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1
Will, Gerhardt. "Empty caves." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9701.
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This MA thesis is divided into three parts. 1) A Preface, which concerns the act of writing this work, with a reflections on the attendant difficulties regarding editing and editorial distance. A placement of the poetry in relation to "South African writing", and to late 20th century poetry. A brief elucidation of the poems' preoccupations and concems. 2) Two Essays, entitled "Dear Warlock-Williams: Why of Course: The Lonely Larkin" and 'William Empson : His Modem Escape". The first concerns Philip Larkin's uncanny ability to create a beauty out of irony, isolation, and desolation, his achievement of transcendence from entrapment. The second essay deals with William Empson's unique poetic position: a truly modem one. The essays puts forward the idea that Empson's poetry can be regarded as a struggle between a wish for escape and a need to engage with an horrendous "objective" reality. In other words, his struggle is between poetry and plain speaking; between art and science. 3) The Poems, which form a group of forty written throughout 1997/8. They have been thoroughly edited several times over, in close consultation with Assoc. Prof. Stephen Watson of the Department of English.
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Miedema, Natalie Margaret. "Non-anthropogenic sources of carbon dioxide in the Glowworm Cave, Waitomo." The University of Waikato, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10289/2781.
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The Waitomo Caves attract approximately 500 000 tourists each year. A requirement of tourist cave management is that the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO₂) is kept below levels that are: hazardous to the health of visitors, hazardous to the glowworms and other natural inhabitants, or potentially corrosive to speleothems. For the Glowworm Cave at Waitomo, the maximum permissible PCO₂ level is 2400 ppm. When exceeded, the tourist operators are required to close the cave. Ten years of monitoring data at the Glowworm Cave was analysed. Most of the variation in PCO₂ could be attributed to CO₂ respired by tourists, and the mixing of cave air with lower PCO₂ outside air. Occasionally, there were periods with high PCO₂ levels while the cave was closed to tourists. The main objective of this study was to investigate the potential role of the Waitomo Stream in contributing CO₂ to the Glowworm Cave atmosphere. Analysis of ten years of Glowworm Cave monitoring data showed that the 2400 ppm PCO₂ limit was, on average, exceeded five times each year, with a total of 48 events between 1998 and 2007. Of the PCO₂ limit exceedences, approximately 31% of events were largely driven by high tourist numbers; 27% of PCO₂ limit exceedences were mainly driven by increased discharge, rainfall, and/or a low temperature gradient between the cave and outside air, whilst 29% of the PCO₂ limit exceedences were due to a combination of tourists and increased discharge, rainfall, and/or a low temperature gradient. The remaining 13% of exceedences were unexplained by tourists or the factors investigated. It may be that the unexplained exceedences were due to the night time closure of the cave door, restricting air exchange. The PCO₂ of the Waitomo Stream was measured by equilibrating air with the streamwater within a closed loop. The air was passed continuously through an infrared gas analyser (IRGA). The streamwater PCO₂ typically ranged between 600 - 1200 ppm. Fluctuations in the PCO₂ of the Waitomo Stream coincided with PCO₂ fluctuations in the Glowworm Cave air, and under most conditions, the stream probably acted as a sink for cave air CO₂. However, following rainfall events, the stream PCO₂ increased, exceeding cave air PCO₂, thus acting as a source of CO₂ to the cave air. High stream PCO₂ often occurred at times when air flow through the cave was restricted, e.g. when the temperature gradient between the cave air and outside air was low, or stream levels were high, thus limiting air movement. The combination of high stream PCO₂ and a low temperature gradient increased the likelihood of high cave air PCO₂. Dripwater was measured to determine whether an increase in dripwater PCO₂ occurred in response to rainfall events. When rainfall events resulted in increased discharge, the dripwater PCO₂ sometimes increased (occasionally exceeding 5000 ppm), however the pattern was not consistent. The chemistry of the Waitomo and Okohua (Ruakuri) Streams was monitored with daily samples collected and analysed for major ions: HCO₃ -, Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and Mg²⁺, and δ¹³C stable isotope. The HCO₃ -, Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and Mg²⁺ concentrations in the streamwater decreased with increased discharge, presumably due to dilution. Increased discharge following rainfall events correlated with increasing PCO₂ in the Waitomo Stream, suggesting that soil atmosphere CO₂ dissolved in soil waters, and carried to the stream by saturated flow, was responsible for the streamwater PCO₂ increase. Ca in the stream showed both an increase and a decrease with respect to rainfall. Increased Ca in the stream occurred at times when the discharged waters were coming from the phreatic zone, and thus sufficient time had lapsed for CO₂ in the discharge waters to react with the limestone (carbonate dissolution reaction). Decreased Ca occurred when the infiltration and percolation of rainwater was rapid, and thus the streamwater was characterised by a higher PCO₂ and a lower Ca concentration, as insufficient time had lapsed for the discharge waters to equilibrate with the limestone. Increased negativity in the δ¹³C of the Waitomo and Ruakuri Streams coincided with increased discharge. During summer low flow, the δ¹³C of Waitomo Stream waters was -11.3‰, whereas during high stream discharge events, the δ¹³C dropped to -12 - -14‰. The δ¹³C of limestone is 0‰, the atmosphere is -7‰, and the soil atmosphere is reported to be about -24‰, thus the decrease in δ¹³C during high flow events supports the contention that soil atmosphere CO₂ is a likely source of the increased CO₂ in flood waters.
3
Brod, Langford Garrett 1927. "Geology and speleogenesis of Colossal Cave, Pima County, Arizona." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/558072.
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Gibbons, Darcy Ann. "An environmental assessment of Bermuda's caves." Thesis, Texas A&M University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/1314.
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The current environmental status of the majority of Bermudas one hundred sixty-six known caves was investigated. This survey replicated a historical cave study performed in 1983, wherein each was analyzed for positive and negative features. Statistical analysis of the data showed a significant difference between the historical and current survey ratings, with an overall decrease in environmental status. A water quality study was performed on twenty different caves with sea level pools in various locations around the island. Nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, and phosphate levels were measured from varying depths in these caves. Fifteen of these caves were also tested for the presence of fecal bacterial contamination. High nitrate levels were discovered in some of the caves, particularly in surface samples. Additionally, bacterial contamination was detected in some caves. No obvious relationship between cave size or location and contamination existed for any of the pollutants sampled. Three separate caves from this group were dived and analyzed using a Hydrolab Sonde 3 Multiprobe Logger to acquire in situ water column data including depth, temperature, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen. Each cave studied had its own unique trends in hydrology at varying depths in the water column. A later water sampling study with a randomized experimental design was created and caves were divided into four classes based on size and location. Surface and subsurface samples were gathered from twelve randomly selected caves, three from each class. Each sample was analyzed for nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia concentrations. The results were analyzed using multiple analysis of variance statistics. A significant difference between the nitrate concentrations in the surface and subsurface water samples was discovered. None of the other comparisons were statistically significant. To represent the data visually, a Bermuda Cave and Karst Information System (BeCKIS) was created using the environmental survey data and water quality information. Some of the maps generated highlighted regions where negative environmental impacts on caves were concentrated geographically, thus demonstrating how this geographic information system could be used as a conservation tool.
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Waterstrat, Willapa James. "Morphometric Differentiation of Flank Margin Caves and Littoral, or Sea Caves." MSSTATE, 2007. http://sun.library.msstate.edu/ETD-db/theses/available/etd-04052007-150907/.
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Caves on carbonate islands are useful indicators of past sea level because cave formation is dependent on sea-level controlled freshwater lens position (flank margin caves), or form in direct contact with coastal processes (sea caves). Sea-level curves present a useful proxy for glacioeustatic and paleoclimate studies, so caves offer useful data. Once a flank margin cave is breached, it may be modified and eroded by waves. This overprinting leads to morphology similar to that of sea caves. While both indicate past sea level, they reveal differing information about the amount of denudation that has occurred to expose them (a paleoclimate indicator), so differentiation of these cave types is important. This study presents some of the first sea cave data from carbonate islands, and makes morphological comparisons between flank margin caves and sea caves from the Bahamas, California, and Maine. Using morphometric techniques, these caves can be distinctly identified.
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Moore, Christopher Michael. "Dissolution Caves of Mississippi." MSSTATE, 2006. http://sun.library.msstate.edu/ETD-db/theses/available/etd-04132006-090433/.
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The purpose of this project was to distinguish between the karst and pseudokarst caves throughout Mississippi, create an inventory and survey of representative caves and karst features, identify the geology of the rocks hosting the caves, and produce a GIS-based digital karst map. The State of Mississippi is not known for its karst features, yet there are three distinct limestone units that contain dissolution caves: 1) Paleozoic (Mississippian) Tuscumbia Formation limestone; 2) Mesozoic carbonate units; and 3) Cenozoic limestone, Marianna Formation. There are a total of 44 caves known within the state based on past documentation, however the caves listed are not always differentiated between karst or pseudokarst features. This study located and mapped 20 caves, of which 18 were karst caves from eight counties and two were pseudokarst caves from two counties. Four of these caves were newly discovered karst caves, increasing the state total to 48; however two separate karst caves were connected, which makes the final state total 47 caves. Of the remaining 28 caves not surveyed, 11 were pseudokarst caves from eight counties and were not studied because the focus was on dissolutional karst caves. The remaining 17 missing karst caves either had been destroyed, access permission could not be obtained, or the caves could not be located. No active caving organizations exist in Mississippi to preserve cave location data or the caves themselves. Mining, deforestation, and other land use procedures have altered the landscape, resulting in concealment of some caves, and completely or partially destroying other caves.
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Martin, Andrew V. "Investigating the archaeological potential of rockshelters : an example from Crawford and Perry Counties, Indiana." Virtual Press, 2000. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/1164836.
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Problems with the identification and interpretation of rockshelter and cave sites were recognized in the archaeological literature from Indiana. Often, when these sites are identified in archaeological research and survey reports, realistic views of the potential cultural significance they may actually have is lacking. Based on data obtained from recent rockshelter surveys in southern Indiana, a method for evaluating the archaeological potential of rockshelter sites is presented. This methodology systematically accounts for geomorphological and geological factors as well as environmental considerations. Geographic information system (GIS) software is used to assist in the analysis and visualization of the variables associated with these rockshelters. While stressing the importance of these sites as potentially providing conditions for the preservation of cultural material, this method can also be used as a model for further studies on this topic.Department of Anthropology
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Owen, Athena Marie. "Tafoni caves in quaternary carbonate eolianites examples from the Bahamas /." Master's thesis, Mississippi State : Mississippi State University, 2007. http://library.msstate.edu/etd/show.asp?etd=etd-05142007-143443.
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Haking, Linn. "Tracing Upper Palaeolithic People in Caves : Methodological developments of cave space analysis, applied to the decorated caves of Marsoulas, Chauvet and Rouffignac, southern France." Thesis, Stockholms universitet, Arkeologi, 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-105714.
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Upper Palaeolithic cave art research has tended to focus on the images themselves, rather than the physical and social circumstances of their production. This dissertation explores and develops new practice-based ways of investigating cave art. A method analysing features of the cave environment, such as light, space and accessibility, internal conditions etc., and how these relate to traces of human activity, is developed and applied to three decorated caves from Upper Palaeolithic in southern France: Marsoulas (Haute-Garonne), Chauvet (Ardèche) and Rouffignac (Périgord). New insights are suggested into the underlying practice of cave art and its significance in Upper Palaeolithic societies.La recherche l’art rupestre Paléolithique supérieur a eu tendance à se focaliser sur les images elles-mêmes, plutôt que les circonstances physiques et sociales de leur production. Cette dissertation explore et développe des nouvelles formes d’investigation de l’art rupestre basées sur la pratique. Une méthode pour analyser des caractéristiques de l’environnement de la grotte, comme la lumière, l’espace et l’accessibilité, des conditions internes etc., et comment ceux-ci sont associés à des traces de l’activité humaine, est développée et appliquée à trois grottes de l’époque Paléolithique supérieur dans le sud de France: Marsoulas (Haute-Garonne), Chauvet (Ardèche) et Rouffignac (Périgord). Une nouvelle vision est suggérée pour la pratique sous-jacente de l’art rupestre et son importance dans les sociétés paléolithiques.
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Nemangwele, Fhulufhelo. "Radon in the Cango Caves." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2005. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&.
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Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive element in the 238U decay series that is found in high concentrations in certain geological formations such as Caves. Exposure to high concentrations of radon has been positively linked to the incidenceof lung cancer. This study used Electret ion chambers and the RAD7 continuous radon monitor to measure radon concentrations in the Cango Caves in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Measurements were taken during summer i.e. February 2004 and March 2005. The results for the radon activity concentrations range from the minimum of
about 800 Bq.m-3 to a maximum of 2600 Bq.m-3. The two techniques give very similar results, though the Electret ion chamber results appear to be consistently higher by a few percent where measurements were taken at the same locations. A
mathematical model has been developed to investigate the radon concentrations in the Cave. Diffusion and ventilation have been considered as mechanisms for explaining the distribution of radon concentrations. The ventilation rate in the Cave has been estimated under certain assumptions, and it is found to be about 7 ×
10&minus
6 s&minus
1 for the Van Zyl hall which is the first large chamber in the Cave. The radon concentration increases as one goes deeper into the Cave, but then becomes fairly constant for the deeper parts. The annual effective dose that the guides are exposed to in the Cave as a result of the radon concentrations, depends strongly on the time that they spend in the Cave and in which, halls they spend most of their time in the Cave. The initial results indicate an annual effective dose of 4-10 mSv, but this needs to be further investigated.
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Jacobson, Jennifer Jean. "Assessment of tour guide training at the Cave of the Mounds." Menomonie, WI : University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2005. http://www.uwstout.edu/lib/thesis/2005/2005jacobsonj.pdf.
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Parker, Ceth Woodward. "Microbial Iron Reduction In The Development of Iron Formation Caves." University of Akron / OhioLINK, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1542892784053378.
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Yen, Chih-hung. "Bhaiṣajyaguru at Dunhuang." London : University of London, 1997. http://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/68914537.html.
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Bertoncini-Zubkova, Elena. "Marx`s shorts and ancestors` caves:." Universitätsbibliothek Leipzig, 2012. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:15-qucosa-95567.
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The only play by Kezilahabi, Marx`s shorts, is a political satire, so pungent that it has not yet been published, although its photocopied manuscript has been in circulation for almost twenty years (it is dated 1978). Probably it was written soon after Julius Nyerere`s pamphlet Azzmio la Arusha baada ya Miaka Kumi (1977), where he overtly admitted for the first time the failure of his policy, clearing the way for critical literary works.
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Byzewski, John Michael. "CAVES - Computer-aided Vehicle Embarkation System." Thesis, Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/10945/21185.
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In this thesis the two-dimensional vehicle loading problem is considered: that is, the problem of loading a rectangular deck of size L by W of a ship, drawing from a set of n vehicles. The objective is to maximize the area covered on the deck by the vehicles loaded. A heuristic algorithm is employed to solve the two-dimensional loading problem. A computer-aided vehicle embarkation system (CAVES) is developed using a menu driven micro-computer program designed to assist embarkation personnel to load vehicles on board a ship. CAVES provides the Embarkation Officer the flexibility and portability needed to make real time decisions about vehicle load plans.
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Whitby, Wendy Elizabeth. "Wrapped in meaning : Chumash cache caves." Thesis, University of Central Lancashire, 2012. http://clok.uclan.ac.uk/6782/.
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A large number of dry caves scattered across the mountainous Santa Barbara backcountry, in south-central California, have yielded a unique collection of indigenous artefacts. The xeric environmental conditions in these caves have resulted in exceptional preservation of perishable materials; and the assemblage contains items such as wooden bullroarers, feather bands, deer bone whistles, basketry and curated plant materials. A significant proportion of this material appears to have been deposited in the colonial period (AD 1769 – late 19th century). This region was occupied primarily by the indigenous Chumash people, semi-sedentary hunter-gatherers who were characterised by their complex political organisation, diverse subsistence base, and rich ceremonial tradition. Indigenous life was plunged into turmoil from AD 1769 when the Spanish missionisation programme heralded the start of the colonial period. Over the next hundred years Spanish, Mexican and Anglo-American colonisers dramatically changed the economic, political and ecological landscape of south-central California. The majority of archaeological studies pertaining to the Chumash have focused on the prehistoric period. Most previous colonial-period studies have concentrated on the missions and closely adjacent indigenous sites where colonial influence was strongest. The study of cache caves and their artefacts provides a novel opportunity to explore indigenous practices during the turbulent colonial period within the more autonomous context of the Santa Barbara hinterland. This thesis provides the first collation of all the data relating to cache cave sites and their associated artefacts in the Santa Barbara hinterland. This information has been used to provide a basic chronological and geographic framework, and in turn, to propose models for indigenous caching practices in the Santa Barbara hinterland. These caching models are explored in terms of value systems in order to consider processes of indigenous resistance and acculturation during the colonial period.
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Keel, Thomas M. "The caves and karst of Rota Island, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands." Master's thesis, Mississippi State : Mississippi State University, 2005. http://library.msstate.edu/etd/show.asp?etd=etd-03282005-163137.
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Anderson, Elyse M. "Exploring Maya ritual fauna caves and the proposed link with contemporary hunting ceremonialism /." [Gainesville, Fla.] : University of Florida, 2009. http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/UFE0024821.
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Macdonald, J. "The decomposition of animal remains in caves." Thesis, Nottingham Trent University, 1992. http://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/28872/.
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The aim of this research, carried out at Creswell Crags, Derbyshire, was to investigate the decomposition of small mammal remains in temperate caves, with particular regard to the impact upon the cavernicolous invertebrate community and the cave sediments. The carcasses of laboratory rats were deposited in the threshold, deep threshold and hypogean regions of two caves, on sediments of differing depths layered with markers to assess the extent of bioturbation. Carcasses were covered by wire mesh to exclude vertebrate scavengers. The physical condition of the carcasses, the succession of the carrion community and the diversity of the cavernicolous invertebrates were monitored for a minimum of one year. To investigate the effect of season on decomposition, experiments were begun in both summer and winter. The processes of decomposition observed in this investigation differed considerably from those reported by other authors working on carrion deposited above ground or buried. This is especially true of the rate of carrion consumption by invertebrates which is strongly influenced by abiotic conditions. In the caves, carcasses persisted for much longer than on the surface. Carcasses in the threshold region were rapidly colonised by necrophagous Diptera, whilst the decomposition of those farther underground was initially microbial. The diversity and evenness of the invertebrate community in the threshold region were disrupted by the influx of non-cavernicolous species. In the hypogean region, the over-representation of certain troglophilic species changed the structure of the invertebrate community. These results have been incorporated into a descriptive model, which proposes decomposition pathways for small mammal carrion deposited in the threshold, deep threshold and hypogean region of shallow temperate caves. The activity of arthropods, particulary dipterous larvae, was found to disrupt the sediment beneath carrion to a depth of at least 10 cm, which has implications for cave sediment stratigraphy. A laboratory population of the staphylinid cave beetle Quedius mesomelinus was established to examine its life history and behaviour. It was concluded that the species shows a number of adaptations to cavernicolous life, including a K-selected reproductive strategy.
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Ghezzi, Daniele <1989>. "Microbial diversity and metabolic potential in caves." Doctoral thesis, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, 2020. http://amsdottorato.unibo.it/9467/1/Ghezzi_Daniele_tesi.pdf.
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Caves are dark and oligotrophic habitats where chemotrophic microbial communities interact with the inorganic mineral rocks and cooperate organizing themselves in complex biological formations, which are visible in caves as biofilms, biodeposits or biospeleothems. In these environments, microorganisms contribute to the turnover of the matter and activate peculiar enzymatic reactions leading to the modification of the mineral rocks and to the production of metabolites with possible industrial and pharmaceutical interest. In this PhD thesis, various molecular and geomicrobiological approaches were used to investigate the microbial diversity and potential activities in different cave systems, i.e. the orthoquartzite cave Imawarì Yeuta, the sufidic cave Fetida and the ice cave Cenote Abyss. This is aimed at gathering indications on the possible interactions that support microbial growth and its impact in cave environments. As a result, microbial taxa and functions associated to light-independent chemolithotroph and heterotrophic activities were identified in the three caves, indicating the involvement of microorganisms in i) silica mobilization and amorphization processes and the formation of a novel type of silica-based stromatolite in Imawarì Yeuta Cave, ii) the formation of three types of biofilm/biodeposit involved in sulphur cycle and in the speleogenesis of Fetida Cave, iii) the development of biofilms and their maintenance under psychrophilic conditions in samples collected from ice in Cenote Abyss. Additionally, the metabolic potentials of around one hundred isolates derived from these cave systems were evaluated in terms on anti-microbial activity. The results pointed out that unexplored and oligotrophic caves are promising environments for novel bioactive molecules discovery.
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Persoiu, Tiritu Aurel. "Palaeoclimatic Significance of Perennial Ice Accumulations in Caves: an Example from Scarisoara Ice Cave, Romania." Scholar Commons, 2011. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/3291.
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Stable isotopes in ice cores drilled in the polar and high-mountain region have been used intensively to reconstruct past climatic changes and atmospheric dynamics. However, no similar studies have been conducted on perennial ice accumulations in caves due to a limited understanding of the links between the external and cave environments, and the way in which the climatic signal can be recorded by the cave ice.
In this thesis, we successfully designed and build a research methodology for the reconstruction of past climatic changes based on perennial ice accumulation in caves, using as example the Scarisoara Ice Cave, Romania. The ice block in this cave preserves a large variety of candidate proxies for both past climate and environmental changes, the most significant ones being the stable isotopic composition of the ice (a proxy for air temperature) and pollen remains. The ice block has formed by the successive accumulation of layers formed by the freezing of water accumulated from late summer through mid-autumn precipitation. An original method has been developed for the reconstruction of the stable isotopic composition of water before freezing, and further, of the late summer air temperature. Pollen in the ice has been found to reflect changes in surface vegetation at both local and regional scale.
A 22 m long ice core has been extracted from the ice block, and stable isotope analyses were performed at high resolution on its entire length. Twenty-sex radiocarbon ages have been used to derive a precise depth-age model for this core. The stable isotope data covers almost the entire Holocene, between 0.09 and 9.75 ka BP. The first order fluctuation broadly follows the orbitally induced Northern Hemisphere September insolation, with a minimum in the early Holocene, a slow climb towards a maximum at ~5.0 ka, followed by a very slow cooling towards the present, accentuated after ~0.5 ka. Superimposed on the long-term variations a series of rapid cooling events (RCE) are recorde, the most notable ones being at 9.5 ka, 8.2 ka, 7.9 ka, 6 ka, 4.2 ka, 3.2 ka and 0.9 ka. The timing of these RCEs agrees remarkably well with the Holocene rapid climatic changes and the ice rafted debris (IRD) events in the North Atlantic (NA). Our data suggests that the general trends of temperature changes in mainland Europe during the Holocene were governed by changes in solar output. RCEs were synchronous with NA IRD events, the NA climatic signal originating from sea surface temperature changes and being amplified by atmospheric dynamics.
The stable isotope data spanning the past 2000 years clearly shows four climatic events over this interval, attributed to the Roman Warm period (RWP), the Dark Ages Cold Period (DACP), Medieval Warm Period (MWP) and the Little Ice Age (LIA). Our data suggests that air temperature was highly variable during the LIA and more stable during the warm MWP and RWP.
As ice caves were described in many parts of the world otherwise poorly represented in ice-based paleoclimatology, the results of this study could open a new direction in paleoclimatic research, so that an array of significant paleoclimate data can be developed based on their study.
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Chan, Fung-lin, and 陳鳳蓮. "Digital Dunhuang: the use of new technology for off-site interpretation of a fragile heritage site." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2012. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B48344461.
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The group cave-temples in Dunguang, Gansu Province of north-western China offer an unparalleled display of grotto art of over a thousand years from the fourth century to the fourteenth century. They represent a microcosm of ancient and medieval civilizations, providing us with enormous opportunities of heritage experience and understanding. However, these grotto treasures are extremely fragile. Over the centuries they have been suffering from serious deterioration and damage due to human and natural causes, and in recent decades the ever-increasing visitor load has posed even greater threat to the murals. The emerging trend of using advanced technology in the preservation and the interpretation of the grotto art offers new possibilities of remote access and interpretation which shall enhance understanding and enjoyment of the cultural treasures. This dissertation sets out to examine such trend of digital interpretation of heritage in off-site scenarios. The research includes a background of the study, the significance of the Dunhuang Caves, the application of new technology, followed by a case study of re-presenting and interpreting one of the Dunhuang caves in Hong Kong.published_or_final_version
Conservation
Master
Master of Science in Conservation
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Bortel, Hannah E. "Scallops Through Space and Time: A Study of Scallop Patterns and Consistency." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1617372823910827.
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Van, Beynen Philip Edward. "Investigations into the fluorescence of calcitic speleothems /." *McMaster only, 1998.
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Craven, Stephen Adrian. "Cango Cave, Oudtshoorn District of the Cape Province, South Africa : an assessment of its development and management 1780-1992 : short title, Management problems at Cango Cave." Doctoral thesis, University of Cape Town, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/17328.
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Includes bibliographical references.No detailed investigation has been previously made of the legal status, administration, history, management, finances, and conservation status of a show cave in South Africa. This study, using archival sources and field work, makes a thorough assessment of Cango Cave, a well-known show cave in the Swartberg foothills north of Oudtshoorn in the Cape Province of South Africa. Repeated field trips to Cange Cave and to other caves in the area have confirmed the environmental deterioration of Cango Cave and its surroundings. This study has shown that such deterioration has been caused by human pressures on a non-renewable resource. Reading of the extensive Government and other archives, supplemented by newspaper and other published material, has for the first time enabled the scientific, administrative and financial history of the Cave to be available in one document. Analysis of this assembled evidence, augmented by reading between the lines where the evidence is occasionally missing, has shown the reasons for the failure of successive Cave managements during the past two centuries to operate on a conservation basis. This failure to conserve Cango Cave has occurred despite the avowed policy of every political master of the Cape since 1820 that the Cave is a national asset which shall be conserved. The thesis commences with a description of the location and topography of Cango Cave, followed by a review of cave conservation literature and a summary of the published information on the Cave. There follows a detailed account of the discovery and development of the Cave from 1780 until 1992, and an assessment of its financial status. The impact of humans on the Cave, and its conservation status, are examined in detail. The above data are then discussed at length, and the reasons for the present unsatisfactory management structure identified. Having demonstrated the past and present management failures at Cango Cave, recommendations are made for better management structures and for the necessary applied research. Such research will provide the information which is essential for the future management of Cango Cave on a conservation basis.
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Kavountzis, Erol George. "Evaluating cave use through spatial analysis of animal remains from Maya caves in Guatemala and Belize." [Gainesville, Fla.] : University of Florida, 2009. http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/UFE0041312.
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Schwabe, Stephanie Jutta. "Biogeochemical investigation of caves within Bahamian carbonate platforms." Thesis, University of Bristol, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/1983/11aa5219-22e0-4173-bd41-67cfb492892a.
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The Bahamas are thousands of islands stretching along the coast of Florida and south to the tropic of cancer. An aerialv iew, spectaculaar s it is, shows only a small part of the islands, a larger part is submerged and discernible only by the abundance of blue dots onshorea nd in the shallow water around the islands. The blue holes are entrancesto an underwater world wherein biology seems to have slowed down to offer a fascinating view of species rarely seen elsewhere, and of rock formations that tell a story of the subterranianw orld below the islands. My studies were inspired by curiosity and the desire to make a contribution to the preservationo f this unique and irreplaceablew indow into the pastf or geologistsa nd biologists alike. Important questions as to how the caves formed and when and what the role of cavel ife might havep layed in the excavationp rocessesa re addressedin this thesis. As a result of these studies bacteria must be considered as possibly active participantsi n the formation processesa fter the time when the rising watertablef looded all the Bahamian caves. The layering, often in hypersharp zones of biological material, matches or is perhaps caused by, equally dramatic changes in hydrogen ions and acetate and sulphate concentrations. In both caves, pH profiles were observed that varied sharply over very short distances. In all three study sites it could be shown that, vertically and horizontally, the geochemical perimeters varied dramatically. Organically mediated processes are a dominant control on dissolution within the fresh, mixing, and saline zone. The combined generationof C02 results, known from earlier studies, and 112S and other bacterially measured activity, supports this finding. Retention of suspended organic matter was directly proportional to the salinity gradient. Elevated levels of DOC, POM, and acetate at the two major density interfaces confirm this finding. In the results, generated from CHN&S methods, wall rock material was found to contain residual carbon for potential microbial use, and large bacterial populations were identified through the SEM method in excess of what was measured within the water column. Significant lepidocrocite deposits (dimorphose iron oxihydroxide) were identified as a fraction of the cave sediment, and material known as "mung7, based on amino-acid analysis, was shown to be proteinaceous. This mung appears to be unique to caves in the Bahamas. In a sense the cave system is an underground geo-biosphere wherein the peculiar water flow patterns foster a specific, sometimes rich and unusual, fauna and flora that is a treasure for science and a sight for humans to enjoy.
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Marques, Ana Patrícia dos Reis. "Herpetofauna in caves of the Estremenho Karst Massif." Master's thesis, Universidade de Aveiro, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10773/22044.
Full textAbstract:
Mestrado em Ecologia AplicadaThe karst landscape has among other features and peculiarities, caves and scarce water at surface. The water rare at surface can be found underground in a complex hydrological network. In Portugal, karst massifs are distributed by two major zones, Lusitanian and Algarve basins. The Estremenho karst massif is the biggest massif of the country (around 900 Km2) and most of it is covered by the Serras de Aire and Candeeiros Natural Park (PNSAC). It has more than 2,000 caves and a great variety of habitats. In this territory are present 15 amphibians and 19 reptiles species, but the knowledge of the use of caves by these animals is scarce. To fill this gap, this study aimed to map the presence and distribuition of herptofauna in caves. The major results were the presence of three species (Tarentola mauritanica; Salamandra salamandra, and Pleorodeles waltl) with report of P. waltl reproduction for the first time in Portugal. This study highlighted the need of more future works with conservation of the sites and species that they harbour in view. In addition to the scarce knowledge on the presence of herpetofauna in caves, there is no significant information about the impact of water bodies on development of some species, namely amphibians. The importance of this water bodies is due to the vulnerability of the karst system to human activities that release contaminants to the environment and that can easily reach the groundwater table and springs, spreading over large distances. Thus, the second aim of this study was to see how the selected water bodies in the sampling area affect the developmento of early stages of Hyla arborea. The results showed no difference in larvae growth nor was reported high number of anomalies or mortality. The oxidative stress responses showed statistical significant difference on lipidic peroxidation between control and one of the sites, most likely related with the level of salinity. In terms of enzimatic activity of the antioxidant enzymes there were no differences on the animals exposed to the different water bodies. The results of the analyses of the selected pesticides, although with low values, show the presence of pesticides in one of the sites. This work show that water from the sampled sites is not a threat to the amphibians, but future works are needed to conclude the water bodies state of the Estremenho massif throught the year and its impacts on biodiversity.
Grutas e escassez de água à superfície são algumas das caraterísticas e peculiaridades da paisagem cársica. A água rara à superfície pode ser encontrada numa intrincada rede subterrânea. Em Portugal, os maciços calcários estão maioritariamente distribuídos em duas grandes regiões, as Bacias Lusitânica e Algarvia. O Maciço Calcário Estremenho é o maior do país (cerca de 900 Km2), estando praticamente toda a área incluída no Parque Natural das Serras de Aire e Candeeiros (PNSAC). Nesta área são conhecidas mais de 2000 grutas e uma grande variedade de habitats. A herpetofauna presente nesta região compreende 15 anfíbios e 19 répteis, mas pouco se sabe acerca do uso que estes animais fazem das grutas. Para tentar colmatar esta lacuna, o presente estudo pretendeu fazer o mapeamento da presença e distribuição de espécies em grutas. Como principais resultados registou-se a presença de três espécies (Tarentola mauritanica; Salamandra salamandra e Pleorodeles waltl) e a observação pela primeira vez em Portugal de reprodução em P. waltl. Este estudo indicou a necessidade de mais trabalhos futuros com a perspetiva de conservação dos locais e das espécies neles existentes. Para além do escasso conhecimento acerca da presença de herpetofauna em grutas, também não existe informação relevante acerca do impacto das massas de água no desenvolvimento de algumas espécies, nomeadamente, anfíbios. A importância destas massas de água deve-se ao facto de o sistema cársico ser vulnerável a atividades humanas que libertam contaminantes para o ambiente e que facilmente se infiltram nos lençóis freáticos e em nascentes, dispersando-se por longas distâncias. Deste modo, o segundo objetivo, foi perceber como as massas de água, selecionadas da zona de amostragem, afetam o desenvolvimento de girinos de Hyla arborea. Os resultados não mostraram alteração no crescimento dos girinos nem se verificou um número de anomalias e de mortes elevado. As respostas a nível de stress oxidativo apresentaram diferenças significativas para a peroxidação lipídica entre o controlo e um dos locais, muito provavelmente relacionada com o nível de salinidade. Ao nível da atividade enzimática das enzimas antioxidantes não existiram quaisquer diferenças nos animais expostos às diferentes massas de água. Os resultados das análises aos pesticidas selecionados, apesar de não apresentarem valores elevados, mostram a presença de pesticidas, num dos locais. Este estudo indica que a água dos locais amostrados pode não apresentar ameaça imediata aos anfíbios, sendo, no entanto, necessários trabalhos futuros a fim de concluir o estado das massas de água do maciço Estremenho ao longo do ano, e seus impactos na biodiversidade.
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Soares, Joana Ferreira de Paiva Morais. "Amphibian's distribution in caves of the Sicó Massif." Master's thesis, Universidade de Aveiro, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10773/22047.
Full textAbstract:
Mestrado em Biologia AplicadaAmphibians (salamanders, toads and frogs) are frequently found exploring karst environments, both at the surface and underground. This study aimed to approach both aspects through the evaluation of (a) the abundance and distribution of amphibians in caves of Sicó massif, central Portugal, and (b) the suitability of the water from Sicó massif sinkhole ponds and springs for amphibian’s early stages of development. Despite some studies reporting the presence of amphibians in European underground habitats, in Portugal there is a major lack of knowledge of these ecosystems, namely in the karst region. In order to provide further knowledge, several surveys were carried out in caves of the Sicó massif. Our main results document the observation of two species: Triturus marmoratus and Bufo bufo. Reports on these organisms are common in the underground habitats in Europe. However, in Portugal this is the first occurrence of both species in caves in central Portugal. Their presence might be due to searching for refuge and high humidity, escaping from predators, and accidental fall into cave entrances that might act as natural pitfalls. This research shows that the presence of amphibians in caves is underestimated and that more caves should be surveyed for the presence of amphibians in this particular massif, but also in other main karst areas in Portugal. Karst landscapes are threatened with pollution and contamination resultant from activities such as agriculture and industry, among others. Due to the scarcity of water on the surface, sinkhole ponds and springs are essential as breeding sites for these organisms. Considering these factors, we evaluated the effect of water collected from 6 different sites of Sicó massif in early stages of Hyla arborea. Through ecotoxicological essays, parameters such as survival, size, activity of antioxidant enzymes (GPx total, Se-dependent GPx, GRed and GST) and also lipidic peroxidation were evaluated. Complementarily, we determined several abiotic parameters and evaluated the presence of 6 pesticides. The results from both biomarkers evaluation and detection of pesticides show that in two sites conditions for larval development of amphibians may not be adequate. However, more studies are necessary to confirm these suspicions. Considering the relevance of these sites for conservation of various amphibian populations, further and complementary studies are necessary, namely for evaluating the effect of seasonality on water’s chemical parameters and the resulting effects of in situ exposure on larval stages.
Algumas espécies de anfíbios (salamandras, sapos e rãs) habitam ambientes cársicos, e são frequentemente encontrados tanto à superfície como em habitats subterrâneos. O presente trabalho aborda ambos através da avaliação da: (a) abundância e distribuição de anfíbios em cavidades do maciço de Sicó e da (b) adequabilidade da água presente em dolinas e exsurgências do maciço de Sicó para as fases iniciais de desenvolvimento de anfíbios. Apesar de existirem alguns registos de anfíbios em habitats subterrâneos na Europa, em Portugal existe uma grande lacuna no conhecimento acerca destes habitats, em particular nas regiões cársicas. Desta forma, foi feito um levantamento da presença de anfíbios em grutas do maciço de Sicó. Com base nos resultados, foram documentadas duas espécies: Triturus marmoratus and Bufo bufo. Ambas foram já documentadas em ambientes subterrâneos pela Europa. No entanto, este é o primeiro registo de observação destas espécies em cavidades no centro de Portugal. A presença neste tipo ambiente pode ser justificada pela procura de um local de refúgio com elevada humidade, para se defender de predadores ou ainda por quedas acidentais, uma vez que algumas entradas verticais atuam como armadilhas. Este trabalho demonstra ainda que a presença de anfíbios em cavidades cársicas é subestimada e serão necessários mais levantamentos para contemplar estas questões, tanto no maciço de Sicó como noutras áreas cársicas de Portugal. Relativamente à superfície e às massas de água das paisagens cársicas, sabe-se que estão ameaçadas pela poluição e contaminação resultantes de actividades como a agricultura e a indústria, entre outras. Devido à escassez de água à superfície, dolinas, lagos, nascentes e exsurgências são essenciais à reprodução de muitas espécies de anfíbios. Tendo em conta estes factores, avaliámos através de ensaios ecotoxicológicos, o efeito de água proveniente de 6 locais distintos do maciço de Sicó, em fases larvares de Hyla arborea. Os parâmetros avaliados foram a sobrevivência, o tamanho, a actividade de enzimas antioxidantes (GPx total, GPx Se-dependente, GRed e GST) e também a peroxidação lipídica. De forma complementar foi analisada a presença de 6 pesticidas e foram determinados vários parametros abióticos. Os resultados mostraram que, para dois locais, quer pela deteção de pesticidas, quer pelos resultados obtidos nos biomarcadores, poderão não existir as condições mais adequadas para o desenvolvimento de fases larvares de anfíbios. No entanto, são necessários mais estudos de forma a confirmar estas suspeitas. Considerando ainda a relevância destes locais para a conservação de algumas populações de anfíbios, é necessário realizar mais estudos complementares, nomeadamente avaliando o efeito da sazonalidade nos parâmetros químicos da água e avaliando em fases larvares os efeitos decorrentes de uma exposição in situ.
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D'Angeli, Ilenia Maria <1989>. "Speleogenesis of Sulfuric Acid caves in southern Italy." Doctoral thesis, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, 2019. http://amsdottorato.unibo.it/9022/1/D%27Angeli%20Ilenia%20M_PhD%20thesi_final%20version.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
The main objectives of this research are: a) to investigate the main processes involved in sulfuric acid speleogenesis (SAS) of Italian caves, b) to estimate the dissolution-corrosion rate in several active SAS systems of southern Italy, and c) to contextualize landscape evolution using subhorizontal cave levels in the central-southern Apennine Chain.
SAS caves formed in hypogene conditions (i.e., rising fluids), and are influenced by H2S-rich waters, which gain their acidity in deep-seated settings. The geological situation of Italy allows it to host ~25% of the worldwide known SAS caves, located along the the Apennine Chain, Apulia, Sicily and Sardinia.
Geomorphological and mineralogical investigations can be used to identify inactive SAS environments, and recognize the conditions in which they originated. The most common geomorphological features refer to unconfined settings, which likely influenced the speleogenesis in the last stages of void formation, and are therefore, well-preserved.
Peculiar suites of secondary byproducts including gypsum, sulfur, alunite, natroalunite, and jarosite strongely contribute to clarify cave speleogenesis. Sulfur stable isotopes may contribute to elucidate the source of H2S, which in Italy seems to be mainly related to bacterial sulfate reduction of Triassic evaporites interacting with hydrocarbons and/or organic matter. Moreover, gypsum and alunite dating may help to pin down the chronology cave speleogenesis.
Active SAS caves show waters undersaturated with respect to gypsum and calcite and atmosphere composed of degassing hypogene H2S, CO2 and CH4. These special conditions promote the growth of microbial biofilms, composed of extremophile communities of bacteria and archaea able to arrange themselves into special structures. Active SAS caves can be used as laboratories to study the dissolution-corrosion rate, and calculate weight variation over time.
Finally, subhorizontal SAS levels and alunite ages can help in understanding the uplift and erosion rates of the mountain hosting the cave system.
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Frenzel, Anne. "La physiognomonie au coeur des Caves du Vatican." Electronic Thesis or Diss., Toulon, 2018. http://www.theses.fr/2018TOUL3002.
Full textAbstract:
L’écriture des Caves du Vatican s’accomplit dans une époque où la physiognomonie est extrêmement présente dans la presse et dans les tribunaux qu’André Gide fréquente en qualité de juré d’assises. Et, c’est dans le contexte d’une période troublée mais portée par le progrès qu’il édifie cette sotie, dans laquelle coexistent la mutique franc-maçonnerie, une Église dévoyée, et de bruyantes sciences expérimentales qui claironnent leurs avancées. Gide, qui connaît le célèbre ouvrage de Lavater, La physiognomonie ou l’art de connaître les hommes par la physionomie, choisit de parodier certains aspects de la physiognomonie tout en taisant son nom. Aussi, n’est-ce qu’à la faveur d’une lecture approfondie des Caves du Vatican que se dévoilent l’enjeu et la posture esthétique de cette oeuvre, qui prend le parti d’imiter la physiognomonie afin de la tourner en dérision, cela, sans jamais la citer. L’auteur traite du corps et de ses particularités, en jouant d’une configuration littérale, qui s’attache à décrire, à rendre compte des gestes de ses personnages en les exagérant, pour mieux scruter les âmes qui habitent ces corps. Par-delà la comédie, la sotie gidienne est un « lieu de significations et d’interrogations multiples », qui échappe aux analyses physiognomoniques réductrices et donne à voir l’être humain dans toute sa complexité et sous toutes ses formes, l’aventurier comme le criminelThe writing of the Vatican cellars is being done at a time when physiognomony is extremely present in the press and in the courts that André Gide attends as a juror at the Assize Court. It is in the context of a troubled period but driven by progress that he builds its sotie, in which coexist the mute Freemasonry, a misguided Church, and the noisy experimental sciences, which trumpet their progress. Gide, who knows Lavater's famous Essays on physiognomy, chooses to parody certain aspects of physiognomy while silencing its name. It is only a thorough reading of the Vatican cellars that reveals the stake and the aesthetic posture of this work, which imitate the physiognomy to make a mockery of it, without ever quoting it. The author deals with the body and its peculiarities, playing with a literal configuration, which attempts to describe, to account for the gestures of its characters by exaggerating them, to better scrutinize the souls that inhabit these bodies. Beyond comedy, the Gidienne sotie is a "place of multiple meanings and interrogations", which escapes the reductive physiognomic analyzes and gives to see the human being in all its complexity and in all its forms, the adventurer as the criminal
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Frenzel, Anne. "La physiognomonie au coeur des Caves du Vatican." Thesis, Toulon, 2018. http://www.theses.fr/2018TOUL3002.
Full textAbstract:
L’écriture des Caves du Vatican s’accomplit dans une époque où la physiognomonie est extrêmement présente dans la presse et dans les tribunaux qu’André Gide fréquente en qualité de juré d’assises. Et, c’est dans le contexte d’une période troublée mais portée par le progrès qu’il édifie cette sotie, dans laquelle coexistent la mutique franc-maçonnerie, une Église dévoyée, et de bruyantes sciences expérimentales qui claironnent leurs avancées. Gide, qui connaît le célèbre ouvrage de Lavater, La physiognomonie ou l’art de connaître les hommes par la physionomie, choisit de parodier certains aspects de la physiognomonie tout en taisant son nom. Aussi, n’est-ce qu’à la faveur d’une lecture approfondie des Caves du Vatican que se dévoilent l’enjeu et la posture esthétique de cette oeuvre, qui prend le parti d’imiter la physiognomonie afin de la tourner en dérision, cela, sans jamais la citer. L’auteur traite du corps et de ses particularités, en jouant d’une configuration littérale, qui s’attache à décrire, à rendre compte des gestes de ses personnages en les exagérant, pour mieux scruter les âmes qui habitent ces corps. Par-delà la comédie, la sotie gidienne est un « lieu de significations et d’interrogations multiples », qui échappe aux analyses physiognomoniques réductrices et donne à voir l’être humain dans toute sa complexité et sous toutes ses formes, l’aventurier comme le criminelThe writing of the Vatican cellars is being done at a time when physiognomony is extremely present in the press and in the courts that André Gide attends as a juror at the Assize Court. It is in the context of a troubled period but driven by progress that he builds its sotie, in which coexist the mute Freemasonry, a misguided Church, and the noisy experimental sciences, which trumpet their progress. Gide, who knows Lavater's famous Essays on physiognomy, chooses to parody certain aspects of physiognomy while silencing its name. It is only a thorough reading of the Vatican cellars that reveals the stake and the aesthetic posture of this work, which imitate the physiognomy to make a mockery of it, without ever quoting it. The author deals with the body and its peculiarities, playing with a literal configuration, which attempts to describe, to account for the gestures of its characters by exaggerating them, to better scrutinize the souls that inhabit these bodies. Beyond comedy, the Gidienne sotie is a "place of multiple meanings and interrogations", which escapes the reductive physiognomic analyzes and gives to see the human being in all its complexity and in all its forms, the adventurer as the criminal
33
Lewis, Jodie. "Monuments, ritual and regionality : the neolithic of northern Somerset." Thesis, University of Bristol, 2001. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.340351.
Full text
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Stafford, Kevin Wayne. "Structural controls on megaporosity in eogenetic carbonate rocks Tinian, CNMI /." Master's thesis, Mississippi State : Mississippi State University, 2003. http://library.msstate.edu/etd/show.asp?etd=etd-10302003-080242.
Full text
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Walker, Lindsay N. "The Caves, Karst, and Geology of Abaco Island, Bahamas." MSSTATE, 2006. http://sun.library.msstate.edu/ETD-db/theses/available/etd-03292006-153441/.
Full textAbstract:
Abaco Island is located on Little Bahama Bank at the northwestern extent of the Bahamian Archipelago. Karst features on Abaco include: flank margin caves, karren, blue holes, pit caves, banana holes, and cone karst. As part of this study all known flank margin caves on Abaco were GPS located and surveyed. The presence and locations of the other karst features were recorded as part of the karst inventory of Abaco. The cone karst is of particular interest because cone karst has not been documented on other Bahamian islands. These cones form from the dissection of an eolianite ridge due to karst, fire, and vegetative processes. Tafoni-like recesses, originally believed to be high flank margin caves, were formed during cliffing of an eolianite ridge during the OIS 5e highstand. The geologic evolution of representative depositional sequences on Abaco fits within the accepted Bahamian stratigraphy.
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Lascu, Ioan. "Speleogenesis of large flank margin caves of the Bahamas." MSSTATE, 2005. http://sun.library.msstate.edu/ETD-db/theses/available/etd-05102005-132949/.
Full textAbstract:
Flank margin caves of the Bahamas are formed by mixing dissolution in a fresh-water lens. As they evolve, the probability of intersecting neighboring voids increases, and they enlarge in a nonlinear fashion. Large flank margin caves become constrained by surface topography and their morphology is influenced by the shape of the enclosing land mass as a result. High phreatic ceilings can be dissolved if the fresh-water lens is distorted by lithological heterogeneities or hydrologic loading due to storm events. Early diagenesis of the host rock causes the reorganization of porosity and permeability through dissolution and cementation processes. Meteoric overprinting occurs but cannot be used as a tool in determining the age of eolianites or the climatic conditions at the time of deposition. Current evidence indicates an OIS 5e speleogenesis of large flank margin caves. An OIS 11 origin can be advanced only with compelling evidence of a pre-OIS 5e highstand.
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Pape, Robert. "The importance of ants in cave ecology, with new records and behavioral observations of ants in Arizona caves." SOCIETA SPELEOLOGICA ITALIANA, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/622667.
Full textAbstract:
The importance of ants as elements in cave ecology has been mostly unrecognized. A global list of ant species recorded from caves, compiled from a review of existing literature, is presented. This paper also reviews what is currently known about ants occurring in Arizona ( USA) caves. The diversity and distribution represented in these records suggests ants are relatively common cave visitors (trogloxenes). A general utilization of caves by ants within both temperate and tropical latitudes may be inferred from this combined evidence. Observations of ant behavior in Arizona caves demonstrate a low level and sporadic, but persistent, use of these habitats and their contained resources by individual ant colonies. Documentation of Neivamyrmex sp. preying on cave-inhabiting arthropods is reported here for the first time. Observations of hypogeic army ants in caves suggests they may not penetrate to great vertical depth in search of prey, but can be persistent occupants in relatively shallow, horizontal sections of caves where they may prey on endemic cave animals. First cave records for ten ant species are reported from Arizona caves. These include two species of Neivamyrmex (N. nigrescens Cresson and Neivamyrmex sp.; Formicidae: Dorylinae), four myrmicines (Pheidole portalensis Wilson, Pheidole cf. porcula Wheeler, Solenopsis aurea Wheeler and Stenamma sp. Westwood), one dolichoderine (Forelius keiferi Wheeler) and three formicines (Lasius arizonicus Wheeler, L. sitiens Wilson, and Camponotus sp. Mayr).
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Bertozzi, Barbara. "Feasibility study for understanding ice cave microclimate through thermo-fluid dynamics approaches." Master's thesis, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, 2017.
Find full textAbstract:
Ice caves are classified as sporadic permafrost phenomena and consist of lava tubes or cave systems in which perennial ice forms. Ice within caves can be very old and can carry important information on permafrost conditions, climate changes and past climates. Until now, these systems have been investigated mainly with an experimental approach. A critical topic in ice cave studies is the understanding of how the internal environment interacts with the external and how these systems react to changes in the external conditions. In this thesis, a new numerical approach to understand ice cave microclimate is proposed. Numerical studies can contribute greatly to a better understanding of the processes involved in the formation and preservation of the ice in cave. Furthermore, computational fluid dynamic methods can be a valuable support to define new experimental setups and to interpret experimental results.
The cave studied in this work is Leupa ice cave, located in Friuli Venezia Giulia region. Air flows inside Leupa ice caves were characterized with an integrated approach using both experimental and numerical methods. A general approach was initially adopted and three representative days were identified to investigate which circulation patterns can develop under different environmental conditions. The comparison of numerical and experimental data permitted to evaluate the quality of the simulations and to identify the main problematics that need to be investigated further. Deeper investigations were then performed for a single day to investigate the temperature and boundary conditions effect on the flow thermo-dynamics inside the cave.
New insights on the fluid-dynamic behavior of Leupa ice cave are achieved, showing that numerical methods could represent a powerful tool to study ice caves, improving and integrating the information that could be obtained from standard experimental measurements.
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au, Stefan@calm wa gov, and Stefan Eberhard. "Ecology and Hydrology of a Threatened Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystem:The Jewel Cave Karst System in Western Australia." Murdoch University, 2004. http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20051010.141551.
Full textAbstract:
Groundwater is a significant component of the world's water balance and accounts for
>90 % of usable freshwater. Around the world groundwater is an important source of
water for major cities, towns, industries, agriculture and forestry. Groundwater plays a
role in the ecological processes and 'health' of many surface ecosystems, and is the
critical habitat for subterranean aquatic animals (stygofauna). Over-abstraction or
contamination of groundwater resources may imperil the survival of stygofauna and
other groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs). In two karst areas in Western
Australia (Yanchep and Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge), rich stygofauna communities
occur in cave waters containing submerged tree roots. These aquatic root mat
communities were listed as critically endangered because of declining groundwater
levels, presumably caused by lower rainfall, groundwater abstraction, and/or forest
plantations. Investigation of the hydrology and ecology of the cave systems was
considered essential for the conservation and recovery of these threatened ecological
communities (TECs). This thesis investigated the hydrology and ecology of one of the
TECs, located in the Jewel Cave karst system in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge. A
multi-disciplinary approach was used to explore aspects pertinent to the hydrology and
ecology of the groundwater system.
Thermoluminescence dating of the limestone suggested that development of the karst
system dates from the Early Pleistocene and that caves have been available for
colonisation by groundwater fauna since that time. Speleogenesis of the watertable
maze caves occurred in a flank margin setting during earlier periods of wetter climate
and/or elevated base levels. Field mapping and leveling were used to determine
hydrologic relationships between caves and the boundaries of the karst aquifer.
Monitoring of groundwater levels was undertaken to characterise the conditions of
recharge, storage, flow and discharge. A hydrogeologic model of the karst system was
developed.
The groundwater hydrograph for the last 50 years was reconstructed from old
photographs and records whilst radiometric dating and leveling of stratigraphic horizons
enabled reconstruction of a history of watertable fluctuations spanning the Holocene to
Late Pleistocene. The watertable fluctuations over the previous 50 years did not exceed the range of fluctuations experienced in the Quaternary history, including a period
11,000 to 13,000 years ago when the watertable was lower than the present level.
The recent groundwater decline in Jewel Cave was not reflected in the annual rainfall
trend, which was above average during the period (1 976 to 1988) when the major drop
in water levels occurred. Groundwater abstraction and tree plantations in nearby
catchments have not contributed to the groundwater decline as previously suggested.
The period of major watertable decline coincided with a substantial reduction in fire
frequency within the karst catchment. The resultant increase in understorey vegetation
and ground litter may have contributed to a reduction in groundwater recharge, through
increased evapotranspiration and interception of rainfall. To better understand the
relationships between rainfall, vegetation and fire and their effects on groundwater
recharge, an experiment is proposed that involves a prescribed burn of the cave
catchment with before-after monitoring of rainfall, leaf-area, ground litter, soil moisture,
vadose infiltration and groundwater levels.
Molecular genetic techniques (allozyrne electrophoresis and mitochondria1 DNA) were
used to assess the species and population boundaries of two genera and species of cave
dwelling Amphipoda. Populations of both species were largely panrnictic which was
consistent with the hydrogeologic model. The molecular data supported the conclusion
that both species of amphipod have survived lower watertable levels experienced in the
caves during the Late Pleistocene. A mechanism for the colonization and isolation of
populations in caves is proposed.
Multi Dimensional Scaling was used to investigate patterns in groundwater biodiversity
including species diversity, species assemblages, habitat associations and biogeography.
Faunal patterns were related to abiotic environmental parameters. Investigation of
hydrochemistry and water quality characterized the ecological water requirements
(EWR) of the TEC and established a baseline against which to evaluate potential
impacts such as groundwater pollution.
The conservation status of the listed TEC was significantly improved by increasing the
number of known occurrences and distribution range of the community (from 10 m2 to >
2 x lo6 m2), and by showing that earlier perceived threatening processes (rainfall
decline, groundwater pumping, tree plantations) were either ameliorated or inoperative
within this catchment. The GDE in the Jewel Cave karst system may not have been
endangered by the major phase of watertable decline experienced 1975-1987, or by the
relatively stable level experienced up until 2000. However, if the present trend of
declining rainfall in southwest Wester,,Australia continues, and the cave watertable
declines > 0.5 m below the present level, then the GDE may become more vulnerable to
extinction.
The occurrence and distribution of aquatic root mat communities and related
groundwater fauna in other karst catchments in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge is
substantially greater than previously thought, however some of these are predicted to be
threatened by groundwater pumping and pollution associated with increasing urban and
rural developments. The taxonomy of most stygofauna taxa and the distribution of root
mat communities is too poorly known to enable proper assessment of their conservation
requirements. A regional-scale survey of stygofauna in southwest Western Australia is
required to address this problem. In the interim, conservation actions for the listed TECs
need to be focused at the most appropriate spatial scale, which is the karst drainage
system and catchment area. Conservation of GDEs in Western Australia will benefit
fi-om understanding and integration with abiotic groundwater system processes,
especially hydrogeologic and geomorphic processes.
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Cizauskas, Igor. "Análise da diversidade funcional e dos padrões de riqueza de aranhas cavernícolas do Brasil e um modelo de mapeamento." Universidade de São Paulo, 2017. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/41/41133/tde-22032018-132025/.
Full textAbstract:
Um dos principais desafios no estudo da biodiversidade é o mapeamento de grupos faunísticos megadiversos. O mapeamento da biodiversidade auxilia na avaliação dos padrões de distribuição e riqueza de espécies e de suas comunidades, na compreensão de características ambientais e, consequentemente, dos fatores ecológicos por trás da especialização das espécies ao meio. Nesse trabalho foi avaliada a diversidade de aranhas (Araneae) coletadas em cavernas do Brasil, com o objetivo de determinar e classificar a araneofauna de cavernas. Um banco de dados composto por 29261 aranhas adultas oriundos de 3455 cavernas do Brasil foi elaborado. Foram determinadas 179 espécies nomeadas e 428 morfoespécies, totalizando 607 espécies, distribuídas em 59 famílias. Apresentamos os dados históricos dos estudos bioespeleológicos no Brasil com ênfase em aranhas entre 1972-2015, uma nova listagem das espécies nominadas e o mapeamento da distribuição dessas espécies, sendo este disponível para consulta em uma ferramenta virtual, o AppBio. Foi avaliada a diversidade funcional das espécies determinadas com base nos comportamentos de forrageamento conhecidos para as aranhas. Uma análise de guildas foi elaborada e as espécies foram classificadas ecológico-evolutiva em grupos funcionais, determinados pelo grau de relação das populações-fonte com o ambiente cavernícola (acidental, trogloxeno, troglófilo e troglóbio), categorias clássicas propostas por Schiner-Racovitza para as espécies subterrâneas. Características morfológicas que indicam preferência pelo ambiente hipógeo (ex. anoftalmia e despigmentação corporal) e especialização à vida no ambiente subterrâneo também foram avaliadas. Os padrões de riqueza tanto dos grupos funcionais como macroecológicos (ex. latitude e altitude) foram avaliados e discutidos de forma sucinta. A riqueza regional também foi avaliada sendo agrupada pela ocorrência das espécies em cavernas de diferentes Biomas brasileiros. Uma boa base de dados e um modelo de mapeamento e disponibilização desses dados de forma virtual foram elaborados para auxiliar nos estudos da fauna de aranhas cavernícolas e para definir propostas para preservação da fauna e conservação dos ambientes subterrâneosOne of the main challenges in the study of biodiversity is the mapping of megadiverse faunal groups. Biodiversity mapping assists in assessing patterns of distribution and species richness and their communities, understanding environmental characteristics and, consequently, ecological factors behind the species\' specialization to the environment. This work evaluated the diversity of spiders (Araneae) collected in caves in Brazil, with the objective of determining and classifying the araneofauna of caves. A database consisting of 29261 adult spiders from 3455 caves in Brazil was prepared. There were 179 named species and 428 morphospecies, totaling 607 species, distributed in 59 families. We present the historical data of the biospeleological studies in Brazil with a spider focus between 1972-2015, a new listing of the nominated species and the mapping of the species distribution, being available for consultation in a virtual tool, AppBio. It was evaluated the functional diversity of the determined species based on the known foraging behaviors for the spiders. An analysis of guilds was elaborated and the species were classified ecologically-evolutionary in functional groups, determined by the degrees of relation of the source populations with the cave environment (accidental, trogloxene, troglophile and troglobite), classical categories proposed by Schiner-Racovitza for subterranean species. Morphological characteristics indicating preference for the hypogeum environment (eg. anophthalmia and body depigmentation) and specialization in life in the underground environment were also evaluated. The richness patterns of both the functional and macroecological groups (eg. latitude and altitude) were evaluated and discussed succinctly. The regional richness was also evaluated by separating by the occurrence of the species in caves of different Brazilian Biomes. A good database and a model for mapping and making this data available in a virtual way were developed to assist in the study of cave spider fauna and to define proposals for preserving fauna and conserving underground environments
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Owen, Athena Marie. "Tafoni Caves in Quarernary Carbonate Eolianites: Examples from the Bahamas." MSSTATE, 2007. http://sun.library.msstate.edu/ETD-db/theses/available/etd-05142007-143443/.
Full textAbstract:
Tafoni have been confusingly defined in many ways: variations in size, rock type, and forming mechanisms. This study addresses tafoni in Quaternary eolian carbonates to help better define the term. Large tafoni were differentiated from other coastal caves in the Bahamas, specifically flank margin and sea caves, using morphometric analyses. The differentiation is important as all three cave types form in the same area, but flank margin and sea caves can be used as paleo-sea level indicators, while tafoni cannot. Small tafoni show a growth rate of 0.022 m3/yr; and may amalgmate to form larger tafoni, which grew at 0.65 m3/yr. Petrographic analysis helped identify tafoni-forming mechanisms; results revealed no evaporites present, removing crystal wedging as a mechanism, while indicating wind erosion as the primary mechanism. This analysis found significantly greater cements within the Holocene rocks compared to previous studies, and SEM analysis revealed organic cements preserved by oil-based cutting.
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Lin, Fan 1972. "Visual images of Vimalakīrti in the Mogao caves (581-1036)." Thesis, McGill University, 2005. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=98553.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis examines the visual images of Vimalakirti, an ancient Indian lay Buddhist, painted on the walls of the Buddhist cave complex at Dunhuang, Gansu province, between 581 and 1036. The sixty-nine Vimalakirti, paintings preserved at Dunhuang are a valuable source for the exploration of historical, religious, and artistic dimensions of wall paintings and sutras. These visual images, together with other textual sources such as sutras, commentaries, and inscriptions, suggest a variety of interesting questions: Why was this theme repeatedly represented? Do the images all have the same prototype? Is there a spiritual function contained in the layout of the caves and composition of the wall paintings? Did the meaning of these images change according to historical context? Did the patrons have a political scheme in mind when commissioning these devotional artworks? While it is difficult to provide definitive answers to all these questions, this thesis will attempt to clarify them and offer preliminary answers on the basis of available visual and textual sources.The introduction of this thesis includes an overview of basic concepts related to wall paintings, a short history of the transmission of the Vimalakirti,-nirdesa Sutra, and a review of past scholarship on Vimalakirti, paintings and related subjects. The body of the thesis is divided into three main chapters. The first chapter describes the important visual representations of Vimalakirti, before the Sui dynasty. The second chapter of the thesis will provide an introduction to representations of Vimalakirti, at Dunhuang from the late sixth to the early eleventh centuries. The third chapter examines the social functions and symbolic meanings of the Vimalakirti, paintings at Dunhuang.
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Scott, K. "British bone caves : a taphonomic study of Devensian faunal assemblages." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 1986. https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/273094.
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Jourde, Philippe. "Phlébites ilio-caves de la femme enceinte au troisième trimestre." Bordeaux 2, 1990. http://www.theses.fr/1990BOR25191.
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Ahmad, Diana Lynn. ""Caves of oblivion" : opium dens and exclusion laws, 1850-1882 /." free to MU campus, to others for purchase, 1997. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/mo/fullcit?p9842505.
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Truebe, Sarah, and Sarah Truebe. "Past Climate, Modern Caves, and Future Resource Management in Speleothem Paleoclimatology." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/621105.
Full textAbstract:
My research focuses on reconstructing past climate in southern Arizona using cave deposits called speleothems. However, this necessitates a broader perspective than simply a geochemical time series, and therefore, I also investigate modern cave systems using a combination of modeling and observational datasets. Finally, cave deposits are fundamentally non-renewable resources, and sampling for past climate reconstruction can be destructive, unlike other cave uses. My last investigation is focused on developing possible best practice recommendations for paleoclimate scientists and other cave stakeholders moving forward. We developed two new stalagmite records of past climate variability in southern Arizona over the past 7000 years. Past climate reconstruction from two caves (Cave of the Bells and Fort Huachuca Cave) highlights insolation control of southern Arizona hydroclimate from 7000-2000 years before present. Additionally, comparison between two stalagmites with different seasonal sensitivities uncovers a few eras of multi-decade long droughts in southern Arizona, which align with other regional reconstructions of past climates and elucidate forcings on Southwest paleoclimate as emergent from both external (insolation) and internal climate variability in the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean basins. Although the oxygen isotopic signal of cave calcite in speleothems is complex, agreement with these other records indicates that the speleothem records from these caves primarily record a climate signal.Modeling and monitoring of modern caves both helps us interpret paleoclimate records and enhances our understanding of cave systems in their own right. Modeling of Cave of the Bells dripwaters demonstrates the effect of storage and mixing on the dripwater oxygen isotope signal; non-climate processes can imprint on dripwater variability on multidecadal timescales. Monitoring shows that on very small spatial scales, every cave is different, and even sites within the same cave respond uniquely to surface climate. Most notably, calcite oxygen isotopic composition, used to reconstruct past climate, shows seasonal variability unrelated to dripwater and surface rainfall oxygen isotope variability. Substantial oxygen isotope disequilibrium is identified at numerous caves sites in southern Arizona, and this understanding aligns with a growing number of cave studies that demonstrate the long-held assumption of isotopic equilibrium in cave systems may not always be valid or that the way in which we define isotopic equilibrium insufficiently captures the variety of processes controlling the oxygen isotopic composition of speleothems. Overall, however, monitoring can identify stalagmites that are more sensitive to surface climate and less sensitive to these in-cave processes by identifying sites with dripwater variability responses to surface rainfall variability and sites that precipitate close to oxygen isotopic equilibrium. Finally, a major missing component in speleothem research is the fact that speleothems take thousands and sometimes hundreds of thousands of years to form. They are non-renewable resources on human timescales, and habitat for myriad microbes that have yet to be identified. Removal of speleothems for paleoclimate research is one of the only destructive uses of these deposits. With that in mind, I also analyze current methods of collecting speleothems and develop a framework based on two surveys of scientists and stakeholders to assist scientists and managers when evaluating potential methods of incorporating cave conservation into the speleothem sampling process. Thus, I approach caves from a variety of angles and timescales, from the past through the present to the future, illuminating caves as complex scientific and social systems.
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Minjares, Amador Jr. "Human skeletal remains of the ancient Maya in the caves of Dos Pilas, Guatemala." Thesis, Texas A&M University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/243.
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This study focuses on the assessment of the depositional activity that occurred in six caves of the Petexbatun region of the Peten, Guatemala through a quantitative analysis of the human skeletal material recovered from them. Five of these caves are associated with the site of Dos Pilas; the sixth cave (Cueva de Los Quetzales) is located beneath the site of Las Pacayas. The cave is an important aspect of the Maya worldview, as evidenced in the artifactual and skeletal material found in caves by archaeological exploration. My study is specifically focused on the assessment of the primary and/or secondary burial of Maya dead within these caves via analyses of the relative skeletal element frequencies, the minimum and probable number of individuals, and the identification of human cut marks. Based on these lines of evidence and data from preliminary reports, between 100 and 150 individuals of both sexes and various age groups were primarily deposited/buried in these caves. Secondary activity may be inferred based on evidence of human-made cut marks on several elements. There is no osteological evidence to support the hypothesis of human sacrifice. I was unable to determine the status of the individuals deposited in the caves. The best interpretation is that several types of depositional activity occurred within these caves over time.
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Wu, Ming-Kuo. "The Jataka tales of the Mogao Caves, China in anthropological perspective." Online access for everyone, 2008. http://www.dissertations.wsu.edu/Dissertations/Spring2008/m_wu_041808.pdf.
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Walker, Cameron Marc. "The bioarchaeology of newly discovered burial caves in the Sierra Tarahumara /." view abstract or download file of text, 2006. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1126776741&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=11238&RQT=309&VName=PQD.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2006.Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 277-291). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.
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Toepke, Kevin. "GIS Analysis of the Caves and Karst of the Mariana Islands." MSSTATE, 2006. http://sun.library.msstate.edu/ETD-db/theses/available/etd-02242006-141222/.
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The Mariana Islands are a volcanic island chain in the western Pacific Ocean composed of Eocene volcanic cores with a carbonate mantle. Others have classified the cave and karst features into the cave types described in the CIKM, but no comprehensive GIS has been developed. For this project, a comprehensive GIS of the cave and karst features was developed. The cave and karst features were divided by cave type, physiographic province, and island. The karst features in the GIS were hyperlinked to a series of HTML pages, one for each island, and a set of HTML navigation pages mirroring the GIS layers were also created. LANDSAT images and Digital Raster Graphics were draped over the Digital Elevation Models for visualization. Attempts were made to remotely sense the vegetation and exposed soils and rocks from the LANDSAT images with the goal of producing a theoretical subsurface limestone/volcanic contact. Although the overall remote sensing aspect was unsuccessful, the GIS inventory was a success.