European Age Research Articles

Bronze Age Textile & Wool Economy: The Case of the Terramare Site of Montale, Italy

At the onset of the 2nd millenniumbc, a wool economy emerged across continental Europe. Archaeological, iconographical, and written sources from the Near East and the Aegean show that a Bronze Age wool economy involved considerable specialised labour and large scale animal husbandry. Resting only on archaeological evidence, detailed knowledge of wool economies in Bronze Age Europe has been limited, but recent investigations at the Terramare site of Montale, in northern Italy, document a high density of spindle whorls that strongly supports the existence of village-level specialised manufacture of yarn. Production does not appear to have been attached to an emerging elite nor was it fully independent of social constraints. We propose that, although probably managed by local elites, wool production was a community-based endeavour oriented towards exports aimed at obtaining locally unavailable raw materials and goods.

The Comparison of The Effectiveness Back Massage with Clary Sage Essential Oil and Postpartum Exercise for Post Partum Uterus Involution

The postpartum mother needs special care to recovery reproduction organs, an indicator of involution process assessed by measuring hight fundus uteri. If the uterus fails in the uterine involution process, it can cause bleeding and mortality of puerperal mother. Back massage can stimulate hormone oxytocin that causes uterine contractions, that can help accelerate the process of uterine involution, while exercise postpartum is a muscle exercise that can be done immediately after delivery. This study aims to identify the Comparison Effectiveness Back Massage with Clary Sage Essential Oil and Exercise Postpartum to Post Partum Uterus Involution. The research design used quasi-experimental with post test only non-equivalent control group design and using quota sampling with the number of samples 90 respondents divided into three groups, and each of group contains 30 respondents. The bivariable analysis used repeated measurement with clinical significance mean 95% interval with P <0.05 and multivariable analysis used linear regression. The result of bivariable analysis in this research shows that there is difference of uteri involution in each group, Δoverall mean - 1.700 (95% CI: -2,26 - (- 1,37) with P value <0.05, from result of uteri involution in group intervention back massage using Clary sage essential oil (Salvia sclarea) faster in the process of uterine involution than Exercise postpartum group. The results of multivariable analysis showed back massage interventions by using clary sage essential oil (salvia sclarea) controlled by parity variables, and maternal age predicted a 62.1% reduction in fundal uteri level.

Effectiveness of Aromateraphy as an Intervention for Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review

Dysmenorrhea is not a disease, but it is a common problem that makes adolescent and adult women feel uncomfortable during menstruation which this can interfere with their daily life activities. Aromatherapy using essential oils has been commonly used for reduction of stress and anxiety and pain management. A systematic review was conducted on a publication from December 2012 to January 2018 in the International and Indonesian databases. The search terms used were aromatherapy or aroma and Dysmenorrhea or menstrual pain. Research was performed using Science Direct, Google Scholar, and ProQuest. A total of 20 articles were reviewed and analyzed for this study. A total of 20 studies showed that aromatherapy is significantly effective in reducing and eliminating dysmenorrhea, where this nonpharmacological aromatherapy massage and inhalations were found to be more effective in reducing dysmenorrhea than placebo massage. Analysis showed that aromatherapy intervention methods using essential oils (lavender, clary sage, rose, jasmine, ginger) can significantly reduce primary dysmenorrhea.

Toxicity and Repellent Activity of Plant Essential Oils and Their Blending Effects Against Two Spotted Spider Mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch

Miticidal and repellent activity of twenty plant essential oils against the adults of two spotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae, were examined. Sandal wood oil was the most potent one in mortality, whereas clary sage oil exhibited the greatest repellent activity. On those twenty essential oils tested, no apparent correlation between toxicity and repellency was observed. When the most active oils were blended, the combinations tend to exhibit antagonistic interactions in both toxicity and repellent activity. The chemical compositions of sandal wood oil and clary sage oil were identified via GC/MS analyses, and the major constituents of sandal wood oils were sesquiterpene compounds, whereas the major ones for clary sage oil were monoterpenes. Among the major components in clary sage oil, linalyl acetate was not only the most abundant constituent, but also the most responsible one for its repellent activity.

The Earliest Balance Weights in the West: Towards an Independent Metrology for Bronze Age Europe

Weighing devices are the earliest material correlates of the rational quantification of economic value, and they yield great potential in the study of trade in pre-literate societies. However, the knowledge of European Bronze Age metrology is still underdeveloped in comparison to Eastern Mediterranean regions, mostly due to the lack of a proper scientific debate. This paper introduces a theoretical and methodological framework for the study of standard weight-systems in pre-literate societies, and tests it on a large sample of potential balance weights distributed between Southern Italy and Central Europe during the Bronze Age (second–early first millenniumbc). A set of experimental expectations is defined on the basis of comparisons with ancient texts, archaeological cases and modern behaviour. Concurrent typological, use-wear, statistical and contextual analyses allow to cross-check the evidence against the expectations, and to validate the balance-weight hypothesis for the sample under analysis. The paper urges a reappraisal of an independent weight metrology for Bronze Age Europe, based on adequate methodologies and a critical perspective.

Essential Oil Composition of Some Sage (Salvia spp.) Species Cultivated in İzmir (Turkey) Ecological Conditions

Abstract: Background: Salvia L., the largest genus of Lamiaceae, includes about 1000 species, widespread throughout the world. This genus is represented, in Turkish flora, by 99 species and 113 taxa, 58 of which are endemic. Some members of this genus are of economic importance since they have been used as herbal tea, flavouring agents in perfumery and cosmetics. Some sage (Salvia L. ) species has been credited with a long list of medicinal uses: e.g. spasmolytic, antiseptic, astringent. Objective: In present study, essential oil composition of some sage (Salvia L.) species cultivated in Izmir (Turkey) was investigated. Sage species have recently become more common in Turkey and sage cultivation is increasing especially in the Aegean Region. Material and Methods: The species of Salvia fruticosa Mill., Salvia officinalis L., Salvia sclarea L., hybrid (Salvia fruticosa Mill. x Salvia officinalis L.) and Salvia dichroantha L. were used in the study. Essential oils were extracted according to hydro distillation method with clevenger type apparatus and analyzed using GC-FID and GC-MS system. Results: Essential oil contents of Salvia fruticosa Mill. was 3.86%, Salvia officinalis L. 2.42%, Salvia sclarea L. 0.5%, Salvia fruticosa Mill. x Salvia officinalis L. 2.84% and Salvia dichroantha L. 0.19%. The number of components in essential oils were detected 22, 16, 14, 20 and 16 respectively. The chemical composition of the essential oils in Salvia fruticosa Mill. 1,8-cineole (57.18%), Salvia officinalis L. β-thujone (34.59%), Salvia sclarea L. linalyl acetate (46.77%), Salvia fruticosa Mill. x Salvia officinalis L. 1,8-cineole (21.42%) and β-thujone (18.37%) and Salvia dichroantha L. β- caryophyllene (23.11%) and sabinyl acetate (21.87%). Key words: Salvia spp., Sage, Cultivation, Essential oil, Chemcial composition.

Efektifitas Back Massage Menggunakan Minyak Esensial Clary Sage terhadap Produksi ASI Pada Ibu Nifas Pasca Bedah Sesarea

Pain, anxiety disorder, and limited mobilization in post-caesarean mothers cause delayed lactogenesis processes. Back massage with clary sage essential oil is one of the obstetric actions that can help postpartum mother in increasing milk production, so can give exclusive breastfeeding for newborn baby. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of back massage using clary sage essential oil to the ASI post-cesarean prophylaxis. The research design used quasi experiment with post test only non equivalent control group design, sampling technique by consecutive sampling with the number of samples counted 60 respondents divided into 3 groups. Data analysis using MANOVA test with significance value P <0,05. The results obtained P value of 0,000 which means there is the effect of back massage using clary sage essential oil on milk production after cesarean section.

Re-analysis of Whole Genome Sequence Data From 279 Ancient Eurasians Reveals Substantial Ancestral Heterogeneity

Supervised clustering or projection analysis is a staple technique in population genetic analysis. The utility of this technique depends critically on the reference panel. The most commonly used reference panel in the analysis of ancient DNA to date is based on the Human Origins array. We previously described a larger reference panel that captures more ancestries on the global level. Here, I reanalyzed DNA data from 279 ancient Eurasians using our reference panel. I found substantially more ancestral heterogeneity than has been reported. Reanalysis provides evidence against a resurgence of Western hunter-gatherer ancestry in the Middle to Late Neolithic and evidence for a common ancestor of farmers characterized by Western Asian ancestry, a transition of the spread of agriculture from demic to cultural diffusion, at least two migrations between the Pontic-Caspian steppes and Bronze Age Europe, and a sub-Saharan African component in Natufians that localizes to present-day southern Ethiopia.

Danebury and the Heuneburg: Creating Communities in Early Iron Age Europe

The Iron Age in temperate Europe is characterized by the emergence of hillforts. While such sites can be highly variable, they also share many characteristics, implying cultural linkages across a wide geographical area. Yet, the interpretation of hillforts has increasingly seen significant divergence in theoretical approaches in different European countries. In particular, Iron Age studies in Britain have progressively distanced themselves from those pursued in continental Europe. This article attempts to address this issue by analysing the evidence from two of the best-known hillforts in Europe: Danebury in Wessex, southern England, and the Heuneburg in Baden-Württemberg, south-western Germany. The article highlights a number of key similarities and differences in the occupational sequences of these sites. While the differences indicate that the hillforts are the creation of very different Iron Age societies, the synergies are argued to be a consequence of communities evincing similar responses to similar problems, particularly those resulting from the social tensions that develop when transforming previously dispersed rural societies into increasingly centralized forms.

Antimicrobial Activity of Five Essential Oils against Bacteria and Fungi Responsible for Urinary Tract Infections.

Urinary tract infections are frequently encountered in small animal practice. Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. are the most common agents associated to these infections, even though other bacteria and yeasts, such as Candida albicans and Candida famata, may be involved. In view of the increasing problem of the multi-drug resistance, the aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of essential oils obtained from star anise (Illicium verum Hook.f.), basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), origanum (Origanum vulgare L.), clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.) and thymus (Thymus vulgaris L.) against multidrug-resistant strains of Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., Candida albicans and Candida famata previously isolated from dogs and cats with urinary tract infections. Enterococci were resistant to Illicium verum and Salvia sclarea, such as Candida to Salvia sclarea. Thymus vulgaris and Origanum vulgare essential oils showed the best activity against all the tested pathogens, so they could be proposed for the formulation of external and/or intravesical washes in small animals.

Aging in Europe

Aging in Europe

Effect of Antibacterial Plant Extracts on the Morphology of Electrospun Poly(Lactic Acid) Fibres.

Essential oils (EOs) of clary sage and black pepper induce changes in the morphology of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) electrospun fibres. The chemical composition of the oils is analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy; while the evaporation rate of the EOs and their main chemical components is characterised by Thermogravimetric Analysis. The addition of EOs generate thermodynamic instabilities during the electrospinning process, leading to the formation of fibres with either wrinkled (for clary sage oil) or nano-textured surfaces (for black pepper oil). The morphology of the PLA-EOs fibres is investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy. Together with a well-defined structure, the fibres produced also possess antibacterial activity, as demonstrated by viability loss tests conducted on E. coli and S. epidermidis. Bacteria inactivation efficiency of 76 and 100% is reported for the composite PLA/essential oils electrospun mats. The composite mats produced are promising in the biomedical field, where nanotopography offers physical cues to regulate cell behaviour, and the delivery of therapeutic compounds (essential oils) limits microbial growth.

New insights into the in vitro biological effects, in silico docking and chemical profile of clary sage – Salvia sclarea L.

Salvia sclarea L. is traditionally used to manage common human ailments and is consumed as a food product. This study aimed to establish the phytochemical profile and antioxidant potential of ethyl acetate, methanol, and water extracts of Salvia sclarea. The inhibitory action of the extracts against α-amylase, α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and tyrosinase was also investigated. Methanol extract showed the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents (81.78 mg GAE/g extract and 40.59 mg RE/g extract, respectively). Reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector analysis revealed that S. sclarea was rich in rosmarinic acid. The water extract exhibited the lowest inhibitory activity against α-amylase but the upmost activity against α-glucosidase (0.19 and 18.24 mmol ACAE/g extract, respectively). Experimental data showed that only the water extract (8.86 mg KAE/g extract) significantly inhibited tyrosinase. Docking studies showed that quercetin binds to tyrosinase by two hydrogen and a pi-pi bonds. Salvia sclarea showed interesting biological activity against key enzymes involved in the pathogenesis of common ailments.

Preliminary Study on the Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oils Alone and in Combination with Gentamicin Against Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing and New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase-1-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates.

The aim of the study was to investigate possible synergistic effects between several selected, commercially available essential oils and gentamicin against extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing and New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. ESBLs production was confirmed by double-disk synergy test. Isolates positive for blaNDM-1 gene were found among the tested strains. K. pneumoniae ATCC® BAA-1705™ strain was used as a control. The checkerboard method was applied to assess the synergistic and additive action of nine essential oils: caraway, fennel, peppermint, geranium, basil, clove, thyme, clary sage, and lavender, respectively, in combination with gentamicin. Our results indicated that peppermint oil combined with gentamicin showed synergistic activity against both control, ESBL-producing and NDM-1-producing isolates. Caraway essential oil demonstrated synergy with gentamicin toward ESBL-producing and additionally gentamicin-resistant strains. The additive effect was observed for gentamicin combined with thyme, fennel, basil, and clary sage. Because of their synergistic activity with gentamicin, peppermint, and caraway oils in particular, can be considered as an alternative or an addition for the control of infections with limited therapeutic options due to multidrug resistance.

Correction to: Urbanization in Iron Age Europe: Trajectories, Patterns, and Social Dynamics

The original version of this article unfortunately contained an error. The copyright for Fig. 12 was incorrectly published in the article. Due to the copyright disagreement, the author would like to replace the incorrect Fig. 12 and its caption, with a new Fig. 12. Also, the author would like to correct the caption with a relevant credit line. The corrected Fig. 12 and caption are given below. Figure 12 The oppidum of Monte Bernorio at the foothills of the Cantabrian Mountains (photo: M. Fernandez-Gotz).

Comparison of obsidian and chert consumption during the Middle Helladic at Kirrha, Phocis, Greece

Lithic artifacts were still in use in Bronze Age Europe, in spite of the emergence of a new technology, namely metallurgy, during this period. In fact, stone technology continued to be used everywhere until at least the end of the Early Bronze Age, and even until the end of the Late Bronze Age in specific areas. This is especially true for Greece where lithic raw material and/or tool networks were still operating during the whole Bronze Age. During the Middle Bronze Age in mainland Greece, obsidian and high-quality chert were still widely used, especially in settlements. This raises the question of the necessity of the use of obsidian instead of a stronger or more versatile material (chert or metal). Why was volcanic glass, which required considerable investment in terms of know-how and long-distance transportation, still used in spite of the technological context (where metallurgy was already developed)? The purpose of this paper is to contribute to this debate through the use-wear analysis of obsidian tools. Artifacts from settlement levels of the Middle Helladic site of Kirrha (Phocis, Greece) have been examined. In this domestic-use context, bronze and chert were also found. The main results of this study show an exclusive form and use of obsidian: bladelets were used for cutting soft and siliceous plant matter, with the exception of Graminae harvesting activity. These results point to the specialization of the lithic industry in terms of raw materials, where sharp obsidian artefacts were employed for cutting of soft and flexible materials, depending on the relative brittleness of the rock, at least at Kirrha. Thus, among the numerous propositions concerning continued obsidian circulation during the entire Bronze Age, a functional use (at least) could be proven, if this observation is also made elsewhere in Greece.

Effects of Medicinal Plants on Urinary Incontinence: A Systematic Review

Urinary incontinence is one of the disorders that may develop for various reasons, affect different aspects of life, and declining quality of life. Relevant key terms were used to retrieve the articles published between 2000 and 2018 and indexed in the Institute for Scientific Information and PubMed. Then, the articles about the medicinal plants and the plant-based products whose effects were investigated on urinary incontinence (UI) were selected and analyzed by two members of the research team. Different plants such as Cannabis sativa, St. John's wort, Ephedra sinica, Salvia sclarea, Ramulus Cinnamomi, and Alpinia oxyphylla exert anti-UI effects through various mechanisms. The phytoestrogen derivatives of the plants mainly in menopausal women, isoflavonoid compounds, Gosha-jinki-gan, and Weng-li-tong, exert anti-UI effects. It should be considered that plants and their derivatives can be used as dietary supplements, independently, and mainly with chemical drugs. Plants and plant-based combinations can induce anti-UI effects through phytosterogenic properties in women, decreasing stress and affecting the neuromuscular system as well as decreasing the activities of the detrusor muscle and regulating the activity of the urethral sphincters.

Phytochemical Compositions and Antidiabetic Potentials of Salvia sclarea L. Essential Oils.

Salvia sclarea (SS) is characterized by its valuable essential oils (Eos) and potent biological activities. This study aimed at investigating the phytochemical composition of SS Eos collected in within the same week, from two different regions in Lebanon, Beirut (SS-Bt) and Taanayel (SS-Tl), utilizing GC-MS methods, and to explore their acute and subchronic antidiabetic potentials. Moreover, studying the phytochemical diversity of twenty SS Eos established on our work and literature descriptions in order to recognize the origin of the Lebanese active chemotype(s). The Eos have been obtained by hydro-distillation and identified via GC-MS analyses. Five chemotypes of SS Eos have been identified. The Lebanese Eos, SS-Bt and SS-Tl, studied here have shown evidence to belong to two different chemotypes 1 and 5, respectively. SS-Bt has shown to belong to chemotype 1, which is characterized by high linalool (LL) concentration (average 40.2%). On the other hand, SS-Tl has shown to belong to chemotype 5, which is characterized by high linalyl acetate (LA) concentration (average 50.4%). The acute and subchronic antidiabetic activities of these EOs have been monitored along with LL and LA, in order to find the most active chemotype. Chemotypes 1 (owned to high LL content), present at low altitude places of Lebanon and Poland, has shown significantly higher acute and subchronic antidiabetic activities than that of chemotype 5 (owned to high LA content). In conclusion, Salvia sclarea Eos have shown potential antidiabetic activities, and their Eos might be used in the future as a complementary or an alternative medicine in the management of diabetes and related complications.

Traditional Medicinal Plants of Azerbaijan Province of Iran

Aromatic herbs and spices are enormous and sustainable resource of natural compounds with various useful features in Iran. They have a variety of applications, especially in the treatment of disease and in order to create a pleasant scent and smell of food have been used since ancient times. Today, some of these plants are commercially grown and used in a variety of production of components. Our presentation is a study of the medicinal herbs of Eastern Azerbaijan. The province of Azerbaijan consists of two eastern and western parts. East Azerbaijan settles in the north-west of Iran. Eastern Azerbaijan has a cool and dry climate due to its mountainous region. There are approximately 1,300 species and 510 species of plants in Eastern Azer-baijan. These species have the most healing properties. In Eastern Azerbaijan regions, medicinal plants are usually collected by locals from mountains and meadows. Eastern Azerbaijan medicinal plants are not scientifically well known, but are traditionally used in rural areas. Usually used medicinal herbs in the area belong to Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Urticaceae, Apiaceae and Grossulariacea family. Some of the plants are Artemisia absinthium L, Sambucus nigra, Thymus Kotschyanus, Nasturtium officinale, Achillea millefolium L., Stachys schtschegleevi, Mentha longifolia L., Ecballium elaterium L., Leonurus cardiaca L., Cornus mas L., Rhus coriaria L., Salvia sclarea L., Hippophaer hamnoides L., Marrubium vulgare, Tanacetum balsamita L., Trifolium pratense L., Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam., Echium vulgare L. The purpose of the research is to introduce the method of use of medicinal plants in Eastern Azerbaijan.

An Investigation of Phytochemical, Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents and Antioxidant Activity in Aerial Parts of Two Species of Salvia and the Effect of Environmental Factors on their Distribution in Behshahr Hezarjarib Area

The purpose of this study was an investigation of phytochemical and antioxidant characteristics in aerial parts of Salvia multicaulis Vahl and Salvia Sclarea L. and the effect of ecological factors on their distribution in Behshahr Hezarjarib area. Salvia grows wildly in the north of Iran. Literature review has shown that there is no report on phytochemical investigation about aerial parts of Salvia in north of Iran. In order to understand the relationship between vegetation and environmental factors, the PCA (Principle Component Analysis) method has been adopted. Essential oil of the aerial part of Salvia was analyzed by GC/MS. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by DPPH test. Thirteen and five components were identified representing 94.01% and 99.9% of the oils, respectively. The main compounds of Salvia multicaulis Vahl were α-Pinene (29.82), 1,8-Cineole (23.84) and Camphor (19.93) while 1,6-Cyclodecadiene (41.95) and β-Caryophyllene (36.19) were the major ingredients of Salvia Sclarea L.