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Skeletal remains of two equid species, Equus caballus (horse) and Equus asinus (donkey), have been found in archaeological contexts throughout Iberia since the Palaeolithic and Chalcolithic periods, respectively. These two species play different economic and cultural roles, and therefore it is important to be able to distinguish between the two species to better understand their relative importance in the past human societies. The most reliable morphological features for distinguishing between the two domesticated equids are based on cranial measure-ments and tooth enamel folds, leading to only a small percentage of archaeological remains that can be identified to species. Ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis can be used to reliably distinguish the two equids, but it can be cost prohibitive to apply to large assemblages, and aDNA preservation of non-cranial elements is often low. Collagen peptide mass fingerprinting by matrix-assisted laser desorption time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, also known as zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry (ZooMS), is a minimally destructive and cost-effective alternative to aDNA analysis for taxonomic determination. However, current ZooMS markers lack resolution below the genus level Equus. In this paper, we report a novel ZooMS peptide marker that reliably distinguishes between horses and donkeys using the enzyme chymotrypsin. We apply this peptide marker to taxonomically identify bones from the Iberian Peninsula ranging from the Iron Age to the Late Modern Period. The peptide biomarker has the potential to facilitate the collection of morphological data for zooarchaeological studies of equids in Iberia and throughout Eurasia and Africa. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Abstract Archaeologists rarely discover the first or last known occurrences of past cultural phenomena, yet ‘start’ and ‘end’ dates are central to our understanding of past human behaviour; therein lays a paradox long known within the discipline. Optimal linear estimation (OLE) has recently been used to reconstruct the full temporal range of prehistoric archaeological technologies using only the partial records available. That is, OLE has been used to reconstruct the portions of the archaeological record not yet evidenced through artefact discoveries. Here we present OLE to a wider archaeological audience and outline for the first time the model's assumptions as they pertain to archaeological phenomena. We demonstrate OLE to be an accessible, user-friendly and methodologically transparent temporal range estimation method applied via a single set of equations. Further, we present five additional frequentist techniques that enable archaeologists to account for observation reliability, search effort and extreme data scarcity when inferring temporal ranges. These methods allow archaeologists to gain a more accurate understanding of the temporal range of past human behaviour.

Abstract Archaeological starch spherulites discovered at the submerged 23,000-year-old site of Ohalo II, Sea of Galilee, Israel, provide a new line of archaeobotanical evidence for plant food processing. Six-hundred and thirty-two (632) starch spherulites were recovered from four stone implements. The analysis of starch spherulites from reliable archaeological contexts is a breakthrough that will potentially allow the identification of a range of plant processing and wet cooking activities. Our work provides a baseline for starch spherulite extraction and identification protocols. They were confirmed as spherulites using Lugol's iodine confirmation and the optical properties of the polarisation cross when rotated on a microscope stage under cross-polarised light. Their identification as starch spherulites was based on their archaeological context, size range and optical (polarized light and SEM) characteristics (including partial iodine uptake). Following our promising results, we encourage researchers to describe archaeological starch spherulite morphology and elemental characteristics in as much detail as possible. Future experimental archaeology work may find that these details provide evidence for how starch spherulites were formed through plant processing and cooking techniques.

Abstract The true purity of Roman silver coinage was hidden by enriching the surfaces of the coins. The question investigated here is whether Roman gold coins were also surfaced enriched. Two non-destructive techniques were employed to do this: X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and a ‘newer’ technique, muonic X-ray emission spectroscopy (μXES). For the latter, the momentum of the muons is controlled, allowing for the composition of the coin to be determined at various depths. Here we show that there is no surface enrichment of the Roman gold coins analysed. Furthermore, we show that XRF and μXES return congruent results at the near surface. This all supports the integrity of surface level analyses of Roman gold coins. We then discuss the broader applicability of our muon technique to the further study of Roman gold coinage, to the cultural heritage sector and to archaeological scientists more generally.

Abstract The insufficient attention traditionally paid to the complex mortuary biographies of megalithic graves has long obscured a significant amount of synchronic and diachronic information. The Rioja Alavesa region of north-central Iberia holds a number of megalithic graves with large skeletal assemblages that can generally be ordered by internal stratigraphy and/or relatively fine-grained radiocarbon chronologies, providing a rare opportunity to assess the potential of such information. Here, we undertake stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of 125 human and seven animal bone collagen samples from six late prehistoric megalithic graves (La Cascaja, El Sotillo, San Martin, Alto de la Huesera, Chabola de la Hechicera and Longar) which, together with 107 previously published Late Neolithic/Early Chalcolithic (ca. 3600-2900 BC) bone collagen samples (100 humans and six animals) from the same tombs, are used to explore subsistence trends over time. This approach provides a means to address the socio-economic response of northern Iberian megalithic communities to the cultural and climatic changes occurring in late prehistory. Isotopic data are contextualized using palaeoenvironmental and osteoarchaeological information. The results show a significant shift in diet between the late Middle Neolithic and the Late Neolithic/Early Chalcolithic that coincides with marked changes in burial practices that are likely related to the transition from mainly pastoral to mixed farming economies. There may also be a change in subsistence between the Late Neolithic/Early Chalcolithic and the following periods, suggested by differences in δ15N values between the layers of the Alto de la Huesera megalithic grave, as well as in population and funerary dynamics. By contrast, an apparent continuity in subsistence is seen, at least isotopically, from the Middle Chalcolithic to the Bronze Age, despite clear changes in beliefs and socio-economic practices. These findings support the existence of substantial asynchronous changes in lifeways and ideology among Iberian megalithic groups and challenge the traditional idea of a long and uniform stability in late prehistoric northern Iberia.

The funerary Bronze Age culture in the Belgian part of the Meuse valley is poorly understood due to the challenging nature of cremation deposits that dominate the archaeological record. Only a few sites were analysed in that region, limiting the possibilities to reconstruct the development of Bronze Age populations in Belgium. Due to its good preservation and detailed excavation reports, the site of Herstal (Belgium) offers a unique opportunity to finally gain new insights into the life and death of those buried in the Meuse Valley during the Late Bronze Age. A total of 21 graves were analysed using a multi-proxy approach, combining grave typology, osteoarchaeology, strontium isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr), and radiocarbon dating. The 87Sr/86Sr results show that the individuals of Herstal most likely used a variety of local food supplies while having interactions with other populations in and beyond the Meuse Valley, as demonstrated by the bronze artefacts and ceramics displaying clear influences from Germany, Southern Netherlands, and North-West France. The cemetery most likely shows a local burial style with the presence of two (or even three) individuals in several cremation deposits containing a number of privileged individuals who had access to bronze trading networks. info:eu-repo/semantics/published SCOPUS: ar.j

Abstract The analysis of lipids and other biomolecules preserved in archaeological artefacts, using chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques, is a powerful approach, which has provided unprecedented insights into the diet and cultural practices of past populations. In more recent years, the now-mature field of organic residue analysis (ORA) has entered a new phase, undertaking large scale analyses and providing broader perspectives on the uses of pottery over a range of both temporal and spatial scales. However, it has become apparent from the literature that there are significant pitfalls in applying the technique, often due to inexperience or lack of knowledge, that can lead to the production of data which is essentially worthless, because it either lacks analytical rigour or a valid archaeological interpretation. This is partly because ORA sits between chemistry and archaeology and projects are sometimes conducted by researchers not sufficiently familiar in the respective other discipline. Consequently, there have been numerous examples in recent years that showed a lack of understanding of critical points in ORA. This has two serious consequences: 1. the often-wide perpetuation of false knowledge, and 2. the use of a method that is both costly and destructive of irreplaceable archaeological material, which is not compensated for with useful information-gain. Here, we address some common errors encountered either in published literature or during peer-review and discuss the most important errors and misconceptions around ORA. In particular, we discuss use of unsuitable biomarkers, contamination, poor analytical data quality, the limitations of gas chromatography (GC), GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and MS databases, and problems with the interpretation of ORA data. Here, we offer best practice advice and we hope that this will help, and encourage, all researchers looking to apply ORA in their studies, as we are optimistic that these pitfalls can be avoided, and the quality of published research consequently raised.