International Journal of Osteoarchaeology最新文献

This research examines dog consumption as a widely attested activity within Iron Age Bulgaria (5th–1st century bc), clearly present in multiple settlements located across the country. The data show that this practice is not confined to a single ancient Thracian state or tribe, and a detailed literature review shows a wider distribution of dog consumption across the Mediterranean. Materials from five sites were analyzed, among which dogs formed 2%–10% of all identified specimens. The site with the biggest concentration of dog remains is Emporion Pistiros, which served as a trading port between ancient Greek merchants and the local Thracians. The contextual analysis of the material shows that dog bones with cutmarks are found associated with a wide range of food debris, which excludes their use during times of famine. There is a somewhat repetitive pattern of butchery among the sites. In Pistiros, there is a higher level of portioning of the dog bones compared to the other sites. Most of the dogs consumed were of adult age, unlike the livestock animals. A detailed review of relevant classical sources is given in the discussion to examine human–dog relationships in the period. Future studies can evaluate the role of dogs in newly researched sites and examine whether there is a difference in diet between individuals consumed and those buried.

Two species of Neotropical deer currently inhabit Uruguay: the pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) and the gray brocket deer (Subulo gouazoubira). Both have medium-sized body ranges and similar postcranial osteology. This similarity complicates their taxonomic assignment in fragmentary paleontological and zooarcheological assemblages in Uruguay and other regions of South America. Accurate identification of these deer remains in archeological contexts is important since they occupy different environments (open vs. closed) and exhibit distinct ecological behaviors (e.g., gregarious vs. solitary), which involve different hunting strategies and technologies employed by human populations. So far, few methodological approaches have addressed this issue in the region. In Uruguay, deer remains are abundant in late Holocene archeological contexts. Genetic studies of specimens recovered from Cerritos (prehistoric earth mounds) have revealed challenges with their correct morphological identification due to the absence of objective criteria (morphological and osteometric) to differentiate between the two species. To address this issue, we evaluated the morphological differences in postcranial bone elements of extant individuals of both species, identifying taxonomically diagnostic features in each element. We examined skeletons of both deer species housed in various osteological collections, focusing on the following elements: atlas, axis, scapular, and pelvic girdles, and complete limbs. We identified multiple diagnostic characters, such as the position of foramina, size, and shape of articular surfaces, shape and extent of processes, amplitude of angles, and shape and depth of cavities. Ninety-two discriminating characters were identified, averaging five per bone, with the humerus and radius exhibiting the highest count (9 and 8, respectively) and the patella presenting the lowest count (1). Implementing this guide will lead to improved taxonomic resolution, enabling both archeological and paleontological studies to characterize the composition of different paleofaunal assemblages with greater precision.

This study presents the analysis of a naturally mummified adult male recovered from a cemetery located adjacent to the Las Turquesas mine in the Atacama Desert. A radiocarbon date of 1140 ± 20 bp (UGAMS 73501), calibrated to 894–1016 ad, places this individual at the beginning of the Late Intermediate Period. A CT scan examination revealed evidence of a lethal traumatic injury; however, the individual was recovered by his community and buried according to local funerary practices, accompanied by various grave goods. The individual suffered extensive blunt-force trauma, including a T4–T5 vertebral dislocation, multiple fractures of the ribs, clavicles, and scapulae, a wedge fracture at T12, and compression-related injuries in the lower limbs. The left tibia also exhibits an open oblique fracture of the mid-diaphysis, characterized by clean margins and slight lateral spurring and splintering. This pattern indicates a high-impact accident, most likely caused by a heavy object striking the upper left back. Such trauma is consistent with a rockfall or collapse within the galleries of the nearby turquoise mine. These findings offer valuable insight into the occupational hazards faced by ancient mining communities and underscore the significant physical risks associated with mineral extraction activities during this period.

Water birds, especially Anseriformes, predominate in most Early Holocene assemblages in Southwest Asia. However, the ratio of geese to ducks varies substantially. I survey Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene avian assemblages to explore whether the variability in relative proportions of geese, most of which breed far to the north and would be present only during migration and winter, was due to shifting migration and wintering patterns in response to climate change, local environmental conditions, or human selection. The results paint a complex picture, with signs of changes in migration or wintering location apparent in some goose species, local environmental effects in some locations, and human choices apparent at some sites. Judging from body part distributions, geese were not always eaten even when taken in substantial numbers; their feathers may often have been valued over their flesh, although they are large, meaty birds that occur in abundance in autumn and winter. In some cases, different choices were made at settlements that are quite nearby and with apparently similar landscapes.

Bone raw material was crucial for diverse activities during the Late Prehispanic Period of the Sierras de Córdoba (~1220–330 cal BP, Argentina). Still, publications dealing specifically with bone technology were scarce for decades. This research presents a technological analysis of the manufacturing techniques used in producing bone arrow points, one of the most numerous bone tool types generated by the people with a mixed foraging and cultivation economy who inhabited this neighboring Andes low-altitude mountain range. The study assumes that the carefully planned bone projectile points represent a manufacturing tradition characteristic of a specific time period over a wide geographical area. The aim is to identify the raw material chosen and the process of obtaining bone arrow points by studying a museum collection that originated from the Southern Punilla Valley. The specimens were examined using the technological approach, which included the finished projectile points and any by-products of the production process. Results indicated that the preferred skeletal part was Lama sp. metapodials, which were divided into smaller, workable blanks through longitudinal splitting using direct percussion and transverse cutting. Then, blanks were regularized or flattened by grinding on an abrasive stone surface. Further whittling and scraping were used to shape the preforms into symmetrical arrowheads. Final treatment included smoothing and bright polishing, creating a shiny surface that overlaps previous manufacturing traces. Despite the complex collection history, the assemblage provided reliable data on the main characteristics of raw material management and technological procedures within the Late Prehispanic Period bone industry. Further comparison with other archaeological assemblages from South America may help identify why specific skeletal parts and manufacturing methods were selected for making bone arrow points. This could offer insights into the implications of various alternatives and trace critical areas for future research.

During Classical and Hellenistic times, mainland Greece witnessed profound historical and sociopolitical changes, including warfare, urbanization, and extensive exchange networks that shaped the broader Graeco-Roman world. Boeotia played an active role in these developments, with Thebes emerging as a major regional power until its destruction by Alexander the Great in 335 bce. Following this event, its population was displaced to adjacent cities, with some returning after Thebes was rebuilt by Kassandros two decades later, whereas Macedonian and later Roman presence in the area further contributed to population movements. These sociopolitical dynamics make Thebes an ideal case for studying human mobility in the region. This study employs biodistance analysis based on dental nonmetric and metric data to examine the degree of phenotypic heterogeneity within the NE cemetery of Thebes across the Classical and Hellenistic periods. The study also explores intracemetery biological kinship patterns and evaluates whether biological relatedness influenced burial organization and whether a common lifestyle was shared among biological relatives. Results indicate only limited phenotypic differentiation between periods, suggesting that population movement had a modest effect on the local gene pool and/or that exogamy was restricted. Furthermore, no particular association was found between biological relatedness and burial proximity, implying that kinship likely extended beyond immediate biological ties to include extended, social, or fictive kin relationships. The analysis of skeletal biomarkers showed no significant differences between closely or distantly related individuals, suggesting broadly similar lifestyles. Overall, the findings indicate that although biological relatedness contributed to identity formation, it had limited influence on lived experiences or burial organization in the cemetery.