This thesis uses the early Latin inscriptions of Sardinia to investigate aspects of culture contact and local responses to new ideas of inscribing on stone after the Roman take-over of Sardinia. Previous traditions may also have had an impact on the inscriptions of the Roman era; in this case, the Nuragic and Punic periods which preceded the Roman conquest. The Latin inscriptions are used to examine the results of the cultural encounters between existing populations and incomers and to see whether the incorporation of previous traditions has led to expressions of a more ‘indigenous’ or even a ‘Romano-Sardo’ identity. Epigraphic material is used typically only as a textual source. Naturally there are some exceptions, such as inscriptions with high quality relief sculpture which have been used to investigate perceived identities or the portrayal of certain aspects of life. However, the majority of inscriptions do not fall into this category and the iconographic aspects of these stones are often very subtle. Therefore, the inscriptions studied in this thesis are treated as material culture and their every detail is considered. To this end the concept of the chaîne opératoire is examined and the various stages in the production of epigraphic material are set out. This thesis further considers to what extent inscriptions can be considered as an aspect of Romanisation and postcolonial theory provides the overarching framework with which culture contact is examined. This concept allows this process to be viewed as a fluid two-way interaction, rather than the static imposition of culture by a dominant power. It also permits the contemplation of such issues as changes or continuity in epigraphic expression and the creation of new identities. The main aim is to get a detailed picture of local responses to the imported Latin epigraphic habit, and to this end the island has been split into smaller sections and relational database of the relevant inscriptions has been created to facilitate analysis. The results of this detailed approached are presented in one chapter that gives an overview of the entire island and three chapters addressing case study areas in more detail. The three study areas clearly demonstrate local differences in epigraphic expression and the merger of Roman elements with local practices that in some cases may have been incorporated to set up a distinct non-Roman identity.

No description available.

Networks of tree-ring data are commonly applied in statistical reconstruction of spatial fields of climate variables. The importance of elevation to the climatic interpretation of tree-ring networks is addressed using 281 station precipitation records, and a network of 79 tree-ring chronologies from different species and a range of elevations in the eastern Mediterranean. Cluster analysis of chronologies identifies 6 tree-ring groups, delineated principally by site elevation. Correlation analysis suggests several of the clusters are linked to homogenous elevational moisture regimes. Results imply that climate stations close to the elevations of the tree-ring sites are essential for assessing the seasonal climatic signal in tree-ring chronologies from this region. A broader implication is that the elevations of stations contributing to gridded climate networks should be considered in the design and interpretation of field reconstructions of climate from tree rings. Finally, results suggest elevation-stratified tree-ring networks as a strategy for seasonal climate reconstruction.

The spatial distribution and properties of rainfed orchards in semi-arid environments result from complex interactions between man and the physical and economical environment. This thesis investigates a number of these interactions in the context of the mechanisation of management practices since the 1950's. It is shown how the practice of clean sweeping (i.e. frequent shallow tillage) influences the orchard water balance and how the removal of traditional soil and water conservation structures affects the connectivity of overland flow to the river system. Although clean sweeping prevents transpiration and competition by weeds, it also constrains the root growth in the plough layer, so that the trees cannot access the water from small rain events. In addition, clean sweeping promotes accelerated soil erosion. It appears that the practice of clean sweeping limits the water availability in orchards on loamy soils with an annual rainfall in the order of 300 mm. It is demonstrated that the presence and properties of rainfed orchards are related to spatial patterns of soil characteristics and climate. The observed decline in conservation structures like terraces and check-dams leads to an increase in the connectivity of water and sediment to the river system. An alternative for these traditional techniques to retain the water and the soil is the application of cover crops. The advantage of cover crops is that they do not limit the field size. A drawback in dry areas is the competition for water and nutrients between the cover crop and the trees. Field evidence and water balance simulations suggest that cover crops are feasible in areas with an annual precipitation of 500 mm or more.

No description available.

Summary This thesis is an evaluation of Roman light infantry and non-pitched battle combat in the Roman army, from the years 264 BC – AD 235. This study incorporates a thorough etymological assessment of the Latin and Greek vocabulary of light infantry, and how the ancient sources use these terms. Building on this assessment, this thesis then includes a discussion on defining Roman light infantry. From this follows an analysis of the various modes of combat of these troops, including skirmishing, ambushing, small-scale engagements. A ‘face of battle’ approach (after John Keegan) assessing the nature and experience of the various forms of warfare mentioned above is also included.

This work deals with climatology of mediterranean cyclones. In first chapter short description of the Mediterranean area is given, second chapter depicts climate properties of Mediterranean focussed on air temperature, sea surface temperature and precipitations. Third chapter characterises Mediterranean cyclones, briefly brings some facts about their dividing and possibilities of their cyclogenesis in the Mediterranean area. In the last chapter the influence of cyclones at least partly originating in Mediterranean on the weather in the Czech Republic is studied.

This thesis is a survey of Mount Amani, the northwestern province of Chios island (east Aegean). The thesis examines the natural environment and explores the landscape using different kinds of information, in order to reconstruct the medieval historical topography of this region and to contribute to the problématique of the history and evolution of the Byzantine village and its remarkable longevity. The methodology applied ranges from the scanty literary sources, and visible archaeological evidence, and extends to the tracing of any sign of human activity on the landscape. Additionally, toponmy, ethnography and oral tradition are implemented for the examination of other aspects, such as the peasant architecture and material culture. From many perspectives, the study is paramount. It presents archaeological evidence for sites, for which there are no literary sources to rely upon. It highlights their share in the economy of Chios during the Byzantine and the Genoese periods. Finally, it aims to contribute to the debate over the ‘depopulation’ or ‘demographic decline’ of mountainous terrains in the ages prior to the eleventh century.

No description available.

Le but de cette thèse est de comprendre les origines et les processus de formation des aérosols organiques (AO) et inorganiques (AI)en Méditerranée durant différentes saisons en utilisant le modèle de chimie-transport de la plateforme de la modélisation de la qualité de l'air Polyphemus. Dans le cadre du projet de recherche ChArMEx (Chemistry Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment), des mesures des concentrations des aérosols et de leurs propriétés ont été conduites à la station ERSA du Cap Corse (île de la Corse, France) dans le bassin ouest de la Méditerranée pendant les étés 2012 et 2013 et l'hiver2014. Ce travail de thèse a également bénéficié de mesures effectuées durant des vols avions au-dessus de la Méditerranée pendant l'été 2014.Le modèle est évalué pendant les différentes périodes simulées et des processus/paramétrisations ont été ajoutés ou modifiés afin d'avoir de bonnes comparaisons modèle/mesures pour les concentrations et les propriétés des aérosols. Des études de sensitivité à la météorologie, aux émissions anthropiques et aux émissions marines, en plus des différents paramètres d’entrée du modèle sont conduites pour comprendre les origines des aérosols. La paramétrisation des émissions de sels marins est choisie de manière à avoir de bonnes comparaisons aux mesures de sodium, qui est un composé non volatil émis principalement par les sels marins. Grâce à une paramétrisation qui estime la fraction organique des émissions marines à partir de la chlorophylle-a montre que les organiques marins contribuent à moins de 2% des AO. L'évaluation du modèle montre l'importance de la description des émissions des bateaux pour la modélisation des concentrations du sulfate et des AO. Cependant, les hypothèses faites dans la modélisation de la condensation/évaporation ont beaucoup d'impact sur les concentrations simulées de nitrate et d'ammonium (équilibre thermodynamique, état de mélange).Pendant les étés 2012 et 2013, les AO sont principalement d'origine biogénique, ce qui est bien reproduit par le modèle. Les mesures enregistrent d'importantes concentrations d'AO hautement oxydés et oxygénés. Pour que le modèle reproduire non seulement les concentrations, mais également les propriétés d’oxydation et d'hydrophilicité des AO, trois processus de formation d'aérosols organiques secondaires (AOS) à partir de monoterpènes sont ajoutés au modèle: l'autoxidation qui induit la formation de composés organiques d'extrêmement faible volatilité, un mécanisme de formation du nitrate organique, et un mécanisme de formation d'un produit d'oxydation de deuxième génération. Les états d'oxydation et d'oxygénation des AO à Ersa sont bien simulés en supposant de plus la formation d'organosulfates. Des simulations hivernales montrent que les AO y sont principalement d'origine anthropique. Bien que les émissions des composés organiques semi-volatils et de volatilité intermédiaire (COVIS) qui sont manquants dans les inventaires d'émissions influencent peu les AO en été, leur influence est dominante en hiver. La contribution du secteur du chauffage résidentiel pendant la saison froide s'avère très importante. Différentes descriptions et paramétrisations des émissions et des schémas de vieillissement des COVIS sont ajoutées au modèle, c-à-d distribution de volatilité à l'émission, schéma à une étape d'oxydation vs schéma à plusieurs étapes d'oxydation et la prise en compte de composés organiques volatils non-traditionnels(COVNT). Bien que le modèle reproduise bien les concentrations des AO, les études de sensibilité révèlent que la distribution de volatilité à l'émission influence beaucoup les concentrations des AO. Néanmoins, les états d'oxydation et d'oxygénation de ces derniers restent sous-estimés par le modèle pendant l'hiver quelque soit la paramétrisation utilisée, ce qui suggère la nécessité d'ajouter au modèle d'autres mécanismes de formation des AOS à partir des précurseurs anthropiques (autoxidation, formation du nitrate organique) / This work aims at understanding the origins and processes leading to the formation of organic aerosols (OA) and inorganic aerosols (IA) over the western Mediterranean Sea during different seasons, using the air-quality model Polyphemus. In the framework of ChArMEx (the Chemistry-Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment), measurements of both aerosol concentrations and properties are performed at a remote site (Ersa) on Corsica Island in the northwestern Mediterranean sea in the summers 2012, 2013 and the winter 2014. This thesis also benefits from measurements performed during flights above the western Mediterranean Sea in the summer 2014. The model is evaluated during these periods, and different processes/parameterizations are added or modified in order to have good model-to-measurements comparisons, not only of aerosol concentrations but also of their properties. Origins of aerosols are assessed through different sensitivity studies to the meteorological model, anthropogenic emissions inventory, sea-salt emissions and different input models. The contribution of marine emissions to inorganic aerosols (IA) is important, and the parameterization of sea-salt emissions is chosen such as having good comparisons to sodium measurements, which is a non-volatile compound emitted mainly by sea salts. Marine organic aerosols (OA), which are added to the model with a parameterization that uses the chlorophyll-a concentration as a proxy parameter to model the marine chemistry, contribute to OA by only 2% at the maximum. The ground-based and airborne model-to-measurements comparisons show the importance of an accurate description of shipping emissions to model sulfate and OA concentrations. However, this is not true for nitrate and ammonium concentrations, which are very dependent on the hypotheses used in the model for condensation/evaporation (thermodynamic equilibrium, mixing state).During the summers 2012 and 2013, OA concentrations are mostly of biogenic origin, which is well reproduced by the model. Measurements show important concentrations of highly oxidized and oxygenated OA. For the model to reproduce not only the concentrations but also the oxidation and hydrophilicity properties of OA, three processes to form secondary organic aerosols (SOA) from monoterpenes are added to the model : the autoxidation process leading to the formation of extremely low volatility organic compounds, the organic nitrate formation mechanism and the second generational ageing. The high oxidation and oxygenation states of OA at Ersa are well modeled when organosulfate formation is also assumed. Winter simulations show that OA are mainly of anthropogenic origin. The influence of the anthropogenic intermediate/semi-volatile organic compound (ISVOC) emissions, which are missing from emission inventories, is low in summer. Nonetheless, the role and the contribution of ISVOC appear very significant during the winter, with a large contribution from residential heating. Different parameterizations to represent the emissions and the ageing of IS-VOC are implemented in the model, namely the volatility distribution of emissions, single-step vs multi-step oxidation scheme and non-traditional volatile organic compounds (NTVOC) chemistry. Sensitivity studies show that the volatility distribution at the emission is a key parameter to improve the modeling of OA concentrations. The model reproduces well the observed concentrations, but the observed organic oxidation and oxygenation states are strongly under-estimated, stressing the potential role of autoxidation and organic nitrate from anthropogenic precursors