Science Revealing Ancient Magic: Phytolith Evidence from the Early Chalcolithic Site of Isaiia (Eastern Romania).

The article presents the palaeobotanical investigations of a remarkable discovery from the Early Chalcolithic settlement of Isaiia-Balta Popii (Romania), a multi-layered site. The excavation of a dwelling brought to light a rather rare finding, meaning a medium sized ceramic vessel having deposited inside two objects of burnt clay: an anthropomorphic figurine depicting pregnancy attributes and a small cone. Given the special character of the deposition, several samples from the vessel and near it were collected for phytolith analysis. Our results highlighted a ritual plant deposition: Elongate dendritic and Blocky morphotypes suggest that cereals and probably Artemisia seem to have been used for this purpose. These plants are known, aside from their practical uses, as powerful symbols, used through the ages in magic practices. All of these facts are strong arguments to interpret this find as a result of a ritual related to fertility involving both feminine and masculine symbols and plant use.

Establishing the archaeo-metallurgic ornamentation process of an axe from the bronze age by OM, SEM-EDX, and micro-FTIR.

Our article presents the results of the analyses we performed by corroborating the Optical Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive Xray Analysis and micro Fourier Transformed InfraRed Analysis techniques to identify the archaeo-metallurgic casting and ornamentation procedure of a decorated disk-butted axe, which was discovered recently east of the Carpathian mountains, in the Moldavian Plateau. There are few known axes of that type found (A1, according to the usual typologies), as they are specific to the Middle Bronze Age period west of the Carpathians-the Wietenberg, Suciu de Sus, and Otomani-Füzesabony cultures. The experimental data on the item under study revealed the fact that after casting it in molds made from porous silicone-based stone, the object was coated with a thin layer, by immersing it in a lightly fusible tin alloy, whose main alloy component was copper and arsenic and iron as secondary components. After refining the shiny white layer, they applied a beautiful decoration pattern made by incision and engraving. This battle axe was an indication of higher status, such items usually being owned by community leaders. This important fact proves that the ancient metallurgic craftsmen were able to elaborate and manufacture various alloys from which they made beautiful objects and it also offers a new insight into the social and symbolic function of certain antique bronze items.

[Epidemiological and forensic medical considerations regarding frequency and causes of violent deaths in Iasi. County, between 1997-2006]. / Consideratii epidemiologice si medico-legale asupra frecventei si cauzelor producerii deceselor prin violenta, in judetul Iasi, in perioada 1997-2006.

UNLABELLED: Authors present some epidemiological aspects of violent deaths in Iasi County, with certain comparisons with Romania, during the period 1997-2006. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study included information collected by Institutes of Forensic Medicine at the national level. RESULTS: In Romania, violent deaths registered values between 2.6 and 4.5%, with yearly non-significant statistical differences when reported to causes of death, excepted years 2005 and 2006. Violent deaths situated Iasi County over the national level (8-11 / 2.7% per hundred thousand). Homicides registered 9.3% per hundred thousand, as compared with much more reduced values in other 12 Romanian counties, in the same period of study. CONCLUSIONS: Violent death in Romania and Iasi County highlighted a dependence of difficulties to carry out efficient programmes of prevention and emergency assistance.

[Epidemiologic and forensic medical assessment of suicide incidence and other causes of violent death in Romania and Iasi, between 1997 and 2006]. / Unele evaluari epidemiologice si medico-legale asupra incidentei sinuciderilor si a altor cauze ale mortii violente, comparativ, la nivel national si in judetul Iasi, in perioada 1997-2006.

UNLABELLED: The study included information collected in the reports of Forensic Medicine Institutes, at the national level, processed and interpreted using epidemiological and biostatistical methods. RESULTS: In Romania, at the national level, the annual values of suicide incidence increased from 18 to 30% and in 70-80% of cases, other causes led to violent death (intoxication, precipitation, submersion, burning, cut wounds, shooting a.s.o.). In lasi County, the annual values of suicide incidence varied between 1.1 and 2 per thousand inhabitants, and the main cause was hanging registered in 60.2% of cases in 31-60 age groups, with male predominance. CONCLUSION: Results are useful for the orientation of educational prevention programs.