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Nicolosi T, Mariotti V, Talamo S, Miari M, Minarini L, Nenzioni G, Lenzi F, Pietrobelli A, Sorrentino R, Benazzi S, Belcastro MG. On the traces of lost identities: chronological, anthropological and taphonomic analyses of the Late Neolithic/Early Eneolithic fragmented and commingled human remains from the Farneto rock shelter (Bologna, northern Italy). Archaeol Anthropol Sci 2023; 15:36. [PMID: 36874257 PMCID: PMC9974402 DOI: 10.1007/s12520-023-01727-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The present study examines the prehistoric human skeletal remains retrieved starting from the 1920s in the deposit of the Farneto rock shelter, situated in the area of the 'Parco dei Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell'Abbadessa' (San Lazzaro di Savena, Bologna, northern Italy). An exact dating and a reliable interpretation of the assemblage had not been reached so far because of the lack of contextual data useful for dating purposes, the inaccurate recovery procedures of the remains and their state of preservation. In fact, the skeletal remains from the Farneto rock shelter are highly fragmented and commingled, whereas reliable information about their original position and their recovery procedures are not available. Despite these difficulties, radiocarbon analyses allowed the precise dating of the remains to a final phase of the Neolithic and an early phase of the Eneolithic period in Emilia Romagna (northern Italy). The study of the assemblage enabled to clarify the use of the context for funerary purposes. Moreover, the anthropological and taphonomic analyses of the skeletal remains shed light on the biological profile of the individuals and on some events that occurred after their death. In particular, the analysis of perimortem lesions highlighted the existence of intentional interventions related to corpse treatment, referable to dismembering/disarticulation and scarnification, i.e. cleaning of bones from soft tissues. Finally, the comparison with other Italian and European Neo/Eneolithic funerary contexts enabled a better understanding of these complex ritual practices. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12520-023-01727-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Nicolosi
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Cultural Heritage, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Mariotti
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sahra Talamo
- Department of Chemistry ‘Giacomo Ciamician’, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Human Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Monica Miari
- Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio per la città metropolitana di Bologna e le province di Modena, Reggio Emilia e Ferrara, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Gabriele Nenzioni
- Museo della Preistoria ‘Luigi Donini’, San Lazzaro di Savena, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fiamma Lenzi
- Museo della Preistoria ‘Luigi Donini’, San Lazzaro di Savena, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Pietrobelli
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rita Sorrentino
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Cultural Heritage, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Benazzi
- Department of Cultural Heritage, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Giovanna Belcastro
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Koupadi K, Fontani F, Ciucani MM, Maini E, De Fanti S, Cattani M, Curci A, Nenzioni G, Reggiani P, Andrews AJ, Sarno S, Bini C, Pelotti S, Caniglia R, Luiselli D, Cilli E. Population Dynamics in Italian Canids between the Late Pleistocene and Bronze Age. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11121409. [PMID: 33256122 PMCID: PMC7761486 DOI: 10.3390/genes11121409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dog domestication is still largely unresolved due to time-gaps in the sampling of regions. Ancient Italian canids are particularly understudied, currently represented by only a few specimens. In the present study, we sampled 27 canid remains from Northern Italy dated between the Late Pleistocene and Bronze Age to assess their genetic variability, and thus add context to dog domestication dynamics. They were targeted at four DNA fragments of the hypervariable region 1 of mitochondrial DNA. A total of 11 samples had good DNA preservation and were used for phylogenetic analyses. The dog samples were assigned to dog haplogroups A, C and D, and a Late Pleistocene wolf was set into wolf haplogroup 2. We present our data in the landscape of ancient and modern dog genetic variability, with a particular focus on the ancient Italian samples published thus far. Our results suggest there is high genetic variability within ancient Italian canids, where close relationships were evident between both a ~24,700 years old Italian canid, and Iberian and Bulgarian ancient dogs. These findings emphasize that disentangling dog domestication dynamics benefits from the analysis of specimens from Southern European regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriaki Koupadi
- Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens, Makriyianni 2-4, 11742 Athens, Greece;
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via Degli Ariani 1, 48121 Ravenna, Italy; (F.F.); (A.J.A.); (D.L.)
| | - Francesco Fontani
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via Degli Ariani 1, 48121 Ravenna, Italy; (F.F.); (A.J.A.); (D.L.)
| | - Marta Maria Ciucani
- Section for Evolutionary Genomics, the GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Oester Voldgade 5-7, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Elena Maini
- ArcheoLaBio—Research Centre for Bioarchaeology, Department of History and Cultures, University of Bologna, Via San Vitale 30, 48121 Ravenna, Italy; (E.M.); (A.C.)
| | - Sara De Fanti
- Department of Biological Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.D.F.); (S.S.)
- Interdepartmental Centre “Alma Mater Research Institute on Global Challenges and Climate Change (Alma Climate)”, University of Bologna, Via Petroni 26, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maurizio Cattani
- Department of History and Cultures, University of Bologna, Via San Vitale 30, 48121 Ravenna, Italy;
| | - Antonio Curci
- ArcheoLaBio—Research Centre for Bioarchaeology, Department of History and Cultures, University of Bologna, Via San Vitale 30, 48121 Ravenna, Italy; (E.M.); (A.C.)
| | - Gabriele Nenzioni
- Museo della Preistoria “Luigi Donini”, Via Fratelli Canova 49, 40068 San Lazzaro di Savena, BO, Italy;
| | - Paolo Reggiani
- Paleostudy, Via Martiri delle Foibe 1, 35028 Piove di Sacco, PD, Italy;
| | - Adam J. Andrews
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via Degli Ariani 1, 48121 Ravenna, Italy; (F.F.); (A.J.A.); (D.L.)
- Department of Biological Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.D.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Stefania Sarno
- Department of Biological Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.D.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Carla Bini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (C.B.); (S.P.)
| | - Susi Pelotti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (C.B.); (S.P.)
| | - Romolo Caniglia
- Unit for Conservation Genetics (BIO-CGE), Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Ca’ Fornacetta 9, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy;
| | - Donata Luiselli
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via Degli Ariani 1, 48121 Ravenna, Italy; (F.F.); (A.J.A.); (D.L.)
| | - Elisabetta Cilli
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via Degli Ariani 1, 48121 Ravenna, Italy; (F.F.); (A.J.A.); (D.L.)
- Correspondence:
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Moncel MH, Ashton N, Arzarello M, Fontana F, Lamotte A, Scott B, Muttillo B, Berruti G, Nenzioni G, Tuffreau A, Peretto C. Early Levallois core technology between Marine Isotope Stage 12 and 9 in Western Europe. J Hum Evol 2020; 139:102735. [PMID: 32078934 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2019.102735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Early Levallois core technology is usually dated in Europe to the end of Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 9 and particularly from the beginning of MIS 8 to MIS 6. This technology is considered as one of the markers of the transition from lower to Middle Paleolithic or from Mode 2 to Mode 3. Recent discoveries show that some lithic innovations actually appeared earlier in western Europe, from MIS 12 to MIS 9, contemporaneous with changes in subsistence strategies and the first appearance of early Neanderthal anatomical features. Among these discoveries, there is the iconic Levallois core technology. A selection of well-dated assemblages in the United Kingdom, France, and Italy dated from MIS 12 to 9, which include both cores and flakes with Levallois features, has been described and compared with the aim of characterizing this technology. The conclusion supports the interpretation that several technical features may be attributed to a Levallois technology similar to those observed in younger Middle Paleolithic sites, distinct from the main associated core technologies in each level. Some features in the sample of sites suggest a gradual transformation of existing core technologies. The small evidence of Levallois could indicate occasional local innovations from different technological backgrounds and would explain the diversity of Levallois methods that is observed from MIS 12. The technological roots of Levallois technology in the Middle Pleistocene would suggest a multiregional origin and diffusion in Europe and early evidence of regionalization of local traditions through Europe from MIS 12 to 9. The relationships of Levallois technology with new needs and behaviors are discussed, such as flake preference, functional reasons related to hunting and hafting, an increase in the use of mental templates in European populations, and changes in the structure of hominin groups adapting to climatic and environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Hélène Moncel
- UMR 7194 CNRS - Département Hommes et Environnement, Muséum National D'Histoire Naturelle, Institut de Paléontologie Humaine, Paris, France.
| | - Nick Ashton
- Department Britain, Europe & Prehistory, British Museum, Franks House, 56 Orsman Road, London N1 5QJ, UK
| | - Marta Arzarello
- Sezione di Scienze Preistoriche e Antropologiche, Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici, Università Degli Studi di Ferrara, Corso Ercole I D'Este, 32, I-44121, Italy
| | - Federica Fontana
- Sezione di Scienze Preistoriche e Antropologiche, Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici, Università Degli Studi di Ferrara, Corso Ercole I D'Este, 32, I-44121, Italy
| | - Agnès Lamotte
- University of Lille, UMR 8164, Bâtiment de Géographie, Avenue Paul Langevin, Villeneuve D'Ascq, France
| | - Beccy Scott
- Sezione di Scienze Preistoriche e Antropologiche, Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici, Università Degli Studi di Ferrara, Corso Ercole I D'Este, 32, I-44121, Italy
| | - Brunella Muttillo
- Sezione di Scienze Preistoriche e Antropologiche, Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici, Università Degli Studi di Ferrara, Corso Ercole I D'Este, 32, I-44121, Italy
| | - Gabriele Berruti
- Sezione di Scienze Preistoriche e Antropologiche, Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici, Università Degli Studi di Ferrara, Corso Ercole I D'Este, 32, I-44121, Italy; Museo di Archeologia e Paleontologia C. Conti, Borgosesia, Italy
| | | | - Alain Tuffreau
- University of Lille, UMR 8164, Bâtiment de Géographie, Avenue Paul Langevin, Villeneuve D'Ascq, France
| | - Carlo Peretto
- Sezione di Scienze Preistoriche e Antropologiche, Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici, Università Degli Studi di Ferrara, Corso Ercole I D'Este, 32, I-44121, Italy
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