Linearbandkeramik Culture - The First Farmers of Europe

Linearbandkeramik Culture - The First Farmers of Europe The Linearbandkeramik Culture (also called Bandkeramik or Linear Pottery Ceramic Culture or simply abbreviated LBK) is what German archaeologist F. Klopfleisch called the first true farming communities in central Europe, dated between about 5400 and 4900 BC. Thus, LBK is considered the first Neolithic culture in the European continent. The word Linearbandkeramik refers to the distinctive banded decoration found on pottery vessels on sites spread throughout central Europe, from south-western Ukraine and Moldova in the east to the Paris Basin in the west. In general, LBK pottery consists of fairly simple bowl forms, made of local clay tempered with organic material, and decorated with curved and rectilinear lines incised in bands. The LBK people are considered the importers of agricultural products and methods, moving the first domesticated animals and plants from the Near East and Central Asia into Europe. Lifestyles of the LBK The very earliest LBK sites have loads of pottery sherds with limited evidence of agriculture or stock-breeding. Later LBK sites are characterized by longhouses with rectangular plans, incised pottery, and a blade technology for chipped stone tools. The tools include raw material of high-quality flints including a distinctive chocolate flint from southern Poland, Rijkholt flint from the Netherlands and traded obsidian. Domesticated crops used by the LBK culture include emmer and einkorn wheat, crab apple, peas, lentils, flax, linseed, poppies,  and barley. Domestic animals include cattle, sheep and goats, and occasionally a pig or two. The LBK lived in small villages along streams or waterways characterized by large longhouses, buildings used for keeping livestock, sheltering people and providing workspace. The rectangular longhouses were between 7 and 45 meters long and between 5 and 7 meters wide. They were built of massive timber posts chinked with wattle and daub mortar. LBK cemeteries are found a short distance away from the villages, and, in general, are marked by single flexed burials accompanied by grave goods. However, mass burials are known at some sites, and some cemeteries are located within communities. Chronology of the LBK The earliest LBK sites are found in the Starcevo-Koros culture of the Hungarian plain, around 5700 BC. From there, the early LBK spreads separately east, north and west. The LBK reached the Rhine and Neckar valleys of Germany about 5500 BC. The people spread into Alsace and the Rhineland by 5300 BC. By the mid-5th millennium BC, La Hoguette Mesolithic hunter-gatherers and LBK immigrants shared the region and, eventually, only LBK was left. Linearbandkeramik and Violence There seems to be considerable evidence that relationships between the Mesolithic hunter-gatherers in Europe and the LBK migrants were not entirely peaceful. Evidence for violence exists at many LBK village sites. Massacres of whole villages and portions of villages appear to be in evidence at sites such as Talheim, Schletz-Asparn, Herxheim, and Vaihingen. Mutilated remains suggesting cannibalism have been noted at Eilsleben and Ober-Hogern. The westernmost area appears to have the most evidence for violence, with about one-third of the burials showing evidence of traumatic injuries. Further, there is a fairly high number of LBK villages that evidence some kind of fortification efforts: an enclosing wall, a variety of ditch forms, complex gates. Whether this resulted from direct competition between local hunter-gatherers and competing LBK groups is under investigation; this kind of evidence can only be partly helpful. However, the presence of violence on Neolithic sites in Europe is under some amount of debate. Some scholars have dismissed the notions of violence, arguing that the burials and the traumatic injuries are evidence of ritual behaviors​, not inter-group warfare. Some stable isotope studies have noted that some mass burials are of non-local people; some evidence of slavery has also been noted. Diffusion of Ideas or People? One of the central debates among scholars about the LBK is whether the people were migrant farmers from the Near East or local hunter-gatherers who adopted the new techniques. Agriculture, animal and plant domestication both, originated in the Near East and Anatolia. The earliest farmers were the Natufians and Pre-Pottery Neolithic groups. Were the LBK people direct descendants of the Natufians or were they others who were taught about the agriculture? Genetic studies suggest that the LBK were genetically separate from the Mesolithic people, arguing for a migration of the LBK people into Europe, at least originally. LBK Sites The earliest LBK sites are located in the modern Balkan states about 5700 BC. Over the next few centuries, the sites are found in Austria, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, and eastern France. France: Berry-au-Bac, Merzbachtal, Cuiry-les-ChaudardesBelgium: Blicquy, VerlaineGermany: Meindling, Schwanfeld, Vaihingen, Talheim, Flomborn, Aiterhofen, Dillingen, HerxheimUkraine: Buh-DniestrianRussia: Rakushechnyi YarNetherlands: Swifterbant, Brandwijk-Kerkhof

Project Modelling and Decision Methods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Project Modelling and Decision Methods - Essay Example The approach is primarily to evaluate property realistically of a specific location. In this exercise, we capture the trends in the past, make relevant assumptions of the future, address some challenges that can be foreseen and arrive at a conclusion. The simulation and the spread sheet model rationalize the decision and support the analysis to strengthen the reasoning behind potential investments and an assessment of the associated risks, if any. This paper applies structural methodology to estimating and forecasting the Central London office market. We assemble a time series covering for over a decade and estimate equations for net space absorption, movements in rents, and new building orders and other facilities along with new flourishing businesses. We also estimate a typical supply and demand relationship that yields a dynamically stable system. A spreadsheet model is an effective instrument for quantitative estimates based on a specific framework. The excel sheet embedded in this article is an illustrative version for capturing similar data for any property identified with required criteria in the prime location of Central London. While it a conscious decision not to engage in advanced computerization as it is not a pre-requisite, but ideally one of the outcomes of good asset management. The spreadsheet model suggested here is a methodological tool for understanding and improving the assessor's ability to consider all factors in Real Estate Project Modeling and deriving decisions accordingly which will also facilitate the process of financial planning and expectations. The logic of the framework and the attached spreadsheet model is fairly simple and follows the approach tested and used by Project owners. At the very outset, we should make quantified entry assumptions about parameters that define the total cost of office p roperty in Central Location. The model calculates the estimated cost and the anticipated returns. The key assumptions cover the following: Various costs per unit (such as land acquisition price per square feet, construction cost per square feet, costs of various furniture pieces, etc.) Space needed for Office Equipment and furniture required Costs of each component (Furniture, Total capital cost (land, building, equipment/furniture) For all the apparent simplicity of this framework, it still establishes a clear hierarchy of parameters: thus, the area of the location (i) Prevailing rate per square feet area and (ii) space utilization 3. Assess Investment The whole exercise is primarily to assess investment and every smart investment provides long-term capital appreciation and immediate, consistent rental yields however while modeling the project we need to have all the facts at our disposal. The prevailing rates of property based on the location chosen Establishment costs will always be significant, with stamp duty, legal and surveying fees and related costs

Executive Summary Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Executive Summary - Assignment Example This initiative seeks to establish a customer support service within the outpatient section of the hospital to ensure that some services which were previously not being provided to the clients are made available to them (Wolper, 2011). Therefore, it is evident that many hospitals across the state lack personalised one on one interaction services to their clients whereby critical issues that affect them on the daily basis are discussed and relevant advice be given to them to ensure they stand a better position tackling those problems effectively (Cleverley, Cleverley & Song, 2011). This customer support service will be basically based on offering valuable information and advice to the clients of the hospital on crucial issues that include; the importance and use of contraceptives, cancer awareness, HIV/AIDS counselling and other home care information that the clients may seek to be enlightened on (Weese & Tucholka, 2007). The program will be a sensitization initiative that will be providing support services to clients on issues affecting them daily in their health life. According to a research that was conducted recently by the university of Liverpool it indicated many people who end up suffering from chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and other immune depressing ailments do so as a result of lack of adequate information on way od leading health lifestyles that will free them from the risk of contracting those disease (Guah, 2011). Basically the customer support service will be offering information to the clients on how to lead healthy lifestyles this will involve information on the types of food and physical activities that people need to take, consultation on the use of contraceptives and also advice on how to manage diseases such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes etc. (Cleverley, Cleverley & Song, 2011). The customer support service that we intend to roll out

Advantages and Disadvantages of Pre-Coding Assignment

Advantages and Disadvantages of Pre-Coding - Assignment Example I cannot oppose the fact highlighted by Rousseau that indeed pre-coding is part and parcel of each research. The point is further made clear that pre-coding is a foundation of early planning and maintaining focus on essential parts of the research. I can add that pre-coding enables elimination of unwanted or unnecessary information that can, in turn, be misleading to the researcher and the readers. On the other hand, Rousseau failed to mention the disadvantages of pre-coding, but I think it is because he noted more of its benefits than the drawbacks it will bring in the topic of discussion. I find Donna’s arguments over the advantages of pre-coding to be very rational. To her, pre-coding is not just an activity, but a skill to be mastered by every researcher if he or she wants to summarize the data and at the same time retain all the vital data. Just like she refers to Patton’s (2002) suggestion on the process of organizing data, so do I strongly support that four steps are a must. Even though she argues that its disadvantage is that it works well only in a large amount of data, this may be a challenge and an opportunity for the researcher to be keener when handling errors.

Operation strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Operation strategy - Essay Example Customer requirements: This step involves identifying the market segments that is relevant for collection of information regarding the requirements of the customer. This step is important in QFD since it ensures that a firm does not waste resources in obtaining unnecessary information from the non-potential customers. This is also the first step which enables the firm to gain more knowledge about the existing market segments. Regulatory requirements: This benefits the firm during the creation of HOF as it provides the customer with the appropriate information about the requirement of the product. This makes the customer aware of the product and hence can participate in the process. Customer importance: This step allows the customer to rate the significance of the requirements on a scale of 1-5 which the given firm uses in creating the relationship matrix. From the customer importance the company obtains information about the relationship between the needs of the customer its ability to meet the needs. Customer rating of the competition: This is the fourth step and it benefits the given firm with tremendous competitive advantage considering that it obtains information about the strength of the competitors in the market. Through this step, an organization can remodel their strategies to outcompeting its rivals. Core competencies refer to the abilities that guide a firm in meeting the fundamental interest of the customers. The core competencies involve researching about the reason behind a customer choosing one product over another. Core competencies and operation management share a lot. In operation management, there is need for an organization to carry out a production process that is efficient and will maximize the profit realized. Normally, the organization strives for the highest efficiency as far as possible. This shows that the ability of a firm to achieve operation management relies on whether a firm has the core competencies. The organization, in

Book Explores Ways Faith Is Kept, or Lost, Over Generations Essay

Book Explores Ways Faith Is Kept, or Lost, Over Generations - Essay Example The advice provided to parents is to give religious freedom to their children once they offer their teachings and explain the importance of religion through actions and not hypocrisy. This freedom will make the youth still maintain going to church and holding on to their faith even if they change churches from what their parents go to. Children are in a better position to follow their parents’ teachings on religion more than youth and also teachings about religion coming from the paternal side are more cemented and followed compared to that from maternal side although this view sometimes changes depending on religion. I agree with the author on the issue of children following their parents’ religion and faith more than the youth. This is majorly influence by the growth and development liberation coming with adolescence and wanting to explore for themselves the truth behind religion and hence the need to move to other churches. After the process of rediscovery and â€Å"growing up,† those with staunch religious background and good example eventually return to religion and faith. Oppenheimer, M. (January 31st, 2014). â€Å"Book Explores Ways Faith Is Kept, or Lost, Over Generations.† The New York Times. Retrieved from:

Running Economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Running Economy - Essay Example Unfortunately the authors did not report the extent of the improvements in running performance. Yet it is well known that even a small increase in running economy dramatically improves running performance. Secondly in a study by Paavolainen et al, (1999) found that 9 weeks of explosive resistance training (plyometrics) improved running economy by 8.1% and this resulted in a 3.1% improvement in 5km running time without an increase in VO2max. The authors claim improved neuromuscular characteristics lead to this improvement. Running economy can be improved with resistance training and all endurance athletes studied performed resistance training without causing a reduction in VO2max or other endurance measures, thereby dispelling the myth that resistance training will hinder aerobic performance. However more studies are needed in this area to support these observations in already highly trained runners. All future studies should also always include a measure of performance e.g. Improved race time or time trial performance. It is well documented that the main physiological prerequisites for success in endurance events are VO2max, lactate threshold and running economy (in running events). In elite athletes, the VO2max has been found to be the dominant factor of success in endurance events. Traditionally, the training in endurance events such as long distance running and cross-country skiing has been targeted to improve the function of the cardio respiratory system to increase the VO2max, aerobic and anaerobic thresholds. There has been little attention to the anaerobic performance ability in endurance events. It is well documented that explosive strength and speed training cause specific adaptation to the neuromuscular system improving explosive force production ability such as rate of force development, increased rate of activation of motor units, improved anaerobic energy production and neural adaptation. When endurance athletes (runners, cross-country skiers) have engaged in explosive strength and sp eed training, it has been found that the endurance performance was improved significantly. Also, it has been noted that endurance athletes performing well in explosive strength tests outperformed their fellow athletes in endurance tests. Paavolainen et al. (1991) reported that national level cross-country skiers who engaged in explosive type strength training in addition to their normal training, were able improve their force-times i.e. improve their ability to produce a given amount of force in shorter time. This was also described by a significant improvement of jump heights in both static and counter movement jumps, whereas their counterparts in control group did not. The authors concluded that the explosive type strength training is beneficial to the cross-country skiers, which improves their force production ability without reduction in aerobic capacity. In another study, Paavolainen et al. (1999) studied the effects of explosive-strength training on 5-km running performance. In this study, the endurance athletes were able to improve their 20-m sprint time, 5-jumps and maximal isometric force in leg extensors as a result of explosive-strength type training. What was interesting, these athletes were also able to improve t