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This paper argues that new interpretations of "eating bitterness" (..., chiku) have firmly entered the landscape of China's social organisation. Whereas the bitterness eaten by heroic types in China's revolutionary past was directed towards serving others, now the aim of eating bitterness is self-awareness. Furthermore, bitterness- eating, which once pertained to rural-urban migrant workers as opposed to discourses of urban "quality" (..., suzhi), has now also been taken up by the urban middle classes. A new cultural distinction, therefore, adds dignity to migrant workers while potentially marginalising a wide range of unproductive people, both urban and rural. This distinction ultimately mitigates risk to the Chinese regime because the regime makes sure to reward those who eat bitterness. This paper is based on ethnographic data gathered in Anshan, from the rural areas surrounding Chengdu, and our analysis of a TV show about a peasant boy who becomes a Special Forces soldier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Most zircon from Archean (3.8–2.5Ga) trondhjemitic rocks, meta-gabbro, meta-diorite and monzogranite from the Anshan area, North China Craton, has δ18O values in the range of 4.6–7.5‰, but some has extreme compositions (0.02–11.0‰, with one value as low as −11.3‰) as a result of pre-, syn- and post-magmatic processes. Nearly all zircon grains with very low δ18O (<4.0‰) are U-rich and show evidence of radiogenic Pb loss, irrespective of their origin (magmatic, metamorphic, recrystallized, inherited or trapped). The low δ18O is not a primary feature of the zircon or the magma from which it crystallized, but is a consequence of high-temperature hydrothermal alteration, probably involving meteoric water. Radiogenic Pb loss is an indicator that the zircon O isotopic composition is likely to have been modified, even if the measured δ18O falls within, or is above, the “normal” igneous range (4.6–7.5‰). Excluding those showing strong Pb loss, most magmatic zircon grains have δ18O values in the “normal” range or only slightly above the previously reported highest δ18O value for Archean igneous zircon (7.5‰), with many, including some analyzed from Eoarchean rocks, being higher than 6.5‰, evidence for crustal reworking in the Anshan area 3.8Ga ago. The 2.5Ga Qidashan syenogranite has the highest zircon δ18O (5.8–11.0‰), consistent with its derivation by melting of sedimentary materials as a result of long-term crustal evolution in the region, as indicated by its chemical and Nd isotopic compositions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Near Anshan city in the North China Craton, the oldest rocks in Asia (⩾3300Ma) have been thoroughly documented at two localities (Baijiafen and Dongshan). In this paper we report the full geological context for more ancient rocks from a third Anshan locality – the polyphase migmatite Shengousi Complex. SHRIMP U–Pb zircon dating indicates a protracted tectono-magmatic history for the Shengousi Complex: The oldest recognised component is banded trondhjemitic gneiss (3773±6Ma), which is veined by strongly deformed granitic pegmatite. These occur with a second generation of trondhjemitic rocks (3454±8 and 3448±9Ma). The next generation of plutonic rocks is a composite suite of iron-enriched mafic dykes (3332±6 and 3331±8Ma) with broadly coeval felsic veins (3311±4Ma). Finally there was intrusion of monzogranite (3129±6Ma). Strong deformation has generally brought these 3773–3129Ma plutonic phases into close concordance to form banded rocks. However, locally cross-cutting relationships are preserved in small lower strain domains, that give a relative chronology agreeing with the absolute zircon U–Pb chronology. All of this complex history is recorded in a single<50m wide outcrop. Some of the<3600Ma rocks of the Shengousi Complex contain 3780–3730 and 3660–3600Ma inherited zircon xenocrysts. The stronger prominence of 3660–3600Ma components distinguishes the Shengousi Complex from the Baijiafen and Dongshan complexes, where components of this age are rarer. One possibility is that at 3660–3600Ma, the Shengousi Complex was at a deeper crustal level than the Baijiafen and Dongshan complexes, and underwent migmatisation at that time. The ∼3450Ma igneous phases discovered in the Shengousi Complex are new ages for igneous rocks in the Anshan area. The Precambrian geology of the Anshan area is thus marked by polyphase Eoarchaean orthogneisses, the newly recognised ∼3450Ma phases, widespread 3360–3300 magmatic activity, found in association with Mesoarchaean plutonic rocks and the Neoarchaean Anshan Group and Palaeoproterozoic Liaohe Group metasedimentary rocks. This shows that the geology of the Anshan area has a strong similarity with the Narryer Gneiss Complex of Western Australia, which contains the polyphase Eoarchaean Meeberrie gneisses, the 3490–3440Ma Eurada gneiss association, ∼3300Ma granites and migmatisation, and is intercalated with younger Precambrian metasedimentary rocks of different ages containing Hadean detrital zircons. No other ancient gneiss complexes in the world show such a close match in their history with the Anshan area rocks. This means that the Anshan area is prospective for locating new occurrences of Hadean crustal components intercalated with younger sedimentary rocks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Anshan area in the northeastern part of the North China Craton contains the oldest known rocks in China. Rocks with ages of ~3.8 Ga are present in three trondhjemite-dominated gneiss complexes, referred to as the Baijiafen, Dongshan and Shengoushi complexes. The oldest material identified in these complexes has weighted mean 207Pb/206Pb ages of 3800 ± 5 Ma, 3794 ± 4 Ma and 3777 ± 13 Ma, respectively. In addition, younger geological events at 3680 ± 19 Ma, 3620 ± 23 Ma, and 3573 ± 21 Ma have been identified, recording the emplacement of several generations of trondhjemite. A biotite schist of possible supracrustal origin contains a zircon population with a weighted mean 207Pb/206Pb age of 3723 ± 17 Ma and is cut by a 3620 Ma trondhjemite, implying formation prior to ~3.62 Ga. TDM(Hf) model ages for the zircons range from 3256 to 4264 Ma, but are mostly ~3.9 Ga, indicating that significantly older crust was not present in the source region of the trondhjemitic magmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the relationship between collected charred wood and seed plants of the ancient city of Anshan in Southern Iran. Observation on the presence of seeds of wild non-food plants in an ancient agricultural civilization; Historical insights into Mayan civilization between 3000 and 2000 B.C. relative to land and farming.