Pub Date : 2025-12-17DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2025.106459
Jiayi Dong , Wan Peng , Jiaqi Jin , Lei Yang , Ruojing Zhang , Jiange Jia , Chen Duan , Ge Song , Fei Zhao , Rurui Ye , Zhandong Gao , Haibing Yuan , Deyuan Wang , Xinglong Zhang , Fan Zhang
The Yun-Gui (Yunnan and Guizhou) Plateau of Southwest China has long been characterized by long-standing ethnolinguistic diversity shaped by complex demographic history. Although numerous groups belonging to distinct language families have inhabited the region over recent centuries, the nature and extent of their interactions remain poorly understood. At a natural karst cave located in a multiethnic area of southern Guizhou, archaeologists uncovered scattered skeletal remains of several dozen individuals dated to the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties (575–685 cal BP). The genetic origins of these individuals and the context of their deaths were previously unknown. Here, we present genome-wide ancient DNA analysis from 22 individuals recovered from the cave. The results reveal a strikingly genetically homogeneous population, exhibiting admixed ancient northern and southern East Asian ancestry, yet showing clear genetic differentiation from contemporaneous neighboring groups. This ancestry profile represents a genetic component that contributed to present-day ethnolinguistic groups in Southwest China. Genetic kinship analyses indicate that the group comprised several family units and was dominated by females. Furthermore, we detected authentic Salmonella enterica (S. enterica) DNA in one individual, supported by high sequence similarity to reference genomes of serovars S. Choleraesuis and S. Paratyphi C, along with characteristic ancient DNA damage patterns. No similar pathogen DNA was identified in other individuals. Integrating genomic evidence with historical records, we infer that these individuals most likely represent collective mortality associated with conflict rather than a widespread epidemic.
{"title":"Genomic insights into the ancestry and mortality of a historical era population from Southwest China","authors":"Jiayi Dong , Wan Peng , Jiaqi Jin , Lei Yang , Ruojing Zhang , Jiange Jia , Chen Duan , Ge Song , Fei Zhao , Rurui Ye , Zhandong Gao , Haibing Yuan , Deyuan Wang , Xinglong Zhang , Fan Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jas.2025.106459","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jas.2025.106459","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Yun-Gui (Yunnan and Guizhou) Plateau of Southwest China has long been characterized by long-standing ethnolinguistic diversity shaped by complex demographic history. Although numerous groups belonging to distinct language families have inhabited the region over recent centuries, the nature and extent of their interactions remain poorly understood. At a natural karst cave located in a multiethnic area of southern Guizhou, archaeologists uncovered scattered skeletal remains of several dozen individuals dated to the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties (575–685 cal BP). The genetic origins of these individuals and the context of their deaths were previously unknown. Here, we present genome-wide ancient DNA analysis from 22 individuals recovered from the cave. The results reveal a strikingly genetically homogeneous population, exhibiting admixed ancient northern and southern East Asian ancestry, yet showing clear genetic differentiation from contemporaneous neighboring groups. This ancestry profile represents a genetic component that contributed to present-day ethnolinguistic groups in Southwest China. Genetic kinship analyses indicate that the group comprised several family units and was dominated by females. Furthermore, we detected authentic <em>Salmonella enterica</em> (<em>S. enterica</em>) DNA in one individual, supported by high sequence similarity to reference genomes of serovars <em>S.</em> Choleraesuis and <em>S.</em> Paratyphi C, along with characteristic ancient DNA damage patterns. No similar pathogen DNA was identified in other individuals. Integrating genomic evidence with historical records, we infer that these individuals most likely represent collective mortality associated with conflict rather than a widespread epidemic.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50254,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science","volume":"186 ","pages":"Article 106459"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145799198","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-16DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2025.106450
Qian Wu , Hailiang Yang , Yang Zhou , Xiaojing Kang , Liping Bao , Zvezdana Dode , Bingjian Zhang , Yulan Hu
The utilization of leather products dates back to the Upper Paleolithic era, serving diverse aspects of human life and production. Species identification of archaeological leather artifacts provides material evidence for understanding the development of ancient pastoralism and technological levels, while also informing critical decisions in conservation material selection and the reconstruction of historical craftsmanship. Archaeological leathers uncovered worldwide exhibit considerable diversity. However, due to complex burial environments, the epidermal structures of these artifacts are often damaged or entirely lost, making them unidentifiable through traditional morphological methods. Contamination and complex sample matrices impair the biomolecular specificity of existing techniques, limiting taxonomic resolution. DNA analysis has thus provided a novel pathway for species identification of leather artifacts. DNA barcoding represents a prevalent methodology within this domain. Unlike previous DNA barcoding studies that required preliminary identification of relic sources to design specific primers—often leading to sample waste—this study introduces a novel technique that uses only one pair of universal primers to identify unknown species in a single experiment. Moreover, it enables the identification of mixed samples via second-generation sequencing. Specifically, we designed a pair of universal primers based on DNA mini-barcoding and meta-barcoding concepts, allowing accurate species-level identification of 11 historical leather specimens from different periods and preservation conditions. Notably, this method requires only minimal sample input, as little as 1 mg per artifact. This study attempts to identify historical leathers from five different species using a single pair of primers in one experiment. The proposed "DNA mini-barcode and DNA meta-barcode technologies" enable highly efficient analysis, reducing sample consumption compared to traditional DNA techniques that rely on screening multiple primers for unknown samples. Furthermore, it enhances taxonomic resolution from the genus to the species level. This approach holds great promise for the species identification of historical leather artifacts.
{"title":"Identifying the Genus origin of historic leather using DNA mini-barcoding and DNA meta-barcoding technologies","authors":"Qian Wu , Hailiang Yang , Yang Zhou , Xiaojing Kang , Liping Bao , Zvezdana Dode , Bingjian Zhang , Yulan Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.jas.2025.106450","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jas.2025.106450","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The utilization of leather products dates back to the Upper Paleolithic era, serving diverse aspects of human life and production. Species identification of archaeological leather artifacts provides material evidence for understanding the development of ancient pastoralism and technological levels, while also informing critical decisions in conservation material selection and the reconstruction of historical craftsmanship. Archaeological leathers uncovered worldwide exhibit considerable diversity. However, due to complex burial environments, the epidermal structures of these artifacts are often damaged or entirely lost, making them unidentifiable through traditional morphological methods. Contamination and complex sample matrices impair the biomolecular specificity of existing techniques, limiting taxonomic resolution. DNA analysis has thus provided a novel pathway for species identification of leather artifacts. DNA barcoding represents a prevalent methodology within this domain. Unlike previous DNA barcoding studies that required preliminary identification of relic sources to design specific primers—often leading to sample waste—this study introduces a novel technique that uses only one pair of universal primers to identify unknown species in a single experiment. Moreover, it enables the identification of mixed samples via second-generation sequencing. Specifically, we designed a pair of universal primers based on DNA mini-barcoding and meta-barcoding concepts, allowing accurate species-level identification of 11 historical leather specimens from different periods and preservation conditions. Notably, this method requires only minimal sample input, as little as 1 mg per artifact. This study attempts to identify historical leathers from five different species using a single pair of primers in one experiment. The proposed \"DNA mini-barcode and DNA meta-barcode technologies\" enable highly efficient analysis, reducing sample consumption compared to traditional DNA techniques that rely on screening multiple primers for unknown samples. Furthermore, it enhances taxonomic resolution from the genus to the species level. This approach holds great promise for the species identification of historical leather artifacts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50254,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science","volume":"186 ","pages":"Article 106450"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145753767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-16DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2025.106455
Xinying Hao , Li You , Lan Li , Liya Ma , Meiying Li , Michael R. Schilling , Xinyu Shen
This study presents the first comprehensive, molecule-to-microstructure reconstruction of formulations and lacquer technology used in Qing Dynasty Guqins—UNESCO-recognized musical instruments—through a multimodal micro-area approach. By integrating stereomicroscopy, SEM-EDS, micro-Raman, FT-IR, and thermally assisted hydrolysis-methylation pyrolysis-GC/MS (THM-Py-GC/MS), research decode the micromorphological features, material stratigraphy, functional fillers and tailored organic modifiers in both guqin-body and silk–string. Results reveal a highly engineered trilayer lacquer architecture composed of (i) a surface lacquer–film pigmented with carbon black and/or magnetite (Fe3O4), (ii) a lacquer-ash ground composed of porous bio-derived deer antler ash (hydroxyapatite, Ca5(PO4)3(OH)) and dense porcelain fragments (calcite, CaCO3; quartz, SiO2), applied in graded sublayers (from coarse to fine), and (iii) a wooden body. Critically, THM-Py-GC/MS identified diverse organic additives that modify the urushi matrix, including drying oils (linseed oil), proteins (blood or animal glue), resins (benzoin, cedar), and functional modifiers (starch, gall, tannins). The silk–string exhibited unique processing with perilla oil, benzoin resin, starch, and tannins, enhancing its shifting stiffness and damping. Together, these data reveal a deliberately engineered composite with potential vibro-acoustic functions. This study delivers the first layer-resolved, multi-technique reconstruction of Qing guqin formulation and provides a replicable analytical framework for conservation and for testing historically informed acoustic hypotheses.
{"title":"Multimodal micro-area analysis deciphers Qing Dynasty guqin lacquer technology and acoustic design principles","authors":"Xinying Hao , Li You , Lan Li , Liya Ma , Meiying Li , Michael R. Schilling , Xinyu Shen","doi":"10.1016/j.jas.2025.106455","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jas.2025.106455","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents the first comprehensive, molecule-to-microstructure reconstruction of formulations and lacquer technology used in Qing Dynasty <em>Guqins</em>—UNESCO-recognized musical instruments—through a multimodal micro-area approach. By integrating stereomicroscopy, SEM-EDS, micro-Raman, FT-IR, and thermally assisted hydrolysis-methylation pyrolysis-GC/MS (THM-Py-GC/MS), research decode the micromorphological features, material stratigraphy, functional fillers and tailored organic modifiers in both <em>guqin</em>-body and silk–string. Results reveal a highly engineered trilayer lacquer architecture composed of (i) a surface lacquer–film pigmented with carbon black and/or magnetite (Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>), (ii) a lacquer-ash ground composed of porous bio-derived deer antler ash (hydroxyapatite, Ca<sub>5</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub>(OH)) and dense porcelain fragments (calcite, CaCO<sub>3</sub>; quartz, SiO<sub>2</sub>), applied in graded sublayers (from coarse to fine), and (iii) a wooden body. Critically, THM-Py-GC/MS identified diverse organic additives that modify the urushi matrix, including drying oils (linseed oil), proteins (blood or animal glue), resins (benzoin, cedar), and functional modifiers (starch, gall, tannins). The silk–string exhibited unique processing with perilla oil, benzoin resin, starch, and tannins, enhancing its shifting stiffness and damping. Together, these data reveal a deliberately engineered composite with potential vibro-acoustic functions. This study delivers the first layer-resolved, multi-technique reconstruction of Qing <em>guqin</em> formulation and provides a replicable analytical framework for conservation and for testing historically informed acoustic hypotheses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50254,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science","volume":"186 ","pages":"Article 106455"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145753768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-15DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2025.106451
Audrey Crabbé , Marcel T.J. van der Meer , John M. Marston , Willemien de Kock , Canan Çakırlar
This study integrates stable isotope, zooarchaeological, and paleopathological analysis with archaeobotanical, textual, ethnographic, and modern zootechnical evidence to explore diachronic trends in cattle management and agricultural practices in Bronze and Iron Age central Anatolia, focusing on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Gordion from the Late Bronze Age to the Middle Phrygian period. Periods of agricultural intensification are linked with higher ratios of adult cattle, more severe traction-related pathologies on the lower hind limb bones, and larger-bodied pathological cattle. Isotopic evidence reveals that draught cattle received specific diets with more regulated feeding strategies involving cultivated cereals, legumes and wild forage, compared to non-pathological cattle. These nutritional investments underscore the economic importance of draught cattle in the transportation network and a surplus-oriented agricultural system of a settlement with political and economic ambitions over a large territory. Decreasing δ13C and δ15N values in bulk bone collagen over time confirm a shift from diverse strategies of agropastoralism to more intensive, cereal-focused land use likely linked to political centralization and population growth during the rise of the Phrygian Kingdom. Our findings contribute to the broader understanding of the interactions between animal labor and management, political-economic developments with population and territorial expansions, and environmental changes in shaping agrarian polities in central Anatolia.
{"title":"Fueling draught power: A multi-isotopic study of draught cattle husbandry in Bronze and Iron Age Gordion (Central Anatolia, Türkiye)","authors":"Audrey Crabbé , Marcel T.J. van der Meer , John M. Marston , Willemien de Kock , Canan Çakırlar","doi":"10.1016/j.jas.2025.106451","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jas.2025.106451","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study integrates stable isotope, zooarchaeological, and paleopathological analysis with archaeobotanical, textual, ethnographic, and modern zootechnical evidence to explore diachronic trends in cattle management and agricultural practices in Bronze and Iron Age central Anatolia, focusing on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Gordion from the Late Bronze Age to the Middle Phrygian period. Periods of agricultural intensification are linked with higher ratios of adult cattle, more severe traction-related pathologies on the lower hind limb bones, and larger-bodied pathological cattle. Isotopic evidence reveals that draught cattle received specific diets with more regulated feeding strategies involving cultivated cereals, legumes and wild forage, compared to non-pathological cattle. These nutritional investments underscore the economic importance of draught cattle in the transportation network and a surplus-oriented agricultural system of a settlement with political and economic ambitions over a large territory. Decreasing δ<sup>13</sup>C and δ<sup>15</sup>N values in bulk bone collagen over time confirm a shift from diverse strategies of agropastoralism to more intensive, cereal-focused land use likely linked to political centralization and population growth during the rise of the Phrygian Kingdom. Our findings contribute to the broader understanding of the interactions between animal labor and management, political-economic developments with population and territorial expansions, and environmental changes in shaping agrarian polities in central Anatolia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50254,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science","volume":"186 ","pages":"Article 106451"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145753766","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Erosion along the French Atlantic coastline is revealing unrecorded archaeological sites, while the shoreline retreat threatens this fragile heritage with irreversible loss. In waterlogged, anoxic sediments, insect remains are preserved in exceptional condition, enabling reconstruction of past human activities through archaeoentomological analysis. A diverse assemblage of dung beetles provides robust evidence of livestock farming from the Neolithic to Antiquity, revealing spatial and temporal variation in grazing intensity. High proportions of dung-associated species in a Middle Neolithic well indicate substantial herds as early as 5500 years ago. This provides the first evidence of coastal livestock farming in Neolithic France, illuminating a tipping point in the history of humankind. In other contexts, lower proportions imply limited grazing, potentially constrained by saline water sources. The diversity and dominance of aquatic and riparian taxa reflect a water-rich environment used for animal watering, while abundant pasture-associated taxa indicate an open landscape favorable to agropastoral practices. Comparisons between fossil and modern entomofaunas from the Gironde region reveal biodiversity shifts shaped by climatic change and human influence over millennia. These multi-millennial bioarchaeological archives offer unique insights into the deep history of biodiversity dynamics and inform debates on ecological change and evolution.
{"title":"Rolling through time: Scarab remains reveal 4,000 years of coastal pastoralism and biodiversity dynamics in western France","authors":"Lisa Richelmi , Jean-Bernard Huchet , Frédéric Santos , Florence Verdin","doi":"10.1016/j.jas.2025.106442","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jas.2025.106442","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Erosion along the French Atlantic coastline is revealing unrecorded archaeological sites, while the shoreline retreat threatens this fragile heritage with irreversible loss. In waterlogged, anoxic sediments, insect remains are preserved in exceptional condition, enabling reconstruction of past human activities through archaeoentomological analysis. A diverse assemblage of dung beetles provides robust evidence of livestock farming from the Neolithic to Antiquity, revealing spatial and temporal variation in grazing intensity. High proportions of dung-associated species in a Middle Neolithic well indicate substantial herds as early as 5500 years ago. This provides the first evidence of coastal livestock farming in Neolithic France, illuminating a tipping point in the history of humankind. In other contexts, lower proportions imply limited grazing, potentially constrained by saline water sources. The diversity and dominance of aquatic and riparian taxa reflect a water-rich environment used for animal watering, while abundant pasture-associated taxa indicate an open landscape favorable to agropastoral practices. Comparisons between fossil and modern entomofaunas from the Gironde region reveal biodiversity shifts shaped by climatic change and human influence over millennia. These multi-millennial bioarchaeological archives offer unique insights into the deep history of biodiversity dynamics and inform debates on ecological change and evolution.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50254,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science","volume":"185 ","pages":"Article 106442"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145784430","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2025.106449
Melinda A. Zeder
<div><div>This study offers new insights into the exploitation of goitered gazelle (<em>Gazella subgutturosa</em>) from the Paleolithic up to the Chalcolithic in the steppe, foothills, and higher elevations of the Zagros Mountains. It begins with analysis of an assemblage of the skeletal remains of 23 modern goitered gazelle specimens from Iraq and Iran. This analysis first focuses on a new sequence of post-cranial skeletal element fusion that builds on earlier long-bone fusion and dental eruption and wear sequences produced for dorcas (<em>G. dorcas</em>) and mountain (<em>G. gazella</em>) gazelle. The study of the modern gazelle also examines the various factors affecting body size in goitered gazelle using the logarithm size index (LSI) scaling method. Differential scaling of normalized values of individual dimensions noted in earlier studies is determined to be a function of allometric relationships among the elements of the reference specimen chosen to serve as a standard in the normalization process. Using the mean value of multiple specimens, preferably of animals from the same region and time period, evens out these differences, making it possible to avoid having to separate dimensions into different scaling groups when using LSI data to reconstruct demographic profiles. The evaluation of metric data normalized in this way finds that region has a significant impact on body size in goitered gazelle, while age, even in juvenile animals older than about six months of age, has little impact. Even though there is a significant difference in the LSI values of females and males, there is too much overlap in these values to allow use these values to reliably identify the sex of individual specimens in modern and archaeological gazelle assemblages. The degree of dimorphism in goitered gazelle is great enough, however, to enable general conclusions to be drawn about the sex composition in larger assemblages. The analysis of goitered gazelle skeletal remains from 20 different components of 16 archaeological sites in Iraq and Iran reveals different trends in the proportions of gazelle relative to caprines over time, with an unexpected increase in gazelle in Ceramic Neolithic age assemblages in most areas. There are also regional size variations in assemblages with a decline in body size that is most marked among gazelle from steppe environments in lowland Iran. Changes in body size from the Paleolithic to the Ceramic Neolithic are argued to be, in large part, a reflection of shifting demographics of prey populations that signal changes in hunting strategies. Earlier strategies focused primarily on males while there was a more even mix of females and males among prey assemblages from Ceramic Neolithic sites. Actual body size reduction in goitered gazelle appears to have occurred sometime after the Ceramic Neolithic. Application of the new sequence of long-bone fusion sequence to archaeological assemblages also shows a shift from a focus on older, prim
{"title":"A study of modern and archaeological goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) from Iraq and Iran","authors":"Melinda A. Zeder","doi":"10.1016/j.jas.2025.106449","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jas.2025.106449","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study offers new insights into the exploitation of goitered gazelle (<em>Gazella subgutturosa</em>) from the Paleolithic up to the Chalcolithic in the steppe, foothills, and higher elevations of the Zagros Mountains. It begins with analysis of an assemblage of the skeletal remains of 23 modern goitered gazelle specimens from Iraq and Iran. This analysis first focuses on a new sequence of post-cranial skeletal element fusion that builds on earlier long-bone fusion and dental eruption and wear sequences produced for dorcas (<em>G. dorcas</em>) and mountain (<em>G. gazella</em>) gazelle. The study of the modern gazelle also examines the various factors affecting body size in goitered gazelle using the logarithm size index (LSI) scaling method. Differential scaling of normalized values of individual dimensions noted in earlier studies is determined to be a function of allometric relationships among the elements of the reference specimen chosen to serve as a standard in the normalization process. Using the mean value of multiple specimens, preferably of animals from the same region and time period, evens out these differences, making it possible to avoid having to separate dimensions into different scaling groups when using LSI data to reconstruct demographic profiles. The evaluation of metric data normalized in this way finds that region has a significant impact on body size in goitered gazelle, while age, even in juvenile animals older than about six months of age, has little impact. Even though there is a significant difference in the LSI values of females and males, there is too much overlap in these values to allow use these values to reliably identify the sex of individual specimens in modern and archaeological gazelle assemblages. The degree of dimorphism in goitered gazelle is great enough, however, to enable general conclusions to be drawn about the sex composition in larger assemblages. The analysis of goitered gazelle skeletal remains from 20 different components of 16 archaeological sites in Iraq and Iran reveals different trends in the proportions of gazelle relative to caprines over time, with an unexpected increase in gazelle in Ceramic Neolithic age assemblages in most areas. There are also regional size variations in assemblages with a decline in body size that is most marked among gazelle from steppe environments in lowland Iran. Changes in body size from the Paleolithic to the Ceramic Neolithic are argued to be, in large part, a reflection of shifting demographics of prey populations that signal changes in hunting strategies. Earlier strategies focused primarily on males while there was a more even mix of females and males among prey assemblages from Ceramic Neolithic sites. Actual body size reduction in goitered gazelle appears to have occurred sometime after the Ceramic Neolithic. Application of the new sequence of long-bone fusion sequence to archaeological assemblages also shows a shift from a focus on older, prim","PeriodicalId":50254,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science","volume":"185 ","pages":"Article 106449"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145732700","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-09DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2025.106448
Christina Ryder , Gerardo Celis , Thibaut Devièse , Sahra Talamo , Katerina Douka , Matthew Collins , Angela Perri , Heather Thakar , William Pestle , Matt Sponheimer
Collagen is a vital archaeological material, preserving biochemical signatures that provide insights into past environments, diets, and human-animal interactions. However, diagenesis can lead to rapid and inconspicuous collagen degradation. Given the variability in collagen preservation and its significance for analyses such as radiocarbon dating, stable isotope analysis, and ZooMS, researchers have developed prescreening techniques to assess collagen preservation before destructive sampling. Current prescreening approaches, including %N and C:N ratios, typically require sample destruction and access to equipped laboratories. Spectroscopic techniques such as Raman spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy have been explored as alternatives, but they are limited in penetration depth, generalizability (at present at least), and are often still destructive, if minimally.
Here, we further develop single-point near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy as a fully non-destructive, rapid, and field-portable method for prescreening bone for collagen preservation. Unlike FTIR and Raman spectroscopic techniques, NIR light penetrates below the surface of bone, enabling assessment of internal collagen preservation without destructive sample preparation. Using Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) and Random Forest (RF) modeling, we trained predictive models on whole bones with known collagen yields and validated the models on an independent archaeological collection. Both PLSR and RF models, when restricted to the 2030–2060 nm range, demonstrate strong and comparable performance while avoiding wavelengths associated with consolidants in our reference library. The models outperform traditional % N-based methods in identifying suitable samples for radiocarbon dating. These models enable the high-throughput screening of large collections of bone, improving sample selection and minimizing unnecessary destructive analysis.
{"title":"Refining near-infrared spectroscopy for collagen quantification: A new predictive model for archaeological bone","authors":"Christina Ryder , Gerardo Celis , Thibaut Devièse , Sahra Talamo , Katerina Douka , Matthew Collins , Angela Perri , Heather Thakar , William Pestle , Matt Sponheimer","doi":"10.1016/j.jas.2025.106448","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jas.2025.106448","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Collagen is a vital archaeological material, preserving biochemical signatures that provide insights into past environments, diets, and human-animal interactions. However, diagenesis can lead to rapid and inconspicuous collagen degradation. Given the variability in collagen preservation and its significance for analyses such as radiocarbon dating, stable isotope analysis, and ZooMS, researchers have developed prescreening techniques to assess collagen preservation before destructive sampling. Current prescreening approaches, including %N and C:N ratios, typically require sample destruction and access to equipped laboratories. Spectroscopic techniques such as Raman spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy have been explored as alternatives, but they are limited in penetration depth, generalizability (at present at least), and are often still destructive, if minimally.</div><div>Here, we further develop single-point near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy as a fully non-destructive, rapid, and field-portable method for prescreening bone for collagen preservation. Unlike FTIR and Raman spectroscopic techniques, NIR light penetrates below the surface of bone, enabling assessment of internal collagen preservation without destructive sample preparation. Using Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) and Random Forest (RF) modeling, we trained predictive models on whole bones with known collagen yields and validated the models on an independent archaeological collection. Both PLSR and RF models, when restricted to the 2030–2060 nm range, demonstrate strong and comparable performance while avoiding wavelengths associated with consolidants in our reference library. The models outperform traditional % N-based methods in identifying suitable samples for radiocarbon dating. These models enable the high-throughput screening of large collections of bone, improving sample selection and minimizing unnecessary destructive analysis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50254,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science","volume":"185 ","pages":"Article 106448"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145732701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-08DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2025.106447
Danielle A. Macdonald
The method of use-wear analysis was first published 60 years ago by Semenov in his seminal volume “Prehistoric Technology”. This method was developed just 10 years before the founding of the Journal of Archaeological Science, and since then has grown into a robust field of scientific inquiry. In this paper, I review the historical development and methodological advancements in use-wear analysis, focusing on how the applications of surface metrology and quantitative analysis have changed the field. The integration of surface metrology into our understanding of stone tool function has enabled archaeologists to measure and differentiate microscopic wear patterns to ask new questions about tool function. This paper explores these developments and addresses possible futures for the field, including multiscalar analysis combining edge angles with surface texture, the challenges of post-depositional processes, and the applications of emerging technologies such as AI. Through this paper I advocate for a holistic, multiscalar approach to use-wear analysis using multiple methods and techniques that reconnect tools to the people who used them, encouraging creative, interdisciplinary collaboration to deepen our understanding of past human behavior.
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Pub Date : 2025-12-06DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2025.106453
Xu Han , Lianfang Feng , Shihua Hu , Nihanxue Jia , Qi Yang , Ting You , Xiaohu Zhang , Zhengquan Gu , Yu Gao , Yucheng Wang , Shugang Yang , Xiaoyan Yang
The China Central Plains in the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) was the eastern starting point of the Silk Road, characterized by a long and developed agricultural civilization. It also supported the world's most prosperous city network centered on Chang'an and Luoyang. The use of plant and animal resources by urban residents here offers significant insights into the empire's economy and global interactions. However, direct, quantifiable, and arguably less biased archaeobotanical and zooarchaeological studies are scarce, due to excavation challenges in modern urban areas and inherent limitations in the preservation and identification of macro-remains. Historical documents also tend to record elite groups or accidental events and thus show bias. Here, we analyzed sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) from an artificial water feature in Zhengzhou Shang Site in a regional city, Guan City (modern-day Zhengzhou), in the Central Plains during the Tang Dynasty. The results show that urban residents used diverse staple food crops, industrial crops, vegetables, fruits and nuts, and cultivated trees and aquatic plants. The staple food crops comprised foxtail millet (Setaria italica) and broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum), food legumes, barley (Hordeum vulgare), and wheat (Triticum aestivum); animal resources were mainly for labor, including horses (Equus caballus) and/or donkeys (Equus asinus), dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), and cattle (Bos taurus), with meat consumption minimal or absent. We report the first archaeological evidence for some non-staple crops in the Tang Dynasty, including tea (Camellia sinensis), goji berry (Lycium barbarum), and lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), and others which were introduced into China via the Silk Road, such as spinach (Spinacia oleracea), sesame (Sesamum indicum), pistachio (Pistacia vera), and pomegranate (Punica granatum). Our study provides direct evidence of industrial crop cultivation and non-native crop introduction as mentioned in historical documents, revealing these previously hidden crop cultivation histories and underscoring Tang agriculture's diversity and global connections. Furthermore, DNA translocation in archaeological deposits receives much attention. In this case, comparison between layers and stratigraphic analysis confirmed negligible translocation effects in the upper sediments, although underlying earlier layers show some translocation signals. The sedaDNA provided more taxonomic data than the archaeobotanical macro-remains. The study shows how sedaDNA retrieved from archaeological deposits is beneficial for comprehending the past use of plant and animal resources.
{"title":"Sedimentary ancient DNA from an artificial water feature in a regional city of the Tang Dynasty reveals the use of plant and animal resources by urban residents in the Central Plains, China","authors":"Xu Han , Lianfang Feng , Shihua Hu , Nihanxue Jia , Qi Yang , Ting You , Xiaohu Zhang , Zhengquan Gu , Yu Gao , Yucheng Wang , Shugang Yang , Xiaoyan Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.jas.2025.106453","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jas.2025.106453","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The China Central Plains in the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) was the eastern starting point of the Silk Road, characterized by a long and developed agricultural civilization. It also supported the world's most prosperous city network centered on Chang'an and Luoyang. The use of plant and animal resources by urban residents here offers significant insights into the empire's economy and global interactions. However, direct, quantifiable, and arguably less biased archaeobotanical and zooarchaeological studies are scarce, due to excavation challenges in modern urban areas and inherent limitations in the preservation and identification of macro-remains. Historical documents also tend to record elite groups or accidental events and thus show bias. Here, we analyzed sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) from an artificial water feature in Zhengzhou Shang Site in a regional city, Guan City (modern-day Zhengzhou), in the Central Plains during the Tang Dynasty. The results show that urban residents used diverse staple food crops, industrial crops, vegetables, fruits and nuts, and cultivated trees and aquatic plants. The staple food crops comprised foxtail millet (<em>Setaria italica</em>) and broomcorn millet (<em>Panicum miliaceum</em>), food legumes, barley (<em>Hordeum vulgare</em>), and wheat (<em>Triticum aestivum</em>); animal resources were mainly for labor, including horses (<em>Equus caballus</em>) and/or donkeys (<em>Equus asinus</em>), dogs (<em>Canis lupus familiaris</em>), and cattle (<em>Bos taurus</em>), with meat consumption minimal or absent. We report the first archaeological evidence for some non-staple crops in the Tang Dynasty, including tea (<em>Camellia sinensis</em>), goji berry (<em>Lycium barbarum</em>), and lotus (<em>Nelumbo nucifera</em>), and others which were introduced into China via the Silk Road, such as spinach (<em>Spinacia oleracea</em>), sesame (<em>Sesamum indicum</em>), pistachio (<em>Pistacia vera</em>), and pomegranate (<em>Punica granatum</em>). Our study provides direct evidence of industrial crop cultivation and non-native crop introduction as mentioned in historical documents, revealing these previously hidden crop cultivation histories and underscoring Tang agriculture's diversity and global connections. Furthermore, DNA translocation in archaeological deposits receives much attention. In this case, comparison between layers and stratigraphic analysis confirmed negligible translocation effects in the upper sediments, although underlying earlier layers show some translocation signals. The sedaDNA provided more taxonomic data than the archaeobotanical macro-remains. The study shows how sedaDNA retrieved from archaeological deposits is beneficial for comprehending the past use of plant and animal resources.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50254,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science","volume":"185 ","pages":"Article 106453"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145736539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The monumental water features of ancient Rome and the Bay of Naples represent the largest Imperial-era investment in public hydraulic infrastructure known from the ancient Mediterranean. Underlying and enabling all these works were highly specialised waterproof linings, the composition of which reflect the know-how and intentions of ancient builders. To investigate if and how waterproof lining technology changed through time, and what broader factors motivated their development, 14 mortar specimens dating between the 1st century BCE – 4th century CE were collected from water features found across Pompeii, the Bay of Naples and Rome. Each specimen was analysed using established archaeological and instrumental techniques, including ultra-high resolution mosaic scans of thin sections and polarised light microscopy (PLM). This was paired with a novel use of Micro-X-Ray Fluorescence Microscopy (μXFM), which allowed the elemental composition of whole thin sections to be rapidly and accurately visualised and compared. These analyses produced several data sets that were combined to identify clear change in the composition of Imperial-era waterproof linings. These findings were then contextualised to explore how contemporary socio-economic and political factors may have directed technological change in Imperial-era waterproofing technology.
{"title":"Diachronic change in imperial-era waterproof lining technology: Evidence from Pompeii, the Bay of Naples and Rome","authors":"Rory McLennan , Duncan Keenan-Jones , Glenys McGowan , Gianluca Zanzi , MariaLetizia Buonfiglio","doi":"10.1016/j.jas.2025.106433","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jas.2025.106433","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The monumental water features of ancient Rome and the Bay of Naples represent the largest Imperial-era investment in public hydraulic infrastructure known from the ancient Mediterranean. Underlying and enabling all these works were highly specialised waterproof linings, the composition of which reflect the know-how and intentions of ancient builders. To investigate if and how waterproof lining technology changed through time, and what broader factors motivated their development, 14 mortar specimens dating between the 1st century BCE – 4th century CE were collected from water features found across Pompeii, the Bay of Naples and Rome. Each specimen was analysed using established archaeological and instrumental techniques, including ultra-high resolution mosaic scans of thin sections and polarised light microscopy (PLM). This was paired with a novel use of Micro-X-Ray Fluorescence Microscopy (μXFM), which allowed the elemental composition of whole thin sections to be rapidly and accurately visualised and compared. These analyses produced several data sets that were combined to identify clear change in the composition of Imperial-era waterproof linings. These findings were then contextualised to explore how contemporary socio-economic and political factors may have directed technological change in Imperial-era waterproofing technology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50254,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Archaeological Science","volume":"185 ","pages":"Article 106433"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145693626","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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