Adrian Balasescu | Institute of Archaeology "Vasile Parvan" (original) (raw)
Papers by Adrian Balasescu
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), 2022
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Cercetări Arheologice
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Nature Vol 608 , 2022
In European and many African, Middle Eastern and southern Asian populations, lactase persistence ... more In European and many African, Middle Eastern and southern Asian populations, lactase persistence (LP) is the most strongly selected monogenic trait to have evolved over the past 10,000 years1. Although the selection of LP and the consumption of prehistoric milk must be linked, considerable uncertainty remains concerning their spatiotemporal configuration and specific interactions 2,3. Here we provide detailed
distributions of milk exploitation across Europe over the past 9,000 years using around 7,000 pottery fat residues from more than 550 archaeological sites. European milk use was widespread from the Neolithic period onwards but varied spatially and temporally in intensity. Notably, LP selection varying with levels of prehistoric milk exploitation is no better at explaining LP allele frequency trajectories than uniform
selection since the Neolithic period. In the UK Biobank4,5 cohort of 500,000 contemporary Europeans, the LP genotype was only weakly associated with milk consumption and did not show consistent associations with improved fitness or health indicators. This suggests that other reasons for the beneficial effects of LP should be considered for its rapid frequency increase. We propose that lactase non-persistent individuals consumed milk when it became available but, under conditions of famine and/or increased pathogen exposure, this was disadvantageous, driving LP selection in prehistoric Europe. Comparison of model likelihoods indicates that population fluctuations, settlement density and wild animal exploitation—proxies for these drivers—provide better explanations of LP selection than the extent of milk exploitation. These findings offer new perspectives on prehistoric milk exploitation and LP evolution.
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HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Aug 31, 2022
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HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), 2019
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HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Aug 30, 2017
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Scientific Reports
The Gumelnița site belongs to the Kodjadermen-Gumelnița-Karanovo VI (KGK VI) communities (c. 4700... more The Gumelnița site belongs to the Kodjadermen-Gumelnița-Karanovo VI (KGK VI) communities (c. 4700–3900 cal BC) and comprises the tell-type settlement and its corresponding cemetery. This paper reconstructs the diet and lifeways of the Chalcolithic people in the northeastern Balkans using archaeological remains found at the Gumelnița site (Romania). A multi-bioarchaeological investigation (archaeobotany, zooarchaeology, anthropology) was conducted on vegetal, animal, and human remains, alongside radiocarbon dating and stable isotope analyses (δ13C, δ15N) of humans (n = 33), mammals (n = 38), reptiles (n = 3), fishes (n = 8), freshwater mussels shells (n = 18), and plants (n = 24). According to the results of δ13C and δ15N values and FRUITS, the inhabitants of Gumelnița had a diet based on crops and using natural resources, such as fish, freshwater molluscs and game. Although domestic fauna was occasionally exploited for meat, it had a role in providing secondary products. Crops were ...
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Radiocarbon
ABSTRACTPast human population dynamics play a key role in integrated models of understanding soci... more ABSTRACTPast human population dynamics play a key role in integrated models of understanding socio-ecological change over time. However, little analysis on this issue has been carried out for the prehistoric societies in the Lower Danube and Eastern Balkans area. Here, we use summed probability distributions of radiocarbon dates to investigate potential regional and local variation population dynamics. Our study adopts a formal model-testing approach to the fifth millennium BC archaeological radiocarbon record, performing a region-wide, comparative analysis of the demographic trajectories of the area along lower Danube River. We follow the current framework of theoretical models of population growth and perform global and regional significance and spatial permutation tests on the data. Specifically, we investigate whether populations on both sides of the Danube follow a logistic pattern of steady growth, followed by a major decline over time. Finally, our analysis of local-scale gro...
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HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), 2022
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HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), 2022
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HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Jul 15, 2022
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HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Nov 1, 2022
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Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Dogs are among the most variable species today, but little is known about the morphological varia... more Dogs are among the most variable species today, but little is known about the morphological variability in the early phases of their history. The Neolithic transition to farming may have resulted in an early morphological diversification as a result of changes in the anthropic environment or intentional selection on specific morphologies. Here, we describe the variability and modularity in mandible form by comparing 525 dog mandibles from European archaeological sites ranging from 8100 to 3000 cal. BC to a reference sample of modern dogs, wolves, and dingoes. We use three-dimensional geometric morphometrics to quantify the form of complete and fragmented mandibles. We demonstrate that an important morphological variability already existed before the Bronze Age in Europe, yet the largest, smallest, most brachycephalic or dolichocephalic extant dogs have no equivalent in the archaeological sample, resulting in a lower variation compared to modern relatives. The covariation between the...
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HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Jun 15, 2016
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Nature
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Nature
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Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2020
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Animal Genetics, 2022
We investigated the controversial origin of domestic sheep (Ovis aries) using large samples of co... more We investigated the controversial origin of domestic sheep (Ovis aries) using large samples of contemporary and ancient domestic individuals and their closest wild relatives: the Asiatic mouflon (Ovis gmelini), the urial (Ovis vignei) and the argali (Ovis ammon). A phylogeny based on mitochondrial DNA, including 213 new cytochrome‐b sequences of wild Ovism confirmed that O. gmelini is the maternal ancestor of sheep and precluded mtDNA contributions from O. vignei (and O. gmelini × O. vignei hybrids) to domestic lineages. We also produced 54 new control region sequences showing shared haplogroups (A, B, C and E) between domestic sheep and wild O. gmelini which localized the domestication center in eastern Anatolia and central Zagros, excluding regions further east where exclusively wild haplogroups were found. This overlaps with the geographic distribution of O. gmelini gmelini, further suggesting that the maternal origin of domestic sheep derives from this subspecies. Additionally, ...
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International audienc
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International audienc
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HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), 2022
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Cercetări Arheologice
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Nature Vol 608 , 2022
In European and many African, Middle Eastern and southern Asian populations, lactase persistence ... more In European and many African, Middle Eastern and southern Asian populations, lactase persistence (LP) is the most strongly selected monogenic trait to have evolved over the past 10,000 years1. Although the selection of LP and the consumption of prehistoric milk must be linked, considerable uncertainty remains concerning their spatiotemporal configuration and specific interactions 2,3. Here we provide detailed
distributions of milk exploitation across Europe over the past 9,000 years using around 7,000 pottery fat residues from more than 550 archaeological sites. European milk use was widespread from the Neolithic period onwards but varied spatially and temporally in intensity. Notably, LP selection varying with levels of prehistoric milk exploitation is no better at explaining LP allele frequency trajectories than uniform
selection since the Neolithic period. In the UK Biobank4,5 cohort of 500,000 contemporary Europeans, the LP genotype was only weakly associated with milk consumption and did not show consistent associations with improved fitness or health indicators. This suggests that other reasons for the beneficial effects of LP should be considered for its rapid frequency increase. We propose that lactase non-persistent individuals consumed milk when it became available but, under conditions of famine and/or increased pathogen exposure, this was disadvantageous, driving LP selection in prehistoric Europe. Comparison of model likelihoods indicates that population fluctuations, settlement density and wild animal exploitation—proxies for these drivers—provide better explanations of LP selection than the extent of milk exploitation. These findings offer new perspectives on prehistoric milk exploitation and LP evolution.
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HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Aug 31, 2022
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HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), 2019
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HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Aug 30, 2017
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Scientific Reports
The Gumelnița site belongs to the Kodjadermen-Gumelnița-Karanovo VI (KGK VI) communities (c. 4700... more The Gumelnița site belongs to the Kodjadermen-Gumelnița-Karanovo VI (KGK VI) communities (c. 4700–3900 cal BC) and comprises the tell-type settlement and its corresponding cemetery. This paper reconstructs the diet and lifeways of the Chalcolithic people in the northeastern Balkans using archaeological remains found at the Gumelnița site (Romania). A multi-bioarchaeological investigation (archaeobotany, zooarchaeology, anthropology) was conducted on vegetal, animal, and human remains, alongside radiocarbon dating and stable isotope analyses (δ13C, δ15N) of humans (n = 33), mammals (n = 38), reptiles (n = 3), fishes (n = 8), freshwater mussels shells (n = 18), and plants (n = 24). According to the results of δ13C and δ15N values and FRUITS, the inhabitants of Gumelnița had a diet based on crops and using natural resources, such as fish, freshwater molluscs and game. Although domestic fauna was occasionally exploited for meat, it had a role in providing secondary products. Crops were ...
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Radiocarbon
ABSTRACTPast human population dynamics play a key role in integrated models of understanding soci... more ABSTRACTPast human population dynamics play a key role in integrated models of understanding socio-ecological change over time. However, little analysis on this issue has been carried out for the prehistoric societies in the Lower Danube and Eastern Balkans area. Here, we use summed probability distributions of radiocarbon dates to investigate potential regional and local variation population dynamics. Our study adopts a formal model-testing approach to the fifth millennium BC archaeological radiocarbon record, performing a region-wide, comparative analysis of the demographic trajectories of the area along lower Danube River. We follow the current framework of theoretical models of population growth and perform global and regional significance and spatial permutation tests on the data. Specifically, we investigate whether populations on both sides of the Danube follow a logistic pattern of steady growth, followed by a major decline over time. Finally, our analysis of local-scale gro...
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HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), 2022
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HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), 2022
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HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Jul 15, 2022
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HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Nov 1, 2022
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Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Dogs are among the most variable species today, but little is known about the morphological varia... more Dogs are among the most variable species today, but little is known about the morphological variability in the early phases of their history. The Neolithic transition to farming may have resulted in an early morphological diversification as a result of changes in the anthropic environment or intentional selection on specific morphologies. Here, we describe the variability and modularity in mandible form by comparing 525 dog mandibles from European archaeological sites ranging from 8100 to 3000 cal. BC to a reference sample of modern dogs, wolves, and dingoes. We use three-dimensional geometric morphometrics to quantify the form of complete and fragmented mandibles. We demonstrate that an important morphological variability already existed before the Bronze Age in Europe, yet the largest, smallest, most brachycephalic or dolichocephalic extant dogs have no equivalent in the archaeological sample, resulting in a lower variation compared to modern relatives. The covariation between the...
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HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Jun 15, 2016
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Nature
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Nature
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Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2020
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Animal Genetics, 2022
We investigated the controversial origin of domestic sheep (Ovis aries) using large samples of co... more We investigated the controversial origin of domestic sheep (Ovis aries) using large samples of contemporary and ancient domestic individuals and their closest wild relatives: the Asiatic mouflon (Ovis gmelini), the urial (Ovis vignei) and the argali (Ovis ammon). A phylogeny based on mitochondrial DNA, including 213 new cytochrome‐b sequences of wild Ovism confirmed that O. gmelini is the maternal ancestor of sheep and precluded mtDNA contributions from O. vignei (and O. gmelini × O. vignei hybrids) to domestic lineages. We also produced 54 new control region sequences showing shared haplogroups (A, B, C and E) between domestic sheep and wild O. gmelini which localized the domestication center in eastern Anatolia and central Zagros, excluding regions further east where exclusively wild haplogroups were found. This overlaps with the geographic distribution of O. gmelini gmelini, further suggesting that the maternal origin of domestic sheep derives from this subspecies. Additionally, ...
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International audienc
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International audienc
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Quaternary International, 2017
In southeastern Romania, the Gumelniţa culture is characterized by the appearance of tell sites. ... more In southeastern Romania, the Gumelniţa culture is characterized by the appearance of tell sites. Whether this phenomenon was accompanied by increasing specialization of the economy may be investigated through the zooarchaeology of pastoral systems. The scale of herding is an important element of this framework. A case study was conducted on the tell sites of Hârşova and Borduşani-Popină situated in the Danube River basin. Both sites, located respectively on a terrace of the river and on the island of Balta Ialomiţei, delivered occupations from the Gumelniţa A2 dated to the second half of 5th millennium cal BC. Their occupants subsisted on an economy focused to a large extent on aquatic resources but also heavily dependent on cattle, pig and caprines husbandry and agriculture. The role of riverbanks resources in herding strategies and the extent to which the island of Balta Ialomiţei may have sustained domestic animal stocks was addressed through stable isotope analysis of animal skeleton remains. At both sites, results revealed local herding for cattle and caprines, reflected in an unexpectedly high contribution of C4 plants to their diet, most likely from ruderal C4 plants that are more abundant around the settlements as well as in cultivated fields. Domestic pigs had a higher trophic status than their wild counterparts, highlighting a significant contribution of animal protein to their diet most likely provided by human activities, suggesting that they were maintained in the settlement. Overall the findings suggest domestic stocks were reared in close proximity to the settlements, rather than in an extensive system. This scheme complements the small-scale cultivation system highlighted from the archaeobotanical analysis. Gumelniţa tell sites have been previously described as being part of larger pastoral systems including locations with complementary functions, although functional complementarity in time was not made explicit in this model. In this regard, the results obtained at Hârşova and Borduşani-Popină are not in favour of large-scale seasonal mobility.
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La faune étudiée provient des fouilles archéologiques préventives effectuées dans la place Sfântu... more La faune étudiée provient des fouilles archéologiques préventives effectuées dans la place Sfântu Gheorghe (Saint George) à Timișoara (département Timiș) en 2013 (novembre et décembre) et 2014 (janvier-mars).
Le matériel faunique provient de plusieurs niveaux stratigraphiques (culturels) notés du plus ancien au plus récent avec les dénominations Médiéval III (M III), Médiéval II (M II) et Médiéval I (M I) pour la période pré-ottomane (XVe et XVIe siècles mais en avant de 1552) et Olane II (O II), Olane I (O I) pour la période ottomane (1552 - première moitié du XVIIIe siècle) et d’une série de structures archéologiques (complexes - C et fosses - G) qui sont décrites dans les rapport réalisés par le collectif de chercheurs qui ont effectué ces fouilles.
La faune analysée est très variée. Le spectre de faune est en effet composé de poissons, reptiles, oiseaux et mammifères domestiques et sauvages. Ces résultats montrent l’intérêt des habitants de la cité tant pour l’exploitation des animaux domestiques que pour la chasse sporadique dans la région avoisinante ou pour les échanges commerciaux avec d’autres communautés. Ceci démontre la connexion de la cité avec la vie économique régionale et européenne au cours de la période pré-ottomane .
Notre démarche scientifique archéozoologique nous permet d’affirmer que l’exploitation des bovins et des caprinés était très importante pour les communautés humaines de la cité de Timișoara. La conquête ottomane a conduit à des modifications dans la diète des habitants, qui se traduisent par une diminution de l’importance du cochon et une augmentation du poids des caprinés au détriment des bovins. Nous avons également mis en évidence la présence du chameau (niveaux médiévales I et II) et du bison d’Europe (en O II) pour la première fois dans le Banat médiéval.
Une autre découverte importante est l’identification de restes de dinde dans les niveaux médiévales I et II, un oiseau introduit en Europe après la conquête espagnole de l’Amérique à la fin du XVe siècle et considéré en Roumanie comme exotique avant la période ottomane. La dinde sera élevée dans des fermes à partir du début du XVIIe siècle et ne deviendra une espèce domestique commune, au même titre que la poule, le canard ou l’oie, qu’au XVIIIe siècle .
L’identification de restes de la morue de l'Atlantique dans les niveaux médiévaux (M I), alors que cette espèce est également exotique dans cette région du sud-ouest de la Roumanie, montre enfin l’existence de relations commerciales actives et rapides avec le nord de l’Europe à cette période. Le XVIe siècle est marqué par le début de la consommation industrielle de cette espèce de poisson très appréciée dans l’ouest et le nord de l’Europe.
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Cercetari Arheologice, 2020
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![Research paper thumbnail of Interacțiuni om-mediu în situl mezolitic de la Icoana (Porțile de Fier)[2017]](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/56530147/thumbnails/1.jpg)
](Studii de Preistorie, 2017
Located in southwestern Romania in the Iron Gates Gorges, the Mesolithic site at Icoana was subme... more Located in southwestern Romania in the Iron Gates Gorges, the Mesolithic site at Icoana was submerged during construction of the Iron Gates I dam and hydro‐power station. Vasile Boroneanț briefly investigated the site from 1967 until it was completely flooded, in 1969. Based on recent AMS 14C dates, Icoana was occupied during the Middle Mesolithic (ca. 8500‒7600 cal BC) and again during the Final Mesolithic (“Mesolithic/Early Neolithic transition period” – ca. 6300–5900 cal BC). The faunal assemblage from the site has been re‐analyzed and the results for the mammal bone assemblage are presented briefly, in close connection with the study of 484 bone, antler and Sus scrofa tooth artefacts. Products and byproducts of the chaîne opératoire were identified, suggesting in situ manufacture of the finished items. The relatively small number of typological categories identified comprise well‐defined tool series, the most numerous being antler bevelled tools, bone pointed tools and boar tusk side‐scrapers. Our analysis of these tools was aimed at identifying the transformational patterns of both the raw materials and the use‐wear and manufacturing marks, seen as an indicator of the function of the artefacts. The results of our combined studies suggest wood processing and hunting as the main activities performed with these tools, together with substantial fishing activities suggested by the presence of a FRE in the 14C dates. Our findings provide no evidence to support previous suggestions of plant cultivation during the Mesolithic at Icoana.
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This multilingual lexicon was created in the framework of the CNRS European research group « Expl... more This multilingual lexicon was created in the framework of the CNRS European research group « Exploitation of osseous materials in Prehistoric Europe » (GDRE PREHISTOS). It was intended as a working tool to catalogue and translate the main terms used for the technical, typological or functional study of hard animal material industries by the GDRE members into distinct languages. This volume follows the first version published online in 2010 and provides an extended list of terms translated into 12 languages : French, English, German, Danish, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Bulgarian, Polish, Russian and Hungarian
More information on : http://lampea.cnrs.fr/spip.php?article3656
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AVERBOUH A. dir. 2016 − Multilingual Lexicon of Bone Industry, Version 2 (Français-Anglais- Allem... more AVERBOUH A. dir. 2016 − Multilingual Lexicon of Bone Industry, Version 2 (Français-Anglais- Allemand, Danois, Espagnol, Italien, Portugais, Roumain, Bulgare, Polonais, Russe, Hongrois). GDRE PREHISTOS ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDIES II 2015, Hors série Préhistoires méditerranéennes, 131 p.
with the following authors : N. Akhmetgaleeva, A. Balasescu, A. Boguzewski, A. Choyke, M. Christensen, M. Evora, N. Goutas, G. Ledosseur, Cl. Letourneux, S. Lev, L. Manca, M. Margarit, K. Mazurié, A. Pasquini, N. Skakun, J.-M. Tejero, Z. Toth, M. Zhilin et P. Zidarov.
This multilingual lexicon was created in the framework of the CNRS European research group « Exploitation of osseous materials in Prehistoric Europe » (GDRE PREHISTOS). It was intended as a working tool to catalogue and translate the main terms used for the technical, typological or functional study of hard animal material industries by the GDRE members into distinct languages. This volume follows the first version published online in 2010 and provides an extended list of terms translated into 12 languages : French, English, German, Danish, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Bulgarian, Polish, Russian and Hungarian.
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The cat has long been important to human societies as a pest-control agent, object of symbolic va... more The cat has long been important to human societies as a pest-control agent, object of symbolic value and companion animal, but
little is known about its domestication process and early anthropogenic dispersal. Here we show, using ancient DNA analysis
of geographically and temporally widespread archaeological cat remains, that both the Near Eastern and Egyptian populations
of Felis silvestris lybica contributed to the gene pool of the domestic cat at different historical times. While the cat’s worldwide
conquest began during the Neolithic period in the Near East, its dispersal gained momentum during the Classical period, when
the Egyptian cat successfully spread throughout the Old World. The expansion patterns and ranges suggest dispersal along
human maritime and terrestrial routes of trade and connectivity. A coat-colour variant was found at high frequency only after
the Middle Ages, suggesting that directed breeding of cats occurred later than with most other domesticated animals.
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Located in southwestern Romania in the Iron Gates Gorges, the Mesolithic site at Icoana was subme... more Located in southwestern Romania in the Iron Gates Gorges, the Mesolithic site at Icoana was submerged during construction of the Iron Gates I dam and hydro‐power station. Vasile Boroneanț briefly investigated the site from 1967 until it was completely flooded, in 1969. Based on recent AMS 14 C dates, Icoana was occupied during the Middle Mesolithic (ca. 8500‒7600 cal BC) and again during the Final Mesolithic (" Mesolithic/Early Neolithic transition period " – ca. 6300–5900 cal BC). The faunal assemblage from the site has been re‐analyzed and the results for the mammal bone assemblage are presented briefly, in close connection with the study of 484 bone, antler and Sus scrofa tooth artefacts. Products and byproducts of the chaîne opératoire were identified, suggesting in situ manufacture of the finished items. The relatively small number of typological categories identified comprise well‐defined tool series, the most numerous being antler bevelled tools, bone pointed tools and boar tusk side‐scrapers. Our analysis of these tools was aimed at identifying the transformational patterns of both the raw materials and the use‐wear and manufacturing marks, seen as an indicator of the function of the artefacts. The results of our combined studies suggest wood processing and hunting as the main activities performed with these tools, together with substantial fishing activities suggested by the presence of a FRE in the 14 C dates. Our findings provide no evidence to support previous suggestions of plant cultivation during the Mesolithic at Icoana. Rezumat: Situl arheologic de la Icoana era situat în sud‐vestul României, în zona Porților de Fier. A fost acoperit de apele Dunării, la construirea barajului hidrocentralei Porțile de Fier I. Vasile Boroneanț a cercetat situl pe durata a trei scurte campanii din 1967 până în 1969 la inundarea sa completă. Datele 14 C AMS indică o locuire pe durata mezoliticului mijlociu (cca. 8500‐7600 cal BC) și o alta pe durata mezoliticului final/tranziției la neoliticul timpuriu (cca. 6300‐5900 cal BC). Au fost reanalizate resturile faunistice și prezentate pe scurt cele referitoare la mamifere, în strânsă legătură cu cele 484 de piese IMDA analizate. Acestea au fost confecționate din diafizele unor oase lungi de mamifere, coarne de Cervus elaphus și canini de Sus scrofa. Studiul IMDA și‐a propus să treacă de simpla clasificare tipologică a artefactelor și să identifice modelele de transformare ale materiilor prime și stigmatele funcționale ce oferă informații importante asupra funcționalității pieselor. Au fost identificate, în urma analizei morfologice atât produse, cât și sub‐produse ale lanțului operator, sugerând o prelucrare in situ a produselor finite. Categoriile tipologice identificate, puține ca număr, cuprind serii de unelte bine definite, dintre care cele mai reprezentative sunt așa‐zisele dălți din corn, vârfuri din os și racloire din dinte de Sus scrofa. Rezultatele studiului indică prelucrarea lemnului și vânătoarea drept principale activități efectuate utilizând
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Located in southwestern Romania in the Iron Gates Gorges, the Mesolithic site at Icoana was subme... more Located in southwestern Romania in the Iron Gates Gorges, the Mesolithic site at Icoana was submerged during construction of the Iron Gates I dam and hydro‐power station. Vasile Boroneanț briefly investigated the site from 1967 until it was completely flooded, in 1969. Based on recent AMS 14 C dates, Icoana was occupied during the Middle Mesolithic (ca. 8500‒7600 cal BC) and again during the Final Mesolithic (" Mesolithic/Early Neolithic transition period " – ca. 6300–5900 cal BC). The faunal assemblage from the site has been re‐analyzed and the results for the mammal bone assemblage are presented briefly, in close connection with the study of 484 bone, antler and Sus scrofa tooth artefacts. Products and byproducts of the chaîne opératoire were identified, suggesting in situ manufacture of the finished items. The relatively small number of typological categories identified comprise well‐defined tool series, the most numerous being antler bevelled tools, bone pointed tools and boar tusk side‐scrapers. Our analysis of these tools was aimed at identifying the transformational patterns of both the raw materials and the use‐wear and manufacturing marks, seen as an indicator of the function of the artefacts. The results of our combined studies suggest wood processing and hunting as the main activities performed with these tools, together with substantial fishing activities suggested by the presence of a FRE in the 14 C dates. Our findings provide no evidence to support previous suggestions of plant cultivation during the Mesolithic at Icoana.
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The short and small-scale excavation at Răzvrata (Romania) in the Iron Gates revealed the traces ... more The short and small-scale excavation at Răzvrata (Romania) in the Iron Gates revealed the
traces of two houses, a hearth, portable artefacts and faunal remains. This paper presents a detailed
account of the Mesolithic faunal collection, in the context of other studied assemblages from the
Mesolithic Iron Gates sites. Although limited, the resulted information complements the already existing
data regarding the human - environment relationship during the Mesolithic in the Iron Gates area, with
regards to site use and seasonality of various activities.
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Studii de preistorie, 2020
The goal of the present paper is to re-discuss the red deer antler archaeological assemblage from... more The goal of the present paper is to re-discuss the red deer antler archaeological assemblage from the Cucuteni site at Drăgușeni-Ostrov. The archaeological research was carried out by S. Marinescu-Bîlcu and Al. Bolomey between 1970-1974 and 1979-1985. The assemblage is currently curated at the 'Vasile Pârvan' Institute of Archaeology, Romanian Academy. The methodology used aimed to identify the products and by-products of the operational schemes, as well as all their technological and use-wear marks. Also, we observed the manner the Eneolithic communities interacted with the animal environment, exploited its resources (in this case the red deer antler) in order to manufacture various osseous artifacts, and at times re-integrated these objects in the cycle of use. Further discussions on other similar assemblages would make a decisive contribution to our understanding of the exploitation patterns of the animal resources during the Cucuteni Eneolithic period.
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Studii de Preistorie, 2020
The goal of the present paper is to re-discuss the red deer antler archaeological assemblage from... more The goal of the present paper is to re-discuss the red deer antler archaeological assemblage from the Cucuteni site at Drăgușeni-Ostrov. The archaeological research was carried out by S. Marinescu-Bîlcu and Al. Bolomey between 1970-1974 and 1979-1985. The assemblage is currently curated at the 'Vasile Pârvan' Institute of Archaeology, Romanian Academy. The methodology used aimed to identify the products and by-products of the operational schemes, as well as all their technological and use-wear marks. Also, we observed the manner the Eneolithic communities interacted with the animal environment, exploited its resources (in this case the red deer antler) in order to manufacture various osseous artifacts, and at times re-integrated these objects in the cycle of use. Further discussions on other similar assemblages would make a decisive contribution to our understanding of the exploitation patterns of the animal resources during the Cucuteni Eneolithic period. Rezumat: Scopul prezentei lucrări este de a reevalua un ansamblu arheologic din corn de cerb provenit din cercetările arheologice efectuate de S. Marinescu-Bîlcu și Al. Bolomey între anii 1970-1974 și 1979-1985, în așezarea de la Drăgușeni-Ostrov aparținând culturii Cucuteni. Ansamblul se află în colecția Institutului de Arheologie "Vasile Pârvan", Academia Română. Metodologia pe care am folosit-o a vizat identificarea produselor și sub-produselor rezultate din schemele operaționale, precum și a stigmatelor tehnologice și de uzură prezente pe acestea pentru o determinare corectă a succesiunii operațiilor tehnologice și a utilizării pieselor finite. De asemenea, am căutat să identificăm modalitățile prin care comunitățile eneolitice au exploatat mediul animal (în acest caz, cornul de cerb) pentru a obține artefacte aparținând industriei materialelor dure animale și modul în care aceste obiecte sunt reintegrate în ciclul de utilizare. Discuții viitoare asupra acestui tip de material ar putea aduce o contribuție decisivă a înțelegerii modelului de exploatare a resurselor animale în perioada culturii Cucuteni.
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Near Eastern Neolithic farmers introduced several species of domestic plants and animals as they ... more Near Eastern Neolithic farmers introduced several species of domestic plants and animals as they dispersed into Europe. Dogs were the only domestic species present in both Europe and the Near East prior to the Neolithic.
Here, we assessed whether early Near Eastern dogs possessed a unique
mitochondrial lineage that differentiated them from Mesolithic European
populations. We then analysed mitochondrial DNA sequences from 99
ancient European and Near Eastern dogs spanning the Upper Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age to assess if incoming farmers brought Near Eastern dogs with them, or instead primarily adopted indigenous European dogs after they arrived. Our results show that European pre-Neolithic dogs all possessed the mitochondrial haplogroup C, and that the Neolithic and Post-Neolithic dogs associated with farmers from Southeastern Europe mainly possessed haplogroup D. Thus, the appearance of haplogroup D most probably resulted from the dissemination of dogs from the Near East into Europe. In Western and Northern Europe, the turnover is incomplete and haplogroup C persists well into the Chalcolithic at least. These results suggest that dogs were an integral component of the Neolithic farming package and a mitochondrial lineage associated with the Near East was introduced into Europe alongside pigs, cows, sheep and goats. It got diluted into the native dog population when reaching the Western and Northern margins of Europe.
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Archaeofauna, 2018
This paper focuses on the identification of changes in the processing of osseous materials in the... more This paper focuses on the identification of changes in the processing of osseous materials in the southeast European Neolithic, beginning with three types of production by manufacture wear technique typical for the region: bipartition by abrasion, segmentation with fibre and perforation by wear technique. The processing of osseous materials is strongly conditioned by their natural anatomic shapes which is why only a restricted range of possible transformation variables, with minimum changes through time, would be expected. However, numerous specialists invoke the cultural value conferred by the community as the preeminent element in the selection of raw material more than the limitations of the raw material form. Therefore, there are some examples in which there was little change in raw materials selection across long periods of time, although there was variation in animal species availability. Consequently, the study of the three types of ‘manufacture-by-wear’ technique becomes more interesting. These techniques are not present in all prehistoric times in this region. Some of these techniques appear on worked osseous materials in Romania and neighbouring areas at the beginning of the Neolithic and disappear just as suddenly (bipartition by abrasion) or appear only sporadically (perforation and segmentation with fibre) by the Early Chalcolithic. Based on experimental reconstructions of the three processing techniques and comparing them with archaeological assemblages, our study aims to register all the relevant variables (technological gestures, time required for each operation, tools used etc.), and evaluate if they represented a real innovation in the way which the osseous materials were processed.
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Journal of Biogeography, 2020
M. Niedziałkowska - K. Doan - M. Sykut - M. Górny - K. Stefaniak - N. Piotrowska - B. Jędrzejewsk... more M. Niedziałkowska - K. Doan - M. Sykut - M. Górny - K. Stefaniak - N. Piotrowska - B. Jędrzejewska - B. Ridusch - S. Pawełczyk - F. Zachos - P. Mackiewicz - U. Schmölcke - P. Kosintsev - D. Makowiecki - M. Charniauski - R. Smith - D. Krasnodębski - U. Saarma - M. Arakelyan - N. Manaseryan - V. Titov - P. Hulva - A. Balasescu - R. Fyfe - J. Woodbridge - K. Trantalidou - A. Pisarenko - V. Dimitrijevic - J. Wilczyński - I. Foronova - G. Lipecki - A. Arabey - A. Stankovic
Aim: The Expansion-Contraction model has been used to explain the responses of
species to climatic changes. During periods of unfavourable climatic conditions, species
retreat to refugia from where they may later expand. This paper focuses on the
palaeoecology of red deer over the past 54 ka across Europe and the Urals, to reveal
patterns of change in their range and explore the role of environmental conditions in
determining their distribution.
Location: Europe and western Asia to 63°E.
Taxon: Red deer (Cervus elaphus).
Methods: We collected 984 records of radiocarbon-dated red deer subfossils from
the Late Pleistocene and the Holocene, including 93 original dates. For each deer sample
we compiled climatic and biome type data for the corresponding time intervals.
Results: During the last 54 ka changes in red deer range in Europe and the Urals
were asynchronous and differed between western and eastern Europe and western
Asia due to different environmental conditions in those regions. The range of suitable
areas for deer during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) was larger than previously
thought and covered vast regions not only in southern but also in western and eastern
Europe. Throughout the period investigated the majority of specimens inhabited
forests in the temperate climatic zone. The contribution of forests in deer localities
significantly decreased during the last 4 ka, due to deforestation of Europe caused by
humans. Mean January temperature was the main limiting factor for species distribution.
Over 90% of the samples were found in areas where mean January temperature
was above −10°C.
Main conclusions: Red deer response to climatic oscillations are in agreement with
the Expansion-Contraction model but in contradiction to the statement of only the
southernmost LGM refugia of the species. During the last 54 ka red deer occurred
mostly in forests of the temperate climatic zone.
K E Y W O R D S
environmental niche modelling, expansion-contraction model, forest habitat, Holocene,
January temperature, Last Glacial Maximum refugia, palaeoecology, radiocarbon dating, temperate climatic zone, ungulates
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PNAS, 2019
L.A.F. Frantz - J. Haile - A.T. Lin - A. Scheu - C. Geörg - N. Benecke - M. Alexander - A. Linder... more L.A.F. Frantz - J. Haile - A.T. Lin - A. Scheu - C. Geörg - N. Benecke - M. Alexander - A. Linderholm - V.E. Mullin - K.G. Daly - V.M. Battista - M. Price - K.J. Gron - P. Alexandri - R.-M. Arbogast - B. Arbuckle - A. Bălășescu - R. Barnett - L. Bartosiewicz - G. Baryshnikov - Cl. Bonsall - D. Borić - A. Boroneanț - J. Bulatović - C. Çakirlar - J.-M. Carretero - J. Chapman - M. Church - R. Crooijmans - B. De Cupere - Cl. Detry - V. Dimitrijevic - V. Dumitrașcu - L. du Plessis - C. J. Edwards - M. Erek - A. Erim-Özdoğan - A. Ervynck - D. Fulgione - M. Gligor - Α. Götherström - L. Gourichon - M. Groenen - D. Helmer - H. Hongo - L.K. Horwitz - E.K. Irving-Pease - O. Lebrasseur - J. Lesur - C. Malone - N. Manaseryan - A. Marciniak - H. Martlew - M. Mashkour - R. Matthews - G. Motuzaite Matuzeviciute - S. Maziar - E. Meijaard - T. McGovern - H.-J. Megens - R. Miller - A. Mohaseb - J. Orschiedt - D. Orton - A. Papathanasiou - M. Parker Pearson - R. Pinhasi - D. Radmanović - F.-X. Ricaut - M. Richards - R. Sabin - L. Sarti - W. Schier - S. Sheikhi - E. Stephan - J.R. Stewart - S. Stoddart - A. Tagliacozzo - N. Tasić - K. Trantalidou - A. Tresset -C. Valdiosera - Υ. van den Hurk - S. van Poucke - J.-D. Vigne - A. Yanevich - A. Zeeb-Lanz - A. Triantafyllidis - M. Thomas - P. Gilbert - J. Schibler - P. Rowley-Conwy - M. Zeder - J. Peters - T. Cucchi - D.G. Bradley - K. Dobney - J. Burger - A. Evin - L. Girdland-Flink - G. Larson
Archaeological evidence indicates that pig domestication had begun by ∼10,500 y before the present (BP) in the Near East, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) suggests that pigs arrived in Europe alongside farmers ∼8,500 y BP. A few thousand years after the introduction of Near Eastern pigs into Europe, however, their characteristic mtDNA signature disappeared and was replaced by haplotypes associated with European wild boars. This turnover could be accounted for by substantial gene flow from local Euro-pean wild boars, although it is also possible that European wild boars were domesticated independently without any genetic contribution from the Near East. To test these hypotheses, we obtained mtDNA sequences from 2,099 modern and ancient pig samples and 63 nuclear ancient genomes from Near Eastern and European pigs. Our analyses revealed that European domestic pigs dating from 7,100 to 6,000 y BP possessed both Near Eastern and European nuclear ancestry, while later pigs possessed no more than 4% Near Eastern ancestry, indicating that gene flow from European wild boars resulted in a near-complete disappearance of Near East ancestry. In addition, we demonstrate that a variant at a locus encoding black coat color likely originated in the Near East and persisted in European pigs. Altogether, our results indicate that while pigs were not independently domesticated in Europe, the vast majority of human-mediated selection over the past 5,000 y focused on the genomic fraction derived from the European wild boars, and not on the fraction that was selected by early Neolithic farmers over the first 2,500 y of the domestication process. domestication | evolution | gene flow | Neolithic
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Materiale și cercetări arheologice, 2021
Rescue archaeological excavations at Sisești Street, nos. 147–175 led to the identification and i... more Rescue archaeological excavations at Sisești Street, nos. 147–175 led to the identification and investigation of 29 archaeological features
dated to the Bronze Age, the 9th and the 18th centuries. The paper discusses in detail the results of the research (archaeological materials and features)
from an interdisciplinary perspective. It also raises the question of the previos misidentification of certain sites along the Colentina River in the area of
interest, and suggests a correct geographical location of the still existing ones.
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