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<dc:date>2024-12-25T08:51:03-08:00</dc:date>
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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:prism="http://prismstandard.org/namespaces/basic/2.0/" version="2.0"> <channel> <title>Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</title> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R</link> <description>Table of Contents for International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. List of articles from both the latest and EarlyView issues.</description> <language>en-US</language> <copyright>© John Wiley & Sons Ltd</copyright> <managingEditor>wileyonlinelibrary@wiley.com (Wiley Online Library)</managingEditor> <pubDate>Thu, 26 Dec 2024 08:08:53 +0000</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 26 Dec 2024 08:08:53 +0000</lastBuildDate> <generator>Atypon® Literatum™</generator> <docs>https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html</docs> <ttl>10080</ttl> <dc:title>Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</dc:title> <dc:publisher>Wiley</dc:publisher> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <atom:link href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R" rel="self" type="application/atom+xml"/> <image> <title>Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</title> <url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/pb-assets/journal-banners/10991212.jpg</url> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R</link> </image> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3381?af=R</link> <pubDate>Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:51:03 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-25T08:51:03-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3381</guid> <title>Early Childhood in Precolonial South America: Breastfeeding, Infant Mortality, and Stable Isotopes Analysis in Southeastern Shell Mound Builders During the Middle Holocene (7th–5th Millennium BP)</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTThis article presents and discusses isotopic data on breastfeeding, weaning, and complementary diet during early childhood in Middle Holocene southeastern Brazil. The study focuses on human individuals from two contemporaneous shell mounds, Piaçaguera (7151–5668 yBP) and Moraes (6791–5590 yBP), which show distinct patterns of infant mortality. We conducted δ15N and δ13C analyses on collagen extracted from subadult bones (Piaçaguera: n = 13; Moraes: n = 13) and sequential dentine slices from permanent (Piaçaguera: n = 7; Moraes: n = 11) and deciduous teeth (Moraes: n = 5). Our findings indicate that weaning ended between 2 and 4 years old in Piaçaguera, with complementary foods similar to the adults. At Moraes, weaning ended between 2 and 5 years old, with a higher consumption of freshwater fish during early childhood and by pregnant women. The weaning ages at Piaçaguera and Moraes align with those documented in other precolonial South American groups. However, our study suggests different dietary preferences and strategies within each group, possibly linked to distinct patterns of infant mortality, particularly evident in the Moraes group.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>This article presents and discusses isotopic data on breastfeeding, weaning, and complementary diet during early childhood in Middle Holocene southeastern Brazil. The study focuses on human individuals from two contemporaneous shell mounds, Piaçaguera (7151–5668 yBP) and Moraes (6791–5590 yBP), which show distinct patterns of infant mortality. We conducted <i>δ</i><sup>15</sup>N and <i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C analyses on collagen extracted from subadult bones (Piaçaguera: <i>n</i> = 13; Moraes: <i>n</i> = 13) and sequential dentine slices from permanent (Piaçaguera: <i>n</i> = 7; Moraes: <i>n</i> = 11) and deciduous teeth (Moraes: <i>n</i> = 5). Our findings indicate that weaning ended between 2 and 4 years old in Piaçaguera, with complementary foods similar to the adults. At Moraes, weaning ended between 2 and 5 years old, with a higher consumption of freshwater fish during early childhood and by pregnant women. The weaning ages at Piaçaguera and Moraes align with those documented in other precolonial South American groups. However, our study suggests different dietary preferences and strategies within each group, possibly linked to distinct patterns of infant mortality, particularly evident in the Moraes group.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Marina Di Giusto, Estelle Herrscher, Klervia Jaouen, Murilo Bastos, Leïa Mion, Veronica Wesolowski</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Early Childhood in Precolonial South America: Breastfeeding, Infant Mortality, and Stable Isotopes Analysis in Southeastern Shell Mound Builders During the Middle Holocene (7th–5th Millennium BP)</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3381</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3381</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3381?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3380?af=R</link> <pubDate>Sun, 22 Dec 2024 23:29:28 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-22T11:29:28-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3380</guid> <title>Osteoarchaeological Perspectives on Socioeconomic Changes in European Iron Age Societies: Some Introductory Remarks</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description/> <content:encoded/> <dc:creator>Simon Trixl, Michael Francken</dc:creator> <category>EDITORIAL</category> <dc:title>Osteoarchaeological Perspectives on Socioeconomic Changes in European Iron Age Societies: Some Introductory Remarks</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3380</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3380</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3380?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>EDITORIAL</prism:section> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3379?af=R</link> <pubDate>Sun, 22 Dec 2024 19:09:56 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-22T07:09:56-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3379</guid> <title>A Method for Detecting Bias in Human Archaeological Cemetery Samples</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTThis paper aims to provide a methodological approach to identify potential bias in cemetery sample age‐at‐death distributions and provide an alternative way to report fertility despite underenumeration. The method involves comparing total fertility rate (TFR) estimates from two empirically derived models developed on a United Nations mortality and fertility dataset. The models utilize different age cohorts in their calculations (one relies on the proportion of pre‐adults aged < 15 years, whereas the other excludes all those aged < 15 years). The tested hypothesis is that similar TFR estimates using both models indicate a relatively unbiased sample, although the converse would suggest cemetery sample bias in one broad age cohort. Results comparing the respective TFR estimates from D0–14/D and D15–49/D15+ models confirm that fertility estimates are comparable for unbiased samples. From this, a method for the coordinated application of the D0–14/D and D15–49/D15+ models were found to be valid in determining if a cemetery sample was biased. Following the determination of potential underrepresentation, an approach is outlined for dealing with biased and unbiased cemetery samples in terms of reporting on demographic variables such as TFRs.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>This paper aims to provide a methodological approach to identify potential bias in cemetery sample age-at-death distributions and provide an alternative way to report fertility despite underenumeration. The method involves comparing total fertility rate (TFR) estimates from two empirically derived models developed on a United Nations mortality and fertility dataset. The models utilize different age cohorts in their calculations (one relies on the proportion of pre-adults aged &lt; 15 years, whereas the other excludes all those aged &lt; 15 years). The tested hypothesis is that similar TFR estimates using both models indicate a relatively unbiased sample, although the converse would suggest cemetery sample bias in one broad age cohort. Results comparing the respective TFR estimates from D0–14/D and D15–49/D15+ models confirm that fertility estimates are comparable for unbiased samples. From this, a method for the coordinated application of the D0–14/D and D15–49/D15+ models were found to be valid in determining if a cemetery sample was biased. Following the determination of potential underrepresentation, an approach is outlined for dealing with biased and unbiased cemetery samples in terms of reporting on demographic variables such as TFRs.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Bonnie R. Taylor, Marc F. Oxenham</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>A Method for Detecting Bias in Human Archaeological Cemetery Samples</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3379</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3379</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3379?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3370?af=R</link> <pubDate>Wed, 11 Dec 2024 19:27:55 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-11T07:27:55-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3370</guid> <title>Writing a First Osteoarchaeology Article: Some Advice for Early Career Researchers</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 34, Issue 6, November/December 2024. </description> <dc:description/> <content:encoded/> <dc:creator>Robin Bendrey, Piers D. Mitchell</dc:creator> <category>EDITORIAL</category> <dc:title>Writing a First Osteoarchaeology Article: Some Advice for Early Career Researchers</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3370</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3370</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3370?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>EDITORIAL</prism:section> <prism:volume>34</prism:volume> <prism:number>6</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3375?af=R</link> <pubDate>Wed, 11 Dec 2024 05:24:31 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-11T05:24:31-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3375</guid> <title>Allocation of Scattered Teeth From a Batavia 1629 Communal Grave</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTWhen the Dutch ship Batavia wrecked in 1629 on Morning Reef in the Houtman Abrolhos Islands off the coast of Western Australia, most of the passengers and crew survived the wreck, but about 200 of the survivors later perished on and around Beacon Island where they had landed after the wreck. As many as 81 bodies may be buried on Beacon Island and 21 bodies have been excavated to date. During the 2017–2018 excavations, seven of the buried individuals were excavated from a communal grave. During the excavation, 18 teeth were found scattered in the soil around the bodies. A systematic method is presented to allocate isolated teeth to their appropriate skeleton using tooth morphology and tooth wear as the primary criteria for allocation. Tooth wear must be similar to the adjacent and opposing dentition before the tooth is considered for allocation. If the wear is similar, the tooth is gently fitted into the proposed tooth socket. The fit of the tooth in the tooth socket is visually assessed, and if close, the tooth is radiographed in situ to confirm the allocation. Each separated tooth must be tested in all the sites to which it is appropriate. If a tooth fits more than one site, it cannot be allocated. Use of this method allowed allocation of 10 separated teeth in 28 possible sites. The possible cause of the separation of teeth from the skeleton is discussed.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>When the Dutch ship <i>Batavia</i> wrecked in 1629 on Morning Reef in the Houtman Abrolhos Islands off the coast of Western Australia, most of the passengers and crew survived the wreck, but about 200 of the survivors later perished on and around Beacon Island where they had landed after the wreck. As many as 81 bodies may be buried on Beacon Island and 21 bodies have been excavated to date. During the 2017–2018 excavations, seven of the buried individuals were excavated from a communal grave. During the excavation, 18 teeth were found scattered in the soil around the bodies. A systematic method is presented to allocate isolated teeth to their appropriate skeleton using tooth morphology and tooth wear as the primary criteria for allocation. Tooth wear must be similar to the adjacent and opposing dentition before the tooth is considered for allocation. If the wear is similar, the tooth is gently fitted into the proposed tooth socket. The fit of the tooth in the tooth socket is visually assessed, and if close, the tooth is radiographed in situ to confirm the allocation. Each separated tooth must be tested in all the sites to which it is appropriate. If a tooth fits more than one site, it cannot be allocated. Use of this method allowed allocation of 10 separated teeth in 28 possible sites. The possible cause of the separation of teeth from the skeleton is discussed.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Robert Bower, Stephen Knott, Deb Shefi, Corioli Souter</dc:creator> <category>SHORT REPORT</category> <dc:title>Allocation of Scattered Teeth From a Batavia 1629 Communal Grave</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3375</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3375</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3375?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>SHORT REPORT</prism:section> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3368?af=R</link> <pubDate>Wed, 11 Dec 2024 05:20:28 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-11T05:20:28-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3368</guid> <title>An “Invisible” Child—A Case of a Child With Anthropogenic Modification Marks and Pathological Conditions in Early Neolithic China</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTIn this preliminary study, we present a unique and rare case of a child with anthropogenic modification marks on his/her skeletal remains and pathological conditions that may be related to malnutrition. This child's remains were discovered at the Jiahu site. It is a relatively early Neolithic site located in northern China dated to circa 7000–5000 bc. The child was estimated to be around 8–10 years old. His/her remains were placed in a concealed way with grave goods, including a bone flute. The burial where the child was uncovered is in close proximity to two unique archeological features, including a large multiple commingled burial and a pit containing turtle shell rattles and a fork‐shaped bone tool. All these objects and bone flutes are considered as ritual paraphernalia by many scholars. Six groups of anthropogenic modification marks are documented on the child's left femur and both tibiae. Four of the groups of marks are located close to joints and the other two are on the shafts. Five groups of the thin, straight, and shallow grooves are at a transverse angle, which suggests possible excarnation actions. The context along with the marks and the child's pathological condition is indicative of a ritual setting or a ritual practitioners' mortuary practices that may have been associated with the child's underlying diseases or preparation for making bone tools, even though the intentions behind such unique mortuary practices may never be conclusive.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>In this preliminary study, we present a unique and rare case of a child with anthropogenic modification marks on his/her skeletal remains and pathological conditions that may be related to malnutrition. This child's remains were discovered at the Jiahu site. It is a relatively early Neolithic site located in northern China dated to circa 7000–5000 <span class="smallCaps">bc</span>. The child was estimated to be around 8–10 years old. His/her remains were placed in a concealed way with grave goods, including a bone flute. The burial where the child was uncovered is in close proximity to two unique archeological features, including a large multiple commingled burial and a pit containing turtle shell rattles and a fork-shaped bone tool. All these objects and bone flutes are considered as ritual paraphernalia by many scholars. Six groups of anthropogenic modification marks are documented on the child's left femur and both tibiae. Four of the groups of marks are located close to joints and the other two are on the shafts. Five groups of the thin, straight, and shallow grooves are at a transverse angle, which suggests possible excarnation actions. The context along with the marks and the child's pathological condition is indicative of a ritual setting or a ritual practitioners' mortuary practices that may have been associated with the child's underlying diseases or preparation for making bone tools, even though the intentions behind such unique mortuary practices may never be conclusive.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Fan Rong, Wei Xingtao, Zhang Juzhong, Wang Minghui</dc:creator> <category>SHORT REPORT</category> <dc:title>An “Invisible” Child—A Case of a Child With Anthropogenic Modification Marks and Pathological Conditions in Early Neolithic China</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3368</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3368</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3368?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>SHORT REPORT</prism:section> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3361?af=R</link> <pubDate>Wed, 11 Dec 2024 05:08:13 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-11T05:08:13-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3361</guid> <title>Only photos on my best side, please! Implications of bilateral asymmetry of the iliac auricular surface in non‐adult individuals for sex estimation</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description>AbstractThis study aims to address the overlooked effect of bilateral asymmetry for sex estimation in non‐adult paired bone structures. Using a recently developed method, disparities between right and left iliac auricular surfaces (AuSs) were quantified, also verifying the effectiveness between sides regarding the percentages of cases correctly assigned. A sample of 418 AuSs belonging to 209 individuals aged 5 gestational months to 18 years (113 males and 96 females) from the Coimbra, Lisbon, and Granada Identified skeletal collections, were studied. They were grouped into two large age cohorts (≤12 y.o. and 12.1–18 y.o.) based on the onset of menarche. The significant and distinct hormonal fluctuations between sexes in ≤2 y.o. individuals compelled an additional separation. Locomotion issues also imposed grouping individuals for comparison in non‐bipedal (≤1 y.o.) and those who were still achieving emerging gait milestones (1.1–6 y.o.). Overall agreements between sides, sexes, age cohorts, and morphometric variables were compared using Cohen's κ and intraclass correlation coefficients, while chi‐square and Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests were applied for statistically significant evaluation. Asymmetry directionality was calculated through standardized directional and total asymmetry scores. Slight asymmetries between sides were identified, becoming the pre‐pubertal left AuS more useful for non‐adult female sexing. Metric variables work better in males, possibly due to the higher variability found in females. Both sexes display a marked age‐related change in asymmetry during puberty (12.1–18 y.o.), with a predominance of the right side in females and of the left side in males. Possible explanations for the identified pubertal abrupt shifts are discussed considering the various developmental biomechanical milestones. This pioneering study reinforces the complexity of somatic growth and development that characterizes non‐adult phenotype, calling for further refinement of sexing methods considering bilateral asymmetry, and for complementary studies that deepen the study of dextralization and its repercussions in adults.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>Abstract</h2><p>This study aims to address the overlooked effect of bilateral asymmetry for sex estimation in non-adult paired bone structures. Using a recently developed method, disparities between right and left iliac auricular surfaces (AuSs) were quantified, also verifying the effectiveness between sides regarding the percentages of cases correctly assigned. A sample of 418 AuSs belonging to 209 individuals aged 5 gestational months to 18 years (113 males and 96 females) from the Coimbra, Lisbon, and Granada Identified skeletal collections, were studied. They were grouped into two large age cohorts (<b>≤</b>12 y.o. and 12.1–18 y.o.) based on the onset of menarche. The significant and distinct hormonal fluctuations between sexes in <b>≤</b>2 y.o. individuals compelled an additional separation. Locomotion issues also imposed grouping individuals for comparison in non-bipedal (<b>≤</b>1 y.o.) and those who were still achieving emerging gait milestones (1.1–6 y.o.). Overall agreements between sides, sexes, age cohorts, and morphometric variables were compared using Cohen's κ and intraclass correlation coefficients, while chi-square and Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests were applied for statistically significant evaluation. Asymmetry directionality was calculated through standardized directional and total asymmetry scores. Slight asymmetries between sides were identified, becoming the pre-pubertal left AuS more useful for non-adult female sexing. Metric variables work better in males, possibly due to the higher variability found in females. Both sexes display a marked age-related change in asymmetry during puberty (12.1–18 y.o.), with a predominance of the right side in females and of the left side in males. Possible explanations for the identified pubertal abrupt shifts are discussed considering the various developmental biomechanical milestones. This pioneering study reinforces the complexity of somatic growth and development that characterizes non-adult phenotype, calling for further refinement of sexing methods considering bilateral asymmetry, and for complementary studies that deepen the study of dextralization and its repercussions in adults.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Álvaro M. Monge Calleja, Claudia M. Aranda, Leandro H. Luna</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Only photos on my best side, please! Implications of bilateral asymmetry of the iliac auricular surface in non‐adult individuals for sex estimation</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3361</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3361</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3361?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3378?af=R</link> <pubDate>Tue, 10 Dec 2024 17:14:20 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-10T05:14:20-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3378</guid> <title>A New Open‐Access Method Applying GIS Techniques to the Study of Slicing, Scraping, and Tooth Marks</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTThe study of bone surface modifications (BSMs) offers a window into behaviors and subsistence strategies adopted by ancient hominins. Geospatial software have become valuable tools for BSM analysis, facilitating the spatial recording and visualization of these modifications. This study introduces an innovative and accessible workflow that leverages the power of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for BSM analysis while sidestepping the limitations of proprietary software. By employing Quantum GIS (QGIS) software, this approach democratizes the analytical process and expands its potential applications. This workflow was applied in an experimental study to record slicing, scraping, and tooth marks on Tasmanian wallaby tibiae. Subsequently, a comprehensive statistical analysis was performed using the open‐access PAST software. The results yielded distinct spatial distribution patterns associated with the three types of BSMs. The key findings underscore that different butchery and consumption actions produce discernible spatial patterns on the bone surfaces, substantiated by nearest neighbor analyses. A critical aspect illuminated by the linear discriminant analysis was the variation in classification success rates. This nuanced perspective reveals that although certain BSMs exhibited consistently high classification success rates, others displayed varying success rates. This variation underscores the intricate nature of BSM interpretation and the need for a comprehensive analytical approach that integrates both spatial and morphological characteristics. In addition to its scientific contributions, this study also sheds light on practical considerations. The creation of bone templates for QGIS analysis was noted as a time‐consuming task. However, this limitation could be mitigated by collaborative efforts to build a shared digital library of skeletal templates, transforming the workflow into a more streamlined process. In sum, this study not only presents an innovative method for slicing, scraping, and tooth mark analysis using open‐access GIS but also emphasizes the method's potential applications and its role in advancing our understanding of past human behaviors.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>The study of bone surface modifications (BSMs) offers a window into behaviors and subsistence strategies adopted by ancient hominins. Geospatial software have become valuable tools for BSM analysis, facilitating the spatial recording and visualization of these modifications. This study introduces an innovative and accessible workflow that leverages the power of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for BSM analysis while sidestepping the limitations of proprietary software. By employing Quantum GIS (QGIS) software, this approach democratizes the analytical process and expands its potential applications. This workflow was applied in an experimental study to record slicing, scraping, and tooth marks on Tasmanian wallaby tibiae. Subsequently, a comprehensive statistical analysis was performed using the open-access PAST software. The results yielded distinct spatial distribution patterns associated with the three types of BSMs. The key findings underscore that different butchery and consumption actions produce discernible spatial patterns on the bone surfaces, substantiated by nearest neighbor analyses. A critical aspect illuminated by the linear discriminant analysis was the variation in classification success rates. This nuanced perspective reveals that although certain BSMs exhibited consistently high classification success rates, others displayed varying success rates. This variation underscores the intricate nature of BSM interpretation and the need for a comprehensive analytical approach that integrates both spatial and morphological characteristics. In addition to its scientific contributions, this study also sheds light on practical considerations. The creation of bone templates for QGIS analysis was noted as a time-consuming task. However, this limitation could be mitigated by collaborative efforts to build a shared digital library of skeletal templates, transforming the workflow into a more streamlined process. In sum, this study not only presents an innovative method for slicing, scraping, and tooth mark analysis using open-access GIS but also emphasizes the method's potential applications and its role in advancing our understanding of past human behaviors.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Eboni Westbury, Sofia Samper Carro</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>A New Open‐Access Method Applying GIS Techniques to the Study of Slicing, Scraping, and Tooth Marks</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3378</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3378</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3378?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3377?af=R</link> <pubDate>Sun, 08 Dec 2024 17:49:23 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-08T05:49:23-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3377</guid> <title>Transition Between Two Worlds: Morphological Continuity in Iron Age Cattle, Pig, and Sheep Populations (800–50 bc) of the Rhône Valley (France)</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTThe Rhône valley is an important contact point between the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. In Iron Ages (800–50 bc), it was an area of circulation between different material and cultural worlds, where different practices and cultures met. In this particular context, archeozoological studies can offer a different view of these questions of exchange and potential influence, by approaching the issues of food and animal husbandry. This study seeks to approach this question through the prism of animal morphology, the result of a selection of morphotypes by breeders, notably cattle, pig, and sheep, the most common species in the region at the time. Thanks to the log size index method, a certain stability can be demonstrated in pig and cattle morphology over time and space, as well as a slow homogenization of their sizes, which is really visible at La Tène D (125–50 bc). Sheep show a specific pattern with a notable high increase during La Tène C (250–125 bc). Comparison with data from other parts of the Mediterranean world would suggest that the development of local morphotypes owes little or nothing to the influence of Mediterranean breeding practices.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>The Rhône valley is an important contact point between the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. In Iron Ages (800–50 <span class="smallCaps">bc</span>), it was an area of circulation between different material and cultural worlds, where different practices and cultures met. In this particular context, archeozoological studies can offer a different view of these questions of exchange and potential influence, by approaching the issues of food and animal husbandry. This study seeks to approach this question through the prism of animal morphology, the result of a selection of morphotypes by breeders, notably cattle, pig, and sheep, the most common species in the region at the time. Thanks to the log size index method, a certain stability can be demonstrated in pig and cattle morphology over time and space, as well as a slow homogenization of their sizes, which is really visible at La Tène D (125–50 <span class="smallCaps">bc</span>). Sheep show a specific pattern with a notable high increase during La Tène C (250–125 <span class="smallCaps">bc</span>). Comparison with data from other parts of the Mediterranean world would suggest that the development of local morphotypes owes little or nothing to the influence of Mediterranean breeding practices.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Michaël Seigle</dc:creator> <category>SPECIAL ISSUE PAPER</category> <dc:title>Transition Between Two Worlds: Morphological Continuity in Iron Age Cattle, Pig, and Sheep Populations (800–50 bc) of the Rhône Valley (France)</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3377</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3377</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3377?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>SPECIAL ISSUE PAPER</prism:section> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3347?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-02T12:00:00-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3347</guid> <title>The impact of urbanization on growth patterns of non‐adults in medieval England</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 34, Issue 6, November/December 2024. </description> <dc:description>AbstractIncreasing urbanization seen during the medieval period (7th to 16th centuries) is associated with adverse living conditions that may have negatively impacted childhood growth via the influence of infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies due to increasing population density and periodic food shortages. This study aims to compare the growth of non‐adults (less than 12 years of age) from urban, proto‐urban, and rural environments from medieval England to determine whether settlement type influenced child health, and by proxy overall population health, during this period. Tibial and femoral maximum diaphyseal lengths and dental age of non‐adults (0–12 years) from urban St. Gregory's Priory (n = 60), urban York Barbican (n = 16), proto‐urban Black Gate (n = 38), and rural Raunds (n = 30) were examined using z‐scores. The results reveal that non‐adults < 2 years from St. Gregory's Priory had the lowest growth values followed by Raunds, Black Gate, and York Barbican with the highest growth values. Further, non‐adults 2–12 years from York Barbican had the lowest growth values followed by Raunds, Black Gate, and St. Gregory's Priory with the higher growth values. The femoral and tibial diaphyseal growth values are explored within the context of breastfeeding and weaning practices, stability of economies, and environmental conditions.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>Abstract</h2><p>Increasing urbanization seen during the medieval period (7th to 16th centuries) is associated with adverse living conditions that may have negatively impacted childhood growth via the influence of infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies due to increasing population density and periodic food shortages. This study aims to compare the growth of non-adults (less than 12 years of age) from urban, proto-urban, and rural environments from medieval England to determine whether settlement type influenced child health, and by proxy overall population health, during this period. Tibial and femoral maximum diaphyseal lengths and dental age of non-adults (0–12 years) from urban St. Gregory's Priory (<i>n</i> = 60), urban York Barbican (<i>n</i> = 16), proto-urban Black Gate (<i>n</i> = 38), and rural Raunds (<i>n</i> = 30) were examined using z-scores. The results reveal that non-adults &lt; 2 years from St. Gregory's Priory had the lowest growth values followed by Raunds, Black Gate, and York Barbican with the highest growth values. Further, non-adults 2–12 years from York Barbican had the lowest growth values followed by Raunds, Black Gate, and St. Gregory's Priory with the higher growth values. The femoral and tibial diaphyseal growth values are explored within the context of breastfeeding and weaning practices, stability of economies, and environmental conditions.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Sina D. White, Sophie L. Newman, Charlotte Primeau, Patrick Mahoney, Chris A. Deter</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>The impact of urbanization on growth patterns of non‐adults in medieval England</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3347</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3347</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3347?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>34</prism:volume> <prism:number>6</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3352?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-02T12:00:00-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3352</guid> <title>Violence and sharp force trauma in Nusaybin/Girnavaz Mound/Türkiye Late Roman–Early Islamic human remains</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 34, Issue 6, November/December 2024. </description> <dc:description>AbstractGirnavaz Mound (Höyük), located in modern Türkiye, was studied between 1982 and 1991. The mound, inhabited from the Late Uruk Period to the Neo‐Assyrian Period, was later abandoned and repurposed as a cemetery during the Late Roman–Early Islamic Period. Anthropological studies on skeletons from this cemetery analyzed 148 individuals from this period, revealing notable trauma in five individuals. This study examines the skeletal remains of four individuals with perimortem sharp force trauma and one individual with an in situ arrowhead injury. Macroscopic and CT analyses indicated that both perimortem and antemortem trauma were intentional. The skull and body bones of four individuals displayed incision trauma likely inflicted by sword‐like cutting weapons, suggesting murder and decapitation, possibly as a form of execution. One individual had an arrowhead lodged in the tibia, indicating the person lived for some time with the injury and was buried with the arrowhead. This study aims to infer the period's political conflicts and cultural structures based on the trauma evidence. The findings suggest that the observed trauma may be linked to massacres and murders resulting from regional conflicts. This study offers exemplary insights into the mechanics and analysis of sharp force and perimortem trauma. Additionally, it sheds light on the social and historical context of the period.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>Abstract</h2><p>Girnavaz Mound (Höyük), located in modern Türkiye, was studied between 1982 and 1991. The mound, inhabited from the Late Uruk Period to the Neo-Assyrian Period, was later abandoned and repurposed as a cemetery during the Late Roman–Early Islamic Period. Anthropological studies on skeletons from this cemetery analyzed 148 individuals from this period, revealing notable trauma in five individuals. This study examines the skeletal remains of four individuals with perimortem sharp force trauma and one individual with an in situ arrowhead injury. Macroscopic and CT analyses indicated that both perimortem and antemortem trauma were intentional. The skull and body bones of four individuals displayed incision trauma likely inflicted by sword-like cutting weapons, suggesting murder and decapitation, possibly as a form of execution. One individual had an arrowhead lodged in the tibia, indicating the person lived for some time with the injury and was buried with the arrowhead. This study aims to infer the period's political conflicts and cultural structures based on the trauma evidence. The findings suggest that the observed trauma may be linked to massacres and murders resulting from regional conflicts. This study offers exemplary insights into the mechanics and analysis of sharp force and perimortem trauma. Additionally, it sheds light on the social and historical context of the period.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Tolga Köroğlu, Ayla Sevim Erol, Mert Ocak, Kaan Orhan</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Violence and sharp force trauma in Nusaybin/Girnavaz Mound/Türkiye Late Roman–Early Islamic human remains</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3352</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3352</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3352?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>34</prism:volume> <prism:number>6</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3354?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-02T12:00:00-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3354</guid> <title>The fate of bones after grave reopening: Bone taphonomy and preservation in Sarmatian sites in Serbia</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 34, Issue 6, November/December 2024. </description> <dc:description>AbstractThe skeletal material from Sarmatian cemeteries in the Pannonian Plain (Hungary, Romania, Serbia), dating from the first to the fifth century ce, has exhibited poor preservation. This has been attributed to historical grave robbery, although no analysis of the skeletal remains or taphonomic processes has been conducted. A recent study focused on statistically assessing skeletal preservation and taphonomic examinations of skeletal remains from 152 graves in the Vojvodina territory (Serbia), utilizing interdisciplinary methodologies. The study found that grave reopening in the past contributed to bone fragmentation in two ways: first, by directly damaging and scattering the bones and, second, by leaving the skeletal material exposed to surface and weathering conditions for an extended period. Additionally, the Sarmatian burial practice of placing the dead in solid tree trunk coffins has also resulted in poor skeletal preservation, as indicated by coffin wear modifications on the bones. This research has provided new insights into the various anthropogenic and natural processes that affect skeletal remains from reopened graves, thereby supporting the reconstruction of Sarmatian funerary archeology.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>Abstract</h2><p>The skeletal material from Sarmatian cemeteries in the Pannonian Plain (Hungary, Romania, Serbia), dating from the first to the fifth century <span class="smallCaps">ce</span>, has exhibited poor preservation. This has been attributed to historical grave robbery, although no analysis of the skeletal remains or taphonomic processes has been conducted. A recent study focused on statistically assessing skeletal preservation and taphonomic examinations of skeletal remains from 152 graves in the Vojvodina territory (Serbia), utilizing interdisciplinary methodologies. The study found that grave reopening in the past contributed to bone fragmentation in two ways: first, by directly damaging and scattering the bones and, second, by leaving the skeletal material exposed to surface and weathering conditions for an extended period. Additionally, the Sarmatian burial practice of placing the dead in solid tree trunk coffins has also resulted in poor skeletal preservation, as indicated by coffin wear modifications on the bones. This research has provided new insights into the various anthropogenic and natural processes that affect skeletal remains from reopened graves, thereby supporting the reconstruction of Sarmatian funerary archeology.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Tamara Šarkić, Marija Djurić</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>The fate of bones after grave reopening: Bone taphonomy and preservation in Sarmatian sites in Serbia</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3354</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3354</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3354?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>34</prism:volume> <prism:number>6</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3343?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-02T12:00:00-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3343</guid> <title>Understanding “local”: Prehispanic Maya mobility and diet at Pacbitun, Belize, using strontium, oxygen, sulfur, carbon, and nitrogen isotope values</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 34, Issue 6, November/December 2024. </description> <dc:description>AbstractClassic period Maya populations were mobile, and both burial patterns and dietary analyses suggest that many movers were incorporated into local communities. This paper presents a multi‐isotopic (Sr, O, S, C, and N) study of the diet and mobility of 18 Late (AD 550–800) and Terminal Classic (AD 800–900) individuals from the site of Pacbitun, Belize. Three distinct isotope systems identify where people lived at different stages of life, from the childhood origins of migrant and local Pacbitun populations to their final residences. The enamel strontium isotope ratios of the Court 3 individuals were higher than local ranges established by faunal and human bone values, suggesting elite migration, or even residential mobility within the polity. Sulfur isotope values reveal information about the local population, where all but one individual in the sample lived at the site for many years before they died. The exception was an isotopically nonlocal individual in a dedicatory deposit, as reported in other studies. Diet also informs on the receiving community and how migrants assimilated, as people with local and nonlocal isotope values ate isotopically similar foods. Individuals from elite site core contexts and those in Pacbitun's peripheral settlements both consumed C4‐enriched proteins, though there were more isotopically diverse protein sources in peripheral settlements during the Terminal Classic period. Sulfur, carbon, and nitrogen isotope data also reveal some differences in where food was acquired, including use of nonlocal fauna. Combining isotope systems that sample different body tissues also may blur the line between migrants and locals, terms that may describe the same person at different stages of life and show the need for a more nuanced discussion of ancient mobility.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>Abstract</h2><p>Classic period Maya populations were mobile, and both burial patterns and dietary analyses suggest that many movers were incorporated into local communities. This paper presents a multi-isotopic (Sr, O, S, C, and N) study of the diet and mobility of 18 Late (AD 550–800) and Terminal Classic (AD 800–900) individuals from the site of Pacbitun, Belize. Three distinct isotope systems identify where people lived at different stages of life, from the childhood origins of migrant and local Pacbitun populations to their final residences. The enamel strontium isotope ratios of the Court 3 individuals were higher than local ranges established by faunal and human bone values, suggesting elite migration, or even residential mobility within the polity. Sulfur isotope values reveal information about the local population, where all but one individual in the sample lived at the site for many years before they died. The exception was an isotopically nonlocal individual in a dedicatory deposit, as reported in other studies. Diet also informs on the receiving community and how migrants assimilated, as people with local and nonlocal isotope values ate isotopically similar foods. Individuals from elite site core contexts and those in Pacbitun's peripheral settlements both consumed C<sub>4</sub>-enriched proteins, though there were more isotopically diverse protein sources in peripheral settlements during the Terminal Classic period. Sulfur, carbon, and nitrogen isotope data also reveal some differences in where food was acquired, including use of nonlocal fauna. Combining isotope systems that sample different body tissues also may blur the line between migrants and locals, terms that may describe the same person at different stages of life and show the need for a more nuanced discussion of ancient mobility.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Carolyn Freiwald, Asta Rand, Sheldon Skaggs, Terry G. Powis</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Understanding “local”: Prehispanic Maya mobility and diet at Pacbitun, Belize, using strontium, oxygen, sulfur, carbon, and nitrogen isotope values</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3343</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3343</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3343?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>34</prism:volume> <prism:number>6</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3345?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-02T12:00:00-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3345</guid> <title>Synthesis of human isotopic data (8000–5000 BP) reveals subsistence strategies and social complexity at the southeast edge of the Loess Plateau, China</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 34, Issue 6, November/December 2024. </description> <dc:description>AbstractThe southeast edge of the Loess Plateau (SELP) is a crucial area for studying subsistence strategies and social complexity in prehistoric China. Currently, no systematic isotopic study has been conducted to reveal shifts in subsistence strategies and their link to the trajectory of social complexity. This paper compiles previously published isotopic data from human and fauna bones at 24 sites dating from 8000 to 5000 BP, aiming to uncover diachronic changes in subsistence strategies and their relationship with social complexity. The results indicate a gradual increase in millet consumption by humans and an increasing utilization of millet‐based byproducts as feed for domestic animals (pigs and dogs) over time. The isotopic data of humans and animals demonstrate the establishment of millet agriculture during the Early Yangshao period (7000–6000 BP). Millet agriculture creates a crucial material foundation for population growth and cultural prosperity. Two modes of millet cultivation, intensive and extensive, are proposed to explain the continuous development of millet agriculture since the Early Yangshao period. Finally, significant dietary heterogeneity among the human population during the Late Yangshao period strongly suggests the emergence of social differentiation and complexity, supported by other archaeological evidence such as settlement hierarchies and the presence of exquisite objects in burials.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>Abstract</h2><p>The southeast edge of the Loess Plateau (SELP) is a crucial area for studying subsistence strategies and social complexity in prehistoric China. Currently, no systematic isotopic study has been conducted to reveal shifts in subsistence strategies and their link to the trajectory of social complexity. This paper compiles previously published isotopic data from human and fauna bones at 24 sites dating from 8000 to 5000 BP, aiming to uncover diachronic changes in subsistence strategies and their relationship with social complexity. The results indicate a gradual increase in millet consumption by humans and an increasing utilization of millet-based byproducts as feed for domestic animals (pigs and dogs) over time. The isotopic data of humans and animals demonstrate the establishment of millet agriculture during the Early Yangshao period (7000–6000 BP). Millet agriculture creates a crucial material foundation for population growth and cultural prosperity. Two modes of millet cultivation, intensive and extensive, are proposed to explain the continuous development of millet agriculture since the Early Yangshao period. Finally, significant dietary heterogeneity among the human population during the Late Yangshao period strongly suggests the emergence of social differentiation and complexity, supported by other archaeological evidence such as settlement hierarchies and the presence of exquisite objects in burials.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Sha Lei, Yaowu Hu</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Synthesis of human isotopic data (8000–5000 BP) reveals subsistence strategies and social complexity at the southeast edge of the Loess Plateau, China</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3345</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3345</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3345?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>34</prism:volume> <prism:number>6</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3355?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-02T12:00:00-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3355</guid> <title>Sheep Ahoy: Exploring sheep management and its role in Viking Age economy through multiproxy analyses at Löddeköpinge, Sweden</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 34, Issue 6, November/December 2024. </description> <dc:description>AbstractSheep and their wool were paramount to Viking Age economies. The importance of wool cannot be underestimated, especially as the woollen sail was implemented on ships in general during this period. This paper investigates sheep management and landscape use in Viking Age Löddeköpinge in Scania, southern Sweden, through a multiproxy approach, integrating multi‐isotope methods with zooarchaeological analysis. Using the marketplace at Löddeköpinge as a case study, 18 sheep mandibles were analyzed through zooarchaeological methods and isotope analyses of δ13C, δ15N, δ34S, and 87Sr/86Sr. The results show that the sheep represent a composite deadflock, meaning they probably derive from different liveflocks. The 87Sr/86Sr values demonstrate likely origins north and east of Löddeköpinge. The δ13C and δ15N values indicate a terrestrial diet with variation in δ15N, meaning that some may have grazed on manured fields. The δ15N, in conjunction with δ34S, values show a possible limnic influence, implying grazing on pastures close to freshwater systems; however, this requires further investigation. The results illuminate the marketplace function of Löddeköpinge, as sheep bred north and east of the site were transported and exchanged there. This shows the degree and extent of control of the re‐distributional system held by the local elite. This control may be instigated by the increased textile production, especially concerning sailcloth, at the site. If so, sheep management may have been specialized towards the production of optimal wool for sailcloth, besides other essential cloth.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>Abstract</h2><p>Sheep and their wool were paramount to Viking Age economies. The importance of wool cannot be underestimated, especially as the woollen sail was implemented on ships in general during this period. This paper investigates sheep management and landscape use in Viking Age Löddeköpinge in Scania, southern Sweden, through a multiproxy approach, integrating multi-isotope methods with zooarchaeological analysis. Using the marketplace at Löddeköpinge as a case study, 18 sheep mandibles were analyzed through zooarchaeological methods and isotope analyses of δ<sup>13</sup>C, δ<sup>15</sup>N, δ<sup>34</sup>S, and <sup>87</sup>Sr/<sup>86</sup>Sr. The results show that the sheep represent a composite deadflock, meaning they probably derive from different liveflocks. The <sup>87</sup>Sr/<sup>86</sup>Sr values demonstrate likely origins north and east of Löddeköpinge. The δ<sup>13</sup>C and δ<sup>15</sup>N values indicate a terrestrial diet with variation in δ<sup>15</sup>N, meaning that some may have grazed on manured fields. The δ<sup>15</sup>N, in conjunction with δ<sup>34</sup>S, values show a possible limnic influence, implying grazing on pastures close to freshwater systems; however, this requires further investigation. The results illuminate the marketplace function of Löddeköpinge, as sheep bred north and east of the site were transported and exchanged there. This shows the degree and extent of control of the re-distributional system held by the local elite. This control may be instigated by the increased textile production, especially concerning sailcloth, at the site. If so, sheep management may have been specialized towards the production of optimal wool for sailcloth, besides other essential cloth.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Stella Macheridis, Katie Faillace, Meredith Hood, Kerry L. Sayle, Edward Inglis, Richard Madgwick</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Sheep Ahoy: Exploring sheep management and its role in Viking Age economy through multiproxy analyses at Löddeköpinge, Sweden</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3355</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3355</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3355?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>34</prism:volume> <prism:number>6</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3357?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-02T12:00:00-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3357</guid> <title>From the wetlands to the farmyard: Osteometric approach to the presence of domestic geese and ducks in Zuid Holland, 150–1700 AD</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 34, Issue 6, November/December 2024. </description> <dc:description>AbstractThe history of domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) and domestic greylag geese (Anser anser domesticus) remains poorly understood. This is mainly caused by the difficulty of identifying archaeological bones as domestic due to the existing overlap in sizes. A recently published osteometrical methodology is applied that successfully allows to identify domestic forms and distinguish between anatid species with more confidence. Four archaeological assemblages from the Zuid Holland province in the Netherlands are reanalyzed, ranging from the Roman period to the 17th century AD.It is determined that domestic geese were present in the Netherlands since at least 160–230 AD and domestic ducks since at least 585–725 AD. The latter might also be present in the Roman assemblage, but the evidence is inconclusive. Domestic species constitute only a small percentage of the total consumed anatids and do not surpass 15%–20% in any case, which is mainly caused by the weight of wildfowling in the Netherlands. Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) were therefore much more prevalent than domestic anatids in all assemblages. Taphonomical analysis did not show substantial differences between wild and domestic anatids. The sample size considered in this project is likely too small and biased to accurately detect any kind of evolution through time.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>Abstract</h2><p>The history of domestic ducks (<i>Anas platyrhynchos domesticus</i>) and domestic greylag geese (<i>Anser anser domesticus</i>) remains poorly understood. This is mainly caused by the difficulty of identifying archaeological bones as domestic due to the existing overlap in sizes. A recently published osteometrical methodology is applied that successfully allows to identify domestic forms and distinguish between anatid species with more confidence. Four archaeological assemblages from the Zuid Holland province in the Netherlands are reanalyzed, ranging from the Roman period to the 17th century AD.</p><p>It is determined that domestic geese were present in the Netherlands since at least 160–230 AD and domestic ducks since at least 585–725 AD. The latter might also be present in the Roman assemblage, but the evidence is inconclusive. Domestic species constitute only a small percentage of the total consumed anatids and do not surpass 15%–20% in any case, which is mainly caused by the weight of wildfowling in the Netherlands. Chickens (<i>Gallus gallus domesticus</i>) were therefore much more prevalent than domestic anatids in all assemblages. Taphonomical analysis did not show substantial differences between wild and domestic anatids. The sample size considered in this project is likely too small and biased to accurately detect any kind of evolution through time.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Noé de Segovia de Kraker, Laura Llorente‐Rodríguez</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>From the wetlands to the farmyard: Osteometric approach to the presence of domestic geese and ducks in Zuid Holland, 150–1700 AD</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3357</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3357</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3357?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>34</prism:volume> <prism:number>6</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3359?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-02T12:00:00-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3359</guid> <title>Evaluating cross‐sectional geometry‐based methodologies on an archaeological and historical sample</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 34, Issue 6, November/December 2024. </description> <dc:description>AbstractThe construction of a complete biological profile for unknown individuals from skeletal remains plays a key role in the holistic study of archaeological sites. However, the presence of commingled elements, as in the case of mass graves, hinders this process. This work aims to evaluate the diaphyseal cross‐sectional geometric properties of the long bones for pair‐matching and for sex estimation based on the femur, tibia, and humerus bones on archaeological and historical samples. The sample consisted of 3D virtual bone models of 95 individuals (46 males, 39 females, 10 of unknown sex) from both Greek and English assemblages, utilizing the dedicated “csg‐toolkit” GNU Octave package for variable extraction. The pair‐matching sorting algorithm performed adequately in all three assemblages, excluding over 97% of the true mismatched pairs. The accuracy rate for certain pair detection was close to 50% for the lower limbs, and 41% for the humerus, with the algorithm deeming a significant amount of the missed pairs as plausible, resulting in 70% to 80% of total pairs to be detected in some capacity for all bone assemblages. The sex estimation classifiers performed sufficiently in all cases, yielding moderately high accuracy rates in the majority of examined samples, with values consistently higher than 70%. However, the application of contemporary methods on archaeological or historical material needs to be performed with caution, as secular changes and population‐specific trends can affect the applicability of the methods. As such, the utilization of different techniques before reaching a conclusion is vital and should be encouraged.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>Abstract</h2><p>The construction of a complete biological profile for unknown individuals from skeletal remains plays a key role in the holistic study of archaeological sites. However, the presence of commingled elements, as in the case of mass graves, hinders this process. This work aims to evaluate the diaphyseal cross-sectional geometric properties of the long bones for pair-matching and for sex estimation based on the femur, tibia, and humerus bones on archaeological and historical samples. The sample consisted of 3D virtual bone models of 95 individuals (46 males, 39 females, 10 of unknown sex) from both Greek and English assemblages, utilizing the dedicated “csg-toolkit” GNU Octave package for variable extraction. The pair-matching sorting algorithm performed adequately in all three assemblages, excluding over 97% of the true mismatched pairs. The accuracy rate for certain pair detection was close to 50% for the lower limbs, and 41% for the humerus, with the algorithm deeming a significant amount of the missed pairs as plausible, resulting in 70% to 80% of total pairs to be detected in some capacity for all bone assemblages. The sex estimation classifiers performed sufficiently in all cases, yielding moderately high accuracy rates in the majority of examined samples, with values consistently higher than 70%. However, the application of contemporary methods on archaeological or historical material needs to be performed with caution, as secular changes and population-specific trends can affect the applicability of the methods. As such, the utilization of different techniques before reaching a conclusion is vital and should be encouraged.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Nefeli Garoufi, Vasileios Rovinas, Vasileios Pierros, Maria‐Eleni Chovalopoulou</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Evaluating cross‐sectional geometry‐based methodologies on an archaeological and historical sample</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3359</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3359</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3359?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>34</prism:volume> <prism:number>6</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3360?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-02T12:00:00-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3360</guid> <title>A life course study of the Beixin culture residents from the Neolithic site of Xiaheqiadong, Shandong Province, China</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 34, Issue 6, November/December 2024. </description> <dc:description>AbstractThe Xiaheqiadong site located in Zhangqiu district, Jinan city, Shandong province, China, was excavated in 2016 by the Jinan Institute of Archaeology, which revealed six single burials dating to the Beixin culture period (ca. 5,300–4,500 BC to ca. 4,100–3,600 BC). This paper used bioarchaeological methods to study the human skeletal remains to reconstruct the life course of the residents of the Beixin culture at the Xiaheqiadong site, focusing on stable isotope analysis, evaluation of stress, tooth ablation, and intentional skull modification. Based on stable isotope analysis of carbon, it is evident that the dietary structure of the ancient residents of Xiaheqiadong was mainly dependent on C4 plants or animals that ate mainly C4 plants. The stable isotope analysis of nitrogen indicated that the ancient residents of the Xiaheqiadong site exhibited a relatively sufficient consumption of animal protein. Furthermore, this result also reveals that a subsistence economic model was established consisting of farming, gathering, and hunting. Observations of the stress indicators (including cribra orbitalia, porotic hyperostosis, and linear enamel hypoplasia) revealed that they experienced poor health conditions and were under high levels of stress during infancy and early childhood. However, this situation improved with increasing age, suggesting that residents from the Xiaheqiadong site had the capacity to withstand severe living conditions and adapt after experiencing stress events. The tooth ablation and occipital modification cases from the Xiaheqiadong site are the earliest cases among the individuals with accurate dating results found in China.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>Abstract</h2><p>The Xiaheqiadong site located in Zhangqiu district, Jinan city, Shandong province, China, was excavated in 2016 by the Jinan Institute of Archaeology, which revealed six single burials dating to the Beixin culture period (ca. 5,300–4,500 BC to ca. 4,100–3,600 BC). This paper used bioarchaeological methods to study the human skeletal remains to reconstruct the life course of the residents of the Beixin culture at the Xiaheqiadong site, focusing on stable isotope analysis, evaluation of stress, tooth ablation, and intentional skull modification. Based on stable isotope analysis of carbon, it is evident that the dietary structure of the ancient residents of Xiaheqiadong was mainly dependent on C<sub>4</sub> plants or animals that ate mainly C<sub>4</sub> plants. The stable isotope analysis of nitrogen indicated that the ancient residents of the Xiaheqiadong site exhibited a relatively sufficient consumption of animal protein. Furthermore, this result also reveals that a subsistence economic model was established consisting of farming, gathering, and hunting. Observations of the stress indicators (including cribra orbitalia, porotic hyperostosis, and linear enamel hypoplasia) revealed that they experienced poor health conditions and were under high levels of stress during infancy and early childhood. However, this situation improved with increasing age, suggesting that residents from the Xiaheqiadong site had the capacity to withstand severe living conditions and adapt after experiencing stress events. The tooth ablation and occipital modification cases from the Xiaheqiadong site are the earliest cases among the individuals with accurate dating results found in China.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Wen Zeng, Li He, Wenhui Cheng, Hua Wang, Quan Zhang, Meiling Song, Zhangqiaochu Yang, Yongsheng Zhao</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>A life course study of the Beixin culture residents from the Neolithic site of Xiaheqiadong, Shandong Province, China</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3360</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3360</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3360?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>34</prism:volume> <prism:number>6</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3239?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-02T12:00:00-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3239</guid> <title>Issue Information</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 34, Issue 6, November/December 2024. </description> <dc:description>No abstract is available for this article.</dc:description> <content:encoded><p>No abstract is available for this article.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator/> <category>ISSUE INFORMATION</category> <dc:title>Issue Information</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3239</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3239</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3239?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>ISSUE INFORMATION</prism:section> <prism:volume>34</prism:volume> <prism:number>6</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3349?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-02T12:00:00-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3349</guid> <title>A visual guide for the Brabant index to score dental macrowear quantity and direction</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 34, Issue 6, November/December 2024. </description> <dc:description>AbstractThis study aimed to reduce subjectivity bias in scoring dental macrowear quantity and direction using the Brabant index, which previously relied solely on written descriptions. To achieve this, we present a new, optimized visual guide incorporating buccal and lingual scores. The optimization process involved conceptualizing and illustrating a visual guide using Holocene southern African hunter‐gatherer and herder teeth, featuring both buccal and lingual scores for multicuspid teeth. The guide was hand‐drawn using a stippling technique and digitized to depict surface details for each wear stage and tooth type. We conducted intra‐ and inter‐observer assessments to evaluate the optimized method using both the original and optimized Brabant indices. Statistical analysis was performed in R using Cohen's kappa for direction and Cohen's weighted kappa for quantity. Intra‐observer results for the original method yielded kappa values of 0.84 for direction and 0.94 for quantity, while the optimized version both resulted in improved values of 0.99. Inter‐observer results revealed some differences between an inexperienced and an experienced observer. The inexperienced observer achieved kappa scores of 0.20 for direction and 0.86 for quantity with the original method, and 0.17 and 0.80, respectively, with the optimized version. The experienced observer's results using the original index were 0.66 for direction and 0.89 for quantity, and 0.75 and 0.96, respectively, with the optimized version. These findings demonstrate that the optimized method enhances data reliability for experienced observers, highlighting the value of a published visual guide and multicuspid scoring adjustments. However, reduced or unappreciable changes in accuracies for the inexperienced observer illustrate the need for dental expertise when scoring for dental wear, even with a modified method.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>Abstract</h2><p>This study aimed to reduce subjectivity bias in scoring dental macrowear quantity and direction using the Brabant index, which previously relied solely on written descriptions. To achieve this, we present a new, optimized visual guide incorporating buccal and lingual scores. The optimization process involved conceptualizing and illustrating a visual guide using Holocene southern African hunter-gatherer and herder teeth, featuring both buccal and lingual scores for multicuspid teeth. The guide was hand-drawn using a stippling technique and digitized to depict surface details for each wear stage and tooth type. We conducted intra- and inter-observer assessments to evaluate the optimized method using both the original and optimized Brabant indices. Statistical analysis was performed in R using Cohen's kappa for direction and Cohen's weighted kappa for quantity. Intra-observer results for the original method yielded kappa values of 0.84 for direction and 0.94 for quantity, while the optimized version both resulted in improved values of 0.99. Inter-observer results revealed some differences between an inexperienced and an experienced observer. The inexperienced observer achieved kappa scores of 0.20 for direction and 0.86 for quantity with the original method, and 0.17 and 0.80, respectively, with the optimized version. The experienced observer's results using the original index were 0.66 for direction and 0.89 for quantity, and 0.75 and 0.96, respectively, with the optimized version. These findings demonstrate that the optimized method enhances data reliability for experienced observers, highlighting the value of a published visual guide and multicuspid scoring adjustments. However, reduced or unappreciable changes in accuracies for the inexperienced observer illustrate the need for dental expertise when scoring for dental wear, even with a modified method.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Judyta Olszewski, Jason Hemingway, Victoria E. Gibbon</dc:creator> <category>SHORT REPORT</category> <dc:title>A visual guide for the Brabant index to score dental macrowear quantity and direction</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3349</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3349</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3349?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>SHORT REPORT</prism:section> <prism:volume>34</prism:volume> <prism:number>6</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3350?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-02T12:00:00-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3350</guid> <title>Complex skeletal foot malformation in a Samnite “warrior grave” from Abruzzo, southern Italy (8th–5th century BCE)</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 34, Issue 6, November/December 2024. </description> <dc:description>AbstractThis report describes a male skeleton recovered from the Samnite necropolis of Barrea (Abruzzo, 8th–5th century BCE), showing one malformed foot consistent with the diagnosis of unilateral congenital clubfoot associated with tarsal and tarsometatarsal coalitions in the same foot. This finding is particularly noteworthy because tarsal coalitions in congenital equinovarus foot have rarely been reported in medical literature, and to our knowledge, never in the paleopathological record. The recovery of this individual with impaired locomotion from a grave containing a complete array of weapons and armor sheds new light on the occupant's identity and social attitudes toward disabled people in Samnite society. In mortuary archaeology, the correlation between warrior burials and social identity in life of the dead in ancient times is a widely debated issue. Some scholars assert that the weapons in these graves suggest the existence of a warrior class; others propose that the military items of the burial assemblage indicate a high social status or significant power. This study suggests that in Samnite society, physical impairment did not prevent someone from being honored as a warrior or high‐status community member.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>Abstract</h2><p>This report describes a male skeleton recovered from the Samnite necropolis of Barrea (Abruzzo, 8th–5th century BCE), showing one malformed foot consistent with the diagnosis of unilateral congenital clubfoot associated with tarsal and tarsometatarsal coalitions in the same foot. This finding is particularly noteworthy because tarsal coalitions in congenital equinovarus foot have rarely been reported in medical literature, and to our knowledge, never in the paleopathological record. The recovery of this individual with impaired locomotion from a grave containing a complete array of weapons and armor sheds new light on the occupant's identity and social attitudes toward disabled people in Samnite society. In mortuary archaeology, the correlation between warrior burials and social identity in life of the dead in ancient times is a widely debated issue. Some scholars assert that the weapons in these graves suggest the existence of a warrior class; others propose that the military items of the burial assemblage indicate a high social status or significant power. This study suggests that in Samnite society, physical impairment did not prevent someone from being honored as a warrior or high-status community member.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Stefania Luciani</dc:creator> <category>SHORT REPORT</category> <dc:title>Complex skeletal foot malformation in a Samnite “warrior grave” from Abruzzo, southern Italy (8th–5th century BCE)</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3350</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3350</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3350?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>SHORT REPORT</prism:section> <prism:volume>34</prism:volume> <prism:number>6</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3358?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-02T12:00:00-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3358</guid> <title>Social interaction between the coast and the highlands of Chile's arid north (20°S) during the mid‐Holocene: The case of Vicugna vicugna (Molina, 1782) and Hippocamelus antisensis (d'Orbigny, 1834)</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 34, Issue 6, November/December 2024. </description> <dc:description>AbstractThis article discusses the archaeological implications of the discovery of the highland species Hippocamelus antisensis (Cervidae) and Vicugna vicugna (Camelidae) in two coastal contexts in the Atacama Desert (20°S, Chile). H. antisensis is currently distributed throughout the Peruvian Andes, northern Chile, western Bolivia and northwestern Argentina, between 1800 and 5500 m above sea level. V. vicugna is distributed throughout northern Peru and northwestern Argentina, in environments that exceed 3200 m above sea level. The archaeological record of deer antlers on the Atacama coast has previously been documented at the Caleta Huelén‐42 site (21°S). In the case of V. vicugna, fibers have been recovered only at the coastal site of Camarones‐14 (19°S). A dating of 4180 ± 20 year BP obtained from V. vicugna bone and indirect dating of the antlers suggest an early social exchange between groups from coastal regions and those from the Atacama Desert Mountain range, as well as encourage to the potential record of remains/products of these animals in areas far from their natural habitats.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>Abstract</h2><p>This article discusses the archaeological implications of the discovery of the highland species <i>Hippocamelus antisensis</i> (Cervidae) and <i>Vicugna vicugna</i> (Camelidae) in two coastal contexts in the Atacama Desert (20°S, Chile). <i>H. antisensis</i> is currently distributed throughout the Peruvian Andes, northern Chile, western Bolivia and northwestern Argentina, between 1800 and 5500 m above sea level. <i>V. vicugna</i> is distributed throughout northern Peru and northwestern Argentina, in environments that exceed 3200 m above sea level. The archaeological record of deer antlers on the Atacama coast has previously been documented at the Caleta Huelén-42 site (21°S). In the case of <i>V. vicugna</i>, fibers have been recovered only at the coastal site of Camarones-14 (19°S). A dating of 4180 ± 20 year BP obtained from <i>V. vicugna</i> bone and indirect dating of the antlers suggest an early social exchange between groups from coastal regions and those from the Atacama Desert Mountain range, as well as encourage to the potential record of remains/products of these animals in areas far from their natural habitats.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Patricio López, Lucio González, Ximena Power, Sebastián Ibacache</dc:creator> <category>SHORT REPORT</category> <dc:title>Social interaction between the coast and the highlands of Chile's arid north (20°S) during the mid‐Holocene: The case of Vicugna vicugna (Molina, 1782) and Hippocamelus antisensis (d'Orbigny, 1834)</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3358</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3358</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3358?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>SHORT REPORT</prism:section> <prism:volume>34</prism:volume> <prism:number>6</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3362?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-02T12:00:00-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3362</guid> <title>Inflammatory arthropathies: Perspectives from a Portuguese male individual (1574–1834 CE)</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 34, Issue 6, November/December 2024. </description> <dc:description>AbstractArthropathies are common in past populations and can be categorized into two groups: those with predominant bone production (e.g., osteoarthritis) and those with significant bone loss (e.g., erosive arthropathies). The former is frequent in the archaeological record, whereas the latter are uncommon. We present a Post‐Medieval male individual, recovered in the Convent of the Holy Spirit (Loures, Portugal), with multiple articular and entheseal bone changes, particularly extensive periarticular, marginal, and subchondral erosive processes, often exposing trabecular bone. Proliferative lesions and extensive ankylosis are also observed in the synovial joints. These pathological changes affect both the axial and peripheral skeleton in a polyarticular, bilateral, and asymmetric pattern. Given that the appendicular skeleton, particularly the hands and feet, are the most affected areas, the most probable diagnosis is a peripheral spondyloarthropathy such as psoriatic arthritis or reactive arthritis. This case study is the first archaeological instance of psoriatic arthritis or reactive arthritis described in Portugal, highlighting the importance of a differential diagnosis and the need for reflection when pathological changes characteristics overlap, advocating for a broader diagnostic approach.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>Abstract</h2><p>Arthropathies are common in past populations and can be categorized into two groups: those with predominant bone production (e.g., osteoarthritis) and those with significant bone loss (e.g., erosive arthropathies). The former is frequent in the archaeological record, whereas the latter are uncommon. We present a Post-Medieval male individual, recovered in the Convent of the Holy Spirit (Loures, Portugal), with multiple articular and entheseal bone changes, particularly extensive periarticular, marginal, and subchondral erosive processes, often exposing trabecular bone. Proliferative lesions and extensive ankylosis are also observed in the synovial joints. These pathological changes affect both the axial and peripheral skeleton in a polyarticular, bilateral, and asymmetric pattern. Given that the appendicular skeleton, particularly the hands and feet, are the most affected areas, the most probable diagnosis is a peripheral spondyloarthropathy such as psoriatic arthritis or reactive arthritis. This case study is the first archaeological instance of psoriatic arthritis or reactive arthritis described in Portugal, highlighting the importance of a differential diagnosis and the need for reflection when pathological changes characteristics overlap, advocating for a broader diagnostic approach.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Nathalie Antunes‐Ferreira, Francisco Curate, Carlos Prates, Carina Marques</dc:creator> <category>SHORT REPORT</category> <dc:title>Inflammatory arthropathies: Perspectives from a Portuguese male individual (1574–1834 CE)</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3362</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3362</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3362?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>SHORT REPORT</prism:section> <prism:volume>34</prism:volume> <prism:number>6</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3348?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-02T12:00:00-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3348</guid> <title>An investigation into differential use of ocher in burials at Khok Phanom Di, Thailand</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 34, Issue 6, November/December 2024. </description> <dc:description>AbstractOcher has been observed as a feature of burial traditions around the world, throughout history and prehistory. In Southeast Asia ocher first appears in Hòabìnhian burials; however, it is used discriminately, varying within and between sites. Understanding the selection process for individuals with pigmented burials has been difficult due to their limited number. The site of Khok Phanom Di, Thailand, dating from ~4000 to 3500 BP, reflects the variation of pigment use seen in earlier sites, with 82% of burials found to have ocher. The cemetery's uninterrupted use for ~500 years, the high number and standard of preservation of human remains, and nearly four decades of bioarcheological research have facilitated a detailed study of the use of pigment in relation to bioarcheological factors. This work examines the relationship between the presence or absence of ocher within a burial and chronology, age, sex, mobility, funerary behavior, and spatial organization to understand whether there was a relationship between selective use of ocher and these attributes. The results found a relationship between ocher use and burial chronology, grave type, grave goods, and age. Multivariate analysis demonstrates that age interacts with the other predictors of ocher. Burials without ocher are almost exclusively those of perinates, these were commonly small, shallow “scoop” burials without grave goods. The presence of ocher in ~38% of perinate burials illustrates the complexity of selective pigment use and demonstrates the need for further research.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>Abstract</h2><p>Ocher has been observed as a feature of burial traditions around the world, throughout history and prehistory. In Southeast Asia ocher first appears in Hòabìnhian burials; however, it is used discriminately, varying within and between sites. Understanding the selection process for individuals with pigmented burials has been difficult due to their limited number. The site of Khok Phanom Di, Thailand, dating from ~4000 to 3500 BP, reflects the variation of pigment use seen in earlier sites, with 82% of burials found to have ocher. The cemetery's uninterrupted use for ~500 years, the high number and standard of preservation of human remains, and nearly four decades of bioarcheological research have facilitated a detailed study of the use of pigment in relation to bioarcheological factors. This work examines the relationship between the presence or absence of ocher within a burial and chronology, age, sex, mobility, funerary behavior, and spatial organization to understand whether there was a relationship between selective use of ocher and these attributes. The results found a relationship between ocher use and burial chronology, grave type, grave goods, and age. Multivariate analysis demonstrates that age interacts with the other predictors of ocher. Burials without ocher are almost exclusively those of perinates, these were commonly small, shallow “scoop” burials without grave goods. The presence of ocher in ~38% of perinate burials illustrates the complexity of selective pigment use and demonstrates the need for further research.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Sarah Elizabeth Paris</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>An investigation into differential use of ocher in burials at Khok Phanom Di, Thailand</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3348</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3348</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3348?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>34</prism:volume> <prism:number>6</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3351?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-02T12:00:00-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3351</guid> <title>Continuity and change in animal husbandry during the Later Iron Age of Britain</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 34, Issue 6, November/December 2024. </description> <dc:description>AbstractThe Later Iron Age in Britain was a transformative period: material culture, settlement patterns, technology, trade networks, and the structures of power changed, ultimately leading to the Roman invasion. This paper examines the significance of investigating animal economies in this period within the broader context of socio‐economic developments. It reviews the available evidence regarding animal economies in this period, integrates new osteometric analyses, and discusses diachronic changes using the Roman evidence on a comparative basis. The investigation shows a broad pattern of continuity of practice, with relatively uniform livestock types and management strategies until the very end of the Iron Age. This suggests that the trajectory of local farming practices was largely independent from Mediterranean developments. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of Iron Age societies and their response to external influences, while also informing future research directions in archaeology.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>Abstract</h2><p>The Later Iron Age in Britain was a transformative period: material culture, settlement patterns, technology, trade networks, and the structures of power changed, ultimately leading to the Roman invasion. This paper examines the significance of investigating animal economies in this period within the broader context of socio-economic developments. It reviews the available evidence regarding animal economies in this period, integrates new osteometric analyses, and discusses diachronic changes using the Roman evidence on a comparative basis. The investigation shows a broad pattern of continuity of practice, with relatively uniform livestock types and management strategies until the very end of the Iron Age. This suggests that the trajectory of local farming practices was largely independent from Mediterranean developments. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of Iron Age societies and their response to external influences, while also informing future research directions in archaeology.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Matteo Bormetti, Umberto Albarella</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Continuity and change in animal husbandry during the Later Iron Age of Britain</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3351</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3351</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3351?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>34</prism:volume> <prism:number>6</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3353?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-02T12:00:00-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3353</guid> <title>Transformation processes in the osteoarchaeological record between the Iron Age and the Roman times with reference to the civitas Treverorum</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 34, Issue 6, November/December 2024. </description> <dc:description>AbstractThis paper discusses transformations in human behavior between the Iron Age and the Roman times in the tribal territory of the Treveri, later civitas Treverorum, located between the Rhine and the Ardennes. This aspect has been examined from two perspectives: first, from an anthropological point of view vis‐a‐vis the historical inhabitants, and second, from an archaeozoological perspective regarding domestic animals. Due to small sample sizes and/or difficulty in dating, both regarding humans and domestic animals, transformations in living conditions and animal‐keeping could mostly be outlined only for the La Tène and Roman times. Only the Celtic‐Roman cemetery of Wederath‐Belginum with continued use from middle La Tène to late antiquity offers a more complex insight into human mortality and animal offerings. People lived longer in the Roman times but had more pathologies compared with the previous La Tène period. Body height remained similar in the La Tène and Roman times. However, differences existed within specific human groups (for example, warriors and craftsmen), compared to the normal population. Sex differences in mortality persisted from La Tène to Roman times. The faunal composition in the burials, settlements, and sanctuaries also shows changes. Since the middle La Tène period, chickens have been present. The first oysters can be found in Augustean times, whereas exotic birds such as crested fowls and peacocks are found only in later Roman times and are quite rare. A new direction in animal‐keeping is demonstrated via an increasing logarithmic size index (LSI) in cattle and sheep. The multivariate methods applied in this study offer further insights into the domain and can serve as helpful tools for osteoarchaeological data analysis.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>Abstract</h2><p>This paper discusses transformations in human behavior between the Iron Age and the Roman times in the tribal territory of the <i>Treveri</i>, later <i>civitas Treverorum</i>, located between the Rhine and the Ardennes. This aspect has been examined from two perspectives: first, from an anthropological point of view vis-a-vis the historical inhabitants, and second, from an archaeozoological perspective regarding domestic animals. Due to small sample sizes and/or difficulty in dating, both regarding humans and domestic animals, transformations in living conditions and animal-keeping could mostly be outlined only for the La Tène and Roman times. Only the Celtic-Roman cemetery of Wederath-Belginum with continued use from middle La Tène to late antiquity offers a more complex insight into human mortality and animal offerings. People lived longer in the Roman times but had more pathologies compared with the previous La Tène period. Body height remained similar in the La Tène and Roman times. However, differences existed within specific human groups (for example, warriors and craftsmen), compared to the normal population. Sex differences in mortality persisted from La Tène to Roman times. The faunal composition in the burials, settlements, and sanctuaries also shows changes. Since the middle La Tène period, chickens have been present. The first oysters can be found in Augustean times, whereas exotic birds such as crested fowls and peacocks are found only in later Roman times and are quite rare. A new direction in animal-keeping is demonstrated via an increasing logarithmic size index (LSI) in cattle and sheep. The multivariate methods applied in this study offer further insights into the domain and can serve as helpful tools for osteoarchaeological data analysis.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Wolf‐Rüdiger Teegen</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Transformation processes in the osteoarchaeological record between the Iron Age and the Roman times with reference to the civitas Treverorum</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3353</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3353</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3353?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>34</prism:volume> <prism:number>6</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3356?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-12-02T12:00:00-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3356</guid> <title>Morphological study of the bony labyrinth of the last hunter‐gatherers in Portugal: Insights from the Moita do Sebastião shell midden</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 34, Issue 6, November/December 2024. </description> <dc:description>AbstractThe bony labyrinth is often studied in paleoanthropology for the taxonomic identification of hominins with a special focus on the differentiation between Neanderthals and modern humans. Although the variability of Pleistocene populations is now well studied, the variability of Early and Middle Holocene modern human hunter‐gatherers is still poorly known. Thus, this study focuses on the analysis of the bony labyrinth morphology of nine Late Mesolithic individuals from Moita do Sebastião in the Tagus Valley (Portugal). The results show a significant intra‐site variability in the Middle Holocene sample, confirming previous studies on the variability of early modern humans. The analysis also revealed morphological differences in the inner ear structures between European individuals associated with an Upper Paleolithic context (Gravettian) from the Vézère Valley and the Mesolithic individuals from Moita do Sebastião. Interestingly, the only Late Pleistocene individual from Portugal shows some similarities with the Middle Holocene ones, posing the possibility of an eventual local biological continuity.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>Abstract</h2><p>The bony labyrinth is often studied in paleoanthropology for the taxonomic identification of hominins with a special focus on the differentiation between Neanderthals and modern humans. Although the variability of Pleistocene populations is now well studied, the variability of Early and Middle Holocene modern human hunter-gatherers is still poorly known. Thus, this study focuses on the analysis of the bony labyrinth morphology of nine Late Mesolithic individuals from Moita do Sebastião in the Tagus Valley (Portugal). The results show a significant intra-site variability in the Middle Holocene sample, confirming previous studies on the variability of early modern humans. The analysis also revealed morphological differences in the inner ear structures between European individuals associated with an Upper Paleolithic context (Gravettian) from the Vézère Valley and the Mesolithic individuals from Moita do Sebastião. Interestingly, the only Late Pleistocene individual from Portugal shows some similarities with the Middle Holocene ones, posing the possibility of an eventual local biological continuity.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Marina Pujol Arbona, Cláudia Umbelino, Dany Coutinho‐Nogueira</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Morphological study of the bony labyrinth of the last hunter‐gatherers in Portugal: Insights from the Moita do Sebastião shell midden</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3356</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3356</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3356?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>34</prism:volume> <prism:number>6</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3376?af=R</link> <pubDate>Fri, 29 Nov 2024 04:58:48 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-11-29T04:58:48-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3376</guid> <title>Bone Powder and Wild Plants: Subsistence Strategies of Early Neolithic Settlers in North China</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTThe transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture is a major turning point in human history. In North China, although crops were cultivated as early as 10,000 BP, they only became staple foods with the establishment of a fully functional agricultural system between 6000 and 5000 BP. Thus, exploring the subsistence strategies of this transitional period is crucial for understanding how hunter‐gatherers gradually evolved into farmers. The Peiligang culture (c. 9000–7000 BP) is one of the most significant early Neolithic cultures in this region. In this study, we investigated the crust residues from the pottery Ding‐tripods (鼎) dating to the middle Peiligang culture (8800–8200 cal bp) at the Xielaozhuang site using a multidisciplinary approach that includes FTIR, XRD, SEM‐EDS, and starch granule analyses. Our results indicate that a mixture containing bone powder, Panicoideae, Triticeae, and acorns was prepared in these pottery Ding‐tripods. This finding represents one of the earliest known uses of bone powder globally, contributing valuable insights to the ongoing debate regarding fragmented bone assemblages and bone grease extraction. Moreover, combined with macrobotanical and zooarchaeological data, our findings suggest that agriculture had not yet fully supplanted hunting and gathering, as wild plants and animals continued to play a critical role in the diet at the Xielaozhuang site during the Peiligang culture. The use of bone powder alongside wild plant starches illustrates how these early communities invested significant time and effort into transforming inedible resources into consumable food, a strategy crucial for obtaining sufficient calories to sustain a sedentary lifestyle, especially during periods of resource scarcity. These insights illuminate the subsistence strategies of early Neolithic societies transitioning from reliance on hunting‐gathering to more settled practices.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>The transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture is a major turning point in human history. In North China, although crops were cultivated as early as 10,000 BP, they only became staple foods with the establishment of a fully functional agricultural system between 6000 and 5000 BP. Thus, exploring the subsistence strategies of this transitional period is crucial for understanding how hunter-gatherers gradually evolved into farmers. The Peiligang culture (<i>c</i>. 9000–7000 BP) is one of the most significant early Neolithic cultures in this region. In this study, we investigated the crust residues from the pottery <i>Ding</i>-tripods (鼎) dating to the middle Peiligang culture (8800–8200 cal <span class="smallCaps">bp</span>) at the Xielaozhuang site using a multidisciplinary approach that includes FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDS, and starch granule analyses. Our results indicate that a mixture containing bone powder, Panicoideae, Triticeae, and acorns was prepared in these pottery <i>Ding</i>-tripods. This finding represents one of the earliest known uses of bone powder globally, contributing valuable insights to the ongoing debate regarding fragmented bone assemblages and bone grease extraction. Moreover, combined with macrobotanical and zooarchaeological data, our findings suggest that agriculture had not yet fully supplanted hunting and gathering, as wild plants and animals continued to play a critical role in the diet at the Xielaozhuang site during the Peiligang culture. The use of bone powder alongside wild plant starches illustrates how these early communities invested significant time and effort into transforming inedible resources into consumable food, a strategy crucial for obtaining sufficient calories to sustain a sedentary lifestyle, especially during periods of resource scarcity. These insights illuminate the subsistence strategies of early Neolithic societies transitioning from reliance on hunting-gathering to more settled practices.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Xingtao Wei, Yibin Sun, Jindou Li, Xiaohu Zhang, Yongge Sun, Tianxing Cui</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Bone Powder and Wild Plants: Subsistence Strategies of Early Neolithic Settlers in North China</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3376</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3376</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3376?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3374?af=R</link> <pubDate>Wed, 27 Nov 2024 05:34:50 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-11-27T05:34:50-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3374</guid> <title>Human Mobility in NW Iran During the Early Iron Age (c. 1250–850 bce): The Strontium Isotope Evidence From Masjed‐e Kabud Cemetery</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTThe transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age is one of the most discussed topics in the archaeology of Iran. This includes the processes that led to the formation of the Mannaean Kingdom in the northwestern part of the country, which is considered a forerunner of the famous Median Empire. Here, we investigate the pattern of migration during the four centuries preceding the establishment of the Mannaean Kingdom. The 87Sr/86Sr values were measured in enamel of early developing permanent teeth (first molars and incisors) in a sample of 28 individuals of both sexes from Masjed‐e Kabud cemetery (modern Tabriz). Only two individuals have non‐local strontium isotope values; however, they might have been inhabitants of the region located just a few kilometers south of the cemetery. No evidence of long‐distance migration was identified, suggesting that the establishment of the early states in this region was not a consequence of migration, but rather of social development in the local population.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>The transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age is one of the most discussed topics in the archaeology of Iran. This includes the processes that led to the formation of the Mannaean Kingdom in the northwestern part of the country, which is considered a forerunner of the famous Median Empire. Here, we investigate the pattern of migration during the four centuries preceding the establishment of the Mannaean Kingdom. The <sup>87</sup>Sr/<sup>86</sup>Sr values were measured in enamel of early developing permanent teeth (first molars and incisors) in a sample of 28 individuals of both sexes from Masjed-e Kabud cemetery (modern Tabriz). Only two individuals have non-local strontium isotope values; however, they might have been inhabitants of the region located just a few kilometers south of the cemetery. No evidence of long-distance migration was identified, suggesting that the establishment of the early states in this region was not a consequence of migration, but rather of social development in the local population.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Solmaz Ahmadzadeh, Alireza Hejebri Nobari, Arkadiusz Sołtysiak</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Human Mobility in NW Iran During the Early Iron Age (c. 1250–850 bce): The Strontium Isotope Evidence From Masjed‐e Kabud Cemetery</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3374</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3374</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3374?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3371?af=R</link> <pubDate>Sat, 23 Nov 2024 04:18:46 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-11-23T04:18:46-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3371</guid> <title>Histotaphonomic Signatures of Thermally Altered Human Skeletal Remains: Implications for Archaeological Interpretation</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTInterpretations of burial sites from past populations have previously relied on archaeological artifacts, body position, and gross morphological skeletal analysis to reconstruct funerary practices. Recently, microscopic analysis of biotic and abiotic inclusions in bone have resulted in broad assumptions about the antemortem treatment of human remains, including whether the bioerosion is of endogenous and/or exogenous origin. To contextualize the diagenesis present in bone, researchers have developed indices to quantify histotaphonomic features including overall destruction (OHI, GHI), birefringence (BI), cracking (CI), and color changes due to burning (HI). Quantification of the histotaphonomy of bone also allows researchers to determine if the bone is preserved well enough for the application of histological methods, such as age‐at‐death estimation, which can contribute to the osteobiography of the skeletal remains. However, burned bone found at cremation sites may complicate these analyses if thermal alterations obscure histological structures. Though many studies have experimentally tested the impact of burning on bone, most have used excised bones, which presents a very specific example of the effect of burning on excarnated remains. The aim of this research is to test the histotaphonomic effects of thermal alteration on six fleshed human bodies using the indices listed above. One preburn sample of bone from the femur, sixth rib, and metatarsal was collected prior to burning, and the antimere was removed after the experiment, if recoverable (N = 33). These results show that the presence of body tissue and the amount of time the body is burned likely have the greatest impact on bone histological preservation. None of the remains showed evidence of biotic bioerosion, which was expected from previous research that suggests putrefaction in the early postmortem period contributes to microfocal destruction that can be observed soon after death.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>Interpretations of burial sites from past populations have previously relied on archaeological artifacts, body position, and gross morphological skeletal analysis to reconstruct funerary practices. Recently, microscopic analysis of biotic and abiotic inclusions in bone have resulted in broad assumptions about the antemortem treatment of human remains, including whether the bioerosion is of endogenous and/or exogenous origin. To contextualize the diagenesis present in bone, researchers have developed indices to quantify histotaphonomic features including overall destruction (OHI, GHI), birefringence (BI), cracking (CI), and color changes due to burning (HI). Quantification of the histotaphonomy of bone also allows researchers to determine if the bone is preserved well enough for the application of histological methods, such as age-at-death estimation, which can contribute to the osteobiography of the skeletal remains. However, burned bone found at cremation sites may complicate these analyses if thermal alterations obscure histological structures. Though many studies have experimentally tested the impact of burning on bone, most have used excised bones, which presents a very specific example of the effect of burning on excarnated remains. The aim of this research is to test the histotaphonomic effects of thermal alteration on six fleshed human bodies using the indices listed above. One preburn sample of bone from the femur, sixth rib, and metatarsal was collected prior to burning, and the antimere was removed after the experiment, if recoverable (<i>N</i> = 33). These results show that the presence of body tissue and the amount of time the body is burned likely have the greatest impact on bone histological preservation. None of the remains showed evidence of biotic bioerosion, which was expected from previous research that suggests putrefaction in the early postmortem period contributes to microfocal destruction that can be observed soon after death.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Lauren A. Meckel, Sophia R. Mavroudas, Justin Z. Goldstein, Shelby L. Garza, Timothy P. Gocha</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Histotaphonomic Signatures of Thermally Altered Human Skeletal Remains: Implications for Archaeological Interpretation</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3371</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3371</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3371?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3373?af=R</link> <pubDate>Wed, 20 Nov 2024 19:23:47 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-11-20T07:23:47-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3373</guid> <title>The Zooarchaeology of an Iberian Medieval Jewish Community: The Castle of Lorca (Murcia, Spain)</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTArchaeological excavations at the castle of Lorca (Murcia, Spain) led to the identification of part of the Jewish district of the town. This area, occupied between the 14th and 15th centuries, represents a unique example of a medieval frontier Jewish quarter defined by complex urban planning, a synagogue, and various domestic units. Archaeological work allowed the recovery of a large number of animal remains. This paper deals with the results of the zooarchaeological study of this archaeofaunal assemblage, aiming to shed light on the ways in which animals were exploited, distributed, prepared and consumed by medieval Jewish population of Lorca. The results reveal a model of animal economy centered on the exploitation of caprines (sheep/goat) and, to a lesser extent, cattle, chickens and other secondary species, although the presence of non‐kosher species such as pigs and rabbit is noteworthy. The identification of butchery marks attributed to the porging of the hindquarters of caprines, a practice typical of medieval Jewish communities, represents a marker of ethno‐religious identity of great historical interest.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>Archaeological excavations at the castle of Lorca (Murcia, Spain) led to the identification of part of the Jewish district of the town. This area, occupied between the 14th and 15th centuries, represents a unique example of a medieval frontier Jewish quarter defined by complex urban planning, a synagogue, and various domestic units. Archaeological work allowed the recovery of a large number of animal remains. This paper deals with the results of the zooarchaeological study of this archaeofaunal assemblage, aiming to shed light on the ways in which animals were exploited, distributed, prepared and consumed by medieval Jewish population of Lorca. The results reveal a model of animal economy centered on the exploitation of caprines (sheep/goat) and, to a lesser extent, cattle, chickens and other secondary species, although the presence of non-<i>kosher</i> species such as pigs and rabbit is noteworthy. The identification of butchery marks attributed to the porging of the hindquarters of caprines, a practice typical of medieval Jewish communities, represents a marker of ethno-religious identity of great historical interest.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Marcos García García, Jorge A. Eiroa, José Ángel González Ballesteros, Mireia Celma Martínez</dc:creator> <category>SPECIAL ISSUE PAPER</category> <dc:title>The Zooarchaeology of an Iberian Medieval Jewish Community: The Castle of Lorca (Murcia, Spain)</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3373</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3373</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3373?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>SPECIAL ISSUE PAPER</prism:section> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3367?af=R</link> <pubDate>Sun, 17 Nov 2024 23:19:49 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-11-17T11:19:49-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3367</guid> <title>Underneath the Surface: Examining “Hidden Lesions” With Paleoimaging at Moita do Sebastião, Mesolithic Muge, Portugal</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTDiscovered 160 years ago, the Muge archaeological sites in Portugal yield the most significant documentation of human skeletons from the Mesolithic period in Western Europe (8200–7100 cal B.P.). However, sediment weight has caused significant postmortem alterations that have limited previous studies. Paleoimaging techniques were applied to overcome these limitations and provide previously inaccessible information. Thirteen crania from Moita do Sebastião (one of the Muge shell middens) were CT scanned for virtual reconstruction and morphological analysis. Meticulous examination of 2D and 3D images revealed bone changes not visible to the naked eye and unrelated to postmortem alterations. A comprehensive differential diagnosis was carried out identifying various pathological conditions including epidermoid or dermoid cysts, intraosseous hemangioma, and a possible case of anemia. These “hidden pathologies” offer new insights into the health status of one of Europe's last hunter–gatherer populations.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>Discovered 160 years ago, the Muge archaeological sites in Portugal yield the most significant documentation of human skeletons from the Mesolithic period in Western Europe (8200–7100 cal B.P.). However, sediment weight has caused significant postmortem alterations that have limited previous studies. Paleoimaging techniques were applied to overcome these limitations and provide previously inaccessible information. Thirteen crania from Moita do Sebastião (one of the Muge shell middens) were CT scanned for virtual reconstruction and morphological analysis. Meticulous examination of 2D and 3D images revealed bone changes not visible to the naked eye and unrelated to postmortem alterations. A comprehensive differential diagnosis was carried out identifying various pathological conditions including epidermoid or dermoid cysts, intraosseous hemangioma, and a possible case of anemia. These “hidden pathologies” offer new insights into the health status of one of Europe's last hunter–gatherer populations.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Dany Coutinho Nogueira, Rosa Ramos Gaspar, Inês Carreiro, Ricardo Miguel Godinho, Cláudia Umbelino</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Underneath the Surface: Examining “Hidden Lesions” With Paleoimaging at Moita do Sebastião, Mesolithic Muge, Portugal</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3367</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3367</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3367?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3369?af=R</link> <pubDate>Sat, 16 Nov 2024 05:39:51 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-11-16T05:39:51-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3369</guid> <title>Faunal Exploitation Strategies, Dietary Habits, and Social Status in Tang Dynasty Chang'an: Zooarchaeological Insights From Xiajiazhuang</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTZooarchaeology in China has consistently enhanced our understanding of past environments and human–animal interactions. However, this research has predominantly focused on prehistoric contexts. Our knowledge of animal exploitation strategies in historical periods remains largely reliant on written and iconographic sources, lacking direct and quantifiable faunal evidence. This paper examines the animal remains found in the residential district of Xiajiazhuang to better understand faunal exploitation strategies, dietary habits, and meat procurement patterns in Chang'an (Xi'an, China) during the Tang dynasty period (618–907 ce). Zooarchaeological evidence identifies caprines as the primary meat source, supplemented by cattle, dogs, pigs, and poultry. Our findings indicate a targeted meat procurement strategy, with animals selected based on their age to secure high‐quality meat, thereby hinting at the potential high status of Xiajiazhuang's residents. Along with other lines of evidence, our results suggest that interactions within the city and between the capital and its surrounding areas could have played a significant role in shaping faunal resource management strategies in Xiajiazhuang during the Tang dynasty.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>Zooarchaeology in China has consistently enhanced our understanding of past environments and human–animal interactions. However, this research has predominantly focused on prehistoric contexts. Our knowledge of animal exploitation strategies in historical periods remains largely reliant on written and iconographic sources, lacking direct and quantifiable faunal evidence. This paper examines the animal remains found in the residential district of Xiajiazhuang to better understand faunal exploitation strategies, dietary habits, and meat procurement patterns in Chang'an (Xi'an, China) during the Tang dynasty period (618–907 <span class="smallCaps">ce</span>). Zooarchaeological evidence identifies caprines as the primary meat source, supplemented by cattle, dogs, pigs, and poultry. Our findings indicate a targeted meat procurement strategy, with animals selected based on their age to secure high-quality meat, thereby hinting at the potential high status of Xiajiazhuang's residents. Along with other lines of evidence, our results suggest that interactions within the city and between the capital and its surrounding areas could have played a significant role in shaping faunal resource management strategies in Xiajiazhuang during the Tang dynasty.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Marcella Festa, Yanli Guo, Miao Wu, Quanmin Zhang, Suyuan Li</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Faunal Exploitation Strategies, Dietary Habits, and Social Status in Tang Dynasty Chang'an: Zooarchaeological Insights From Xiajiazhuang</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3369</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3369</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3369?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3363?af=R</link> <pubDate>Sat, 16 Nov 2024 00:18:37 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-11-16T12:18:37-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3363</guid> <title>A tool for non‐parametric approximation of mortality in skeletal samples of imprecise age estimations</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description>AbstractImprecise data produced by commonly applied osteological age‐at‐death estimations profoundly affect all research on age‐dependent mortality in past societies. With uncertain death estimation (UCD), we propose a novel approach to estimating the mortality structure from imprecise data and present a corresponding R package for simple application. Through repeated random sampling of imprecise age‐at‐death ranges, UCD estimates the mortality structure of a given skeletal sample. We demonstrate the applicability of UCD in a proof‐of‐principle study on two samples with known age at death (Bass‐Mercyhurst Collection and Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection). Two case studies of German Neolithic skeletal material illustrate UCD's applicability to archeological samples with dissimilar states of preservation. To comparatively quantify the accuracy of UCD, maximum likelihood estimations, Kaplan–Meier survival estimations, and age‐category mortality profiles were calculated for all four study samples. UCD outperforms similar existing procedures while incorporating the uncertainty inherent in osteological data. The proof‐of‐principle study produced significantly more accurate mortality profiles from UCD than from maximum likelihood estimation and Kaplan–Meier survival estimation. Both archeological case studies indicate UCD's ability to provide meaningful new insight into age‐dependent mortality in past societies. UCD allows for comparative studies into age‐dependent mortality in past societies without requiring a large sample of precise age‐at‐death estimations. UCD provides an opportunity for fast and simple analysis of mortality structures on a large dataset without neglecting the information contained in the raw data, thereby facilitating a critical study of patterns in age‐dependent mortality on a large scale.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>Abstract</h2><p>Imprecise data produced by commonly applied osteological age-at-death estimations profoundly affect all research on age-dependent mortality in past societies. With uncertain death estimation (UCD), we propose a novel approach to estimating the mortality structure from imprecise data and present a corresponding R package for simple application. Through repeated random sampling of imprecise age-at-death ranges, UCD estimates the mortality structure of a given skeletal sample. We demonstrate the applicability of UCD in a proof-of-principle study on two samples with known age at death (Bass-Mercyhurst Collection and Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection). Two case studies of German Neolithic skeletal material illustrate UCD's applicability to archeological samples with dissimilar states of preservation. To comparatively quantify the accuracy of UCD, maximum likelihood estimations, Kaplan–Meier survival estimations, and age-category mortality profiles were calculated for all four study samples. UCD outperforms similar existing procedures while incorporating the uncertainty inherent in osteological data. The proof-of-principle study produced significantly more accurate mortality profiles from UCD than from maximum likelihood estimation and Kaplan–Meier survival estimation. Both archeological case studies indicate UCD's ability to provide meaningful new insight into age-dependent mortality in past societies. UCD allows for comparative studies into age-dependent mortality in past societies without requiring a large sample of precise age-at-death estimations. UCD provides an opportunity for fast and simple analysis of mortality structures on a large dataset without neglecting the information contained in the raw data, thereby facilitating a critical study of patterns in age-dependent mortality on a large scale.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Daria Moser, Sandra L. Pichler, Ana Luisa Santos, Florian Klimscha, Katharina Fuchs</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>A tool for non‐parametric approximation of mortality in skeletal samples of imprecise age estimations</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3363</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3363</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3363?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3364?af=R</link> <pubDate>Sat, 09 Nov 2024 02:00:15 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-11-09T02:00:15-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3364</guid> <title>Geometric morphometric approach to dental health in an 18th‐ to 19th‐century English infirmary</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description>AbstractThis study evaluated correlations between poor dental health and craniomandibular morphology for the Radcliffe Infirmary population buried between 1770 and 1855. The Radcliffe Infirmary is situated in Oxford, 90 km northwest of London, in what used to be a rural area. The original report for this population observed high prevalence rates of dental caries, antemortem tooth loss (AMTL), and periodontal disease. Industrial societies are acknowledged to have highly processed foods that not only are detrimental to dental health but also require less mastication. This softening of diet is suggested to be the leading influence on the modern morphology of the skull. By using two‐dimensional geometric morphometrics (GM) and linear measurements of the skull, the Radcliffe population was evaluated for the effects of poor dental health and decreased wear on the masticatory structures. High frequencies of AMTL, periodontal disease, and caries and low amounts of dental wear were observed in this sample population. Caries and AMTL showed weak correlations with skull shape and craniomandibular dimensions according to the results of the morphometric analysis and Kendall's tau. Dental wear correlated with a wide bizygomatic breadth and a long narrow skull shape for the males only. Periodontal disease was the only dental health variable not correlated with shape or size. This study confirmed that the Radcliffe population ate a cariogenic diet and suggests that dental wear and pathology weakly correlates with craniomandibular shape and size. This unpredicted finding may be due to the limitations of two‐dimensional shape analysis, a small sample size, and the sampling strategy. Future research is highly encouraged to better understand the consequences of poor dental health for skull morphology.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>Abstract</h2><p>This study evaluated correlations between poor dental health and craniomandibular morphology for the Radcliffe Infirmary population buried between 1770 and 1855. The Radcliffe Infirmary is situated in Oxford, 90 km northwest of London, in what used to be a rural area. The original report for this population observed high prevalence rates of dental caries, antemortem tooth loss (AMTL), and periodontal disease. Industrial societies are acknowledged to have highly processed foods that not only are detrimental to dental health but also require less mastication. This softening of diet is suggested to be the leading influence on the modern morphology of the skull. By using two-dimensional geometric morphometrics (GM) and linear measurements of the skull, the Radcliffe population was evaluated for the effects of poor dental health and decreased wear on the masticatory structures. High frequencies of AMTL, periodontal disease, and caries and low amounts of dental wear were observed in this sample population. Caries and AMTL showed weak correlations with skull shape and craniomandibular dimensions according to the results of the morphometric analysis and Kendall's tau. Dental wear correlated with a wide bizygomatic breadth and a long narrow skull shape for the males only. Periodontal disease was the only dental health variable not correlated with shape or size. This study confirmed that the Radcliffe population ate a cariogenic diet and suggests that dental wear and pathology weakly correlates with craniomandibular shape and size. This unpredicted finding may be due to the limitations of two-dimensional shape analysis, a small sample size, and the sampling strategy. Future research is highly encouraged to better understand the consequences of poor dental health for skull morphology.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Ellie Jo Terpstra, Max Price, Anwen Cedifor Caffell</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Geometric morphometric approach to dental health in an 18th‐ to 19th‐century English infirmary</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3364</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3364</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3364?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3365?af=R</link> <pubDate>Fri, 08 Nov 2024 01:54:04 -0800</pubDate> <dc:date>2024-11-08T01:54:04-08:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3365</guid> <title>Sex estimation by discriminant function analysis of long bones in prehistoric Southeast Asian populations</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description>AbstractBiological sex estimation is an integral part of reconstructing the biological profile of an individual in forensic anthropological and bioarchaeological contexts. Formulating population specific discriminant function equations for metric variables is vital for reconstructing biological sex of fragmentary skeletal remains. This study aimed to develop multivariable and univariable sectioning point sex estimation equations from long bones of prehistoric Thailand and Cambodia people dated from 4700 to 1450 BP. A total of 481 individuals (236 females and 245 males) with 997 long bone measurements were analyzed. Discriminant function analysis was used to analyze sexually dimorphic measurements from long bones of humeri (177 females and 183 males), femora (169 females and 178 males), and tibiae (139 females and 151 males). Stepwise and direct multivariable functions offered the highest accuracies of 97.3% for humeri, 97% for femora, and 96.7% for tibiae. Univariable functions indicated that the recommended measurements for use in sex estimations with high cross‐validation accuracies are the humeral epicondylar breadth (89.1%), femoral maximum head diameter (87.1%), and tibial midshaft circumference (88.3%). These equations are applicable for use in sex estimation for the specific prehistoric Southeast Asian populations to improve our understanding of the prehistoric demography. Further evaluation and validation of the equations are required to test whether these equations can also be applied to estimate biological sex of contemporary Southeast Asian populations.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>Abstract</h2><p>Biological sex estimation is an integral part of reconstructing the biological profile of an individual in forensic anthropological and bioarchaeological contexts. Formulating population specific discriminant function equations for metric variables is vital for reconstructing biological sex of fragmentary skeletal remains. This study aimed to develop multivariable and univariable sectioning point sex estimation equations from long bones of prehistoric Thailand and Cambodia people dated from 4700 to 1450 BP. A total of 481 individuals (236 females and 245 males) with 997 long bone measurements were analyzed. Discriminant function analysis was used to analyze sexually dimorphic measurements from long bones of humeri (177 females and 183 males), femora (169 females and 178 males), and tibiae (139 females and 151 males). Stepwise and direct multivariable functions offered the highest accuracies of 97.3% for humeri, 97% for femora, and 96.7% for tibiae. Univariable functions indicated that the recommended measurements for use in sex estimations with high cross-validation accuracies are the humeral epicondylar breadth (89.1%), femoral maximum head diameter (87.1%), and tibial midshaft circumference (88.3%). These equations are applicable for use in sex estimation for the specific prehistoric Southeast Asian populations to improve our understanding of the prehistoric demography. Further evaluation and validation of the equations are required to test whether these equations can also be applied to estimate biological sex of contemporary Southeast Asian populations.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Sophorn Nhoem, Kate Domett</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Sex estimation by discriminant function analysis of long bones in prehistoric Southeast Asian populations</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3365</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3365</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3365?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> </item> </channel></rss> If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:
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