Organic residue analysis shows sub-regional patterns in the use of pottery by Northern European hunter–gatherers

The introduction of pottery vessels to Europe has long been seen as closely linked with the spread of agriculture and pastoralism from the Near East. The adoption of pottery technology by hunter–gatherers in Northern and Eastern Europe does not fit this paradigm, and its role within these communities is so far unresolved. To investigate the motivations for hunter–gatherer pottery use, here, we present the systematic analysis of the contents of 528 early vessels from the Baltic Sea region, mostly dating to the late 6th–5th millennium cal BC, using molecular and isotopic characterization techniques. The results demonstrate clear sub-regional trends in the use of ceramics by hunter–gatherers; aquatic resources in the Eastern Baltic, non-ruminant animal fats in the Southeastern Baltic, and a more variable use, including ruminant animal products, in the Western Baltic, potentially including dairy. We found surprisingly little evidence for the use of ceramics for non-culinary activities, such as the production of resins. We attribute the emergence of these subregional cuisines to the diffusion of new culinary ideas afforded by the adoption of pottery, e.g. cooking and combining foods, but culturally contextualized and influenced by traditional practices

Examination of Late Palaeolithic archaeological sites in northern Europe for the preservation of cryptotephra layers

We report the first major study of cryptotephra (non-visible volcanic ash layers) on Late Palaeolithic archaeological sites in northern Europe. Examination of 34 sites dating from the Last Termination reveals seven with identifiable cryptotephra layers. Preservation is observed in minerogenic and organic deposits, although tephra is more common in organic sediments. Cryptotephra layers normally occur stratigraphically above or below the archaeology. Nearby off-site palaeoclimate archives (peat bogs and lakes <0.3 km distant) were better locations for detecting tephra. However in most cases the archaeology can only be correlated indirectly with such cryptotephras. Patterns affecting the presence/absence of cryptotephra include geographic position of sites relative to the emitting volcanic centre; the influence of past atmospherics on the quantity, direction and patterns of cryptotephra transport; the nature and timing of local site sedimentation; sampling considerations and subsequent taphonomic processes. Overall, while tephrostratigraphy has the potential to improve significantly the chronology of such sites many limiting factors currently impacts the successful application

Palaeogenomics of Upper Palaeolithic to Neolithic European hunter-gatherers

: Modern humans have populated Europe for more than 45,000 years1,2. Our knowledge of the genetic relatedness and structure of ancient hunter-gatherers is however limited, owing to the scarceness and poor molecular preservation of human remains from that period3. Here we analyse 356 ancient hunter-gatherer genomes, including new genomic data for 116 individuals from 14 countries in western and central Eurasia, spanning between 35,000 and 5,000 years ago. We identify a genetic ancestry profile in individuals associated with Upper Palaeolithic Gravettian assemblages from western Europe that is distinct from contemporaneous groups related to this archaeological culture in central and southern Europe4, but resembles that of preceding individuals associated with the Aurignacian culture. This ancestry profile survived during the Last Glacial Maximum (25,000 to 19,000 years ago) in human populations from southwestern Europe associated with the Solutrean culture, and with the following Magdalenian culture that re-expanded northeastward after the Last Glacial Maximum. Conversely, we reveal a genetic turnover in southern Europe suggesting a local replacement of human groups around the time of the Last Glacial Maximum, accompanied by a north-to-south dispersal of populations associated with the Epigravettian culture. From at least 14,000 years ago, an ancestry related to this culture spread from the south across the rest of Europe, largely replacing the Magdalenian-associated gene pool. After a period of limited admixture that spanned the beginning of the Mesolithic, we find genetic interactions between western and eastern European hunter-gatherers, who were also characterized by marked differences in phenotypically relevant variants

Palaeogenomics of Upper Palaeolithic to Neolithic European hunter-gatherers

Publisher Copyright: © 2023, The Author(s).Modern humans have populated Europe for more than 45,000 years1,2. Our knowledge of the genetic relatedness and structure of ancient hunter-gatherers is however limited, owing to the scarceness and poor molecular preservation of human remains from that period3. Here we analyse 356 ancient hunter-gatherer genomes, including new genomic data for 116 individuals from 14 countries in western and central Eurasia, spanning between 35,000 and 5,000 years ago. We identify a genetic ancestry profile in individuals associated with Upper Palaeolithic Gravettian assemblages from western Europe that is distinct from contemporaneous groups related to this archaeological culture in central and southern Europe4, but resembles that of preceding individuals associated with the Aurignacian culture. This ancestry profile survived during the Last Glacial Maximum (25,000 to 19,000 years ago) in human populations from southwestern Europe associated with the Solutrean culture, and with the following Magdalenian culture that re-expanded northeastward after the Last Glacial Maximum. Conversely, we reveal a genetic turnover in southern Europe suggesting a local replacement of human groups around the time of the Last Glacial Maximum, accompanied by a north-to-south dispersal of populations associated with the Epigravettian culture. From at least 14,000 years ago, an ancestry related to this culture spread from the south across the rest of Europe, largely replacing the Magdalenian-associated gene pool. After a period of limited admixture that spanned the beginning of the Mesolithic, we find genetic interactions between western and eastern European hunter-gatherers, who were also characterized by marked differences in phenotypically relevant variants.Peer reviewe

Palaeogenomics of Upper Palaeolithic to Neolithic European hunter-gatherers

Modern humans have populated Europe for more than 45,000 years. Our knowledge of the genetic relatedness and structure of ancient hunter-gatherers is however limited, owing to the scarceness and poor molecular preservation of human remains from that period. Here we analyse 356 ancient hunter-gatherer genomes, including new genomic data for 116 individuals from 14 countries in western and central Eurasia, spanning between 35,000 and 5,000 years ago. We identify a genetic ancestry profile in individuals associated with Upper Palaeolithic Gravettian assemblages from western Europe that is distinct from contemporaneous groups related to this archaeological culture in central and southern Europe, but resembles that of preceding individuals associated with the Aurignacian culture. This ancestry profile survived during the Last Glacial Maximum (25,000 to 19,000 years ago) in human populations from southwestern Europe associated with the Solutrean culture, and with the following Magdalenian culture that re-expanded northeastward after the Last Glacial Maximum. Conversely, we reveal a genetic turnover in southern Europe suggesting a local replacement of human groups around the time of the Last Glacial Maximum, accompanied by a north-to-south dispersal of populations associated with the Epigravettian culture. From at least 14,000 years ago, an ancestry related to this culture spread from the south across the rest of Europe, largely replacing the Magdalenian-associated gene pool. After a period of limited admixture that spanned the beginning of the Mesolithic, we find genetic interactions between western and eastern European hunter-gatherers, who were also characterized by marked differences in phenotypically relevant variants.Archaeological Heritage Managemen

Accuracy analysis of stowing computations for securing non-standard cargoes on ships according to IMO CSS Code

The article takes up a subject of effectiveness of securing arrangements while stowing non-standard cargoes on ships. Accuracy analysis of stowing calculations was based on procedures proposed by Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing – CSS Code. Detailed calculations of forces and moments related to lashings, which prevents non-standard cargo against transverse tipping, were performed. Some simplifications were proven that may result in underestimating or overstating the calculated righting moment, which decides of safety margin of securing non-standard cargoes. The alternative more reliable procedure, without simplifications, was proposed

Flow averaging tube geometry improvement for K-factor stability increase

Fluid flow around two-profile averaging differential pressure sensor was investigated in this paper. Research concentrated particularly on fluid movement direction and velocity over the investigated flow sensor. Analysis was conducted experimentally in low velocity wind tunnel. Because of large number of measuring points placed very close to each other, it was decided that velocity profile measurement will be performed by means of fully automated test stand. Due to a recirculation of the stream in the vicinity of the probe tested in the wind tunnel, an original two-direction probe was used. A linear module with a stepper motor formed an integral part of the measurement system. The location of the measuring probe, the possibility of adjusting stream mean velocities and data acquisition was undertaken by means of a dedicated program. The above mentioned investigation method helped to improve the metrological properties of the flowmeter applying non symmetrical probe cross-section forced air stream to be redirected in the desired direction. This modification significantly increased K-factor value and stability of air flow through the contraction of the flowmeter

Laboratory stand for flowmeters tests

W artykule omówiono budowę i zasadę działania zautomatyzowanego stanowiska do badania i wzorcowania przepływomierzy spiętrzających przepływ. Przedstawiono podstawowe elementy wchodzące w skład stanowiska: tunel aerodynamiczny typu otwartego oraz zespół rurociągów o średnicach od 104 do 381 mm wraz z instrumentami pomiarowymi. Stanowisko zarządzane było autorskimi programami pracującymi w środowisku LabView, dzięki którym możliwe było m.in. wyznaczanie charakterystyk współczynnika przepływu K rurek uśredniających ciśnienie dynamiczne w czasie rzeczywistym oraz ich archiwizacja w celu przygotowania charakterystyk metrologicznych. Zamieszczono w pracy analizę niepewności pomiaru rurkami uśredniającymi ciśnienie dynamiczne oraz wykresy współczynnika przepływu dla wybranych średnic rurociągu i porównano je ze sobą. Sformułowano wnioski natury metrologicznej.In this article it was discussed construction and principle of operation of automated measurement stand for testing differential pressure flowmeters. It was shown basic elements of measurement stand: open type wind tunnel and system of pipelines (D=104-381 mm) with measurement instrumentation. This stand was controlled by means of author’s computer programs working in LabView environment. The programs served to observe flow coefficient K in real time and to archive them in order to prepare metrological characteristics. Additionally it was placed metrological uncertainty analysis using two-profile Flow Averaging Tube and its flow coefficient K characteristics for selected diameters of pipeline. Results of measurements was compared to each other for different pipeline diameters. Metrological summary was formulated

Metrological properties and ability applications of self averaged pitot probes and micro - venturi tubes

W pracy przedstawiono rozwiązania konstrukcyjne przepływomierzy piętrzących, w których czujnikami są rurki uśredniające ciśnienie dynamiczne oraz mikrozwężki. Podano przykłady numerycznych badań piętrzących czujników przepływu. Omówiono ich własności metrologiczne i eksploatacyjne. Podano przykłady zastosowań.Constructions of impact flowmeters based on averaged pitot probes and micro - venturi tubes are presented in this paper. Examples of numerical simulations of impact flowmeters are displayed. Metrological and operating properties of these probes are shown. Moreover examples of their applications are given

Analysis of flowing fluid effect on flow averaging tube

This paper presents a mathematical model and results of numerical simulations for a fluid flow around a flow averaging tube. The calculations have been performed using the commercially available FLUENT software. The authors have applied the currently known studies of the models of turbulence and their applicability in certain flow conditions and hence selected the RNG k-epsylon turbulence model including appropriate functions to be used for determination of pressures and velocities at the sites of occurrence of considerable gradients. The distributions of pressures and velocities around a sensor are presented along with pressure distributions, instantaneous and averaged in time, on the measuring tube surface. The paper determines the frequencies of measuring tube free vibrations for one sided and two-sided tube fitting for the tube length in the range 100–1500mm. This analysis has been conducted with the aid of solving equations for free undamped vibrations for specific models. The graphical presentation involves an admissible range of tube lengths with one and two-sided fitting for the specified flowing air velocities