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

The impact of farming on prehistoric culinary practices throughout Northern Europe

To investigate changes in culinary practices associated with the arrival of farming, we analysed the organic residues of over 1,000 pottery vessels from hunter-gatherer-fisher and early agricultural sites across Northern Europe from the Lower Rhine Basin to the Northeastern Baltic. Here, pottery was widely used by hunter-gatherer-fishers prior to the introduction of domesticated animals and plants. Overall, there was surprising continuity in the way that hunter-gatherer-fishers and farmers used pottery. Both aquatic products and wild plants remained prevalent, a pattern repeated consistently across the study area. We argue that the rapid adaptation of farming communities to exploit coastal and lagoonal resources facilitated their northerly expansion, and in some cases, hunting, gathering, and fishing became the most dominant subsistence strategy. Nevertheless, dairy products frequently appear in pottery associated with the earliest farming groups often mixed with wild plants and fish. Interestingly, we also find compelling evidence of dairy products in hunter-gatherer-fisher Ertebølle pottery, which predates the arrival of domesticated animals. We propose that Ertebølle hunter-gatherer-fishers frequently acquired dairy products through exchange with adjacent farming communities prior to the transition. The continuity observed in pottery use across the transition to farming contrasts with the analysis of human remains which shows substantial demographic change through ancient DNA and, in some cases, a reduction in marine consumption through stable isotope analysis. We postulate that farmers acquired the knowledge and skills they needed to succeed from local hunter-gatherer-fishers but without substantial admixture

The transmission of pottery technology among prehistoric European hunter-gatherers

Human history has been shaped by global dispersals of technologies, although understanding of what enabled these processes is limited. Here, we explore the behavioural mechanisms that led to the emergence of pottery among hunter-gatherer communities in Europe during the mid-Holocene. Through radiocarbon dating, we propose this dispersal occurred at a far faster rate than previously thought. Chemical characterization of organic residues shows that European hunter-gatherer pottery had a function structured around regional culinary practices rather than environmental factors. Analysis of the forms, decoration and technological choices suggests that knowledge of pottery spread through a process of cultural transmission. We demonstrate a correlation between the physical properties of pots and how they were used, reflecting social traditions inherited by successive generations of hunter-gatherers. Taken together the evidence supports kinship-driven, super-regional communication networks that existed long before other major innovations such as agriculture, writing, urbanism or metallurgy

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

Influence of disturbed flow after an elbow on metrological properties of a Flow Averaging Tube

Experimental results of air velocity profiles and Flow Averaging Tubes (FAT®) K-factor measured behind an elbow are presented in this paper. The pipeline diameter was D=150 mm, while the range of mean velocities w=9…30 m/s. Velocity profiles were determined both in the vertical and horizontal plane in the respective distances L/D of a pipeline from 3 to 18. In the places of the measured velocity profiles, three cross-sections of flow averaging tubes (circular, streamlined and two-profile) were placed to determine the characteristics of K-factor. Moreover, a fully automated test stand is presented in this paper. The completed experiment allows shortening the distance between an elbow and a flowmeter installation place and informing about the value of a correction factor, which can be used to minimize the measurement uncertainty of the air flow rate. It was stated that the horizontal plane is better to install a probe because of the velocity profile and better results of repeatability

Experimental research on velocity profiles in selected flow systems

A problem of measuring of velocity profiles with the use of a fully automated test stand is presented in this paper. Due to the installed measurement equipment and various software alternatives it is possible to assess the inlet effect and distribution of velocities in the vicinity of averaging Pitot tubes in order to determine the phenomena occurring in their vicinity (recirculation, main stream direction) and verify the numerical models of turbulence. Due to the stream recirculation in the vicinity of the probes tested in a wind tunnel, a two-way probe was used instead of a Pitot tube. A linear module with a stepper motor formed an integral part of the measurement system whereby it was possible to determine the position of the measurement probe with a precision of 0.1mm. The measuring anemometer location, the possibility of adjusting the stream mean velocities and data acquisition were established by means of an original program. As far as the research in pipelines is concerned - the resulting characteristics allow the uncertainty of measurement to be precisely determined, which should be accounted for during the determination of air fluxes at locations which are not included in the technical documentation of a flowmeter

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

Influence of velocity profile deformation on flow averaging tube flow coefficient

W pracy przedstawiono zasadę działania rurek uśredniających oraz stanowisko do ich wzorcowania. Zaprezentowano wyniki badań eksperymentalnych pomiaru strumienia powietrza przepływomierzami spiętrzającymi w strefie zaburzonego przepływu za pojedynczym kolanem. Określono profile prędkości w wybranych miejscach instalacji. Wyznaczono charakterystyki współczynnika przepływu K dla rurki o kształcie opływowym. Podano wartości współczynnika korekcyjnego umożliwiającego zmniejszenie niepewności pomiaru przepływu rurką uśredniającą. Wykazano, że lokalizacja przepływomierza poniżej 5D za kolanem powoduje istotny wzrost niepewności pomiaru.This paper presents experimental results of the air flow across an obstacle formed by a 90 degree segmented elbow. The internal diameter of the pipeline was D=152 mm, while the range of the mean velocities w = 10 30 m/s. The velocity profiles were determined (using Prandtl tube) both in the vertical and horizontal plane [12] in the relative distances L/D of the pipeline from 3 D to 20 D (Figs. 5 and 6). In the places of the established velocity profiles a streamlined flow averaging tube [7] was placed to determine the characteristics of the flow coefficient K (Figs. 8 and 9) as a function of the mean velocity (and Re number). The scope of this paper is also to present an automated test stand (equipped with a dedicated computer program - data acquisition) for calibrating flowmeters. The results of the experiments are given in the form of charts and compared. Analysis of the effect of changing the position of the averaging probe (vertical, horizontal) was conducted together with examination of the influence of the distance behind the obstacle (elbow) on the K-factor value. The realized experiment allowed shortening the distance between the obstacle and flowmeter installation place and informing about the correction factor value which can be used to minimise the uncertainty of the air flow rate measurement (Fig. 10). It was assumed that the horizontal plane is better for probe installation because of almost axi-symmetrical velocity profile and better repeatability of measurement points (K-factor changes by about 1%)

Investigations of the vibration effect in a measurement system for air flow phenomena in large pipelines

A measuring system for investigation of the air flow phenomena in large tubes is presented in this paper. The main goal is to measure and analyze the vibration effect of a sensing element used for air velocity and air stream measurement. It was observed that some vibrations occurred and involved damage effect in the flow sensor. The measuring system is based on the strain gauge technology with the use of a virtual instrument in the laboratory equipment. The presented system allows measuring, identifying and analyzing vibrations of the sensor in time and frequency domains. It was created as a virtual instrument, very easy to implement into the entire control system of the stand. It was found that the load of the sensing element was asymmetric and the mean load value, compared to variable loads, arose from disturbances of the air flow around the sensor. It was observed for the examined velocities of the air stream in the range up to 35 m/s