Piotr Włodarczak

Diagenetic signals from ancient human remains - bioarchaeological applications

Diagenetic signals from ancient human remains - bioarchaeological applications This preliminary study examines the potential effects of diagenetic processes on the oxygen-isotope ratios of bone and tooth phosphate (δ18O) from skeletal material of individuals representing the Corded Ware Culture (2500-2400 BC) discovered in Malżyce (Southern Poland). Intra-individual variability of Ca/P, CI, C/P, collagen content (%) and oxygen isotopes was observed through analysis of enamel, dentin and postcranial bones. Using a variety of analytical techniques, it was found that, despite the lack of differences in soil acidity, not all the parts of a skeleton on a given site had been equally exposed to diagenetic post mortem changes. In a few cases, qualitative changes in the FTIR spectrum of analysed bones were observed. The data suggest that apart from quantitative analyses, i.e., the calculation of Ca/P, CI, C/P and collagen content, qualitative analyses such as examination of the absorbance line are recommended. The degree to which a sample is, contaminated on the basis of any additional, non-biogenic peaks, deemed to be contaminated should also be specified.

‘YAMPIL INSPIRATIONS’: A STUDY OF THE DNIESTER CULTURAL CONTACT AREA AT THE FRONTIER OF PONTIC AND BALTIC DRAINAGE BASINS

Abstract The article presents the present state of research on the general issue of the Dniester Region of cultural contacts between communities settling the Baltic and Pontic drainage basins. Some five domains of research shall be brought to discussion in which it is possible to see fresh opportunities for archaeological study, on the basis of ‘Yampil studies’ on Dniester-Podolia (forest-steppe) barrow-culture ceremonial centres from the latter half of the 4th millennium and first half of the 3rd millennium BC. This relates to the peoples of the Eneolithic and the Early Bronze Age. In terms of topogenesis, embracing the Pontic-Tripolye, Yamnaya and Catacomb cultures, as well as Globular Amphora and Corded Ware in central prehistoric Europe.

Mitochondrial genomes reveal an east to west cline of steppe ancestry in Corded Ware populations

From around 4,000 to 2,000 BC the forest-steppe north-western Pontic region was occupied by people who shared a nomadic lifestyle, pastoral economy and barrow burial rituals. It has been shown that these groups, especially those associated with the Yamnaya culture, played an important role in shaping the gene pool of Bronze Age Europeans, which extends into present-day patterns of genetic variation in Europe. Although the genetic impact of these migrations from the forest-steppe Pontic region into central Europe have previously been addressed in several studies, the contribution of mitochondrial lineages to the people associated with the Corded Ware culture in the eastern part of the North European Plain remains contentious. In this study, we present mitochondrial genomes from 23 Late Eneolithic and Bronze Age individuals, including representatives of the north-western Pontic region and the Corded Ware culture from the eastern part of the North European Plain. We identified, for the first time in ancient populations, the rare mitochondrial haplogroup X4 in two Bronze Age Catacomb culture-associated individuals. Genetic similarity analyses show close maternal genetic affinities between populations associated with both eastern and Baltic Corded Ware culture, and the Yamnaya horizon, in contrast to larger genetic differentiation between populations associated with western Corded Ware culture and the Yamnaya horizon. This indicates that females with steppe ancestry contributed to the formation of populations associated with the eastern Corded Ware culture while more local people, likely of Neolithic farmer ancestry, contributed to the formation of populations associated with western Corded Ware culture.

Status of Animals in Funerary Rituals of Founders and Users of Ceremonial Centres of the Yampil Barrow Cemetery Complex(4th/3rd-2nd Millenium BC). A Zooarchaeological Perspective

Abstract This study discusses the issue of ‘animal deposits’ in funerary practices of early barrow communities settling the Black Sea steppe and forest-steppe in the 4rd/3nd-2nd millennium. The focus of analytical studies is directly on the Yampil Barrow Cemetery Complex situated along the left bank of the Dniester, between the Murafa and Markivka rivers, or what is the Yampil Region (Vinnitsa Oblast) now. The chorological system developed by N.Ya. Merpert in his “Yamnaya Cultural-Historical Area” places this area within the Southwestern Variant (between the Southern Bug and Danube rivers) as the Yampil (Podolia) territorial centre. From the perspective of the research programme exploring the ‘bio-cultural border land between the West and East of Europe’, the Yampil Barrow Cemetery Complex is of special scholarly interest because of its western most location on the Dniester route of exchange for cultural patterns developed by communities settling the drainage basins of the Black and Baltic seas. The investigations followed the excavations of 23 barrows between 1984 and 2014.

Ritual position and “tattooing ” techniques in the funeral practices of the “barrow cultures” of the Pontic-Caspian steppe / forest steppe area. Porohy 3A, Yampil Region, Vinnytsia Oblast : specialist analysis research perspectives

Abstract The present paper discusses the results of an interdisciplinary study of human remains in the form of two ulnae from a female skeleton found in grave 10, Porohy 3A site (Middle Dniester Area), dated to Early Bronze Age: 2650-2500 BC. The paper describes the technical aspects of applying the decorations revealed in the examination of the aforementioned bones.

Builders and Users of Ritual Centres, Yampil Barrow Complex: Studies of Diet Based on Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Composition

Abstract The paper presents δ13C and δ15N isotope content measurements in human bones from 16 graves, being part of the Yampil Barrow Complex. From the results, conclusions may be drawn about the diet of barrow builders and users. It was based on vegetable foodstuffs and characterised by a varied share of terrestrial animal meat, depending on the period. High δ13C values suggest a share of C4-type plants in the diet, possibly millet.

The Eneolithic Ritual Barrow Complex in Prydnistrianske, Vinnystia Oblast: Magnetometric Surveys

Abstract The article presents the results of magnetometric surveys carried out in the village of Pridnistryanske on two barrow sites. In the site 1, the principal objectives were to capture the course of barrow ditches - not covered by the excavations - and investigate the space between the mounds. On site 2 relying on photographs was a group of nearby barrows selected for geophysical investigations.

Preservation of ancient DNA in human bones from the eneolithic and Bronze Age kurgan cemeteres in Yampil region, Ukraine

Abstract Ancient DNA was analyzed in altogether 28 Late Eneolithic and Bronze Age human skeletons form 4 sites in southern Ukraine. More than 0,3% of human DNA was preserved only in 13 skeletons. The results of our analyses provide evidence that recovery of DNA molecules suitable for genetic analyses is more dependent on the specificity of the archaeological site and is not strongly correlated with particular environmental factors.

Evidence of interpersonal violence or a special funeral rite in the Neolithic multiple burial from Koszyce in southern Poland – a forensic analysis

Abstract This study uses anthropological and forensic medical analyses to determine the cause of fractures found in the remains of 15 individuals buried at a site associated with the Globular Amphora Culture (2875-2670 BC). The intent was to determine the mechanism underlying the injuries and to indicate the types of tools that might have inflicted the blows. The fractures were diversified in their forms, but the majority of the injuries appear to have been inflicted by a flint axe, which is frequently found in graves of the Globular Amphora Culture. Apart from the forearm being severed in one of the victims, all the remaining skeletons showed from 1 to 4 injuries involving solely the skulls. The grave might contain victims attacked by invaders who executed the captives, or else the feature is ritual in character and it reflects the beliefs of the Neolithic community.

Tripolye (Gordineşti Group), Yamnaya and Catacomb Culture Cemeteries, Prydnistryanske, Site 1, Yampil Region, Vinnitsa Oblast: An Archaeometric and Chronometric Description and a Taxonomic and Topogenetic Discussion

Abstract The paper presents the results of excavations and analytical studies regarding the taxonomic classification of a unique funeral site associated with the societies of early ‘barrow cultures’ of the north-western Black Sea Coast in the 4th-3rd millennium BC. The study discusses the ceremonial centres of the Tripolye culture-Gordineşti group, as well as Yamnaya and Catacomb cultures.