Search

Protohistoric metal objects coming from the archaeological sites of Pontecagnano (Salerno, Italy) and Striano (Naples, Italy), preserved in the Pontecagnano National Archaeological Museum and the Paleontological Museum of Naples University “Federico II” have been studied by means of an archaeometric approach. A multi-analytical procedure including X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), micro X-ray fluorescence (µ-XRF) and lead isotope ratio mass spectrometry (LIRMS), was used to characterize these objects thus providing hypotheses on the possible provenance of metallic raw materials. The investigated samples are represented by lead, silver, copper and tin bronze-based objects. Corrosion processes affecting the bronze objects were recognized as well as crusts and patinae at different stages of evolution. LIRMS analyses suggested that most of Pontecagnano artifacts were manufactured with metals from southern Tuscany, where important metal reserves were located. On the other hand, due to the limited number of samples, the provenance of the Striano objects cannot be unambiguously identified although data so far available suggest a Sardinian source.

The Ankaratra volcanic field covers an area of ~ 3800 km2 in central Madagascar and comprises of lava flows, lava domes, scoria cones, tuff rings and maars emplaced at different ages (Miocene to Recent). The volcanic products include ultramafic-mafic (olivine-leucite nephelinite, basanite, alkali basalt, hawaiite and tholeiitic basalt), intermediate (mugearite and benmoreite) and felsic rocks (trachyphonolite, quartz trachyte and rhyolite), the latter often peralkaline. The 40Ar/39Ar determinations for mafic lavas yield ages of 17.45 ± 0.12 Ma, 16.63 ± 0.08 Ma and 8.62 ± 0.09 Ma, indicating a prolonged magmatic activity. The mineralogical and geochemical variations suggest that the magmatic evolution of the alkali basalt-hawaiite-mugearite-benmoreite-trachyte series can be accounted for by removal of olivine, feldspars, clinopyroxene, Fe-Ti oxides and accessory phases, producing residual trachytic and trachyphonolitic compositions mineralogically very similar to those of other volcanic areas and tectonic settings. The Ankaratra olivine leucite nephelinites, basanites and tholeiitic basalts do not seem to be associated with significant amounts of evolved comagmatic rocks. The 87Sr/86Sr (0.70504–0.71012), 143Nd/144Nd (0.51259–0.51244) and 206Pb/204Pb (17.705–18.563) isotopic ratios of trachytes and comendite are consistent with open-system processes. However, other trachyphonolites have 143Nd/144Nd (0.51280), 206Pb/204Pb (18.648), 207Pb/204Pb (15.582) and 208Pb/204Pb (38.795) similar to those of mafic rocks, suggesting differentiation processes without appreciable interaction with crustal materials. The Ankaratra volcanism is to be directly linked to a broadly E-W-trending intracontinental extension. A large-scale thermal anomaly, associated with an anomalously hot source region, is not required to explain the Cenozoic magmatism of Madagascar.

A volcanic rock, the most widely used stone in the historical architecture of the Italian city of Naples, is described and the 500 m2 Pianura underground quarry surveyed in detail. The static conditions of the site and its irregularly distributed pillars are calculated and illustrated; it is concluded that it is still in a reasonable state of conservation, providing a potential location for the construction of a museum of mining and ornamental stone-working in the Campania region., A volcanic rock, the most widely used stone in the historical architecture of the Italian city of Naples, is described and the 500 m2 Pianura underground quarry surveyed in detail. The static conditions of the site and its irregularly distributed pillars are calculated and illustrated; it is concluded that it is still in a reasonable state of conservation, providing a potential location for the construction of a museum of mining and ornamental stone-working in the Campania region.

Please, Not at the Dinner Table is a series of eleven short stories that treat embarrassing or taboo subjects in an analytical manner that is often light-hearted and humorous. The stories, though fictional, are written in a realist style, and are set in contemporary times. As a whole, the stories deal directly and graphically with certain realities oflife that are often shied away from in literature. In dealing with these intimate, embarrassing, or unfortunate necessities of the human animal, the characters often are forced to reveal their true natures, if only to the reader. Though parts of this collection are graphic, outright vulgarity is most often restricted to the voice of a character or narrator., 2007, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Degree granted: Thesis (M.F.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2007., Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection