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Since 2007 the Saudi-French Archaeological and Epigraphic Mission to Najrān (MAFSN) has been surveying the area of Ḥimā (north-east of Najrān); during these explorations, thousands of graffiti and rock art sites were recorded. In the 2020 and 2021 seasons, the MAFSN launched systematic archaeological surveys, test pits, and small-scale excavations, paying particular attention to the structures scattered throughout the plain and near the rocky outcrops. Here we report on the results of both these fieldwork seasons with a preliminary typology of the archaeological structures and a collection of archaeological finds. This is the first outcome of a wider and medium-term project that aims to draw a complete archaeological map of the area by combining field and remote-sensing data collection methods. Additionally, survey was conducted aiming at the identification of prehistoric sites around the Ḥimā region, which yielded a small number of prehistoric lithic scatters. Based on the technological and typological characteristics of the finds, an attribution to the earliest human occupations of the area, namely Lower and Middle Palaeolithic, is suggested. The spatial distribution of the archaeological structures will be compared with that of the rock carvings to identify possible correlations and to study the history of human settlement in the Ḥimā region in historical times up to the first centuries of Islam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2007, the Saudi-French Archaeological and Epigraphic mission to Najrān (MAFSN) has been conducting surveys in the area of Ḥimā, located about 100 km north-east of Najrān. In the area, which in antiquity was on the route leading from South Arabia to the north and east of the Arabian Peninsula, thousands of rock engravings have been found, carved on the suitable local sandstone by the region's population and by the armies and caravans that stopped over at Ḥimā during their long-distance journeys. This paper attempts a preliminary general assessment of the inscriptions carved in Ancient South Arabian (ASA) script that have been recorded so far by the MAFSN. Thanks to the geo-referenced archive of the MAFSN mission, the distribution of the graffiti can now be visualized on spatio-temporal geographical maps. Moreover, by analysing their textual content and script style, it is often possible to determine the identity and provenance of the authors along with the period in which they were produced. Many of these texts contain direct or indirect references to the coeval historic situation in southern Arabia and even abroad, and confirm the importance of Ḥimā as the northern commercial offshoot of the Najrān oasis in the pre-Islamic trans-Arabian trade network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bohemian Paradise is a traditional tourist destination, but in the last few years the number of tourists has increased by tens of percent. In connection with this, there has been an increase in the negative impacts of tourism on this precious natural area, such as rock damage by engraving, spray painting, vandalism, littering, leaving excrement in nature, etc. Therefore, the Administration of the Bohemian Paradise Protected Landscape Area is considering introducing the regulation of the number of tourists at the most valuable localities, resp. their complete closure to the public. In response to this situation, a multi-stakeholder initiative has been set up in the region to mitigate the negative effects of mass tourism, not reactively, through regulations, but proactively, with positive motivation for tourists. The central idea behind this proactive approach is that a tourist chooses for his leisure time such destinations that he knows from somewhere and is attractive to him. Increasing awareness of lesser-known localities in the area, or interesting and unconventional activities, keeps tourists in the area for a longer period of time and alleviates the negative "hop-on-hop-off tourism" that is most damaging to the region. The article presents up-to-date data on the increase in tourism in the Bohemian Paradise, linking it to the increase in tourism in similar natural localities. Main problems connected with mass tourism in this locality, their development and reasons of their origin are discussed. In the conclusion there are described possibilities of improvement of this state including the theoretical basis of the multi-stakeholder initiative and its objectives in the coming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indigenous, or Khaliji, art from the Arabian and Persian shores of the pre-modern Gulf offers evidence of extinct types of watercraft, in particular the kalbā (gallivat) and the dāw (dhow) with their conspicuous counter stern. While European art and texts offer testimony of these vessels' appearances, lesser-known indigenous petroglyphs, graffiti, woodcarvings, and manuscript paintings offer a Khaliji view of their own watercraft. Even images seemingly deficient as architectural diagrams remain significant in light of the few reliable referents from oral history, ethnography, archaeology, or modern watercraft. The distinctive projecting counter stern common to these vessels allows identification of the kalbā and the dāw in iconographic sources that otherwise lack technical merit. Both types of vessel were used as fighting vessels in the Gulf, while the dāw was also operated in commercial roles in the Arabian and Red Seas. The shared fate of the kalbā and the dāw, both rendered anachronistic by shifting styles and influences in shipbuilding, is important for understanding the nautical technology of pre-modern Khaliji societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an overview of early Islamic and Ancient North Arabian (ANA) graffiti and petroglyphs discovered by the Saudi-Japanese mission in Tabūk province, Saudi Arabia. Along with excavations in Wādī al-Muḥarraq, the March 2017 field season also focused on the epigraphic survey of Wādī al-Khirqah (c.75 km north-west of Tabūk), which yielded 105 new early Islamic Arabic graffiti and thirty-three ANA graffiti with some petroglyphs. Although no dated graffiti were found, we were able to establish the relative chronology of twenty-eight early Islamic graffiti by using the genealogies shown in the personal names. As for the ANA graffiti, the majority are Hismaic, but some show characteristics of Thamudic D. In addition to some graffiti, the team also found numerous petroglyphs of animals and humans in Wādī al-Ghubayy, al-Suwaylimiyyah, and Wādī Ḍamm. The importance of these petroglyphs is immense, as they provide us with clues for approaching the lives and spiritual aspects of the ancient hunters and pastoral people in the Ḥismā highlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technique of karst hazard assessment used on the territory of Ust-Kishert village is presented in the paper. We analyse the parameters of the research area natural structure which is characterized by the abundance of carbonate-sulphate karst. In this work, we consider karst rock mass as a certain volume of geological space occupied by the karstic rocks and the overburden (i.e. overlapping sediments) that are affected by the karst process. The purpose of this study is to identify the areas of local changes of overburden physical and mechanical properties relative to the background level. We consider such areas as the sites of the most probable location of the weakened zones in karstic rocks. The working hypothesis of the investigation is as follows: the physical and mechanical properties of the overburden vary over the-weakened zones in the karstic rocks. These local changes depend on the degree of hydrogeological activity of the karst cavity and on its vertical dimensions. The condition and the strength properties of the overburden sediments can serve as the indicators of weakening of the rock mass. We used this idea for the integral analysis of physical and mechanical properties to construct the cartographic model of karst hazard assessment. We then compare this model to the one proposed earlier [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

the East of the Russian plate oil-gas occurrences in Bashkortostan, Perm region and Udmurtia were revealed in the Vendian-Riphean sedimentary deposits. Industrial oil inflows have been obtained in a number of areas. Possible perspective intervals are associated with great depths, in particular, with the deposits of the lower Riphean. The deposits of the Lower Riphean in the territory of Bashkortostan were discovered on the Eastern-Askinskaya area. The results of a study of the material composition of rocks showed that the rocks are heterogeneous in composition and structure-texture features. The upper parts (the kabakovskaya suite) are composed of intercalation of argillites and dolomites, the lower parts are marly dolomites (the kaltasinskaya suite). The rocks of the lower Riphean passed the stage of late diagenesis, they have a dense structure with numerous stylolite sutures. With depth the areas of recrystallization of carbonate rocks increase. Organic residues are more characteristic for rocks of lower intervals. The nature and type of organic matter of the Lower Riphean deposits of the studied area were clarified by a complex of methods of investigation. The most effective method for establishing the type and distribution of organic matter is the EPR method. According to the results of the temperature treatment of the samples and according to the EPR analysis, it was established that the organic matter in its nature refers to the plant type. The results indicate that the rocks of the lower Riphean are composed of dolomites with an admixture of a clay component. It is established that quartz and dolomite in rocks of epigenetic type. In the deep parts of the section, the rocks contain numerous organic remains. Presence of accumulations of organic matter of plant origin testifies to the generation potential of the rocks of the lower Riphean of the Eastern-Askinskaya area of Bashkortostan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the eastern part of the Siberian platform, Phanerozoic magmatism manifested itself in various tectonic structures. It was related, in Middle Paleozoic and Lower Triassic times, to rifting processes, and in Late Paleozoic - Early Mesozoic times - to the initiation and development of traps. Varying geodynamic regime of magma generation resulted in a geochemical variety of rocks. The Permo-Triassic traps are characterized by a low content of incompatible elements, insignificant REE totals (60-70 ppm), a moderate degree of fractionation (La/Yb)n=2,0-2,8 and the presence of a Ta-Nb minimum. By the amount of incompatible elements and their position on correlation diagrams the traps are similar to E-MORB, which suggests that source rocks of this composition played a leading role in their formation. Middle Paleozoic rifting was accompanied by the formation of dike swarms and by eruptions of basalts. Characteristic of the rift-related Devonian basites are a high content of incompatible elements, significant REE differentiation (La/Yb)n=4,3-5,4 and a positive Ta-Nb anomaly. Geochemically, dolerites of the dike swarm are close to OIB, and effusive rocks on spider and correlation diagrams of elements are plotted between the values for E-MORB and OIB. A distinctive geochemical feature of trachydolerites is the highest content of incompatible elements, the character of REE distribution is distinguished by significant fractionation (La/Yb)n=23. On the correlation diagrams of incompatible elements, compositions of Phanerozoic basites exhibit a general trend from the EMORB field through OIB to the field of higher contents in trachydolerites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex of researches (chemical, mineralogical, X-ray phase, rare-earth, isotopic analyses) of volcanogenic-sedimentary rocks, composing basal horizon of the Osipayskaya formation of the Carnian stage in the middle course of Lena river ((Bulkur anticline) (Grakhanov, Smelov 2010, Proskurin et al, 2012), where diamonds of V and Vii variety according to L.Y. Orlov classification, was performed. Granite, ilmenite, spinellide, rutile are identified in rocks among minerals of heavy fraction. According to X-ray phase analysis, rocks contain the following minerals: chamosite, illite, quartz, goethite, apatite, calcite, albite, anatase, berthierine, jarosite, gypsum, hematite, rutile, forsterite and pyroxene. Sediment maturity was estimated according to ICV index (Cox et al. 1995), calculated values characterize rocks, mainly, as immature sediments of the first cycle and typical for active tectonic settings. Chemical index of alteration (CIA) (Nesbitt H.W. & Young G.M., 1982) quite often depends on metamorphic and diagenetic transformations, in order to exclude the latter, plagioclase (PIA (Fedo et al., 1995)) and chemical (CIW (Harnois, 1988)) indices of weathering were calculated. Obtained values indicate significant degree of rock weathering. Content of rare-earth elements (REE) is 96-205 g/t and is characterized by moderate fractionation of REE that is why spider diagram shows gentle character of distribution. Sm-Nd datings, calculated according to different models, show different values of their protolith age. The youngest values indicate 222+13 Ma, which is consistent with geologic age of rock origin. As a result of performed studies, it identified that volcanogenic-sedimentary deposits of the Carnian age of the Bulkur region are characterized as high-ferruginous immature sediments, formed at the place of their deposition, adequately weathered , containing pyroclastic material. In respect of primary source composition, they are closest to the rocks of mafic series, probably with alkali bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of mineralogical research in microscale increases with the need of advanced characterization and detailed quantitative analysis of ores and upgrading products. Automated mineralogy technique connected with advanced scanning electron microscopy like QEMSCAN® or MLA give a possibility to obtain comprehensive information about mineral and elemental composition, particle size distribution, liberation and associations between grains and other quantitative and qualitative data for raw materials and products of mineral processing. These studies present stages of creation and development of specific mineral library dedicated to QEMSCAN® system and estimation of measurement parameters. Presented research is based on the results of investigation of Polish copper ores from stratiform deposit. The development of measurement procedure involved taking into account electron beam voltage, number of counts per pixel, field size, point spacing and many other variables that are described in these studies in details. Another important part of the whole research was to create and develop mineral library for QEMSCAN® - SIP (Species Identification Protocol). SIP development was based on element selection and mineral phases creation. The results obtained during our research have to help with better understanding copper ore processing results and hence technologists have the opportunity to improve the whole process and get better performance. However, the key to obtaining helpful data, is the reliability of the analysis, which was the goal of the research described in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2015, as a result of historical and art studies of the complex of petroglyphs Rashaa-Khad in Mongolia, an indescribable anthropomorphic image was discovered, which was given the name "dancing shaman". It was located on the well-known and long-studied stele, on which a large number of tamgo-shaped signs of the Mongolian clans were carved. The image was located on the edge, poorly read because of the thick layer of organic matter. When clearing and copying through a special thin paper - mikalent, we were able to more fully view the image, to reveal a large number of tamgas in his environment. The character of the movement resembled the canonical dance of the eagle performed by Mongol wrestlers in national competitions. This composition complements a rather large list of similar in the adjacent territories of Russia and Mongolia in petroglyph complexes. They perform a ritual rite / dance by single figures or a group. These images can be combined into a general direction of research - paleochoreography. The article gives an analysis of the studies of the Rashaan-Had complex already conducted and describes the detected image. A semantic interpretation is proposed, according to which this image can represent the progenitor-master of all tamga-like signs. A comparative analysis is carried out with similar images in Russia (Kalbak-tash) and Mongolia (Shivet-Hayrkhan). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Strangely, some parts of the Altai Mountains have no petroglyphs at all, while others are like alfresco picture galleries from millennia past. One such place is remote Saldyar, on the banks of the Katun River, a place separated from the outside world by the high jagged peaks of the Saldyarskiy pass. The most popular images on Saldyar: Siberian mountain goat, long horned bull, deer, hunter standing beside the animal. In Saldyar that 5000 years after the first works were carved that they would form one of the greatest ever al fresco galleries anywhere on the planet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the paper are presented the results from the observed geomechanical processes arising from the combined method (originally by a quarry, then through underground mine) for mining mineral deposits of goldmine "Akbakai zone". It is proposed a method for assessment of the rock mass, which allows taking into account the features of the geological structure, undermined strata, and improves the quality of geomechanical min. In turn, the results of geomechanical predictions enable us to determine the most dangerous areas where regular geophysical and geodetic surveying observations have to be performed for localization of the zones of disturbances.The structure massif of rocks was studied using both traditional methods and advanced techniques based on 3D- scanning technology and GPR survey. The article summarizes the experience of the successful use of techniques, both traditional and seismological methods in the monitoring of geomechanical condition of rocks. The results of geomechanical monitoring of massif for eight years (2002 - 2010 years), showed that the coordinate deviations of the frame working stations from their initial position are within the accuracy of measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study is to obtain a complete full-scale characterization of rock faults involved in the excavation works of the Brenner Base Tunnel, which crosses one of the main tectonic alignments of the alpine area, the Periadriatic fault. The characterization was carried out at different scale, from macro (through drillings and geomechanical surveys) to meso (lab tests on specimens) and micro-scale (through thin sections), in order to find a correlation between the different scales properties of the rocks. Finally, a relation between the voids ratio at the micro-scale and the fault rocks conditions at the macro-scale was pointed out by mean of the Geological Strength Index. As a result, using micro-scale properties, whose cost is much lower than the cost of geotechnical tests, good estimation of the fault rock strength was achieved, avoiding quite typical overestimation arising from the use of literature values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results of geotechnical observations and measurements that are continuously performed in mining are used to verify the projected geotechnical characteristics of the rock mass. In situ geotechnical measurements were performed on the excavated levels of the ore body T1 (K-110, K-130 and K-145). This work is part of project No. 33021 "Research and monitoring changes in the stress-strain state of rock mass in-situ around Undergrounds facilities to develop models with special reference to Krivelj tunnel River and Pine pit", which is funded by the Ministry of Education and Science Serbia. As part of the monitoring during the excavation of ore in ore bodies T1 and T2 from November 2013 to February 2014 the engineering-geological mapped underground excavations. The report was included in the mapping of underground excavation at elevations of K-110, K-130, K-145 in the ore body T1. During the mapping of underground excavation at levels K-110, K-130 and K-145 ore body T1 was carried out a detailed survey of mechanical discontinuities in the rock mass. Based on 186 measurements of elements falling on the levels of K-110, K-130 and K-145 was performed statistical analysis of ore body T1. Graphical representation of engineering-geological mapping levels within the ore bodies is presented engineering-geological plans. Results executive engineering geological mapping of rock mass underground dug the ore body T1 (statistical analysis of the spatial orientation of the measured rupture), are partially mapped for each level and a total of mapping levels of the ore body T1. At the level of K-110, statistical analysis of data sampled three systems of cracks: EP1 24/70, EP2 17/47 and EP3 41/86. Cracks are mainly with plaster, rarely clay infill width of 2-5 mm, often with visible traces of movement (stretch marks). The meter area of observation is flat. A lot of present and minor cracks unfilled, rough walls, irregular schedules. There was one mylonitization zone along the fault with intensely degraded rock mass. They appear decametric zone large fissure of the rock mass. The level of K-130, Statistical analysis identifies four systems of cracks: EP1 126/34, EP2 42/49, EP3 205/50 and EP4 322/75. The cracks are filled in with the dominant form of gypsum and clay widths up to 2 cm. It is often observed traces of movement (stretch marks). The participants were wider zone (zone large fissure) andesite in which there are fissures filled with clay. At the level K -145 Statistical analyses identifies four systems of cracks: EP1 187/70, EP2 143/43, EP3 15/70 and EP4 69/57. Cracks are generally tight with filling in the form gypsum and subordinate pyrite, up to 1 cm. There are also cracks filled with plaster and clay with visible traces of movement (stretch marks). Characteristic is the presence of faulting zone (width of up to 4 m), as well as the presence of large multi-zone cracking. In these areas there is a drip (leak) of water from the ceiling of the underground excavation. In general, the geological structure of the rock mass in the studied horizons largely homogeneous (andesite). Andesite massif is commonly silicified. In the areas of large fissures of the rock mass of hydrothermal alteration is the most common sulfatization (gypsum and/or anhydrite), while rarely present kaolinization and piritization. Results RMR rock mass classification defines the rock mass of underground excavation of the ore body in the T1 class III (moderate rock). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rock cutting by disc cutters of tunnel boring machines has been investigated for over 50 years worldwide. The development of advanced computing techniques moved the research from laboratories into the real in-situ conditions, where the monitoring systems of TBM operation enabled to study the simultaneous action of disc cutters installed on the TBM cutterhead during rock excavation. Force action of disc cutters rolling on rock surface on concentric tracks induces the disintegration of rock and thus causes the cutter wear. As rock cutting is an energy-demanding process, the possibilities for optimizing the TBM operation have been investigated in order to minimize the cutter wear and to provide an effective rock mass excavation. The paper describes our findings on the cutter-rock interaction using the energy theory of rock disintegration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the scope of mining and petroleum engineering and to some extend of civil engineering, rock properties are relevant for the design of safe underground cavities, for hydraulic fracturing control, for rock masses stabilization and rock blasting operations. For petroleum engineering, porosity and permeability are associated with production and hydrocarbon reservoirs recovery. In what concerns the environmental restoration and waste disposal the poroelastic properties are also relevant for its safe management. The objective of this work is to evaluate the variation of stress state, in the poroelastic properties of rocks, due to several anthropogenic activities in engineering and science fields. In this study, variations on strain paths, porosity, permeability, P-wave velocities in triaxial tests over a set of microbialite limestone specimens were observed. Triaxial compression tests for three different conditions of confining pressure and injection of water pressure (50 and 100 kPa) were executed. The results highlighted that all the poroelastic properties depends not only on the axial stress and injection of water pressure but mostly due to confining pressure. It was also observed the poroelastic properties variation during the different phases described on Bieniawski brittle mechanism of rupture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of rotary drilling of rocks induces the accompanying noise and vibrations. Such signals contain the information on the process characteristics and may be used for effective process control. The advanced signal processing involves the application of methods using the abstract mathematical space as the signal space. In application of abstract spaces, the signals are considered as functions of time or frequency. Data acquired from rotary drilling of different rock types in laboratory conditions were processed using such methods. Signal space provides a possibility to classify the rocks or the process conditions based on geometric relations with no need to extract the features and visualize them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]