Article
Biology
T. Rowan McLaughlin, Magdalena Gomez-Puche, Joao Cascalheira, Nuno Bicho, Javier Fernandez-Lopez de Pablo
Summary: This study reconstructs the long-term demographic patterns of the Iberian region using archaeological and population statistics data, finding that late glacial population growth was hindered by arid conditions, while population size and density increased during the transition from the Early to Middle Holocene, partly due to increased reliance on marine and estuarine food sources.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Maria Fontanals-Coll, Silvia Soncin, Helen M. Talbot, Matthew von Tersch, Juan F. Gibaja, Andre C. Colonese, Oliver E. Craig
Summary: Determining the reliance on coastal resources in the past is crucial for understanding long-term social and economic development and assessing human health and environmental impacts. Through stable isotope analysis, this study challenges the assumption that prehistoric Mediterranean hunter-gatherers heavily exploited aquatic resources. By analyzing amino acids from skeletal remains, it is revealed that the El Collado population relied on local lagoonal fish and shellfish, rather than open marine species. This study highlights the maritime-oriented economies on the north-western Mediterranean coast during the Early Holocene.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Efstratios Kelepertzis, Ioannis Matiatos, Fotini Botsou, Christina Antonopoulou, Ioannis Lappas, Elissavet Dotsika, Vladislav Chrastny, Pascal Boeckx, Sotirios Karavoltsos, Michael Komarek
Summary: The Atalanti basin in central Greece is facing groundwater quality deterioration threats due to both natural and human-induced contamination sources. This study used a combination of statistical and hydrogeochemical techniques, as well as stable isotope compositions, to investigate the origin of salinity and nitrate contamination. The findings showed that irrigation return flow and marine aerosols were the main contributors to high salinity, while fertilizers and sewage waste were the dominant sources of nitrate. The study also revealed the influence of redox conditions on the biogeochemical transformations of nitrogen species and the mobilization of chromium (VI).
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Cristina Val-Peon, Juan I. Santisteban, Jose A. Lopez-Saez, Gerd-Christian Weniger, Klaus Reicherter
Summary: The study fills a gap in the lack of palaeoenvironmental and archaeological data on the SW coast of the Iberian Peninsula through a new palynological and geochemical dataset. It reveals warm vegetation conditions at the start of the Holocene followed by increased moisture and forest development, with peaks of aridity at 8.2 and 7.5 ka BP. Archaeological data suggest human groups in the Mesolithic and Early Neolithic periods adapted through seasonal camps and permanent settlements near rivers.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Lucy O. H. Flower, Danielle C. Schreve, Angela L. Lamb
Summary: This study compared stable isotope evidence from British fossil wolves, carnivore competitors, and potential prey species from three different time periods. The results showed clear patterns of changing wolf prey choice over time, with the diet of wolves shifting from small and large prey during MIS 7c-a to large prey only during MIS 5a and a broader range of large prey during MIS 3. The study also revealed a lag between changing predatory behavior and morphological response in wolves.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sangeeta Mahajan, Vijay Sathe, Niraj Rai, Shailesh Agrawal, Supriyo Chakraborty
Summary: This study analyzed the stable carbon and oxygen isotope compositions of tooth enamel from human remains at the Inamgaon archaeological site in the Pune district of Maharashtra, India. The analysis revealed variations in isotope ratios among individuals and across different periods, providing valuable baseline values for understanding the prehistoric context of the region. The dataset can be used for comparative investigations in future research.
Article
Anthropology
Michael I. Bird, Jordahna Haig, Sean Ulm, Christopher Wurster
Summary: The study compiled a large number of carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of archaeological human bone collagen from the British Isles, converting ancient data to modern equivalents for comparison, showing significant differences in isotope values between ancient and modern food groups.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Anthropology
Sidney V. Sebald, Gisela Grupe, Susanne Hakenbeck
Summary: The stable isotopic ratios of carbon and nitrogen in bone collagen of archaeological skeletal finds in Bavaria were re-evaluated to provide a detailed reconstruction of early subsistence economies and individual dietary preferences. The findings confirmed the relationship between non-local dietary behavior and foreign cultural influences, suggesting migration events. Additionally, the study identified different groups of early and late immigrants, challenging previous interpretations of exogamy. The analysis of individual dietary preferences also revealed further migration events and social stratifications not identified by archaeological evidence alone.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Elissavet Dotsika, Maria Tassi, Petros Karalis, Anastasia Chrysostomou, Dimitra Ermioni Michael, Anastasia Elektra Poutouki, Katerina Theodorakopoulou, Georgios Diamantopoulos
Summary: In this article, isotopic analysis of samples from Northern Greece was conducted to reconstruct the diet and climate of the Early Iron Age. The results showed that the diet in Agras was primarily based on C3 plants, with some contributions from C4 plants and freshwater fish. The isotopic values were in good agreement with those from other sites in Northern Greece, Croatia, and Hungary.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Anthropology
Jeremy McCormack, Nicolas Bourgon, Virginie Sinet-Mathiot, Zeljko Rezek, Geoff M. Smith, Jean-Jacques Hublin, Mohammed Dabain, Helen Fewlass
Summary: This study tested the feasibility of analyzing the zinc isotope composition of dissolved mineral solutions during collagen extraction for carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis. The results show that with minor adjustments, the dissolved mineral solution from collagen extraction can be used for zinc isotope analysis, providing additional dietary information.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Stefano Natali, Marco Doveri, Linda Franceschi, Roberto Giannecchini, Marco Luppichini, Matia Menichini, Giovanni Zanchetta
Summary: The Mediterranean basin is heavily affected by climate change, especially small islands which face increased water scarcity and stress due to drought events. Stable isotopes in precipitation are used to study hydrological processes, and in the Mediterranean region, temperature, precipitation amount, and moisture origin contribute to isotopic variability.
ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jordi Revelles, Joan Marti Molist, Francesc Burjachs, Walter Finsinger, Eneko Iriarte, Francesc Mesquita-Joanes, Sergi Pla-Rabes, Llorenc Planaguma, Maria A. Rodrigo, Gabriel Alcalde, Maria Sana
Summary: This study provides an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the socio-ecological impact of monogenetic volcanism in the La Garrotxa Volcanic Field. By analyzing a sedimentary sequence, previously unknown volcanic eruptions were identified and their effects on the environment and human societies were examined. The findings suggest that the last hunter-gatherer communities in the region were resilient to volcanic activity due to their flexible nomadic patterns and foraging economies.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ane del Rio-Lavin, Jan Weber, Joachim Molkentin, Elisa Jimenez, Iraide Artetxe-Arrate, Miguel Angel Pardo
Summary: Determining the geographic origin of farmed mussels is important for regulators and fishing industries to prevent fraud and ensure food safety. This study used stable isotope ratio analysis and trace element fingerprinting to trace the origin of mussels harvested from different regions. The results showed significant differences in the chemical signatures of mussels from different locations, and a classification method correctly assigned 97% of individuals to their harvest location. This method has potential applications in seafood traceability and food safety.
Article
Anthropology
Ana Polo-Diaz, Jose Ramon Rabunal, Guillaume Guerin, Javier Fernandez-Lopez de Pablo
Summary: This study investigates a prehistoric site in SE Iberia and analyzes five hearth-pits from two different occupation phases. The structures in Phase 1 are interpreted as an oven and a dumping feature, possibly used occasionally. In contrast, the hearth-pits from Phase 2 are related to recurring occupation episodes. The study also reveals favorable paleoenvironmental conditions during the Mesolithic occupation of the site.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Stefano Natali, Ilaria Baneschi, Marco Doveri, Roberto Giannecchini, Enricomaria Selmo, Giovanni Zanchetta
Summary: By analyzing oxygen and hydrogen stable isotope data collected from multiple sites, the study explores the factors influencing the isotopic characteristics of precipitation in the Tuscany region, finding that isotopic variability in rainfall is closely related to meteorological and geographical variables, with moisture sources from the Atlantic and Mediterranean contributing differently in various seasons.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
E. E. Spinapolice, A. Zerboni, M. C. Meyer, S. Talamo, G. S. Mariani, L. A. Gliganic, L. Buti, M. Fusco, M. P. Maiorano, S. Silvestrini, R. Sorrentino, A. Vazzana, M. Romandini, A. Fiorini, A. Curci, S. Benazzi
Summary: This study investigates the new chronology and stratigraphy of Uluzzo C, a key site for the Uluzzian technocomplex in southern Italy, refining the cultural sequence known from previous excavations and providing dates for the onset of Uluzzian in the area and the disappearance of Neanderthals in that part of Italy. Results suggest that most of the sediment at the site formed after dismantling of the rock shelter's vault, with contributions from wind-blown loess and occasional hydrological reactivations. The OSL ages obtained align with previously published radiocarbon ages, confirming the timing of the Uluzzian and the end of the Mousterian in the region.
JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sahra Talamo, Wioletta Nowaczewska, Andrea Picin, Antonino Vazzana, Marcin Binkowski, Marjolein D. Bosch, Silvia Cercatillo, Marcin Diakowski, Helen Fewlass, Adrian Marciszak, Dragana Palecek, Michael P. Richards, Christina M. Ryder, Virginie Sinet-Mathiot, Geoff M. Smith, Pawel Socha, Matt Sponheimer, Krzysztof Stefaniak, Frido Welker, Hanna Winter, Andrzej Wisniewski, Marcin Zarski, Stefano Benazzi, Adam Nadachowski, Jean-Jacques Hublin
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Rick J. Schulting, Rebecca MacDonald, Michael P. Richards
Summary: A recent paper used Bayesian modelling software to argue that Neolithic individuals from Carding Mill Bay obtained up to ca. 21% dietary protein from marine sources, differing from previous interpretations. Resolving this discrepancy is important for understanding the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition in Atlantic Europe. Caution is needed when interpreting Bayesian palaeodietary modelling due to the uncertainty of parameters. The results reaffirm the terrestrial nature of diet at Carding Mill Bay.
QUATERNARY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Cara Kubiak, Vaughan Grimes, Geert Van Biesen, Grant Keddie, Mike Buckley, Reba Macdonald, M. P. Richards
Summary: This study used isotope evidence to investigate the diet and resource partitioning of three bear species (black bear, brown bear, and short-faced bear) during the Late Pleistocene. The results revealed niche differentiation among these species, with black bears occupying a distinctly lower trophic position.
JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Mateusz Baca, Danijela Popovic, Anna Lemanik, Sandra Banuls-Cardona, Nicholas J. Conard, Gloria Cuenca-Bescos, Emmanuel Desclaux, Helen Fewlass, Jesus T. Garcia, Tereza Hadravova, Gerald Heckel, Ivan Horacek, Monika Vlasta Knul, Loic Lebreton, Juan Manuel Lopez-Garcia, Elisa Luzi, Zoran Markovic, Jadranka Mauch Lenardic, Xabier Murelaga, Pierre Noiret, Alexandru Petculescu, Vasil Popov, Sara E. Rhodes, Bogdan Ridush, Aurelien Royer, John R. Stewart, Joanna Stojak, Sahra Talamo, Xuejing Wang, Jan M. Wojcik, Adam Nadachowski
Summary: This study investigated the population dynamics of the common vole and found that the decrease in open habitat during the last glacial period was the main factor affecting their populations. Climate deterioration during the Last Glacial Maximum had little impact on their population dynamics.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Adrian Marciszak, Dmitry Ivanoff, Yuriy A. Semenov, Sahra Talamo, Bogdan Ridush, Alina Stupak, Yevheniia Yanish, Oleksandr Kovalchuk
Summary: The fossil record of the cave lion suggests a gradual decrease in body size, calling for further investigation. Analysis of cave lion fossils in Ukraine supports the trend of decreasing size, with acceleration during the late stage. The subfossil records of the extant lion in Ukraine most likely represent the Persian lion.
JOURNAL OF MAMMALIAN EVOLUTION
(2023)
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cosimo Posth, He Yu, Ayshin Ghalichi, Helene Rougier, Isabelle Crevecoeur, Yilei Huang, Harald Ringbauer, Adam B. Rohrlach, Kathrin Naegele, Vanessa Villalba-Mouco, Rita Radzeviciute, Tiago Ferraz, Alexander Stoessel, Rezeda Tukhbatova, Dorothee G. Drucker, Martina Lari, Alessandra Modi, Stefania Vai, Tina Saupe, Christiana L. Scheib, Giulio Catalano, Luca Pagani, Sahra Talamo, Helen Fewlass, Laurent Klaric, Andre Morala, Mathieu Rue, Stephane Madelaine, Laurent Crepin, Jean-Baptiste Caverne, Emmy Bocaege, Stefano Ricci, Francesco Boschin, Priscilla Bayle, Bruno Maureille, Foni Le Brun-Ricalens, Jean-Guillaume Bordes, Gregorio Oxilia, Eugenio Bortolini, Olivier Bignon-Lau, Gregory Debout, Michel Orliac, Antoine Zazzo, Vitale Sparacello, Elisabetta Starnini, Luca Sineo, Johannes van der Plicht, Laure Pecqueur, Gildas Merceron, Geraldine Garcia, Jean-Michel Leuvrey, Coralie Bay Garcia, Asier Gomez-Olivencia, Marta Poltowicz-Bobak, Dariusz Bobak, Mona Le Luyer, Paul Storm, Claudia Hoffmann, Jacek Kabacinski, Tatiana Filimonova, Svetlana Shnaider, Natalia Berezina, Borja Gonzalez-Rabanal, Manuel R. Gonzalez Morales, Ana B. Marin-Arroyo, Belen Lopez, Carmen Alonso-Llamazares, Annamaria Ronchitelli, Caroline Polet, Ivan Jadin, Nicolas Cauwe, Joaquim Soler, Neus Coromina, Isaac Rufi, Richard Cottiaux, Geoffrey Clark, Lawrence G. Straus, Marie-Anne Julien, Silvia Renhart, Dorothea Talaa, Stefano Benazzi, Matteo Romandini, Luc Amkreutz, Herve Bocherens, Christoph Wissing, Sebastien Villotte, Javier Fernandez-Lopez de Pablo, Magdalena Gomez-Puche, Marco Aurelio Esquembre-Bebia, Pierre Bodu, Liesbeth Smits, Benedicte Souffi, Rimantas Jankauskas, Justina Kozakaite, Christophe Cupillard, Hartmut Benthien, Kurt Wehrberger, Ralf W. Schmitz, Susanne C. Feine, Tim Schueler, Corinne Thevenet, Dan Grigorescu, Friedrich Lueth, Andreas Kotula, Henny Piezonka, Franz Schopper, Jiri Svoboda, Sandra Sazelova, Andrey Chizhevsky, Aleksandr Khokhlov, Nicholas J. Conard, Frederique Valentin, Katerina Harvati, Patrick Semal, Bettina Jungklaus, Alexander Suvorov, Rick Schulting, Vyacheslav Moiseyev, Kristiina Mannermaa, Alexandra Buzhilova, Thomas Terberger, David Caramelli, Eveline Altena, Wolfgang Haak, Johannes Krause
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sahra Talamo, Bernd Kromer, Michael P. Richards, Lukas Wacker
Summary: Radiocarbon dating is widely used in archaeology, particularly in human evolution studies, to determine the timeframe of key events. However, its accuracy is sometimes insufficient to fully comprehend the significant processes of human evolution. This paper reviews the latest method developments in radiocarbon dating ('Radiocarbon 3.0'), aiming for more precise chronologies and a better understanding of major events in recent human evolution. The authors apply these new methods to discuss the dating of the important Palaeolithic site of Bacho Kiro in Bulgaria.
Article
Biology
Mateusz Baca, Danijela Popovic, Alexander K. Agadzhanyan, Katarzyna Baca, Nicholas J. Conard, Helen Fewlass, Thomas Filek, Michal Golubinski, Ivan Horacek, Monika V. Knul, Magdalena Krajcarz, Maria Krokhaleva, Loic Lebreton, Anna Lemanik, Lutz C. Maul, Doris Nagel, Pierre Noiret, Jerome Primault, Leonid Rekovets, Sara E. Rhodes, Aurelien Royer, Natalia V. Serdyuk, Marie Soressi, John R. Stewart, Tatiana Strukova, Sahra Talamo, Jaroslaw Wilczynski, Adam Nadachowski
Summary: By studying the ancient mitochondrial genomes of narrow-headed voles from Europe and Asia, the researchers found that the evolution of narrow-headed voles and collared lemings was influenced by climate fluctuations. They also identified time-structured mtDNA lineages in European narrow-headed voles during the Late Pleistocene, which helped explain the drivers of dynamics in steppe- and cold-adapted species.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Solange Rigaud, Evgeny P. Rybin, Arina M. Khatsenovich, Alain Queffelec, Clea H. Paine, Byambaa Gunchinsuren, Sahra Talamo, Daria V. Marchenko, Tsedendorj Bolorbat, Davaakhuu Odsuren, J. Christopher Gillam, Masami Izuho, Alexander Yu. Fedorchenko, Dashdorjgochoo Odgerel, Roman Shelepaev, Jean-Jacques Hublin, Nicolas Zwyns
Summary: Figurative depictions in art emerged about 50,000 years ago and were considered an advanced symbolic behavior. A phallus-like pendant, dating back to around 42,000 years ago, was discovered at the Tolbor-21 archaeological site in Mongolia. This pendant, with its unique characteristics, suggests that hunter-gatherer communities used sexual attributes as symbols early on in their dispersal. Its production coincides with the period of interaction between Homo sapiens and Denisovans, making it a significant find.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Anthropology
Teresa Nicolosi, Valentina Mariotti, Sahra Talamo, Monica Miari, Laura Minarini, Gabriele Nenzioni, Fiamma Lenzi, Annalisa Pietrobelli, Rita Sorrentino, Stefano Benazzi, Maria Giovanna Belcastro
Summary: This study examines prehistoric human skeletal remains from the Farneto rock shelter in northern Italy. Despite the fragmented and commingled nature of the remains, radiocarbon analysis provided an accurate dating and revealed intentional interventions and treatment of the corpses. Comparison with other European Neolithic/Eneolithic funerary contexts enhanced the understanding of these complex ritual practices.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Vanessa Villalba-Mouco, Marieke S. van de Loosdrecht, Adam B. Rohrlach, Helen Fewlass, Sahra Talamo, He Yu, Franziska Aron, Carles Lalueza-Fox, Lidia Cabello, Pedro Cantalejo Duarte, Jose Ramos-Munoz, Cosimo Posth, Johannes Krause, Gerd-Christian Weniger, Wolfgang Haak
Summary: During the Last Glacial Maximum, human populations experienced range contractions that had significant effects on their genetic variation. The genetic ancestry of individuals associated with the post-LGM Magdalenian technocomplex has been linked to pre-LGM Aurignacian groups, but differs from that of the Gravettian in central Europe. Genomic data from southern Spain indicates a direct connection between earlier Aurignacian-associated individuals and post-LGM Magdalenian-associated ancestry, suggesting Iberia as a potential refugium for western European pre-LGM ancestry.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Archaeology
Robert C. Power, Ingelise Stuijts, Finbar Mccormick, Sahra Talamo
Summary: This study reveals the history of otter and badger in Ireland by directly dating ancient specimens from a late Mesolithic campsite. The results show that both species have been present in Ireland for at least 7000-8000 years.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Anthropology
Karen Ruebens, Virginie Sinet-Mathiot, Sahra Talamo, Geoff M. Smith, Frido Welker, Jean-Jacques Hublin, Shannon P. McPherron
Summary: The exact strategies and technologies of Neanderthal hunting are still debated. However, the Neronian entity in southeast France provides some insights. This study examined the first layer of Abri du Maras and found that different types of points were made on different types of blanks. Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of various animal remains in the region, with no evidence of carnivore modifications.
JOURNAL OF PALEOLITHIC ARCHAEOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Anthropology
Gregorio Oxilia, Eugenio Bortolini, Giulia Marciani, Jessica Cristina Menghi Sartorio, Antonino Vazzana, Matteo Bettuzzi, Daniele Panetta, Simona Arrighi, Federica Badino, Carla Figus, Federico Lugli, Matteo Romandini, Sara Silvestrini, Rita Sorrentino, Adriana Moroni, Carlo Donadio, Maria Pia Morigi, Viviane Slon, Marcello Piperno, Sahra Talamo, Carmine Collina, Stefano Benazzi
Summary: This research focuses on two human teeth found in southern Italy, using 3D geometric morphometric methods for taxonomical attribution and obtaining new radiometric dates. The study confirms a Neanderthal presence in southern Italy and shows a later shift to upper Paleolithic technology in southwestern Italy compared to the earliest Uluzzian evidence in Puglia, Italy.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Anthropology
Julia Becher, Alex Schoeman, Gavin Whitelaw, Stephen Buckley, Jean-Pierre Celliers, Sara Cafisso, Matthias Belser, Maxime Rageot, Cynthianne Spiteri
Summary: This study represents the first application of Organic Residue Analysis (ORA) to southern African early farming pottery to gain a deeper understanding of past human behavior and subsistence patterns. The study found evidence of dairy processing and multi-purpose functionality of the ceramics. It also discovered potential medicinal use and the involvement of dung in pottery sealing and mending.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Anthropology
Jon Clindaniel, Matthew Magnani
Summary: Large sources of digital trace data have become important in the study of material culture. The authors introduce a computational method to observe digital formation processes and highlight the importance of accounting for these processes in studies utilizing digital trace data.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Anthropology
Rebecca A. G. Reid, Miranda M. E. Jans, Lesley A. Chesson, Rebecca J. Taylor, Gregory E. Berg
Summary: Chemical treatment of skeletal remains can reduce overall DNA quality and quantity but has no significant impact on stable isotope ratio analysis. Examination of treated and untreated human remains through histological and stable isotope analysis reveals that treated remains exhibit better preservation compared to untreated remains. Stable isotope ratio analysis is viable for both treated and untreated remains, regardless of their origin.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Anthropology
Laura Tome, Eneko Iriartec, Antonio Blanco-Gonzalez, Margarita Jambrina-Enriquez, Natalia Eguez, Antonio V. Herrera-Herrera, Carolina Mallola
Summary: This paper presents the outcomes of a microcontextual geoarchaeological study conducted on earthen dwellings from the Early Iron Age village of Cerro de San Vicente. The study employed soil micromorphology, lipid biomarker analysis, XRD, and XRF analyses to investigate various aspects of the dwellings, including construction materials, site formation processes, and daily life practices. The results have shed light on the construction layers, floor use, maintenance, repaving, periods of abandonment and decay, and the presence of lipid biomarkers associated with dwelling functionality. The study significantly contributes to our understanding of ancient construction practices and the utilization of domestic spaces during the Early Iron Age.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2024)