallel to this human impact decreased in the study area that indicates the reduction of the population and agrarian activity. Later at the beginning of the 15th century human impact increased again and remained significant until to the 16th century.

Analysis of Post-Burial Soil Developments of Pre-AD 79 Roman Paleosols near Pompeii(Italy)

The AD 79 eruption of Somma-Vesuvius completely buried the ancient landscape around Pompeii (Italy) to some extent conserving the pre-AD 79 Roman paleosols of the Sarno River plain. To estimate potential post-burial soil developments of these paleosols detailed soil liquid and solid phase analysis were carried out. Firstly, an in-situ soil hydrological monitoring was conducted within a pre-AD 79 paleosol in natural undisturbed stratification. The results show that soil water flow and nutrient transport from the overlying volcanic deposits into the pre-AD 79 paleosol take place. Secondly, to estimate their influence on the paleosol’s mineral soil properties, the solid phase of four pre-AD 79 paleosols and associated modern unburied soils were analysed and compared. By combining the data from the soil liquid and solid phase analysis, potential post-burial changes in the paleosols were estimated. Finally, a rise of the mean groundwater table was determined since AD 79. This distinguishes the Sarno River plain into two different zones of post-burial soil developments: 1) lower altitudes where formerly terrestrial paleosols are now influenced by groundwater dynamics and 2) higher altitudes where the paleosols are still part of the vadose zone and rather influenced by infiltration water or interflow. Thus, the mechanism of potential post-burial soil development being active in the pre-AD 79 paleosols is not uniform for the entire Sarno River plain but strongly depends on the paleotopographic situation.

Future Climate Impacts in Woodland and Forest Steppe Based on Holocene Paleoclimatic Trends, Paleobotanical Change in Central Part of the Carpathian Basin (Hungary)

The Sirok Nyírjes-tó peat bog provides an almost full Holocene climatic record reconstructed by bog surface wetness investigations based on plant macrofossil analysis. We compared our macrofossil data to anthracological material derived from archaeological sites and to the newest bioclimatological models of the Carpathian basin. On the basis of environmental historical and climatic data we aimed to reconstruct the expected changes of forested areas in the Carpathian Basin. The results indicate that the surface wetness decreases in long term. Parallel to the Sphagnum-peat decline an open forest and forest steppe developed surrounding the bog. The complete disappearance of Sphagna from the area must be linked to a steady drop in rainfall, resulting in at least 50 mm deficit in the local water balance. This could have been achieved by an increased evapotranspiration as a result of elevated temperatures of the summer growth season. This deficit value must have exceeded even 100 mm during the Middle Holocene Transition.

A preliminary study of chronology for a newly-discovered ancient city and five archaeological sites in Lop Nor, China

In the past century, it has long been debated in the archeological, historical, geographical, and many other related communities where the capital of the Luolan and Shanshan states was in the Lop Nor region. This paper presents three AMS radiocarbon ages from a newly-discovered ancient city at about 6.3 km to the northwest of the Xiaohe Graveyard, and fifteen new radiocarbon ages from the Loulan (LA), LE, Qieerqiduke, Milan, and Tuyin sites in Lop Nor. The new investigation shows that the age of newly-discovered ancient city is at ca. 440–500 AD, belonging to the Northern Wei Dynasty (386–534 AD). This is about 100–300 years younger than Loulan (ca. 100–230 AD), LE (ca. 230–300 AD), Qieerqiduke (ca. 200 AD), and Tuyin (ca. 100 AD). A wooden beam from Milan fortress is dated to ca. 370 AD, while the age on north wall at west gate of the fortress is younger, around 770 AD, suggesting that its construction time might be at the Tang Dynasty. According to 14C ages, cultural relic style, and the geographical location, the newly-discovered ancient city is probably attributed to "Zhubin City", as documented in the historical literature. Temporally, we name the city "ancient Zhubin River City". However, the characteristics and functions of this ancient city are largely unknown and need more detailed archaeological excavation and investigation in the future. Given its location near the ancient postal relay of Alagan on the crossroad, there is no doubt that the newly-discovered city was at an important geographical position on the Silk Road, no matter whether it was called "Zhubin City", or "Lielo City", or the capital of Loulan state–"Yuni City". Our findings provide new evidence for the temporal and spatial distribution of ancient relic sites and the development of civilization in western China, thus contributing to our understanding of the relationship between human activities and environmental change in the Lop Nor region.

Single-atom Pd anchored in the porphyrin-center of ultrathin 2D-MOFs as the active center to enhance photocatalytic hydrogen-evolution and NO-removal

Single-atom catalysts were widely used to treat atmospheric pollution and alleviate energy crises through photocatalysis.However,how to prevent the aggregation of single atoms during the preparation and catalytic processes remained a great challenge.Herein,a novel ultrathin two-dimensional porphyrin-based single-atom photocatalyst Ti-MOF(abbreviated as TMPd)obtained through a simple hydrothermal synthesis strategy was used for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and NO removal,in which the singleatom Pd tightly anchored in the center of porphyrin to ensure single-atom Pd stable existence.Compared with most reported MOFs-based photocatalysts,the TMPd showed an excellent hydrogen evolution rate(1.32 mmol g^(-1)h^(-1))and the NO removal efficiency(62%)under visible light irradiation.Aberrationcorrected high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscope(HAADF-STEM)and synchrotron-radiation-based X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy(XAFS)proved that pd in TMPd existed in an isolated state,and the atomic force microscope(AFM)proved the ultrathin morphology of TMPd.DFT calculations had demonstrated that single-atom Pd could serve as the active center and more effectively achieve electron transfer,indicating that single-atom Pd played a vital role in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.In addition,a possible photocatalytic pathway of NO removal was proposed based on ESR and in-situ infrared spectra,in which the catalysts anchored with single-atom Pd could produce more active substances and more effectively oxidize NO to NO_(2)^(-)or NO_(3)^(-).The results suggested that coordinating single-atom metal species as the active site in the center of porphyrin could be a feasible strategy to obtain various ultrathin porphyrin-based single-atom photocatalysts to acquire excellent photocatalytic performance further.

Taxonomy,age and environment status of the Yuanmou hominoids

The taxonomy, age and environment status of the Yuanmou hominoids had been contro-versial since their discovery. We launched new ex-cavations and investigations in the Yuanmou Basin and analyzed both old and newly collected data. We conclude that all hominoids from the Yuanmou Basin and the so-called Pliocene hominids can be attributed into a single species, and its valid nomination is Lufengpithecus hudienensis. It is different from Lufengpithecus lufengensis and Lufengpithecus kei-yuanensis. Based on the faunal comparison and pa-leomagnetic correlation, the strata yielding the Yuanmou hominoids are older than those of Lufeng hominoids and younger than those of the Kaiyuan hominoids. The age of the Yuanmou hominoids is Late Miocene. The environments of the Yuanmou hominoids were subtropical, hilly, with some dense forestry and partial transitional bushes and seasonal climate.

Mitochondrial DNA analysis of human remains from the Yuansha site in Xinjiang, China

The Yuansha site is located in the center of the Taklimakan Desert of Xinjiang, in the southern Silk Road region. MtDNA was extracted from fifteen human remains excavated from the Yuansha site, dating back 2,000―2,500 years. Analysis of the phylogenetic tree and the multidimensional scaling (MDS) reveals that the Yuansha population has relatively close relationships with the modern populations of South Central Asia and Indus Valley, as well as with the ancient population of Chawuhu.

Neolithic rice paddy from the Zhaojiazhuang site, Shandong, China

To identify and study the Neolithic rice paddy in Shandong, eastern China, is not only an important issue in the development of Chinese rice agriculture, but also a key part of the study on rice spread in East Asia. Due to the limitation of archaeological materials and the research methods, there have been no discoveries about the Neolithic rice paddy in Shandong Province for a long time. Based on the identification of possible rice paddy by archaeological excavation, phytolith analysis of soil samples from this "paddy" has been systematically carried out and the results have shown a 4600—4300 years old rice paddy preserved at the Zhaojiazhuang site. This is the first examination and study of the rice paddy in North China by systematic phytolith analysis, which is very important for the Neolithic archaeological research and the study of the eastward spread of rice agricultural techniques in East Asia.

Distribution of sand dunes and sand shifts along the southern fringe of the Mu Us Desert since the Ming Dynasty

This article takes the two segments of the Ming Great Walls,Dabian and Erbian,and their associated barracks and forts as geographical references. Based on a detailed scrutiny of historical records of the Ming and Qing dynasties,and on field surveys,the southern boundaries of the sand dunes and sand shifts of the Mu Us Desert in the Ming and Qing dynasties are carefully reconstructed. A comparison of the southern boundaries of the sand dunes and sand shifts of the Mu Us Desert in Ming and Qing with the modern boundary revealed in remote sensing imagery clearly shows that the southern boundary of dunes and shifts in the Mu us Desert has expanded only in a few areas and on a small scale. In the area to the south of Changle Fort,along the direction of annually prevailing winds,sand drifts have pene-trated through the Jialu River valley into the loess region and have formed a sand strip of 32 km long and 3 km wide. To the east of Qingping Fort,sand drifts penetrated toward the eastern loess region through the Luhe River valley and have formed another sand strip of 8 km long and 2 km wide. Gener-ally speaking,though the intensity of human activity has been increasing in this area since the Ming Dynasty,the Mu Us Desert has not significantly expanded toward the southeast or southwest. The sand-loess boundary in the southern fringe of the Mu Us Desert has been almost unchanged since the Ming Dynasty.

Holocene environmental changes around Xiaohe Cemetery and its effects on human occupation, Xinjiang, China

The Xiaohe Cemetery archaeological site （Cal. 4-3.5 ka BP） is one of the most important Bronze Age sites in Xinjiang, China. Although the surrounding environment is an extremely arid desert now, abundant archaeological remains indicate that human occupation was common during certain periods in the Holocene. Field investigations and laboratory analyses of a sediment profile near the Xiaohe Cemetery indicate that while the regional environment was arid desert throughout the Holocene there were three episodes of lake forma- tion near the site in the periods 4.8-3.5 ka BP, 2.6-2.1 ka BP and 1.2-0.9 ka BP. Geomorphic and hydrological investigations reveal that a lake or lakes formed in a low-lying area when water was derived initially from the Kongque River and then shunted into the Xiaohe River basin. Low amounts of active chemical elements in lacustrine sediment between 4.8-3.5 ka BP indicate abundant and continuous water volume in the lake; the content of active chemical elements increased between 2.6-2.1 ka BP but was still at a relatively low level, suggesting a declining amount of water and diminished inflow. Between 1.2-0.9 ka BP there was a very high content of active elements, suggesting decreased water volume and indicating that the lake was stagnate. In contrast, the general climate condition shows that there had a warm-humid stage at 8-6 ka BP, a cool-humid stage at 6-2.9 ka BP and a warm-dry stage at 2.9-0.9 ka BP in this region. The hydrological evolutions around Xiaohe Cemetery did not have one-to-one correspondence with climate changes. Regional comparison indicates that broad-scale climatic conditions played an important role through its influences on the water volume of the Tarim River and Kongque River. But, the formation of the lakes and their level were controlled by geomorphic conditions that influenced how much water volume could be shunted to Xiaohe River from Kongque River. Human occupation of the Xiaohe Cemetery and nearby regions during the Bronze Age and Han-Jin period （202 BC-420 AD） corresponded to the two earlier lake periods, while no human activities existed in the third lake period because of the decreased water volume.

Research on the disappearance causes of the Tenghualuo Site in Lianyungang,Jiangsu Province, China

With brilliant civilization during the transitional period from a original clan society to a state society in prehistory,the Neolithic Tenghualuo Site in Lianyungang was discovered by archaeological survey in 1989,which was titled as‘one of the nation’s ten great archeological discoveries in 2000’.However,the transgression and the anthropogenic environment deterioration have ever been employed to explain the abandonment of the site.Based on a dynasty framework established by the 14 C dating,and using the experimental methods such as micro-paleontology identification in foraminifera and charophytes, the content test of Rb and Sr,susceptibility analysis as well as granularity and sedimentary facies analysis,some researches on the sediments from the two exploration layers at Tenghualuo Site were conducted,and the following new findings have been gained:Firstly,foraminifera which are relevant to the marine environment were not found in the sediment layer,however,25 charales,which usually live in the freshwater environment,in 07LTT1 exploration samples were found.Among them,3 charales were found in the samples from the forth sediment layer below the late Longshan Cultural layer and 22 charates were from the second sediment layer above the late Longshan Cultural layer.Furthermore,5 plant seeds and 41 fungal spores,together with many carbonation holes,plant seed shells,as well as their roots and stems were also found in the second sediment layer above the late Longshan Cultural layer.Secondly,the cumulative probability curves of the sediments’granularity in both the last and its overlying culture intermittent layers have characteristics of three-phase river sediment curve,and the ratios between Rb and Sr are both quite high in samples from two layers sedimented during the disappearing time of the site.All above-mentioned evidences indicate that disappearance of the Tenghualuo Site was not related to the transgression.The late Longshan Culture of the site could be completely abandoned after a relatively long-term inland water flood.

Extreme flood events and climate change around 3500 aBP in the Central Plains of China

The Xinzhai Period (35503400 aBP) belongs to Late Neolithic Culture, which bridges the Longshan Culture and the Xia Culture in the Central Plains of China. By studying the living environment of ancient human beings at the Xinzhai site, Henan Province, this paper pre-sents the discovery of extreme floods which threatened and destroyed the living environment of the ancient human beings during the Xinzhai Period. Pollen analysis and carbon-oxygen isotope measurement suggest that the climate was warm and wet during the Xinzhai Period, in contrast to the warm and arid climate during the Longshan Culture Period. The frequent flood events were the response of abrupt climate change during the Xinzhai Period. The conclusions drawn from this study not only help better understand the environmental change in the Central Plains of China around 3500 aBP, but also provide important clues to the environmental background for the origin of Chinese civilization.

REPORT ON THE CHINESE SUCROSE CHARCOAL STANDARD FOR ^(14)C DATING

For 14C dating, in order to put all the 14C dates of different laboratories on a common basis and make the 14C dates more accurate and reliable, it is necessary to set up a common modern reference. In 1975, we were charged at the National Conference of Isotopic Geology, Guiyang, to establish a common reference in China.

Animal diversities and characteristics of environmental change revealed by skeletons unearthed at Zhongba Site of Chongqing City,China

Nearly 200000 animal skeletons are unearthed in the Unit T0202 from Zhongba Site of Zhongxian County.According to the analysis of 129165 specimens,these skeletons may be classified into 5 kinds, namely,Mammalia,Osteichthys,Aves,Amphibian and Reptilia,which belong to 13 orders,28 families and 42 genera.In this paper,based on archeological dating and AMS 14 C data,through statistically analyzing the unearthed skeletons and studying the change of the smallest individual numbers,these research results detected the following:1)In almost all the time of 2370―200 BC,in Zhongba region, some animals distributed widely,such as Muntiacus sp,Elaphodus cephalophus and Muntiacus sp. inhabiting in glade and grassland,Scrofa sp.and Canis familiaris raised by the ancient people,rodentia rabbit and Rattus rattus,which suggested that a fairly good ecological environment of forest and grassland was preserved at that period and the predecessors began to raise domestic animals from 1750 to 1000 BC,which has lasted until today.2)Rhinoceros only lived during 2000―1750 BC,1000― 700 BC and 700―500 BC,which indicates that the ecological environment of grassland and wetland might be better in these phases.3)Macaca sp.and Ursus arctos appeared only after 1750―1000 BC, which may show that the forest condition is better for animals to live during 1750―200 BC.4)The smallest individual numbers of Bublus sp.,bos sp.and otters emerged during about 2370―1750 BC, which perhaps infers that water area during the early period was wider than that of the late period.5) Since skeletons of rhinoceros are discovered in strata of Zhongba Site during 2000―1750 BC and 1000―500 BC,according to the climate and ecology environment which rhinoceros live in now,the average annual temperature and precipitation during 2000―1750 BC and 1000―500 BC are supposed to be probably higher than that of today.Although Zhu Kezhen considered that the first low temperature period in the past 5000 years of China was between 1100 BC and 850 BC,massive pollen of Morus, Ulmus,Fagus,Quercus,Castanea,etc.were found in Dajiuhu peat at that time,which should indicate that the climate was still moderate for living things to live at least in Dajiuhu basin and Zhongba Site.6) Because skeletons of Gervus albirostris were unearthed during 310―200 BC at Zhongba Site,based onthe climate and the ecological environment those animals live in now,the average annual temperature and the average annual precipitation in Zhongba area between 310 BC and 200 BC should be lower than those of today,which is confirmed by the TOC research of Zhongba Site strata.