Ministry of Culture

ABSTRACT This paper presents the results of the first archaeological investigation at Andhūr (DMa0610), an inland site in the Wādī Andhūr oasis, Dhofar, southern Oman. Excavations revealed a multi‐phase occupation dated to the second part of the first century BCE , centred on a two‐storey building constructed with the ‘sandwich’ masonry technique known from Sumhuram. Architectural and environmental evidence suggest that Andhūr served as a small Hadrami outpost strategically placed near permanent water sources and frankincense‐producing areas on the Nejd plateau. The recovery of edible marine shells points to regular contacts between the coast and the interior. Four inscriptions link Andhūr to wider South Arabian networks and reflect forms of exchange, of people and goods, extending beyond maritime trade. The site offers new insight into Hadrami inland strategies and their engagement with Dhofari populations, helping to define more clearly the complex system of cultural interactions that characterised Dhofar during the Late Iron Age.

ABSTRACT Rain‐induced erosion processes can severely damage Earthen archaeological sites. Huaca Chornancap (HCH; eighth–14th century ad ) is a platform located in the Lambayeque region (Peru) exposed to seasonal rain due to El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). We present data from a UAV‐based photogrammetric survey and produce a Digital Surface Model from which we compute selected morphometric parameters. Rills and gullyes affect the HCH steep flanks, whereas pits concentrates on the flat top. Slides induced by rain also affect the western flank. Results from a model evidence the HCH sectors where diffusive erosion processes are predicted to act over the next century. We determine a vertical erosion rates of 0.33 m/century by ENSO‐related rain, 0.13 m/century by splash erosion and < 0.25 m/century by diffusion processes. Our findings emphasize the deteroriation of the HCH structural integrity. The methodological approach we propose may be applied to other earthen archaeological sites worldwide.

Abstract Holocene relative sea level (RSL) changes were reconstructed from four sites along the less‐studied southern Solway Firth. A multiproxy approach, including lithostratigraphical and biostratigraphical analyses, combined with radiocarbon dating, produced ten sea level index points (SLIPs). These SLIPs constrained Holocene RSL changes in the region between ~8300 cal BP and ~6018 cal BP and captured the Main Postglacial Transgression. These ten new points are combined with the ten pre‐existing SLIPS from the southern Solway Firth to greatly refine the trend of Holocene RSL changes across this region. The Main Postglacial Transgression was shown to occur between ~8320 and 7500 cal BP, reaching a highstand of 3.26 ± 0.56 mOD. The new data were combined with 73 existing SLIPS from two sites around the northern Solway Firth and compared to RSL predictions from glacial isostatic modelling. Comparison between the corrected SLIPs and RSL predictions using British and Irish ice sheet reconstructions showed that the timing of the Main Postglacial Transgression is best captured with a hybrid model for the presence of thick and thin ice sheets. Pollen analysis at Cowgate Farm and Herd Hill provided a record of vegetation and coastal changes, acting as a chronostratigraphic marker when compared to published pollen records of the region. The records show a general transition from saltmarsh to reed swamp, then peat bog as RSL declined through the mid to late Holocene, with some indications of human clearance in the Bronze Age.

The research introduces a new efficient variable thickness sandwich structure for the dynamic stability analysis of composite plates, specifically for prefabricated construction applications. The main feature of the sandwich plate is two face layers made of graphene platelet reinforced composite (GPLRC) nanocomposite material, with a polymer core layer sandwiched in between. A modified Halpin–Tsai approach is used to obtain the material parameters of the composite layers for the analysis. The dynamic behavior is simulated by the higher-order shear deformation theory, where both shear strain and normal deformation effects are considered, using appropriate shape functions for precise representation. The dynamic stability of the system is obtained through Hamilton’s principle, which brings forth the governing equations of motion. For the numerical solution of the problem, a two-dimensional differential quadrature (DQ) technique together with the Gauss–Chebyshev–Lobatto function is used. Furthermore, the research combines a layer-wise approach to study the behavior of each layer individually and utilizes the Laplace transform method to streamline the boundary conditions and thereby increase the overall solution method. The findings indicate core thickness variation to be the major factor determining the dynamic stability of composite plates and thus a valuable input for the design of high-performance sandwich structures in prefabricated construction. The model presented is of a very accurate nature and has high computational efficiency, making it a very good candidate for real-world applications in advanced engineering areas. This research paper establishes a foundation for advanced engineering fields to take advantage of new techniques for improving the dynamic performance of composite sandwich tapered plates in prefabricated construction, thereby speeding up the process of making more durable and sustainable building materials.

The concept of on-demand fashion has been around for some time. Still, its implementation remains challenging due to fast-paced consumer habits that prioritise quick acquisition over thoughtful decision-making. Intelligent wardrobe management and second-hand fashion exchange have emerged to maximise the use of existing clothing and promote more conscious and sustainable consumption behaviours. This study first provides an in-depth analysis of relevant research and the current state of the industry, summarising the technological pain points in existing wardrobe management systems and second-hand trading platforms, as well as the negative user experiences that impact user engagement. It then addresses typical issues faced by consumers in managing their wardrobes and collects 512 valid feedback responses. Finally, based on consumer feedback and a review of the current situation, this study proposes the construction of an on-demand fashion community that integrates both wardrobe management and second-hand trading. The platform consists of four main modules: My Wardrobe, Outfit, Community, and Profile, with a particular focus on the interactive scenarios of the innovative Outfit and Community modules. The platform proposed in this study is expected to promote more sustainable and conscious fashion consumption.

Abstract This study proposes an integrated theoretical framework to explain the mutually constitutive relationship between terrorism and foreign direct investment (FDI) in conflict-affected political economies. Drawing on rational choice theory, signaling mechanisms, business-environment arguments, and strategic targeting approaches, the article demonstrates how economic flows and political violence interact through expectations, perceptions of risk, and state–market signaling. By embedding a mathematical representation of these dynamics, the study advances conceptual clarity and provides an analytical tool for examining asymmetric effects and nonlinear responses. While comparative evidence from Egypt and Israel supports the plausibility of the framework, the primary contribution lies in theorizing how states strategically mobilize economic instruments in response to sub-state violence, and how non-state actors adapt to perceived shifts in state capacity and international engagement. The findings highlight the need to reconceptualize terrorism–FDI interactions not merely as linear causal sequences, but as evolving behavioral strategies situated within broader political–economy contexts.

Since ancient times, non-essential metal contamination has been a concern, with evidence linking it to health issues and potential anatomical and physiological effects. The Central Andes region, in particular, has experienced significant recurrent exposure to high concentrations of certain toxic elements. This exploratory study, concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead were quantified in a limited set of hair samples obtained from ancient human remains from Caral (Initial Formative 2400-1900 BCE), Vichama (Early Formative 1 1800-1500 BCE), and Aspero (Middle Formative 900-800 BCE) archaeological sites. Arsenic was the most frequent contaminant, sometimes exceeding the threshold considered safe. Lead levels indicated chronic exposure, possibly linked to migration from polluted regions. Several individuals from Vichama showed cadmium exposure, potentially tied to diet or cultural practices. Only one sample exceeded mercury safety thresholds. The findings suggest that some individuals may have experienced health effects related to long-term metal contamination.

This paper investigates the fixed-time synchronization of fractional-order proportional delay Hopfield neural networks (PDHNNs) with bounded parameter uncertainties. Unlike constant delay and bounded variable delay, proportional delay has time-varying and unbounded characteristics, which pose challenges for the synchronization control of primary–secondary fractional neural networks. To achieve fixed-time synchronization, we propose a new nonlinear multi-module feedback controller. It consists of three key functional modules: eliminating the impact of proportional delay on system stability; ensuring convergence within a fixed time frame without being limited by initial conditions; and expanding the selectable range of parameters. Combining the stability lemma and inequality techniques, synchronization criteria of PDHNNs are derived based on the construction of a Lyapunov function with a negative fractional derivative. The settling time can be effectively estimated, which depends on the control parameters and is independent of initial values. Two numerical experiments verify the effectiveness of the theorem and corollary in this study.