Search

The research was carried out at the cremation cemetery of the Lusatian culture in Wtórek, Ostrów Wielkopolski district, Wielkopolska province, Poland. Contrary to the so-far-studied topics related to the CT imaging of burnt bones and their virtual exploration, we concentrated on the analysis of the structures formed by the soil fauna activity in the fills of urns and additional vessels, and reconstruction of the dynamics of the ecosystem variability within the cemetery area based on thereof. We also demonstrated the impact of macrofaunal activity on stratigraphy and bone fragmentation. From the total of 222 excavated burials in 18 urns and one additional vessel, the remains of macrofauna or its bioturbation activity were identified. Out of 19 vessels subjected to CT examinations, traces of macrofaunal activity were demonstrated in 13: in five vessels animal bioturbative activity was not observed and in one, observations was impossible (due to significant metal-related artifacts). In two vessels both macrofaunal remains and traces of activity were identified. Discovered bioturbations were associated with specific species or genera. Nests or their parts of the genus Geotrupes sp. beetles were the most frequently observed traces of macrofaunal activity. Tunnels and aestivation chambers of earthworms and chambers of the genus Harpalus sp. beetles filled with Setaria sp. caryopses were discovered. The chitinous parts of other insects and the humerus bones of the vole of the genus Microtus sp. were also identified. It was shown, especially due to the non-destructive method, that rodents activity had the most destructive effect on the bone stratigraphy as well as on the movement and fragmentation of the burnt bones. The chances of visualizing bioturbations decreased with time since their creation. The process of disappearance of traces of macrofaunal activity concerned both traces of rodent activity and nests set up by Geotrupes sp. and other species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human culture, biology, and health were shaped dramatically by the onset of agriculture ~12,000 y B.P. This shift is hypothesized to have resulted in increased individual fitness and population growth as evidenced by archaeological and population genomic data alongside a decline in physiological health as inferred from skeletal remains. Here, we consider osteological and ancient DNA data from the same prehistoric individuals to study human stature variation as a proxy for health across a transition to agriculture. Specifically, we compared "predicted" genetic contributions to height from paleogenomic data and "achieved" adult osteological height estimated from long bone measurements for 167 individuals across Europe spanning the Upper Paleolithic to Iron Age (~38,000 to 2,400 B.P.). We found that individuals from the Neolithic were shorter than expected (given their individual polygenic height scores) by an average of 23.82 cm relative to individuals from the Upper Paleolithic and Mesolithic (P = 0.040) and 22.21 cm shorter relative to post-Neolithic individuals (P = 0.068), with osteological vs. expected stature steadily increasing across the Copper (+1.95 cm relative to the Neolithic), Bronze (+2.70 cm), and Iron (+3.27 cm) Ages. These results were attenuated when we additionally accounted for genome-wide genetic ancestry variation: for example, with Neolithic individuals 22.82 cm shorter than expected on average relative to pre-Neolithic individuals (P = 0.120). We also incorporated observations of paleopathological indicators of nonspecific stress that can persist from childhood to adulthood in skeletal remains into our model. Overall, our work highlights the potential of integrating disparate datasets to explore proxies of health in prehistory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research of cremated human remains are limited by severe analytical constraints. Estimation of basic anthropological parameters such as sex of individuals or their age at death is often uncertain. A method for assessing the sex of cremated individuals measures the lateral angle of the petrous part (PP) of the temporal bone, known as the lateral angle (LA) method. In the cemetery of the Lusatian culture in Czernikowice (51.317389°N, 15.871469°E), 6 well-preserved PP were identified. The analyzed PP belonged to 6 different individuals: 3 adults and 3 children. Based on standard anthropological methods, sex was estimated for adults individuals: 2 males and 1 female. The identified PP served as the basis for application of the LA method. The bones were scanned by computed tomography (CT) and the tomographic imaging allowed measurement of the lateral angle. The absolute values of intra-observer errors did not exceed 1°. Relative technical errors of measurements (rTEM) fell in the range below 5%, which is indicative of their high precision. Individuals for which the LA value was greater than or equal to 45.0° were qualified as females and those for which it was less than 45.0° - as males. The LA values for female individuals ranged from 48.0 to 49.1°, (average 48.5±0.78°, median 48.4°) and for male individuals were in the range of 24.9-37.5° (average 33.4±5.80°, median 35.5°). The absolute difference between the average values for female and male individuals was considerable (15.1°) and statistically significant (p < 0.001). The LA method provides good reliability of measurements when it comes to this analysis with regard to cremated osteological material, and the use of non-invasive CT enhances its value in the context of archaeological remains. However, its capability for sexing subadult individuals should be approached with caution and requires further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Praehistorische Zeitschrift is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper presents results of accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon (AMS 14C) dating of prehistoric samples (human and animal bones, cremated human bones, charcoals, and other charred plant macroremains) from archaeological sites located in the area of Dobużek Scarp, on the Sokal Ridge in central-eastern Poland (E Poland). The date list reports 46 14C age measurements performed within the project "The Dobużek Scarp Microregion as a part of a physiological and biocultural frontier between the Baltic and the Pontic zone (from the 6th to the 2nd millennium BC)" conducted in 2016–2021. The resulting 14C dates fall into quite a long interval, which in terms of the regional archaeological periodization lasts from the Middle Eneolithic to the Early Iron Age, and in terms of the climatological one corresponds with the Subboreal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/background: Local governments try to influence the growth of investment attractiveness of municipalities and districts. They may take direct (e.g. a system of concessions and incentives) or indirect (e.g. extension of infrastructure) activities for this purpose. Research has shown that as far as the employees of institutions supporting entrepreneurs and even the officials themselves are concerned, decisions on the location of business activity are influenced primarily by the infrastructure of localities, availability of labour force, labour costs, and land development. By contrast, the level of municipal services or the favourableness of local authorities plays a much less important role. Aim of the paper: The purpose of the article is to specify the elements generating foreign entrepreneur interest in the offer of conducting business activity in a designated location in a given commune or poviat. Materials and methods: The presented advantages of the region have become the starting point for a research conducted among the employees supporting and coordinating investment processes in the Katowice Special Economic Zone and the city with district rights in the Silesian Voivodeship. Results and conclusions: In the successful efforts of municipalities and districts to attract both foreign direct investments and the execution of projects by domestic business, it seems crucial to formulate a coherent offer. Moreover, further promotional activities must be based on an optimally communicated location, included in spatial development plans, free from legal burdens, social problems and free from hidden flaws such as historical pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Praehistorische Zeitschrift is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The occurrence of interglobular dentin (IGD), attributed to vitamin D deficiency, was not tested for cremated human remains from prehistoric burials, although it was proved to be observable on slides prepared from laboratoryburned teeth. The study examined 23 individuals from 6 Lusatian culture (ca. 1300-400 BC) cemeteries for IGD presence. A total of 26 teeth were tested: 2 deciduous teeth roots, 3 germs and 21 roots of permanent teeth. The FDI system was used. Transverse histological slides were prepared following the Plenk procedure. The occurrence of IGD was assessed as present or absent. The age of IGD formation was assessed according to Brickley and co-workers. Out of the 23 individuals, IGD absence was observed in one individual. The presence of IGD was identified in all slides obtained from the germs and upper parts of permanent teeth roots. The presence of IGD was not observed in the roots of deciduous teeth, but IGD was identified in the permanent tooth germ of the same individual. The age of IGD formation was estimated at around 2 to 5 years. The absence or presence of IGD is clearly recognisable on cremated teeth from archaeological contexts. The age of IGD occurrence estimation is difficult, as only fragments of roots are preserved. High IGD frequency observed among the examined individuals provides insights into the appropriateness of its interpretation as a vitamin D deficiency indicator. The occurrence of IGD should be considered in a broader context of metabolic and nutritional stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]