Using microartifacts to infer Middle Pleistocene lifeways at Schöningen, Germany.

While archeologists usually favor the study of large and diagnostic lithic artifacts, this study illustrates the invaluable contribution of lithic microartifacts for interpreting hominin lifeways. Across a 64 m2 area of the Middle Pleistocene lakeshore site of Schöningen 13 II-3 in Northern Germany, we recovered a total of 57 small and micro flint artifacts, four small debris pieces, three natural fragments and three bone retouchers in close association with the skeleton of an extinct Eurasian straight-tusked elephant (Palaeoloxodon antiquus). This area lacks the type of formal knapped stone tools that would normally constitute the focus of archeological interpretations. By adopting a holistic approach, including morpho-technical analysis, experimental archeology, and use-wear and residue analyses, we demonstrate that these small and microartifacts are resharpening flakes that tell the story of the site. Fifteen resharpening flakes preserve microwear traces of processing wood. Microscopic residues of wood adhered to the former working edges of the tools corroborate this observation. Additionally, hominins used a sharp-edged, natural fragment of flint to process fresh animal tissue, which likely originates from the butchery of the elephant. These results provide unique, 300,000-year-old evidence for the functionally interconnected use of lithic, osseous and wood technologies. Furthermore, we document in-situ transformations of stone tools and the presence of both curational and expedient behaviors, thereby demonstrating the temporal depth of hominin activities at the lakeshore where the elephant died, and in the broader landscape as a whole.

Function, life histories, and biographies of Lower Paleolithic patinated flint tools from Late Acheulian Revadim, Israel.

Flint tools exhibiting modified patinated surfaces ("double patina", or post-patination flaked items) provide a glimpse into Paleolithic lithic recycling, stone economy, and human choices. Different life cycles of such items are visually evident by the presence of fresh new modified surfaces alongside old patinated ones (according to color and texture differences). New modifications testify to a gap in time between the previous life cycle of the patinated flaked item and its new one. The aim of the current study is to reconstruct the functional properties and life cycles of a sample of modified patinated flaked tools from Late Acheulian Revadim, Israel by applying use-wear and residue analyses. The results of the functional study allow a better understanding of the practical reasoning behind the collection and recycling of old flint tools, while additional inputs from theoretical and methodological advancements assist in reconstructing their probable role in the worldviews of the site's inhabitants.

Comprehensive Infrared Study of Tetryl, Dinitrotoluene, and Trinitrotoluene Compounds.

The present work describes an experimental and theoretical study of energetic materials used for detecting explosives in order to prevent terrorist actions, as well as for de-mining projects. Particular attention was devoted to examining the infrared absorption spectroscopy of classic explosives in order to create a useful mobile apparatus for on-field detection of explosives. This paper reports the vibrational absorption spectra of tetryl, dinitrotoluene, and trinitrotoluene molecules approached using two different spectroscopic techniques, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and laser photoacoustic spectroscopy (LPAS). Diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectra of all samples were analyzed in a very wide spectral range (400-7500 cm(-1)) showing for the first time the existence of weak absorption bands attributable to overtones or combination bands, while laser photoacoustic spectroscopy spectra have been investigated in the fingerprint region of organic compounds that share the CO2 laser emission range (~920-1100 cm(-1)). The Fourier transform infrared spectra of both matrix isolated dinitrotoluenes have been also investigated. The theoretical treatment of tetryl is reported for the first time.

Fat residue and use-wear found on Acheulian biface and scraper associated with butchered elephant remains at the site of Revadim, Israel.

The archaeological record indicates that elephants must have played a significant role in early human diet and culture during Palaeolithic times in the Old World. However, the nature of interactions between early humans and elephants is still under discussion. Elephant remains are found in Palaeolithic sites, both open-air and cave sites, in Europe, Asia, the Levant, and Africa. In some cases elephant and mammoth remains indicate evidence for butchering and marrow extraction performed by humans. Revadim Quarry (Israel) is a Late Acheulian site where elephant remains were found in association with characteristic Lower Palaeolithic flint tools. In this paper we present results regarding the use of Palaeolithic tools in processing animal carcasses and rare identification of fat residue preserved on Lower Palaeolithic tools. Our results shed new light on the use of Palaeolithic stone tools and provide, for the first time, direct evidence (residue) of animal exploitation through the use of an Acheulian biface and a scraper. The association of an elephant rib bearing cut marks with these tools may reinforce the view suggesting the use of Palaeolithic stone tools in the consumption of large game.

Physicochemical investigation of pulsed laser deposited carbonated hydroxyapatite films on titanium.

Carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA)-coated titanium can find wide applications as bone substitute implant in bone and dental surgery and orthopedics, promoting osseointegration with a host bone and ensuring biocompatibility and bioactivity. In this work, carbonated hydroxyapatite films were prepared on titanium substrates by pulsed laser deposition at different substrate temperatures ranging from 30 to 750 degrees C. The properties of films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Vickers microhardness measurements of the composite film-substrate systems were performed, and the intrinsic hardness of films was separated from the composite hardness using a "law-of-mixtures" approach and taking into account the indentation size effect. The prepared CHA films are nearly stoichiometric with a Ca/P atomic ratio of 2.0-2.2. The films deposited in the 30-500 degrees C temperature range are about 9 microm thick, amorphous, having an average roughness of 60 nm. At higher temperature, 700-750 degrees C, the films are about 4 microm thick, show a finer surface morphology and an average roughness of 20 nm. At 750 degrees C the films are amorphous, whereas at 700 degrees C they are crystalline and textured along the (202) and (212) directions. The intrinsic hardness of the films increased with an increase in substrate temperature, being as low as 5 GPa at 30 degrees C and reaching a high value of 28 GPa at 700 degrees C. The rich information gained by the joint use of the mentioned techniques allowed a comprehensive characterization of this system.

Study of the organic residue from a 2600-year old Etruscan plumpekanne.

Excavation of the Etruscan Necropolis dell'Osteria near Vulci (VI Century b.c.) brought to light in Tomb 2 a bronze plumpekanne. According to preliminary X-ray observation, an unusually thick deposit of organic nature lay at its bottom. Numerous samples of the residue were investigated using microFTIR and diffuse reflectance FTIR spectroscopy. For comparative purposes similar analyses were performed on samples of resins mentioned in classical sources. Spectroscopic results identify the residue as mastic or incense, both triterpenic resins. The former seems to be preferred since, according to classical sources, it was used as must additive.