Ce projet vise à développer un protocole d’analyses par fluorescence aux rayons X (XRF) afin d’appréhender le potentiel de cette méthode d’analyse géochimique à distinguer des sources de cherts du Nord-Ouest irlandais. Ces échantillons de roches ont été récoltés dans le cadre du projet Irish Lithic Landscapes dirigé par Killian Driscoll, Adrian Burke et Heather Short. Le but est donc la caractérisation des sources de matières premières utilisées par les populations préhistoriques durant la fin du Mésolithique, le Néolithique ainsi qu’au début de l’Âge du Bronze. Ces analyses pourraient ainsi compléter la base de données LIR (Lithotheque Ireland) référençant les sources de matières premières lithiques irlandaises, cette dernière pouvant ainsi être utilisée pour comparer les données géologiques et archéologiques et permettre de considérer les stratégies d’acquisition des populations anciennes et d’identifier la source de certains artéfacts en chert. La technique analytique de la fluorescence X n’étant pas sans contraintes, l’analyse statistique fut un défi. Ce projet de mémoire a mis en avant la difficulté que représentent les limites de détections propres à l’appareil XRF PANalytical Epsilon 3 ainsi que les problèmes liés à la taille des échantillonnages et à la variabilité intra-source lorsqu’elle est supérieure à celle inter-source. Bien que les résultats ne soient pas aussi concluants que souhaités, il en reste néanmoins que cette recherche est un premier pas pour des études plus poussées sur les cherts de cette région et ainsi comprendre et dépasser les problèmes rencontrés. / The aim of this project is to develop an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis protocol in order to understand the potential of this geochemical analysis method to distinguish between sources of cherts in the North-West of Ireland. These rock samples were collected as part of the Irish Lithic Landscapes project led by Killian Driscoll, Adrian Burke and Heather Short, with the aim of characterizing the sources of raw materials used by prehistoric populations during the Late Mesolithic, Neolithic and early Bronze Ages. These analyses could thus complement the LIR (Lithotheque Ireland) database referencing Irish lithic raw material sources, which could then be used to compare geological and archaeological data, to consider the acquisition strategies of ancient populations and to identify the source of certain chert artifacts. As the analytical technique of X-ray fluorescence is not without its constraints, statistical analysis was a challenge. This dissertation project highlighted the difficulty represented by the detection limits specific to the PANalytical Epsilon 3 XRF instrument, as well as problems linked to sampling size and intra-source variability when it is greater than inter-source variability. Although the results are not as conclusive as desired, the fact remains that this research is a first step towards more in-depth studies of the cherts in this region, in order to understand and overcome the problems encountered.

The research undertaken in this dissertation was designed to explore how the institutionalized social inequalities in prehistoric Woodland society are reflected in the differences in the procurement, in the life history, and the final discard locations of the flaked chert stone tools from the Crystal River site (8CI1). The Woodland period (1000 BC to AD 1000) was a time of both stability and change in Native American society. Many of the core institutions such as subsistence, hunting and ceramic technology, and residence remained relatively constant while religious and political institutions underwent dramatic changes. This study focuses on how these social inequalities were manifested in the chipped stone tool assemblage from this site. The Crystal River site is an Early to Middle Woodland-period mound complex located in coastal Citrus County, Florida. Dedicated as a National Historic Landmark site in 1991, the Crystal River site is internationally known and respected. Despite extensive work at the site conducted by Bullen and others during the 1940-60s, little was actually published about the material remains excavated from the site. Work resumed on the site in the 1980s and has continued as required by park maintenance and repair issues. Since 2007, remote sensing and other non-invasive technologies have been employed to advance research further at the site. This research returned to the flaked stone materials recovered during the periods 1903-1964 and 1984-2001 to illuminate site activities better without additional ground-disturbing activities. Multiple techniques were employed to develop the data sets that were used to investigate the research questions addressed in this study. The GIS-based weights-of-evidence procedure was used to predict the locations of chert outcrops within a 50 km study area. This model validated the existing quarry cluster method of determining the provenience of Florida cherts. A cost-path analysis was used to identify those chert sources that would have been most accessible to the site's inhabitants. These techniques defined a series of coastal chert outcrops that form the newly-proposed New Coastal quarry cluster. A chaîne opératoire or operational sequence approach was adopted for the analysis of the chipped stone assemblage. A waste flake analysis, a hafted biface classification, and a raw material provenience classification were conducted for all flaked-stone materials. Use-wear determinations were made using both low-power (10-70x) and high-power (50-400x) magnification analysis techniques. A life history approach was taken to the hafted biface assemblage and hafted biface retouch index (HRI) values were determined for all hafted bfaces and biface fragments. The provenience analysis demonstrated that the majority of the chert used by the inhabitants of Crystal River came from outcrops and quarries south of the site along the coastal marshes and the western margins of the Brooksville Ridge. These resources are all within a short canoe trip from the site. Two life history trajectories are suggested for the chipped stone tools from Crystal River. The majority of the chert was obtained from local sources. The second life history was defined for a small subset of the hafted bifaces that were transported from quarries located outside the core subsistence catchment of Crystal River site. Four research hypotheses were developed to test propositions related to the ways in which institutionalized social inequalities are reflected in the patterning of the chipped stone artifact assemblage at the Crystal River site. Although only some of these hypotheses were supported, the results of this investigation do support much of the research that has previously been conducted with the lithic assemblages from Woodland mound complexes in Florida. Chert acquisition is heavily reliant on local lithic sources. Chert procurement appears to be embedded in the collection of other resources. Stone tool use at the site follows the typical expedient flake tool/local raw material pattern that has been documented for other Middle Woodland sites in the region. There was no evidence to suggest that thermal alteration was used to enhance the quality of either the local cherts or those brought to the site from more distant sources. The analysis identified two distinct life histories for at least part of the stone tool assemblage. Many of the hafted bifaces, formed tools and flake tools recovered from the site were made from local cherts. These tool where likely made, used, and discarded at Crystal River. Some of the hafted bifaces and flake cores were made from cherts found on the outer edges of the 50 km study area defined for this investigation. These items were brought to the Crystal River site, used, resharpened, and broken in transit, and finally replaced by new tools at the site. The broken fragments of these tools were discarded in the midden debris to eventually become part of the archaeological record from this now-famous site.

Alkali-silica reaction (ASR) is a common deterioration mechanism responsible for numerous concrete durability issues. Since ASR was first discovered in the 1940's, a significant number of investigations have been carried out in order to understand its mechanisms. However, due to the complexity of the reaction and to the numerous factors that affect its development, many aspects still remain unexplained. The research described in this document was funded by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and it focused on a specific type of reactive aggregates, known as 'pessimum'; they present an unexpected behavior with respect to the relation between the amount of material present in the mixture and the extent of ASR related damage. The main objective of this investigation was to determine a method for identifying aggregates that exhibit the 'pessimum' behavior by means of a short-term testing regime. Modified versions of the Accelerated Mortar Bar Test (AMBT) and the Concrete Microbar Test (CMBT) were considered for this purpose. In addition, the behavior of a selected group of 'pessimum' aggregates in the Concrete Prism Test (CPT) and the Chemical Method was evaluated. The petrographic characteristics for a reduced number of the aggregates studied were linked to their performance in the ASR tests. The results obtained from the experimental program conducted were combined with results from previous investigations performed at UT Austin to draw conclusions about the overall behavior of ‘pessimum’ aggregates. ‘Pessimum’ aggregates were successfully identified with a modification proposed to the AMBT. As for their behavior, it was found that depending on the amount of reactive constituents present in each test, these aggregates are classified as reactive (for low chert contents) or as non-reactive (for chert contents above the 'pessimum' proportion). Whether these aggregates will generate durability problems depends on the amount of reactive silica in the concrete mixture. / text

Στην παρούσα εργασία έγινε προσπάθεια να διερευνηθούν οι υδρογεωλογικές συνθήκες των καρστικών υδροφόρων οριζόντων του κεντρικού τμήματος του νομού Αχαΐας και να οριοθετηθούν οι κύριες υδρογεωλογικές λεκάνες ή ενότητες της περιοχής. Στα πλαίσια της έρευνας αυτής εκτελέσθηκαν οι παρακάτω εργασίες: α) Γεωλογική αναγνώριση της περιοχής. β) Ανάλυση του υδρογραφικού δικτύου και του μορφολογικού αναγλύφου της περιοχής έρευνας. γ) Χάραξη γεωλογικών τομών που καλύπτουν όλη την περιοχή μελέτης με σκοπό τη διερεύνηση του υδρογεωλογικού καθεστώτος στην περιοχή. δ) Αναγνώριση των κυριοτέρων πηγών στην ύπαιθρο και σχεδιασμός σκαριφημάτων για κάθε μία από αυτές. ε) Χάραξη υδρογεωλογικών λεκανών για την περιοχή μελέτης που αποστραγγίζονται από τις αντίστοιχες πηγές. ζ) Επεξεργασία των υδροχημικών δεδομένων στα νερά των πηγών. Σύμφωνα με τα αποτελέσματα που προέκυψαν από την παρούσα έρευνα φαίνεται ότι η έντονη τεκτονική καταπόνηση που έχουν δεχθεί οι γεωλογικοί σχηματισμοί κατά το παρελθόν παίζει σημαντικό ρόλο στη διαμόρφωση των υδρογεωλογικών λεκανών της περιοχής, καθώς τα ρήγματα ελέγχουν την εξάπλωσή τους. Ακόμη, τα παράλληλα τεκτονικά λέπια δημιουργούν υδρογεωλογικές λεκάνες διεύθυνσης περίπου Β-Ν. Τοπικό επίπεδο βάσης αποτελούν πολλές φορές οι πυριτικές παρενστρώσεις των ανωκρητιδικών ασβεστολίθων, αφού συντελούν στο σχηματισμό μικρής σημασίας υδροφόρων οριζόντων. Στα μέτωπα των επωθήσεων παρουσιάζεται μεγαλύτερο ποσοστό καρστοποίησης των ασβεστολίθων (π.χ. Καλούσι, Πλατανόβρυση) λόγω μεγαλύτερης καταπόνησης των πετρωμάτων στις περιοχές αυτές. Τα διαγράμματα Piper δίνουν γενικά τύπο νερού Ca – HCO3 που δείχνει νερά που φιλοξενούνται σε καθαρά ασβεστολιθικούς υδροφόρους. Τέλος, η πλήρης ή μερική υδρομάστευση των πηγών συντελεί στην αλλαγή του υδραυλικού καθεστώτος των πηγών, με αποτέλεσμα μερικές από αυτές να μην λειτουργούν πλέον, ενώ η ρύπανση του νερού των πηγών σε ορισμένες θέσεις οφείλεται καθαρά σε ανθρωπογενείς δραστηριότητες. / This paper presents the results of the hydrogeological research in the karst aquifers conducted in the central part of the Achaia province, as well as the limitation of the hydrogeological basins. During the research, the tasks that were performed were the following: a) Geological research of the whole area. b) Geomorphological and hydrographical analysis of the research area. c) Side elevations in order to define the hydrogeological conditions in the exploration area. d) Location of the springs and drawing side elevations for each one of them. e) Drawing of the hydrogeological basins that are dewatered of the springs. f) Elaboration of the hydrochemical data of the spring waters. According to the results that came up at the end of this research, it seems that the tectonic pressure to the rocks and the sediments of the area has infected the development of the hydrogeological basins because the faults usually control their diffusion. Furthermore, the parallel tectonic flakes form hydrogeological basins with a North-South orientation. Local base-level of the karst aquifers are usually the clay intrusions inside the limestone layers, that form aquifers of small importance. In the areas near the thrust, there is bigger solution in the karst aquifers (e.g. Platanovrisi, Kalousi etc.), because of the amount of pressure that affected those areas. The Piper diagrams suggest a water type of Ca-HCO3 that shows water from limestone aquifers. Finally, the use of the spring waters in many cases is so big that it affects the level of the underground water, while the contamination of the water seems to be imputed to the stock farming in some places.

This thesis focuses on the lithic assemblage of a fortified Late Prehistoric site (AD 1260-1440) in Strawtown, Indiana, that was inhabited by the Oneota, a culture that migrated from their core area in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois to other Midwestern locales such as Missouri, Nebraska, Indiana, Minnesota and Michigan (Theler and Boszhardt 2006: 435) . The types of lithic materials that they were using give insights into mobility, trade, and exchange for this unique group in central Indiana. Research centered on three questions:  What lithic raw materials are present in the two Taylor Village collections?  How might the Oneota at Taylor Village have acquired these lithic raw materials?  What might exotic lithic materials tell archaeologists about trade and exchange in the Late Prehistoric period of Indiana? The primary methods used in this research include literature review and macro- and microscopic methods for identifying chert types to determine where the Oneota were traveling to obtain their raw materials. Research from this thesis contributes to information about the Strawtown locality where multiple cultures were living in close quarters; in addition it contributes to Oneota literature where almost nothing is written about the Oneota in Indiana; this data may provide information about how and why they migrated into central Indiana in the Late Prehistoric period and potentially where they migrated from. / The Oneota -- Taylor Village -- Methods -- Raw material acquisition -- Data -- Discussion -- Summary and recommendations. / Department of Anthropology

This study is an in-depth analysis of the Lithic Artifacts excavated at the Pollock Works (a hilltop enclosure located outside Cedarville, Ohio). It is my intent to conduct a detailed analysis of the lithic artifacts from the Pollock Works in order to test the following hypothesis: Chipped stone artifacts at the Pollock Works are primarily from local and semi-local sources because these artifacts represent construction activities at the site rather than ceremonial practices. If the chert artifacts and flakes were primarily ceremonial, they would be comprised of primarily exotic cherts.I macroscopically analyzed the lithics excavated from Trench R and Trench T at the Pollock Works, 33 Gr 5, by Dr. Robert V. Riordan and Field School participants from Wright State University in Dayton, OH. Analysis concentrated on the identification of the types and sources of chert in the sample, using the Wright State classification scheme.This study is significant to the understanding of whether the Hopewell who built the Pollock Works used certain chert types in the construction of the earthwork versus the ritual aspect of the site. It was also important to analyze these lithics in order to help make inferences about the use of the Pollock Works. This study will eventually be useful to the final site report on the Pollock Works. It will also be a valuable reference tool for archaeologists studying the Pollock Works. / Department of Anthropology

No description available.

Les assemblages lithiques dominent la plupart des sites archéologiques du Nunavik et constituent ainsi une véritable mine d’informations. Le nombre limité de travaux sur les matériaux de la côte est de la baie d’Hudson, nous a amené à nous pencher sur une source présente dans ce secteur. Notre objectif était alors de caractériser la matière première provenant de cette formation géologique, le chert Nastapoka. Pour ce faire, nous avons choisi la technique de fluorescence aux rayons X. Les résultats ont permis de constater, en plus des observations macroscopiques, la nature très variable de ce chert présentant une signature chimique complexe. Pour compléter le portrait, nous avons évalué l’utilisation du chert Nastapoka par les Paléoesquimaux par une comparaison d’analyses technologiques déjà effectuées sur les sites GhGk-4, GhGk-63 et IcGm-5. Cet examen a révélé que l’évolution des stratégies d’exploitation des matériaux lithiques dans cette région appui le continuum culturel Prédorsétien-Dorsétien observé ailleurs. / The dominant cultural material on Nunavik’s archaeological sites is lithics. As a result they constitute an important source of information on prehistoric lifeways. The lack of lithic raw materials resarchs carried out on the east coast of Hudson Bay gave us the opportunity to focus on a source in this area. The objective of this thesis research was to characterize one component of the geological formation: Nastapoka chert. In order to do this, X-ray fluorescence was chosen. The results demonstrate that it is difficult to construct a unique geochemical pattern for the source because of its variability. To complete the portrait, we take into account the technological use of Nastapoka chert by the Paleoeskimo groups by comparing three site’s studies (GhGk-4, GhGk-63 and IcGm-5). This analysis of the exploitation of this material reveals a developement from Predorset to Dorset that supports the idea of cultural continuum between the two periods.

Les assemblages lithiques dominent la plupart des sites archéologiques du Nunavik et constituent ainsi une véritable mine d’informations. Le nombre limité de travaux sur les matériaux de la côte est de la baie d’Hudson, nous a amené à nous pencher sur une source présente dans ce secteur. Notre objectif était alors de caractériser la matière première provenant de cette formation géologique, le chert Nastapoka. Pour ce faire, nous avons choisi la technique de fluorescence aux rayons X. Les résultats ont permis de constater, en plus des observations macroscopiques, la nature très variable de ce chert présentant une signature chimique complexe. Pour compléter le portrait, nous avons évalué l’utilisation du chert Nastapoka par les Paléoesquimaux par une comparaison d’analyses technologiques déjà effectuées sur les sites GhGk-4, GhGk-63 et IcGm-5. Cet examen a révélé que l’évolution des stratégies d’exploitation des matériaux lithiques dans cette région appui le continuum culturel Prédorsétien-Dorsétien observé ailleurs. / The dominant cultural material on Nunavik’s archaeological sites is lithics. As a result they constitute an important source of information on prehistoric lifeways. The lack of lithic raw materials resarchs carried out on the east coast of Hudson Bay gave us the opportunity to focus on a source in this area. The objective of this thesis research was to characterize one component of the geological formation: Nastapoka chert. In order to do this, X-ray fluorescence was chosen. The results demonstrate that it is difficult to construct a unique geochemical pattern for the source because of its variability. To complete the portrait, we take into account the technological use of Nastapoka chert by the Paleoeskimo groups by comparing three site’s studies (GhGk-4, GhGk-63 and IcGm-5). This analysis of the exploitation of this material reveals a developement from Predorset to Dorset that supports the idea of cultural continuum between the two periods.

This thesis will explore the significance of a cache of Late Archaic lithics found in Randolph County, Indiana by Bobby Manning. These points, thought to mostly be of the McWhinney Heavy Stemmed type are unique in that very few caches of these points have found been in such good condition in unmixed contexts. The McWhinney Heavy Stemmed point, as currently defined, is not well represented in the archaeological record. Point typology is important to archaeology because point types indicate the age and cultural affiliation of most surface sites. Point typologies, then, require accurate description of good samples from unmixed contexts. By presenting background data concerning the McWhinney Heavy Stemmed point and known morphological correlates this thesis aims to provide a better description of the point type. Also this data, coupled with the data from the Manning cache is used to produce results that determine the significance of the cache and determine if this isolated cache reflects a new variant in the McWhinney type or, if justified, a new type altogether. / Department of Anthropology