The Production Step Measure: An Ordinal Index of Labor Input in Ceramic Manufacture

1981 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 871-884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary M. Feinman ◽  
Steadman Upham ◽  
Kent G. Lightfoot
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Ordinal Scale ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Labor Input ◽  
Ceramic Samples ◽  
Valley Of Oaxaca ◽  
Late Postclassic ◽  
Archaeological Ceramic ◽  
Ceramic Manufacture ◽  
Ordinal Index

We present the production step measure, an ordinal scale index of the labor input in ceramic manufacture. The measure is used to compare the relative labor costs of producing different kinds of pottery vessels. It is then employed in an analysis of archaeological ceramic samples from the Late Postclassic Valley of Oaxaca and the Reserve phase in the Pine Lawn Valley, New Mexico.

Disembedded Capitals Reconsidered

1980 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 132-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert S. Santley
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Evolutionary Model ◽  
Central Place ◽  
Craft Specialization ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Political Strategy ◽  
Site Location ◽  
Labor Input ◽  
Monte Alban ◽  
Valley Of Oaxaca

The concept of a disembedded capital is viewed as a specious construct. The logical foundations of disembeddedness of political authority from local commerical hierarchies are viewed as largely untenable, at least in prehispanic Mesoamerica, and the close parallels between Monte Albán and Teotihuacán in terms of general site location, access to prime agricultural land, level of craft specialization required to meet local needs, and local market patterns suggest that both sites had similar roles with respect to local central-place support hierarchies. An alternative evolutionary model is then offered, one which relates developments manifest in the Basin of Mexico and in the Valley of Oaxaca to an economic and political strategy which seeks to minimize labor input and amount of systemic risk.

State Collapse and Household Resilience in the Oaxaca Valley of Mexico

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald K. Faulseit
Keyword(s):  
Local Level ◽  
Late Classic ◽  
Sociopolitical Organization ◽  
State Collapse ◽  
Political Fragmentation ◽  
Early Postclassic ◽  
Valley Of Oaxaca ◽  
Late Postclassic ◽  
City State ◽  
The Hill

AbstractA two-year project of survey, surface collection, and excavation on the hill of Cerro Danush within the site of Dainzú-Macuilxóchitl in Oaxaca, Mexico, was focused on identifying and characterizing the Late Classic (A.D. 600–850/900) and Early Postclassic (A.D. 850/900–1300) components of the site, which coincide with the political fragmentation and reorganization of complex society within the Valley of Oaxaca. The transition in sociopolitical organization from the Classic to Postclassic has been the subject of several research projects, but few, if any, have clearly identified an Early Postclassic settlement. A radiocarbon analysis of charcoal samples collected during the excavation of a residential complex on Cerro Danush reveals its most recent period of occupation to be between A.D. 1000 and 1300, placing it firmly within the Early Postclassic. The excavation data are contextualized with data from the surface collection, illuminating patterns of Late Classic political fragmentation and Early Postclassic household resilience. Since Dainzú-Macuilxóchitl emerged in the Late Postclassic (A.D. 1300–1521) as a powerful city-state, exploring its Early Postclassic component contributes to the study of how societies reorganize on a local level after the collapse of centralized authority, such as the Classic period Monte Albán state.

Vessels for Ceremony: The Pictography of Codex-Style Mixteca-Puebla Vessels from Central and South Mexico

2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 252-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilda Hernández Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Postclassic Period ◽  
Large Sample ◽  
Artistic Style ◽  
Basin Of Mexico ◽  
Valley Of Oaxaca ◽  
Use Context ◽  
Late Postclassic ◽  
Made In

An excellent illustration of the strong intertwinement of the art, image, text, and ritual characteristics of the ancient Americas is the codex-style pottery of the Mixteca-Puebla style. These ceramics, together with painted books and murals, were manifestations of an artistic style and iconography known as the Mixteca-Puebla style, which developed in central and south Mexico during the late Postclassic period (A.D. 1250–1521). Scholars have long recognized the motifs depicted on these vessels as part of the iconographic corpus of the Borgia group and Mixtec codices, and they have proposed that these vessels had ceremonial uses. A recent study of a large sample of these artifacts from the Puebla-Tlaxcala Valley, central Veracruz, the Mixtec region, the Valley of Oaxaca, and the Basin of Mexico confirms both suggestions, showing that the vessels' painted images were more than mere decoration; they conformed to a pictography that referred to essential notions of Mesoamerican rituality. It is proposed that the meaning of this pictography was related to the context in which the vessels were used. Most likely the painted signs conveyed meanings by using stylistic devices of Mesoamerican ceremonial language. Addressed here are the mechanisms of this pictography, the progress made in reading it, and insights into the vessels' use context.

scholarly journals ECONOMIC COMPARISONS OF TWO HIGH-DENSITY CLING PEACH TRAINING SYSTEMS.

HortScience ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 590a-590
Author(s):  
Wesley K. Asai
Keyword(s):  
Return On Investment ◽  
High Density ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Labor Input ◽  
Training Systems ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Early Return ◽  
Net Profit ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Economic Considerations

In an effort to maximize early return on investment and labor efficiency, cling peach growers in California are using two different types of high-density plantings; the perpendicular-V (1.8m × 4.8m = 930 Trees/ha), and the cordon (2.4m × 4.2m = 925 Trees/ha). The V has the advantage of being more traditional in its establishment, where the cordon has the advantage of higher yields and no need for wires, props or ladders to prune, thin and pick. This study evaluated the cultural and economic considerations of the two systems with respect to their yields during the orchards' establishment years.The cumulative labor costs, specific to the style of training for the first 3 years was $1258 and $901 per hectare for the cordon and V respectively. Cumulative yields were 40.4 tons/ha for the cordon and 22.0 tons/ha for the V. When contrasting the net returns per hectare, the cordon, in spite of its higher labor input (due largely to higher thinning and harvest costs), had a net profit advantage of $3362.50 per hectare during the first 3 years of establishment.

Modified Paddock Vacuum Reduces Labor Input for Chinese Chestnut Harvest

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 376-380
Author(s):  
Michele R. Warmund ◽  
Andrew K. Biggs ◽  
Larry D. Godsey
Keyword(s):  
Plant Material ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Harvest Time ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Labor Input ◽  
Inexpensive Method ◽  
Nut Production ◽  
Economic Analyses ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Small Producers

The time required to harvest and field sort chinese chestnuts (Castanea mollissima) with two types of paddock vacuums and with a manual nut-harvesting tool was compared. Pickup time for harvesting chinese chestnuts was faster with a small paddock vacuum (Paddock Vac) than with a manual nut-harvesting tool (Nut Wizard), but field sorting plant material and soil, as well as movement of the small vacuum, was time-consuming. With minor equipment modifications to facilitate sorting, harvest time for a larger paddock vacuum (Maxi Vac) was 2 seconds faster per nut than that for the manual nut-harvesting tool. Economic analyses revealed that the larger modified vacuum also reduced labor costs by $237 when the wage rate was low ($8 per hour) and with total production at 1000 kg. However, with the lower equipment cost, the manual nut-harvesting tool was more economical to use than the modified paddock vacuum, with $8 per hour labor costs and <6370 kg of harvested chestnuts. As labor costs and nut production increased, it was more economically efficient to use the modified paddock vacuum as compared with a manual nut-harvesting tool. At $10, $12, and $15 per hour labor, the modified pasture vacuum was the lowest cost method of harvesting chestnuts at yields >4555, 3466, and 2510 kg, respectively. Thus, the modified pasture vacuum may provide a relatively inexpensive method for new, small producers to mechanize chestnut harvest.

Assessing EMS Scope of Practice for Utility and Risk: the New Mexico EMS Interventions Assessment Project, Phase One Results

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 452-457
Author(s):  
Marc-David Munk ◽  
Lynne Fullerton ◽  
Laura Banks ◽  
Sarah Morley ◽  
Robert McDaniels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Potential Benefit ◽  
Expert Consensus ◽  
Scope Of Practice ◽  
Ordinal Scale ◽  
Publication Type ◽  
Potential Harm ◽  
Electronic Survey ◽  
Medical Directors

AbstractIntroductionFew emergency medical services (EMS) interventions in New Mexico have been assessed for efficacy, potential harm, or potential benefit. There is concern that many interventions added over the years may be outdated, harmful, or ineffective in the EMS setting. A formal process for reviewing the state EMS scope of practice using literature review and expert consensus is discussed. In Phase One of the project, interventions in the New Mexico EMS scope of practice were prioritized for further review by surveying a national cadre of EMS experts to evaluate EMS interventions using a utilitarian harm/benefit metric.MethodsAn electronic survey based on the 2010 New Mexico EMS Scope of Practice statute was administered from March through June, 2011. A national cadre of 104 respondents was identified. Respondents were either State EMS medical directors or EMS fellowship directors. Respondents were asked to rate the potential harm and the potential benefit of specific EMS interventions on a 5-point ordinal scale. Median harm and benefit scores were calculated.ResultsA total of 88 completed surveys were received following 208 emailed invitations to 104 respondents (43% response rate). Twenty-two (22) highest-priority interventions (those with a harm/benefit median score ratio of >1) were identified. Seven additional second-priority interventions were also identified. These interventions will be advanced for formal literature review and expert consensus.ConclusionsThe New Mexico EMS Interventions Project offers a novel model for assessing a prehospital scope of practice.MunkMD, FullertonL, BanksL, MorleyS, McDanielsR, CastleS, ThorntonK, RichardsME. Assessing EMS scope of practice for utility and risk: the New Mexico EMS Interventions Assessment Project, Phase One results. Prehosp Disaster Med.2012;27(5):1-6.

HIGH-Tc SUPERCONDUCTIVITY IN THE Y-Ba-Al-Cu OXIDES SYSTEM

1987 ◽  
Vol 01 (05n06) ◽  
pp. 259-263
Author(s):  
YUHUAN XU ◽  
ZHONGRONG LI ◽  
CHAORUI LI ◽  
BIN LIU ◽  
XIANDUAN LIN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solid State ◽  
Solid State Reaction ◽  
High Tc ◽  
High Tc Superconductivity ◽  
Ceramic Samples ◽  
Zero Resistance ◽  
Ceramic Manufacture

The ceramics with the composition of YBa2AlxCu3−xO9−n(0.5≤x≤2) have been synthesized directly from a solid-state reaction of Y2O3, BaCO3, A12O3, and CuO by general ceramic manufacture. The stable high-Tc superconductivity with a resistive mid-point of 101K and zero resistance temperature of 99K has been observed in ceramic samples with the composition of YBa2Al0.5Cu2.5O9−n.

Two media method for gamma ray attenuation coefficient measurement of archaeological ceramic samples

2000 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 1011-1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.M Cunha e Silva ◽  
C.R Appoloni ◽  
P.S Parreira ◽  
F.R Espinoza-Quiñones ◽  
M.M Coimbra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attenuation Coefficient ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Ceramic Samples ◽  
Coefficient Measurement ◽  
Archaeological Ceramic ◽  
Gamma Ray Attenuation

The Oxford Handbook of Archaeological Ceramic Analysis

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Analytical Data ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Ceramic Analysis ◽  
Inductively Coupled ◽  
Practical Guidelines ◽  
Plasma Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Archaeological Ceramic ◽  
Ceramic Manufacture

The Oxford Handbook of Archaeological Ceramic Analysis draws together topics and methodologies essential for the socio-cultural, mineralogical, and geochemical analysis of archaeological ceramic. Ceramic is one of the most complex and ubiquitous archaeomaterials in the archaeological record: it occurs around the world and through time in almost every culture and context, from building materials and technological installations to utilitarian wares and votive figurines. For more than 100 years, archaeologists have used ceramic analysis to answer complex questions about economy, subsistence, technological innovation, social organization, and dating. The volume is structured around the themes “Research design and data analysis,” “Foundational concepts,” “Evaluating ceramic provenance,” “Investigating ceramic manufacture,” “Assessing vessel function,” and “Dating ceramic assemblages.” It provides a common vocabulary and offers practical tools and guidelines for ceramic analysis using techniques and methodologies ranging from network analysis and typology to rehydroxylation dating and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Each chapter provides the theoretical background and practical guidelines, such as cost and destructiveness of analysis, for each technique, as well as detailed case studies illustrating the application and interpretation of analytical data for answering anthropological questions.

Designing Rigorous Research

2016 ◽  
pp. 18-47
Author(s):  
Jaume Buxeda I Garrigós ◽  
Marisol Madrid i Fernandez
Keyword(s):  
Social Systems ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Formation Processes ◽  
Archaeological Research ◽  
Archaeological Record ◽  
Rigorous Research ◽  
Research Problems ◽  
Archaeological Ceramic ◽  
Ceramic Manufacture ◽  
Multiphase Sampling

This chapter discusses the differences between archaeometric research problems, addressed to the advancement of the discipline, and the application of archaeometric routine problems in archaeological research ones, in order to deep our knowledge in social systems. This archaeometric routine problems start with the as-received state pottery, a composite material, and they address two broad and related questions: the identification of meaningful ceramic groups and provenance, in order to be able to infer the compositions of archaeological ceramic assemblages; and aspects related to ceramic manufacture, in order to reconstructing manufacture processes and identifying performance characteristics, also contributing to the study of technique and technology. It is argued that a fruitful sampling strategy starts with the understanding that pottery is part of assemblages resulting from different formation processes of the archaeological record. Thus a stratified multiphase sampling, performed in different sampling steps with post-stratification after each step, is advisable.

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