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Morin E, Oldfield EM, Baković M, Bordes JG, Castel JC, Crevecoeur I, Rougier H, Monnier G, Tostevin G, Buckley M. A double-blind comparison of morphological and collagen fingerprinting (ZooMS) methods of skeletal identifications from Paleolithic contexts. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18825. [PMID: 37914773 PMCID: PMC10620384 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45843-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Modeling the subsistence strategies of prehistoric groups depends on the accuracy of the faunal identifications that provide the basis for these models. However, our knowledge remains limited about the reproducibility of published taxonomic identifications and how they accurately reflect the range of species deposited in the archaeological record. This study compares taxonomic identifications at three Paleolithic sites (Saint-Césaire and Le Piage in France, Crvena Stijena in Montenegro) characterized by high levels of fragmentation. Identifications at these sites were derived using two methods: morphological identification and collagen fingerprinting, the latter a peptide-based approach known as ZooMS. Using a double-blind experimental design, we show that the two methods give taxonomic profiles that are statistically indistinguishable at all three sites. However, rare species and parts difficult to identify such as ribs seem more frequently associated with errors of identification. Comparisons with the indeterminate fraction indicate that large game is over-represented in the ZooMS sample at two of the three sites. These differences possibly signal differential fragmentation of elements from large species. Collagen fingerprinting can produce critical insights on the range distribution of animal prey in the past while also contributing to improved models of taphonomic processes and subsistence behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugène Morin
- Department of Anthropology, Trent University, DNA Bldg Block C, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9J 7B8, Canada.
- Université de Bordeaux, PACEA, Allée Geoffroy St-Hilaire CS 50023, 33615, Pessac Cedex, France.
| | - Ellie-May Oldfield
- School of Natural Sciences, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Mile Baković
- Center for Conservation and Archaeology of Montenegro, UI. Njegoseva bb., Cetinje, Montenegro
| | - Jean-Guillaume Bordes
- Université de Bordeaux, PACEA, Allée Geoffroy St-Hilaire CS 50023, 33615, Pessac Cedex, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Castel
- Département d'Archéozoologie, Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Route de Malagnou 1, 1208, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Crevecoeur
- Université de Bordeaux, PACEA, Allée Geoffroy St-Hilaire CS 50023, 33615, Pessac Cedex, France
| | - Hélène Rougier
- Department of Anthropology, California State University, Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA, 91330-8244, USA
| | - Gilliane Monnier
- Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota, 395 H.H. Humphrey Center, 301 19th Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Gilbert Tostevin
- Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota, 395 H.H. Humphrey Center, 301 19th Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Michael Buckley
- School of Natural Sciences, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
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Borić D, Cristiani E, Hopkins R, Schwenninger J, Gerometta K, French CAI, Mutri G, Ćalić J, Dimitrijević V, Marín‐Arroyo AB, Jones JR, Stevens R, Masciana A, Uno K, Richter KK, Antonović D, Wehr K, Lane C, White D. Neanderthals on the Lower Danube: Middle Palaeolithic evidence in the Danube Gorges of the Balkans. JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE 2022; 37:142-180. [PMID: 35874300 PMCID: PMC9291232 DOI: 10.1002/jqs.3354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The article presents evidence about the Middle Palaeolithic and Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition interval in the karst area of the Danube Gorges in the Lower Danube Basin. We review the extant data and present new evidence from two recently investigated sites found on the Serbian side of the Danube River - Tabula Traiana and Dubočka-Kozja caves. The two sites have yielded layers dating to both the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic and have been investigated by the application of modern standards of excavation and recovery along with a suite of state-of-the-art analytical procedures. The presentation focuses on micromorphological analyses of the caves' sediments, characterisation of cryptotephra, a suite of new radiometric dates (accelerator mass spectrometry and optically stimulated luminescence) as well as proteomics (zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry) and stable isotope data in discerning patterns of human occupation of these locales over the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dušan Borić
- The Italian Academy for Advanced Studies in AmericaColumbia UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
- Department of Environmental BiologySapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Emanuela Cristiani
- DANTE ‐ Diet and Ancient Technology Laboratory, Department of Oral and Maxillo‐facial SciencesSapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Rachel Hopkins
- Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, School of ArchaeologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Jean‐Luc Schwenninger
- Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, School of ArchaeologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Katarina Gerometta
- Department of Archaeology, Faculty of PhilosophyJuraj Dobrila University of PulaPulaCroatia
| | | | | | - Jelena Ćalić
- Geographical Institute “Jovan Cvijić”Serbian Academy of Sciences and ArtsBelgradeSerbia
| | | | - Ana B. Marín‐Arroyo
- Department of ArchaeologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- EvoAdapta GroupUniversidad de CantabriaSantanderSpain
| | - Jennifer R. Jones
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of Central LancashirePrestonLancashireUK
| | | | - Alana Masciana
- Lamont‐Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, PalisadesNYUSA
| | - Kevin Uno
- Lamont‐Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, PalisadesNYUSA
| | | | | | | | - Christine Lane
- Department of GeographyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
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Radović P, Lindal J, Mihailović D, Roksandic M. The first Neanderthal specimen from Serbia: Maxillary first molar from the Late Pleistocene of Pešturina Cave. J Hum Evol 2019; 131:139-151. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2019.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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