The microstructure and the origin of the Venus from Willendorf

Weber, Gerhard; Lukeneder, Alexander; Harzhauser, Mathias; Mitterœcker, Philipp; Wurm, Lisa; Hollaus, Lisa-Maria; Kainz, Sarah; Haack, Fabian; Antl-Weiser, Walpurga; Kern, Andrea

doi:10.1038/s41598-022-06799-z

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…We assume not, but actually we do not know. However, we do know that there are figurines (so-called 'Venus figurines') dating back 14-38 000 years ago that depict individuals living with obesity, for example the Venus of Willendorf [170]. These have exaggerated sexual features and been interpreted as representing fertility deities [171].…”

Section: Problems With the Dual Intervention Point/ Drifty Gene Idea ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Models of body weight and fatness regulation

Speakman,

Hall

2023

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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Body weight and fatness appear to be regulated phenomena. Several different theoretical models are available to capture the essence of this idea. These include the set-point, dynamic equilibrium, adiposity force, control theory-settling point, Hall–Guo, operation point and dual intervention point (DIP) models. The set-point model posits a single reference point around which levels of fat are regulated. The dynamic equilibrium model suggests that the apparent regulation of body fat around a reference point is an illusion owing to the necessary impacts of weight change on energy expenditure. Control theory focuses on the importance of feedback gain and suggests set-point and dynamic equilibrium are ends of a continuum of feedback gain. Control theory models have also been called ‘settling point’ models. The Hall–Guo, operation point and DIP models also bring together the set-point and dynamic equilibrium ideas into a single framework. The DIP proposes a zone of indifference where dynamic equilibrium ‘regulation’ predominates, bounded by upper and lower intervention points beyond which physiological mechanisms are activated. The drifty gene hypothesis is an idea explaining where this individual variation in the upper intervention point might come from. We conclude that further experiments to test between the models are sorely required. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Causes of obesity: theories, conjectures and evidence (Part II)’.

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Section: Problems With the Dual Intervention Point/ Drifty Gene Idea ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Models of body weight and fatness regulation

Speakman,

Hall

2023

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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“…Traditional radiology after 1889 and computed tomography after 1975 have been present in archaeology since its beginnings. The use of algorithms for the reconstruction of 2D images (for example: Inverse Fourier Transform or the filtered back projection commonly used today) is considered a noninvasive technique for the anatomical study of delicate, unstable and valuable artefacts [ 24 ] such as mummies, stone, Palaeolithic bone or wooden remains [ 4 , 5 , 7 , 69 ], papyrus scrolls, metal tools or weapons [ 28 ], jewellery, pottery, wall paintings, Ötzi—Italy [ 25 , 70 ], the Venus from Willendorf [ 26 ] etc.…”

Section: Tomographic Reconstruction In Archaeologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A review of published sources shows that the use of nondestructive CT or µCT technology in archaeology has so far focused mainly on the study of very delicate objects from the Palaeolithic and early civilisations. For example, CT scanners have been used to examine mummies [ 24 ], Ötzi [ 25 ] and The Venus from Willendorf [ 26 ], to read scrolls, to study the structure of clay tiles, pottery [ 27 ] and Etruscan bronze statues [ 28 ], to study textiles, wooden, bone and metal objects, the contents of sarcophagi, the forensic evaluation of art paintings, the technologies used to produce various objects and the mummification process, etc. Archaeologists still predominantly used the technologies, procedures and algorithms of medical computer tomography.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Microtomographic Analysis of a Palaeolithic Wooden Point from the Ljubljanica River

Puhar

Korat

Erič

et al. 2022

Sensors

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A rare and valuable Palaeolithic wooden point, presumably belonging to a hunting weapon, was found in the Ljubljanica River in Slovenia in 2008. In order to prevent complete decay, the waterlogged wooden artefact had to undergo conservation treatment, which usually involves some expected deformations of structure and shape. To investigate these changes, a series of surface-based 3D models of the artefact were created before, during and after the conservation process. Unfortunately, the surface-based 3D models were not sufficient to understand the internal processes inside the wooden artefact (cracks, cavities, fractures). Since some of the surface-based 3D models were taken with a microtomographic scanner, we decided to create a volumetric 3D model from the available 2D tomographic images. In order to have complete control and greater flexibility in creating the volumetric 3D model than is the case with commercial software, we decided to implement our own algorithm. In fact, two algorithms were implemented for the construction of surface-based 3D models and for the construction of volumetric 3D models, using (1) unsegmented 2D images CT and (2) segmented 2D images CT. The results were positive in comparison with commercial software and new information was obtained about the actual state and causes of the deformation of the artefact. Such models could be a valuable aid in the selection of appropriate conservation and restoration methods and techniques in cultural heritage research.

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“…In some cases, ooids can reach sizes of > 2mm ("giant ooids": e.g., Sumner & Grotzinger, 1993;Li et al, 2015;2021). Ooids have caught the attention of humans since prehistoric times (Binsteiner et al, 2008;Weber et al, 2022) and were already mentioned by Roman naturalists (Burne et al, 2012). However, their first scientific description was provided in a treatise devoted entirely to the ooids of the Lower Buntsandstein (Lower Triassic) from northern and central Germany by Brückmann (1721).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Organic matter influence on ooid formation: New insights into classic examples (Great Salt Lake, USA; Triassic Germanic Basin, Germany)

Pei

Suárez-González

Duda

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Ooids are particles composed of a tangential or radial cortex growing around a nucleus. They are common in carbonate deposits of almost any geological age and provide insights into environmental conditions. However, abiotic or biotic factors influencing their formation remain unclear. This study aims to advance our understanding of ooid formation with a multi–analytical approach (e.g., FE–SEM, Raman spectroscopy, μ–XRF) to classic examples from Great Salt Lake (GSL; USA) and the Lower Triassic Germanic Basin (GB; Germany). Both deposits represent hypersaline shallow–water environments where ooids are closely associated with microbial mats. GSL ooids are dominantly 0.2—1 mm in size, ellipsoidal to subspherical in shape, composed of aragonite, and contain organic matter (OM). GB ooids are mainly ≤4 mm in size, spherical to subspherical in shape, composed of calcite, and currently contain little OM. Despite the differences, both ooids have the same cortex structures, likely reflecting similar formation processes. Some GSL ooids formed around detrital grains while others exhibit micritic particles in their nuclei. In GB ooids, detrital nuclei are rare, despite the abundance of siliciclastic particles of various sizes in the host rocks. GB deposits also include ″compound ooids″, i.e., adjacent ooids that coalesced with each other during growth, suggesting staticin-situdevelopment, which is supported by the lack of detrital grains as nuclei. GB ooids also grew into laminated microbial crusts with identical microstructures, further indicating a static formation. Such microbial crusts typically form through mineral precipitation associated with OM (e.g., extracellular polymeric substances), suggesting a similar formation pathway for ooids. The inferred key–role of OM is further supported by features in radial ooids from the GSL, which commonly exhibit, from their nuclei towards their surface, increasing OM contents and decreasing calcification.

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The microstructure and the origin of the Venus from Willendorf

Cited by 12 publications

References 19 publications

Models of body weight and fatness regulation

Models of body weight and fatness regulation

Microtomographic Analysis of a Palaeolithic Wooden Point from the Ljubljanica River

Organic matter influence on ooid formation: New insights into classic examples (Great Salt Lake, USA; Triassic Germanic Basin, Germany)

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