We report on the first field season at the Gravettian site Hošťálkovice II. Hošťálkovice II is an important site in the region of Ostrava situated at a strategic position above the confluence of Odra and Opava Rivers. Previous surface prospections and a small test pit excavated in 1995 found evidence for a Gravettian industry, as well as younger (Neolithic?) occupation. Two archaeological layers were detected in 1995 and the documented profile was 1.3–1.5 m thick. An excavation conducted in 2019 approx. 30 m away from the 1995 test pit showed significant differences in stratigraphy. The maximum thickness of the sediments does not exceed 30 cm. Both Palaeolithic (patinated) and post-Paleolithic (non-patinated) artefacts were situated throughout the profile. In this contribution, we present all previous knowledge about the site, discuss the stratigraphy and the possibility of several occupation events at the site during the Palaeolithic/post-Palaeolithic period.
Antiparasitic allogrooming in two adults of Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) was observed in the Javorie Mountains in Slovakia on 18th April 2016. This rare observation was documented by photographs and video. In this context, the occurrence of ticks on Red Foxes and in fox faeces in Europe is briefly reviewed and discussed. and Ivan Literák.
Ecocriticism is a relatively new, important and rapidly developing field of study of works of art, focusing on the relationship between literature and the environment. From its initial focus on non-fiction depictions of nature (in “nature writing”), it has expanded its attention during its second generation to include all types of environmental representation in literature and media in general. Far from being a purely evaluative or even ideological method, ecocriticism explores representations of the relationship between nature and culture, reflects on the interconnection between environmental and social themes and analyses innovative narrative strategies that seek to address complex issues. Following an introductory characterization and an overview of the development of ecocriticism, this study will focus on seven contemporary Czech novels dealing with environmental issues.