1
|
Isaksson S, Högberg A, Lombard M, Bradfield J. Potential biomarkers for southern African hunter-gatherer arrow poisons applied to ethno-historical and archaeological samples. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11877. [PMID: 37482542 PMCID: PMC10363533 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38735-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The detection of complex poison recipes applied to ancient hunting weapons has the potential to provide important insights into traditional pharmacological knowledge systems. Yet, recipes comprising many ingredients can be challenging to decipher, especially in older samples that have undergone biodegradation. We present the results of our attempt to analyze samples of poison collected from nineteenth and twentieth century arrowheads from southern Africa, and from a 1000-year-old archaeological bone point. The arrow poison residues and reference samples were analyzed by Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR FTIR) and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The ATR FTIR analysis is primarily able to separate between different arrow poison binder recipes. The extractives identified by GC-MS analysis consist of a multitude of components from both binders and active substances, confirming and adding to the results from the ATR FTIR analyses. We discuss the results in terms of potential biomarkers for arrow poisons in organic residue analyses of archaeological artefacts; that residues of toxic cardiotonic glycosides can be detected on curated and excavated arrow tips of between about 1000 and 100 years old, serves as proof of concept for working with older materials in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sven Isaksson
- The Archaeological Research Laboratory, Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Anders Högberg
- Department of Cultural Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Palaeo-Research Institute, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Marlize Lombard
- Palaeo-Research Institute, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Justin Bradfield
- Palaeo-Research Institute, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bird TL, Moeti S, Hitchcock RK, Kelly MC, Chobolo LL, Gotcha N, Moatlhodi KK, Mukoka LD, Sekopo EK, Chaboo CS. Orb-web spider Argiope (Araneidae) as indigenous arrow poison of G/ui and G//ana San hunters in the Kalahari. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0276557. [PMID: 36630457 PMCID: PMC9833577 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Hunting has been crucial in early human evolution. Some San (Bushmen) of southern Africa still practice their indigenous hunting. The use of poisons is one remarkable aspect of their bow-and-arrow hunting but the sources, taxonomic identifications of species used, and recipes, are not well documented. This study reports on fieldwork to investigate recent indigenous hunting practices of G/ui and G//ana San communities in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), Botswana. Here we discuss their use of spider poison. The hunters use the contents of the opisthosoma ('abdomen') of a spider as sole ingredient of the arrow poison and discard the prosoma that contains the venom-glands. Using taxonomic keys, we identified the spider as the garden orb-web spider Argiope australis (Walckenaer 1805) (Araneidae). The hunters' choice of this species is remarkable given the scientific perception that A. australis is of little medical importance. The species choice raises questions about how the spider fluids could kill game, particularly when the prosoma, which contains the venom glands, is not used. Possibilities include trauma, as a source of pathogens, or abdomen-containing toxins. Based on characteristics of Argiope Audouin 1826, we hypothesize that the choice of this species for arrow poisons might have evolved from the recognition of aposematic signalling or spiritual symbolism. Indigenous knowledge (IK) is an important source for advances in biotechnology but is in decline worldwide. The study contributes to the documentation of the San people, and their ancient IK, which is threatened by marginalization, political pressures, and climate change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tharina L. Bird
- General Entomology, Ditsong National Museum of Natural History, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), Palapye, Botswana
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Robert K. Hitchcock
- Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
- Kalahari Peoples Fund, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Melinda C. Kelly
- Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
- Kalahari Peoples Fund, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Lefang L. Chobolo
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), Palapye, Botswana
| | - Nonofo Gotcha
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), Palapye, Botswana
| | - Kgosi K. Moatlhodi
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), Palapye, Botswana
| | - Leungo D. Mukoka
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), Palapye, Botswana
| | - Emmanuel K. Sekopo
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), Palapye, Botswana
| | - Caroline S. Chaboo
- Systematics Research Collections, University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Italian consumers' attitudes towards entomophagy: Influence of human factors and properties of insects and insect-based food. Food Res Int 2020; 137:109619. [PMID: 33233207 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Studies on consumers' perceptions towards entomophagy have recently gained popularity. However, the use of the general term "insect" represents a limitation of previous research, due to the need for more precise terminology. This study assessed attitudes towards specific insects, their gastronomic preparations, their relationships with human factors and the characteristics of insects as a food source. Using a survey, socio-demographics, personality traits, willingness to eat (WTE) six edible insects and their relative insect-based products or dishes (IBPD) and the emotions associated with entomophagy were collected from 400 Italians. Compared with females, males were found to be more positive towards insects, less influenced by the species and level of processing of insects and more willing to eat insects for reasons of taste. Eating insects evoked adventurous, daring and wild emotions, while disgust and food neophobia represented the main factors in refusal to eat insects. WTE was: crickets > bee larvae and grasshoppers > mealworms and silkworms > giant water bugs. A similar result was obtained considering the respective IBPD. On average, adult insects were preferred over larvae. Three subject groups, namely "In favour of eating insects" (41%), "Picky towards eating insects" (32%) and "Against eating insects" (27%) were found. A sensory evaluation performed on three cricket-based samples with 52 Italians revealed that a low level of insect visibility was preferred. This study gives new insights into the variables related to the acceptance of entomophagy by determining the characteristics of a potential consumer and of a probable insect product for the market.
Collapse
|
4
|
Stawicki S, Le N, Garg M, Izurieta R, Garg S, Papadimos T, Arquilla B, Miller A, Khan A, Worlton T, Firstenberg M, Galwankar S, Raina S, Anderson H, Jeanmonod R, Kaufmann K, Jeanmonod D, De Wulf A, McCallister D, Bloem C, Opara I, Martin N, Asensio J. What's new in Academic International Medicine? International health security agenda – Expanded and re-defined. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ACADEMIC MEDICINE 2020. [DOI: 10.4103/ijam.ijam_113_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
|