Article
Anthropology
Jane S. Gaastra
Summary: The domestication and management of livestock played a crucial role in the ancient world's food and textile production. However, zooarchaeologists still struggle with identifying the domestication state and osteological identification of key taxa, especially in the early stages. While geometric morphometric analyses have advanced the understanding of some domesticated species, others have fallen behind due to their morphology.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Katrien Dierickx, Tarek Oueslati, Antonio Profico
Summary: Flatfish vertebrae are difficult to identify to species due to lack of diagnostic features. This study introduces a new approach using 2D landmark-based geometric morphometrics for species identification of flatfish vertebrae. Limited distinction between taxa was found using principal component analysis (PCA), but the classification showed high accuracies, indicating the feasibility of using geometric morphometrics for species identification. The technique had limited applicability for archaeological fish bone samples, but could be valuable for modern and non-fragmented samples.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2023)
Article
Anthropology
Tina Roushannafas, Amy Bogaard, Michael Charles
Summary: The study shows that 'New glume wheat' (NGW), a type of wheat found at Neolithic-Bronze Age sites, is closely comparable to modern wheats from the Triticum timopheevii group. The analysis also suggests that NGW was undergoing selection for domestication traits during the East Mound sequence. These findings provide insights into the taxonomic classification and domestication status of NGW and highlight the importance of a broad-spectrum plant strategy at the site.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kory M. Evans, Olivier Larouche, Sara-Jane Watson, Stacy Farina, Maria Laura Habegger, Matt Friedman
Summary: Evolutionary innovations are essential for organisms to adapt to new environments, and the evolution of cranial asymmetry in flatfishes was a rapid process that led to the colonization of novel trait space. Strong integration in skull shape changes played a major role in the evolution of this innovation by synchronizing responses to selective pressures.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Anthropology
Nelson J. Almeida, Palmira Saladie, Enrique Cerrillo-Cuenca
Summary: This article provides an overview of evidence regarding leporid accumulations in the southwestern Iberian region during the Neolithic. While lacking taphonomical data, in-depth analysis suggests possible human intervention. Future research should address methodological biases to properly assess the significance of rabbits in early agropastoral diets.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Sarah B. McClure, Emil Podrug, Jelena Jovic, Shayla Monroe, Hugh D. Radde, Nicholas Triozzi, Martin H. Welker, Emily Zavodny
Summary: Archaeological analysis of 41,081 archaeofaunal remains from six Neolithic villages in northern Dalmatia reveals the intensification of livestock management from 6000 to 4700 cal BC. This is reflected in changes in the demographic and species compositions of livestock herds, coinciding with cultural and economic developments in the region. Sheep and goats were the predominant animal species, but the presence of cattle and pigs increased during the Late Neolithic. Wild species, particularly roe deer, accounted for a significant proportion of faunal assemblages in open air villages, suggesting behavioral responses by farming communities to changing agropastoral practices and climatic shifts.
QUATERNARY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Angela Maria Garcia-Sanchez, Antonio Zurita, Cristina Cutillas
Summary: This article investigates the classification and taxonomic diversity of fleas, specifically the cat flea and dog flea. By conducting a geometric morphometrics analysis, the researchers were able to differentiate between specimens of both species. This study provides useful complementary data for the identification of flea species and has the potential to assist in the identification of historically difficult species.
Article
Environmental Studies
Marcella Festa, Francesca Monteith
Summary: Transitions in animal exploitation patterns are driven by topographical and climatic changes on macro and micro scales, as well as social developments and interactions with neighboring communities.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fidji Berio, Yann Bayle, Daniel Baum, Nicolas Goudemand, Melanie Debiais-Thibaud
Summary: In this study, differences in tooth shape and form between the Scyliorhinus canicula populations in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea were investigated. Results showed that the Atlantic population has bigger, blunter teeth and fewer accessory cusps than the Mediterranean population. The proposed tooth morphology framework can be used to complement DNA analyses in identifying shark species or populations, which is important for fisheries management and shark fossil identification.
Article
Anthropology
Beatriz Gamarra, Marina Lozano, Antonietta Del Bove, M. Eulalia Subira, Manuel Edo, Concepcio Castellana, Josep Maria Verges, Juan Ignacio Morales, Artur Cebria, F. Xavier Oms, Carlos Tornero, Anna Gomez-Bach
Summary: Neolithisation had diverse impacts on genomic and cultural diversity in the Iberian Peninsula. Genetic admixture and human mobility resulted in decreased genomic heterogeneity. Dental morphology is an effective tool for studying genetic variability and biological affinities in ancient populations.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Paleontology
Russell K. Engelman, Darin A. Croft
Summary: The study utilized geometric morphometrics to analyze the first three upper molars of the metatherian clade Sparassodonta, finding that isolated teeth can be classified to locus using linear discriminant analysis. By identifying specific morphological features, it is possible to distinguish different tooth loci, aiding scientists in research and comparisons.
PALAEONTOLOGIA ELECTRONICA
(2022)
Article
Paleontology
Russell K. Engelman, Darin A. Croft
Summary: Isolated teeth are common in the mammalian fossil record, and in this study, geometric morphometrics was used to classify the first three upper molars of the metatherian clade Sparassodonta to specific loci with high accuracy. The study provides valuable insight into confidently identifying tooth loci in metatherians based on morphological features such as the shape of the stylar shelf and development of the ectoflexus and parastylar lobe.
PALAEONTOLOGIA ELECTRONICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Masrour Makaremi, Alireza Vafaei Sadr, Benoit Marcy, Ikram Chraibi Kaadoud, Ali Mohammad-Djafari, Salome Sadoun, Francois De Brondeau, Bernard N'kaoua
Summary: This study aims to investigate the impact of mandibular retrognathia on the skull using AI tools and propose automated treatment options. Through the combination of convolutional neural networks and interpretability algorithms, we identified the affected structures by retrognathia and observed their dynamic changes based on its severity, providing insights into the evolution of human anatomy.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Jean-Philippe Martinet, Hubert Ferte, Pacome Sientzoff, Eva Krupa, Bruno Mathieu, Jerome Depaquit
Summary: Geometric morphometrics is an effective and efficient tool for the rapid classification of mosquito species in France, with successful differentiation of six Aedes species. This method could improve the speed and accuracy of mosquito identification in the field during viral outbreaks.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Qingbo Hu, Ningning Dong, Songmei Hu, Xiaoli Qin, Jing Yuan
Summary: This research examines the changing process of meat procurement in the Guanzhong region of China, using zooarchaeological data from 26 Neolithic and Bronze Age sites. The study reveals that the pattern of meat procurement did not follow a linear progression, and different strategies were employed in central and lower-ranking settlements. The increasing importance of domesticated bovids during certain periods suggests that population size and societal form played a role in shaping meat procurement strategies.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2023)
Correction
Anthropology
D. Fremondeau, T. Cucchi, F. Casabianca, J. Ughetto-Monfrin, M. -p. Horard-Herbin, M. Balasse
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Dimitri Neaux, Hugo Harbers, Barbara Blanc, Katia Ortiz, Yann Locatelli, Anthony Herrel, Vincent Debat, Thomas Cucchi
Summary: Deciphering the nonheritable changes induced by human control over wild animals in the archeological record is challenging. This study investigated the influence of captive environment on the morphological structures of wild boar using an experimental approach. The results showed that captivity has an impact on the craniomandibular structures, with wild specimens being smaller than captive individuals at similar ages. The calcaneus presented a different pattern of plasticity, with captive and wild individuals differing in form but not in size. These findings have important implications for bioarchaeological approaches.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biology
Colline Brassard, Adrian Balasescu, Rose-Marie Arbogast, Vianney Forest, Celine Bemilli, Adina Boroneant, Fabien Convertini, Muriel Gandelin, Valentin Radu, Patricia A. Fleming, Claude Guintard, Tracey L. Kreplins, Cecile Callou, Andrea Filippo, Anne Tresset, Raphael Cornette, Anthony Herrel, Stephanie Brehard
Summary: Early morphological variability in dog mandibles in Europe existed before the Bronze Age, with lower intentional human selection compared to modern dogs, suggesting differences in the functional implications of ancient and modern dogs in areas such as diet, competition, or hunting.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Anthropology
Valentin Radu, Monica Margarit, Valentina Voinea, Adina Boroneant, Ioana Daniela Dulama
Summary: Testudines are reptiles found widely in Eurasia, which could have been used as a food source and containers by prehistoric humans. Shell remains with intentional modifications, use-wear traces, and residues were found at prehistoric sites in Romania. These remains indicate that the shells were used as containers and contained various types of inorganic pigments.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Margareta Simina Stanc, Monica Luca, Adrian Balasescu, Luminita Bejenaru
Summary: This study analyzes a large number of samples from different archaeological sites in Romania to investigate the spread of domestic pigs into Europe and the possibility of local domestication. The results show a shift in the genetic signature of domestic pigs in Romania from a Near-Eastern signature in the Neolithic period to a European one in the Early Bronze Age-Middle Ages period.
Article
Anthropology
Margot Louail, Laurent Caner, Dimitri Neaux, Katia Ortiz, Yann Locatelli, Thomas Cucchi
Summary: Dental microwear is a useful tool for studying the diet and dental evolution of mammals. However, the impact of exogenous mineral particles on dental wear is still a challenge. This study conducted a controlled-food experiment on wild boars to investigate the effects of soil ingestion on dental microwear. The results showed that soil ingestion resulted in less rough, simpler, and more anisotropic wear surfaces.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL METHOD AND THEORY
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Abel Moclan, Angel C. Dominguez-Garcia, Emmanuelle Stoetzel, Thomas Cucchi, Paloma Sevilla, Cesar Laplana
Summary: Taxonomic identification of fossils based on morphology is a key step in palaeontological studies. Machine Learning techniques have been shown to be powerful statistical approaches for analyzing quantitative morphometric data. In this study, Machine Learning algorithms were applied to two-dimensional geometric morphometric data of Mus spp. molars, demonstrating their effectiveness in taxonomic identification.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Archaeology
Manon Le Neun, Elise Dufour, Nicolas Goepfert, Dimitri Neaux, Jane C. Wheeler, Hugo Yacobaccio, Guillermo Luis Mengoni Gonalons, Dolores Elkin, Alejandra Gasco, Thomas Cucchi
Summary: South American Camelids (SAC) played a significant role in the pre-Hispanic Andean societies and are still important for rural Andean communities. However, the lack of reliable taxonomic identification of SAC archaeological remains hampers our understanding of their specific role and function over time. This study explores the taxonomic potential of a multivariate morphometrics method using a machine learning approach, but the distinction between domestic forms and their wild relatives remains tentative. Further improvements are needed to enhance the classification accuracy.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE-REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
T. Cucchi, H. Harbers, D. Neaux, M. Balasse, L. Garbe, D. Fiorillo, H. Bocherens, D. Drucker, C. Zanolli, R. Cornette, R. M. Arbogast, S. Brehard, A. Bridault, L. Gourichon, J. Guilaine, C. Manen, T. Perrin, R. Schafberg, A. Tresset, J. D. Vigne, A. Herrel
Summary: Evolutionary biologists seek the help of archaeologists to understand the morphological evolution of animals in response to human activities. The impact of domestication and dispersal on animal morphology has been understudied.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Gabriel M. Popescu, Cristina Covataru, Ionela Opris, Adrian Balasescu, Laurent Carozza, Valentin Radu, Constantin Haita, Tiberiu Sava, C. Michael Barton, Catalin Lazar
Summary: Past human population dynamics are important for understanding socio-ecological change over time. This study investigates population dynamics in the Lower Danube and Eastern Balkans area during the 5th millennium BC using radiocarbon dating. The analysis reveals both similarities and differences in population trends across the region, providing insights into the cultural characteristics of societies during that period.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ana Garcia-Vazquez, Adrian Balasescu, Gabriel Vasile, Mihaela Golea, Valentin Radu, Vasile Opris, Theodor Ignat, Mihaela Culea, Cristina Covataru, Gabriela Sava, Catalin Lazar
Summary: This study reconstructs the diet and lifeways of the Chalcolithic people in the northeastern Balkans by analyzing archaeological remains found at the Gumelni?a site in Romania. The results show that the inhabitants of Gumelnita had a diet based on crops and natural resources, such as fish, freshwater molluscs, and game. The community developed a subsistence strategy in response to climatic changes, leading to their resilience compared to other contemporary communities.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Archaeology
Juliette Milon, Charlene Bouchaud, Christopher Viot, Michel Lemoine, Thomas Cucchi
Summary: The study examined the taxonomic signal of cotton seeds at the interspecific level and the impact of carbonization on this signal. Linear measurements and geometric morphometrics (GM) were used to compare modern dried cotton seeds and experimentally charred seeds. The results show that the outline form of the seeds provides more accurate taxonomic discrimination than linear measurements, and high-temperature carbonization does not significantly deform the shape of the seeds.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE-REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Anthropology
Colline Brassard, Marie Balasse, Adrian Balasescu, Valentin Radu, Morgane Ollivier, Denis Fiorillo, Anthony Herrel, Stephanie Brehard
Summary: Using stable isotope analysis and three-dimensional geometric morphometrics, this study explores the relationship between diet and mandibular morphology in dogs from different socioeconomic systems in Chalcolithic Gumelnit,a culture in Romania. The results indicate that dogs in herding-based societies have a varied diet including domestic animals and fish, while dogs in hunting-based societies have a specialized diet focusing on large game. Dogs in the latter group also have more robust mandibles with shapes indicating adaptations for capturing and breaking large prey. Overall, this study supports the idea that prehistoric dogs adapted to human lifestyles.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Manon Le Neun, Elise Dufour, Antoine Zazzo, Olivier Tombret, Francois Thil, Jane C. Wheeler, Thomas Cucchi, Nicolas Goepfert
Summary: This study revises the chronological framework of the Telarmachay rockshelter, a key site in the Andean highlands, by conducting a new AMS dating program. The results provide a greater than 5000 year sequence of occupation and highlight the importance of the Junin area in the Andean highland occupation sequence. It emphasizes the need for new radiocarbon dates to reassess previous data and directly date artifacts.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Archaeology
Jean-Denis Vigne, Thomas Cucchi, Maria Rousou, Salvador Bailon, Isabelle Carrere, Benoit Devillers, Carolyne Douche, Lionel Gourichon, Angelos Hadjikoumis, Pantelitsa Mylona, Katerina Papayianni, Andrea Pares, Margareta Tengberg, Antoine Zazzo, Jean Guilaine, Francois Briois
Summary: In the last 30 years, the interdisciplinary approach and analytical tools used in the Amathous region in Cyprus have generated a substantial amount of archaeological, geoarchaeological, and bioarchaeological data. These data have greatly contributed to understanding the interactions between early Neolithic human societies and the environment and natural resources of an isolated island during a period of significant changes. The paper reviews hydrological changes, plant and vertebrate faunal evolution, domestication of animals, and cultivation and breeding practices, providing insights into the incipient human niche construction in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE-REPORTS
(2023)