Browsing by Author "aldeias, vera"
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- Fire use during the last glacial maximum: evidence from the epigravettian at korman' 9, middle dniester valley, UkrainePublication . Murphree, William; Ferro‐Vázquez, Cruz; Kulakovska, Larissa; Usyk, Vitalii I.; Kononenko, Olesia; Bosch, Marjolein D.; Haesaerts, Paul; Damblon, Freddy; Pirson, Stéphane; Nigst, Philip R.; Aldeias, VeraThe Last Glacial maximum (LGM), spanning from 26.5 to 19 thousand years before present (ka bp), is a period of extreme climatic degradation associated with reduced biomass production and resource stress throughout Eurasia. Arguably, one of the most fundamental tools for human survival during this cold and arid period was the ability to create, maintain and use fire. While fire is widely considered a ubiquitous tool in modern human behaviour, there are surprisingly few well-described combustion features during the LGM in Europe. In this paper, we provide high-resolution geoarchaeological research into three combustion features associated with Epigravettian occupations at the site of Korman' 9 (Ukraine) with ages falling in the LGM. Our results show distinct variations in the size and structure of the combustion features, potentially indicating multiple occupations within the same layer or reflect differences in site organization or function during a single occupation. Additionally, our analysis shows clear evidence of the effect of solifluction and the lack of preservation of the ash layer(s) of the combustion features, as well as the development of bioturbation features enhanced by anthropogenic input. To better estimate heating temperatures of the combustion events, we employed a novel approach using colour analysis showing temperatures reaching 600 degrees C in the substrate underlying the combustion features. In all, the combustion features at Korman' 9 provide invaluable new insights as well as high resolution description of pyrotechnological behaviours during the LGM, which has been lacking during this critical period in our evolutionary history.
- Identifying the unidentified fauna enhances insights into hominin subsistence strategies during the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transitionPublication . Sinet-Mathiot, Virginie; Rendu, William; Steele, Teresa E.; Spasov, Rosen; Madelaine, Stéphane; Renou, Sylvain; Soulier, Marie-Cécile; Martisius, Naomi L.; aldeias, vera; Endarova, Elena; Goldberg, Paul; McPherron, Shannon J. P.; Rezek, Zeljko; Sandgathe, Dennis; Sirakov, Nikolay; Sirakova, Svoboda; Soressi, Marie; Tsanova, Tsenka; Turq, Alain; Hublin, Jean-Jacques; Welker, Frido; Smith, Geoff M.Understanding Palaeolithic hominin subsistence strategies requires the comprehensive taxonomic identification of faunal remains. The high fragmentation of Late Pleistocene faunal assemblages often prevents proper taxonomic identification based on bone morphology. It has been assumed that the morphologically unidentifiable component of the faunal assemblage would reflect the taxonomic abundances of the morphologically identified portion. In this study, we analyse three faunal datasets covering the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition (MUPT) at Bacho Kiro Cave (Bulgaria) and Les Cottes and La Ferrassie (France) with the application of collagen type I peptide mass fingerprinting (ZooMS). Our results emphasise that the fragmented component of Palaeolithic bone assemblages can differ significantly from the morphologically identifiable component. We obtain contrasting identification rates between taxa resulting in an overrepresentation of morphologically identified reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) and an underrepresentation of aurochs/bison (Bos/Bison) and horse/European ass (Equus) at Les Cottes and La Ferrassie. Together with an increase in the relative diversity of the faunal composition, these results have implications for the interpretation of subsistence strategies during a period of possible interaction between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens in Europe. Furthermore, shifts in faunal community composition and in carnivore activity suggest a change in the interaction between humans and carnivores across the MUPT and indicate a possible difference in site use between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. The combined use of traditional and biomolecular methods allows (zoo)archaeologists to tackle some of the methodological limits commonly faced during the morphological assessment of Palaeolithic bone assemblages.
- Revisiting the thermal alteration of buried bonePublication . Gallo, Giulia; Aldeias, Vera; Stahlschmidt, MareikeThe impacts of heat exposure directly on bone material are widely acknowledged, yet a comprehensive understanding regarding the degree of thermal alteration experienced by bone buried beneath a combustion feature or fire event remains poorly described. Such potential incidental burning below a surface fire presents challenges for distinguishing between the intentional remains of fire use behaviors from haphazard heat exposure. In this study, we address the extent to which buried bone material can undergo alteration under concentrated high-heat conditions, achieved through using a fire simulator operating at 950 degrees C for a duration of 6 h simulating a high temperature hearth fire. Here we describe the degree of carbonization and calcination in bone samples buried at three depths (-2,-6, and-10 cm) in gravel and a mixed gravel and fine sand substrate. We find that, at the sustained temperature of 950 degrees C, plus heating and cooling time, calcination of bone material can occur at shallow depths of-2 cm under the fire simulator, whereas at-6 cm only one sample of each experimental condition is recognized to be fully structurally and chemically calcined. Despite only two samples calcining at this depth, several other bones buried at-6 cm displayed pale and light coloration, experiencing the elimination of organics without undergoing true calcination, likely due to the prolonged exposure to heat removing the organic component. At-10 cm depth, bone material centered under the heat source became carbonized, while buried bones positioned at the periphery of the heat source are recognized only be partially thermally altered. Notably, neither gravel nor a mixture of gravel and sand substrates create a detectable reduction environment in the spectroscopic analyses of the buried bones. Our findings highlight that not only can post-depositional heating significantly impact buried faunal material, but that in this way humans can act as post-depositional agents.
- Sediment DNA can revolutionize archaeology—if it is used the right wayPublication . Aldeias, Vera; Stahlschmidt, Mareike C.The possibility of fingerprinting ancient organisms using the DNA they leave behind is a revolution in our understanding of the past. Paleogenetic studies are rewriting our knowledge on ancient hominin genomes, hominin dispersals, interbreeding events, and ancient DNA is also a key tool in biodiversity monitoring efforts. Of particular interest: We can now retrieve DNA directly from sediments and soils (sedaDNA) (1–3) in a variety of modern and past depositional environments, including permafrost, lakes, marine sediments, or caves settings.