A description is given of the violence related pathologies that are observed in a number of wild mammals that were buried in the predynastic cemetery HK6 at Hierakonpolis, Upper Egypt. Unlike other predynastic graveyards, where only domestic cattle, sheep, goat and dogs are interred, the elite cemetery HK6 yielded also a wide variety of wild species that were buried as part of extensive mortuary complexes surrounding the graves of the highest local elite. The animals were interred, singly or in groups, often in graves of their own, but some also accompany human burials. Pathologies were found on the skeletons of 20 of the 38 wild animals discovered thus far, namely in 15 anubis baboons (Papio anubis), one leopard (Panthera pardus), one jungle cat (Felis chaus), one hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus), one aurochs (Bos primigenius) and one hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius). Most of the pathologies are healed fractures resulting from violent blows, and a smaller proportion seems to be related to tethering. These conditions indicate that the animals were held in captivity for a prolonged period of time after their capture. The type and frequency of the encountered deformations differ from those seen in wild animals from other, more recent Egyptian cemeteries (Abydos, Tuna el-Gebel, Gabanet el-Giroud, Saqqara) where mainly metabolic disorders are observed that have been attributed to chronic malnutrition and to vitamin D deficiency as a result of inadequate housing in a dark environment. Keywords: archaeozoology - palaeopathology - bone fracture - hartebeest - aurochs - baboon - leopard - jungle cat.
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The KB186 well (GSB 047W0264, Lommel-Kerkhoven) is situated in the northern part of the Campine Basin (NE Belgium) to the west of the Donderslag fault and has been studied and sampled in detail from a depth of 1182.72 meters to 1197.75 metres. The objective is to examine the sedimentological, petrographical, mineralogical and petrophysical characteristics and their variations within and between two cyclothems. 17 shale samples were taken throughout the entire section, varying from roof shales, over dark organic-rich shales with siderite enrichments, to bluish-grey shales without no visible organic content. Two sedimentary cycles have been recognised. Macroscopically, they show some similarities and differences in facies and sedimentological trends. Both are approximately 6.5 metres thick and contain sections of mainly shale deposits (with or without siderite enrichments). Fining-upwards sequences of fine sand and clayey silt and larger sandstone bodies occur between these shale-rich sections. A petrographical assessment by means of optical light and electron microscopy is conducted for a qualitative analysis of the mineralogical composition and diagenetic history, while a quantitative determination is made by means of x-ray diffractometry. Important mineralogical reservoir parameters are the relative amounts of silica and quartz, and the clay mineralogy with special attention to smectite and illite.
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