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Original Articles

Archeological optics: the very first known mirrors and lenses

Pages 1221-1239 | Received 15 Aug 2005, Accepted 12 Oct 2005, Published online: 04 Jun 2007

References

  • Enoch , JM . paper presented in the special session . History of Spectacles in Florence, Renaissance Society of America Proceedings . 22–24 March 2000 , Florence, Italy. pp. 133 Atti della Fond . G. Ronchi 56
  • Enoch , JM . 11–12 April 2003 . paper presented at Cogan Ophthalmic History Society , 11–12 April , St Louis, MO : Washington University . Meeting
  • Enoch , JM . 2002 . “ International Trends in Applied Optics ” . In International Commission for Optics , Edited by: Guenther , A.H . 629 – 666 . Bellingham, , WA : SPIE Press .
  • Schneider , L . 1985 . Source': Notes in the History of Art Vol. IV (#2/3, Winter/Spring) , 88 New York City : Ars Brevis, Inc. . Some of the 15 listed articles follow: (a) P. Albenda, Mirrors in the ancient Near East, pp. 2–9; (b) R.S. Bianchi, Reflections in the sky's eyes (largely addresses Egyptian influences as applied to mirrors), pp. 10–18; (c) L.O.K. Cogdon, Greek mirrors, pp. 19–25; (d) N.T. de Grummond, The Etruscan mirror, pp. 26–35; (e) A. Julianno, Possible origins of the Chinese mirror, pp. 36–45; (f) K.S. Rubinson, Mirrors on the fringe (also addresses possible Asian origins of early Chinese mirrors), pp. 47–50.
  • Mellaart , J . 1962 . Anatolian Studies , 12 : 41 First preliminary report; Anatolian Studies 13 43-103 (1963), see p. 99, and plate XXVb; id. Excavations at Çatal Höyük, 1963, Anatolian Studies 14 94 (1964), see p. 95, discussion of “..brilliantly polished obsidian mirrors..”, and “The finest of these from (sic) E VI, 20 [see ‘plan of Level VI building complex in Area E” drawing in 1963 paper, p. 55] was set in lime plaster and beautifully smoothed to fit the owner's hand.' (quotes from C. Lilyquist, 9/04). And id. Early civilization of the Near East. London, 1965, pp. 84–86, plate 54. P. Albende states: “Mellaart identifies these Neolithic male burials as those accompanied by weapons such as flint daggers, and obsidian and stone knife blades…” Albende also notes,, ‘…defining sex of the body by use of accompanying contents of the grave requires further study.’ JME note, Described items include polished hard stone (flint) and volcanic glass (obsidian) items. This suggests established early expertise in fracturing, grinding and polishing hard stone objects by 6000 BCE and probably prior to that date
  • Matthews , R . 1998 . Ancient Anatolia , 21 London : Brit. Inst. Archaeology at Ankara . 30–40+, also see Chapt. 5 written by J. Mellaart
  • Culotta , E and Hanson , B . 2004 . Science , 303 : 1315 In particular, see M. Balter, Search for the Indo-Europeans, why Anatolia? pp. 1323–1326, with an important insert by Editor B. Hanson on p. 1324.
  • Lilyquist , C . personal communications ,
  • Conolly , J . 1999 . “ British Archaeological Reports ” . In International Series , Vol. 787 , 41 Oxford . 42, 81.
  • Lilyquist , C . 1979 . Dissertation , Berkeley Library . #: Main UCB DT 57 M8 No. 27; I–XIII.
  • Pendergrast , M . 2003 . “ Mirror rorriM: A History of the Human Love Affair with Reflection ” . In Basic Books , 404 New York : Perseus Books Group .
  • Graham , D.H Jr Nakano , T . “ Bronze Mirrors from Ancient China.;Donald ” . In H. Graham Jr. Collection Edited by: Dewar , S . translated by T. Kono and Ace Translation, Honolulu (Orientations, Hong Kong, 1994), pp. 9–45. Other introductory information by D.H. Graham Jr, pp. 1–9; T.Y. Ecke, pp. 46–49; S. Cahill, pp. 50–59. This is a rather unique book with virtually all mirrors presented exhibiting both mirror surface and decorative rear surfaces. Different Dynasties, optical designs, manufacturing techniques, decorative features, and styles are presented. It is noted that bubble formation associated with cooling metal castings, adversely affected mirror surfaces. From the Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD) onward, white metal was used for plating/smoothing mirror surfaces.
  • 1985 . Zhongguo meishu quanji (Anthology of Chinese Art), Gongyi meishu bian 4 (Crafts Arts 4). , Wenwu Chubanshe . see Plate 1.
  • Lunnazi , JJ . 1996 . “ Second Iberoamerican Meeting on Optics ” . In Guanajuato, México , Edited by: Malacara , D . Vol. 2730 , 2 – 7 . Bellingham, , WA : SPIE . September 18–22, 1995
  • Calvo , ML and Enoch , J.M . 2004 . Cuban J. Physics , September in press.
  • NOVA Adventures in Science Series , (on VHS tape, #WG2507), Search for the Lost Cave People (WGBH Video, Boston, Copyright 1988), A video which includes the discovery of an ancient polished iron pyrite mosaic mirror from a cave containing burials and human and animal remains (700–900 AD, Zoque Tribe, Chiapas, Mexico), etc.
  • Wirth , DE . 2003 . Parallels: Mesoamerican and Ancient Middle Eastern Traditions , 211 St George, Utah : Stonecliff Publishing Co .
  • Burger , RL . 1993 . Chavinand the Origins of Andean Civilization , London : Thames and Hudson .
  • Bongioanni , A , Croce , M.S and Accomazzo , L . 2001 . Illustrated Guide to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo , 354 Vercelli, , Italy : American University in Cairo Press . English edition printed by White Star, S.r.l.,
  • Enoch , JM and Lakshminarayanan , V . 2000 . Ophthal. Physiol. Opt. , 20 : 126
  • Lindberg , DC . 1976 . Dissertation , University of Chicago . This is an excellent introduction into the subject of early vision as it was known from the time of Greek civilization onward to near modern times (Kepler/Descartes).
  • Corcoran , TH , ed. 1971 . “ Natural Questions, Books I–III, in the series ” . In Loeb Classical Library , i – xxix . Cambridge, , MA : Harvard University Press . Seneca, Lucius Annaeus, known as ‘the Younger’ (4 BC–65 AD), ‘the Philosopher’, or ‘the Stoic’, 1–297 translated by

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