A sedimentary ancient DNA perspective on human and carnivore persistence through the Late Pleistocene in El Mirón Cave, Spain

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(1)

Published: Jan. 2, 2025

Abstract Caves are primary sites for studying human and animal subsistence patterns genetic ancestry throughout the Palaeolithic. Iberia served as a critical refugium in Europe during Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), 26.5 to 19 thousand years before present (cal kya). Therefore, it is key location understanding population dynamics this event. We recover analyse sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) data from lower archaeological stratigraphic sequence of El Mirón Cave (Cantabria, Spain), encompassing (1) Late Mousterian period, associated with Neanderthals, (2) Gravettian (c. 31.5 cal kya), Solutrean 24.5–22 Initial Magdalenian (d. 21–20.5 kya) periods, anatomically modern humans. identify 28 taxa including Fifteen these had not been identified archaeozoological (i.e., faunal) record, presence hyenas Magdalenian. Additionally, we provide phylogenetic analyses on 70 sedaDNA mtDNA genomes fauna densest Iberian Pleistocene sampling C. lupus . Finally, three sequences levels. These sequences, along published data, suggest haplogroup continuity Solutrean/Last period.

Language: Английский

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The ‘Biomolecular Humanities’? New challenges and perspectives

iScience, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 28(2), P. 111679 - 111679

Published: Jan. 14, 2025

Biomolecular humanities is a developing transdisciplinary research area in which we see natural sciences and increasingly integrated conceived of as data production scientific discovery entities on an equal basis. This umbrella term allows us to think generatively about how are providing study material, methodologies, theoretical conceptualizations, analytical results, synergetic interpretations together, for each other.

Language: Английский

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Sedimentary ancient DNA from caves: Challenges and opportunities

Journal of Quaternary Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 15, 2025

Abstract Caves are unique depositional environments that hold great potential for long‐term preservation of DNA due to their typically cool and stable internal climates, buffered from external climate extremes. Bones caves have long been recognised as an excellent source ancient DNA, yet the in cave sediments themselves has only recently begun be explored. Here, we discuss features make them well‐suited sedimentary (sedaDNA), focussing specifically on sources, taphonomy sedaDNA. We also highlight opportunities future work improve our understanding processes influencing within sediments. These recommendations seek enhance level insights about past can gained it include: (1) designation reference sections sample repositories; (2) routine collection sediment, mineralogy geochemistry data; (3) (4) increased application microstratigraphic spatial analyses; (5) advocating use multiple proxies when interpreting results (6) ensuring ethical best practices followed.

Language: Английский

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The legacy of Luca Cavalli-Sforza on human evolution

Published: Feb. 13, 2025

Archaeology and the branch of population genetics focusing on human past have historically lived parallel lives, often having complicated encounters when it came to unravelling origins evolution Homo sapiens. These interactions were proven invaluable obtain a deeper more complete understanding our past. At same time, they sometimes uncovered biases misinterpretations, with serious consequences for data, methods and, most importantly, history species. Cavalli-Sforza pioneered real multidisciplinary approach, bridging statistics archaeology, origins, other fields in humanities, inspiring researchers from these blazing trail today’s successful collaborations. His legacy showed that interdisciplinary approaches are possible vital importance, exposed areas still need significant development today.

Language: Английский

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The sedaDNA revolution and archaeology: Progress, challenges, and a research agenda

Journal of Archaeological Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 174, P. 106132 - 106132

Published: Dec. 18, 2024

Language: Английский

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Integrating musealized archaeological sediment collections into current geoarchaeological analytical frameworks for sustainable research practices

MethodsX, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13, P. 102897 - 102897

Published: Aug. 9, 2024

We present a review of the latest framework achievements in geoarchaeological sciences applied to microstratigraphic and biomolecular studies prehistoric archaeological contexts, highlighting importance musealized stratigraphies. assess how today's scientific technological accomplishments can be tailored for human ecology with analytical ensembles that provide unprecedented results. Sampling processing workflows originating from resin consolidation thin section micromorphology undisturbed blocks soils sediments, guarantee subsampling accuracy at micrometre scale granting access individual components otherwise impossible target: achievable information yield makes even smallest soil samples potential sources pioneering discoveries. Yet, excavations are still primary mode retrieving new samples. argue that, when dealing sites were excavated partially musealised past, exploration related museum collections should prioritized as perspective source study Analysing old potentially very informative samples, an approach we define "Green Archaeology", may represent well-structured data well means planning excavations, delivering novel discoveries while safeguarding site integrity promoting Third Mission valorisation heritage dormant collections.

Language: Английский

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Late Pleistocene–Holocene (52–10 ka) microstratigraphy, fossil taphonomy and depositional environments from Tam Pà Ling cave (northeastern Laos)

Quaternary Science Reviews, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 344, P. 108982 - 108982

Published: Oct. 10, 2024

Language: Английский

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