Laura Longo - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Uploads

Papers by Laura Longo

Science, 2007

The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) regulates pigmentation in humans and other vertebrates. Varian... more The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) regulates pigmentation in humans and other vertebrates. Variants of MC1R with reduced function are associated with pale skin color and red hair in humans of primarily European origin. We amplified and sequenced a fragment of the MC1R gene (mc1r) from two Neanderthal remains. Both specimens have a mutation that was not found in ∼3700 modern humans analyzed. Functional analyses show that this variant reduces MC1R activity to a level that alters hair and/or skin pigmentation in humans. The impaired activity of this variant suggests that Neanderthals varied in pigmentation levels, potentially on the scale observed in modern humans. Our data suggest that inactive MC1R variants evolved independently in both modern humans and Neanderthals.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2022

A selection of five ground stones from Pontic Steppe sites dating back to the Early Upper Palaeol... more A selection of five ground stones from Pontic Steppe sites dating back to the Early Upper Palaeolithic (EUP) was used as test-cases to be analysed by combining wear-traces and use-related biogenic residues (U-RBR). The artifacts studied can be termed “legacy” objects, excavated even many decades ago and kept in museum storage facilities. This type of storage might be considered putatively prone to contamination. The multidimensional contextual approach we designed integrates the structural analysis of biogenic residues by means of visual light optical and electronic beams microscopy (OM/VLM and SEM) coupled with FTIR microspectroscopy and imaging (using both conventional and synchrotron infrared sources). SEM and FTIR are meant to provide high resolution morphological and chemical profiles and their coupled analysis revealed the presence of starch grains from the used areas of the stone tools. The goal of this paper is to present a reasoned streamlined procedure to collect appropriate samples suitable to detect the presence of ancient starches from ground stones tools recovered in museum collections.

Istituto italiano di preistoria e protostoria, 2008

The paper deals with the preliminary results of the techno-economic study of the layer III lithic... more The paper deals with the preliminary results of the techno-economic study of the layer III lithic assemblage, dug in 1957 by F. Zorzi of the Museo civico di Storia Naturale di Verona. The presented research is focused on the raw material management, within the local provisioning strategy model, on the strategies for introduction of lithic materials, on the predetermination of technical objectives and on their economical destination. Crypto-crystalline flint is introduced into the site, after experienced on the sources a first pre-shaping process, and then exploited by applying the Levallois predetermination method. 3 methods had been observed (unidirectional recurrent, centripetal and preferential Levallois) all independent in their initial phase but with afterwards turn-over during the reduction process development. The next operative phase, the retouching one, is well documented the high rate of the retouched blanks, most of which obtained by retouching the Levallois blanks. Along with this technological organization we can observe a circulation phenomenon of the finished products committed both to the site as well as towards external uses. The micro-crystalline flint exploitation shows the same technological organization above described, from which differs for a higher rate of fractioning of the different production phases and for a larger circulation of the finished products. The results of the techno-economic analysis reveal a mixed production-utilization economic strategies. The strong presence of flint assemblages, the 5 hearths and the occurrence of faunal remains force to a certain caution in proposing the settlement dynamic of the Neanderthal groups frequenting the Mezzena rockshelter. The archaeological record would be the result of more than one consecutive episodes of human presences, relatively short in time length and related to human groups which behave following a mobility system where the residential movements should be moderately frequent.

The excavation carried out at Riparo Mezzena during 1957 by F. Zorzi and A. Pasa (Museo di Storia... more The excavation carried out at Riparo Mezzena during 1957 by F. Zorzi and A. Pasa (Museo di Storia Naturale di Verona) revealed a stratigraphic sequence of about 1,5-1,7 m – corresponding at least to 3 different anthropogenic layers – had been identifi ed (bottom-up: III, II, I) very rich in both artefacts, fauna and human remains. In 1977 Bartolomei (1980) verifi ed the stratigraphy by sampling the witness left in 1957 aiming at comparing the paleoenvironmental indications and the chrono-cultural assignements proposed by Pasa and Zorzi. According to alpine chronology of the time, the authors attributed layer II to the Würm II while layer III was thought to correspond to a slightly older period. Recent revision referred the whole deposit to MIS 3 according to isotopic chronology. The present work deals with the fi rst results of the “Human fossils from the Verona area” revision project devoted to Riparo Mezzena Mousterian layers. Herein will be presented the new data related to anatomical analyses - of the parietal (R and L), frontal and occipital bones fragments as well as the jaw, compared to the contemporaneous European Neandertals and the techno-economical study of the lithic assemblage from layer III. The lithic assemblage is referred to the cultural context of La Ferrassie Charentian Mousterian, which characterized even the upper layer II assemblage. The latter, though, is characterized by a strong reduction in the Levallois production. A devoted discussion to the technology of the layer III will be given. The data relating to palaeogenetic analyses is presented too: the Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been retrieved for the fi rst time from a Neandertal specimen of Italian origin (NRM). The results show that the genetic diversity of the Neandertals has been largely underestimated. They suggest that Neandertal population was extensively subdivided geographically, and that its genetic diversity changed markedly over time. The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) which regulates pigmentation in humans and other vertebrates had been amplifi ed and sequenced a fragment of the MC1R gene (mc1r). The impaired activity of this variant could have caused neandertals to have red hair and/or pale skin. The data from Mezzena suggest that inactive MC1R variants evolved independently in both modern humans and Neandertals. Key Words: Lessini Mountains, calvaria fragments, jaw, mtDNA, nu DNA, red hair, Charentian mousterian, operative chain, settlement dynamic, MIS 3.

Classificazione tecno-morfologica e funzionale delle punte di freccia oleoceniche a ritocco foliato, 2008

The techno-functional analyses of Holocene leaf shaped arrowheads - recovered in the sites of the... more The techno-functional analyses of Holocene leaf shaped arrowheads - recovered in the sites of the eastern bank of Garda Lake (referring in particular to that ones of Peschiera) - give us a hint for a wider reflexion which brought us to a morphological revision of the forms referred to this "type", even in the light of functional consideration. Up to now the discussion on lithic assemblages cultural meaning has been carried out mostly by recognizing the constraints which influenced and / or determined the typological characters took up by the prehistoric groups for the lithic production. This approach is showing several limits mainly when it is referred to tools where it is clear and univocal the relations between form and function, as the case of arrowheads, which performance is definitely oriented. These armatures, actually portions of a more complex ballistic system, have to hit a long distance target. Our methodological proposal aims at facing the complexity of the productive and transformation processes, considering both the technological and the following functional features and procedures, as the authors already proposed for other contexts. This approach allows as well to avoid possible misinterpretation of the chronological sequence based on "types": to accomplish this attempt herein we propose a different succession for the Holocene leaf shaped arrowheads, based on techno-functional consideration.

Caratteri tecno-tipologici e aspetti funzionali delle industrie scheggiate dell'Eneolitico precampaniforme in Italia centrale : riflessioni e problemi, 2011

The study has been carried out with an integrated methodological approach. The research has been ... more The study has been carried out with an integrated methodological approach. The research has been applied either to settlements, funerary sites/contexts and flaking workshops. The original study of leaf-shaped arrowhead from two Tuscan caves (Spinosa, GR, and Tana della Volpe, MS) has been the basis for developing a more general reflexion on the functional meaning of these lithic assemblages. As it concerns flaking workshops, recent discoveries shed a new light on a large number of sites defined in the past as “campignani”; many of these sites can be nowadays identified as workshops devoted to the production of leaf-shaped arrowheads. In a comparative perspective to deal with data based on an adequate interpretative framework it would be necessary, according to the Authors, a critical revision based on technological and functional analyses of the old concept of “Campignano”, including the assemblages from the Gargano area.

2016 22nd International Conference on Virtual System & Multimedia (VSMM), 2016

Here I present an integrated methodological approach to the identification and characterization o... more Here I present an integrated methodological approach to the identification and characterization of the function of grinding stones used to process plants in order to get staple food at the dawn of modern humans' colonization of Eurasia. The first achievement is to investigate the ancient dietary habits of humans at a crucial stage of human evolution by reconstructing the old gestures made in the past. The issue of processing plants like USOs (under surface storage organs), fruits and seeds, to get highly energetic staple food might be of interest in seeking for alimentary strategies carried out by Anatomically Modern Humans during their outs of Africa. Analysing the stone tools comes to be one of the direct investigations on behavioural modernity of the new species, with evident positive feedbacks on their nutritional capacity and hence on the demographic performance. A second goal is “bringing to life” almost forgotten museum collections (excavations dates back to the early XX century) by using innovative, non invasive analytical techniques like the potential contribution of 3D investigation, at various levels of detail and resolution, to identify wear-traces (due to utilization) and associated organic residues. The paper is reporting functional analysis demonstrating compound technologies related to the systematic use of grinding stones in order to process plant resources since the Aurignacian (Early Upper Palaeolithic). The reconstruction of old gestures and the related behaviour by means of heritage science approach can contribute to place museum collections under different light. An outcome of the research is to support lines of evidence to track the origins of some of present day diseases of civilization related to food. Investigating the roots of dietary breadth in archaeological remains can help in tracking food changes occurred back in time and let collections playing an actual social role.

&amp;quot;Data from many middle Paleolithic sites demonstrate that Neanderthals were able... more &amp;quot;Data from many middle Paleolithic sites demonstrate that Neanderthals were able to hunt a wide range of preys and that they could use regular hunting strategies to capture also medium and large - sized animals, perhaps by killing them at a distance. In addition to the evidence of faunistic remains and of the high meat-intake diet observed by biochemical analysis, this assertion is based on the discovery of wooden javelins and thrusting spears in German and English middle Pleistocene sites. More recently scholars’ interest has been on functional interpretation of lithic points of the middle Paleolithic and the middle Stone Age and on their performance if used as spear points. These studies are especially based on morphometric (“ballistic”), residue (presence of adhesives for hafting) and use - wear (mainly impact scars) analyses. This paper focuses on 107 points and general triangular tools from US 8 of the Oscurusciuto rock shelter as part of a wider project on spear point technology related to some lithic assemblages of the middle Paleolithic of Southern italy (Castelcivita Cave and Oscurusciuto Shelter), which has been financed by Istituto Italiano di Preistoria e Protostoria. The shelter opens on the northern side of a ravine in mesozoic limestone underlying Quaternary calcarenites and has accumulated more than 5 m of deposits, consisting of silty sands with stone artefacts and bone remains. The ongoing excavations began in 1998 and are being carried out by the Department of Environmental Sciences “G. Sarfatti” of the University of Siena, in co-operation with the Archaeological office of Puglia, the city of Ginosa and the local division of legambiente. Artifacts were at first analysed from a technological perspective; six groups (technological categories) have been identified based on different core reduction systems: A) convergent Levallois products; B) unipolar recurrent Levallois products; c) high transformation degree products; D) pseudolevallois blanks obtained from Levallois débitage; E) volume débitage products; F) on - edge débitage products. Some flakes (n. 14) belonging to the first group have features in common: they are unretouched, smaller, shorter and broader, with maximum length at the base. Groups B, c and E contain only deeply retouched tools. Basal thinning is always absent. Further observations underline the presence of two techno functional main groups. The first one can be identified with the A category and it is the only one which produces triangular tools directly during the reduction stage. In the second group the triangular shape is, on the other hand, due to the retouching process and elongated convex and/or concave cutting edges are pursued. The macro wear and micro wear analysis have shown that use - wear traces are on the whole seldom present and broken tips are vary rare and not very characteristic; nevertheless tip fractures are described and taken into account. Other criteria have been considered so we may test whether the US 8 triangular tools (or same of them) could be effective as spear points. These criteria included mass, cross-sectional area (TcSA) and perimeter, tip penetrating angle and length / width ratio.&amp;quot;

The materials of many Paleolithic sites in Eurasia contain large stone objects. As a rule, they r... more The materials of many Paleolithic sites in Eurasia contain large stone objects. As a rule, they retain their natural shape without any signs of artificial modification. However, the presence of characteristic use-wear features (polishing, linear traces, micro- and macrodeformations) unambiguously indicates that these stones served as tools. Multidisciplinary research, including an experimental and traceological approach, as well as analysis of organic micro-residues, make it possible to distinguish among the unmodified stone tools those that were used for processing plant raw materials. One of such tools is a large stone found in the lower layer of the Upper Paleolithic site Suren I** (Crimea). The results obtained in the course of the study suggest that the inhabitants of the site used plant materials in their household activities, as well as allow us to describe in detail the ways of adaptation of ancient people to the natural environment of the Crimean peninsula.

We present evidence of starch grains from various wild plants on the surfaces of grinding tools a... more We present evidence of starch grains from various wild plants on the surfaces of grinding tools at the sites of Bilancino II (Italy), Kostenki 16-Uglyanka (Russia), and Pavlov VI (Czech Republic). The three sites suggest that vegetal food processing was a common practice in Europe from at least 30,000 years ago.

The background to the Project is set by a number of studies, currently being carried out in the B... more The background to the Project is set by a number of studies, currently being carried out in the Bilancino Gravettian site near Florence by some of the proponents of the project; these have led to the discovery of evidence of vegetable remains on lithic implements/artifacts (Noailles Burins and grindstone). The Project aims to apply new non-destructive techniques for the recovery and the identification of vegetable remains in Palaeolithic sites, in particular, the project focus on tools made from unknapped stone likely to be used in the treatment of plant-substances, such as pestles, grinders, grindstone, hearth-stones, etc. with the aim to acquire new evidence on the importance of the use of plants in the Palaeolithic and gain a better understanding of the economy and the diet of these most ancient humans. The procedure to analyze sediments eventually preserved on utilized pebbles is absolutely not invasive. Amog the numerous pebbles selected from the most important Italian Paleolit...

Acceso de usuarios registrados. Acceso de usuarios registrados Usuario Contraseña. El miércoles, ... more Acceso de usuarios registrados. Acceso de usuarios registrados Usuario Contraseña. El miércoles, 3 de Marzo, Dialnet presentará intermitencias en su disponibilidad por actualización del servicio. La parada comenzará a las ...

Información del artículo Trapezi simmetrici concavi: ricostruzione tecnologica e ipotesi di utili... more Información del artículo Trapezi simmetrici concavi: ricostruzione tecnologica e ipotesi di utilizzo dei complessi del Neolitico antico.

Apart from a few sporadic previous episodes, Italian experimental archaeology only really began i... more Apart from a few sporadic previous episodes, Italian experimental archaeology only really began in the second half of the 1970s with experimentation in the field of stone-working, above all on the line of the Bordes studies. As opposed to twenty years ago, from which period one can cite the scientific and educational activities of Giorgio Chelidonio as among the most important, today the increasing presence of programmes of experimentation conducted by university and research institutes and protection government bodies should be underlined. The two most significant examples are the University of Ferrara as regards stone-working at the early Palaeolithic site of Isernia – La Pineta and various experiences in the field of the stone and pottery industry carried out by the “La Sapienza” University and by the Museo delle Origini in Rome, in some cases specifically integrated within the university teaching programme. Among the experimental activities related to other forms of pre and protohistoric crafts a good example is that conducted by A. M. Bietti Sestrieri on the pottery of the Osteria dell’Osa necropolis in Lazio (BETTI SESTRIERI, PULITANI 1992). In the field of archaeological metallurgy we can cite the experimentation carried by the Italian-German team headed by Jan Cierny and Franco Marzatico, within the context of investigations of protohistoric archaeological metallurgy in Trentino (CIERNY et Alii 1988). In the field of the archaeology of wood the work of Renato Perini from the Archaeological Heritage Office of Trento should be recalled, on the occasion of the exhibition dedicated to the working of wood at the Fiavé lake dwelling (Trento 1988). Another important sector is the experimental reconstruction of structures, both dwellings and other constructions, in perishable materials. One of the first examples in Italy is the experimental reconstruction of a hut from the early Neolithic Time (CALEGARI et Alii 1990) and the archaeological investigation of its remains following collapse (CALEGARI LOKOSEK 1990). Among the experiences in the last decade, an example of reconstruction linked to a specific archaeological context is the reconstruction of an early Iron Age hut at Fidene (Bietti Sestieri excavations: MERLO 1992). To move on to the diffusion of scientific information linked to experimentation, an important field, currently particularly in vogue, is the archaeological park. Among the projects undertaken above all in the 1990s, within which archaeological experimentation for educational purposes represented one of the main services offered to users, we cite two examples which are to a certain extent representative: the experience at Darfo-Boario Terme in Valcamonica (the “Archaeodromo” and “Archaeopark” ) which can be classified within the context of thematic-parks and which come closer to similar experiences in central and northern Europe inspired by so-called “living history”, and the parks in the Val di Cornia (S. Silvestro and Populonia), which are archaeological parks in the true sense of the word, as they are directly linked to the exploitation of important archaeological areas. In an attempt to comment on this brief summary of the history of Italian experimental archaeology, we can propose some ideas of a general nature. As regards the definition and position of experimental archaeology we recall and agree with what has already been expressed in an Italian work in 1990 (BONDIOLI et Alii 1990): an experimental approach is recognised in research which isolates limited groups of variables and subjects them to high levels of control as regards the phases of production, formation and transformation of the archaeological deposit, with the aim of drawing an interpretation and productive models useful for the study of archaeological deposits themselves. Some of the most urgent tasks of Italian experimental archaeology are: the establishment of a well-defined and controllable database, the search for appropriate institutional spaces and the diffusion of research. Another important question regards the application of experimental archaeology to the diffusion of information. This must be firmly anchored to the knowledge acquired, limited “integrative” intervention to an indispensable minimum consider its main goal as the enhancement of the archaeological heritage. Finally, it is to be hoped that the government bodies responsible for the protection of the archaeological heritage will come into action and express precise evaluations as regards experimental archaeological activities. This is necessary in order to avoid, for example, thematic-parks which are broadly based on archaeology becoming more important in terms of tourism exploitation than the archaeological heritage itself, possibly with the result of diverting the investment necessary to make the most of the archaeological remains in terms of museums and the environment in an appropriate manner.

Dietary adaptation is the acquisition of an efficient system to digest food available in an ecosy... more Dietary adaptation is the acquisition of an efficient system to digest food available in an ecosystem. To find the genetic basis for human dietary adaptation, we searched 16 genomes from Neandertal, Denisovan and Early Sapiens for food digestion genes that tend to have more or fewer copies than the modern human reference genome. Here, we identify 11 genes, including three gene clusters, with discernible copy number variation trends at the population level. The genomic variation shows how metabolic pathways for lipid, brown fat, protein or carbohydrate metabolism adapt to metabolize food from animal or plant sources. Interpreting the copy number profiles in relation to fossil evidence shows that Homo sapiens had an evolutionary advantage compared to Neandertal and Denisovan in adapting to cold and temperate ecosystems.

Environmental Archaeology, 2021

Recent advances in the role played by dietary carbohydrates in human food webs during the Palaeol... more Recent advances in the role played by dietary carbohydrates in human food webs during the Palaeolithic highlight that starchy foods were part of the diet well before crop domestication. Although certain plants can be eaten raw, intentional processing such as mechanical reduction using stone tools and thermal treatment readily increases the assimilation of nutrients for metabolic functions and for storing. We present a multi-techniques approach designed to combine micro to nanoscale analyses applied to percussive stones to identify their function using micro-wear traces and use-related biogenic residues. The starch grains extracted from functionally active areas of the ground stone tools were scanned using optical microscopy (OM) down to the nanoscale (SEM) and by applying different spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques like FTIR, ToF-SIMS, and IRMS. The combined analyses carried out at different resolutions – morpho-structural and molecular levels – contribute to an unprecedented methodological refinement regarding the intentional processing of starch- rich plants as early as 40,000 years ago at the boreal latitudes. Our preliminary data on pestles and grinding stones from Early Upper Palaeolithic sites of the Pontic steppe (Moldova and Russia) show the suitability of the analytical techniques involved and also the difficulties encountered in detailing authentication procedures of ancient starch candidates.

ABSTRACT The main goal of archaeology, through the recognition of the fundamental relationship be... more ABSTRACT The main goal of archaeology, through the recognition of the fundamental relationship between stone tools production and human behaviour, should be the reconstruction of relationships between the techniques, economies and social dynamics performed by human groups. The intense synergetic relationship between archaeological remains and their replicas, between experimental procedures and the step by step observation of the replicative phenomenon, the comparison between the traces observed both on the archaeological and experimental artefacts, allows to better contextualize the complex meaning of behavioural dynamics of which the artefact is, in the majority of cases, the only tangible evidence. Thanks to its heuristic approach, functional analysis (or traceology as Semenov’s preferred to call such methodological framework, Anderson et al., 2005) considers any artefact as a process, by means of which it is possible to reconstruct the technological and cultural path of a given human groups. Since the word traceology in Russian assumes a very wide meaning which does not find in all the languages a correspondent meaningful translation here we are using as well the concept of “function” more than the sole “use-wear”. In archaeology the term “function” is commonly employed to denote use, utility or duty. More than that it can be used as well to refer to the interdependence between parts of a cultural system. In this assumption it is adopted in this text too. This is why the legacy left by the great scientist S. A. Semenov was brought to the fore in the 2005 meeting in Verona, where it proved, once again, its topical and fundamental value. The conference gave us the opportunity to celebrate Semenov’s founder opus (Prehistoric Technology) as well as a large part of the scientist’s methodological work, which culminated in the English translation and publication of Semenov’s most significative scientific articles (in: Longo, Skakun, 2005). More than that, it gave us the chance to gather, for the first time outside the Russian borders, a consistent number of Russian scientists (20) who have constantly worked at further developing Semenov’s teachings. Together with more than 180 scientists from all over the world the Russian Legacy attended the conference, of which these proceedings represent a reference volume, i.e. a sort of status quo of the discipline. At the same time, this volume is also a tribute to the great Russian scientist and demonstrates how Semenov is still nowadays an exceptional figure for archaeology, and how his work has still such global scale support from a very relevant number of researchers. The world wide application of his methodology is definitely, a commensurate response to his scientific importance, even though his name is not found among those included in the Encyclopaedia of the great archaeologists (edited by Murray, 1999)! Semenov’s definition of traceology clearly frames the main attempt of his approach: “the study of artifacts’ production, functions and ways of use by analysing wear traces on their surfaces” (Levitt 1979). Traceology is probably among the most fundamental approaches in archaeology which deals with the material traces of past activities, its heuristics is included in any interpretation of past remains, inevitably involving (explicitly or not) models based upon historical, ethnographical and/or experimental references, but also because its contribution represents the cross-section for the understanding of technological, economical and social structures of past cultures(Anderson-Gerfaud, 1981; Cahen et al., 1979; Frison, 1968; Fullagar, 1998; Gendel, Pirnay, 1982; Grace et al., 1985; Hayden, 1979; Keeley and Newcomer, 1977; Keeley, 1980; Levi-Sala, 1986; Loy, 1983; Mansur, 1982; Tringham et al. 1974; Odell, 2006; inter alia).

Direct evidence for the intentional processing of starch-rich plants during the Paleolithic is sc... more Direct evidence for the intentional processing of starch-rich plants during the Paleolithic is scant, and that evidence is often compromised by concerns over preservation and contamination. Our integrated, multimodal approach couples wear-trace analysis with chemical imaging methods to identify the presence of genuine ancient starch candidates (ASC) on ground stones used in the Pontic Steppe starting around 40,000 years ago. Optical and electron microscopy coupled with infrared spectromicroscopy and imaging provide morphological and chemical profiles for ASCs, that partially match the vibrational polysaccharide features of modern reference starches, highlighting diagenetic differences ranging from partial oxidation to mineralization. The results suggest the intentional processing of roots and tubers by means of mechanical tenderization and shed light on the role of dietary carbohydrates during Homo sapiens’ (HS) colonization of Eurasia, demonstrating a long acquaintance with predict...

Science, 2007

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2022

Istituto italiano di preistoria e protostoria, 2008

Classificazione tecno-morfologica e funzionale delle punte di freccia oleoceniche a ritocco foliato, 2008

Caratteri tecno-tipologici e aspetti funzionali delle industrie scheggiate dell'Eneolitico precampaniforme in Italia centrale : riflessioni e problemi, 2011

2016 22nd International Conference on Virtual System & Multimedia (VSMM), 2016

Environmental Archaeology, 2021

UDK 55:902/904 Geoarchaeology and archaeological mineralogy-2017. Scientific edition. Miass: Institute of Mineralogy UB RAS, 2017. 226 p. ISBN 978-5-7691-2483-9, 2017

Комплексное изучение назначения древних каменных орудий труда с использованием цифровой техники В... more Комплексное изучение назначения древних каменных орудий труда с использованием цифровой техники
В коллекциях находок из многих европейских палеолитических поселений присутству- ют крупные предметы из различных пород камня. В типологических классификациях неко- торые из них отнесены к группе терочников-пестов, что предполагает их функциональное использование в обработке растительных материалов [Рогачев, 1973; Черниш, 1961]. Долгое время это мнение носило гипотетический характер и не имело корректных научных доказа- тельств из-за отсутствия как трасологических наблюдений, так и экспериментальных этало- нов. Использование имеющихся разработок для зернотерок, курантов и пестов более позд- него времени не представлялось возможным, так как эти орудия имели свою специфику и применялись, как правило, для растирания зерен культурных злаков.
Одни из палеолитических терочников, выделяемых рядом исследователей, повторя- ют естественную форму, и не несут какой-либо искусственной обработки, что затрудняет их типологическую систематизацию, другие имеют незначительную искусственную обработку оббивкой или пикетажем [Кучугура, 2003; Рогачев, 1973; Степанова, 2015; Черниш, 1961]. Исследования, проводившиеся международной группой ученых различных специальностей в 2005–17 гг., были направлены на разработку комплексной методики, основанной на экс- периментально-трасологическом анализе с инновационной комбинированной интеграцией трехмерной микроскопии и сканированием объектов изучения, с последующим переносом объемных данных в трехмерные печатные модели. Кроме того, проводилось исследование и идентификация растительных остатков, таких как крахмалы, споры и фитолиты. Изучению были подвергнуты крупные каменные предметы (18 экз.) из палеолитических памятников Италии (Биланчино II, Пагличчи (слой 23), Чехии (Павлов VI и Миловайс), России (Сюрень 1, Бахчисарайский р-н Республики Крым; Kостенки 14, 16, Воронежская обл.; Каменная Балка, Ростовская обл.) и Республики Молдовы (Брынзены I, Единецкий р-н) ( рис. 1).
Функциональный анализ включал изучение следов утилизации и различных остатков на рабочих поверхностях оригинальных и экспериментальных терочников различными ми- кроскопами, в том числе цифровым и электронным (сканирующий электронный микроскоп

CAA Proceedings, 2018

The paper presents an innovative approach to the identification and characterisation of use-wear ... more The paper presents an innovative approach to the identification and characterisation of use-wear traces on Aurignacian ground stones (GSTs) which were used to process plants in order to get staple food. It is based on the integration of qualitative visual analysis of the micro-topography of stones’ surfaces, in order to preliminarily delineate functional areas, by means of 3D doc- umentation, roughness analysis, macrophotography and RTI. Once outlined, such areas are further investigated with digital microscopy, Scanning Electronic Microscopy, residues analysis, etc. Consequently, data (2D images, 3D models, analytical meas- urements, etc.) are merged into a single data management system, based on current ontologies such as CIDOC-CRM (and its rel- evant extensions—CRMdig and CRMsci). They are then visualized into a single geo-referenced system based on the 3D model of the stones. Such a study is essential in reconstructing ancient dietary habits of humans at a crucial stage of human colonisation in Eurasia.
Keywords: 3D micro-topography, use wear analysis, data integration.

ICAS-EMME 2, 2019

STARCH: at the origins of starch food diet. SR-FTIR and SEM applied to Palaeolithic Grinding Ston... more STARCH: at the origins of starch food diet. SR-FTIR and SEM applied to Palaeolithic Grinding Stones from the Pontic area.
G. Biranda, L. Vaccari, N. Cefarin, C. Cagnato, I. Pantyukhina, N. Skakun, C. Lubritto, G. Sorrentino, Laura Longo

The advent of dietary carbohydrates as human staple food was a breakthrough. However, perishable plant-food remains (e.g. starch) are poorly represented in the archaeological record, and the role played by vegetable food processing has only recently been reconsidered. Evidences from our research on grinding stones retrieved in MIS 3 sites are challenging the mainstream model of the so- called Neolithic Revolution. Plants rich in starch, like roots and tubers, were processed into flour by means of grinding and pounding stone tools. Preliminary results are showing that use-related biogenic residues such as starch granules can be extracted and characterized with cutting-edge analytical protocols combining optical and FE-SEM microscopy (low vacuum) coupled with micro and nano-FTIR spectroscopy coupled with the high brightness of synchrotron radiation (SR).
Use-related starch granules, extracted from grinding stones retrieved from Pontic Steppe Early Upper Palaeolithic sites, have been morphologically identified and SEM micrographs show the lamellar structure (amylose and amylopectin). Those features were targeted by FTIR analysis and the spectral feature of amylopectin was detected, even though possibly degraded (Figure 1). The spectra of archaeological starches were compared with those obtained from modern starches (red potato).
New data from the on-going beamtime, strengthening the putative hypothesis, will be presented during the workshop.
The research reveals twofold outcomes: (i) it demonstrates the suitability of high-hand large infrastructure to be applied to archaeological materials; (ii) it sheds light on the introduction of dietary carbohydrates in Homo sapiens nutritional strategies, occurring at least around 40,000 ka around the Black Sea area. Finally, it proves that STEMs and Humanities can be positively merged to solve relevant issues in humans’ dietary adaptation according to the colonized niches. Moreover, investigating the “Starch Food Niche” in an evolutionary perspective brings revelatory keys on the origins of contemporary mismatch which is at the base of diseases related to starchy food (metabolic syndrome) highlighting the relevance of investigating our past to understand our present and to plan future sustainable strategies.

8th International Conference on Synchrotron Radiation and Neutrons in Art and Archaeology, 2018

Investigating the origins of starch-based diet. SR-FTIR and SEM analysis of Palaeolithic Grinding... more Investigating the origins of starch-based diet.
SR-FTIR and SEM analysis of Palaeolithic Grinding Stones
Vaccari L., Birarda G., Cefarin N., Longo L.

Investigating the origins of starchy diet in an evolutionary perspective might shed light on the shift between archaic humans and Homo sapiens. The "Hidden Evidences" of the processing of roots and tubers are housed in grinding stones (GSTs) used during the Aurignacian. We are proposing the innovative application of micro and nanoscale analytical approach to high resolution data informing on starch granules retrieved from the functional active parts of GSTs. FTIR imaging and microscopy with IRSR, SEM and Digital microscopy analyses have been conducted on samples from the Palaeolithic sites of southeastern Europe: Brinzeni cave (Moldova) and Surein I (Crimea), dating back to ~32 kyr (uncal BP). Preliminary outlook was obtained by FTIR imaging (focal plane array detector and conventional source) and further analysed by SR-FTIR microscopy. Chemical information obtained by vibrational analysis was complemented with field emission SEM observation on specific areas of the samples analysed by FTIR microscopy. FESEM exploration recognised starch's typical morphological features like lamellae and hilum. Accordingly, the same granules had been re-analysed with SR-FTIR microscopy, to double check the spectra and tentatively correlate chemical and morphological starch features. Our pilot results featured: (i) the potentialities of micro and nanoscopic analytical methods to resolve morpho-chemical sample features, (ii) their potential for eventually discriminating between original starch and modern contaminants. They also highlight (iii) critical issues due to the complex heterogeneity of the archaeological samples, (iv) that requires state of the art investigation techniques but also (v) clean and selective preparation and purification protocols.

ICAS, New Zealand, July, 2019

SR-FTIR and SEM investigations on Paleolithic grinding stones to discover the diet at the dawn of... more SR-FTIR and SEM investigations on Paleolithic grinding stones to discover the diet at the dawn of modern humans.
Birarda G, Vaccari L, Cefarin N, Cagnato C, Pantyukhina I, Longo L

SR-FTIR and SEM investigations on Paleolithic grinding stones to discover the diet at the dawn of modern humansPerishable plant-food remains (biogenic residues, e.g. starch) are poorly represented in the archaeological record, and the role played by vegetable food processing has only recently been reconsidered1,2, and thus it needs to be confirmed by means of a new multi-stranded approach. So far, both paleoecological and genetic data are supporting that wild grasses and domesticated crops - cereals and grains - were utilized by humans no earlier than 11,000 to 12,000 years ago (YA)3,4.
Nevertheless, new data suggest that already during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 (60-25,000 ka), other plants rich in starch, like roots and tubers (USOs, under surface storage organs) and fruits (the last-mentioned being seasonal) were in use. This alimentary adaptation is reflected technologically in the appearance of grinding stones (GST) that start to be observed in 40,000 years-old EUP (Early Upper Paleolithic) sites in Europe and Russia (Brinzeni I, Surein I, Kostenki 14 and 16)5. However, any conclusive evidence of the use of the EUP artifact for starchy food processing by the direct detection of ancient starch remains have never been achieved. To this aim, starch granules extracted from both GST and pestle sonicates have been examined with Synchrotron Radiation Fourier Transform Infrared (SR-FTIR) spectromicroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Data were compared with those from isolated starches. Starch granules have been measured indicating a partial calcification due to time, detectable by the appearance of a broad band at 1410 cm-1 (Figure 1d) Nonetheless, it was still possible to detect signal from the C-O-C network at 1110-980 cm-1, even though degraded, and the spectral feature of amylopectin at 1620 cm-1. It was determined by a comparison with the spectra of modern starches, one of the spectra of the Paleolithic sample recorded presents strong similarities with the one extracted from a red potato from Tanzania. SEM micrographs, moreover, show the lamellar structure (amylose and amylopectin) typical of the starches. Results from our experiments will shed some light on the introduction of dietary carbohydrates in Homo sapiens nutritional strategies, occurring at least around 40,000 ka in Eurasia. Moreover, investigating the “starchy food nice” in an evolutionary perspective brings revelatory keys on the origins of contemporary diseases related to starchy food.
References:
[1] Revedin A. et al., 2010, PNAS, 107, 44, 18815–18819.
[2] Hardy K. et al., 2015, The Quarterly Review of Biology, 90 (3), 252-268
[3] Richerson, P.J. et al., 2001, American Antiquity, 66, 3, 387-411
[4] Salamini F. et al., 2002, Nature Reviews Genetics 3(6), 429-41
[5] Longo L., 2016, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, ISBN: 978-1-4673-8993- 8. 294-300

Bilateral Conference organized by E. Boaretto, O. Barzilai and L. Longo at the Weizmann Institute... more Bilateral Conference organized by E. Boaretto, O. Barzilai and L. Longo at the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Weizmann Conference, 2015, Abstract Book, 2015

What role for Italian Peninsula in the LMP/EUP shift in the framework of the northern Mediterrane... more What role for Italian Peninsula in the LMP/EUP shift in the framework of the northern Mediterranean basin

Laura Longo1, 2

1Musei Civici Fiorentini, Florence, Italy
2Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Until recently the role played by Mediterranean Europe during Late Middle Palaeolithic and Early Upper Palaeolithic (LMP/EUP) was underestimated. Lastly this situation has changed, and the most significant terms enhancing the discussion on timing and condition of Neanderthal demise and the spread into Europe of modern humans are actually based on data gathered in southern European sites (i.e. Italy, Greece and Spain).
Regarding Italian Peninsula the biological reassessments, both morphologic and paleogenetic, the protocols for reliable radiocarbon dating, and the paleoenvironmental reconstruction of MIS 3 applied to both LMP and EUP evidences are drawing a totally different scenario and are filling the gap on the role played by Mediterranean Europe in the demographic and cultural dynamics for the time range 60-40 ka. Archaeologists are dealing with reliable proxies regarding chronological datasets, and archaeological sequences in which both behavioural and environmental conditions can be attested as being related with the human findings. The sure and unequivocal relationship between the behaviour activities and their human makers is, since ever, one of the fundamental issues at the base of the never ending discussion on the so called “transitional industries” among which Châtelperronian, Uluzzian etc. etc. had been listed.
The general scenario offered by the Italian Peninsula is quite interesting according to its position in the Mediterranean. The structural and geomorphologic features (Alps and Apennines) allow it be considered as a sort of “bridge” both for East to West (mainly) and North to South migration routes. The Apennines chain divides Italy N-S into two different environmental ecozones: the western Tyrrhenian side, with a characteristic Mediterranean climate; the eastern-Adriatic-Po Valley side, with a more severe and continental-type climate, connected with the eastern plains thanks to the lowering of the sea level until MIS 2. The present Adriatic sea was a wide plain part of the Danube Corridor, a key route for faunal migrations and for movement of people and ideas, connecting western Mediterranean, central and eastern European bio-provinces.
Consistent with environmental data, the LMP/EUP transition seems to coincide with a climatic deterioration towards an arid and cold climate that might be one of the reasons of the hiatus detected in Veneto and in Liguria LMP/EUP sites. It might be interpreted as the possible thresholds for AMHs colonization following events, starting from 41 uncal ka cal BP.
The mentioned data and the direct dating of Neanderthals support the coexistence of the two species in northern Italy (Monti Lessini) for quite a few millennia. Up to now the sole direct dating available for southern Europe on a genetically typed Hn (Homo neanderthalensis) remains is that of the Mousterian site of Riparo Mezzena. Mezzena remains support the long lasting survival for late Neanderthals that endured until a very late period, 33/35 ka BP in Mediterranean Europe surviving after CI-HE4 event.
The reassessment of both radiocarbon dating and biological attribution open interesting scenarios regarding the revised dating of the oldest symbolic expression and other crucial behavioral developments attributed to Aurignacian in Central Europe (Swabian Jura, Germany). According to the former reconstruction for the Hn demise/modern humans appraisal this has been considered a key area. The discussion on a monocentric origin of music/art around the Geissenkoesterle site (Central Europe) is yet open and quite active since this strong position, supported by Higham and Conard (2012), is questioned by data from southern Europe.
More fuel to the discussion is supported by the artistic expressions like the one recently acknowledged for Gorham’s cave (Gibraltar, Spain), considered by Finlayson as the most compelling evidence yet for Neanderthal art. Modern behavior is resulting as well from the ochred shells of the Cueva de Los Aviones (Zilhao, 2011) and supported by the findings of flutes from the Mousterian site of Divje Babe (Slovenia) dated to 43 ka BP - but recently it underwent to a taphonomic revision – and that from Hohle Fels (Germany), or by the birds feathers to be used in the manufacture of ornaments (Mousterian levels of Fumane cave). All these features are interpreted by part of the scientific audience as the manifestation of symbolic capabilities to be attributed to Homo neanderthalensis and stimulate arguments about whether Neanderthals were the mental equals of modern humans.
According to the new direct dating of the genetically typed Neanderthal from Mezzena and to the revision of Cavallo, Fumane and Bombrini remains with the AMS dating of the archaeological apparatus, in southern Europe at about 42/41 ka and until 38/37 ka ago, late Neanderthals were surviving, producing their typical Levallois Mousterian technology, coexisting in the same territory with modern humans, who began producing a new toolkit that included perforated shell ornaments and pointed stone bladelets to be used as spears.
Thanks to presently available data, the radiometric string of Mezzena shows that the demise of Hn in Northern Italy presumably occurred sometime during GI 9 and GI 8, following the arrival of the Protoaurignacian, which was a much more durable wave of modern humans than that represented by Uluzzian.
In the light of the consistent data available, the role played by Mediterranean Europe, in particular by the Italian Peninsula, seems, until now, to have been underestimated, and the existing data on (i) ancient DNA, as on the basis of (ii) morphological, (iii) cultural and now (iv) radiometric analysis, allows to present a very different scenario for the demise of the Neanderthals and modern human appraisal. The demise appears to have occurred much later in time, allowing for longer coexistence and to have had more significant biological consequences than those we have acknowledged until now. Moreover, the presently available data confirm that in southern Europe Homo neanderthalensis did not become extinct soon after the arrival of AMHs which happened around 41/42 ka ago.