Ivor Karavanić | University of Zagreb, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences [Filozofski fakultet] (original) (raw)
Talks by Ivor Karavanić
The last excavations at Vindija Cave (Croatia) ended more than twenty-five years ago. Nevertheles... more The last excavations at Vindija Cave (Croatia) ended more than twenty-five years ago. Nevertheless, the archeological, paleontological and ecological evidence from this site continues to shed new light on the Neandertal-modern human transition. Since the last publication of new Neandertal remains from Vindija in 2004, there have been developments regarding the chronology and stratigraphy that have called into question earlier interpretations of the archaeology and biology of the Vindija hominins. On the other hand, recent paleogenomic and anatomical analyses of the Vindija remains seemingly confirm some of these earlier interpretations. In this paper, we examine the current state of the chronological, archaeological and biological evidence from Vindija. Although some interpretations must be tempered based on the available data, the Vindija evidence still supports some fundamental hypotheses about the biocultural dynamics of the Neandertal-modern human transition in south-central Europe. Finally, we report on recent efforts to test these hypotheses using new data from other Croatian Middle and Upper Paleolithic sites.
Papers by Ivor Karavanić
The Assimilation Model (AM) was developed to explain the presence of evidence for small, but not ... more The Assimilation Model (AM) was developed to explain the presence of evidence for small, but not insignificant, anatomical contributions of Eurasian archaic humans (including Neandertals) to modern Eurasians within a framework of the documented African origin of the majority of modern Eurasian ancestry. The AM was based entirely on morphological evidence for introgression in Eurasia and was initially not well supported by genetic studies, including ancient DNA. However, beginning with the publication of the first Neandertal draft genome in 2010, genomic data have consistently demonstrated low levels of archaic human gene flow into modern Eurasian populations and recently have shown modern gene flow into a Siberian Neandertal. Current data also indicate the complexity of archaic emodern human population dynamics during the late Pleistocene, another tenet of the AM. We conclude that the AM is strongly supported by current genetic and genomic data, as well as morphological evi- dence that has been documented elsewhere.
Arheologija Špilje Zale: Od Paleolitičkih Lovaca Skupljača do Rimskih Osvajača, 2015
This paper discusses pictographs found in an abri near Selce. There are no significant similariti... more This paper discusses pictographs found in an abri near Selce. There are no significant similarities between the Povilac pictographs and those at other sites. They are most likely a recent work, created at most a few decades ago. Although the pictographs have been entirely destroyed by weathering effects, photographs made of them, a selection of which are presented here, are a faithful witness to, and documentation of, this site.
Summary In the course of 2011 smaller-scale probe investigations continued at the Bukovac Cave si... more Summary
In the course of 2011 smaller-scale probe investigations continued at the Bukovac Cave site, municipality of Lokve in Gorski kotar. Work was resumed on a probe opened in 2011 (quadrants A1 and A2). In order to additionally clarify the stratigraphic situation, it was decided to open another probe which was physically connected to the north-east- ern part of probe A1. The probe was marked B1 and its dimensions were 1x1.5 m. It was additionally divided into sub-quadrants of 50x75 cm. Like the previous year, exca- vations were carried out by the standard methodology for archaeological sites from similar periods. Insight into the stratigraphy and morphology of the sediment in quadrants A1 and A2 clarified the stratigraphic situation from season 2010 when we observed certain differences in the colour of the layers and provisionally named it layer 4B. This year’s investigations showed that the layer was sterile and the result of water activity (sand deposits) which caused colour oscillations in specific places of the sub-quadrant (sandy layer whose colour varies from yellowish and yellow-brown
Prilozi Instituta za arheologiju u Zagrebu, 2016
The paper reports on the activities and preliminary results of archaeological research of Middle ... more The paper reports on the activities and preliminary results of archaeological research of Middle Palaeolithic sites in Dalmatia and geological research consisting of drilling at potential sites. The activities were carried out within the framework of the second and third years of the research project Late Mousterian in the Eastern Adriatic – towards understanding of late Neanderthals’ identity and their demise, funded by the Croatian Science Foundation. The fieldwork mostly focused on the continuation of excavation at Velika pećina in Kličevica and research at underwater Palaeolithic site of Kaštel Štafilić – Resnik, in addition to the test excavation of a site in the hinterland of Kaštela (Giljanovići/Karanušići) and geological drillings.
Journal of Field Archaeology, 2008
Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences, 2005
We report here protein sequences of fossil hominids, from two Neanderthals dating to 75,000 years... more We report here protein sequences of fossil hominids, from two Neanderthals dating to 75,000 years old from Shanidar Cave in Iraq. These sequences, the oldest reported fossil primate protein sequences, are of bone osteocalcin, which was extracted and sequenced by using MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. Through a combination of direct sequencing and peptide mass mapping, we determined that Neanderthals have an osteocalcin amino acid sequence that is identical to that of modern humans. We also report complete osteocalcin sequences for chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and a partial sequence for orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), all of which are previously unreported. We found that the osteocalcin sequences of Neanderthals, modern human, chimpanzee, and orangutan are unusual among mammals in that the ninth amino acid is proline (Pro-9), whereas most species have hydroxyproline (Hyp-9). Posttranslational hydroxylation of Pro-9 in osteocalcin by prolyl-4-hydroxylase requires adequate concentrations of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), molecular O2, Fe2+, and 2-oxoglutarate, and also depends on enzyme recognition of the target proline substrate consensus sequence Leu-Gly-Ala-Pro-9-Ala-Pro-Tyr occurring in most mammals. In five species with Pro-9-Val-10, hydroxylation is blocked, whereas in gorilla there is a mixture of Pro-9 and Hyp-9. We suggest that the absence of hydroxylation of Pro-9 in Pan, Pongo, and Homo may reflect response to a selective pressure related to a decline in vitamin C in the diet during omnivorous dietary adaptation, either independently or through the common ancestor of these species.
Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences, 1999
New accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon dates taken directly on human remains from the Late... more New accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon dates taken directly on human remains from the Late Pleistocene sites of Vindija and Velika Pecina in the Hrvatsko Zagorje of Croatia are presented. Hominid specimens from both sites have played critical roles in the development of current perspectives on modern human evolutionary emergence in Europe. Dates of ≈ 28 thousand years (ka) before the present (B.P.) and ≈ 29 ka B.P. for two specimens from Vindija G1 establish them as the most recent dated Neandertals in the Eurasian range of these archaic humans. The human frontal bone from Velika Pecina, generally considered one of the earliest representatives of modern humans in Europe, dated to ≈ 5 ka B.P., rendering it no longer pertinent to discussions of modern human origins. Apart from invalidating the only radiometrically based example of temporal overlap between late Neandertal and early modern human fossil remains from within any region of Europe, these dates raise the question of when early modern humans first dispersed into Europe and have implications for the nature and geographic patterning of biological and cultural interactions between these populations and the Neandertals.
Journal of Archaeological Science, 2002
Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences, 2000
Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences, 2000
Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences
Journal of Human Evolution, 1998
Journal of Field Archaeology, 2008
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2006
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2000
Poster presents the results of lithic analysis from the Mousterian site of Kaštel Štafilić – Resn... more Poster presents the results of lithic analysis from the Mousterian site of Kaštel Štafilić – Resnik found during field seasons 2008, 2010 – 2015, as a part of the research funded by the Croatian Science Foundation and Ministry of Culture of Republic of Croatia. The site is located in Dalmatia, south Croatia, and it is considered to be an open air site dating to the time when the sea level was lower than today. This is the first systematic exploration of the underwater Paleolithic site in Croatia. Lithic material was collected and analysed, and geological research of surrounding area was undertaken. The original site was destroyed by the wave action, and the artifacts were collected from the sea floor surface and Holocene mud. The specific morphology of the coastal sea bed were Eocene limestone layers alternate with soft marl deposits (flysch) created ramps which probably aided the accumulation and preservation of lithic material. Lithic material consists of numerous naturally broken chert pieces some of which look like tools (pseudoartefacts), artifacts including pseudotools and tools (mostly Mousterian side scrapers). Analysis of the lithic material confirmed attribution to the Mousterian industry and the presence of centripetal method. Due to a small number of collected artifacts, it was not possible to ascribe them to a particular type of Mousterian, and therefore establish a more detailed comparison with the nearby site at Mujina pećina.
Journal of Archaeological Science, 2015
ABSTRACT
The last excavations at Vindija Cave (Croatia) ended more than twenty-five years ago. Nevertheles... more The last excavations at Vindija Cave (Croatia) ended more than twenty-five years ago. Nevertheless, the archeological, paleontological and ecological evidence from this site continues to shed new light on the Neandertal-modern human transition. Since the last publication of new Neandertal remains from Vindija in 2004, there have been developments regarding the chronology and stratigraphy that have called into question earlier interpretations of the archaeology and biology of the Vindija hominins. On the other hand, recent paleogenomic and anatomical analyses of the Vindija remains seemingly confirm some of these earlier interpretations. In this paper, we examine the current state of the chronological, archaeological and biological evidence from Vindija. Although some interpretations must be tempered based on the available data, the Vindija evidence still supports some fundamental hypotheses about the biocultural dynamics of the Neandertal-modern human transition in south-central Europe. Finally, we report on recent efforts to test these hypotheses using new data from other Croatian Middle and Upper Paleolithic sites.
The Assimilation Model (AM) was developed to explain the presence of evidence for small, but not ... more The Assimilation Model (AM) was developed to explain the presence of evidence for small, but not insignificant, anatomical contributions of Eurasian archaic humans (including Neandertals) to modern Eurasians within a framework of the documented African origin of the majority of modern Eurasian ancestry. The AM was based entirely on morphological evidence for introgression in Eurasia and was initially not well supported by genetic studies, including ancient DNA. However, beginning with the publication of the first Neandertal draft genome in 2010, genomic data have consistently demonstrated low levels of archaic human gene flow into modern Eurasian populations and recently have shown modern gene flow into a Siberian Neandertal. Current data also indicate the complexity of archaic emodern human population dynamics during the late Pleistocene, another tenet of the AM. We conclude that the AM is strongly supported by current genetic and genomic data, as well as morphological evi- dence that has been documented elsewhere.
Arheologija Špilje Zale: Od Paleolitičkih Lovaca Skupljača do Rimskih Osvajača, 2015
This paper discusses pictographs found in an abri near Selce. There are no significant similariti... more This paper discusses pictographs found in an abri near Selce. There are no significant similarities between the Povilac pictographs and those at other sites. They are most likely a recent work, created at most a few decades ago. Although the pictographs have been entirely destroyed by weathering effects, photographs made of them, a selection of which are presented here, are a faithful witness to, and documentation of, this site.
Summary In the course of 2011 smaller-scale probe investigations continued at the Bukovac Cave si... more Summary
In the course of 2011 smaller-scale probe investigations continued at the Bukovac Cave site, municipality of Lokve in Gorski kotar. Work was resumed on a probe opened in 2011 (quadrants A1 and A2). In order to additionally clarify the stratigraphic situation, it was decided to open another probe which was physically connected to the north-east- ern part of probe A1. The probe was marked B1 and its dimensions were 1x1.5 m. It was additionally divided into sub-quadrants of 50x75 cm. Like the previous year, exca- vations were carried out by the standard methodology for archaeological sites from similar periods. Insight into the stratigraphy and morphology of the sediment in quadrants A1 and A2 clarified the stratigraphic situation from season 2010 when we observed certain differences in the colour of the layers and provisionally named it layer 4B. This year’s investigations showed that the layer was sterile and the result of water activity (sand deposits) which caused colour oscillations in specific places of the sub-quadrant (sandy layer whose colour varies from yellowish and yellow-brown
Prilozi Instituta za arheologiju u Zagrebu, 2016
The paper reports on the activities and preliminary results of archaeological research of Middle ... more The paper reports on the activities and preliminary results of archaeological research of Middle Palaeolithic sites in Dalmatia and geological research consisting of drilling at potential sites. The activities were carried out within the framework of the second and third years of the research project Late Mousterian in the Eastern Adriatic – towards understanding of late Neanderthals’ identity and their demise, funded by the Croatian Science Foundation. The fieldwork mostly focused on the continuation of excavation at Velika pećina in Kličevica and research at underwater Palaeolithic site of Kaštel Štafilić – Resnik, in addition to the test excavation of a site in the hinterland of Kaštela (Giljanovići/Karanušići) and geological drillings.
Journal of Field Archaeology, 2008
Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences, 2005
We report here protein sequences of fossil hominids, from two Neanderthals dating to 75,000 years... more We report here protein sequences of fossil hominids, from two Neanderthals dating to 75,000 years old from Shanidar Cave in Iraq. These sequences, the oldest reported fossil primate protein sequences, are of bone osteocalcin, which was extracted and sequenced by using MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. Through a combination of direct sequencing and peptide mass mapping, we determined that Neanderthals have an osteocalcin amino acid sequence that is identical to that of modern humans. We also report complete osteocalcin sequences for chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and a partial sequence for orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), all of which are previously unreported. We found that the osteocalcin sequences of Neanderthals, modern human, chimpanzee, and orangutan are unusual among mammals in that the ninth amino acid is proline (Pro-9), whereas most species have hydroxyproline (Hyp-9). Posttranslational hydroxylation of Pro-9 in osteocalcin by prolyl-4-hydroxylase requires adequate concentrations of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), molecular O2, Fe2+, and 2-oxoglutarate, and also depends on enzyme recognition of the target proline substrate consensus sequence Leu-Gly-Ala-Pro-9-Ala-Pro-Tyr occurring in most mammals. In five species with Pro-9-Val-10, hydroxylation is blocked, whereas in gorilla there is a mixture of Pro-9 and Hyp-9. We suggest that the absence of hydroxylation of Pro-9 in Pan, Pongo, and Homo may reflect response to a selective pressure related to a decline in vitamin C in the diet during omnivorous dietary adaptation, either independently or through the common ancestor of these species.
Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences, 1999
New accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon dates taken directly on human remains from the Late... more New accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon dates taken directly on human remains from the Late Pleistocene sites of Vindija and Velika Pecina in the Hrvatsko Zagorje of Croatia are presented. Hominid specimens from both sites have played critical roles in the development of current perspectives on modern human evolutionary emergence in Europe. Dates of ≈ 28 thousand years (ka) before the present (B.P.) and ≈ 29 ka B.P. for two specimens from Vindija G1 establish them as the most recent dated Neandertals in the Eurasian range of these archaic humans. The human frontal bone from Velika Pecina, generally considered one of the earliest representatives of modern humans in Europe, dated to ≈ 5 ka B.P., rendering it no longer pertinent to discussions of modern human origins. Apart from invalidating the only radiometrically based example of temporal overlap between late Neandertal and early modern human fossil remains from within any region of Europe, these dates raise the question of when early modern humans first dispersed into Europe and have implications for the nature and geographic patterning of biological and cultural interactions between these populations and the Neandertals.
Journal of Archaeological Science, 2002
Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences, 2000
Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences, 2000
Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences
Journal of Human Evolution, 1998
Journal of Field Archaeology, 2008
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2006
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2000
Poster presents the results of lithic analysis from the Mousterian site of Kaštel Štafilić – Resn... more Poster presents the results of lithic analysis from the Mousterian site of Kaštel Štafilić – Resnik found during field seasons 2008, 2010 – 2015, as a part of the research funded by the Croatian Science Foundation and Ministry of Culture of Republic of Croatia. The site is located in Dalmatia, south Croatia, and it is considered to be an open air site dating to the time when the sea level was lower than today. This is the first systematic exploration of the underwater Paleolithic site in Croatia. Lithic material was collected and analysed, and geological research of surrounding area was undertaken. The original site was destroyed by the wave action, and the artifacts were collected from the sea floor surface and Holocene mud. The specific morphology of the coastal sea bed were Eocene limestone layers alternate with soft marl deposits (flysch) created ramps which probably aided the accumulation and preservation of lithic material. Lithic material consists of numerous naturally broken chert pieces some of which look like tools (pseudoartefacts), artifacts including pseudotools and tools (mostly Mousterian side scrapers). Analysis of the lithic material confirmed attribution to the Mousterian industry and the presence of centripetal method. Due to a small number of collected artifacts, it was not possible to ascribe them to a particular type of Mousterian, and therefore establish a more detailed comparison with the nearby site at Mujina pećina.
Journal of Archaeological Science, 2015
ABSTRACT
Vjesnik za Arheologiju i Povijest Dalmatinsku