A Roman provincial city and its contamination legacy from artisanal and daily-life activities

Roman metal use and related extraction activities resulted in heavy metal pollution and contamination, in particular of Pb near ancient mines and harbors, as well as producing a global atmospheric impact. New evidence from ancient Gerasa (Jerash), Jordan, suggests that small-scale but intense Roman, Byzantine and Umayyad period urban, artisanal, and everyday site activities contributed to substantial heavy metal contamination of the city and its hinterland wadi, even though no metal mining took place and hardly any lead water pipes were used. Distribution of heavy metal contaminants, especially Pb, observed in the urban soils and sediments within this ancient city and its hinterland wadi resulted from aeolian, fluvial, cultural and post-depositional processes. These represent the contamination pathways of an ancient city-hinterland setting and reflect long-term anthropogenic legacies at local and regional scales beginning in the Roman period. Thus, urban use and re-use of heavy metal sources should be factored into understanding historical global-scale contaminant distributions.

On the production of ancient Egyptian blue: Multi-modal characterization and micron-scale luminescence mapping

The ancient pigment Egyptian blue has long been studied for its historical significance; however, recent work has shown that its unique visible induced luminescent property can be used both to identify the pigment and to inspire new materials with this characteristic. In this study, a multi-modal characterization approach is used to explore variations in ancient production of Egyptian blue from shabti statuettes found in the village of Deir el-Medina in Egypt (Luxor, West Bank) dating back to the New Kingdom (18^th-20^th Dynasties; about 1550–1077 BCE). Using quantitative SEM-EDS analysis, we identify two possible production groups of the Egyptian blue and demonstrate the presence of multiple phases within samples using cluster analysis and ternary diagram representations. Using both macro-scale non-invasive (X-rays fluorescence and multi-spectral imaging) and micro-sampling (SEM-EDS and Raman confocal microspectroscopy) techniques, we correlate photoluminescence and chemical composition of the ancient samples. We introduce Raman spectroscopic imaging as a means to capture simultaneously visible-induced luminesce and crystal structure and utilize it to identify two classes of luminescing and non-luminescing silicate phases in the pigment that may be connected to production technologies. The results presented here provide a new framework through which Egyptian blue can be studied and inform the design of new materials based on its luminescent property.

Copper to Tuscany - Coals to Newcastle? The dynamics of metalwork exchange in early Italy

The paper discusses results of an interdisciplinary research project integrating lead isotope, chemical, and archaeological analysis of 20 early metal objects from central Italy. The aim of the research was to develop robust provenance hypotheses for 4^th and 3^rd millennia BC metals from an important, yet hitherto neglected, metallurgical district in prehistoric Europe, displaying precocious copper mining and smelting, as well as socially significant uses of metals in ‘Rinaldone-style’ burials. All major (and most minor) ore bodies from Tuscany and neighbouring regions were characterised chemically and isotopically, and 20 Copper Age axe-heads, daggers and halberds were sampled and analysed. The objects were also reassessed archaeologically, paying special attention to find context, typology, and chronology. This multi-pronged approach has allowed us to challenge received wisdom concerning the local character of early metal production and exchange in the region. The research has shown that most objects were likely manufactured in west-central Italy using copper from Southern Tuscany and, quite possibly, the Apuanian Alps. A few objects, however, display isotopic and chemical signatures compatible with the Western Alpine and, in one case, French ore deposits. This shows that the Copper Age communities of west-central Italy participated in superregional exchange networks tying together the middle/upper Tyrrhenian region, the western Alps, and perhaps the French Midi. These networks were largely independent from other metal displacement circuits in operation at the time, which embraced the north-Alpine region and the south-eastern Alps, respectively.

Medical Experts and Agnotology in the Fumes Controversy of the Huelva Copper Mines (1888-1890)

Huelva's copper mines (Spain) have been active for centuries but in the second half of the nineteenth century extractive activities in Riotinto, Tharsis, and other mines in the region were intensified in order to reach world leadership. The method used in these mines for copper extraction from low grade ores generated continuous emissions of fumes that were extremely controversial. The inhabitants had complained about the fumes for decades but as activity intensified so did complaints. The killing of anti-fumes demonstrators in 1888 led to the passing of a Royal Decree banning the open-air roasting of ore and to the drafting of numerous reports on the hazards of the fumes. Major state and provincial medical institutions, as well as renowned hygienists and engineers, took part in the assessment, contributing to a scientific controversy especially rich in content. In my paper I will analyse the production and circulation of knowledge and ignorance about the impact of fumes on public health, as well as the role of medical experts and expertise in the controversy. The analysis will focus on the reports drafted between the 1888 ban and its 1890 repeal, and will show the changing nature of the expert assessment and the numerous paths followed by experts in producing ignorance. The paper will conclude by considering other stakeholders, who may shed some light on the reasons behind the performance of the medical experts.

A New Chronology for the Bronze Age of Northeastern Thailand and Its Implications for Southeast Asian Prehistory

There are two models for the origins and timing of the Bronze Age in Southeast Asia. The first centres on the sites of Ban Chiang and Non Nok Tha in Northeast Thailand. It places the first evidence for bronze technology in about 2000 B.C., and identifies the origin by means of direct contact with specialists of the Seima Turbino metallurgical tradition of Central Eurasia. The second is based on the site of Ban Non Wat, 280 km southwest of Ban Chiang, where extensive radiocarbon dating places the transition into the Bronze Age in the 11th century B.C. with likely origins in a southward expansion of technological expertise rooted in the early states of the Yellow and Yangtze valleys, China. We have redated Ban Chiang and Non Nok Tha, as well as the sites of Ban Na Di and Ban Lum Khao, and here present 105 radiocarbon determinations that strongly support the latter model. The statistical analysis of the results using a Bayesian approach allows us to examine the data at a regional level, elucidate the timing of arrival of copper base technology in Southeast Asia and consider its social impact.

Identification of the man-made barium copper silicate pigments among some ancient Chinese artifacts through spectroscopic analysis

This article describes the complementary application of non-invasive micro-Raman spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to the characterization of some ancient Chinese silicate artifacts. A total of 28 samples dated from fourth century BC to third century AD were analyzed. The results of chemical analysis showed that the vitreous PbO-BaO-SiO2 material was used to sinter these silicate artifacts. The barium copper silicate pigments including BaCuSi4O10, BaCuSi2O6 and BaCu2Si2O7 were widely identified from colorful areas of the samples by Raman spectroscopy. In addition, other crystalline phases such as Fe2O3, BaSi2O5, BaSO4, PbCO3 and quartz were also identified. The present study provides very valuable information to trace the technical evolution of man-made barium copper silicate pigments and their close relationship with the making of ancient PbO-BaO-SiO2 glaze and glass.

The little known Mineral and Chemical History of Iron and A History of Brass by an eighteenth-century technologist, William Lewis (1708-1781)

Sometime during the 1920s, Cardiff Public Libraries (later to become Cardiff Central Library) acquired a six-volume handwritten manuscript collection entitled Mineral & Chemical History of Iron. The author of the manuscripts is named as William Lewis. Now uniformly bound in half-leather and cloth boards, this impressive holding provides, in more than a thousand handwritten pages, an early attempt to produce a full-scale treatise in English on the history of iron.' This note traces the route by which the collection reached Cardiff, and also presents evidence for the existence of a hitherto unknown work on the history of brass by the same author.

[Nicolò Paganini: Devil's violinist because of abnormal hands?--New investigations using a bronze cast from the right hand]

This paper presents new measurements of a bronze cast from the right hand of the famous Italian violin virtuoso Nicolò Paganini (1782-1840). These are compared to anthropometric standard values. In addition, detailed dorsal and palmar views of the cast are shown. With a middle finger length of 75 mm, the palm width is 60 mm and the hand length 152 mm, which is significantly below the 5% percentile of today's standard values. Also the finger length index (0.55), the ratio of finger length to palm length (0.98) and the ratio of finger length to palm width (1.25) are significantly above normal limits. Hence, Paganini had abnormal hand measurements with a very small palm and relatively "long" fingers. This remarkable constellation, among others, could have been advantageous for his amazing skills as a violinist.

The beginning of metallurgy in the southern Levant: a late 6th millennium CalBC copper awl from Tel Tsaf, Israel

The beginning of metallurgy in the ancient Near East attracts much attention. The southern Levant, with the rich assemblage of copper artifacts from the Nahal Mishmar cave and the unique gold rings of the Nahal Qanah cave, is regarded as a main center of early metallurgy during the second half of the 5^th millennium CalBC. However, a recently discovered copper awl from a Middle Chalcolithic burial at Tel Tsaf, Jordan Valley, Israel, suggests that cast metal technology was introduced to the region as early as the late 6^th millennium CalBC. This paper examines the chemical composition of this item and reviews its context. The results indicate that it was exported from a distant source, probably in the Caucasus, and that the location where it was found is indicative of the social status of the buried individual. This rare finding indicates that metallurgy was first defused to the southern Levant through exchange networks and only centuries later involved local production. This copper awl, the earliest metal artifact found in the southern Levant, indicates that the elaborate Late Chalcolithic metallurgy developed from a more ancient tradition.

Historical review of Svarna Măksika

The old age Ayurvedic claim about the therapeutic importance of metals and mineral bhasmas are time tasted. To make available the evidence for use of metals and minerals in therapeutics and to provide the knowledge of processing techniques in ancient India it is very much necessary to look over the history. Rasa săstra is the branch of Ayurvedic science which deals with the pharmaceutical processings of the metals and minerals. Svarna Măksika is one of the most important materials described in various Rasa literatures as well as in Sarmhităs and in other Ayurvedic texts. Going through the different literatures its different features, geological distributions and various processing techniques like sŏdhana, mărana are found. In Samhită period only the features were described but during 7th Cen. AD & onwards its processings were found. Now a day Svarrna Măksika is correlated with chalcopyrite by modern metallurgists. The features of chalcopyrite are also given to assist the more study in this regard. In the current paper it is tried to collect and compile all the related area about Svarna Măksika from all possible ancient literary resources as well as from possible modern texts, to facilitate further research.

An ancient Roman bowl embedded in a soil sample: surface shaded three dimensional display using data from a multi-detector CT

We present an unusual application of multidetector CT and shaded surface rendering in the investigation of a soil sample, containing an ancient Roman bronze bowl. The CT findings were of fundamental importance in helping the archaeologists study the bronze bowl from the soil sample.

[Tin bubble pots]

In the sixteenth century Ambroise Pard uses of an hermetic pewter pot to obtain a beef-tea as a medical therapy. He describes the protocol to prepare it and the way to ordain the beef-tea to patients. The same hermetic spheric pewter pot is always in use in the middle of nineteenth century. At that period the discovery of creatin confirms the usefulness of that medical pewter pot who seems to be an only French production.

The recognition of silicosis: labor unions and physicians in the Chilean copper industry, 1930s-1960s

By the late 1930s, silicosis had become one of the most important occupational diseases in Chile. It was a medical and scientific problem, and a favorite topic in medical congresses; in Chile, a mining country, it also had serious political and economic implications. The recognition of silicosis did not happen in a vacuum, but was part of a national debate on the social role of the state and its responsibility toward working people's health and safety. This article traces the history of silicosis as an occupational disease from the late 1930s to the late 1960s, and argues that the recognition of the disease was the result of a medical, labor, and political struggle.

Identification of copper-based green pigments in Jaume Huguet's Gothic altarpieces by Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy and synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction

The scientific investigation of ancient paintings gives a unique insight into ancient painting techniques and their evolution through time and geographic location. This study deals with the identification of the green pigments used by one of the most important Catalan masters in Gothic times, Jaume Huguet. Other pigments and materials have also been characterized by means of conventional techniques such as optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction has been used to produce maps of phases at a spatial resolution of 100 microm across chromatic layers.

Some consequences of ancient mining activities on the health of ancient and modern human populations

Heavy metal pollutants generated by mining activities in the Jordanian desert c. 2000 years ago will have had detrimental effects on the health of slaves, guards and expert overseers. The pollutants continue to persist and cycle in the modern environment and affect plants, animals and inevitably the humans who are dependent on both. These findings have implications in terms of the public health of human populations living on or in the vicinity of ancient industrial sites around the Mediterranean and in the Middle East. Some effects of heavy metals on human health are examined; issues of bioaccumulation and partitioning are addressed.

Cardiovascular disease from copper deficiency--a history

Although the nutritional essentiality of copper was established in 1928, a preoccupation with hematology delayed the discovery of cardiovascular disease from copper deficiency for more than a decade. Anatomical studies of several species of deficient animals revealed, interalia, aortic fissures and rupture, arterial foam cells and smooth muscle migration, cardiac enlargement and rupture, coronary artery thrombosis and myocardial infarction. Abnormal biochemistry in deficiency probably contributes to these lesions, e.g., decreased activities of lysyl oxidase and superoxide dismutase which result in failure of collagen and elastin crosslinking and impaired defense against free radicals. Copper deficiency also decreases copper in hearts and other organs and cells and increases cholesterol in plasma. Abnormal physiology from deficiency includes abnormal electrocardiograms, glucose intolerance and hypertension. People with ischemic heart disease have decreased cardiac and leucocyte copper and decreased activities of some copper-dependent enzymes. Copper depletion experiments with men and women have revealed abnormalities of lipid metabolism, blood pressure control, and electrocardiograms plus impaired glucose tolerance. The Western diet often is as low in copper as that proved insufficient for these people. Knowledge of nutritional history can be useful in addressing contemporary nutritional problems.

Copper and inflammation

Bonta, Sorenson and others have shown that Cu(II) derivatives are effective anti-inflammatory agents. Some chemical and pharmacological properties of Cu(I) and metallic Cu are discussed. Thio complexes of Cu(I) were prepared and shown to be useful anti-inflammatory agents in rats. Hypotheses are stated concerning the possible therapeutic value of copper in its various oxidation states.

Treatment of rheumatoid and degenerative diseases with copper complexes: a review with emphasis on copper-salicylate

This review presents a historical account of the treatment of rheumatoid and other degenerative diseases with copper complexes. Clinical data obtained from 1940 to 1971 are provided for about 1,500 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (acute or chronic), rheumatic fever, ankylosing spondylitis, staphlococcal spondylitis, gonococcal arthritis, chronic gouty arthritis, polyarticular synovitis, coxitis, disseminated spondylitis, arthritis with psoriasis, Reiter's syndrome, lupus erythematosus, sarcoidosis, arthrosis deformans, erythema nodosum, sciatica (with and without lumbar involvement), cervical spine-shoulder syndrome or lumbar spine syndrome. The drugs used in these studies were Dicuprene, Alcuprin, Cuprimyl, and Permalon, a copper-salicylate preparation. A detailed presentation of toxicities associated with the use of these copper complexes is included.