Hans Paijmans & Alex Brandsen. 2010. Searching in Archaeological Texts. Problems and Solutions Using an Artificial Intelligence Approach. – PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 7(2) (2010)
Abstract Searching in documents using full text indices is a powerful tool for retrieving relevant portions of text. However, performance is impeded by ambiguity in texts: similar words may have totally different meanings according to context. This also is true if the words are numbers, periods and place names, especially in archaeological and historical contexts. A new way of indexing texts allows for better and easier searching. This system has been developed in a collaboration between the RCE (The Dutch National Service for Cultural Heritage) and the University of Tilburg. With Open Boek, it is possible to search on chronological and geographical expressions, as well as regular keywords. In the newest version of Open Boek a number of additions to the system have been made to further improve the functionality.
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BOOK REVIEW: PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 7(3) (2010)
Posted by PalArch Editor (AV) in Book Reviews, PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on March 6th, 2010
Nicholas Warner about Schijns, W. With contributions from O. Kaper & J. Kila. 2008. Vernacular Mud Brick Architecture in the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt and the Design of the Dakhleh Oasis Training and Archaeological Conservation Centre. – Oxford, Oxbow Books (Dakhleh Oasis Project Monograph 10)
Much has changed in the environment of the Dakhleh Oasis since the research published in this monograph was carried out in 1997, but this does not diminish its value. Rather it emphasizes the need for further thorough documentation of traditional habitats in Egypt before they dissappear entirely, swept away by a tide of structures of concrete, steel, fired brick and cheap limestone blocks. The impetus for this study was provided by….
Gregory Bearman & William A. Christens-Barry. 2009. Spectral Imaging of Ostraca. – PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 6(7) (2009)
Posted by PalArch Editor (AV) in PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on February 10th, 2010
Abstract By analogy with ancient texts, infrared imaging of ostraca has long been employed to help improve readings. We report on extensive spectral imaging of ostraca over the visible and near infrared. Spectral imaging acquires the complete spectrum for each pixel in an image; the data can be used with an extensive set of software tools that were developed originally for satellite and scientific imaging. In this case, the spectral data helps explain why infrared imaging works to improve text legibility (and why not in some cases). A better understanding of the underlying imaging mechanism points the way for inexpensive methods for taking data either in the fi eld or at museums.
Author’s request: with revised email address and acknowledgement.
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BOOK REVIEW: PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 7(1) (2010)
Posted by PalArch Editor (AV) in Book Reviews, PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on February 5th, 2010
Augusto Gayubas about Wodzińska, A. 2009. A Manual of Egyptian Pottery. Volume 1: Fayum A-Lower Egyptian Culture. – Boston, Ancient Egypt Research Associates.
Dr. Anna Wodzińska, who works at the Institute of Archaeology of the University of Warsaw (Poland), is the head of the Ceramics Team of AERA (Ancient Egypt Research Associates) Field School. The main aim of the AERA Field School is to teach and train archaeological techniques for both, students and experienced archaeologists alike. Wodzińska developed for AERA four pottery manuals…
BOOK REVIEW: PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 6(10) (2009)
Posted by PalArch Editor (AV) in Book Reviews, PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on January 1st, 2010
J. Moje about Ockinga, B.G. 2005. A Concise Grammar of Middle Egyptian. An Outline of Middle Egyptian Grammar by Hellmut Brunner Revised and Expanded. 2nd Edition. – Mainz, Philipp von Zabern
Bei der vorliegenden Grammatik handelt es sich um eine Weiterentwicklung des ‚„Abrisses der Mittelägyptischen Grammatik“ von Hellmut Brunner, die 1960 erstmals publiziert wurde. Die vorliegende Arbeit von Ockinga ist dabei die zweite Auflage in englischer Sprache, die sich inhaltlich nicht von der deutschen Fassung unterscheidet.
Nach den Vorworten zu jeder Auflage (pp. XI-XII) findet sich eine kurze Introduction (pp. XIII-XVI) zum Aufbau des Buches und seinen Intentionen. Dazu setzt Ockinga…
André J. Veldmeijer. 2009. Studies of Ancient Egyptian Footwear. Technological Aspects. Part x. Leather Composite Sandals. – PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 6(9) (2009)
Posted by PalArch Editor (AV) in PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on January 1st, 2010
Abstract The tenth part in the series on the manufacturing technology of ancient Egyptian footwear (phase I of the Ancient Egyptian Footwear Project) presents 15 so-called ‘leather composite sandals’. These well made sandals, usually in bright colours and decorated, are known from New Kingdom contexts; they were not a common commodity. Although the focus is on the technological aspects, several other topics will be dealt with nonetheless, albeit in passing, among which the preliminary typology.
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Eveline Zahradnik. 2009. Zur Darstellung eines Königs mit krankhaftem Beinbefund auf dem Relief ‘Spaziergang im Garten’. – PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 6(8) (2009)
Posted by PalArch Editor (IN) in PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on December 23rd, 2009
Abstract The relief Berlin 15000 from the Amarna Period, known as ‘The Stroll in the Garden’ most likely shows Tutankhamun with an injury of the left leg. According to a specialist in accident surgery who also practices sports medicine, the relief shows a man leaning on an auxiliary crutch whose left leg seems to be injured, as he is holding the crutch on his right side. This assumption is further strengthened by the fact that in 2005, a new CT scan of the mummy of Tutankhamun diagnosed a fracture of the left leg. Tutankhamun was also the sole king to be represented with sticks in his hands, and a high number of sticks were among his grave goods. I elaborate on the unusual representation of a young king holding a staff and the potential medical consequences and complications of a broken leg.
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Gregory Bearman & William A. Christens-Barry. 2009. Spectral Imaging of Ostraca. – PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 6(7) (2009)
Posted by PalArch Editor (IN) in PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on December 1st, 2009
Abstract By analogy with ancient texts, infrared imaging of ostraca has long been employed to help improve readings. We report on extensive spectral imaging of ostraca over the visible and near infrared. Spectral imaging acquires the complete spectrum for each pixel in an image; the data can be used with an extensive set of software tools that were developed originally for satellite and scientific imaging. In this case, the spectral data helps explain why infrared imaging works to improve text legibility (and why not in some cases). A better understanding of the underlying imaging mechanism points the way for inexpensive methods for taking data either in the fi eld or at museums.
Download PDF file
