In the Congo Basin, food is an everyday concern and its acquisition and transformation often structure many of the activities of a human group. While agriculture provides the main source of... Show moreIn the Congo Basin, food is an everyday concern and its acquisition and transformation often structure many of the activities of a human group. While agriculture provides the main source of calories, meat of wild animals, commonly referred to as bushmeat, represents the main source of protein for local people in the region and plays an important role in terms of dietary diversity and health. However, the increase of bushmeat consumption in towns and more efficient hunting practices have pushed the harvest of wild animals to unsustainable levels, generating a “bushmeat crisis”. The growing demand for bushmeat has created strong pressures and a lure of profit pushing the hunters of southern Cameroon to sell (illegally) their harvest. A dynamic that might affect both local diets and the modalities of relations between humans and animals. Therefore, this paper aims to describe the importance of wild meat for the Baka, an ethnolinguistic group of Southeastern Cameroun, traditionally hunter-gatherers. It analyses the place of the animal in the Baka daily life through its contribution in dietary, symbolic and economic terms. The paper combines a qualitative ethnography with individual-level data on food diversity intake and meat selling, and describes different aspects related to meat sharing and consumption. Show less
It has been abundantly demonstrated that theories and paradigms in the humanities are influenced by historical, economic and socio-cultural conditions, which have profoundly influenced archaeology... Show moreIt has been abundantly demonstrated that theories and paradigms in the humanities are influenced by historical, economic and socio-cultural conditions, which have profoundly influenced archaeology’s representation of migration. This was mostly conceived as the study of the movement of large and homogeneous population groups, whose identity was often represented as ethnically characterized. The present-day shift of attention from collective to individual agency and the countless facets of migration goes hand in hand with new socio-political and cultural scenarios such as the extraordinary migratory flows into Europe, shifting boundaries, alternative forms of citizenship and identity, and the emergence of emotive reactionism. The third issue of Ex Novo gathers multidisciplinary contributions addressing mobility to understand patterns of change and continuity in past worlds; reconsider the movement of people, objects, and ideas alongside mobile epistemologies, such as intellectual, scholarly or educative traditions, rituals, practices, religions and theologies; and provide insights into the multifaceted relationship between mobile practices and their shared meanings and how they are represented socially and politically. Show less
The Bulgarian site Džuljunica-Smărdeš, dating to 6205-5529 cal. BC, is one of the oldest Neolithic sites in Europe. Both domestic cattle and caprines are present in the zooarchaeological assemblage... Show moreThe Bulgarian site Džuljunica-Smărdeš, dating to 6205-5529 cal. BC, is one of the oldest Neolithic sites in Europe. Both domestic cattle and caprines are present in the zooarchaeological assemblage, but Sus, in contrast, is extremely rare. It is not known if the earliest Neolithic people in Europe did rear domestic pigs, practised some form of pig management, or only hunted wild boar. This research investigates the human pig relationships, using biometry, kill-off patterns and isotopic dietary analysis. With this integrated methodological approach, it might be possible to characterize human-suid relationships in this pivotal Early Neolithic site with greater accuracy. Understanding this relationship at this site contributes to the broader debate on how Neolithisation and domesticates spread through Europe, and which bio-cultural mechanisms were responsible for differential patterns of animal exploitation. Show less
ObjectivesDental calculus is among the richest known sources of ancient DNA in the archaeological record. Although most DNA within calculus is microbial, it has been shown to contain sufficient... Show moreObjectivesDental calculus is among the richest known sources of ancient DNA in the archaeological record. Although most DNA within calculus is microbial, it has been shown to contain sufficient human DNA for the targeted retrieval of whole mitochondrial genomes. Here, we explore whether calculus is also a viable substrate for whole human genome recovery using targeted enrichment techniques. Materials and methodsTotal DNA extracted from 24 paired archaeological human dentin and calculus samples was subjected to whole human genome enrichment using in‐solution hybridization capture and high‐throughput sequencing. ResultsTotal DNA from calculus exceeded that of dentin in all cases, and although the proportion of human DNA was generally lower in calculus, the absolute human DNA content of calculus and dentin was not significantly different. Whole genome enrichment resulted in up to four‐fold enrichment of the human endogenous DNA content for both dentin and dental calculus libraries, albeit with some loss in complexity. Recovering more on‐target reads for the same sequencing effort generally improved the quality of downstream analyses, such as sex and ancestry estimation. For nonhuman DNA, comparison of phylum‐level microbial community structure revealed few differences between precapture and postcapture libraries, indicating that off‐target sequences in human genome‐enriched calculus libraries may still be useful for oral microbiome reconstruction. DiscussionWhile ancient human dental calculus does contain endogenous human DNA sequences, their relative proportion is low when compared with other skeletal tissues. Whole genome enrichment can help increase the proportion of recovered human reads, but in this instance enrichment efficiency was relatively low when compared with other forms of capture. We conclude that further optimization is necessary before the method can be routinely applied to archaeological samples. Show less
The ornaments from the Sector C of Cova Fosca are presented in this paper. The assemblage of 166 pieces is distributed in different cultural and chronological categories. In the Epipalaeolithic... Show moreThe ornaments from the Sector C of Cova Fosca are presented in this paper. The assemblage of 166 pieces is distributed in different cultural and chronological categories. In the Epipalaeolithic and Mesolithic layers they are mostly perforated shells of the Columbella rustica type. From the Neolithic 1B onwards an array of better crafted elements and more diverse raw materials are documented, such as discoidal beads of the Cerastoderma sp. type and bracelets of Glycymeris sp, tooth and stone pendants, as well as pins and even one idol. At the end of the sequence (Neolithic 1C), the set of ornaments is less varied in quantity and diversity but they still show the same quality of manufacture. Show less
The painting Landscape of the West Indies at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is attributed to Jan Mostaert from Haarlem (ca. 1475-1555 / 56). Several identifications have been... Show moreThe painting Landscape of the West Indies at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is attributed to Jan Mostaert from Haarlem (ca. 1475-1555 / 56). Several identifications have been proposed for the region that is represented and for the event that takes place there (a conflict between Spanish conquerors and an indigenous people that defends a great mountain). After critically reviewing the existing hypotheses, this article continues the path indicated by Martínez de la Peña (1970) and Peter Mason (2015, 2017), who have identifiedseveral details of the painting as typical of the Canary Islands and its original inhabitants. This article proposes that the mountain of central importance in the painting corresponds to the Roque Bentaiga of Gran Canaria, that the striking stone arch is the nearby rock formation called “Ventana del Bentaiga” and that the snow-topped mountain in the background must be the Teide, a volcano on the neighbouring island of Tenerife, visible from this area. The conclusion is that the painting depicts the battle that took place at this site in 1483 between the troops of the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Vera and the Canaries who opposed them with fierce resistance. Show less
EARLY MEDIEVAL PINS are found in large quantities on both sides of the North Sea and the English Channel, and as a result are one of the few artefact types that can facilitate the exploration of...Show moreEARLY MEDIEVAL PINS are found in large quantities on both sides of the North Sea and the English Channel, and as a result are one of the few artefact types that can facilitate the exploration of cross-cultural contacts in terms of style, material and manufacture. This paper presents the results of the analyses of two contemporary groups of copper-alloy pins dating from the 7th to the 11th centuries using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. One group of pins considered here was recovered from an excavated Anglo-Saxon settlement at Sedgeford (Norfolk), while the other derives from a coastal settlement at Domburg (Zeeland, the Netherlands). We argue here, on the basis of our results, that while pin production may have been focused around major mercantile, royal or ecclesiastical centres, it was also localised in terms of materials and production methods, suggesting potentially different trajectories in each region for the development and control of specialist production.Show less
Braekmans, D.; Boschloos, V.; Hameeuw, H.; Perre, A. van der 2018
In de archeologie begint het echte werk pas na de opgraving. Nu moeten we onze vondsten analyseren om de levenswijze van onze voorouders te reconstrueren. Als je, zoals ik, in Zuid-Afrika opgraaft... Show moreIn de archeologie begint het echte werk pas na de opgraving. Nu moeten we onze vondsten analyseren om de levenswijze van onze voorouders te reconstrueren. Als je, zoals ik, in Zuid-Afrika opgraaft kun je je vondsten niet zomaar mee naar huis nemen. De eerste analyse van de belangrijkste vondstcategorie doe ik nu in het KwaZulu-Natal Museum in Pietermaritzburg. Show less
Charters, D.; Abrams, G.; De Groote, I.; Di Modica, K.; Bonjean, D.; Meloro, C. 2018
Small, irregular isolated bones identified as remains of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) were recovered from Mid to Late Holocene sites at Ra’s al-Hamra and Ra’s al-Hadd, coastal Oman.... Show moreSmall, irregular isolated bones identified as remains of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) were recovered from Mid to Late Holocene sites at Ra’s al-Hamra and Ra’s al-Hadd, coastal Oman. These provide the third instance of this animal being documented from any prehistoric site anywhere, and the records provide one of the oldest, if not the oldest, dates for this distinctive chelonian—even though they do not refer to fossils. Decades of research in this region has yielded vast amounts of archeological information, including abundant evidence of intense exploitation and utilization of marine turtles from about 6,500 to 4,000 BP. During part of this period, turtle remains in human burials have been extraordinary; the turtle involved, Chelonia mydas, has been abundant in the region during modern times. Yet despite intense and varied forms of prehistoric marine resource exploitation, and major, long-term archeological work, no other turtle species has been previously authenticated from these, or other coastal sites. The documentation of remains of the largest and most distinctive of living marine turtles, D. coriacea, at Ra’s al-Hamra and Ra’s al-Hadd, presented herein, provide detailed information that serves as the basis for future interpretations and discussions regarding incomplete, disarticulated remains from the Mid to Late Holocene, particularly in reference to taphonomic questions and diverse environmental conditions. Show less
This paper describes community engagement activities with indigenous heritage and archaeology research in the Caribbean. The practice of local community engagement with the archaeological research... Show moreThis paper describes community engagement activities with indigenous heritage and archaeology research in the Caribbean. The practice of local community engagement with the archaeological research process and results can contribute to retelling the indigenous history of the Caribbean in a more nuanced manner, and to dispel the documentary biases that originated and were perpetuated from colonial times. From the conception of the ERC-Synergy NEXUS 1492 research project, a key aim has been to engage local communities and partners in the research process and collaboratively explore how the research results can be positively incorporated in contemporary cultural heritage. In the context of community engagement with scientific research, this paper explores the question of who represents a community and highlights key examples in community participation in archaeological research. These examples emphasize participation throughout the research process, from the development of research questions, to data analysis, dissemination and conservation action. Show less
Het oostelijk deel van West-Friesland was in de midden- en late bronstijd (ca. 1600-800 v. Chr.) een dichtbevolkt gebied met vele boerendorpjes. Door de goede conserveringsomstandigheden is de... Show moreHet oostelijk deel van West-Friesland was in de midden- en late bronstijd (ca. 1600-800 v. Chr.) een dichtbevolkt gebied met vele boerendorpjes. Door de goede conserveringsomstandigheden is de regio een schatkamer van de overblijfselen uit die tijd. In deze studie zijn oude opgravingsgegevens uitgewerkt en vertaald naar nieuwe inzichten in de inrichting en ontwikkeling van dit indrukwekkende prehistorische cultuurlandschap. Een van de opvallende resultaten van dit onderzoek is dat de nederzettingsterreinen vaak vele generaties bewoond zijn, maar tegelijkertijd een dynamisch karakter hebben. Continuïteit was er op locaties waar een huisplaats is ingericht: nieuwe boerderijen werden vaak generaties lang op dezelfde plaats als de voorgangers gebouwd. Maar we zien ook dat huisplaatsen die generaties lang bewoond zijn geweest, op een zeker moment werden opgegeven en een andere functie krijgen. Door de lange bewoningsduur van terreinen en goede conservering en herkenbaarheid van grondsporen, zijn de Westfriese vindplaatsen bij uitstek geschikt om deze dynamiek in beeld te brengen. Veel beter dan elders in Nederland is het mogelijk inzicht te krijgen in de keuzes die men in de bronstijd heeft gemaakt bij de inrichting van het landschap. Dat maakt deze studie een ijkpunt voor bronstijdonderzoek in Nederland, maar ook in Noordwest-Europa. Show less
The research contained in this dissertation explores the origins of fire making in prehistory, focusing primarily on the fire use practices and fire production capacities of Neandertals. The... Show moreThe research contained in this dissertation explores the origins of fire making in prehistory, focusing primarily on the fire use practices and fire production capacities of Neandertals. The dissertation is comprised of four peer-reviewed articles published in the journals Quaternary International, PLoS ONE, Journal of Archaeological Science and Scientific Reports, respectively, which are flanked by an introductory and synthesis chapter. The early chapters confront the debate surrounding the prevalence of fire use by Neandertals and discuss avenues by which we, as archaeologists, can better understand how fire use manifests in the Palaeolithic archaeological record. The latter chapters seek to provide a means for identifying artefactual evidence for fire making by Neandertals, ultimately presenting a series of French Middle Palaeolithic tools that exhibit use traces suggesting they were employed as fire starters, making these the earliest evidence for the regular production of fire by humans currently known. Show less
Thispaper constitutes an overview of archaeological fish studies in thesouthern Arabian Peninsula, in particular those carried out by theteam of the Spanish Archaeological Mission in the United... Show moreThispaper constitutes an overview of archaeological fish studies in thesouthern Arabian Peninsula, in particular those carried out by theteam of the Spanish Archaeological Mission in the United ArabEmirates since 1996. As it presently stands, the state of knowledgein the field is painfully skewed both in terms of assemblages studiedas well as by the retrieval methods that have been systematicallyimplemented on most excavations for fish remains. Still, the studyevidences an enormous diversity of fish taxa, prominent among whichare the fishes of the family Scombridae,in particular tunas (G. Thunnus)and the Kawakawa (Euthynnusaffinis).The site of Dibba al Hisn, in contrast, is the only one featuring asubstantial number of cartilaginous fish, sharks in particular. Thereasons for such abundance are briefly reviewed and it is concludedthat much remains to be known about this fascinating topic of ancientfishing in the region. Show less
Gallois, S.L.; Lubbers, M.J.; Hewlett, B.; Reyes-García, V. 2018
