Palaeoproteomics confirm earliest domesticated sheep in southern Africa ca. 2000 BP.

We used palaeoproteomics and peptide mass fingerprinting to obtain secure species identifications of key specimens of early domesticated fauna from South Africa, dating to ca. 2000 BP. It can be difficult to distinguish fragmentary remains of early domesticates (sheep) from similar-sized local wild bovids (grey duiker, grey rhebok, springbok-southern Africa lacks wild sheep) based on morphology alone. Our analysis revealed a Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS) marker (m/z 1532) present in wild bovids and we demonstrate through LC-MS/MS that it is capable of discriminating between wild bovids and caprine domesticates. We confirm that the Spoegrivier specimen dated to 2105 ± 65 BP is indeed a sheep. This is the earliest directly dated evidence of domesticated animals in southern Africa. As well as the traditional method of analysing bone fragments, we show the utility of minimally destructive sampling methods such as PVC eraser and polishing films for successful ZooMS identification. We also show that collagen extracted more than 25 years ago for the purpose of radiocarbon dating can yield successful ZooMS identification. Our study demonstrates the importance of developing appropriate regional frameworks of comparison for future research using ZooMS as a method of biomolecular species identification

Palaeoproteomics confirm earliest domesticated sheep in southern Africa ca. 2000 BP

Abstract: We used palaeoproteomics and peptide mass fingerprinting to obtain secure species identifications of key specimens of early domesticated fauna from South Africa, dating to ca. 2000 BP. It can be difficult to distinguish fragmentary remains of early domesticates (sheep) from similar-sized local wild bovids (grey duiker, grey rhebok, springbok—southern Africa lacks wild sheep) based on morphology alone. Our analysis revealed a Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS) marker (m/z 1532) present in wild bovids and we demonstrate through LC–MS/MS that it is capable of discriminating between wild bovids and caprine domesticates. We confirm that the Spoegrivier specimen dated to 2105 ± 65 BP is indeed a sheep. This is the earliest directly dated evidence of domesticated animals in southern Africa. As well as the traditional method of analysing bone fragments, we show the utility of minimally destructive sampling methods such as PVC eraser and polishing films for successful ZooMS identification. We also show that collagen extracted more than 25 years ago for the purpose of radiocarbon dating can yield successful ZooMS identification. Our study demonstrates the importance of developing appropriate regional frameworks of comparison for future research using ZooMS as a method of biomolecular species identification

The biomolecular characterization of a finger ring contextually dated to the emergence of the Early Neolithic from Syltholm, Denmark.

We present the analysis of an osseous finger ring from a predominantly early Neolithic context in Denmark. To characterize the artefact and identify the raw material used for its manufacture, we performed micro-computed tomography scanning, zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry (ZooMS) peptide mass fingerprinting, as well as protein sequencing by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We conclude that the ring was made from long bone or antler due to the presence of osteons (Haversian canals). Subsequent ZooMS analysis of collagen I and II indicated that it was made from Alces alces or Cervus elaphus material. We then used LC-MS/MS analysis to refine our species identification, confirming that the ring was made from Cervus elaphus, and to examine the rest of the proteome. This study demonstrates the potential of ancient proteomics for species identification of prehistoric artefacts made from osseous material

An integrated analysis of Maglemose bone points reframes the Early Mesolithic of Southern Scandinavia

The extensive peat bogs of Southern Scandinavia have yielded rich Mesolithic archaeological assemblages, with one of the most iconic artefacts being the bone point. Although great in number they remain understudied. Here we present a combined investigation of the typology, protein-based species composition, and absolute chronology of Maglemosian bone points. The majority of the bone points are made from cervids and bovines. However, changes both in species composition and barb morphology can be directly linked to a paucity of finds lasting nearly 600 years in Southern Scandinavia around 10,300 cal BP. We hypothesize that this hiatus was climate-driven and forced hunter-gatherers to abandon the lakes. Furthermore, the marked change in bone points coincides with a change in lithic technology. We, therefore, propose that the Maglemose culture in Southern Scandinavia is fundamentally divided into an Early Complex and a Late Complex

Vittrup Man–The life-history of a genetic foreigner in Neolithic Denmark

The lethally maltreated body of Vittrup Man was deposited in a Danish bog, probably as part of a ritualised sacrifice. It happened between c. 3300 and 3100 cal years BC, i.e., during the period of the local farming-based Funnel Beaker Culture. In terms of skull morphological features, he differs from the majority of the contemporaneous farmers found in Denmark, and associates with hunter-gatherers, who inhabited Scandinavia during the previous millennia. His skeletal remains were selected for transdisciplinary analysis to reveal his life-history in terms of a population historical perspective. We report the combined results of an integrated set of genetic, isotopic, physical anthropological and archaeological analytical approaches. Strontium signature suggests a foreign birthplace that could be in Norway or Sweden. In addition, enamel oxygen isotope values indicate that as a child he lived in a colder climate, i.e., to the north of the regions inhabited by farmers. Genomic data in fact demonstrates that he is closely related to Mesolithic humans known from Norway and Sweden. Moreover, dietary stable isotope analyses on enamel and bone collagen demonstrate a fisher-hunter way of life in his childhood and a diet typical of farmers later on. Such a variable life-history is also reflected by proteomic analysis of hardened organic deposits on his teeth, indicating the consumption of forager food (seal, whale and marine fish) as well as farmer food (sheep/goat). From a dietary isotopic transect of one of his teeth it is shown that his transfer between societies of foragers and farmers took place near to the end of his teenage years

Stenalderlokalitet "Lukashaugen", Vestgården, 117/32, Grue kommune, Hedmark

I perioden fra 7. – 24. September 2010, blev der på Lukashaugen, Vestgården, 117/32, Grue Kommune, Hedmark udført en arkæologisk udgravning af en stenalderlokalitet (id. 128266). Bopladsen lå på et næs i vest-sydvest vendt hælning, på østsiden af den nordlige del af Rotbergsøen. Totalt blev der gravet 42,5 m2 af stenalderbopladsen. Hovedparten af fundene blev gjort i den vestlige del af feltet, og alle fund blev gjort i lag 1. Totalt fremkom 565 genstande i forskelligt råstof, heriblandt ét fragment af en slebet tyndnakket økse af flint, ét fragment af et fladeretoucheret segl af flint, 20 mikroflækker af flint og kvartsit, fire flækkefragmenter af flint og produktionsaffald. Typologisk set kan gjenstandsmaterialet dateres til mesolitikum og fundet af segl- og øksefragmentet giver således en datering til senneolitikum. Genstandsmaterialet indikerer gentagne ophold på lokaliteten i stenalderen og evt. tidlig bronzealder. Prosjektleder: Hege Damlie

En brandgrav ved Raknehaugen fra yngre jernalder, Ljøgot, 137/3, Ullensaker kommune, Akershus fylke

Kulturhistorisk museum udførte i tidsrummet 27. oktober samt 29.-30. oktober 2009 en mindre sikringsundersøgelse af en opløjet brandgrav (id. 119527-11) beliggende i dyrket mark på Ljøgot, 137/3, Ullensaker kommune, Akershus. Graven ligger ca. 80 meter vest for Raknehøjen og blev fundet under markrecognocering af Akershus fylkekommune i 2009. Undersøgelsen viste at brandgraven kan defineres som et brandplet. Graven havde en diamter på ca 3,5 m. Der blev påtruffet to brændte knoglehobe, som ikke umiddelbart kunne siges at stamme fra ét eller to mennesker. I blandt de brændte knogler, blev der fundet en kam, en kniv, og adskillige brændte jerngenstande som givetvis har været del af den afdødes bælteudstyr. Udover det personlige udstyr, blev der fundet relativt store mængder brændte korn og frø af linbendel. 14C dateringer af trekull og korn, gav en datering på sen merovingertid og tidlig vikingetid. Fundet belyser centrale spørgsmål omkring afgrænsning af gravfeltet på vestsiden af Raknehøjen. Datering af fundet til yngre jernalder, giver i derudover vigtig ny information om gravfeltets brugstid. Prosjektleder: Hege Damlie