Don Brothwell

Studies on amerindian dogs, 1: Carbon isotopes in relation to maize in the diet of domestic dogs from early Peru and Ecuador

Abstract Work initiated purely as a dating project in support of a craniometric and morphological investigation of domestic dogs from early Peru has proved to have much wider implications. The stable carbon isotoperatios ( 13 C/ 12 C) of hair samples from ten dogs show that maize formed a significant part of their diet. Radiocarbon dates for these remains have confirmed that they belong to the period well after the cultivation of maize was first established. Stable carbon isotope measurements can thus be used to test for the presence of maize as a dietary constituent at earlier sites even where there is otherwise only indirect evidence for its cultivation. Collagen from animal or human bone is a suitable alternative to hair for this purpose and the method has been successfully applied to collagen dating to c . 3000 BC from the Valdivia culture site of Real Alto, Ecuador, as well as to a series of early Peruvian dogs.

A Method for Evaluating the Amount of Dental Calculus on Teeth from Archaeological Sites

Abstract A series of archaeological teeth, both human and animal, were scanned with a view to establishing a quick and reliable method of recording the extent and severity of dental calculus. The method involved allocating each dentition or tooth a general score, one of five grades: 0 (normal) to 4 (gross). Each tooth was then divided into morphological zones, depending upon species, and the percentage covering of calculus for each zone was recorded. Thickness was also assessed using a five-grade scoring system and was based on radiographs of affected teeth. This gave an idea of the severity of the calculus deposit.

Further evidence of bone chewing by ungulates: the sheep of North Ronaldsay, Orkney

It is pertinent to the proper interpretation of archaeological bone samples to know as much as possible about factors which may have affected and biased them. In recent years, bone frequency and representation has been debated in relation to whether there was an early hominid “osteodontokeratic” culture or alternatively, the bones accumulated as hyaena food debris. Differential loss or survival of bones or areas of them is, however, no less pertinent to more recent cultures. In the case of urban societies, the dog replaces the hyaena, or other carnivores, as being primarily responsible for damage to, in this case human food, bone debris. Further secondary changes can result from gnawing by rodents. The experimental “feeding” of bones (fowl, pig, sheep) to a laboratory rat has impressed me with their abilities to thin to fragile “shells” even relatively thick cortical shaft bones. However, the reason for the following note is to establish further the habit of bone chewing in ungulates.

Some food offerings from Ur, excavated by sir leonard woolley, and previously unpublished

Abstract As a result of excavations at Ur by Woolley (1923–1934) food debris was recovered and is now reported on. Plant remains include chickpea, six-row barley, wheat, pea, dates, perforated crab apple rings and possible flat bread. Of special interest are the chickpeas which are among the earliest found in lowland Mesopotamia and the crab apple rings which have not been found before in ancient deposits in the Near East. Of the mammals, caprovids seem to have been most important as food offerings. The occurrence of tunny fish vertebrae was unexpected. The preliminary analysis of some inorganic residues is so far inconclusive although it is possible that one of the residues may originally have contained salt.

Roman evidence of a crested form of domestic fowl, as indicated by a skull showing associated cerebral hernia

Abstract In modern domestic fowls, cranial deformity associated with feather cresting is known in certain varieties. This cranial form is described in a Roman specimen from Uley in Somerset. It may indicate the differentiation of this variety by the 4th century AD.

Studies On Amerindian Dogs, 2: Variation in Early Peruvian Dogs

Abstract Remains of dogs have been discovered in Peru for over a hundred years, but relatively little information is available on them. Dating evidence, especially by the radiocarbon method, suggests that the skulls of dogs considered in detail here range from 1030 BC to 1324 AD, with the majority belonging to the past two millennia. Craniometric information is presented on a series of early Peruvian specimens now preserved in Lima and London, representing the majority of material as yet unpublished, and the largest sample so far studied. Additional Peruvian data were also collected from the literature, as well as comparable information on some other Amerindian dog series. It has been possible to indicate that two distinct forms are represented in the Peruvian material.

Cottam: An Anglian and Anglo-Scandinavian settlement on the Yorkshire Wolds

SUMMARYThe presence of Anglian and Anglo-Scandinavian settlements at Cottam, East Yorkshire, was first indicated in 1987 by numerous finds of copper alloy coins, dress pins and strap ends by metal detector users. This report presents the results of fieldwork carried out on behalf of the Department of Archaeology, University of York, between 1993–95, including fieldwalking, geophysical survey, and excavation. This revealed an enclosure of the eighth to ninth centuries, containing traces of a small number of post-built halls. In the late ninth century this settlement was abandoned. A new enclosed settlement was laid out nearby, which was occupied briefly in the early tenth century. It is argued that the Anglian settlement may have been part of a royal multiple estate but that, as a result of estate reorganization after the Scandinavian setdement, it developed into an independent manor. Cottam is the first so-called ‘productive’ site in the environs of York to be the subject of archaeological investigations....

Radiocarbon dates and the history of treponematoses in man

Five samples of Amerindian bones from California, Florida and Kentucky which showed evidence of treponemal infection or were contemporary with bones that did, were subjected to radiocarbon dating. The results indicate that the microorganism causing the disease existed in the New World in the time range of 1105-1370 A.D., i.e. well before European contacts with America. -- AATA

Below the Salt: A Preliminary Study of the Dating and Biology of Five Salt-Preserved Bodies from Zanjan Province, Iran

Abstract We describe the finding of five male bodies from the salt mine of Chehr Abad, Zanjan province, Iran. Radiocarbon determinations suggests that two of the bodies date to the late Sassanian period, while the other three died sometime between 410 B.C. and 350 B.C. We speculate that these deaths may have been the result of an earthquake between 405–380 B.C. We have also obtained new isotopic data on skin and hair, and conclude that they may not have come from the Zanjan area. A preliminary study of stomach contents and parasite load for one of the bodies has also been carried out.

Bring out your dead: people, pots and politics

When Davis and Thurman produced in 1865 their massive volume on aspects of the ancient skeletons excavated from British tombs and cemeteries, they had no interest in Victorian colonialism or establishing which early population was the most ‘primitive’ or ‘savage’ or ‘inferior’, although they did recognise differences in cultural dynamics (with the Romans getting top marks). The term “race” was used for long barrow people, Romans, Saxons and others, simply to refer to populations in a time and cultural frame. I say this to dispatch the idea, common in archaeology and the media, that these early scholars were only interested in establishing hierarchies of inferiority by reference to skeletal material. If anything, Victorian science was disadvantaged by the ever present class consciousness of the times, but these early scientists did try to avoid such influences.