This thesis analyzes the current and possible impacts of the new global information and communication order regime institutionalized by the 1993 WTO agreements, GATS and TRIPS, and the following 1997 BTS agreement on Turkey, Greece and Israel, telecommunications markets, three important countries of the GEMED region. Since the early 1980s these countries have showed significant efforts to establish telecommunications systems and computer networks based on high- technology. They have adopted corporate-oriented strategies and complemented necessary changes consisting up of four stages: liberalization, deregulation, corporatization and privatization in order to internationalize and to realize full liberalization of their national telecommunications markets. Full liberalization and resulting internationalization process has increased interests of global telecommunications giants seeking new markets for their IT products and services based on NGN technologies to enter into the Turkish Greek, and Israeli telecommunications markets. Huge costs of NGN technologies will inevitably accelerate merging and resulting concentration process in the hands of the very few numbers of conglomerates will likely conclude with &ldquo / back to natural monopoly position&rdquo / whose rules will be defined by private monopoly consisting up of merging two or three the most powerful private conglomerates.

The wind and wave (wind wave/swell wave) climate has an important role in the design and operation of coastal and marine structures, harbors and ports. The objective of this study is to identify the statistical characteristics of the winds, wind waves and swell waves in Eastern Mediterranean, and coastline of T&uuml / rkiye. For this purpose, the data of wind speed and direction, swell and wind wave height, period and direction for a certain duration with the six hours time intervals are obtained from ECMWF for the wind and wave climate computations. The data covers the area of eastern Mediterranean region. In order to compute the wind and wave climate at any selected coastal location, a software is developed by Serhan Aldogan in his MSc thesis. For every location, the wind wave roses, significant height of wind wave and swell wave versus mean period of primary wind directions, extreme probability analysis and distribution, and log-linear cumulative probability analysis and distributions is presented, compared and discussed. By the help of the specifically developed software, it is possible and convenient to analyze the wind and wave climate using ECMWF data at any coordinate.

This thesis contributes to increased knowledge on Holocene climate and environmental variability from two complex and sparsely studied areas. Using a speleothem from Gasparee Cave, Trinidad, as a paleoclimate archive, the local expression of the 8.2 ka (thousand years before 1950) climate event and associated patterns of the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and rainfall is provided. Subsequent speleothem studies using multi-proxy analysis of stalagmites from Kapsia Cave and Alepotrypa Cave, Greece, provide records of climate, vegetation and human induced changes in the cave environment during parts of the Holocene. The speleothems from the well-studied Neolithic habitation site, Alepotrypa Cave, have produced a climate and habitation record which covers the period of 6.3-1.0 ka. The cave was inhabited between 8.0-5.2 ka and was closed by a tectonic event, which has preserved the settlement. The stable oxygen record shows the first well-dated and robust expression of the 4.2 ka dry event in the Peloponnese, places the timing of the 3.2 ka dry event within an ongoing dry period, and shows a final dry event at 1.6 ka. The North Atlantic as well as more regional drivers, such as the North Sea Caspian Pattern Index is proposed to, in a complex interplay, govern many of the climate trends and events observed. Trace element variation after the site is abandoned indicate what is interpreted as two volcanic eruptions, the Minoan eruption of Thera (Santorini) around 3.6 ka and the 2.7 ka eruption of Somma (Vesuvius). Variations in trace elements during the habitation period show clear human influence, indicating an association with specific cave activities. One of the most interesting prospects for continued work on Alepotrypa Cave is this successful marriage of speleothem studies and archeology. A framework of dates which constrain some behavior of people living in the cave is only the beginning, and there is great potential to continue finding new clues in the speleothem data. / Denna avhandling bidrar till ökad kunskap om klimatets variationer och miljön i två geografiskt skilda områden på låga breddgrader och under tidsperioder inom den Holocena epoken. Genom att använda en droppsten (stalagmit) från Gasparee-grottan, Trinidad, som ett paleoklimatarkiv, har det bland annat varit möjligt att visa att Trinidad upplevde torrare förhållanden under den snabba klimatförändring som observerats ske för 8200 år sedan på många platser i världen. Denna torrare klimatsituation i Trinidad föreslås vara ett resultat av en sydlig förflyttning av den intertropiska konvergenszonen. Övriga stalagmiter som studerats för denna avhandling kommer från Kapsia-grottan och Alepotrypa-grottan som finns på Peloponnesos-halvön i Grekland. Resultaten därifrån speglar dels klimat- och vegetationsvariatoner och dels graden av mänsklig aktivitet, under tiden för ca 8000 år sedan till för 1000 år sedan. Alepotrypa-grottan är känd för att vara en av de större Neolitiska boplatserna i Grekland. Isotop- och spårämnesanalyser av stalagmiterna har bidragit med ny kunskap om tidpunkten för mänsklig aktivitet, hur människorna påverkade grott-miljön samt hur klimatet varierat efter det att grottan, genom en tektonisk händelse, stängdes för människans inverkan. Snabba klimatförändringar, för 4200 och 3200 år sedan, observerade i andra regioner, rekonstrueras här för första gången på Peloponnesos. En snabb förändring mot torrare förhållanden observeras även för 1600 år sedan. De klimatstyrande processerna föreslås vara en kombination av storskaliga processer som den nordatlantiska oscillationen och mer regionala processer som det så kallade North Sea Caspian Pattern Index. Variationer i spårämnen i stalagmiterna efter att Alepotrypa-grottan stängdes kan kopplas till två vulkaniska utbrott, nämligen det Minoiska utbrottet av Thera på ön Santorini kring 3600 år sedan och utbrottet av Somma (Vesuvius) kring 2700 år sedan. Spårämnesvariationer under bo-perioden ger tydliga indikationer på människans påverkan på grottmiljön och som delvis kan länkas till specifika aktiviteter, som eldning av dynga i grottan. Avhandlingen är ett resultat av en framgångsrik kombination av klimatstudier och arkeologisk kunskap och utgör ett viktigt underlag för fördjupat interdisciplinärt forskningssamarbete i Alepotrypa-grottan. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 1: Manuscript. Paper 4: Manuscript. Paper 5: Manuscript. Paper 6: Manuscript.</p>

Στόχο της παρούσας διατριβής αποτέλεσε η διερεύνηση των αβιοτικών και βιοτικών παραγόντων που ελέγχουν τη χωροχρονική κατανομή δύο βασικών συστατικών του πλαγκτικού συστήματος στο βορειοανατολικό Αιγαίο, του μεσοζωοπλαγκτού και των ιχθυονυμφών. Η περιοχή μελέτης παρουσιάζει ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον καθώς χαρακτηρίζεται από αυξημένα επίπεδα παραγωγικότητας, συγκριτικά με τον ολιγότροφο χαρακτήρα της ανατολικής Μεσογείου, και ως εκ τούτου υψηλή συγκέντρωση ιχθυοαποθεμάτων (κυρίως μικρών πελαγικών ψαριών). Τα χαρακτηριστικά αυτά θεωρείται ότι σχετίζονται με την τοπογραφία της περιοχής (εκτεταμένη υφαλοκρηπίδα), την εισροή ποταμών αλλά κυρίως με την έντονη μέσης κλίμακας υδρολογική πολυπλοκότητα (μέτωπο Λήμνου, αντικυκλώνας Σαμοθράκης), που επάγει η εισροή και κυκλοφορία του χαμηλής αλατότητας νερού της Μαύρης Θάλασσας (<30 psu), στα 20-30 επιφανειακά μέτρα της υδάτινης στήλης. Η μελέτη της κατανομής και σύνθεσης του μεσοζωοπλαγκτού (σε κατακόρυφη και οριζόντια διάσταση) πραγματοποιήθηκε σε ένα εκτεταμένο δίκτυο σταθμών κατά τη διάρκεια τριών περιόδων θερμοστρωμάτωσης (Ιούλιος 2003– Σεπτέμβριος 2003 – Ιούλιος 2004), ενώ των ιχθυονυμφών κατά το μήνα Ιούνιο των ετών 2003 έως 2006. Σύμφωνα με τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας, το απόθεμα του μεσοζωπλαγκτού στο Β.Α. Αιγαίο βρέθηκε μεγαλύτερο σε σχέση με εκείνο που αναφέρεται για άλλα ελληνικά πελαγικά νερά (Ιόνιο, νότιο Αιγαίο), κλειστούς και ημίκλειστους κόλπους καθώς και για ορισμένες παράκτιες και πελαγικές περιοχές της Δυτικής Μεσογείου. Σημαντικό κομμάτι της βιοκοινότητας, ειδικά στο επιφανειακό στρώμα επίδρασης του νερού της Μαύρης Θάλασσας, αποτέλεσαν ηθμοφάγες ομάδες όπως τα κλαδοκεραιωτά, οι κωπηλάτες και τα βυτιοειδή. Το Σεπτέμβριο 2003 η αλατότητα στην περιοχή βρέθηκε υψηλότερη κατά δύο μονάδες σε σχέση με τον Ιούλιο του ίδιου έτους, αντανακλώντας ενδεχομένως τη μικρότερη εισροή του νερού της Μαύρης Θάλασσας (πλούσιο σε διαλυτό οργανικό άνθρακα), και η αφθονία των ηθμοφάγων ομάδων ήταν σημαντικά μειωμένη την περίοδο αυτή σε σχέση με τον Ιούλιο 2003. Η χρονική αυτή διακύμανση στο απόθεμα του μεσοζωοπλαγκτού φάνηκε να σχετίζεται τόσο με τη διαφοροποίηση της επίδρασης του νερού της Μαύρης Θάλασσας στην περιοχή, όσο και με τα χαρακτηριστικά της βιολογίας των οργανισμών (π.χ. εποχικός κύκλος). Τον Ιούλιο 2004 το νερό της Μαύρης Θάλασσας περιορίστηκε κυρίως στο ανατολικό τμήμα της θρακικής υφαλοκρηπίδας, εγκλωβιζόμενο σε μια αντικυκλωνική δομή γύρω από τη Σαμοθράκη περίπου 50 km διαμέτρου, και οι τιμές αφθονίας και βιομάζας βρέθηκαν ιδιαίτερα αυξημένες (διπλάσιες έως και τριπλάσιες) συγκριτικά με το 2003. Σημαντικό παράγοντα διαφοροποίησης των ποσοτικών χαρακτηριστικών του μεσοζωοπλαγκτού (αφθονία & βιομάζα) αλλά και διαμόρφωσης διακριτών συναθροίσεων ειδών κωπηπόδων και κλαδοκεραιωτών αποτέλεσε το βάθος. Τα επιφανειακά νερά, που δέχονταν την άμεση επιρροή του νερού της Μαύρης Θάλασσας, εμφανίστηκαν περισσότερο παραγωγικά με ιδιαίτερη σύνθεση ειδών, των οποίων οι συναθροίσεις αποτέλεσαν ευαίσθητους δείκτες της οριζόντιας ωκεανογραφικής ετερογένειας. Αλλαγές στην παροχή και κυκλοφορία του νερού της Μαύρης Θάλασσας φάνηκε να προκαλούν μέσης κλίμακας υδρολογική (μέτωπα, στρόβιλοι) και βιολογική πολυπλοκότητα στην περιοχή, η οποία βρέθηκε να αντανακλάται περαιτέρω στη δομή και κατανομή των ζωοπλαγκτικών συναθροίσεων τόσο στο οριζόντιο επίπεδο όσο και στο κατακόρυφο. Συγκεκριμένα, τα υδρολογικά μέτωπα αποτέλεσαν περιοχές αυξημένων τιμών φθορισμού και μεσοζωοπλαγκτικής βιομάζας και ο αντικυκλώνας της Σαμοθράκης αποτέλεσε ιδιαίτερο βιογεωχημικό ενδιαίτημα, χαρακτηριζόμενο από αυξημένες τιμές συνολικής αφθονίας και ιδιαίτερη σύνθεση βιοκοινότητας μεσοζωοπλαγκτού. Εκτός από τη σημασία των φυσικών παραγόντων στην κατανομή του μεσοζωοπλαγκτού, βιολογικές αλληλεπιδράσεις, όπως ο ανταγωνισμός και η θήρευση φάνηκε επίσης να παίζουν σημαντικό ρόλο στη διαμόρφωση των παρατηρούμενων προτύπων κατανομής. Η χωρική ετερογένεια στην κατανομή των πληθυσμών του μεσοζωοπλαγκτού φάνηκε να αντικατοπτρίζει τη σημασία των οικοφυσιολογικών χαρακτηριστικών των ειδών και του εύρους μεγέθους των τροφικών σωματιδίων. Σε αντίθεση με το μεσοζωοπλαγκτόν, η μέση αφθονία του συνόλου των ιχθυονυμφών καθώς και των μεμονωμένων ταξινομικών κατηγοριών τους στην περιοχή του Β.Α. Αιγαίου κατά την διάρκεια της τετραετούς έρευνας (2003-2006), δεν παρουσίασε σημαντική χρονική διαφοροποίηση. Οι ιχθυονύμφες των επιπελαγικών ειδών αποτέλεσαν το σημαντικότερο συστατικό της βιοκοινότητας, με κυρίαρχο είδος το Engraulis encrasicolus (γαύρος), είδος του οποίου η κορύφωση ωοτοκίας συμπίπτει χρονικά με την περίοδο δειγματοληψίας. Η οριζόντια κατανομή των ιχθυονυμφών στην περιοχή ήταν ετερογενής και φάνηκε να ελέγχεται από τη συνεργιστική δράση παραμέτρων που επιδρούν στο απόθεμα των γεννητόρων καθώς και φυσικών και βιολογικών διαδικασιών που επιδρούν στη πλαγκτική φάση των απογόνων τους. Ιδιαίτερα σημαντικό ρόλο στη διαμόρφωση των παρατηρούμενων ιχθυονυμφικών προτύπων κατανομής βρέθηκε να παίζουν εξελικτικές προσαρμογές των ειδών σε μεγάλη κλίμακα χρόνου, όπως είναι η στρατηγική αναπαραγωγής και το περιβάλλον διαβίωσης. Ως εκ τούτου, το βάθος αλλά και ενδείξεις των τροφικών συνθηκών στην κολώνα του νερού (π.χ. συγκέντρωση ζωοπλαγκτού, φθορισμός) εξήγησαν σε σημαντικό βαθμό τη χωρική διαφοροποίηση της σύνθεσης της βιοκοινότητας των ιχθυονυμφών. Η κυκλοφορία επίσης του νερού της Μαύρης Θάλασσας φάνηκε σε πολλές περιπτώσεις να επηρεάζει σημαντικά τη διαμόρφωση της οριζόντιας κατανομής τους, είτε συμβάλλοντας στην κατακράτηση τους κοντά στα πεδία ωοτοκίας, ή, προκαλώντας τη διασπορά τους μακριά από αυτά. Η αντανάκλαση της οριζόντιας ωκεανογραφικής ετερογένειας στις συναθροίσεις των συγκεκριμένων μεροπλαγκτικών οργανισμών, παρότι λιγότερο έντονη σε σχέση με τις ολοπλαγκτικές ομάδες του μεσοζωοπλαγκτού, ήταν επίσης εμφανής. Η υψηλή συμμετοχή στη βιοκοινότητα των ιχθυονυμφών, πελαγικών ειδών, που κατά την ενήλικη φάση είναι άμεσα επηρεαζόμενα από μεταβολές που πραγματοποιούνται στο ανώτερο στρώμα της υδάτινης στήλης (όπου επιδρά το νερό της Μαύρης Θάλασσας), φαίνεται να είχε σημαντική συμβολή σε αυτό. / The main aim of the present study was directed towards an understanding of the agents (abiotic and biotic) that shape the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of two fundamental components of the northeastern Aegean Sea (NEA) planktonic food web, namely mesozooplankton and fish larvae. The study area is of great scientific interest due to its relatively increased local productivity levels, comparatively to the highly oligotrophic eastern Mediterranean, hence its importance as a fishing ground, especially for fisheries targeting small pelagic fish. These characteristics are considered to be associated with local topographic features (extended continental shelf), riverine inflow, but mainly the high hydrological complexity (development of fronts and eddies) which is induced by the inflow and advection of low salinity Black Sea waters (BSW) at the upper part of the water column (surface 20-30 m). Mesozooplankton group composition and distribution patterns were examined both in horizontal and vertical plane in an extended sampling grid, during three stratification periods (July 2003 – September 2003 – July 2004). Four broad scale ichthyoplankton surveys were carried out (June 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006) over a station grid similar to that of mesozooplankton sampling, in order to investigate the major distribution and abundance patterns of fish larvae in the area. According to this study, the overall mesozooplankton standing stock in the NEA was found higher than those typically reported for other Mediterranean ecosystems, including hellenic pelagic waters and various closed or semi-closed gulfs as wells as some western Mediterranean pelagic and coastal regions. During all sampling periods, filter feeding taxa i.e. cladocerans, doliolids, appendicularians consisted an important element of mesozooplankton group composition particularly at the upper water column (directly influenced by the BSW). In September 2003, when surface salinity was 2 psu higher than July 2003 (probably reflecting lower BSW inflow in the area), the abundance values of these zooplankters decreased considerably. This temporal variation seemed to be related not only to differentiation in BSW (rich in dissolved organic carbon) influence, but also to species specific biological characteristics (e.g. seasonal cycle). In July 2004, BSW circulation was mainly restricted in the eastern part of the Thracian shelf and the abundance and biomass values in the area were significantly increased (2-fold up to 3-fold increase) compared to the previous surveys. Sampling depth played an important role in the differentiation of quantitive mesozooplankton characteristics (in terms of abundance and biomass values) but also in the formation of different copepod and cladoceran species assemblages. Surface waters, under the direct influence of BSW, were more productive and their species assemblages were sensitive tracers of horizontal oceanographic variability. Changes in the supply and flow of BSW into the NEA induced mesoscale hydrographic (fronts, eddies) and biological variability which was reflected on the structure and distribution of mesozooplankton assemblages in the horizontal and vertical plane. Frontal zones (e.g. southeastern of Lemnos) were characterized by increased fluorescence values and mesozooplankton biomass. The anticyclonic eddy over the Thracian shelf, where BSW is entrapped (Samothraki gyre), seemed to serve as a distinguished biochemical habitat with increased mesozooplankton abundance values and distinctive group composition. Besides the importance of physical parameters for zooplankton distribution in the NEA, biological interactions (e.g. competition, predation) may have played a significant role in shaping the observed distribution patterns. The hydrological heterogeneity induced by the advection of the BSW seemed to influence the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the lower trophic levels. In turn, mesozooplankton populations presented spatial heterogeneity that reflected the importance of food size spectra and species-specific ecophysiological characteristics. Contrary to mesozooplankton community, mean abundance values of fish larvae (either as a total or for each separate taxonomic category) did not show any significant interannual difference during the four year study in the area of NEA (2003-2006). Fish larvae of epipelagic species consisted the major component of community, while a dominance of anchovy larvae was also observed due to the coincidence of the sampling period with the intensive spawning of this species. Fish larvae horizontal distribution was heterogenous and seemed to be controlled by the coupling between agents acting on the spawning stock and physical and biological processes influencing the planktonic phase of their offsprings. Fish larvae distributional patterns seemed to highly depend on species specific evolutionary adaptations, like reproduction strategy and the living habitat of the adults. Sampling depth as well as indications of water column trophic conditions (e.g. zooplankton concentration, fluorescence), explained significantly the spatial differentiation of fish larvae assemblages during all sampling periods. The circulation pattern of BSW seemed to be an important determinant of the taxonomic composition and abundance of larval fish assemblages, contributing either on larval retention near the spawning grounds, or inducing their dispersion. The assemblages of these meroplanktonic early-life stages also reflected the horizontal oceanographic heterogeneity in NEA, though less intensively comparing to other holoplanktonic zooplankters. The domination of local larval fish community by larvae of pelagic fish, that in the adult phase are directly influenced by changes taking place in the upper part of the water column (influenced by the BSW), may have contributed to this reflection.

Measurement of chemical composition of precipitation is important both to understand acidification of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and neutralization process in the atmosphere. Such data are scarce in the Mediterranean region. In this study, chemical composition of daily, wet-only, 387 number of rain water samples collected between 1991 and 1999 were investigated to determine levels, temporal variation and long-term trends in concentrations of major ions and trace elements between 1991 and 1999. Samples had already been collected and some of the analysis had been completed. The anions SO42-, NO3- and Cl- were analyzed by HPLC coupled with UV-VIS detector, NH4+ was analyzed by colorimetry and H+ ion was analyzed by pH meter. The major ions and trace metals were analyzed by using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) and Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GFAAS). In this study complete data set were generated by analyzing samples that had not been previously analyzed for major ions and trace elements with Inductively Coupled Plasma with Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Statistical tools were used to determine the distribution of the pollutants. The rain water data tends to be log-normally distributed since data show large variations due to meteorological conditions, physical and chemical transformations and air mass transport patterns. The median pH of the rain water was found to be 5.29, which indicates that the rain water is not strongly acidic. This case is not a result of lacking of acidic compounds but rather indicates extended neutralization process in rain water. Eastern Mediterranean atmosphere is under the influence of three general source types: (1) anthropogenic sources, which are located to the north and northwest of the basin brings low pH values to the region (SO42-, NO3- ions) / (2) a strong crustal source, which is dried and suspended local soil and air masses transported from North Africa transport which have high pH values (Ca2+, Al, Fe ions) and (3) a marine source, which is the Mediterranean Sea itself (Na+, Cl- ions). In the region, the main acid forming compounds are H2SO4 and HNO3 whereas / CaCO3 and NH3 are responsible for the neutralization process. To describe the level of pollutant concentrations and the factors that affect their variations in rain water / ion compositions, neutralization of acidity, short and long-term variability of ions and elements, their time trend analysis and wet deposition fluxes were investigated briefly. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was used to determine components of ionic mass in the precipitation. In Antalya Station the rain water has five factors: free acidity factor, crustal factor, marine factor, NO3- factor and SO42- factor. Potential Source Contribution Function (PSCF) and trajectory statistics were used to determine source regions generating these components. NO3- has potential source regions of Western Mediterranean countries and North Africa, whereas SO42- has additional southeasterly trajectory components of Israel and south east of Turkey.

This work gives an overview of the composition of the diet of bats in the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, discusses the structure of bat communities in different bioregions of the area in terms of hunting strategies and resource partitioning and last but not least, how echolocation and morphological characteristics of bats affect the composition of the diet. Although some samples were relatively small therefore it is necessary to look soberly at their informative value, and thus their importance is undeniable. The study in some cases provides completely the first information regarding the composition of diet in several species. Asellia arabica mainly catches Coleoptera (Scarabaeidae), Triaenops persicus hunts Lepidoptera, but Heteroptera, Coleoptera (Scarabaeidae) and Orthoptera too, while Triaenops parvus is a specialist in hunting Lepidoptera. Rhinopoma muscatellum hunts mainly Formicoidea, followed by Coleoptera (Melolonthinae) and Heteroptera, Rhinopoma hadramauticum hunts Formicoidea. Lepidoptera of different size, Heteroptera and Coleoptera are the prey of Chaerephon nigeriae. Pipistrellus hanaki has a wide niche breadth as other species of the genus Pipistrellus. In this study Brachycera, Auchenorrhyncha and Coleoptera primarily occurred in its diet. Not yet described species of...

This work gives an overview of the composition of the diet of bats in the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, discusses the structure of bat communities in different bioregions of the area in terms of hunting strategies and resource partitioning and last but not least, how echolocation and morphological characteristics of bats affect the composition of the diet. Although some samples were relatively small therefore it is necessary to look soberly at their informative value, and thus their importance is undeniable. The study in some cases provides completely the first information regarding the composition of diet in several species. Asellia arabica mainly catches Coleoptera (Scarabaeidae), Triaenops persicus hunts Lepidoptera, but Heteroptera, Coleoptera (Scarabaeidae) and Orthoptera too, while Triaenops parvus is a specialist in hunting Lepidoptera. Rhinopoma muscatellum hunts mainly Formicoidea, followed by Coleoptera (Melolonthinae) and Heteroptera, Rhinopoma hadramauticum hunts Formicoidea. Lepidoptera of different size, Heteroptera and Coleoptera are the prey of Chaerephon nigeriae. Pipistrellus hanaki has a wide niche breadth as other species of the genus Pipistrellus. In this study Brachycera, Auchenorrhyncha and Coleoptera primarily occurred in its diet. Not yet described species of...

Yes / Red Lustrous Wheelmade ware is one of the most recognisable classes of pottery from the Late Bronze Age of the east Mediterranean. Yet both its production source and the nature of its contents and use remain a source of some debate. These questions are tackled here through an intensive programme of scientific analysis involving 95 samples of Red Lustrous Wheelmade ware and related wares from seven sites in Turkey, Cyprus and Egypt. Petrography and instrumental neutron activation analysis are combined in the study of the ceramic fabrics, with a view to specifying the source of this ware; while gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry are used to analyse absorbed and visible residues in and on the sherd samples, in the hope of shedding light on vessel contents and possible use. The results of the fabric analysis show the ware to be extremely homogeneous, indicative of a single source: northern Cyprus is at present the most likely candidate, although further analysis, particularly of clay samples from the region in question, would certainly be desirable. The residue analysis suggests that Red Lustrous Wheelmade ware might have been used to carry some kind of plant oils, possibly perfumed, and that in some instances the vessel interior was coated with beeswax as a sealant. / AHRC

This paper analyses the opposing views regarding the presence or absence of the Sikil at Dor in Palestine during Early Iron Age 1. Textual sources claim that the Sikil were pirates who came from the west and settled in Cyprus. Egyptian sources point to a Sikil presence at Dor. Some scholars regard the Egyptian sources and archaeological finds at Dor as evidence of a Sikil settlement at Dor. Others maintain that there is a continuity of ceramics at Dor from Canaanite to Phoenician. Though there were foreign influences at Dor during Early Iron Age 1 which point to newcomers, they propose that these newcomers probably came from Cyprus. No archaeological record of a Sea People-presence at Dor has been discovered. This study textually traces the Sikil from the Aegean to Cyprus, Egypt and finally to Dor and a theory is presented that the Sikil originated in the Aegean, temporarily settled in Cyprus and finally at Dor. / Old Testament & Ancient Near Eastern Studies / M.A. (Biblical Archaeology)

Red Lustrous Wheelmade Ware (RLWm ware) transport and storage vessels have been excavated from Late Bronze Age (LBA) sites across the eastern Mediterranean. These distinctive vessels were traded for the valuable commodity they contained so far unidentified. Seventy-three sherds (61 RLWm ware, 12 in local fabrics) and two visible residues were analysed for organic residues using standard lipid extraction techniques. Seven residues from a previous study were re-examined. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identified four materials - beeswax, bitumen, fat/oil and resin. Beeswax, found only in vessels from Hittite sites in Turkey, was probably used as a post-firing treatment. Fat/oil, present in some sherds from every site, represents the contents of the vessels and showed many of the characteristics of degraded plant oil. Two examples contained a plant sterol and three yielded ricinoleic acid, a biomarker for castor oil. Gas-chromatography compound-specific isotope ratio mass spectrometry of selected residues excluded dairy products, ruminant animal fats and fish oils as source materials for the fats/oils, while comparison with a small database of modern oils created during this study does not exclude plant oils. Selected samples analysed by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry did not reveal wine residues. Data on the elemental composition of the fabric collected during another study was re-analysed and compared with data from a further published study, confirming the remarkable consistency of RLWm ware fabric. Volume calculations were also attempted to give an estimate of the capacity of the main vessel forms.