Lead in Archeological Human Bones Reflecting Historical Changes in Lead Production.

Forty years ago, in a seminal paper published in Science, Settle and Patterson used archeological and historical data to estimate the rates of worldwide lead production since the discovery of cupellation, approximately 5000 years ago. Here, we record actual lead exposure of a human population by direct measurements of the concentrations of lead in petrous bones of individuals representing approximately 12 000 years of inhabitation in Italy. This documentation of lead pollution throughout human history indicates that, remarkably, much of the estimated dynamics in lead production is replicated in human exposure. Thus, lead pollution in humans has closely followed anthropogenic lead production. This observation raises concerns that the forecasted increase in the production of lead and other metals might affect human health in the near future

Atypical ooid diversity in the Upper Cretaceous Yacoraite Formation, Argentina

This study reports on ooid diversity from different lithotypes of the Yacoraite Formation (Salta Group basin) in the Central Andes of north-west Argentina. The ooids display a variety of internal and external morphologies that may be deployed as proxies for seawater chemistry and hydrodynamic processes. A short review of nomenclature problems is first discussed, followed by presentation of a two-fold quantitative and qualitative methodology. Our proposed classification addresses internal and external ooid characters in order to understand growth in response to various environmental processes at an individual particle level. This classification allows discrimination between a variety of morphologies, but also evaluation of the complexity of the processes involved in ooid formation as seen in the fossil record. This study evaluates whether the ooids present within the Yacoraite Formation share similarities with ooids formed in marine versus marine lagoon and/or lacustrine environments. A possible lacustrine interpretation finds its origin in the diverse assemblage of ooid morphotypes present, which exceeds the variations described for marine ooids. However, growth paths and occurrence of various compound morphologies point to intense marine recycling, suggesting little accommodation. Together with other sedimentological characteristics, for example, bi-directional cross-bedding, tidal shoals, hummocky cross-stratification and exposure surfaces, these features suggest that marine processes had an impact on the sediments. Therefore, the ooid assemblage of the Cretaceous Yacoraite Formation was most likely formed in a shallow coastal lagoon in the framework of an epicontinental sea that at times experienced marine flooding events. A detailed evaluation of processes involved in oolite formation is needed in order to improve the stratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental understanding of ooid formation through time. This includes examining alternating constructive and destructive stages, early binding and cementation, reworking, recycling and averaging processes.Fil: Coppa Vigliocco, Ariadna. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; ArgentinaFil: Astini, Ricardo Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; ArgentinaFil: Gomez, Fernando Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; Argentin

Density separation of petrous bone powders for optimized ancient DNA yields

Density separation is a process routinely used to segregate minerals, organic matter, and even microplastics, from soils and sediments. Here we apply density separation to archaeological bone powders before DNA extraction to increase endoge-nous DNA recovery relative to a standard control extraction of the same powders. Using nontoxic heavy liquid solutions, we separated powders from the petrous bones of 10 individuals of similar archaeological preservation into eight density inter-vals (2.15 to 2.45 g/cm3 , in 0.05 increments). We found that the 2.30 to 2.35 g/cm 3 and 2.35 to 2.40 g/cm3 intervals yield-ed up to 5.28-fold more endogenous unique DNA than the corresponding standard extraction (and up to 8.53-fold before duplicate read removal), while maintaining signals of ancient DNA authenticity and not reducing library complexity. Although small 0.05 g/cm 3 intervals may maximally optimize yields, a single separation to remove materials with a density above 2.40 g/cm3 yielded up to 2.57-fold more endogenous DNA on average, which enables the simultaneous separation of samples that vary in preservation or in the type of material analyzed. While requiring no new ancient DNA laboratory equipment and fewer than 30 min of extra laboratory work, the implementation of density separation before DNA extraction can substantially boost endogenous DNA yields without decreasing library complexity. Although subsequent studies are required, we present theoretical and practical foundations that may prove useful when applied to other ancient DNA substrates such as teeth, other bones, and sediments

New regression formula to estimate the prenatal crown formation time of human deciduous central incisors derived from a Roman Imperial sample (Velia, Salerno, Italy, I-II cent. CE)

The characterization and quantification of human dental enamel microstructure, in both permanent and deciduous teeth, allows us to document crucial growth parameters and to identify stressful events, thus contributing to the reconstruction of the past life history of an individual. Most studies to date have focused on the more accessible post-natal portion of the deciduous dental enamel, even though the analysis of prenatal enamel is pivotal in understanding fetal growth, and reveals information about the mother’s health status during pregnancy. This contribution reports new data describing the prenatal enamel development of 18 central deciduous incisors from the Imperial Roman necropolis of Velia (I-II century CE, Salerno, Italy). Histomorphometrical analysis was performed to collect data on prenatal crown formation times, daily secretion rates and enamel extension rates. Results for the Velia sample allowed us to derive a new regression formula, using a robust statistical approach, that describes the average rates of deciduous enamel formation. This can now be used as a reference for pre-industrial populations. The same regression formula, even when daily incremental markings are difficult to visualize, may provide a clue to predicting the proportion of infants born full term and pre-term in an archaeological series

Una cuña marina dominada por mareas en la base de la Formación Lecho en el extremo noroeste argentino

En el marco de la discusión sobre transgresiones marinas que afectaron durante el Cretácico Tardío al noroeste argentino, se da a conocer un intervalo influenciado por mareas dentro del denominado depocentro de Tres Cruces, asociado a la cuenca del Grupo Salta. El mismo, se encuentra interpuesto entre depósitos rojos asignados indiferenciadamente al Subgrupo Pirgua y eolianitas blanquecinas reconocidas regionalmente y asignadas a la Formación Lecho. Este desarrollo estratigráfico sólo abarca el extremo noroeste argentino en la serranía de los Siete Hermanos (Yavi), próxima al límite con Bolivia, no estando registrado en los asomos ubicados a la latitud de Tres Cruces. Estratificación sigmoidal con notables pantallas de fango y acumulación de intraclastos pelíticos concentrados hacia la base de los conjuntos de estratificación cruzada, junto con facies heterolíticas rítmicas constituyen evidencias sedimentológicas diagnósticas de estructuras y estratofábricas indicativas de procesos y periodicidades mareales que asociadas con otras características estratigráficas como color, continuidad lateral y apilamiento estratigráfico permiten documentar una primera incursión marina para esta región. La localización regional de estos depósitos junto a sus características sedimentológicas y estrati-gráficas permiten interpretarlo como un registro estuarino. Esto permite, por un lado, reafirmar la presencia de transgresiones marinas influyendo durante el Cretácico en el noroeste argentino y, por el otro, especular sobre consideraciones de estratigrafía secuencial aplicadas al marco de mares someros epicontinentales. Bajo estas condiciones, un registro marino transgresivo-regresivo puede permitir discriminar y entender modificaciones paleogeograficas y ordenamientos estratigráficos en función de la disponibilidad de espacio de acumulación (acomodación) y discutir sus controles.Fil: Astini, Ricardo Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; ArgentinaFil: Coppa Vigliocco, Ariadna. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; ArgentinaFil: Gomez, Fernando Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; Argentin

Pathological and normal variability of foot bones in osteological collections from Catalonia (Spain) and Lazio (Italy)

Acord transformatiu CRUE-CSICA wide number of factors can affect the structure of the bones in the foot. In bioarchaeology, few studies about foot anomalies include population comparisons and changes across time. We aimed to identify normal and pathological variability that affected the foot in the recent history of West Mediterranean populations. Thus, we analyzed change in occurrence of rare variants, pathological lesions, entheseal morphology, and their probable causes. We studied 518 pairs of skeletonized feet dated from the 2nd-20th centuries CE, from Catalonia (Spain) and the region of Lazio (Italy). Moreover, a Neolithic series from Oman has been analyzed for contrast. We found that calcaneal spur, hypertrophic peroneal trochlea of calcaneus, periosteal reaction of talar neck, alteration of articular surface to lateral cuneiform, displaced talar neck to medial plane, osteophytes in cuneiform-navicular joint, fused phalanges, and forefoot eburnation showed significant differences among countries. Contrasting by countries and dates, we noticed an increase in the frequencies of these variables from Spain over the centuries. Conversely, there are no temporal differences among the Italian series. The period encompassing the 10th-19th centuries CE demonstrated the highest differences between countries. Lifestyle, occupations, footwear, and geography could be the origin of variability

Tracking the transition to agriculture in Southern Europe through ancient DNA analysis of dental calculus

Archaeological dental calculus, or mineralized plaque, is a key tool to track the evolution of oral microbiota across time in response to processes that impacted our culture and biology, such as the rise of farming during the Neolithic. However, the extent to which the human oral flora changed from prehistory until present has remained elusive due to the scarcity of data on the microbiomes of prehistoric humans. Here, we present our reconstruction of oral microbiomes via shotgun metagenomics of dental calculus in 44 ancient foragers and farmers from two regions playing a pivotal role in the spread of farming across Europe—the Balkans and the Italian Peninsula. We show that the introduction of farming in Southern Europe did not alter significantly the oral microbiomes of local forager groups, and it was in particular associated with a higher abundance of the species Olsenella sp. oral taxon 807. The human oral environment in prehistory was dominated by a microbial species, Anaerolineaceae bacterium oral taxon 439, that diversified geographically. A Near Eastern lineage of this bacterial commensal dispersed with Neolithic farmers and replaced the variant present in the local foragers. Our findings also illustrate that major taxonomic shifts in human oral microbiome composition occurred after the Neolithic and that the functional profile of modern humans evolved in recent times to develop peculiar mechanisms of antibiotic resistance that were previously absent

Evidence for Labret Use in Prehistory

Aims. Compared to occlusal dental wear, labial/buccal abrasion is seldom documented in prehistoric groups. This type of wear occurs in some ethnographic-present and living populations and leaves telltale facets on non-occlusal vestibular surfaces associated with labrets. Methods and materials. For detailed macroscopic, microscopic (binocular and SEM) and thin sectioned analysis we focused on the early Neolithic site of Mehrgarh in Pakistan where labial/buccal wear is found in mostly older adult males. We studied 215 teeth from ten individuals from the site. From the literature and some personal observations, we review evidence from the Czech early Upper Paleolithic and many later sites in the Old and New Worlds. Results. For Mehrgarh macroscopic observations revealed numerous teeth with labial and buccal facets affecting nearly every tooth class. Binocular and scanning electron microscopy and one thin-sectioned tooth provided detailed information about the wear characteristics on the facets. Comparisons. The most striking parallels to wear at Mehrgarh come from recent Inuit and Northwest Coast Native Americans where labret use was frequent in males and females. Vestibular wear occurs in a wide variety of specimens from the early Upper Paleolithic to modern patients. Unlike Mehrgarh and earlier prehistoric groups, in many cases, Native American teeth are associated with the actual labrets in the graves. Conclusion. Occlusal wear or attrition caused by dental/oral manipulations where the teeth were used as tools is different, based on the resultant facets left on the teeth and micro-wear features. In prehistoric Europe, labret use extends back, at least, to the early Upper Paleolithic. As in recent humans, the use of labrets in prehistoric groups likely represents personal adornment tied to concepts of beauty and/or achieved/acquired status

Palaeoenvironment and plant use in the Upper Capsian: Macro-botanical and microbotanical remains from Kef Hamda (Tunisia)

Kef Hamda is an open-air site settled on a 35 x 10 m terrace along the el Garia crest of the Tunisian Ridge. The site was discovered in 1973, and has been the focus of more recent excavations in 2014 by a team lead by the Institut National du Patrimoine of Tunisia and the Sapienza University of Rome. It is dated between the 9 ¿ 8 th millennium cal BP, with evidences of a lithic complex belonging to the Upper Capsian. Systematic analyses of macro-plant (seeds and wood charcoals) and micro-plant (phytoliths) fossils have yielded a rich assemblage that provide pioneer data on the woody environment and the use of plants for consumption, fuel and basketry, among other uses. Preliminary results indicate the collection of several food plants such as legumes (Lathyrus/Vicia sp.), acorns (Quercus sp.), pine nuts (Pinushalepensis), juniper (Juniperus sp.), lentisk (Pistacialentiscus) and elderberry (Sambucus sp.). No crop seeds or domesticate animals have been recorded, in spite that pottery fragments were identified in the upper levels. In addition, macro and micro fossils of Alfa grass (Stipatenacissima) suggest that this plant could be used to produce basketry items, such as mats, cords, and containers, among others

Multipronged dental analyses reveal dietary differences in last foragers and first farmers at Grotta Continenza, central Italy (15,500–7000 BP)

This paper provides results from a suite of analyses made on human dental material from the Late Palaeolithic to Neolithic strata of the cave site of Grotta Continenza situated in the Fucino Basin of the Abruzzo region of central Italy. The available human remains from this site provide a unique possibility to study ways in which forager versus farmer lifeways affected human odonto-skeletal remains. The main aim of our study is to understand palaeodietary patterns and their changes over time as reflected in teeth. These analyses involve a review of metrics and oral pathologies, micro-fossils preserved in the mineralized dental plaque, macrowear, and buccal microwear. Our results suggest that these complementary approaches support the assumption about a critical change in dental conditions and status with the introduction of Neolithic foodstuff and habits. However, we warn that different methodologies applied here provide data at different scales of resolution for detecting such changes and a multipronged approach to the study of dental collections is needed for a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of diachronic changes