Deciphering archaeological palimpsests with bone micro-fragments from the Lower Magdalenian of El Mirón cave (Cantabria,Spain)

Abstract

Modern excavation techniques aim accurately to recover extant archaeological data. Usually bone micro-fragments are gathered as a result, however, during archaeological analysis these remains are often set apart as indeterminate bones and generally do not contribute to the interpretation of the deposits. How to decipher archaeological palimpsests using these small bone fragments is the aim of this paper. El Mirón Cave, located in northern Iberia, contains a very rich Cantabrian Lower Magdalenian deposit (17–15 uncal ka BP) with high densities of faunal remains and artefacts. Here, we present zooarchaeological, taphonomic and spatial distribution analyses of macromammal finds, including those small bone fragments, accumulated during a series of intensive and repeated human occupations found in the outer vestibule excavation area. Our results show that a broad spectrum of activities was performed there, including meat, marrow and grease processing and waste abandonment. We propose that bone micro-fragments must be considered when addressing human subsistence reconstructions from animal remains, as they represent the leftovers of the chaîne opératoire of animal carcass exploitation. The archaeological implications of their inclusion are extremely valuable, especially when deciphering palimpsests. A multidisciplinary approach to study these small animal remains provides information that otherwise would be missed.     

A study of cremated human remains from an urn field dating to the final phase of the Bronze Age, found at “Le Caprine” (Guidonia, Rome, Italy 10th-9th century B.C.)

In this paper cremated human remains from an urn field dating from the final phase of the Bronze age (Guidonia, Rome, Central Italy) were studied. The aim of this study was to identify the minimal number of individuals for grave and cremation patterns. The results show as the ways in which the cremations were carried out were archaic in all the elements that made them up.     

Reliable identification of human albumin in ancient bone using ELISA and monoclonal antibodies

In order to help reconstruct ancient dietary, domestic, and ritual behaviour, a method was developed to identify the blood protein albumin in ancient skeletal material. This was an inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a monoclonal antibody of IgG class against human albumin. With fresh material, the technique gave consistent and specific results and could detect as little as 10 ng of albumin. Extracts of bone from the English Civil War (A.D. 1644), Mediaeval (A.D. 1100–1400), Early Saxon (A.D. 450–600), Roman (A.D. 100–200), Iron Age (ca 400 B.C. ) and Bronze Age (2200–1700 B.C. cal.) periods were then tested, samples of fresh human and animal bone being included as positive and negative controls, respectively. Albumin was demonstrated in human bone from all periods; there was no evidence of cross-reactivity with animal material. Detection seemed to depend largely on amount of sample and chronological age; other factors, such as physical integrity of the specimen and soil characteristics, appeared to be less important. Preliminary studies of other ancient skeletal remains showed that animal species could be readily identified and that albumin was probably still detectable in cremated material. It is concluded that our method provides a tool specific and sensitive enough for the reliable identification of the speciesorigin of small fragments of bone (and possibly of blood stains) and will thus allow insight into past behaviour patterns. ELISA may also be suitable for identifying other molecules (such as HLA and ABO) which would help determine racial affiliation and disease predisposition among ancient populations.     

河南灵井许昌人遗址动物骨骼表面人工改造痕迹

河南灵井许昌人遗址发掘出土了距今约10—8万年前的古人类头骨化石, 与头骨化石同层发现的还有大量哺乳动物化石及石制品等文化遗物。本文是对该遗址2005—2006年出土动物化石骨骼表面人工改造痕迹的观察分析结果。灵井遗址中13%的动物骨骼表面有人工切割痕的产生, 其中切割痕位于长骨骨干部位的约占此类标本总数的98.45%; 同时,在具切割痕的长骨类化石材料中,属于食草动物上部和中部肢骨的分别为34%和41%, 属于下部肢骨的则仅为25%。此外, 灵井动物群中具敲击痕、火烧痕迹、人工使用痕迹的骨骼标本分别占全部观察例数的4.2%、1%、1.32%。总之, 通过对动物骨骼表面保留的上述人工改造痕迹的观察与统计分析, 并与埋藏学实验及其他考古遗址相关属性的对比, 表明古人类是这一遗址中大量脊椎动物肉食资源的初级获取者和利用者, 他们是导致这一动物群聚集形成的主要埋藏学因素。同时, 许昌人遗址中大量破碎动物骨骼的出现可能也与古人类敲骨取髓的取食行为有着非常紧密的联系。     

Sex determination of ancient human skeletons using DNA

A method for determining the sex of human skeletons was developed using molecular genetic techniques. The amelogenin gene, found on the X and Y chromosomes, was examined using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a nonradioactive dot blot procedure. DNA was analyzed from 20 modern individuals of known sex and 20 skeletons from an archaeological site in central Illinois dating to A.D. 1300. An independent assessment of the sex of each skeleton was made according to standard osteological methods. The sex of 19 ancient and 20 modern individuals was accurately determined using this molecular genetic technique. Molecular sex determination will be especially useful for juvenile and fragmentary remains when it is difficult, or impossible, to establish an individual's sex from morphological features. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Human temporal bone from the lower Paleolithic site of Castel di Guido, near Rome, Italy

The Castel di Guido site, with an estimated age of approximately 300,000 years, has yielded abundant animal remains, Acheulian stone and bone bifaces, and small tools. On the surface of the original deposit, turned over by agricultural activities, fragments of human remains were discovered between 1980 and 1986, including a temporal bone described here.     

Strontium Isotope Signals in Cremated Petrous Portions as Indicator for Childhood Origin

Dental enamel is currently of high informative value in studies concerning childhood origin and human mobility because the strontium isotope ratio in human dental enamel is indicative of geographical origin. However, many prehistoric burials involve cremation and although strontium retains its original biological isotopic composition, even when exposed to very high temperatures, intact dental enamel is rarely preserved in cremated or burned human remains. When preserved, fragments of dental enamel may be difficult to recognize and identify. Finding a substitute material for strontium isotope analysis of burned human remains, reflecting childhood values, is hence of high priority. This is the first study comparing strontium isotope ratios from cremated and non-cremated petrous portions with enamel as indicator for childhood origin. We show how strontium isotope ratios in the otic capsule of the petrous portion of the inner ear are highly correlated with strontium isotope ratios in dental enamel from the same individual, whether inhumed or cremated. This implies that strontium isotope ratios in the petrous bone, which practically always survives cremation, are indicative of childhood origin for human skeletal remains. Hence, the petrous bone is ideal as a substitute material for strontium isotope analysis of burned human remains.     

A Late Prehistoric Bundle Burial From Southern Wyomingc

Abstract

A Late Prehistoric bundle burial from the Stone Fence Site in south-central Wyoming produced partial skeletal remains of a middle-aged male of Shoshonean biological affinities.A total of 19 bone beads were found in the grave. Both osteological and cultural interpretations were possible from the previously undisturbed grave and its contents.     

Social structures and social relations--an archaeological and anthropological examination of three early Medieval separate burial sites in Bavaria

As part of an interdisciplinary cooperation, three early medieval separated burial sites from central Bavaria were subjected to archaeological and anthropological examinations. Separated burial sites are probably an expression of social stratification. This paper focuses on two characteristic aspects of these separated burial sites: (1) structure of the site, and (2) biological manifestation of a social upper class. The separated burial grounds Etting/Sandfeld (31 individuals), Grossmehring (44 individuals) and Kelheim (43 individuals), all located in southern Bavaria, were analyzed. Sex and age at death of all individuals were determined, and dietary behaviour was reconstructed by means of carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in bone collagen. Local conditions such as climate, soil conditions or the intensity of agriculture can provoke significant variations in plant delta15N-values, which could lead to a shift of the baseline values of the corresponding trophic web. To facilitate the comparison of isotopic data from different sites, delta15N values of cattle bones were taken as a reference for the human data (presuming the diet to consumer chain). The results of dietary reconstruction indicate that the populations enjoyed very good living conditions with a primarily animal protein-based diet. Furthermore, the isotope analysis revealed more detailed indications for certain individuals regarding their social status. Some individuals can even be appointed as possible chiefs of the population, since anthropological and archaeological interpretations were in total agreement: It was possible to identify persons of a higher social status based on the structure of the burial site, grave goods and the isotopic analysis.     

山东小高全新世早期遗址人类对獐的利用

小高遗址是山东地区近年来发现的一处全新世早期遗址,出土有大量的獐骨骼。本文主要从年龄结构、季节性特征及骨骼单元分布频率等角度对獐的骨骼进行研究。年龄结构的研究结果显示,人类的狩猎对象以7-24个月的青年和中年的个体为主;且越到晚期,未成年个体所占比例越高,这表明大多数獐是在接近或达到最大体重后成为人类的狩猎对象,且人类狩猎活动对獐的种群结构造成了一定影响。季节性研究结果显示,人类对獐的狩猎活动多发生在食物资源比较短缺的冬季及春季。骨骼单元分布频率和骨骼破裂程度研究表明,小高遗址可能还存在对骨髓的充分开发与利用。结合獐的生物学特征,我们认为,小高先民对獐的利用模式符合全新世早期动物资源广谱性和强化利用的特征,也表明人与动物之间存在着密切的互动关系。     

Early Holocene environmental change and the presence of Mesolithic people in the Tungelroyse Beek valley near Mildert,the Netherlands

An archaeological excavation in the Tungelroyse Beek valley revealed the remains of two red deer specimens (Cervus elaphus) of Early Mesolithic age that possibly were the victims of hunter-gatherers. The find of animal remains of this age is unique in the Netherlands. In this respect, a sediment core taken close to the remains was investigated, i.e. to reconstruct the vegetation and landscape development of the site and to find more evidence for human activity at this site during the Early Mesolithic. The sediment core shows a typical Early Holocene palynological sequence from the Younger Dryas into the Middle Atlantic, which is supported by AMS dating. The microscopic charcoal record shows peaks in fire activity during the Younger Dryas and Friesland phase, probably wildfire related. Records of spores of coprophilous fungi indicate that the Tungeroyse Beek valley was a favourable place for large herbivores (game) to visit during the investigated period. However, around the age of the oldest red deer remains, no significant peak in fire activity or spores of coprophilous fungi is visible in the investigated record. The pollen diagram does not show disturbed or open vegetation around this age either. This study therefore suggests the impact of Early Mesolithic people on their environment was very low.     

呼伦贝尔辉河水坝遗址的细石器工艺探讨

辉河水坝遗址位于内蒙古呼伦贝尔市鄂温克旗, 埋藏于辉河右岸第2级阶地, 出土了罕见的人类居住遗迹、墓葬、篝火遗迹和由大量动物骨骼堆积的灰坑等, 以及许多陶片和大量的石制品。本文研究了遗址中发现的4111件石制品, 包括细石核、石片、石叶或细石叶及其进一步加工的各类工具。研究发现, 不同类型的石制品揭示了其工具的完整制作过程, 原料、类型与技术反映了其较为固定而典型的细石器生产工艺流程。这种细石器工艺在呼伦贝尔地区广泛分布, 为研究草原地区早期人类文化的起源与发展、生态环境的演变以及与西伯利亚、蒙古国同期文化关系的对比提供了重要资料。     

泥河湾盆地二道梁旧石器时代晚期遗址发掘简报

泥河湾盆地拥有较为丰富的旧石器时代晚期遗存,其中多处遗存包含楔形石核、锥形石核技术,其文化内涵在细石器研究领域具有重要意义。2002年7月,考古队员在盆地东部岑家湾台地北缘发现了二道梁遗址,随即进行发掘,揭露面积31m~2,出土包含石制品、动物化石及骨制品等文化遗物2000余件。遗址埋藏于桑干河右岸第三级基座阶地上部,上覆黄土状堆积,文化层厚约0.2m,属水动力较弱的河流堆积。石制品原料多为采自附近阶地的砾石层或桑干河及洞沟河漫滩上的燧石;打片技术分为直接和间接两种,石核和石片全部使用锤击法,间接打片技术主要表现在船形石核的制备和细石叶的剥取上;石器类型包括雕刻器、刮削器及琢背刀。石器组合特征显示该遗址文化面貌属于典型的细石器工业。骨化石~(14)C测年结果为18085±235 BP,属旧石器时代晚期的较晚阶段。二道梁遗址是泥河湾盆地中首次发现的以船形石核作为主要技术类型、且以此为代表的细石器工业遗存,对研究泥河湾盆地乃至中国北方细石器工业不同技术类型、及所蕴含的人类扩散与技术交流等学术问题具有重要意义。     

Paleogenetic and taphonomic analysis of human bones from Moa, Beirada, and Zé Espinho Sambaquis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The present paper discusses mtDNA and taphonomy of human remains from Moa, Beirada, and Zé Espinho sambaquis of Saquarema, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. New human bone dating by 14C-AMS for Moa archeological site (3810+50 BP - GX-31826-AMS) is included. Preservation of microscopic lamellae and DNA is not related to the macroscopic integrity of the bones. Results here suggest that the preservation of amplifiable DNA fragments may have relation to the preservation of the lamellar arrangement as indicated by optical microscopic examination (polarized light). In 13 human bone fragments from Moa, Beirada, and Zé Espinho it was possible to sequence mtDNA from the 3 individuals of Moa, and from 1 of 4 individuals of Beirada, whose bones also show extensive areas with preserved lamellar structures. The 6 human bone fragments of Zé Espinho and 3 of the 4 fragments of Beirada showed extensive destruction of cortical microstructure represented by cavities, intrusive minerals, and agglomerated microscopic bodies of fungi and bacteria; it was not possible to extract mtDNA from these samples. The results support the hypothesis that the preservation of the microscopic osteon organization is a good predictor for DNA preservation. It was also confirmed the C haplogroup antiquity in Brazil.     

Bone quality in prehistoric,cis‐baikal forager femora: A micro‐CT analysis of cortical canal microstructure

Bone quality, a contributor to bone strength, is determined by structural and mechanical properties, which may be analyzed by gross and/or microscopic methods. Variables that contribute to bone quality, such as porosity, can provide insight into the health and lifestyles of people in prehistory. This study tests the ability of microcomputed tomography (µCT) to capture and characterize cortical canal systems in archaeological bone. Seven variables and 71 femora are analyzed to explore bone dynamics in prehistoric foragers from Lake Baikal, Siberia. The results indicate that canal number and canal separation differ significantly (P < 0.05) between age‐at‐death categories, but only for the pooled and male samples. When merged into a new variable by means of principal components analysis, canal diameter and canal surface to canal volume are also able to discriminate amongst age‐at‐death categories, as well as between the sexes. However, the overall lack of significant differences between the sexes and amongst age‐at‐death categories indicates that Baikal forager bone quality (i.e., canal architecture) did not change drastically throughout the lifespan. Interestingly, principal component one identified an untested variable that contributes to canal microstructure variability, and a sexual division of labor may promote divergent trends in canal degree of anisotropy between the sexes. Overall, µCT provides an alternate method for exploring bone quality in archaeological remains, complementing existing methods such as thin‐sectioning and gross morphological analyses. Am J Phys Anthropol 154:486–497, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Analyses to help identify individuals from a historical mass grave in Kassel, Germany

In 2008, the skeletal remains of more than 60 human individuals were found in a mass grave on the grounds of the University of Kassel, Germany. There was no evidence helping to identify them or throwing light on the cause of their death. Mainly due to 14C age determination and initial hints on age and sex distribution, historians hypothesized that they had been soldiers of Napoleon's army who died in an epidemic in the winter of 1813/14. To test this assumption, morphological and molecular analyses were carried out on a sample. The morphological analyses comprised an age and sex determination as well as a macro- and micro-morphological inspection for pathological deviations after the commingled bones had been assembled as individuals. The molecular investigations aimed to identify the geographic origin of the remains. For this, mitochondrial and Y-chromosomal haplotypings were carried out. The results point to a group of mainly young men, some of them suffering from systemic inflammation of the periosteum. Others revealed severe aberrations in bone microstructure. The greatest similarities revealed by Y-haplogroup and -haplotype distribution were to populations that live in what are now the Benelux countries. All aspects support the thesis that these were soldiers of the Napoleonic army.