National Museum

The Cândești necropolis is currently the largest excavated Bronze Age necropolis in Romania, with approximately 800 graves. Notably, one grave from an earlier phase of the Monteoru culture (c. 2200–1850 BC) contained a remarkable necklace composed of 22 perforated gastropod shells and a metal pendant. Our investigation adopted an integrated approach, including taxonomic identification, taphonomic, technological and functional analyses, experimental studies, and physico-chemical investigations (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy) of the pigment traces present on the shells’s surface. For the metal pendant, X-Ray Fluorescence analysis was conducted to ascertain its elemental composition. The combined analysis yielded unexpected insights: the shells, belonging to the genus Conus, originated from the Mediterranean region. The perforations were not the result of anthropic intervention; rather, they were the result of natural processes, indicating that the shells were collected from thanatocoenoses. The shells were assembled into the necklace using a thread colored with a red pigment. The perforations show signs of prolonged use, suggesting that the necklace was not only a funerary offering. In conclusion, our study indicated that these exotic shells were collected post-mortem already perforated through a rubbing process in the seashore sediments, transported to the site from a distance, and prior to the death of the owner, had been previously worn as personal adornment before being deposited as grave goods.

Abstract The biodiversity of moth flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Poland is presented. A total of 100 species have been recorded, 78 of which have been observed recently, 21 recorded historically and not confirmed by recent sampling, and one species recorded through citizen science. A total of 33 species are new to Poland and 38 species are considered important for nature conservation. Detailed information is missing for Paramormia ( Paramormia ) fratercula (Eaton, 1893), Seoda morula (Eaton, 1893), Seoda similis (Tonnoir, 1922), Berdeniella unispinosa (Tonnoir, 1919), Pericoma ( Pericoma ) diversa Tonnoir, 1919, Saraiella carpatica Vaillant, 1981, and Pneumia vittata (Tonnoir, 1919). Some records probably originate from larval identification. The status of Pneumia rivularis (Berdén, 1954) is briefly discussed. The record of Ulomyia ophicornis Vaillant, 1983 needs verification.

Abstract The new minerals auropolybasite, ideally Ag15AuSb2S11, and auropearceite, ideally Ag15AuAs2S11, were found at the Šibeničný vrch near Nová Baňa in Slovakia. They were found as anhedral grains up to 0.2 mm in size, usually rimmed by acanthite. Both new minerals are associated with acanthite, argentopolybasite, argentopearceite, pyrargyrite, proustite, stephanite, selenostephanite, rozhdestvenskayaite-(Zn), zvěstovite-(Zn), zvěstovite-(Fe), naumannite, Au-Ag alloys, uytenbogaardtite, iodargyrite, and bromargyrite. They are dark grey to black, opaque, with a black streak and metallic luster. The Mohs hardness is ∼3. They are brittle with no observable cleavage and with a conchoidal fracture. The calculated densities are 6.622 g/cm3 for auropolybasite and 6.606 g/cm3 for auropearceite. In reflected light, auropolybasite and auropearceite are gray with a bluish tint, no observable bireflectance, and very weak pleochroism. They show moderate anisotropy in crossed polars with weak greenish and green-blue tints. The reflectance values for wavelengths recommended by the Commission on Ore Mineralogy of the IMA are (Rmin/Rmax, %): 33.5/31.6 (470 nm), 32.9/31.1 (546 nm), 32.1/30.6 (589 nm), and 30.2/29.3 (650 nm) for auropolybasite and 30.6/29.8 (470 nm), 30.3/29.2 (546 nm), 29.7/28.7 (589 nm), and 28.1/27.4 (650 nm) for auropearceite. The empirical formula (based on 29 apfu) for auropolybasite is Ag15.27Au0.84(Sb1.51As0.46)Σ1.97(S10.55Se0.30Cl0.06)Σ10.91 and that for auropearceite is Ag15.84Au0.88(As1.33Sb0.44)Σ1.76(S10.46Se0.05Te0.01)Σ10.52. The ideal end-member formulas are Ag15AuSb2S11 for auropolybasite and Ag15AuAs2S11 for auropearceite. Their symmetry is trigonal, space group P321. Latice parameters for auropolybasite are: a = 15.1091(5) Å, c = 12.1518(5) Å, V = 2402.42(15) Å3, Z = 4, and those for auropearceite are: a = 14.995(3) Å, c = 12.115(2) Å, V = 2359.3(8) Å3, Z = 4. Crystal-structure analysis of auropolybasite confirmed that its atomic arrangement is isotypic to that of the other members of the polybasite group and it is isostructural with auropearceite. These minerals formed in the waning stages of epithermal systems, where reduced, S-rich, low-salinity fluids transported Au, Ag, Sb, and As as thiocomplexes. These fluids were unable to transport Cu, Pb, and Zn, thus explaining the chemical composition of these minerals and the entire mineral assemblage.

Abstract Microplastic (MP) pollution has become a significant environmental concern, particularly in freshwater systems. However, little is known about the occurrence and characteristics of MPs in groundwater-fed freshwater sources such as natural springs. In this study, the presence, abundance and characteristics of MPs were investigated in freshwater natural springs across South Africa, representing different land-use types (i.e. rural and peri-urbanl) and spring type (i.e. modified and unmodified). On average, 6 particles per L (± 1.2 SD) of MPs were recorded, ranging between 2 (limit of quantification; LOQ) to 38 particles per L. Land-use and spring type did not show any significant influence on MPs abundance ( p > 0.05). Overall, MPs exhibited diverse characteristics. Fibres (67.8%) were the predominant shape, while blue (28.8%) was the most common colour. The dominant size class was 100–250 µm across all springs, while the dominant polymer was polyethylene (PE; 46.8%). Our findings suggests that groundwater-fed water sources like natural springs, regardless of their limited exposure to above ground environment, are equally at risk of MPs contamination, similar to surface freshwater systems. This research provides empirical evidence on MPs contamination and monitoring of remote ecosystems, highlighting the ecological and social risk of MPs pollution in important freshwater resources. The study contributes valuable data for understanding MP dynamics including their densities and sources from groundwater-fed freshwater resources, offering insights into broader environmental pollution to African systems.

Three new species of moth flies—Alepia bipartita sp. nov., Alepia dentata sp. nov. and Arisemus cardenali sp. nov.—are described and illustrated, based on males. The type specimens were collected in Nicaragua (Cerro Musún, Matagalpa department, Rio Blanco). These new species are characterized by unique morphology of the wing and aedeagal complex.

The acceleration of biodiversity loss highlights the need for practical, affordable species monitoring tools. A key requirement of monitoring is the accurate identification of species, a particular challenge with cryptic species. This study introduces a non-invasive footprint identification technology to classify two cryptic sengi species ( Elephantulus myurus and Elephantulus intufi ) - key bioindicators in the rapidly changing Southern African biomes. Front footprints were collected, using a custom Small Mammal Reference Track box, from live-captured individuals that were identified by experts in small mammal taxonomy and verified through genetic analyses. Morphometric features of the footprints (lengths, angles and areas) were extracted using JMP software. Linear Discriminant Analysis, based on nine key variables, achieved a mean classification accuracy of 94–96% across training, validation, and test datasets, robustly distinguishing the two species using a single footprint image. By integrating our field capture locations with data from the IUCN expert-defined ranges and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, we demonstrate that FIT empowers non-experts to contribute reliable, high-resolution occurrence data. This scalable approach has the potential to transform community-science efforts, improving the accuracy of species distribution maps and ultimately strengthening conservation outcomes. Planned advancements include open-ended track tunnels and expanded machine learning models to monitor more small mammals in at-risk ecosystems. This approach offers a scalable, low-impact alternative to traditional trapping and genetic methods, reduces animal stress, morbidity and mortality, and empowers local communities to enhance data quality and monitoring through integration with traditional ecological knowledge.

This paper discusses three recently discovered fortified sites located in the Subcarpathian area of eastern Romania, investigated through LiDAR scanning and intrusive archaeological research. Chronologically, the fortifications analysed in this study date to the Middle Bronze Age and are attributed to the Costișa culture. The sites are situated in close proximity to one another and may have formed part of a wider defensive system marking the territorial limits of this cultural environment. At the same time, they appear to have held strategic local importance by controlling access routes to areas rich in salt resources. Excavations conducted at one of the sites provided absolute chronological data ranging between 2143–1531 cal BC, correlating well with previously obtained radiocarbon dates for the Costișa culture.

Abstrak Museum Dayu, salah satu Museum Manusia Purba Sangiran di bawah naungan Museum dan Cagar Budaya menampilkan evolusi lingkungan sejak Sangiran berupa rawa hingga menjadi daratan, yang tergambar dalam stratigrafi lapisan tanahnya. Salah satu agen deteriorasi yang berpotensi merusak lapisan tanah adalah lumut. Oleh karena itu dilakukan penelitian untuk melindungi lapisan tanah Kabuh dari pertumbuhan lumut menggunakan minyak atsiri kulit kayu manis dan sereh wangi. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk untuk mengetahui jenis minyak atsiri dan konsentrasi yang paling efektif da-lam mematikan lumut. Penelitian dilakukan di lapisan tanah Kabuh Museum Dayu pada 7 Maret-6 April 2023 selama 30 hari menggunakan pengamatan secara langsung (makroskopis) yang dibandingkan dengan skala hijau daun, dan juga pengamatan mikroskopis menggunakan mikroskop Olympus binoku-ler. Konsentrasi larutan minyak atsiri yang digunakan adalah 10%, 20% dan 30% yang dilarutkan dalam larutan surfaktan menggunakan tween 80 dengan pelarut akuades. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa minyak atsiri yang paling efektif digunakan untuk mematikan lumut adalah minyak atsiri kulit kayu manis dengan konsentrasi 30%. Kata Kunci: Kulit Kayu Manis, Lapisan Tanah Kabuh, Lumut, Minyak Atsiri, Sereh Wangi Abstract. The Dayu Museum, one of Sangiran Early-man Museums under the Indonesian Heritage Agency displays the evolution of the environment since Sangiran was swamp until it became a land, which represent in the stratigraphy of the soil layers. One of the deterioration agents that has the poten-tial to damage the soil layer is moss. Therefore, research was carried out to protect the Kabuh soil layer from moss using essential oils of cinnamon bark and citronella. The aim of this research is to determine the type of essential oil and concentration that is most effective in killing moss. The research was carried out in the Kabuh soil layer at Dayu Museum on March 7-April 6, 2023, for 30 days using direct observa-tions (macroscopic) compared with the green scale of leaves, and microscopic observations using an Olympus binocular microscope. The concentrations of essential oil solutions used are 10%, 20% and 30% dissolved in a surfaktan solution. The surfactant used tween 80 with aquades as a solvent. The research results showed that the most effective essential oil used to kill moss was cinnamon bark essential oil with a concentration of 30%. Keywords: Cinnamon Bark, Citronella, Essential Oils, Kabuh Soil Layers, Moss