The Dilmun civilization appeared in the Mesopotamian sources as a land of Eden and a supplier of ivory, copper, pearls and dates whose boats reached Ur ports. After the collapse of the Akkadian power in the second half of the third millennium BC, Dilmun underwent some notable changes in different aspects of life. The presence of planned residential settlements with notable architectural features and numerous burial complexes and `Royal Mounds' in Bahrain marked great economic growth and socio-political development in the early second millennium BC, suggesting the emergence of a stratified social hierarchy. Furthermore, these changes suggest that a centralized administration existed that controlled this growth through various means. Thus, this inquiry seeks to explore whether the distribution of Barbar wares was one of the mechanisms used to control the economic growth of the Dilmun trade network. Also, this study seeks to explore whether a connection between the presence of non-local wares and far-distance staples in elite contexts on Failaka Island can be used to infer the pronouncement of status, power, and prestige. A non-destructive portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (pXRF) was utilized to examine the chemical composition of 304 ceramic sherds and clay samples along with petrographic thin section analysis, as a complementary tool to investigate the mineralogical composition of Dilmun wares and non-local pottery of the first third of the second millennium BC. Based on the seven trace elements (Rb, Ba, Sr, Nb, Y, Z, and Th) obtained from pXRF, the chemical composition of Dilmun pottery was homogenous and was apparently made from a single source and then possibly produced at a centralized location. However, petrographic thin section results showed that Dilmun pottery could be subgrouped based on the clay and temper used as well as the ancient production technique (e.g. firing temperature). The petrographic analysis supported the pXRF sorting of samples into groups, differentiating between Dilmun and Mesopotamian wares and confirming the non-local wares as outlier. The results suggest that Barbar wares were preferred at Dilmun sites while non-local materials were controlled and their presence minimized. While specific craft recipes and standardization of Barbar wares could not be established, the preference for raw materials from Bahrain proper could.

Stone tools have a critical role to play in our understanding of the behavior of early humans. In particular, the types of raw materials that are present in stone tool assemblages, and the sources from which they are acquired, provide information relating to decision making processes, planning, organization of technology, and group mobility. The characterization of Stone Age lithic artifact assemblages from two rockshelter sites in southern Tanzania, Magubike and Mlambalasi, allowed for the evaluation of inter- and intra-assemblage variability. Raw material characterization was conducted using macroscopic and microscopic analyses. Numerous raw material sourcing studies have been undertaken on Stone Age lithic assemblages recovered from sites in Tanzania and the rest of East Africa. Generally these studies have concentrated on identifying the sources of a particular type of stone raw material such as chert, obsidian, and basalt; however, rarely are the attributes of the whole assemblage examined. Furthermore, few archaeologists describe stone materials in terms of their basic petrographic characteristics. Both of these weaknesses are the direct result of the lack of a standardized methodology for describing lithic raw materials, thus this dissertation outlines a strategy for raw material sourcing, with a focus on description and grounded in geoarchaeological theory. When combined with typological and technological analyses, the results of the raw material analyses suggests the exclusive use of locally acquired lithics.

The purpose of this study was first to develop a method by which a detailed porosity classification system could be utilized to understand the relationship between pore/pore-throat geometry, genetic porosity type, and facies. Additionally, this study investigated the relationships between pore/pore-throat geometry, petrophysical parameters, and reservoir performance characteristics. This study focused on the Jurassic Smackover reservoir rocks of Grayson field, Columbia County, Arkansas. This three part study developed an adapted genetic carbonate pore type classification system, through which the Grayson reservoir rocks were uniquely categorized by a percent-factor, describing the effect of diagenetic events on the preservation of original depositional texture, and a second factor describing if the most significant diagenetic event resulted in porosity enhancement or reduction. The second part used petrographic image analysis and mercury-injection capillary pressure tests to calculate pore/pore-throat sizes. From these data sets pore/pore-throat sizes were compared to facies, pore type, and each other showing that pore-throat size is controlled by pore type and that pore size is controlled primarily by facies. When compared with each other, a pore size range can be estimated if the pore type and the median pore-throat aperture are known. Capillary pressure data was also used to understand the behavior of the dependent rock properties (porosity, permeability, and wettability), and it was determined that size-reduced samples, regardless of facies, tend to show similar dependent rock property behavior, but size-enhanced samples show dispersion. Finally, capillary pressure data was used to understand fluid flow behavior of pore types and facies. Oncolitic grainstone samples show unpredictable fluid flow behavior compared to oolitic grainstone samples, yet oncolitic grainstone samples will move a higher percentage of fluid. Size-enhanced samples showed heterogeneous fluid flow behavior while the size-reduced samples could be grouped by the number of modes of pore-throat sizes. Finally, this study utilized petrographic image analysis to determine if 2- dimensional porosity values could be calculated and compared to porosity values from 3-dimensional porosity techniques. The complex, heterogeneous pore network found in the Grayson reservoir rocks prevents the use of petrographic image analysis as a porosity calculation technique.

The purpose of this study was first to develop a method by which a detailed porosity classification system could be utilized to understand the relationship between pore/pore-throat geometry, genetic porosity type, and facies. Additionally, this study investigated the relationships between pore/pore-throat geometry, petrophysical parameters, and reservoir performance characteristics. This study focused on the Jurassic Smackover reservoir rocks of Grayson field, Columbia County, Arkansas. This three part study developed an adapted genetic carbonate pore type classification system, through which the Grayson reservoir rocks were uniquely categorized by a percent-factor, describing the effect of diagenetic events on the preservation of original depositional texture, and a second factor describing if the most significant diagenetic event resulted in porosity enhancement or reduction. The second part used petrographic image analysis and mercury-injection capillary pressure tests to calculate pore/pore-throat sizes. From these data sets pore/pore-throat sizes were compared to facies, pore type, and each other showing that pore-throat size is controlled by pore type and that pore size is controlled primarily by facies. When compared with each other, a pore size range can be estimated if the pore type and the median pore-throat aperture are known. Capillary pressure data was also used to understand the behavior of the dependent rock properties (porosity, permeability, and wettability), and it was determined that size-reduced samples, regardless of facies, tend to show similar dependent rock property behavior, but size-enhanced samples show dispersion. Finally, capillary pressure data was used to understand fluid flow behavior of pore types and facies. Oncolitic grainstone samples show unpredictable fluid flow behavior compared to oolitic grainstone samples, yet oncolitic grainstone samples will move a higher percentage of fluid. Size-enhanced samples showed heterogeneous fluid flow behavior while the size-reduced samples could be grouped by the number of modes of pore-throat sizes. Finally, this study utilized petrographic image analysis to determine if 2- dimensional porosity values could be calculated and compared to porosity values from 3-dimensional porosity techniques. The complex, heterogeneous pore network found in the Grayson reservoir rocks prevents the use of petrographic image analysis as a porosity calculation technique.

Many low matrix-porosity hydrocarbon reservoirs are productive because permeability is controlled by natural fractures. The understanding of basic fracture properties is critical in reducing geological risk and therefore reducing well costs and increasing well recovery. Unfortunately, neither geophysics nor borehole methods are, so far, accurate in the acquisition of key fracture attributes, such as density, porosity, spacing and conductivity. This study proposes a new protocol to predict key fracture characteristics of subsurface carbonate rocks and describes how using a relatively low-cost but rock-based method it is possible to obtain accurate geological information from rock samples to predict fracture attributes in nearby but unsampled areas. This methodology is based on the integration of observations of diagenetic fabrics and fracture analyses of carbonate rocks, using outcrops from the Lower Cretaceous Cupido Formation in the Monterrey Salient of the Sierra Madre Oriental, northeastern Mexico. Field observations and petrographic studies of crosscutting relations and fracture-fill mineralogy and texture distinguish six principal coupled fracturing-cementation events. Two fracture events named F1 and F2 are characterized by synkinematic calcite cement that predates D2 regional dolomitization. A third fracture event (F3) is characterized by synkinematic dolomite fill, contemporaneous with D2 dolomitization of host strata. The fourth event (F4) is characterized by synkinematic D3 baroque dolomite; this event postdates D2. The fifth fracture event (F5) is characterized by C3 synkinematic calcite, and postdates D3 dolomite. Finally, flexural slip faulting (F6) is characterized by C3t calcite, and postdates D3 dolomite. Carbon and oxygen stable isotopes were used to validate the paragenetic sequences proposed for the Cupido Formation rocks. The dolomite isotopic signatures are consistent with increasing precipitation temperatures for the various fracture cements, as is expected if fractures grew during progressive burial conditions. Three main groups of calcite cement can be differentiated isotopically. Late calcite cement may have precipitated from cool waters under shallow burial conditions, possibly during exhumation of the SMO. The development of the Structural Diagenetic Petrographic Study protocol, and its integration with geological, geophysical and engineering data, can be applied to oil fields in fractured carbonates such as those located in Mexico, to validate its applicability. / text

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This thesis presents the results of petrographic point counting analyses of Muna Slate ware, thepredominant slipped ceramic ware in the Northern Maya Lowlands during the Late and TerminalClassic Periods (600-1000 A.D.) of Maya prehistory. Recently, it was hypothesized that MunaSlate wares were centrally produced and distributed from the Puuc Hills site of Sayil (Smyth andDore 1994; Smyth et al. 1995). Given that Muna Slate wares may be considered utilitariansubsistence items (sensu Brumfiel and Earle 1987), this suggestion runs counter to severalarguments that ancient Maya utilitarian ceramics production is associated with outlyingcommunities and that their distribution is localized. In the research presented here, the model ofMuna Slate ware production presented for Sayil is evaluated in terms of ceramic ecology,economic theory and models of craft distribution, the culture-historical context of Muna Slateware use, and previous studies of ceramic production and distribution in the Maya Lowlands.Muna Slate wares from three sites in the northern Lowlands - Kiuic, Labná, and Ek Balam –were then analyzed in order to test the whether or not Sayil was the sole producer of theseceramics.

Σκοπός αυτής της μελέτης είναι η περιγραφή και αναγνώριση των λίθων του αρχαιολογικού χώρου της Ελευσίνας, τόσο μακροσκοπικά όσο και μικροσκοπικά. Η περιγραφή και αναγνώριση των λίθων έγινε με τη βοήθεια κυρίως πολωτικού μικροσκοπιόυ αλλά και ηλεκτρονικού μικροσκοπίου για την αναγνώριση ορυκτών που δεν είναι ορατά με το πολωτικό μικροσκόπιο. Στη συνέχεια γίνεται περιγραφή των φθορών που οι λίθοι έχουν υποστεί είτε λόγω φυσικών διεργασιών όπως διάβρωση- αποσάθρωση, είτε λόγω ανθρωπογενών παρεμβάσεων πάνω σε αυτούς. Η αναγνώριση και ονοματολογία των φθορών έγινε μακροσκοπικά, ενώ χρησιμοποιήθηκε επίσης και περιθλασιμετρία ακτίνων-Χ. Τέλος, παρατίθενται τρόποι που θα βοηθήσουν στην αντιμετώπιση των φθορών. / The aim of the study is to identify and describe, macroscopically and microscopically (optical and electronic microscopy), five main lithotypes of Eleusina’s archaeological place. Furthermore, it have been observed macroscopically the weathering forms on the stones of the monument and the alternation that take place on the surface of the stones due to industrial pollutants. X- ray diffraction have been also used. Finally, conservation methods are proposed for the treatment of the monuments.

Orientador: Antonio Carlos Artur / Banca: Antenor Braga Paraguassú / Banca: José Eduardo Rodrigues / Banca: Maria Heloisa Barros de Oliveira Frascá / Banca: Peter Christian Hackspacher / Resumo: Considerando um conjunto de 21 tipos de rochas utilizadas como revestimento e subdivididas em quatro conjuntos por afinidade da composição mineral (rochas carbonáticas, quartzosas, feldspáticas e quartzo-feldspáticas) foram realizados ensaios tecnológicos para a determinação do coeficiente de dilatação térmica linear e da resistência à compressão uniaxial, bem como a anisotropia dessas propriedades. Os dados tecnológicos obtidos foram correlacionados com informações petrográficas qualitativas e quantitativas referentes à composição mineral, variações texturais e estruturais determinadas em seções ortogonais entre si a partir de um sistema de referência (xyz) baseado na foliação e lineação macroscopicamente visíveis. A análise integrada dos dados utilizando estatística convencional e multivariada procurou apontar as variáveis petrográficas mais relevantes para as duas propriedades tecnológicas enfocadas e suas respectivas anisotropias. A dilatação térmica e sua anisotropia são influenciadas principalmente pela composição mineral e pela orientação preferencial dos minerais embora as microfissuras desempenhem papel importante em alguns casos. A tensão de compressão mostra sua variabilidade e anisotropia influenciadas pela granulação média, tipos de contatos minerais predominantes e padrões de microfissuras mais ou menos definidos por influência da foliação presente. Constatou-se que no conjunto analisado a presença da foliação não implica necessariamente em anisotropia das duas propriedades estudadas. / Abstract: The anisotropy of thermal expansion coefficient and compressive tensile strength were determined for 21 commercially used stones gathered in four set according the main mineral composition named carbonatic, quartz-rich, feldspar-rich and quartz-feldspar-rich rocks. Using a coordinate reference system (xyz) based on the macroscopic visible foliation and lineation the samples were submitted to normalized laboratorial analyses for determination of the both technological properties and the petrographical features such as mineral composition, texture and fabric. Additionally was carried out measurements of weathered area and microcrack quantification by image analysis and texture quantification by U-stage methods. In order to understand the relationship between the anisotropy measured and petrographical data it was applied traditional and multivariate statistical analysis. The results pointed to the great significance of mineral composition and the crystallographic preferred orientation for thermal expansion and respective anisotropy, especially to monomineralic and/or foliated rocks, in spite of some cases microcracks play this role. The compressive strength is mainly controlled by a complex interaction between grain size distribution, grain boundary and microcrack patterns related or not to foliation. / Doutor

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:26:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-09-17Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:54:19Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 carvalho_cs_me_rcla.pdf: 8151114 bytes, checksum: e14fc35948f60546fa7a69931710c333 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / As rochas ornamentais Verde Amazonas, Preto Cajugram e Bege Ipanema exploradas no estado do Espírito Santo, respectivamente um charnockito, um hiperstênio monzodiorito e um ortognaisse, foram submetidas a uma bateria de ensaios físico-mecânicos e de resistência ao ataque químico sob ação controlada dos compostos NH4Cl, NaClO, C6H8O7, HCl e KOH presentes na composição de produtos de uso doméstico e de determinadas soluções concentradas dos ácidas HCl, H2SO4 e HNO3 simulando atmosferas agressivas. A avaliação dos efeitos dos agentes químicos foram realizadas à luz das variações da propagação de ondas ultrassônicas, da resistência à flexão 4 pontos e do lustro da superfície polida das rochas testadas, bem como pela caracterização dos produtos de subeflorescências e eflorescências geradas pelas reações com os ácidos. Os resultados dos diferentes testes realizados foram confrontados com as propriedades petrográficas de cada rocha. Os resultados obtidos para os parâmetros físico-mecânicos e de alterabilidade química indicam, com algumas reservas, que as três rochas são detentoras de boas qualidades para utilização como rochas ornamentais e para revestimentos em obras civis. Os estudos revelaram que o comportamento tecnológico e de alterabilidade química dos materiais avaliados é controlado pela inter-relação dos aspectos composicionais, estruturais e texturais das rochas. O charnockito Verde Amazonas, rocha verde escura megaporfirítica gnaissificada com matriz de granulação média a grossa e com elevado grau de microfissuramento transgranulares, apresentou bom desempenho no tocante a resistência mecânica, mas foi o material que mostrou maior sensibilidade aos efeitos da maioria dos agentes químicos com desbotamento, clareamento, amarelamento e ofuscamento das superfícies polidas. O Preto Cajugram com estrutura isotrópica, textura equigranular... / The Amazon Green, Cajugram Black and Ipanema Beige dimension stones explored in the state of Espirito Santo, respectively, a charnockite, a hypersthene monzodiorite and a orthogneiss, underwent a serie of physical-mechanical and resistance to chemical attack tests under controlled action of the chemicals NH4Cl, NaClO, C6H8O7, HCl and KOH, present in the composition of household products and certain concentrated solutions of the acids HCl, H2SO4 and HNO3, simulating aggressive atmospheres. The evaluation of the effects of the chemical agents was performed in the light of changes in the propagation of ultrasonic sound waves, the 4-point flexural strength and gloss of the polished surface of the tested rock samples, as well as the characterization of the products of efflorescences and subefflorescences, generated by reactions with the acids. The results of the different tests were compared with the petrographic properties of each rock. The obtained results for the physic-mechanical parameters and for the chemical alterability indicates, with some reservations, that the three rocks shows good quality for use as dimension stones and coatings in civil works. Studies show that the behavior of technology and chemical alterability of the tested materials is controlled by the interrelation of the compositional, structural and textural aspects of the rocks. The charnockite Verde Amazonas, dark green megaporphyritic gneissic rock, with medium to coarse grained matrix and a high degree of transgranular microcracking, showed good performance regarding mechanical strength, but was the most sensitive material to the effects of most chemical agents as fading, bleaching, yellowing and glare from the polished surfaces. The Preto Cajugram, with isotropic structure, medium equigranular texture, and low degree of microcracking, has the highest mechanical strengths. On the other hand, it displays the highest... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)