Early Date Research Articles

Tillya Tepe Gold Coin and the Gandhāran Connections of the Tillya Tepe Burials


 
 
 The gold coin found in 1978 among the many treasures of the Tillya Tepe burials in northwestern Afghanistan by the Russian archaeologist Viktor Sarianidi and his team has provoked much debate. Suggestions have been made that it depicts the first representation of the Buddha. This article shows that it does not show the Buddha, but Heracles, representing the Buddha’s guardian Vajrapani. The coin also throws into doubt the early first century CE date of the burials, placing them in the late first century to early second century CE.. The coin also draws attention to the connection between many objects in the burials and Gandhāra, particularly the site of Sirkap at Taxila.
 
 

Nutrient enrichment alters seasonal β‐diversity in global grasslands

Abstract Intra‐annual (i.e. seasonal) temporal niche partitioning is essential to the maintenance of biodiversity in many plant communities. However, understanding of how climate and global change drivers such as eutrophication influence seasonal niche partitioning in plant assemblages remains limited. We used early‐season and late‐season compositional data collected from 10 grassland sites around the world to explore relationships between climate variability and intra‐annual species segregation (i.e. seasonal β‐diversity) and to assess how nutrient enrichment alters seasonal β‐diversity in plant communities. We then assessed whether changes in seasonal β‐diversity in response to nutrient enrichment are underpinned by species turnover or nestedness and determined how specific functional groups (i.e. annual forbs, perennial forbs, C3 and C4 graminoids and legumes) respond to eutrophication within and across early and late sampling dates. We found a positive relationship between intra‐annual temperature variability and seasonal β‐diversity but observed no relationship between intra‐annual precipitation variability and seasonal β‐diversity. Nutrient enrichment increased seasonal β‐diversity and increased turnover of species between early‐ and late‐season communities. Nutrient enrichment reduced the abundance of C4 graminoids and legumes within and across sampling timepoints and eliminated intra‐annual differences in these groups. In contrast, nutrient enrichment resulted in seasonal differences in C3 graminoids, which were not observed in control conditions and increased abundance of C3 graminoids and annual forbs within and across early and late sampling dates. Synthesis: Our understanding of how grasslands respond to various components of global change is primarily based on studies that document community changes at inter‐annual scales. Using early‐season and late‐season compositional data from 10 grassland sites around the world, we show that nutrient enrichment increases seasonal β‐diversity and alters intra‐annual dynamics of specific functional groups in unique ways.

Effect of Planting Dates on Stability of New Rice Genotypes Traits Grown in Iraqi Conditions

Selecting the appropriate date for planting rice can be one of the viable solutions for proper growth and development of rice to avoid unsuitable conditions that can lead to lower productivity. Two experiments were conducted in the field of Al-Mishkhab Rice Research Station in Najaf City / Iraq during 2020 and 2021. In each season, eight genotypes used and two germination dates (15 and 30 Jun). After 20 days, seedlings were transferred to the field and planted on 5th and 20th of July respectively. The experiment was based on a three-blocks in RCBD design to study the performance of eight genotypes at two planting dates in two seasons. Results showed significant differences for genotypes and planting dates for all traits, while seasons showed significant differences only for the number of days to 50% flowering and panicle length. The values of heritability in the broad sense (h2BS %) were medium for all studied traits, which in turn led to an increase in the values of expected genetic advance as a percentage of the general mean (GA %), which was slightly high for grain yield (13.66 %). The genotypes showed a significant response to the late sowing date of 20th July compared to the early date of 5th July in the two growing seasons for most of the studied traits, including grain yield. The stability of the genotypes in four environments was highly variable. Genotype T93 had the most stable grain yield and the highest 1000-grain weight, while Forat1 showed a response to late sowing. Furthermore, the Forat1 responded to suitable environmental conditions of the number of days to 50% flowering, 1000-grain weight, and grain yield. Therefore, the genotypes which have superiority and stability over various environments could be successfully used as crucial material in the future breeding programs.

Growth regulators efficiency in onion planting material preparataion

Winter onion culture compares favorably with spring production with early harvest dates. In the conditions of the Krasnodar Territory, the first products arrive at the end of May-the first decade of June. However, obtaining a guaranteed harvest largely depends on the plants winter hardiness, which is determined not only by the prevailing conditions of overwintering, but also by the elements of growing technology, which include pre-planting preparation of seed onion. The article presents the results of studies on the influence of growth regulators used for soaking the sowing before planting for winter hardiness, the timing of the phenological phases onset, the dynamics of the leaf surface and bulbs growth, the size and structure of the crop. Seed onion was soaked before planting in solutions of three growth regulators (Radix, Radipharm, Rostok) for 12 hours, the control was a variant with planting material soaking in water. The seed onion of the first group (0.8-1.5 cm in diameter) was planted in early November, with 45 cm row spacing and 444.4 thousand pieces / ha planting density. It was found that Radix and Radipharm preparations significantly increased onion plants winter hardiness, the percentage of overwintered plants was 88.2-88.7% (80.3% under control), accelerated the ripening time of the crop (by 5-7 days), contributed to the activation of the growth processes of the aboveground apparatus. The pre-planting preparation of the seed onion did not affect the shooting processes intensity, the percentage of shot plants in the experiment was 7.5-7.9. The highest total yield of onion (39.2 t/ha) and the yield of standard bulbs (36.8 t/ha) with an average bulb weight of 102.2 g was obtained with the use of Radix. The increase in the yield in this variant and the earlier products’ entering the market contributed to net income increase compared to the control by 79.9 thousand rubles. The use of growth regulators for seed soaking had no effect on the products’ standard, it varied between 93.5-93.9%..

Rye planting date impacts biomass production more than seeding rate and nitrogen fertilizer

AbstractManagement is critical to maximize cover crop benefits, while minimizing costs. However, cover crop performance and cost can vary without consistent management strategies. Therefore, we investigated how four planting dates (late October, early November, late November, and early December), two seeding rates (67 and 101 kg ha−1), and four N rates (0, 34, 67, and 101 kg N ha−1) affected rye (Secale cereale L., ‘Wrens Abruzzi’) biomass production, N uptake, C:N ratio, $ per 100 kg biomass, cash crop yields, and soil organic C (SOC) in a peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)/cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) rotation over six growing seasons (2015–2020) in Headland, Alabama, USA. Biomass production averaged 170% greater for late October planted rye compared to early December across all N rates. Nitrogen increased biomass production, but total biomass amounts decreased with later planting dates. Nitrogen uptake increased as N rate increased for each planting date. The C:N ratio was more sensitive to planting dates than N rates and decreased as planting was delayed. The $ per 100 kg of biomass was similar across all N rates for early planting dates (late October and early November). No yield effect was observed for peanut or cotton, but SOC increased in the 0–5 cm depth when 101 kg N ha−1 was applied to the rye cover crop. Results highlight the importance of planting date compared to seeding and N rates to enhance cover crop performance and return on investment (ROI) for growers in the southeastern United States.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict and the automotive energy transition: Empirical evidence from China

What are the spillover effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict? Are there other effects besides leading to an energy crisis? We analyze the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) sales, and then on the Chinese automotive energy structure, based on data of Chinese NEV sales from March 2016 to August 2022, using the Chow test and ordinary least squares (OLS). The results show that, first, the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict caused a structural and abrupt increase in the sales of NEVs in China, which had a positive impact on the automotive energy structure in China. Second, compared to the impact on battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are less affected by their ability to run on both oil and electricity. Third, the boosting effect is mainly realized through the change in the relative price of oil and electricity. Lastly, the positive impact further accelerates the transformation of China's automotive energy and transportation sectors and helps China achieve its dual carbon target at an early date. Overall, this study reveals the positive impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on China's automotive energy transition, providing policy insights for the development of the NEV industry.

Impact of robotic and open surgery on patient wound complications in gastric cancer surgery: A meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis is intended to evaluate the effect of both robotic and open-cut operations on postoperative complications of stomach carcinoma. From the earliest date until June 2023, a full and systemic search has been carried out on four main databases with keywords extracted from 'Robot', 'Gastr' and 'Opene'. The ROBINS-I instrument has been applied to evaluate the risk of bias in nonrandomized controlled trials. In these 11 trials, a total of 16 095 patients had received surgical treatment for stomach cancer and all 11 trials were nonrandomized, controlled trials. Abdominal abscesses were reported in 5 trials, wound infections in 8 trials, haemorrhage in 7 trials, wound dehiscence in 2 trials and total postoperative complications in 4 trials. Meta-analyses revealed no statistically significantly different rates of postoperative abdominal abscesses among patients who had received robotic operations than in those who had received open surgical procedures (OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.25, 3.36; p = 0.89). The incidence of bleeding after surgery was not significantly different from that in both groups (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 0.69, 2.75; p = 0.37). Similarly, there was no significant difference between the two groups (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.52, 1.18; p = 0.24). No significant difference was found between the two groups (OR, 1. 28; 95% CI, 0.75, 2.21; p = 0.36). No significant difference was found between the two groups of patients who had received the robotic operation and those who had received the surgery after the operation (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.78, 1.66; p = 0.49). Generally speaking, this meta-analysis suggests that the use of robotics does not result in a reduction in certain postsurgical complications, including wound infections and abdominal abscesses. Thus, the use of a microinvasive robot for stomach carcinoma operation might not be better than that performed on the surgical site after the operation. This is a valuable guide for the surgeon to select the operative method.

Roman to early medieval cereal farming in the Rhineland: weeds, tillage, and the spread of the mouldboard plough

ABSTRACT A new model for gauging levels of soil disturbance (i.e. tillage) by analysing arable weed assemblages from archaeological contexts is applied to an extensive Roman-to-early medieval archaeobotanical sequence from the region west of Cologne. It tests the hypothesis that increasing use of the mouldboard plough, especially in a three-field system, would result in increased levels of soil disturbance which would be reflected in the kinds of weeds that grew in arable fields. The results point to clear differences in tillage regimes during the Roman period, providing support for the view that military sites were not provisioned by the same networks that supplied the civilian market. They also reveal generally low disturbance levels for the fifth and sixth centuries, indicating a continuing predominance of ard cultivation in the post-Roman period. The majority of seventh- to eighth-century samples had, however, been grown in ‘high disturbance’ conditions, a pattern that continued through the eighth and ninth centuries. Although use of the mouldboard plough within a fully developed three-field system may not have become widespread until the tenth or eleventh century, our evidence suggests that a plough capable of turning over the soil was in use in the Rhineland at a much earlier date.

Agro-morphological characterization of selected varieties of vegetable cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] in Burkina Faso

Vegetable Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is one of the neglected legumes in Burkina Faso, and as a result, its genetic diversity remains poorly known. The main aim of this study was to know its genetic variability through an agro-morphological characterization. Twenty vegetable cowpea varieties were evaluated at the Kamboinsé Environmental, Agricultural and Training Research Center following a three-replication Fischer block design under rainfed conditions. Fifteen quantitative and nine qualitative variables were collected and subjected to various statistical analyses. Analysis of variance was significant for the variables 50% flowering, vegetable cowpea date, number of pods obtained per plant, number of seeds per pod, fresh pod weight, fresh pod yield, pod length, plant height, seed length and chlorophyll content. Strong correlations were also reported between the various variables. The observed diversity is structured in three morphological groups viz., Group 1 consists of individuals with early flowering, high chlorophyll content and the number of pods obtained per plant. Group 2 brings together the varieties of average agronomic performance for pod length, the number of pods per plant, number of days at 95% maturity, fresh pod weight, yield of fresh pods and group 3 of varieties with long pods, early green date, high pod weight and good fresh pod yield. Among the tested varieties, the varieties IT83S-872 (30 pods), IT84S-2246 (27 pods), Baguette (25 pods), IT83S-818 (26 pods), and IT85F-2682 (24 pods) stood out for their high pod production. In addition, the varieties of vegetable cowpea baguette, baguette grimpant, Telma, and IT83S-911 showed the best performance in terms of early vegetable cowpea date stage, longest pods, highest pod weight and best yield of fresh pods. The high genetic variability level within the tested varieties could be exploited in future green cowpea breeding programmes.

Maize planting date and maturity in the US central Great Plains: Exploring windows for maximizing yields

Region-specific guidelines for maize in the US Great Plains are needed to account for variability in farmer practices and inherent soil and climate differences. Therefore, it becomes critical to define environment tailored management strategies for maize crop to improve and sustain yields over time. The aims of this study were to: i) define homogenous maize yield environments classified as related to the maximum yield and its stability over time in the US central Great Plains region; ii) explore the combinations of planting date and hybrid maturity that lead to optimal yield for each of the previously defined homogenous maize yield environments; and iii) identify environments presenting different windows for maximizing yields (combinations of planting date by hybrid maturity). Hybrid maturity (growth cycle) by planting date combinations were explored at 70 sites within central and eastern Kansas and northern Oklahoma (herein defined as the US central Great Plains region) using 30 years of historical weather data. In addition to the analysis of an extensive maize field dataset, a crop growth model, Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM), was utilized to evaluate the crop yield and phenology of all hybrid maturity by planting date combinations to define environment tailored management strategies. The simulated yields were spatially clustered based on attainable yield and stability over time to delimit more homogeneous productivity environments. Overall, greater yields were attained with long-maturing hybrids (comparative relative maturity, CRM, 101 and 115). Delaying the planting date from April to mid-May decreased yield in eastern environments. Moreover, late planting maintained yields and increased stability in central environments. For central Kansas and Oklahoma, anticipation of physiological maturity date (3–16 days) with reduced yield penalties (<5%) were possible by using short-season hybrid maturities (CRM 85). Future scenarios for intensification could be explored in those environments presenting more windows for maximizing yields, either with early planting and harvest dates or via late planting providing time for a short crop before maize. Adoption of more region-specific guidelines for maize management could help to optimize yield and its stability over time and seek further opportunities to diversify risk and intensify our current maize-based farming systems in the US central Great Plains.

Molecular data suggests a Pliocene – Early Pleistocene divergence date for the common and pygmy hippopotamus

Hippopotamid phylogeny has proven difficult to resolve with proposed relationships between extant and fossil species receiving mixed levels of support. Of particular interest is the divergence between the two extant hippopotamid species, the well-known common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) and the enigmatic pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis). Previous studies have relied on morphological and fossil evidence to identify the ancestral species at the core of this divergence and its timing. In this study, we assembled a molecular matrix of 26 nuclear gene sequences from 11 ungulate species with two primates as an outgroup. We used a Bayesian relaxed molecular clock approach to reconstruct a calibrated time tree for Cetartiodactyla and estimate the divergence date between the common and pygmy hippopotamus. While previous morphological studies have estimated this event to have occurred sometime during the Late Miocene (between 11.6 and 5.3 million years ago), our nuclear gene-based estimates suggest a more recent split of about 4.04 Ma (95% confidence interval: 8.31–1.97 Ma) via RelTime-ML or 2.4 Ma (95% confidence interval: 3.1–1.6 Ma) via MCMCTree. These more recent estimates correspond with the Early Pliocene – Early Pleistocene sub-epochs and align most closely with the results of previous genomic studies. We discuss how our results compare with previous estimates based on both morphological and molecular studies, some of which extend the predicted range of this divergence date even further back in time. Our results suggest a different path of evolution for the understudied pygmy hippopotamus and reveal that morphological evidence alone may not resolve the correct hippopotamid phylogenetic and time trees. We suggest that the common and pygmy hippopotamus may be phylogenetically closer than once believed. Our results also call for further studies to develop a combined approach incorporating both molecular and morphological evidence to reach a consensus on the evolutionary patterns and timing that led to modern hippopotamid evolution.

An early system A-type scheme for Saturn from Babylon

In this paper we publish three fragments of a cuneiform tablet that, when complete, contained the dates and zodiacal positions of Saturn’s synodic phenomena for roughly 60 years. The text is unique in containing comparisons of computed data with observations. Through an analysis of the preserved data we propose that the dates and positions were computed by an otherwise unknown two-zone System A-type scheme and show that the computed data in the tablet can be dated to the fourth century BC. This early date and the comparisons with observations suggest that the text was produced during the period of active development of the planetary systems.

Projected impacts of climate change on viticulture over French wine regions using downscaled CMIP6 multi-model data

Climate change is a major challenge for the French wine industry. Climatic conditions in French vineyards have already changed and will continue to evolve impacting viticulture.This study aims to analyse the evolution of agro- and eco-climatic indices based on phenology simulation of French wine-growing regions. This evolution was analysed on a recent-past period (1962–1991 to 1992–2021) using SAFRAN climate data and on a future projected period (1985–2014 to 2041–2070) with two SSP trajectories (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5). A set of 19 CMIP6 climate models downscaled at 8 km grid resolution over France coupled with three phenological and a water balance model were used. Phenological model parameters and training system characteristics were adapted to each region to match as much as possible current practices.Temperatures during the growing season have increased by +1 °C to +2.1 °C since the second half of the 20th century and could rise to +3.7 °C in regions around the Mediterranean by 2070. The inter-model variance concerning the precipitation is high, a significant change (decrease) in precipitation during the grapevine growing season is observed only for the regions of western France (Oceanic climate) over the period 2040–2071 with the SSP5 trajectory. All simulated phenological stages have shifted toward earlier dates. Their occurrence should be even earlier by 2070 with an average advance of up to 22 days for the mid-veraison of Pinot noir in eastern France. The theoretical maturity date (sugar content) should also be advanced from 19 to 30 days depending on the considered region and SSP. Thermal conditions closer to the photosynthetic optimum should promote onset by the early second half of the 21st century. The increase in both the number of hot days and grapevine water deficit during the period of fruit development should impact grape production in quality and quantity in all wine-growing regions. Spring frost projections show no significant change in risk for the second half of the 21st century, compared to current conditions.

Influence of Heliothinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) pests on cotton yield components across a range of planting dates in the southeastern USA

Because of H. zea resistance to Bt toxins, there is renewed interest in cotton IPM, including adjusting planting date. Later planted crops often receive more damage or support larger populations of Heliothinae pests, but this has not been well-documented in cotton. We explored the effects of planting date relative to Heliothinae pests in cotton across various planting windows in the southeastern USA during 2020 and 2021. In-season injury, plant mapping, box mapping, and yield were assessed. In 2021, these planting dates were split with a protective insecticide. Peak boll injury by Heliothinae larvae was not different by planting date and insecticide sprays were usually effective to minimize injury. In general, there were more bolls in position one. Boll retention was usually similar across positions, but was sometimes higher in the lower positions. Bolls that contributed the most to yield tended to be in position one or monopodia bolls, and the yield contribution tended to decrease as boll position increased. As planting date progressed, the highest percent contribution to yield tended to be on lower nodes in the plant. Yields tended to be higher in the early and middle planting dates and were higher in insecticide sprayed plots when the economic threshold was exceeded. We found clear evidence for plant compensation from H. zea feeding in one trial. Planting date relative to Heliothinae pressure level was negligible, given the plant's ability to compensate and the extended window reproductive tissue was available in earlier planting dates relative to later planting dates.

Can Tomb Terminology Be Used as a Criterion for Dating the Pyramid Texts?

Abstract Scholars have long recognized that some Pyramid Text utterances display signs of age that indicate a pre-monumental history of use. Two utterances in particular, PT 355 and PT 662, have been dated by scholars as early as the Pre- or Early Dynastic, based on lines interpreted as describing a pre-pyramidal royal tomb-form (a mudbrick mastaba or a sand grave). This article evaluates the assumptions upon which these claims are based and uses this question to examine the complex interaction between lexical semantics, religious beliefs, and material culture. This article will show that tomb terminology is not a definitive indicator of an early date of composition of Pyramid Text utterances, as the association of lexemes with specific archaeological building-types is problematized by innovations in language, religion, and architecture that occurred in the early Old Kingdom, as well as changes in modern scholarship’s understanding of the context and use of the Pyramid Texts.

Grain yield response to planting date and cutting height of the first crop in rice ratooning

AbstractRice (Oryza sativa L.) ratooning is one of the most essential production strategies to increase grain yield. Field experiments were conducted in southwestern Japan in 2021 and 2022 to determine the effects of planting date and cutting height of the first crop on grain yield. Grain yield of the second crop was higher at early planting date than at late planting date in 2021, but the yield difference was narrowed in 2022. The higher grain yield at early planting date resulted from the higher number of spikelets and percentage of filled spikelets due to the higher stubble nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) content, leaf area index (LAI), and air temperatures. Grain yield of the second crop was higher at high cutting height than at low cutting height in 2021, but the yield difference was narrowed in 2022. The higher grain yield at high cutting height resulted from the higher number of spikelets due to the higher NSC content and LAI. In the weather conditions, grain yield had a strong positive correlation with the air temperature, which had positive correlations with the number of panicle and percentage of filled spikelets. In the stubble conditions, grain yield had a strong positive correlation with NSC content, which had positive correlations with the number of panicle and percentage of filled spikelets. Therefore, early planting, which secures high air temperatures, and high cutting height, which produces high NSC content, are recommended to increase grain yield of the second crop.

Georges Mounin, pionnier de la traductologie française

GEORGES MOUNIN, PIONEER OF FRENCH TRANSLATION STUDIES Georges Mounin developed his reflections on translation in a series of texts published from 1953 and can thus be regarded as one of the founders of translation studies in France and in the French language. His early research dates back to the same time as Fedorov’s, who represents what might be called the Russian school of translation. This paper seeks to analyse Georges Mounin’s work, which spans 40 years, until his death in 1993. His legacy is not just bibliographical, it is also that of a teacher with remarkable communication skills who trained disciples, and that of a talent scout who discovered the young Ladmiral and Meschonnic in the 1970s. Most importantly however, Georges Mounin has the immense merit of having introduced translation studies into French universities and within the field of linguistics, an achievement which later enabled him to take the sociolinguistic turn, notably with the issue of worldview and language universals. This paper is also largely about the man, seen through his teaching career, his political commitment, his links with other authors, not to forget his work as a translator. Georges Mounin was indeed first of all a field man, who translated Dante, Petrarch, Machiavelli or Pasternak.

Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of guidelines in rare diseases: a systematic review

BackgroundRare diseases present a challenge to guideline implementation due to a low prevalence in the general population and the unfamiliarity of healthcare professionals. Existing literature in more common diseases references barriers and facilitators to guideline implementation. This systematic review aims to identify these barriers and facilitators in rare diseases from existing literature.MethodsA multi-stage strategy included searching MEDLINE PubMed, EMBASE Ovid, Web of Science and Cochrane library from the earliest date available to April 2021, Orphanet journal hand-search, a pearl-growing strategy from a primary source and reference/citation search was performed. The Integrated Checklist of Determinants of Practice which comprises of twelve checklists and taxonomies, informed by 57 potential determinants was selected as a screening tool to identify determinants that warrant further in-depth investigation to inform design of future implementation strategies.ResultsForty-four studies were included, most of which were conducted in the United States (54.5%). There were 168 barriers across 36 determinants (37 studies) and 52 facilitators across 22 determinants (22 studies). Fifteen diseases were included across eight WHO ICD-11 disease categories. Together individual health professional factors and guideline factors formed the majority of the reported determinants (59.5% of barriers and 53.8% of facilitators). Overall, the three most reported individual barriers were the awareness/familiarity with the recommendation, domain knowledge and feasibility. The three most reported individual facilitators were awareness/familiarity with the recommendation, agreement with the recommendation and ability to readily access the guidelines. Resource barriers to implementation included technology costs, ancillary staff costs and more cost-effective alternatives. There was a paucity of studies reporting influential people, patient advocacy groups or opinion leaders, or organisational factors influencing implementation.ConclusionsKey barriers and facilitators to the implementation of clinical practice guidelines in the setting of rare diseases were at the individual health professional and guideline level. Influential people and organisational factors were relatively under-reported and warrant exploration, as does increasing the ability to access the guidelines as a potential intervention.

TASMOLA CULTURE: THE FIRST RESULTS OF THE STUDY OF THE COMPOSITION OF PAINTS ON THE OBJECTS FROM BARROWS

In a modern study of the issues of Tasmola culture the settlement materials made it possible to begin the developing aspects of population economic activity. The work with materials from the settlements showed the need for a new approach concerning the barrow finds. Among them the grave goods with remains of paint have survived. In the previous period the use of paints among the Tasmola population did not become the subject of special studies.&#x0D; In 2013—2015 three burials were excavated on the territory of the Karaganda region: barrows 3 and 7 in the Baike 2 burial ground and barrow 4 in the Kiziltu 3 burial ground. All burials have been looted in antiquity. A bone hairpin was found in barrow 3 of the Baike 2 burial ground, a bone case was found in barrow 7, and a small stone altar was preserved in barrow 4 of the Kiziltu 4 burial ground. There are red paint residues on the side ledge and the top of the hairpin. Figures of 16 animals are carved on the surface of the bone case. The composition is made in the Saka animal style and painted with red and green paint. The oval stone altar has four legs. On the back side of this object, between the legs, remains of yellow-red paint have survived.&#x0D; According to the results of chemical (elemental) analysis these paints were obtained from mercury sulfide or cinnabar as well as ocher and malachite. The barrows belong to the early Saka period and date back to the 7th—6th centuries BC. The discovered burial mounds are made of earth and stone. The diameters of the mounds are 8.5—12.5 m, the height is 0.35—0.4 m. These mounds are undoubtedly the burial places of the ordinary population and are not related to aristocrats. The authors believe that these are the female burials. All these minerals were found in the depths of Kazakhstan and there is reason to believe that these paints were made locally. Paints from ocher, cinnabar and malachite have been known in different parts of the world since ancient times. The available materials show that starting from the early Saka period these paints were widespread among the population of Kazakhstan and the Sayan-Altai.

Cremated animal remains and shattered pottery. Rare ritual deposits from the Middle to Late Bronze Age at Aalst – Siesegemkouter (Belgium)

Abstract Archaeological research at Aalst – Siesegemkouter revealed several pits within a Middle to Late Bronze Age settlement. Most of them hardly contained any artefacts, but one exception showed a structured stratigraphy with an abundance of finds, including a large amount of shattered pottery, charcoal and calcined animal bone. The study of this assemblage, and comparison with two other pits showing similarities, provides strong indications of a closing deposit or another type of ‘site maintenance practice’. In the Low Countries, comparable contexts generally date from the Iron Age, suggesting that the finds from Aalst – Siesegemkouter represent early forerunners of this ritual practice. On top of this early date, the large volume of cremated animal bone represents an almost unique characteristic for which, until now, parallels from the Metal Ages have hardly been found, even on a Northwestern European scale. In general, the role played by organic remains in ritual contexts from these periods and regions is poorly understood, often due to bad preservation conditions or the lack of a multidisciplinary approach.