Fu, Y., Chen, Z., Zhou, S., Wei, S., 2020. Comparative study of the materials and lacquering techniques of the lacquer objects from Warring States Period China. Journal of Archaeological Science 114, 105060.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305440319301475 In recent decades, a number of important high quality lacquer objects have been excavated from archaeological sites dating to the Warring States Period (481-221 BC), indicating the significance of the lacquer objects in that time. In order to better understand the lacquering techniques in this period, two types of lacquer objects from the Jiuliandun tomb were studied by using thermally assisted hydrolysis - methylation pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (THM-Py-GC/MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS). The results revealed that a multi-layer lacquering technique was used to create the lacquer objects. Urushiol and drying oils were identified in the pigmented surface finish layer and lacquer layer, but different drying oils were identified in the ear cups and box, respectively. In addition, blood was found in the ground layer of ear cups. The results were compared with the lacquer objects from other Chu tomb, indicating that a variety of lacquering techniques were used during the Warring States period, perhaps depending on the different functions of the lacquer objects or simply reflecting different traditions.

Gao, P., He, Z., Lash, G.G., Li, S., Zhang, R., 2020. Origin of chert nodules in the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation black shales from Yangtze Block, South China. Marine and Petroleum Geology 114, 104227.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264817220300106 Chert nodules are widely developed in Ediacaran deposits of South China, yet the mechanism responsible for their formation remains disputed. Petrological and geochemical studies of chert nodules and host shale of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation of the Yangtze Block, South China, were carried out to more fully assess silicification of these deposits. Doushantuo chert nodules display a concentrically layered internal structure dominated by quartz and lesser concentrations of calcite, carbonate fluorapatite, organic matter, pyrite, and sphalerite. Individual layers become thinner from nodule centers to edges. Our results suggest that (1) Doushantuo host black shale accumulated under persistent anoxic bottom water conditions and (2) chert nodules formed as a consequence of the anaerobic oxidation of methane focused along sulfate-methane transition zones 13 at shallow burial depth. Nodules likely originated from porous proto-nodules that consisted of C-depleted authigenic calcite produced by the anaerobic oxidation of methane. Decaying of organic matter within nodules helped to create porosity that was filled by authigenic calcite and also released phosphate and zinc ions to pore water, thus favoring precipitation of carbonate fluorapatite and sphalerite. Silica supplied principally from the diagenesis of clay minerals of the host shale cemented the nodules and replaced early formed calcite. The 18 progressive infilling of residual porosity by O-depleted pore fluids associated with increasing burial depth is 18 reflec ted in the strongly negative δ O values documented from the nodules. Thus, the formation of carb Doushantuo chert nodules reflects a protracted diagenetic history initiated by bacterial sulfate reduction and anaerobic oxidation of methane close to and within the sulfate-methane transition zone and continued in association with the diagenetic release of silica from host shale as well hydrocarbon generation with increasing burial depth.

Garwood, R.J., Oliver, H., Spencer, A.R.T., 2020. An introduction to the Rhynie chert. Geological Magazine 157, 47-64.

https://doi.org/10.1017/S0016756819000670 The terrestrialization of life has profoundly affected the biosphere, geosphere and atmosphere, and the Geological Magazine has published key works charting the development of our understanding of this process. Integral to this understanding - and featuring in one of the Geological Magazine publications - is the Devonian Rhynie chert Konservat-Lagerstätte located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Here we provide a review of the work on this important early terrestrial deposit to date. We begin by highlighting contributions of note in the Geological Magazine improving understanding of terrestrialization and Palaeozoic terrestrial ecosystems. We then introduce the Rhynie chert. The review highlights its geological setting: the Caledonian context of the