Adriana Moroni

The timing and spatiotemporal patterning of Neanderthal disappearance

The timing of Neanderthal disappearance and the extent to which they overlapped with the earliest incoming anatomically modern humans (AMHs) in Eurasia are key questions in palaeoanthropology. Determining the spatiotemporal relationship between the two populations is crucial if we are to understand the processes, timing and reasons leading to the disappearance of Neanderthals and the likelihood of cultural and genetic exchange. Serious technical challenges, however, have hindered reliable dating of the period, as the radiocarbon method reaches its limit at ∼50,000 years ago. Here we apply improved accelerator mass spectrometry 14C techniques to construct robust chronologies from 40 key Mousterian and Neanderthal archaeological sites, ranging from Russia to Spain. Bayesian age modelling was used to generate probability distribution functions to determine the latest appearance date. We show that the Mousterian ended by 41,030–39,260 calibrated years bp (at 95.4% probability) across Europe. We also demonstrate that succeeding ‘transitional’ archaeological industries, one of which has been linked with Neanderthals (Châtelperronian), end at a similar time. Our data indicate that the disappearance of Neanderthals occurred at different times in different regions. Comparing the data with results obtained from the earliest dated AMH sites in Europe, associated with the Uluzzian technocomplex, allows us to quantify the temporal overlap between the two human groups. The results reveal a significant overlap of 2,600–5,400 years (at 95.4% probability). This has important implications for models seeking to explain the cultural, technological and biological elements involved in the replacement of Neanderthals by AMHs. A mosaic of populations in Europe during the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition suggests that there was ample time for the transmission of cultural and symbolic behaviours, as well as possible genetic exchanges, between the two groups.

Comments on “Human-climate interaction during the Early Upper Paleolithic: Testing the hypothesis of an adaptive shift between the Proto-Aurignacian and the Early Aurignacian” by William E. Banks, Francesco d'Errico, João Zilhão

In this brief comment, we intend to reply to issues arising fromthe recently published article by Banks et al. (2013a). Banks et al.’spaper focuses on the human-climate interaction during the Proto-Aurignacian and the Early Aurignacian and on the technologicaland tempo-spatial relationship between these two techno-complexes. In addition, they briefly examine the European transi-tional complexes, and revisit the current debate regarding theauthorshipof theChâtelperronianandtheUluzzian.Inouropinion,Banks et al. (2013a) are selective in their use of stratigraphic (andradiometric) data, and their practice of unjustifiably discarding‘inconvenient’ data, as Banks et al. (2011) explicitly do, is puzzling.Here, we are mainly interested in clarifying questions raisedabout the stratigraphic and chronometric integrity of Grotta delCavallo (Lecce, Southern Italy). Banks et al. (2013a) define as‘tentative at best’ the attribution to anatomically modern humans(AMH) of the two deciduous teeth recovered at Grotta del Cavallo(Benazzi et al., 2011b), suggesting that there are stratigraphic,chronological and definitional issues with the evidence. Surpris-ingly, they do not elaborate in any detail on these assertions.The attribution of the Cavallo teeth to AMH had an obviousimpact on the debate around Neanderthal ‘modern behaviour,’which the Uluzzian evidence was used to support previously (e.g.,Zilhao, 2007). However, the assumption that the makers of tran-sitional assemblages (or of some of them) were modern humansrather than Neandertals does not automatically mean that ‘com-plex’cognitiveskillswereuniquetoAMHs.Thecruxofthematteristhat the concept of ‘modernity’ at issue is based on a completelyrelative and ‘self-referential’ model because ‘modernity’ and itsevolutionary degree are exclusively defined on Homo sapiens pa-rameters (“This is the ultimate fate of Neandertals: to live on asinexact mirrors of ourselves” from Wynn and Coolidge, 2012: 188).Before discussing the purported ‘issue’ with the stratigraphy ofGrotta del Cavallo, it is worth commenting briefly on the criticismraised by Banks et al. (2013a) on the taxonomic determination ofthe two deciduous molars from the Uluzzian levels of the site(Cavallo B and Cavallo C). The authors reject the attribution of theteeth to AMH, proposed by Benazzi et al. (2011b), and instead cite arecent publication by Trinkaus and Zilhao (2012). However,Trinkaus and Zilhao (2012: 392), referring tothe Cavallo teeth, onlystate that “.their morphology is insufficient to establish that theyare indeed from modern humans instead of Neandertals (cf.Churchill and Smith, 2000; Gambassini et al., 2005; Riel-Salvatore,2009)”. This is at least circular. Banks et al. (2013a) do not supplyany morphological or morphometric evidence to support theirclaims, the latter are simply based on previous observations byother scholars whose aim had not been to classify the teeth (i.e.,Riel-Salvatore, 2009) or who had done so on the basis of insuffi-ciently published data (i.e., Churchill and Smith, 2000; Gambassinietal.,2005).ThestudybyBenazzietal.(2011b)specificallytargetedthe taxonomic determination of the deciduous teeth from Grotta

The dawn of dentistry in the late upper Paleolithic: An early case of pathological intervention at Riparo Fredian

OBJECTIVES Early evidence for the treatment of dental pathology is found primarily among food-producing societies associated with high levels of oral pathology. However, some Late Pleistocene hunter-gatherers show extensive oral pathology, suggesting that experimentation with therapeutic dental interventions may have greater antiquity. Here, we report the second earliest probable evidence for dentistry in a Late Upper Paleolithic hunter-gatherer recovered from Riparo Fredian (Tuscany, Italy). MATERIALS AND METHODS The Fredian 5 human consists of an associated maxillary anterior dentition with antemortem exposure of both upper first incisor (I1 ) pulp chambers. The pulp chambers present probable antemortem modifications that warrant in-depth analyses and direct dating. Scanning electron microscopy, microCT and residue analyses were used to investigate the purported modifications of external and internal surfaces of each I1 . RESULTS The direct date places Fredian 5 between 13,000 and 12,740 calendar years ago. Both pulp chambers were circumferentially enlarged prior to the death of this individual. Occlusal dentine flaking on the margin of the cavities and striations on their internal aspects suggest anthropic manipulation. Residue analyses revealed a conglomerate of bitumen, vegetal fibers, and probable hairs adherent to the internal walls of the cavities. DISCUSSION The results are consistent with tool-assisted manipulation to remove necrotic or infected pulp in vivo and the subsequent use of a composite, organic filling. Fredian 5 confirms the practice of dentistry-specifically, a pathology-induced intervention-among Late Pleistocene hunter-gatherers. As such, it appears that fundamental perceptions of biomedical knowledge and practice were in place long before the socioeconomic changes associated with the transition to food production in the Neolithic.

Ultrastructure and DNA Sequence Analysis of Single Fossil Sediment Cells

Abstract The method we have developed allows the cytoplasm of a single fossil cell to be sufficiently preserved as to be distinguished by fluorescence microscopy. Analysis of fossil DNA involved PCR amplification of the spacer region between rrn5 and trnR genes in the chloroplast genome. The DNA and consensus sequences, obtained from the same PCR amplification fragment, were analysed by BLAST search and CLUSTAL W multiple alignment software.

Le potenzialità del GIS nella ricostruzione delle strutture sociali e delle strategie economiche ed insediative degli accampamenti musteriani in Italia centro-meridionale

Lo studio mediante sistemi GIS del comportamento neandertaliano in Italia centro-meridionale e una delle linee di ricerca dell’U.R. di Preistoria e Antropologia (DSFTA) dell’Universita di Siena. Protocolli analitici multidisciplinari integrati sono attualmente adottati sui contesti stratigrafici di Grotta Grande e Riparo il Molare (San Giovanni a Piro, SA; Ronchitelli et al. 2011, Boscato et al. 2002), Riparo l’Oscurusciuto (Ginosa, TA; Marciani et al. 2016, Spagnolo et al. 2016) e Grotta dei Santi (Monte Argentario, GR; Spagnolo 2017). Le caratteristiche di tali siti offrono la possibilita di osservare i fenomeni insediativi in una prospettiva multi-scalare: dall’alta risoluzione temporale alla lettura diacronica dei processi storici, dall’intra-site alla scala geografica territoriale. Le strategie insediative dei cacciatori-raccoglitori neandertaliani sono argomento di un intenso dibattito scientifico che vede attivi, su vari livelli, studiosi afferenti a diverse discipline. Questo, oltre ad evidenziare la vastita della problematica, mostra altresi la necessita di adottare metodi di studio sempre piu integrati. La dimensione contestuale e multi-scalare della Spatial Archaeology diviene pertanto un ambiente ideale in cui realizzare l’integrazione dei risultati della Ricerca preistorica. A scala intra-site nel campione finora indagato e stato possibile cogliere diversi modi di gestione degli accampamenti. Questo, se da un lato potrebbe essere espressione di variabili genuinamente spaziali (es. superficie indagata rispetto all’accampamento), in taluni casi sembrerebbe piuttosto riflettere strategie insediative differenti (es. occupazioni brevi vs occupazioni protratte nel tempo). Il grado di “visibilita archeologica” delle aree di attivita e direttamente proporzionale alla risoluzione temporale dei contesti, per cui living floors e short palimpsests offrono letture molto piu chiare rispetto ai palinsesti lunghi. D’altro canto, la disponibilita di serie stratigrafiche articolate in diversi livelli di occupazione, spesso con un eccellente stato di conservazione, e un fattore-chiave per cogliere continuita e discontinuita dei modelli insediativi. Le fluttuazioni di tali cambiamenti, oltre ad esprimere forme di adattamento ai contesti ambientali locali, costituiscono una sorta di proxy delle strutture sociali e di uno dei silenziosi motori della Storia: il rapporto dialettico tra “memoria del gruppo” e “Longue duree”. A scala geografica territoriale, infine, le analisi spaziali, integrate con i parametri paleoambientali, i dati tecno-economici dei complessi litici e le composizioni tassonomiche degli insiemi faunistici, offrono un contributo alla definizione delle strategie di mobilita e alla ricostruzione dei “play ranges” dei gruppi di cacciatori-raccoglitori. GIS potentialities in reconstructing social structures and economic and settling strategies in Mousterian sites of Central-Southern Italy The study of Neandertal behaviour in Central-Southern Italy using GIS systems is one the research topics explored by the R.U. of Prehistory and Anthropology (DSFTA) of the University of Siena. Multidisciplinary and integrated analytic protocols have been applied in a number of stratigraphic contexts of Central-Southern Italy: Grotta Grande and Riparo del Molare (MIS 5; San Giovanni a Piro, SA; Ronchitelli et al. 2011, Boscato et al. 2002), Riparo l’Oscurusciuto (MIS 3; Ginosa, TA; Marciani et al. 2016, Spagnolo et al. 2016) and Grotta dei Santi (MIS 3; Monte Argentario, GR; Spagnolo 2017). These sites are particularly suitable for being observed under a multi-scale perspective: from the high-resolution diachronic reading of historical processes to the intra-site investigation at a territorial scale. Settling strategies of Neandertal hunter-gatherers are the pivot around which a lively scientific debate has developed among scholars of different disciplines, highlighting the magnitude of the problem in terms of involved research fields. As a consequence increasingly integrated methodologies of study are needed. Thus, the contextual multi-scale dimension of Spatial Archaeology is becoming the ideal “scenario” where the integration among single results of prehistoric research can occur. According to investigations carried out at an intra-site scale, the different organization of space in Neandertal camps of the examined sample is probably the expression of merely spatial variables (e.g. size of the investigated area), even if, sometimes, it seems to actually mirror real differences in settling strategies (e.g. brief vs. long occupations). As expected, the degree of “archaeological visibility” of the activity areas is directly proportional to how much the contexts under study lasted in time. Consequently, living floors and short-lived palimpsests can be obviously read more clearly than long-lasting palimpsests. Moreover, the availability of stratigraphic sequences with several occupational layers, often very well preserved, is a key-factor for detecting continuity and discontinuity of settlement patterns. Settlement fluctuations and changes, besides representing adaptations to local environmental contexts, work as proxies for social structures and for one of the “quiet motors” of history: dialectic relation between “group memory” and “ Longue duree ”. On a territorial geographical scale, spatial analyses, integrated by palaeo-environmental evidence and by techno-economic data from lithic assemblages and faunal associations contribute to the reconstruction of mobility strategies and of “ play ranges ” of hunter-gatherer groups.

LATE PLEISTOCENE LAST OCCURRENCES OF THE NARROW-NOSED RHINOCEROS STEPHANORHINUS HEMITOECHUS (MAMMALIA, PERISSODACTYLA) IN ITALY

Several taxa belonging to the so called megafauna became extinct during the late Quaternary in Eurasia. The extinction chronology of the narrow-nosed rhinoceros, Stephanorhinus hemitoechus , in Europe is still uncertain and only estimated around 45 ka. A systematic revision of several rhinoceros findings reveals that this species occurred in Italy at least untill 41 ka BP, at the onset of the Heinrich Event 4. Climatic fluctuations during MIS 3 and habitat fragmentation probably created an increase of small S. hemitoechus populations in southern Europe which had a tendency to become extinct.

Approaching the study of rock “monuments”. The archaeological site of Pietralba (Upper Tiber Valley, Arezzo, Italy)

A multidisciplinary investigation of some open-air manufactured rocky blocks (both of Proto-historic and Medieval Age) found in the archaeological site of Pietralba (Arezzo, Italy) was performed. The Pietralba blocks display different typologies: a rectangular tub, an L-shaped tub, a throne, and a pyramid. Their study has been approached from the geo-morphologic, mineralogical and chemical standpoint with the threefold purpose of selecting how to better preserve the exposed surfaces from the atmospheric agents, of shedding light on their enigmatic use and, as a consequence, of developing a study-method never applied so far in this field. Even though rock “monuments” are largely widespread and constitute a very intriguing issue, just few studies have been carried out on such artefacts and they have never produced univocal and definitive outcomes regarding their use and age. Samples collected from the tubs were analysed in order to identify the mineralogical and chemical inorganic composition, as well as the possible presence of organic components.