Primate archaeology 3.0

The new field of primate archaeology investigates the technological behavior and material record of nonhuman primates, providing valuable comparative data on our understanding of human technological evolution. Yet, paralleling hominin archaeology, the field is largely biased toward the analysis of lithic artifacts. While valuable comparative data have been gained through an examination of extant nonhuman primate tool use and its archaeological record, focusing on this one single aspect provides limited insights. It is therefore necessary to explore to what extent other non-technological activities, such as non-tool aided feeding, traveling, social behaviors or ritual displays, leave traces that could be detected in the archaeological record. Here we propose four new areas of investigation which we believe have been largely overlooked by primate archaeology and that are crucial to uncovering the full archaeological potential of the primate behavioral repertoire, including that of our own: (1) Plant technology; (2) Archaeology beyond technology; (3) Landscape archaeology; and (4) Primate cultural heritage. We discuss each theme in the context of the latest developments and challenges, as well as propose future directions. Developing a more “inclusive” primate archaeology will not only benefit the study of primate evolution in its own right but will aid conservation efforts by increasing our understanding of changes in primate-environment interactions over time.     

Yesterday's hair--human hair in archaeology

Hair removed from archaeological burials can tell us a lot about the diet and lifestyle of our ancestors--information that may survive because of the unique biology of hair formation. But hair is also biodegradable and the effects of time and burial conditions can result in conflicting evidence of past lives.     

日本旧石器考古新进展

几乎到本世纪40年代结束为止,日本列岛是否存在旧石器时代的人类还是一个未定论的问题。1949年7月,相沢忠洋在群马县新田郡笠悬村岩宿附近的火山灰堆积崖面上,采到一些黑曜石制品。同年9月中旬至10月上旬,经明治大学文学部考古学研究室杉原荘介等人试掘,确认这是日本列岛首次发现的旧石器遗址。岩宿遗址的发现,与差不多同时掀起的对兵库县明石市西郊西八木海岸出土的明石人骨(1931年发现,标本毁于第二次大战战火, 现仅存石膏模型)的重新评价,开创了日本史前史研究的新纪元 。     

Male strategies and Plio-Pleistocene archaeology

Archaeological data are frequently cited in support of the idea that big game hunting drove the evolution of early Homo, mainly through its role in offspring provisioning. This argument has been disputed on two grounds: (1) ethnographic observations on modern foragers show that although hunting may contribute a large fraction of the overall diet, it is an unreliable day-to-day food source, pursued more for status than subsistence; (2) archaeological evidence from the Plio-Pleistocene, coincident with the emergence of Homo can be read to reflect low-yield scavenging, not hunting. Our review of the archaeology yields results consistent with these critiques: (1) early humans acquired large-bodied ungulates primarily by aggressive scavenging, not hunting; (2) meat was consumed at or near the point of acquisition, not at home bases, as the hunting hypothesis requires; (3) carcasses were taken at highly variable rates and in varying degrees of completeness, making meat from big game an even less reliable food source than it is among modern foragers. Collectively, Plio-Pleistocene site location and assemblage composition are consistent with the hypothesis that large carcasses were taken not for purposes of provisioning, but in the context of competitive male displays. Even if meat were acquired more reliably than the archaeology indicates, its consumption cannot account for the significant changes in life history now seen to distinguish early humans from ancestral australopiths. The coincidence between the earliest dates for Homo ergaster and an increase in the archaeological visibility of meat eating that many find so provocative instead reflects: (1) changes in the structure of the environment that concentrated scavenging opportunities in space, making evidence of their pursuit more obvious to archaeologists; (2) H. ergaster's larger body size (itself a consequence of other factors), which improved its ability at interference competition.     

Discovering novel biology by in silico archaeology

Archaea are prokaryotes that evolved in parallel with bacteria. Since the discovery of the distinct status of the Archaea, extensive physiological and biochemical research has been conducted to elucidate the molecular basis of their remarkable lifestyle and their unique biology. Here, we discuss how in-depth comparative genomics has been used to improve the annotation of archaeal genomes. Combined with experimental verification, bioinformatic analysis contributes to the ongoing discovery of novel metabolic conversions and control mechanisms, and as such to a better understanding of the intriguing biology of the Archaea.     

旧石器时代考古与栖居及生计形态分析

由于打制石器本身所含的人类行为信息比较有限,我国旧石器时代考古研究应该引入文化生态学的理论方法,从宏观的生态位、中观的遗址域和微观的居住面分析来充分提炼古人类觅食方式和资源利用的信息。本文介绍了栖居(聚落)形态和遗址域概念的方法论及意义,并用墨西哥瓦哈卡河谷圭拉那魁兹的研究案例来说明这些概念在人地关系研究和农业起源研究中的重要性。文章呼吁旧石器时代考古研究要从低端的分类描述转向人类环境和行为的重建,以期令我们的研究水准跻身世界先进水平。     

The archaeology of Australia's tropical rainforests

Archaeological research in the Australia's northeast Queensland rainforest and margins has revealed a human antiquity of at least 8000 cal year BP within the rainforest and at least 30,000 years on the western edge. Rainforest occupation before 2000 cal year BP was at generally very low levels, after which time settlement of this environment became intensive and probably permanent. Exploitation of toxic varieties of nuts began about 2500 cal year BP, peaking after 1500 cal year BP. This economic development appears crucial to successful human adaptation to rainforests in the area and was pivotal in facilitating the long-term permanent human settlement of the wet tropics. The role of fire, El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) activity and shifting vegetation regimes were important catalysts in providing opportunities for permanent Australian rainforest Aboriginal occupation. The results have implications for global understandings of rainforest occupation by modern people. It demonstrates the wide temporal and spatial variability of human rainforest colonization processes worldwide.     

Ancient metalloenzymes as possible markers in molecular archaeology

The successful preparation of an active remnant of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase from mummified brain tissue stimulated the isolation of both biochemically and immunologically active alkaline Zn2Mg-phosphatase from antique bone samples of different archaeological sites and age. In particular, specimens from pharaonic Egypt being up to 4000 years of age were used. Gel filtration, ion exchange and affinity chromatographies were employed to optimise the preparation of the ancient enzyme. Compared to the specific activity of alkaline phosphatase from modern autopsy some 50% for a Ptolemaic and 10% for the Old Kingdom enzyme was detectable. The possibility of microbial contamination was checked by employing specific monoclonal antibodies directed against the human bone enzyme. Fortunately, ubiquitously present specified microorganisms on the respective ancient bones did not cross-react with these antibodies while the ancient metalloenzyme reacted with high specificity. Alkaline phosphatase mimicks could be excluded as in the presence of the inhibitors 1,10-phenanthroline and L-homoarginine the enzyme activity was diminished. The presence of ortho-vanadate as a substrate analogon abolished the catalytic function of the enzyme. Likewise, heating to 100 degrees C and replacement of zinc(II) by cadmium(II) resulted in a dramatic loss of activity. In conclusion, alkaline phosphatase appears to be a useful marker enzyme in molecular archaeology.     

Musicality in human evolution,archaeology and ethnography

This essay reviews Iain Morley’s The Prehistory of Music, an up-to-date and authoritative overview of recent research on evolution and cognition of musicality from an interdisciplinary viewpoint. Given the diversity of the project explored, integration of evidence from multiple fields is particularly pressing, required for any novel evolutionary account to be persuasive, and for the project’s continued progress. Moreover, Morley convincingly demonstrates that there is much more to understanding musicality than is supposed by some theorists. I outline Morley’s review of the archaeological and ethnographic literature, and then go on to critique his assessment of philosophical and evolutionary theories, offering some alternative perspectives that might better benefit his project.     

Molecular archaeology of the mitochondrial geonome

Summary We develop a stepwise model for the net transfer of nucleic acid sequences between nonhomologous genomes. This model is then used to explain the two major patterns in the evolutionary history of mitochondrial genomes: the gross reduction of the number of genes, and the subsequent acquisition of introns.     

The potential value of honey in palaeopalynology and archaeology

Over 70 pollen types were recovered from honey samples from eight localities in southern Nigeria. The identified honey pollen are those of important climatic and environmental indicator species, and clearly reflect the botanical and geographical origins of the honey samples. The implications of this in the study of past environments and archaeology are discussed.     

Sperm Competition in the Acari

Literature on sperm competition in the Acari is reviewed and supplemented with the author's unpublished observations. As in other animals, morphology and physiology of the female reproductive tract are key factors establishing the sperm competition pattern. First-male sperm priority was found in Gamasida and Actinedida, whereas in Acaridida the last males to mate had the highest reproductive success. However, this general pattern may be modified by behavioural factors, and another aspect needs scrutiny: in many groups of mites sperm cells follow routes other than the lumen of the reproductive tract to meet and fertilize the oocyte. The Acari are a very promising group for future research because of the wide range of sperm competition patterns, accompanied by great diversity in reproductive morphology, physiology and mating.     

Forum for African archaeology and cultural heritage

Forum for African archaeology and cultural heritage     

晋西南旧石器考古学研究现状及其展望

晋西南古称河东,位于汾渭地堑中部,包括临汾盆地、运城盆地以及中条山南麓黄河沿岸。这里自古就是中华民族文明重要发祥地,也是研究人类起源、发展、演化的重要地区。20世纪50年代以来,考古工作者在山西地堑发现了300余处旧石器时代遗址和地点。这些发现业已证明晋西南的临汾、运城以及中条山南麓黄河沿岸,从早更新世初期直到更新世结束一直有人类在这片土地上繁衍生息。其中西侯度遗址、匼河遗址群、丁村遗址群、下川遗址群、柿子滩遗址群,代表了东亚旧石器时代人类200万年以来从能人→直立人→早期智人→晚期智人各个不同发展阶段一个完整的演化历程。因此,这里成为中国大陆一个非常重要的远古人类演化场。本文试图通过对这一区域旧石器考古的回顾,找出我们工作中的不足以及需要努力的方向,并向本地区考古学研究的开拓者贾兰坡、王建、王择义等老一辈考古学家致敬。