Characterization of structural changes in modern and archaeological burnt bone: Implications for differential preservation bias

Structural and thermodynamic factors which may influence burnt bone survivorship in archaeological contexts have not been fully described. A highly controlled experimental reference collection of fresh, modern bone burned in temperature increments 100–1200˚C is presented here to document the changes to bone tissue relevant to preservation using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Specific parameters investigated here include the rate of organic loss, amount of bone mineral recrystallization, and average growth in bone mineral crystallite size. An archaeological faunal assemblage ca. 30,000 years ago from Tolbor-17 (Mongolia) is additionally considered to confirm visibility of changes seen in the modern reference sample and to relate structural changes to commonly used zooarchaeological scales of burning intensity. The timing of our results indicates that the loss of organic components in both modern and archaeological bone burnt to temperatures up to 700˚C are not accompanied by growth changes in the average crystallite size of bone mineral bioapatite, leaving the small and reactive bioapatite crystals of charred and carbonized bone exposed to diagenetic agents in depositional contexts. For bones burnt to temperatures of 700˚C and above, two major increases in average crystallite size are noted which effectively decrease the available surface area of bone mineral crystals, decreasing reactivity and offering greater thermodynamic stability despite the mechanical fragility of calcined bone. We discuss the archaeological implications of these observations within the context of Tolbor-17 and the challenges of identifying anthropogenic fire

The Northern Route for Human dispersal in Central and Northeast Asia: New evidence from the site of Tolbor-16, Mongolia.

The fossil record suggests that at least two major human dispersals occurred across the Eurasian steppe during the Late Pleistocene. Neanderthals and Modern Humans moved eastward into Central Asia, a region intermittently occupied by the enigmatic Denisovans. Genetic data indicates that the Denisovans interbred with Neanderthals near the Altai Mountains (South Siberia) but where and when they met H. sapiens is yet to be determined. Here we present archaeological evidence that document the timing and environmental context of a third long-distance population movement in Central Asia, during a temperate climatic event around 45,000 years ago. The early occurrence of the Initial Upper Palaeolithic, a techno-complex whose sudden appearance coincides with the first occurrence of H. sapiens in the Eurasian steppes, establishes an essential archaeological link between the Siberian Altai and Northwestern China . Such connection between regions provides empirical ground to discuss contacts between local and exogenous populations in Central and Northeast Asia during the Late Pleistocene

Radiocarbon dating and cultural dynamics across Mongolia’s early pastoral transition

All necessary permits were obtained for the described study, which complied with all relevant regulations. Collaboration contract between the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human HIstory and the National University of Mongolia began on the 10th November, 2016. Export number 10/413 (7b/52) was received on the 2nd Feb, 2017 (#A0109258, MN DE 7 643). This research was supported by the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History. Special thanks to Dr. Katerina Douka and the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Laboratory for conducting 14C analysis, and to all of the original excavators and authors who published the radiocarbon dates cited in this study.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Laminar technology and the onset of the Upper Paleolithic in the Altai, Siberia

The Altai region has yielded a cluster of Middle and Upper Paleolithicstratified sites that have been recently excavated using a multidisciplinaryapproach. These sequences provide key evidence illustrating changes inmaterial culture corresponding to the transition from the Middle to theUpper Paleolithic. In Europe, this phenomenon is associated with thereplacement of Neandertals by modern humans. Based on this archeologicaldata set, local scholars have put forward a scenario of regional transitionto explain the emergence cultural and biological modernity. Recentdevelopments in ancient DNA studies, however, have complicated thismodel by showing that Neandertals were present in the Altai Mountainsuntil forty thousand years ago. In addition, a previously unknown genomehas been sequenced, demonstrating the presence of another type ofhominin in the region, the so-called ‘Denisovans’. The presence ofanatomically modern humans is confirmed by at least thirty thousandyears ago in Siberia. Based on a taphonomic and technological analysis ofthe Kara-Bom and Ust-Karakol laminar assemblages, the study presentedin this volume takes a close look at the early development of Upper Paleolithictechnical traditions in the Altai. The alternative chrono-culturalmodel presented as an attempt to conciliate archeological, environmental,genetic and paleontological data has substantial implications for ourunderstanding of the Late Pleistocene peopling of Asia.</p

Laminar technology and the onset of the Upper Paleolithic in the Altai, Siberia

The Altai region has yielded a cluster of Middle and Upper Paleolithicstratified sites that have been recently excavated using a multidisciplinaryapproach. These sequences provide key evidence illustrating changes inmaterial culture corresponding to the transition from the Middle to theUpper Paleolithic. In Europe, this phenomenon is associated with thereplacement of Neandertals by modern humans. Based on this archeologicaldata set, local scholars have put forward a scenario of regional transitionto explain the emergence cultural and biological modernity. Recentdevelopments in ancient DNA studies, however, have complicated thismodel by showing that Neandertals were present in the Altai Mountainsuntil forty thousand years ago. In addition, a previously unknown genomehas been sequenced, demonstrating the presence of another type ofhominin in the region, the so-called ‘Denisovans’. The presence ofanatomically modern humans is confirmed by at least thirty thousandyears ago in Siberia. Based on a taphonomic and technological analysis ofthe Kara-Bom and Ust-Karakol laminar assemblages, the study presentedin this volume takes a close look at the early development of Upper Paleolithictechnical traditions in the Altai. The alternative chrono-culturalmodel presented as an attempt to conciliate archeological, environmental,genetic and paleontological data has substantial implications for ourunderstanding of the Late Pleistocene peopling of Asia.The Max Planck SocietyFdA – Publicaties niet-programma gebonde

Laminar technology and the onset of the Upper Paleolithic in the Altai, Siberia

Zugl.: Leiden, Univ., Diss., 201