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Dynamic multiscalar approach for structuring and scaling human activities involving lithics
Full text linkThis paper aims to contribute to the discussion on borders and boundaries from the perspective of lithics. European archaeological and historical research has seen numerous endeavours to create an overarching definition of borders of spatial, social, political, linguistic and religious kinds. This is particularly important in the context of the modern, strongly divided European nation states, and this situation has a strong impact on the archaeological concept of culture. Lithic materials are usually not associated with the concepts of culture and group, which was and often still is the coordinate system for prehistoric communities since the Neolithic. How can we look at prehistoric societies as social units and integrate lithic studies into the overarching archaeological narrative? As a first step, we should put these artificial borders aside and take into account as many variables that can interfere with human behaviour as possible. This paper tries to create a framework (referring to some case studies) at micro-, meso-, and macro-scales for structuring spatial, temporal, social, contextual and habitual variables based solely on lithic materials to demonstrate the importance of stone assemblages and litho-scapes in archaeological narratives. By looking at activities involving lithics, we become aware that borders are very diverse and variable, thus cannot be treated as part of a static system. On the contrary, different boundaries (instead of borders) need to be treated as continuously changing units that function in different ways at different scales. Thus, we should try to use a dynamic multiscalar approach in lithic research
The querns from the Roman military camp at Hermeskeil (Rhineland-Palatinate): Bridging the gap to Caesar’s De Bello Gallico
Full text linkThe late-Republican military camp at Hermeskeil (Rhineland-Palatinate) is one of the few known archaeological sites from the Gallic Wars and can be linked directly to the historical record given in Caesar’s De Bello Gallico. Among the numerous finds are fragments of several badly preserved querns whose provenances can provide valuable information regarding the dating of the camp. The Hermeskeil querns are made from an unusual variety of rock types compared to material from contemporary settlements in the region. In order to determine the provenances, modal mineralogy, whole rock geochemical compositions as well as mineral chemical compositions were analysed on all fragments found until 2017. Besides vesicular lavas, the querns were made of sedimentary rocks, pebble-rich carbonates and arkoses, as well as acidic lava and plutonic rock. One volcanic rock fragment of a legionary quern is produced from lavas from Cap d’Agde in southern France. Several other querns of the Late La Tène type have their origin in Mayen in the Eifel. The plutonic rock is vaugnerite, a rare rock of granodioritic composition, which can be traced via the oppidum of Bibracte to quarries in the northern Morvan. The rhyolite comes from La Salle in eastern France. Except from the querns made of vesicular lava from the Eifel, none of these materials are known from any contemporary archaeological site in the Hunsrück area. What is more, all of them were discovered far away from their regular areas of distribution. Therefore, these querns directly reflect military supply structures as well as troop movements, because during Caesar’s campaigns damaged pieces had to be replaced by locally available products. In a time when the Roman military could not yet rely on a well-functioning supply-infrastructure this category of finds bears the potential to provide important information in connecting the Hermeskeil site with written sources. It becomes possible to prove a use of the camp during Caesar’s campaign in 51 BCE, because it was not before 52 BCE that the Roman army had moved within the distribution area of all the querns represented in Hermeskeil. Provenance studies are therefore a valuable supplement for our fragmentary picture of the Gallic War, which to date is almost completely based on historical sources
Other non-GPCR 7TM proteins in GtoPdb v.2025.2
Full text linkThese proteins are predicted to have 7TM domains, but functional studies have yet to confirm them as G protein-coupled receptors
The Loss of a Cyclical Self: Exploring Perspectives on Menstruation and Menopause
No full textThis article explores the profound impact of menstruation and menopause on people’s sense of self, as shaped by the lenses of medical experts and advocates of the cyclical living movement. Drawing from personal experience of premature menopause, it reflects on the narratives surrounding reproductive health and the cultural significance attached to these bodily transitions. The article moves beyond a discussion of the complex emotions associated with the loss of reproductive potential and highlights a less often discussed topic in this age of fem-tech: the perceived missed opportunity for self-exploration through the menstrual cycle, for people who do not menstruate (any longer)
Review of Sustainability of Van Gujjars: A Transition of Muslim Pastoral Tribe in Himalayan Region by Rubina Nusrat
Full text linkBhairab Nach and Navadurga: Masked Rituals of Nepal
Full text linkNepal and surrounding regions in India are known for resplendent masked performances. Often ritual in nature, they serve as tools for spiritual belonging, community cohesion, ties of kinship, and artistic expression. Research on Nepal’s culture and performance traditions has been smaller compared to neighboring South Asian countries such as India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Nepal’s performance traditions are complex, with centuries of history, culture, and religious beliefs attached to them. In Nepal, many of these traditional performances are called Pyakhan or stories/parables. They are deserving of in-depth study, much like their other South Asian counterparts. This paper takes a deep dive into masked dance forms of Nepal, especially the making and use of masks in Bhairab Nach, and Navadurga performance
Supporting Early Career Researchers through Diamond Open Access publishing: The story of the Journal of Irish and Scottish Studies ‘New Voices’ special issue
No full textThe simple answer to the question ‘What’s stopping you (publishing open access)’ for many scholars is very simple: money. The dominant open access publishing model at the present moment is one built around APCs and BPCs. This biases OA publishing in favour of established researchers capable of pulling grant funding, and it biases it in favour of the sciences, with Humanities researchers struggling the most to access publication funds. This model brings into question whether ‘open access’ is actually accessible, or even truly open.
We launched Aberdeen University Press in 2022 as an open access press with the aim of supporting inclusive, fair and sustainable publishing practices . Our aspiration is to become a fully diamond open access publisher – ensuring high-quality academic research is open to all. This is not without financial challenges but through meaningful partnerships, support from the University and Scholarly Institutes that we hope to achieve our mission. We are committed to not charging mandatory fees to authors, and not basing publishing decisions on author’s access to funding.
Our talk showcases how our partnerships support bibliodiversity and allows a wider range of authors to publish, including early career researchers and unaffiliated authors. We do this by looking at the forthcoming issue of our Journal of Irish and Scottish Studies, a special issue titled ‘New Voices’ and featuring early career researchers in History. This issue grows out of workshops focused on mentoring new researchers through the process of preparing their work for publication. By removing the financial commitment for researchers, we have been able to include a broader range of voices and share their research openly to increase readership and reach.
Session Four Panel Discussion: Open Research Knowledge, Skills, and Training
No full textJoin Louise Saul, Milena Dobreva, Tapas Kumar Mohanty, and Camilla Elphick, along with panel chair Simon Smith to discuss their talks and to think about the impacts of Knowledge, Training, and Skills on the challenges of open research. 
Can AI and Art Help Shape Planetary Futures?
Full text linkThis second edition of The New Real Magazine features work from artists and researchers to better explore environmental, economic and digital sustainability on planetary scales. We look at our connection to nature and devise new ways to visualise our impact and shape our understanding of the changing environment and technology around us through more than facts and figures
Application of a Novel, Mega-event Environmental Impact Assessment Critique Framework: The 34th America\u27s Cup Races Case Study
Full text linkEnvironmental impact assessments have a primary goal of balancing anthropogenic development with environmental protection. While critique methodologies for standard impact assessments are well-established, existing frameworks often fall short in addressing the unique challenges posed by large-scale, temporary events. Thus, this report introduces a novel framework designed for critiquing environmental impact assessments specific to mega-events on their use of science and analysis, adaptation to location and event specific impacts, attention to legacy impacts, and thoroughness of mitigation actions. The 34th Americas Cup Environmental Impact Assessment is then used as a case study to demonstrate the framework\u27s applicability