York; Shadows in Siberia According to Kapuscinski

Two poems

Stable Isotope Dietary Analysis of Prehistoric Populations from the Minusinsk Basin, Southern Siberia, Russia: A new chronological framework for the introduction of millet to the eastern Eurasian steppe

We report the results of stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of 354 human and faunal samples from five archaeological cultures of the Minusinsk Basin, Southern Siberia – Afanasyevo, Okunevo, Andronovo, Karasuk and Tagar (ca. 2700–1 BC) – a key location in Eurasia due to its position on a northern corridor linking China and central Eurasia. The results indicate that the diet of Eneolithic to Middle Bronze Age (Afanasyevo to Andronovo) populations was primarily C3-based, with C4 plants only becoming an important component of the diet in the Late Bronze Age Karasuk and Early Iron Age Tagar cultures. Freshwater fish seems to have been an important constituent of the diets in all groups. The findings constitute the earliest concrete evidence for the substantial use of millet in the eastern Eurasian steppe. We propose that it was probably introduced from Northwestern China during the Karasuk culture at the start of the Late Bronze Age, ca. 1500 BC. We conclude with a discussion of the implications for the nature of pastoralist economies on the steppes.

Freshwater Reservoir Effects on the Re-Dating of the Eurasian Steppe Cultures: New Data for the Prehistoric Sites of Kazakhstan and South of Siberia

Freshwater reservoir effects (FRE) can cause a major problem with radiocarbon dating human skeletal material in the Eurasian steppe. Recent research has demonstrated that, for the Eneolithic to Early Bronze Age sites of North-Eastern Kazakhstan, the maximum fish-herbivore freshwater reservoir offset observed equals 301±47 14C yrs, as such indicating that 14C dates from aquatic and human samples from the area apparently need to be interpreted with caution as they are likely to be affected by the offset. The current paper presents the new data on the FRE of the Eneolithic to the Early Iron Age sites of Kazakhstan and South of Siberia.

Animism in Rainforest and Tundra: Personhood, Animals, Plants and Things in Contemporary Amazonia and Siberia (Book Review)

Animism is a form of traditional spiritual belief that receives welcome treatment here. The observations of Victorian ethnologist travellers on the local peoples they regarded as primitive was analysed by Sir Edward (E. B.) Tylor, in Primitive Culture (1871) which established the working definition of animism followed by later generations of scholars. This came from the observation that non-scientific people did not always draw sharp distinctions between human persons and other entities such as animals, trees and even rocks but imbued these with soul. The latin anima, ‘soul, spirit’ provided the title of what was assumed to be a primitive religion, animism. The study being reviewed recognizes apparent connections within deep history between Siberia and the Amazon, and uses contemporary social anthropology to clarify assumptions about animism. This book on animism in two shamanic cultures explores personhood and the relations in pre-scientific human thought between humans and non-humans, in contexts where non-humans can be regarded as social persons (p.2).

Seminario de cultura extremeña para el conocimiento de la comarca de la Siberia Extremeña.

Resumen basado en el del autor

La educaci??n en la Siberia extreme??a

Inventariar los documentos relativos a la educaci??n que existen en el IES Benazaire de Herrera del Duque y llevar a cabo una encuesta a personas relacionadas con la ense??anza en la comarca de la Siberia para conocer c??mo ha sido la educaci??n a lo largo del siglo XX. La investigaci??n comenz?? en el curso 98-99 en el cual se llevaron a cabo distintas actividades: inventario de documentos relativos a la educaci??n, exposici??n de materiales, encuestas a alumnos, etc. Durante el curso 99-00 el trabajo se ha centrado en la realizaci??n de encuestas y entrevistas a personas relacionadas con la ense??anza en la comarca.

Conocimiento de la realidad extreme??a : la Siberia Occidental

Estudio sobre gastronom??a, flora y fauna, fiestas y tradiciones, juegos populares y monumentos, de 8 localidades (Baterno, Casas de Don Pedro, Garbayuela, Navalvillar de Pela, Puebla de Alcocer, Siruela, Talarrubias y Tamurejo) de la comarca de la Siberia Extreme??a.

Unidad did??ctica. Conocemos la Siberia

Unidad did??ctica orientada a los alumnos del tercer ciclo de primaria. Su objetivo primordial es el acercamiento f??sico e intelectual a la comarca de la Siberia, en la cual viven los alumnos. Comarca desconocida, en gran parte por las malas comunicaciones de la zona.

Un paseo por la Siberia

Se analizan cinco rutas que describen la riqueza de la comarca de la Siberia Extreme??a. Cada una de las rutas desarrolla una aspecto importante de dichas riquezas, as?? tenemos: lo monumental, los embalses, lo cercano, la gastronom??a y por ??ltimo, la ruta de los caminos acompa??ando a una descripci??n f??sica de las citadas rutas, se programan una serie de actividades b??sicamente escolares, aunque puedan realizarse fuera de este marco.

La Siberia extreme??a : su riqueza

Se analiza la riqueza existente en la comarca de la Siberia: su fauna, flora, folklore, gastronom??a, costumbres, ganader??a, para ofrecer una visi??n general de todo aquello que ofrece esta zona. Este contenido se ha ejemplificado para poderlo llevar a la pr??ctica, en unidades did??cticas dirigidas a las etapas de Educaci??n Infantil y Primaria con la finalidad de que los ni??os conozcan la riqueza de la comarca.

Valoración de la inclusión de la Educación Física como hábito saludable en la residencia club de ancianos La Siberia de Herrera del Duque (Badajoz).

Resumen basado en el de los autores

A glacier inventory for the Buordakh Massif, Cherskiy Range, northeast Siberia, and evidence for recent glacier recession

The Buordakh Massif, in the Cherskiy Range of northeast Siberia, contains mountains over 3000 in and, despite its and climate, numerous glaciers. This paper presents a glacier inventory for the region and documents some 80 glaciers, which range in size from 0.1 to 10.4 km(2) (total glacierized area is ca. 70 km(2)). The inventory is based on mapping derived from Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite imagery from August 2001, augmented with data from field investigations obtained at that time. The glaciers in this region are of the 'firn-less,' cold, continental type, and their mass balance relies heavily on the formation of superimposed ice. The most recent glacier maximum extents have also been delineated, and these are believed to date from the Little Ice Age (ca. A.D. 1550-1850). Glacier areal extent has reduced by some 14.8 km(2) (ca. 17%) since this most. recent maximum. Of the 80 glaciers catalogued, 49 have undergone a measurable retreat from their most recent maximum extent.

Contemporary (2001) and ‘Little Ice Age’ glacier extents in the Buordakh Massif, Cherskiy Range, north east Siberia

The Buordakh Massif of the Cherskiy Range of sub-arctic north east Siberia, Russia has a cold continental climate and supports over 80 glaciers. Despite previous research in the region, a georeferenced map of the glaciers has only recently been completed and an enhanced version of it is reproduced in colour here. The mountains of this region reach heights in excess of 3,000 m and the glaciers on their slopes range in size from 0.1 to 10.4 km2. The mapping has been compiled through the interpretation of Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite imagery from August 2001 which has been augmented by data from a field campaign undertaken at the same time. The glaciers of the region are of the cold, ‘firn-less’ continental type and their mass balance relies heavily on the formation of superimposed ice. Moraines which lie in front of the glaciers by up to a few kilometres are believed to date from the Little Ice Age (ca. 1550-1850 AD). Over half of the glaciers mapped have shown marked retreat from these moraines.

Geodetic mass balance of Azarova glacier, Kodar Mountains, eastern Siberia, and its links to observed and projected climatic change

The Kodar Mountains in eastern Siberia accommodate 30 small, cold-based glaciers with a combined surface area of about 19 km2. Very little is known about these glaciers, with the first survey conducted in the late 1950s. In this paper, we use terrestrial photogrammetry to calculate changes in surface area, elevation, volume and geodetic mass balance of the Azarova Glacier between 1979 and 2007 and relate these to meteorological data from nearby Chara weather station (1938-2007). The glacier surface area declined by 20±6.9% and surface lowered on average by 20±1.8 m (mean thinning: 0.71 m a-1) resulting in a strongly negative cumulative and average mass balance of -18±1.6 m w.e. and -640±60 mm w.e.a-1 respectively. The July-August air temperature increased at a rate of 0.036oC a-1 between 1979 and 2007 and the 1980-2007 period was, on average, around 1oC warmer than 1938-1979. The regional climate projections for A2 and B2 CO2 emission scenarios developed using PRECIS regional climate model indicate that summer temperatures will increase in 2071–2100 by 2.6-4.7°C and 4.9-6.2°C respectively in comparison with 1961–1990. The annual total of solid precipitation will increase by 20% under B2 scenario but decline by 3% under A2 scenario. The length of the ablation season will extend from July–August to June-September. The Azarova Glacier exhibits high sensitivity to climatic warming due to its low elevation, exposure to comparatively high summer temperatures, and the absence of a compensating impact of cold season precipitation. Further summer warming and decline of solid precipitation projected under the A2 scenario will force Azarova to retreat further while impacts of an increase in solid precipitation projected under the B2 scenario require further investigation.