Past and Present
Positive feedbacks in deep-time transitions of human populations
Mauricio Lima et al.
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society: Biological Sciences, 1 January 2024
Abstract:
Abrupt and rapid changes in human societies are among the most exciting population phenomena. Human populations tend to show rapid expansions from low to high population density along with increased social complexity in just a few generations. Such demographic transitions appear as a remarkable feature of Homo sapiens population dynamics, most likely fuelled by the ability to accumulate cultural/technological innovations that actively modify their environment. We are especially interested in establishing if the demographic transitions of pre-historic populations show the same dynamic signature of the Industrial Revolution transition (a positive relationship between population growth rates and size). Our results show that population growth patterns across different pre-historic societies were similar to those observed during the Industrial Revolution in developed western societies. These features, which appear to have been operating during most of our recent demographic history from hunter–gatherers to modern industrial societies, imply that the dynamics of cooperation underlay sudden population transitions in human societies.
Forensic toxicological analyses reveal the use of cannabis in Milano (Italy) in the 1600's
Gaia Giordano et al.
Journal of Archaeological Science, December 2023
Abstract:
In this paper, we reported the results obtained from toxicological investigations on bone samples collected from human remains of the 17th century in Milano (Italy). The aim of this study was to search for analytical signs of the administration of medical or recreative plants in the population of Milano during the 17th century. Nine femoral bone samples were extracted via Solid-Phase Extraction and analyzed via Thermo Scientific™ TSQ Fortis™ II Triple-Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer. As a result, archeotoxicological analyses revealed the presence of two cannabinoids (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol) of the cannabis plant present in two out of nine bone samples (that correspond to 22% of the biological samples analyzed). The presence of these two alkaloids evidences the use of the cannabis plant in the Italian population during the 17th century. The documentation related to the pharmacopeia used to treat patients in the Ca’ Granda is still present in the archives of the hospital. However, this plant was not listed inside the pharmacopeia, suggesting that the plant was not administered as medical treatment at the time in the hospital. Thus, we hypothesize that the subjects under investigation used cannabis as a recreational substance, although other sources of exposure, such as self-medication, administration as a medical plant by other doctors outside of the Ca’ Granda, occupational and involuntary exposure, cannot be excluded. In conclusion, this study reports the first physical evidence of cannabis use in Modern Age in Italy but also in Europe.
The center cannot hold: A Bayesian chronology for the collapse of Tiwanaku
Erik Marsh et al.
PLoS ONE, November 2023
Abstract:
The timing of Tiwanaku’s collapse remains contested. Here we present a generational-scale chronology of Tiwanaku using Bayesian models of 102 radiocarbon dates, including 45 unpublished dates. This chronology tracks four community practices: residing short- vs. long-term, constructing monuments, discarding decorated ceramics, and leaving human burials. Tiwanaku was founded around AD 100 and around AD 600, it became the region’s principal destination for migrants. It grew into one of the Andes’ first cities and became famous for its decorated ceramics, carved monoliths, and large monuments. Our Bayesian models show that monument building ended ~AD 720 (the median of the ending boundary). Around ~AD 910, burials in tombs ceased as violent deaths began, which we document for the first time in this paper. Ritualized murders are limited to the century leading up to ~AD 1020. Our clearest proxy for social networks breaking down is a precise estimate for the end of permanent residence, ~AD 1010 (970–1050, 95%). This major inflection point was followed by visitors who used the same ceramics until ~AD 1040. Temporary camps lasted until roughly ~AD 1050. These four events suggest a rapid, city-wide collapse at ~AD 1010–1050, lasting just ~20 years (0–70 years, 95%). These results suggest a cascading breakdown of community practices and social networks that were physically anchored at Tiwanaku, though visitors continued to leave informal burials for centuries. This generation-scale chronology suggests that collapse 1) took place well before reduced precipitation, hence this was not a drought-induced societal change and 2) a few resilient communities sustained some traditions at other sites, hence the chronology for the site of Tiwanaku cannot be transposed to all sites with similar material culture.
Genetic continuity and change among the Indigenous peoples of California
Nathan Nakatsuka et al.
Nature, forthcoming
Abstract:
Before the colonial period, California harboured more language variation than all of Europe, and linguistic and archaeological analyses have led to many hypotheses to explain this diversity. We report genome-wide data from 79 ancient individuals from California and 40 ancient individuals from Northern Mexico dating to 7,400–200 years before present (BP). Our analyses document long-term genetic continuity between people living on the Northern Channel Islands of California and the adjacent Santa Barbara mainland coast from 7,400 years BP to modern Chumash groups represented by individuals who lived around 200 years BP. The distinctive genetic lineages that characterize present-day and ancient people from Northwest Mexico increased in frequency in Southern and Central California by 5,200 years BP, providing evidence for northward migrations that are candidates for spreading Uto-Aztecan languages before the dispersal of maize agriculture from Mexico. Individuals from Baja California share more alleles with the earliest individual from Central California in the dataset than with later individuals from Central California, potentially reflecting an earlier linguistic substrate, whose impact on local ancestry was diluted by later migrations from inland regions. After 1,600 years BP, ancient individuals from the Channel Islands lived in communities with effective sizes similar to those in pre-agricultural Caribbean and Patagonia, and smaller than those on the California mainland and in sampled regions of Mexico.
Earliest Neolithic occupation and maritime adaptation on the West Pacific coast
Keyang He et al.
Journal of Archaeological Science, December 2023
Abstract:
Maritime adaptation plays a significant role in the dispersal of modern humans and the transition of subsistence strategies. The real timing of the worldwide intensification of maritime adaptation has been debated mainly because of the presumed inundation of archaeological sites (prior to 7000 cal yr BP) by early Holocene sea-level rise. In this study, we present a coastal shell midden submerged ∼8 m below the present sea level at the Jingtoushan site, containing robust evidence of the earliest Neolithic occupation and maritime adaptation on the West Pacific. Bayesian modelling of 15 14C dates, cultural deposits, and microfossils (pollen, phytolith, and diatom) indicated that the Jingtoushan site was an anthropogenic deposit originally accumulated on the coastline during the stable sea-level period (8000–7600 cal yr BP) and subsequently submerged by sea-level jumps. In addition to being largely dependent on marine food resources, humans also utilised the stable sea-level window of meltwater pulses and began rice cultivation. This study not only pushed back the timing of maritime adaptation to 8000 cal yr BP but also provides promise for future investigations of coastal underwater settlements, shedding new light on the understanding of the West Pacific coastal environment and cultural succession.
Travel of faience beads and metal Pins: Evidence of long-distance trade in early Bronze Age I (3100–2900 BCE) Başur Höyük, Türkiye
Haluk Sağlamtimur, Gonca Dardeniz & Emma Baysal
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, December 2023
Abstract:
This paper presents the compositional results of one stone and six faience beads together with five metal pin fragments from Başur Höyük, southeast Türkiye in order to preliminarily evaluate possible source and production regions. Dating to the Early Bronze Age I (ca. 3100–2900 BCE), the samples are part of burial contexts with more than 100,000 beads, hundreds of metal objects, and evidence of human sacrifice. The microstructures of blue and greenish-blue faience beads indicate the application of cementation and efflorescence techniques. The variations in mineral compositions and differences in production techniques of the faience beads indicate Başur Höyük’s access to at least two production centers for faience beads. Pins were made of copper and arsenical copper. Lead isotope analysis on metals indicates possible ties to Iran. Evaluated with further archaeological data from the site, consumption of copper from the Kerman and Sistan regions demonstrate the earliest evidence of the long-distance trade of southeast Anatolia with southeast Iran feasibly via southern Mesopotamian or Diyala region networks. This indicates considerable connectivity and organization in the aftermath of the Uruk collapse and shows both sophisticated technical knowledge and shared aesthetic values between regions.