International Journal of Osteoarchaeology最新文献

Taphonomic research is essential for understanding the formation and dynamics of archaeological and palaeontological records. We present a multi-taxa neo-taphonomic analysis of prey remains accumulated by the crested caracara (carancho) (Caracara plancus) in a site located within the city of Mendoza, the main urban area of central western Argentina. We developed a taphonomic analysis with the aim of elucidating traces and patterns attributable to this raptor from its accumulated prey remains. In summary, we found prey samples composed mainly of small birds, especially pigeons, although we also identified some bone remains of domestic cat. The ingested prey remains recovered from inside pellets showed a high degree of fragmentation, a low frequency of mechanical marks, and a high proportion and degree of digested elements. In terms of element representation, there are a underrepresentation of cranial elements, a higher representation of carpometacarpus (almost 50%), and an equal representation of wing and leg elements of the skeleton with better preservation of limb elements than of axial elements and many of the bones disarticulated. The non-ingested prey remains showed a high degree of articulation (almost 50%), a moderate degree of fragmentation, and a high proportion of mechanical marks associated with handling and tearing mechanisms of C. plancus. The sternum and humerus were the best represented skeletal elements (more than 60% of relative abundance), low representation of cranial elements, a predominance of wing over leg elements, and equal representation of axial and limb bones. This pattern will help distinguish taphonomic marks left by the crested caracara on prey remains and contribute to a regional taphonomic perspective for elucidating the animal bone remains in central western Argentina.

Recent archaeozoological studies of some buildings dating from the 6th to 1st century BC in the village of Stufles in Bressanone (South Tyrol, Italy) have uncovered crucial remains that underscore the significance of Stufles in relations and trade with the Venetian and Etruscan areas. Uncommon species in the Alpine area, such as the donkey, the mule, and a shell of Mediterranean origin, reflect the exchange of goods between the Alpine and, presumably, the Adriatic region. The osteometric data of some bones (e.g., horse), differing from the set of species measurements, may suggest imports of breeds or crosses. The presence of species, such as chicken and horse, at a time (6th century BC) when they were still rare in the Alpine area, once again indicates contacts with other populations.

These findings complement the numerous archaeological remains that have surfaced in the village in recent decades. Traces of roads dating back to the Iron Age have been discovered within the village. Additionally, the discovery a few years ago of the remains of wine storage barrels and wheels (Bressanone-Rosslauf) laid the groundwork for hypothesizing trade and commerce with the Etruscan world, which exported wine.

This study investigates the historical synanthropization of birds in medieval Novgorod and Tver (10th–15th centuries) through archaeological analysis of bird bones, revealing patterns of urban adaptation amid preservation challenges. Despite the poor recovery of avian remains, which biases assemblages due to postdepositional degradation, findings highlight early synanthropic integration: corvids (ravens, hooded crows, rooks, and jackdaws) and pigeons (Columba livia) emerged as key urban adapters. Extreme synurbanists like feral pigeons and Eurasian tree sparrows (Passer montanus) were documented by the 13th century, while magpies (Pica pica) and starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) showed later medieval colonization. Challenges in distinguishing true synanthropes from seasonal visitors (e.g., raptor prey) underscore methodological complexities, compounded by the absence of references in medieval texts. The study emphasizes the early role of human-modified landscapes in shaping avian ecology and calls for advanced techniques to refine interpretations of urban bird remains in archaeological contexts.

Despite the allegedly high proportion of subadults, limited attention has been paid to children and understanding their role and position in prehistoric communities. By investigating the skeletal remains of children from the Late Neolithic Lengyel population from Svodín, Slovakia (4900–4700 cal bc), within their environment and archaeological context, this article provides insight into childhood and children's place in the Lengyel culture community. Altogether, 59 subadult skeletons from Svodín were macroscopically analyzed, evaluating their age at death, health status, and lifestyle. Subadults of all ages and social status manifested signs of long-lasting increased metabolic stress and/or infectious diseases. These results seem to correspond with the presumption of worsened environmental conditions and resource shortage at the end of the Neolithic. Injuries observed in adolescents and adults at the Lengyel sites seem consistent with small-scale raids, possibly for resources. Individuals skilled in acquiring food seem to have gained increased importance, with their status passing down to their kin, although adolescents may have been expected to contribute to the community and achieve their status on their own. The roundel area likely held special significance for the community, being designated for unborn or newborn infants, solitary children, and those linked to the supernatural. Stillborns and/or perinates were probably not yet perceived as part of the community. Toddlers and older children seem to have been recognized as members of society, their status reflecting that of their (closest) kin, regardless of their health. The shift from the “world of play” towards the “real life” also seems to manifest in osteoarchaeological records.

In this paper, the first results investigating animal exploitation, mainly focusing on the question of cattle domestication, at the Early Pre-Pottery Neolithic site of Gre Fılla, Diyarbakır, South-Eastern Türkiye, are presented. Gre Fılla, where the earliest cattle domestication in the region was identified, is also notable in showing the process of hunting to herding during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B subphases. Bos exploitation was the second most important component of the animal economies and increased dramatically in the 8th millennium bc. Moreover, the appearance of domestic small-sized individuals and significant changes in the skeletal elements as well as in the alterations, especially demographic profile based on epiphyseal and dental wear stages, are observed. As a result of zooarchaeological analyses, early cattle exploitation started to be seen during the MPPNB levels of Gre Fılla, based on the decrease in size and change in the kill-off pattern. It can be suggested that morphologically domestic cattle are systematically and widely encountered during MPPNB. The LPPNB levels are remarkable for yielding evidence of domestic cattle.

Scientific archaeology has drawn new attention to the agricultural and pastoral interactions of medieval China and their impact upon Han and non-Han groups. The aim of this research is to introduce a number of key new stable isotope data pointing to ancient diet, offering a new perspective on the “sinicization” debate in medieval China. While generational shifts between primarily pastoral and agricultural diets occurred prior to the sixth century ad, by Northern Zhou and Sui times, a vastly more complex range of dietary possibilities was practiced. We found that the dietary habit of Yang Yong, the Crown Prince of the Sui Dynasty, was similar to that of the Han nobility from the late Northern Wei to the Sui Dynasty in northern China. We argue for considering the role of (1) new cultural foodways in shaping elite practices and (2) dietary stability and change reflected elite political fortunes and decision-making processes in the political core area of medieval China during the sixth century ad.

This article presents an analysis of paleopathologies in dogs from the Iron Age through the Roman period (500 bce–400 ce) in Central–Eastern Gaul. The analysis focuses on the quantification of paleopathological traces in an attempt to identify changes in human–dog relationships between these two periods. The number of paleopathologies remains marginal in dog populations during these periods. However, oral pathologies represent the most prevalent identified lesions. Nevertheless, a discernible increase in joint and traumatic diseases can be observed in urban centers from the beginning of the Roman Empire onwards, which coincided with a rise in morphological diversity and the cessation of cynophagy. The number of “multipathological” cases also increased during the same period. This upsurge of joint and traumatic pathologies raises questions about the living conditions and treatment of dogs according to their potential functions in ancient societies. Nonetheless, the majority of paleopathologies are multifactorial or of unknown etiology and therefore cannot be unequivocally linked or attributed to certain dog's functions.