Archaeology and ancient environmental studies

Palaeoproteomics reveals bovine carcass processing with 6,000-year-old flint tools

This paper uses proteomics alongside use-wear and microscopy analyses to identify bovine, plant, and human proteins on Mesolithic-Neolithic tools, demonstrating the potential of palaeoproteomics for understanding prehistoric activities.

Early transatlantic movement of horses and donkeys at Jamestown

The paper uses archaeological and isotopic analysis to show that domestic horses and donkeys were transported to Jamestown, Virginia in 1606, with evidence of their use and consumption during the 'Starving Time' and the presence of a donkey with mixed European and West African ancestry.

Big Isotopic Data link millet consumption under Lombard rule in early medieval northern Italy

This study uses isotopic data to link increased millet cultivation in early medieval northern Italy to Lombard rule, showing a correlation with political instability and food security needs.

An Integrated Approach to Late Chalcolithic Bone Artefacts from Yeghegis-1 (Armenia): Technological, Traceological, and ZooMS Analyses

This study analyzes Late Chalcolithic bone artifacts from Yeghegis-1 using technological, traceological, and ZooMS methods to understand production strategies and use patterns.

Palaeoproteomic and genetic insights into millennial-scale dairy consumption in Armenia

This study combines palaeoproteomic and genetic analyses to show that dairy consumption in Armenia dates back to the late fourth millennium BCE, but lactase persistence variants remained rare, suggesting cultural adaptations to fermented dairy.

An unclean slate, discrepancies between food input and recovered protein signal from experimental foodcrusts

The paper investigates discrepancies between input food composition and recovered protein signals in experimental foodcrusts, highlighting biases in residue analysis.

Pollen indicators of slash-and-burn agriculture in forest soils and peatlands: a case study of Zvenigorod biological station (Moscow region, Russia)

This study identifies pollen indicators of slash-and-burn agriculture in soils and peatlands, showing that swidden horizons are marked by Betula dominance and cultivation indicators, while peat records provide broader regional insights.

Swidden pollen spectra are unique, having no modern analogues

The paper compares fossil pollen spectra from swidden soils with modern soils to show that swidden cultivation creates unique pollen assemblages without modern analogues.

Reconstructing life history of the 18th century priest from Prozorje, Croatia: bioarchaeological and biochemical approaches

This study uses stable isotope analysis of dentine to reconstruct the dietary changes and life history of an 18th-century priest from Croatia, linking them to seminary admission timing.

DNA from cetariae fish remains confirms sardine (Sardina pilchardus) use and local population continuity in Northwestern Iberia since Roman times

Differences in isotopic compositions of individual grains and aggregated seed samples affect interpretation of ancient plant cultivation practices

This study compares isotopic variation in single grains versus aggregate samples of charred barley to assess their impact on interpreting ancient cultivation practices.

DateBack, an evolving open-access repository of Phoenix archaeobotanical data supporting new perspectives on the history of date palm cultivation

DateBack compiles and standardizes archaeobotanical data on date palms, revealing cultivation timelines and regional disparities in the history of date palm use.

Stable isotope analysis (δ13C, δ15N, δ34S) reveal divers manuring practices of rye (Secale cereale) in northern Europe since 1500 years

This study uses stable isotope analysis of rye to reveal historical manuring practices in northern Europe from 1500 years ago to the late medieval period.

VARIATION IN GAME AND DOMESTIC ANIMAL RATIOS IN THE 7TH - 5TH MILLENNIA BCE IN THE LOWER VOLGA REGION

The paper analyzes changes in game and domestic animal ratios in the Lower Volga region from the 7th to 5th millennia BCE, showing shifts in hunting practices and domestication over time.

A multidisciplinary investigation into whether Andean caravans reached the southern lowlands of the Parana-Plata basin during pre-Columbian times

The paper investigates whether Andean caravans reached the southern lowlands of the Parana-Plata basin during pre-Columbian times using multidisciplinary methods and finds no evidence of llama presence.

Fifteenth century CE Bolivian maize reveals genetic affinities with ancient Peruvian maize

This paper analyzes ancient Bolivian maize genomes to show genetic affinities with ancient Peruvian maize, suggesting targeted breeding strategies for improved growth by the 15th century.

Non-destructive radiocarbon dating of bone

This paper introduces a non-destructive method for radiocarbon dating of bone using hot water extraction, achieving results comparable to traditional destructive methods.

Phytoliths to apPROXYmate Maya landscapes over early Anthropocene : case of Naachtun tropical wetland.

This paper uses phytoliths and other bioindicators to reconstruct Maya society-environment interactions in a tropical wetland over 3500 years.

Leopard Cats Occupied Human Settlements in China for 3,500 years before the Arrival of Domestic cats in 600-900 CE around the Tang Dynasty

The paper identifies leopard cats as the earliest felines in Chinese human settlements, predating domestic cats by over 2,500 years, and traces the arrival of domestic cats via the Silk Road.

Stone Age anthropogenic impacts to forest development in the interior Scandinavian Peninsula

This study investigates the long-term ecological impacts of Stone Age human activity on forest development in the interior Scandinavian Peninsula using sediment core analysis.

High δ15N values in Predynastic Egyptian archeological remains: A potential indicator for localised soil fertilisation practices in extreme conditions

This study analyzes nitrogen isotope values in Predynastic Egyptian mummies and surrounding materials to suggest localized soil fertilization practices in extreme conditions.

Late Quaternary millennial-scale stability of the feeding strategy of the gray brocket deer in Southeastern Brazil.

This study uses stable isotope analysis of dental enamel to show that gray brocket deer in the Cerrado biome maintained a browsing diet from the Late Pleistocene to Holocene despite climatic changes.

Contrasting dissemination patterns of diploid cultivated cotton species Gossypium herbaceum L. and G. arboreum L. in Antiquity

This study compares the spread of two diploid cotton species, Gossypium arboreum and G. herbaceum, across Afroeurasia, finding significant differences in their diffusion rates and geographic expansion patterns.

The Survival of β-lactoglobulin Peptides in the Archaeological Record: Vulnerability vs. Sequence Variation

The paper investigates how sequence variation in β-lactoglobulin peptides affects their preservation in the archaeological record by analyzing their conformational stability and hydrolysis vulnerability in bulk water.

Differentiating wild and domesticated enset (Musaceae) using phytolith analysis

This study establishes a baseline for differentiating wild and domesticated enset using phytolith morphology across plant parts and compares them to wild samples.

Early Pastoralism in Central European Forests: Insights from Ancient Environmental Genomics

This study uses ancient sedimentary DNA to trace the impact of early pastoralism on Central European forests from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age.

Interactions between Trypillian farmers and North Pontic forager-pastoralists in Eneolithic central Ukraine

The paper analyzes a bone fragment from a Trypillian site in Ukraine, showing dietary and genetic evidence of interaction between Trypillian farmers and North Pontic forager-pastoralists.

Can growth in captivity alter the calcaneal microanatomy of a wild ungulate?

This study tests if changes in mobility during a wild boar's life alter calcaneal microanatomy, finding that population differences outweigh locomotor effects.

Human-Plant Coevolution: A modelling framework for theory-building on the origins of agriculture

The paper presents a computational model to explore the mechanisms and factors driving the origins of agriculture by simulating human-plant coevolution.

Was fishing village of Lepenski Vir built by Europe's first farmers?

The paper reinterprets the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition at Lepenski Vir, suggesting it was driven by European farmers rather than local foragers.