Marine resource abundance drove pre-agricultural population increase in Stone Age Scandinavia

How climate and ecology affect key cultural transformations remains debated in the context of long-term socio-cultural development because of spatially and temporally disjunct climate and archaeological records. The introduction of agriculture triggered a major population increase across Europe. However, in Southern Scandinavia it was preceded by ~500 years of sustained population growth. Here we show that this growth was driven by long-term enhanced marine production conditioned by the Holocene Thermal Maximum, a time of elevated temperature, sea level and salinity across coastal waters. We identify two periods of increased marine production across trophic levels (P1 7600–7100 and P2 6400–5900 cal. yr BP) that coincide with markedly increased mollusc collection and accumulation of shell middens, indicating greater marine resource availability. Between ~7600–5900 BP, intense exploitation of a warmer, more productive marine environment by Mesolithic hunter-gatherers drove cultural development, including maritime technological innovation, and from ca. 6400–5900 BP, underpinned a ~four-fold human population growth

Hunting Landscapes in the North Margin of Lake Viedma (Southern Patagonia, Argentina): Preys, Strategies and Technology

The aim of this paper is to describe and discuss the strategies and technology implemented by Late Holocene hunter-gatherers to hunt their most prominent animal resources, guanaco (Lama guanicoe) and choique (Rhea pennata pennata), in different settings in the north margin of Lake Viedma (Santa Cruz province, Argentina). In order to do that, we use archaeological distributional data from different altitudinal levels, namely lakeshore dunes (255–275 m.a.s.l), mid-altitude plains or pampas (276–900 m.a.s.l.), and Del Tobiano basaltic plateau (≥900 m a.s.l.). The pampas, particularly the grounds below 400 m.a.s.l., may have been used by both species as their wintering grounds (although their permanence in this environment could have occurred throughout the year), while the mid-altitude plains and the plateau seem to have been primarily used by the guanaco as grazing and calving grounds from late spring to early fall, the months in which most of its surface is free of snow. Likely, differences in seasonality, topography and use of these environments by the guanaco and choique social groups may have forced people to adopt different hunting strategies, tactics and weaponry. Frequency variations in the presence of projectile points and bolas at different altitudinal levels have been observed. In the pampas, evidence suggests that guanaco hunting was aided by the use of bow and arrows and/or throwing weapons, such as spears and bolas, the latter likely also used in the hunting of choique. In the plateau, on the other hand, guanaco hunting tactics involved the use of blinds either by individuals or small groups of hunters who were mainly equipped with throwing weapons and/or bow and arrows. The archeological record of the plateau shows a logistic hunting-oriented strategy as well as a residential use during summer months. Artifact density and variety at lakeshore dunes suggest a greater intensity of occupation of these grounds, probably linked to a more residential use—either seasonal (fall/winter) or year-round—made possible by the availability, although in variable density throughout the year, of guanaco and choique. Consequently, the regional archeological landscape exhibits evidence of integration and complementarity of the different altitudinal levels in the northern margin of the Lake Viedma, at least during the Late Holocene.Fil: Belardi, Juan Bautista. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral; ArgentinaFil: Carballo Marina, Flavia Elena. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral; ArgentinaFil: Barrientos, Gustavo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentin

3D analysis of cut marks using a new geometric morphometric methodological approach

The arrival of new methodological approaches to study microscopic qualities in cut mark morphology has been a major improvement in our understanding of butchering activities. Micro-morphological differences can be detected in multiple different taphonomic alterations on bone cortical surfaces that can later be used to compare different trace mark types. Through this, we can generate studies that are able to diagnose the specific taphonomic agents and activities that produce said traces that can be found on osteological surfaces. This paper presents experimental data that have been studied using micro-photogrammetry and geometric morphometrics, successfully distinguishing morphological differences in cut marks produced by different lithic tool types as well as different raw materials. The statistical results and methodologies presented here can later be applied to archaeological sites; aiding in our understanding of raw material exploitation, tool production as well as the different butchering activities that are present in faunal assemblages

Strong differences between Neanderthals and AMHs cannot be inferred from ethnographic evidence for skill and learning in hunting

The majority of analyses of hominin learning processes focus on stone tools. However, stone tool production is just one of many skills that were important for forager survival and success in the past, of which hunting strategies are one of the few documented in the Palaeolithic record. This chapter focuses on hunting skills, as a supplement to lithic studies addressing learning processes in Neanderthals and anatomically modern humans. Based on the ethnographic record, the content to be learned while hunting includes a wide range of different sorts of skills and information, some of which are situation specific. The similarities and relatively subtle differences in the record for hunting behaviour between the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic make it unlikely that there was a substantial contrast in the content to be learned or processes involved in acquiring hunting skills. Among contemporary hunters, various older individuals undertake some teaching and also frequently provide small tools, take children on hunting trips, and tell hunting stories. Children enthusiastically engage in their own hunting exploits and games with weapons. The widespread distribution of such activities suggests benefits for the speed and quality of learning, among other factors. It is not unlikely that AMH and Neanderthals, for whom hunting was an important skill, also employed some of these processes.Human Origin