Archaeological Excavations along the Wall of the Outer City (Sverdlov street) in Pskov, 2017-2018

С осени 2017 г. и до конца летнего сезона 2018 г. на ул. Свердлова в г. Пскове проводились археологические исследования, которые предваряли замену или строительство новых участков инженерных коммуникаций на ул. Свердлова и прилегающих улицах: Музейный, Комсомольский, Комисаровский переулки, ул. Спегальского. Общая площадь исследований - 2911 кв. м (с учетом участков археологического наблюдения), в том числе площадь археологических раскопок - 1772 кв. м. Археологические работы на протяженном участке позволили сделать ряд выводов об этапах освоения и застройки участка современной ул. Свердлова. К этапам освоения можно отнести и раскрытые в двух раскопах участки средневековых монастырских некрополей. На раскопах у крепостной стены Окольного города на отдельных участках исследованы каменные конструкции фундаментов XV-XVI вв. и на одном участке - остатки первоначальной деревянной стены XV в. From the autumn of 2017 until the end of the summer season of 2018, archaeological research in Sverdlov Street in Pskov, which preceded the replacement or construction of new sections of engineering communications in Sverdlov and the adjacent Spegalsky street and lanes: Museiny, Komsomolsky and Komisarovsky was carried out. The total area under study is 2911 sq. m (including archaeological observation sites). The area of archaeological excavation is 1772 sq. m. The archaeological research of the extended site allowed us to study and draw a number of conclusions about the stages of development and building of the part of the modern Sverdlov street. The sites of medieval monastic necropolises uncovered in two excavations can also be attributed to the stages of the street development. During the excavations at the parts of the fortress wall of the Outer city stone structures of the foundations of the 15 - 16centuries and in one part of the area the remains of the original wooden wall of the 15century were studied.

Architects of the Engaruka Techno-Cultural Complex: Testing the Sonjo Connection

Engaruka is an archaeological site that became known to the world of scientific researchers for the first time in 1883. Since then the site has been the subject of many research undertakings varying in purpose and intensity. Most of the published literature about Engaruka has focused on its economy, technology, population, probable reasons for its success and demise, as well as speculations about its first settlers. Several different ethnic groups have been proposed as Engaruka’s architects: the Iraqw, Tatoga, Maasai, and the Sonjo. Despite the impressive scope of collected evidence, the original occupants of Engaruka have yet to be determined conclusively. The analysis of available evidence assembled here supports the hypothesis that the Sonjo people were the creators of Engaruka, by virtue of these indicators: (i) terrace patterns, (ii) pottery technologies, (iii) stone structures, (iv) fire places, and (v) contemporary ethnography.

ARCHITECTURE OF MALTA’S STRUCTURES

Stone buildings appeared on Malta over 7000 years ago – around 3500 BC. Impressive megalithic structures were built at the time. Similar stone structures were erected in many places throughout Europe. Large megalithic structures have survived on Malta in areas such as Ġgantija and Tarxien. In other areas, large spaces called hypogea were carved from rock. Both in prehistory and today, stone remains one of the primary construction materials used across the Maltese archipelago. The architectural forms of seaside resorts are now cosmopolitan. Few contemporary projects reference historical building traditions – both formal and material.

Experimental study of thermomechanical effects in water-saturated limestones during their deformation

Stability control of elements of stone constructions of various structures is a prerequisite for their safe operation. The use of modern methods of non-destructive diagnostics of the stress-strain state of such constructions is an effective, and in many cases the only way to control it. Studies of thermal radiation accompanying the processes of solid bodies deformation allowed to justify and develop a method that allows to obtain non-contact information about changes in the stress-strain state in various types of geomaterials, including limestones. However, studies of the water saturation influence of rocks on the thermal radiation parameters recorded in this way are currently superficial. Taking into account the water saturation degree of rocks is necessary when monitoring the mechanical condition of stone structures that are in direct contact with water. The main purpose of this work is to study the dependences of changes in the intensity of thermal radiation from the surface of limestone samples with different humidity under conditions of uniaxial compression. The obtained results showed the expected significant decrease in the mechanical properties (uniaxial compressive strength and elastic modulus) of water-saturated samples in comparison with dry ones. At the same time, a significant increase in the intensity of thermal radiation of limestone samples subjected to compression with an increase in their water saturation was recorded, which makes it necessary to take into account the revealed regularity when identifying changes in the stress state of stone structures established according to non-contact IR diagnostics in real conditions.

Stability of Treatment from Earth-Based Mortar in Conservation of Stone Structures in Tanais, Russia

Identification of materials, masonry elements, their shapes, physical and mechanical parameters and type of connection is crucial for the conservation works related to ancient masonry structures. In the case of the archaeological site where the research was carried out (Tanais in Russia), some irregular masonries made of limestone and earth-based mortar were stated. Such type of structures is a common finding during the archaeological excavations in the Black Sea basin carried out by the Division of Fundamental of Building of the Civil Engineering Faculty of the Warsaw University of Technology in cooperation with the Institute of Archaeology of the University of Warsaw and the Antiquity in Southeastern Europe Research Center. The structure of such walls is degraded to a large extent, has low strength, internal cohesion and, as a result—low durability. At the same time, due to their historical importance, proper conservation, as well as the development of the whole methodology for selecting the best composition of earth-based mortar, is of great importance. Presented in the article, research on earth-based mortars were carried out to determine the best way to strengthen them, using cement (creating an earth-based mortar stabilized with cement with the most appropriate recipe) and other substances available in the region where conservation works are carried out not only to improve the durability physical and mechanical parameters but also to achieve the desired esthetic effect in the form of a suitable tone together with the compatibility of repair mortar with the substrate and constitutes the primary stage of creating the whole methodology of selecting a proper composition of earth-based mortar for the conservation of ancient stone structures. In this stage, four criteria were taken into consideration: mechanical (compressive strength test), conservation (compatibility, reversibility, color, texture and surface profile), durability (freeze–thaw test, the appropriate finish of the surface, shrinkage, workability) and technological one (application of materials, technology and techniques available at the conservation area). Applied treatment was evaluated in the next two years of the conservation works. Parameters of repair earth-based mortar stabilized with cement fulfilled all of the above-mentioned requirements.

Типология таштыкских поминов южной части Хакасско-Минусинской котловины

The article deals with the Tashtyk commemorations that existed in the HunnoXianbian era. Based on the study and systematization of ground, intra-stone structures and the composition of offerings, the typology of Tashtyk commemorations located in the south of the Khakass-Minusinsk basin is performed