Is the Mesolithic-Neolithic Subsistence Dichotomy Real? New Stable Isotope Evidence from the Danube Gorges

The article presents new results of stable isotope analyses made on animal and human bones from the Mesolithic-early Neolithic sites of Lepenski Vir and Vlasac in the Danube Gorges of the Balkans. It reconstructs the food web for the region during these periods on the basis of stable isotope analyses of mammal and fish species found at Vlasac. These results are compared to measurements made on human burials from the two sites. In the light of these new results, the article also discusses interpretations provided by previous isotopic studies of this material. It concludes that great care is required in the interpretation of stable isotope results due to inherent methodological complexities of this type of analysis, and suggests that it is also necessary to integrate stable isotope results with information based on the examination of faunal remains and the archaeological context of analysed burials when making inferences about palaeodietary patterns

Paleoamerican diet, migration and morphology in Brazil

During the early Holocene two main paleoamerican cultures thrived in Brazil: the Tradição Nordeste in the semi-desertic Sertão and the Tradição Itaparica in the high plains of the Planalto Central. Here we report on paleodietary singals of a Paleoamerican found in a third Brazilian ecological setting--a riverine shellmound, or sambaqui, located in the Atlantic forest. Most sambaquis are found along the coast. The peoples associated with them subsisted on marine resources. We are reporting a different situation from the oldest recorded riverine sambaqui, called Capelinha. Capelinha is a relatively small sambaqui established along a river 60 km from the Atlantic Ocean coast. It contained the well-preserved remains of a Paleoamerican known as Luzio dated to 9,945±235 years ago; the oldest sambaqui dweller so far. Luzio's bones were remarkably well preserved and allowed for stable isotopic analysis of diet. Although artifacts found at this riverine site show connections with the Atlantic coast, we show that he represents a population that was dependent on inland resources as opposed to marine coastal resources. After comparing Luzio's paleodietary data with that of other extant and prehistoric groups, we discuss where his group could have come from, if terrestrial diet persisted in riverine sambaquis and how Luzio fits within the discussion of the replacement of paleamerican by amerindian morphology. This study adds to the evidence that shows a greater complexity in the prehistory of the colonization of and the adaptations to the New World

Which isotopes should we choose? Entropy‐based feature ranking enables evaluation of the information content of stable isotopes in archaeofaunal material

Rationale Methods for multi‐isotope analyses are gaining in importance in anthropological, archaeological, and ecological studies. However, when material is limited (i.e., archaeological remains), it is obligatory to decide a priori which isotopic system(s) could be omitted without losing information. Methods We introduce a method that enables feature ranking of isotopic systems on the basis of distance‐based entropy. The feature ranking method is evaluated using Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) clustering as well as a cluster validation index (“trace index”). Results Combinations of features resulting in high entropy values are less important than those resulting in low entropy values structuring the dataset into more distinct clusters. Therefore, this method allows us to rank isotopic systems. The isotope ranking depends on the analyzed dataset, for example, consisting of terrestrial mammals or fish. The feature ranking results were verified by cluster analysis. Conclusions Entropy‐based feature ranking can be used to a priori select the isotopic systems that should be analyzed. Consequently, we strongly suggest that this method should be applied if only limited material is available

Paleoamerican Diet, Migration and Morphology in Brazil: Archaeological Complexity of the Earliest Americans

During the early Holocene two main paleoamerican cultures thrived in Brazil: the Tradição Nordeste in the semi-desertic Sertão and the Tradição Itaparica in the high plains of the Planalto Central. Here we report on paleodietary singals of a Paleoamerican found in a third Brazilian ecological setting – a riverine shellmound, or sambaqui, located in the Atlantic forest. Most sambaquis are found along the coast. The peoples associated with them subsisted on marine resources. We are reporting a different situation from the oldest recorded riverine sambaqui, called Capelinha. Capelinha is a relatively small sambaqui established along a river 60 km from the Atlantic Ocean coast. It contained the well-preserved remains of a Paleoamerican known as Luzio dated to 9,945±235 years ago; the oldest sambaqui dweller so far. Luzio's bones were remarkably well preserved and allowed for stable isotopic analysis of diet. Although artifacts found at this riverine site show connections with the Atlantic coast, we show that he represents a population that was dependent on inland resources as opposed to marine coastal resources. After comparing Luzio's paleodietary data with that of other extant and prehistoric groups, we discuss where his group could have come from, if terrestrial diet persisted in riverine sambaquis and how Luzio fits within the discussion of the replacement of paleamerican by amerindian morphology. This study adds to the evidence that shows a greater complexity in the prehistory of the colonization of and the adaptations to the New World

Yersinia pestis DNA from Skeletal Remains from the 6(th) Century AD Reveals Insights into Justinianic Plague.

Yersinia pestis, the etiologic agent of the disease plague, has been implicated in three historical pandemics. These include the third pandemic of the 19(th) and 20(th) centuries, during which plague was spread around the world, and the second pandemic of the 14(th)-17(th) centuries, which included the infamous epidemic known as the Black Death. Previous studies have confirmed that Y. pestis caused these two more recent pandemics. However, a highly spirited debate still continues as to whether Y. pestis caused the so-called Justinianic Plague of the 6(th)-8(th) centuries AD. By analyzing ancient DNA in two independent ancient DNA laboratories, we confirmed unambiguously the presence of Y. pestis DNA in human skeletal remains from an Early Medieval cemetery. In addition, we narrowed the phylogenetic position of the responsible strain down to major branch 0 on the Y. pestis phylogeny, specifically between nodes N03 and N05. Our findings confirm that Y. pestis was responsible for the Justinianic Plague, which should end the controversy regarding the etiology of this pandemic. The first genotype of a Y. pestis strain that caused the Late Antique plague provides important information about the history of the plague bacillus and suggests that the first pandemic also originated in Asia, similar to the other two plague pandemics

Research potential and limitations of trace analyses of cremated remains

Human cremation is a common funeral practice all over the world and willpresumably become an even more popular choice for interment in thefuture. Mainly for purposes of identification, there is presently agrowing need to perform trace analyses such as DNA or stable isotopeanalyses on human remains after cremation in order to clarify pendingquestions in civil or criminal court cases. The aim of this study was toexperimentally test the potential and limitations of DNA and stableisotope analyses when conducted on cremated remains.For this purpose, tibiae from modern cattle were experimentally crematedby incinerating the bones in increments of 100 degrees C until a maximumof 1000 degrees C was reached. In addition, cremated human remains werecollected from a modern crematory. The samples were investigated todetermine level of DNA preservation and stable isotope values (C and Nin collagen, C and O in the structural carbonate, and Sr in apatite).Furthermore, we assessed the integrity of microstructural organization,appearance under UV-light, collagen content, as well as the mineral andcrystalline organization. This was conducted in order to provide ageneral background with which to explain observed changes in the traceanalyses data sets. The goal is to develop an efficacious screeningmethod for determining at which degree of burning bone still retains itsoriginal biological signals. We found that stable isotope analysis ofthe tested light elements in bone is only possible up to a heat exposureof 300 degrees C while the isotopic signal from strontium remainsunaltered even in bones exposed to very high temperatures. DNA-analysesseem theoretically possible up to a heat exposure of 600 degrees C butcan not be advised in every case because of the increased risk ofcontamination. While the macroscopic colour and UV-fluorescence ofcremated bone give hints to temperature exposure of the bone’s outersurface, its histological appearance can be used as a reliable indicatorfor the assessment of the overall degree of burning

Feeding humans and animals at Pre-Pottery Neolithic Nevalı Çori (SE-Anatolia) as evidenced by stable isotope analysis

Analysis of light stable isotopes was applied to human and animal bones from Early to Middle Pre-Pottery Neolithic B contexts excavated at Nevalı Çori in southeast Anatolia. An attempt to reconstruct diets in humans and animals, the vertebrate food web, and local climatic conditions was based on the stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in bone collagen and the carbon and oxygen isotopes in bone carbonate. Plant foods obviously played a major role in the nutrition of the site’s inhabitants, as evidenced by the low δ15N-values in their bone tissue. A conservative linear mixing model for the gross composition of the human diet at Nevalı Çori underscores the importance of cereals and pulses. Whereas the isotope signatures for various game species meet expectations in terms of their feeding and habitat preferences, the values obtained from bones considered to represent early stock-on-the-hoof reflect a dietary spectrum different from that of their wild, free-ranging relatives. We conclude that some pigs, sheep and goat were already intentionally nourished by their owners, whereby the overall low δ15N-signatures in both humans and early livestock may have resulted from the consumption of protein-rich legumes.Une analyse des isotopes légers stables a été menée sur les ossements humains et animaux récoltés dans les contextes Néolithique acéramique B (PPNB) ancien et moyen fouillés à Nevalı Çori, dans le Sud-Est de l’Anatolie. Basée sur les isotopes stables du carbone et de l’azote du collagène des os et sur ceux du carbone et de l’oxygène des carbonates des os, une reconstitution de la diète des humains et des animaux, de la chaîne trophique des vertébrés et des conditions climatiques locales a été tentée. L’alimentation végétale a visiblement joué un rôle majeur dans la nutrition des occupants du site comme cela est mis en évidence par les valeurs δ15N peu élevées dans leur tissu osseux. Un modèle de démélangeage linéaire de la composition brute de la diète humaine à Nevalı Çori souligne l’importance des céréales et des légumineuses. Alors que les signatures isotopiques des différentes espèces animales chassées correspondent aux résultats attendus en termes de préférences alimentaires et d’habitat, les valeurs obtenues sur des os considérés comme issus d’un cheptel primitif reflètent un spectre alimentaire différent de ceux de leurs congénaires libres et sauvages. Nous concluons que quelques cochons, moutons et chèvres étaient déjà nourris délibérément par leurs propriétaires. C’est la raison pour laquelle les signatures δ15N globalement basses aussi bien chez les humains que chez les animaux des premiers troupeaux pourraient résulter de la consommation de légumineuses riches en protéines.Grupe Gisela, Peters Joris. Feeding humans and animals at Pre-Pottery Neolithic Nevalı Çori (SE-Anatolia) as evidenced by stable isotope analysis. In: Archaeozoology of the Near East VIII. Actes des huitièmes Rencontres internationales d'Archéozoologie de l'Asie du Sud-Ouest et des régions adjacentes. Lyon : Maison de l'Orient et de la Méditerranée Jean Pouilloux, 2008. pp. 197-217. (Travaux de la Maison de l'Orient et de la Méditerranée, 49

Dietary shift during the 2nd millennium BC in Prehistoric Shimal, Oman Peninsula

Contrary to the preceding and succeeding periods, little is known about life style and subsistence patterns during the 2nd millennium ВС in the Arabian Gulf. By means of trace element analysis, human bone from the cemetery at Shimal, Ras al-Khaimah, U.A.E. was analysed. The specimens were taken from graves dating from early, late, and an intermediate period of the 2nd millennium. The investigations indicate a shift of subsistence during the 2nd millennium. While the population which inhabited the Shimal area during the first centuries was most probably of pastoral nomads with a mixed diet of plant and marine food, people changed to a settled form of existence by the end of the millennium with a heavy reliance on the marine food resources.Contrairement aux périodes précédentes et suivantes, le mode de vie et l'alimentation des populations du 2e millénaire dans le Golfe Arabique sont encore mal connus. Des squelettes humains du cimetière de Shimal, Ras al-Khaimah (EAU) ont été analysés afin de retrouver la présence ďoligo-éléments dans les os. L'échantillon recouvre des sépultures de trois périodes. Les résultats des analyses montrent un changement dans l'alimentation au cours de ces différentes périodes. Le groupe habitant à Shimal au début du 2e millénaire paraît représenter une population de pasteurs nomades dont la nourriture est constituée par un mélange d'aliments végétaux et de produits marins. A la fin du millénaire, le mode de vie change et l'on passe à une vie sédentaire qui dépend essentiellement de ressources de la mer.Grupe Gisela, Schutkowski Holger. Dietary shift during the 2nd millennium BC in Prehistoric Shimal, Oman Peninsula. In: Paléorient, 1989, vol. 15, n°2. pp. 77-84