DOCSLIB.ORG

A Tale of Four Caves: Esr Dating of Mousterian Layers at Iberian Archaeological Sites

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

A TALE OF FOUR CAVES A TALE OF FOUR CAVES: ESR DATING OF MOUSTERIAN LAYERS AT IBERIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES BY VITO VOLTERRA, M. A. A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree Doctorate of Philosophy McMaster University © Copyright by Vito Volterra, May, 2000 . DOCTORATE OF PHILOSOPHY (2000) McMaster University (Anthropology) Hamilton, Ontario TITLE: A Tale of Four Caves: ESR Dating of Mousterian Layers at Iberian Archaeological Sites AUTHOR: Vito Volterra, M. A. (McMaster University) SUPERVISOR: Professor H. P. Schwarcz NUMBER OF PAGES: xviii, 250 Abstract This study was undertaken to provide supporting evidence for the late presence of Neanderthals in Iberia at the end of the Middle Paleolithic. This period is almost impossible to date accurately by the conventional radiocarbon method. Accordingly electron spin resonance (ESR) was used to obtain ages for four Spanish sites. They were EI Pendo in the Cantabrian north, Carihuela in Andalusia and Gorham's and Vanguard caves at Gibraltar. The sites were chosen to allow the greatest variety in geographic settings, latitudes and sedimentation. They were either under exca­ vation or had been excavated recently following modem techniques. A multidisciplinary approach to dating the archaeological contexts was being proposed for all the sites except EI Pendo whose deposits had been already dated but only on the basis ofsedimentological and faunal analyses. This was the first research program to apply ESR to such a variety ofsites and compare its results with that ofsuch a variety of other archaeometric dating teclmiques. The variety allowed a further dimension to the research that is the opportunity ofappraising first hand the applicability and advantages ofa new dating technique and determining its accuracy as an archaeological dating method incomparison with other techniques. Test samples for the research were collected at the sites as well as at the Museo de Ciencias Naturales in Madrid and the Gibraltar Museum. The ESR results for EI Pendo provide a terminus post quem of 31 Ka for the presence ofthe Neanderthal at the site. Those for Carihuela permit the Neanderthal skeletal remains found in layers V and VI to be dated between 45 ka and 74 ka and between 67 ka and 86 ka respectively. The data also confinn the late presence ofthe Neanderthals in Andalusia. The results for the Gibraltar final Mousterian layer also confirm the presence ofNeanderthals in southern Spain at 36.9 ±5 to 40.3 ±5 ka. While there are a number ofsecure dates for early Aurignacian deposits in Spain the results of the present research provide the first solid evidence of the late presence of Homo sapiens neanderthalensis in the Iberian Peninsula. Furthermore, from the data collected it can also be concluded that the ESR method is accurate and eminently suitable for dating archaeological contexts. iii Acknowledgements I am very grateful for the guidance, understanding, continued warm support and empathy of the members ofmy committee Dr. Peter Ramsden, Dr. Jack Rink and especially ofDr. Henry Schwarcz and the Chair ofthe Department of Anthropology Dr. Ann Herring. In fact the entire Anthropology Department Faculty and staff Uanis Weir, Rosita Jordan and not to be forgotten Cookie Brymer) have made working with them a most interesting and enriching pleasurable experience. My thanks go also to Prof. E. Rinehardt for consenting to participate in my defense at such short notice. I wish also to acknowledge the assistance and warm empathy ofProfessor David Counts without whose support the project would not even have started. My thanks are also extended to Jean Johnson whose patience, assistance and good advice proved invaluable. It was Jean that processed all the samples through INAA and prepared some of the Gorham's cave samples for irradiation. I am also grateful to Dr. Daniel Richter for his keen interest and cheerful comments and Dr. John Hmvey for the extensive use ofthe Panasonic reader. I would like to thank Dr. Nick Barton, Dr. Andy Currant, Dr. Clive Finlayson, Ramon Montes Barquino, Juan Sanguino Gonzales, Prof. Chris Stringer, Dr. Gerardo Vega Toscano and his wife Belen for their assistance with various aspects ofthe sample collection and for their generous hospitality at site. The free, open discussions and the interchange of ideas with them has proved a refreshing learning experience that has erniched my knowledge ofthe Neanderthal question and ofthe Paleolithic. I am equally indebted to the Museo de Ciencias Naturales ofMadrid and the Gibraltar Museum for permitting me to use teeth from their permanent collections. But foremost thanks go to my wife Gail who put up with my erratic work habits and my repeated travel to Spain as well as with extended hogging ofthe family computers This research was funded with travel grants from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to Dr.. H. P. Schwarcz, in collaboration with Dr. W. J. Rink, Dr. V. Cabrera Valdes and Dr. F. Bemaldo de Quiros. iv Table ofContents ABSTRACf Page iii ACKNOWLEDGEl\fEN'TS Page iv TABLE OF CONI'EN'TS Page v UST OF TABLES Page xi UST OF FlGURES Page xii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1 - Introduction Page 1 CHAPTER 2: THE EVOLUTION QUESTION 2 - The evolution question Page 5 CHAPTER 3: DATING 3 - Dating Page 12 CHAPTER 4: ESR DATING 4 - ESR dating Page 15 4.1 Factors affecting ESR age determinations Page 29 CHAPTER 5: CAVE ENVIRONMENTS 5 - Cave environments Page 32 CHAPTER 6: TEETII 6 - Teeth Page 33 6.1 Uranium uptake models Page 35 6.2 Other considerations Page 38 CHAPTER 7: EFFECTS OF SAMPLE PREPARAnON 7 - Effects of sample preparation Page 40 CHAPTER 8: ESR APPLICATIONS 8 - ESR applications Page 41 v CHAPTER 9: PHYSICAL CONTEXT 9 - Physical context Page 47 9.1 General Page 47 9.2 Geography and geology Page 49 9.2.1 Cantabria Page 53 9.2.3 Penebetica Page 56 9.2.4 Gibraltar Page 60 9.3 Past ecology Page 60 CHAPTER 10: ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONTEXT 10 - Archaeological context Page 66 10.1 Archaeological activities Page 66 10.1.1 The northern sites Page 66 10.1.2 The southern sites Page 72 CHAPTER 11: ARCHAEOLOGICAL STRATA AND EXCAVATED MATERIAL 11 - Archaeological strata and excavated material Page 84 11.1 Archaeological strata Page 84 11.1.1 El Castillo Page 84 11.1.2 ElPendo Page 85 11.1.3 Carihuela Page 87 11.1.4 GorhaIll's cave Page 93 11.1.5 Vanguard cave Page 99 CHAPTER 12: PROCEDURES 12 - Procedures Page 102 12.1 DosiInetry Page 102 12.2 CaFz phosphor Page 103 12.3 Copper capsules for field dosimetry and their preparation Page 104 12.4 Emplacing and retrieving CaFz capsules Page 106 12.5 Panasonic dosiIneters Page 107 vi 12.6 Emplacing Panasonic dosimeters in the field Page 107 12.7 Retrieving dosimeters from the field Page 110 12.8 Reading the CaFz dosimeters Page 110 12.9 Dose rate calculations Page 111 12.10 Sample collection Page 114 12.10.1 Field collection Page 114 12.10.1.1 Tooth and sediment collection Page 114 12.10.1.2 Procedures for Recovery of In-Situ Teeth Page 115 12.10.1.2.1 Recognition ofteeth and location Page 115 12.10.1.2.2 Recovery of teeth Page 116 12.10.1.2.3 General comments Page 118 12.10.1.3 Moisture samples collection Page 119 12.10.2 Musewn sample collection Page 119 12.10.2.1 Sediments Page 120 12.10.2.2 Preservatives and storage environment. Page 120 CHAPTER 13: SAMPLE PREPARATION 13 - Sample preparation Page 122 13.1 Removal apparatus Page 122 13.2 Tooth numbering and identification Page 122 13.3 Tooth preparation Page 124 13.3.1 Choosing and photographing samples Page 127 13.4 Cutting samples Page 128 13.5 Preparation ofenamel, dentine and cementum Page 128 13.6 UGC analysis Page 130 13.7 Irradiation Page 133 13.8 ESR spectrometry Page 133 13.8.1 Sample density vs. intensity signal. Page 138 13.8.2 Effect of particle size Page 140 vii 13.8.3 Effects of crystal orientation Page 141 13.8.4 Effect ofsample position within the spectrometer cavity Page 143 13.8.5 Experimental repeatability Page 144 13.8.6 De Calculations Page 145 13.8.7 Age detennination Page 145 CHAPTER 14: TIIE FIELD WORK 14 - Field work and site visits Page 149 14.1 El Castillo Cave Page 149 14.2 EI Pendo Cave Page 150 14.3 Carihuela Cave Page 150 14.4 Gorham's Cave Page 153 14.5 Vangtlard Cave Page 155 CHAPTER 15: TIlE LABORATORY WORK 15 - Laboratory work Page 158 15.1 Dosimeters Page 158 15.1.1 "Lumpy" and homogeneous sediments Page 159 15.2 Tooth preparation Page 161 15.3 Sediments Page 162 15.4 Determination ofDe's by Universal Growth Curve Page 163 15.6 Irradiation Page 165 15.7 Spectrometer Measurement Page 165 CHAPTER 16: TIlE ESR AGES 16 - ESR dates Page 166 16.1 EI Pendo Page 166 16.2 Carihuela Page 170 16.3 Gorham's Cave Page 173 16.4 Vangtlard Cave Page 176 viii CHAPTER 17: CONUUSIONS 17 - Conclusions Page 178 APPENDICES Appendix A Page 182 Protorol for field gamma spectrometer readings Page 183 Protocol for annealing CaF2 phosphor Page 184 Protocol for making CaF2 dosimeters Page 186 Protocol for preparing Panasonic dosimeters for the field Page 188 Protocol for reading and zeroing Panasonic Dosimeters Page 189 Protocol for preparing TL cupels Page 191 Protocol for establishing laboratory beta dose for CaF2 dosimeters Page 193 Detailed procedure for measuring TL phosphors : Page 194 Protocol for cleaning TL cupels Page 199 Reconciling measured dosimeter doses and doses calculated from sediments Page 200 Collection ofmoisture samples and moisture measurement.
Recommended publications
  • Ritual Landscapes and Borders Within Rock Art Research Stebergløkken, Berge, Lindgaard and Vangen Stuedal (Eds)

    Ritual Landscapes and Borders Within Rock Art Research Stebergløkken, Berge, Lindgaard and Vangen Stuedal (Eds)

    Stebergløkken, Berge, Lindgaard and Vangen Stuedal (eds) and Vangen Lindgaard Berge, Stebergløkken, Art Research within Rock and Borders Ritual Landscapes Ritual Landscapes and Ritual landscapes and borders are recurring themes running through Professor Kalle Sognnes' Borders within long research career. This anthology contains 13 articles written by colleagues from his broad network in appreciation of his many contributions to the field of rock art research. The contributions discuss many different kinds of borders: those between landscapes, cultures, Rock Art Research traditions, settlements, power relations, symbolism, research traditions, theory and methods. We are grateful to the Department of Historical studies, NTNU; the Faculty of Humanities; NTNU, Papers in Honour of The Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters and The Norwegian Archaeological Society (Norsk arkeologisk selskap) for funding this volume that will add new knowledge to the field and Professor Kalle Sognnes will be of importance to researchers and students of rock art in Scandinavia and abroad. edited by Heidrun Stebergløkken, Ragnhild Berge, Eva Lindgaard and Helle Vangen Stuedal Archaeopress Archaeology www.archaeopress.com Steberglokken cover.indd 1 03/09/2015 17:30:19 Ritual Landscapes and Borders within Rock Art Research Papers in Honour of Professor Kalle Sognnes edited by Heidrun Stebergløkken, Ragnhild Berge, Eva Lindgaard and Helle Vangen Stuedal Archaeopress Archaeology Archaeopress Publishing Ltd Gordon House 276 Banbury Road Oxford OX2 7ED www.archaeopress.com ISBN 9781784911584 ISBN 978 1 78491 159 1 (e-Pdf) © Archaeopress and the individual authors 2015 Cover image: Crossing borders. Leirfall in Stjørdal, central Norway. Photo: Helle Vangen Stuedal All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owners.
  • 5 Years on Ice Age Europe Network Celebrates – Page 5

    5 Years on Ice Age Europe Network Celebrates – Page 5

    network of heritage sites Magazine Issue 2 aPriL 2018 neanderthal rock art Latest research from spanish caves – page 6 Underground theatre British cave balances performances with conservation – page 16 Caves with ice age art get UnesCo Label germany’s swabian Jura awarded world heritage status – page 40 5 Years On ice age europe network celebrates – page 5 tewww.ice-age-europe.euLLING the STORY of iCe AGE PeoPLe in eUROPe anD eXPL ORING PLEISTOCene CULtURAL HERITAGE IntrOductIOn network of heritage sites welcome to the second edition of the ice age europe magazine! Ice Age europe Magazine – issue 2/2018 issn 2568­4353 after the successful launch last year we are happy to present editorial board the new issue, which is again brimming with exciting contri­ katrin hieke, gerd­Christian weniger, nick Powe butions. the magazine showcases the many activities taking Publication editing place in research and conservation, exhibition, education and katrin hieke communication at each of the ice age europe member sites. Layout and design Brightsea Creative, exeter, Uk; in addition, we are pleased to present two special guest Beate tebartz grafik Design, Düsseldorf, germany contributions: the first by Paul Pettitt, University of Durham, cover photo gives a brief overview of a groundbreaking discovery, which fashionable little sapiens © fumane Cave proved in february 2018 that the neanderthals were the first Inside front cover photo cave artists before modern humans. the second by nuria sanz, water bird – hohle fels © urmu, director of UnesCo in Mexico and general coor­­­di nator of the Photo: burkert ideenreich heaDs programme, reports on the new initiative for a serial transnational nomination of neanderthal sites as world heritage, for which this network laid the foundation.
  • Tese1997vol1.Pdf

    Tese1997vol1.Pdf

    Dedicado à Cristina e ao João David Advertência prévia Este trabalho corresponde à dissertação escrita pelo autor para obtenção do grau de doutoramento em Pré-História pela Universidade de Lisboa. A sua redacção ficou concluída em Abril de 1995, e a respectiva arguição teve lugar em Novembro do mesmo ano. A versão agora publicada beneficiou de pequenos ajustamentos do texto, de uma actualização da biliografia e do acrescento de alguns elementos de informação novos, nomeadamente no que diz respeito a datações radiométricas. A obra compreende dois volumes. No volume II agruparam-se os capítulos sobre a história da investigação e a metodologia utilizada na análise dos materiais líticos, bem como os estudos monográficos das diferentes colecções. No volume I, sintetizaram-se as conclusões derivadas desses estudos, e procurou-se integrá-las num quadro histórico e geográfico mais lato, o das sociedades de caçadores do Paleolítico Superior do Sudoeste da Europa. A leitura do volume I é suficiente para a aquisição de uma visão de conjunto dos conhecimentos actuais respeitantes a este período em Portugal. Uma tal leitura deve ter em conta, porém, que essa síntese pressupõe uma crítica das fontes utilizadas. Em Arqueologia, o instrumento dessa crítica é a análise tafonómica dos sítios e espólios. A argumentação sobre as respectivas condições de jazida é desenvolvida no quadro dos estudos apresentados no volume II. É neles que deve ser buscada a razão de ser das opções tomadas quanto à caracterização dos contextos (ocupações singulares, palimpsestos de ocupações múltiplas), à sua homogeneidade (uma só época ou várias épocas), à sua integridade (em posição primária ou secundária), à sua representatividade (universo ou amostra, recuperação integral ou parcial) e à sua cronologia (ou cronologias).
  • Cave Radon Exposure, Dose, Dynamics and Mitigation

    Cave Radon Exposure, Dose, Dynamics and Mitigation

    Chris L. Waring, Stuart I. Hankin, Stephen B. Solomon, Stephen Long, Andrew Yule, Robert Blackley, Sylvester Werczynski, and Andrew C. Baker. Cave radon exposure, dose, dynamics and mitigation. Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, v. 83, no. 1, p. 1-19. DOI:10.4311/2019ES0124 CAVE RADON EXPOSURE, DOSE, DYNAMICS AND MITIGATION Chris L. Waring1, C, Stuart I. Hankin1, Stephen B. Solomon2, Stephen Long2, Andrew Yule2, Robert Blackley1, Sylvester Werczynski1, and Andrew C. Baker3 Abstract Many caves around the world have very high concentrations of naturally occurring 222Rn that may vary dramatically with seasonal and diurnal patterns. For most caves with a variable seasonal or diurnal pattern, 222Rn concentration is driven by bi-directional convective ventilation, which responds to external temperature contrast with cave temperature. Cavers and cave workers exposed to high 222Rn have an increased risk of contracting lung cancer. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has re-evaluated its estimates of lung cancer risk from inhalation of radon progeny (ICRP 115) and for cave workers the risk may now (ICRP 137) be 4–6 times higher than previously recognized. Cave Guides working underground in caves with annual average 222Rn activity 1,000 Bq m3 and default ICRP assumptions (2,000 workplace hours per year, equilibrium factor F 0.4, dose conversion factor DCF 14 µSv 3 1 1 d13 (kBq h m ) could now receive a dose of 20 mSv y . Using multiple gas tracers ( C CO2, Rn and N2O), linked weather, source gas flux chambers, and convective air flow measurements a previous study unequivocally identified the external soil above Chifley Cave as the source of cave222 Rn.
  • Research Institute

    Research Institute

    SILSOE RESEARCH INSTITUTE Report on a visit to CENTRO DE INVESllGACION FORMACION Y EXTENSION EN MECANIZACION AGRICOLA Cochabamba, Bolivia, 12-23 January 1998 Undertaken on behalf of the International Development Group, Silsoe Research Institute by Frank Inns i Consultant on draught animals and equipment I mG/98/7 &~~ f '2:. .'t. I ~ jor ~ I Life AN INSTITUTE SPONSORED BY THE BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL SUMMARY ii 1 TERMS OF REFERENCE 2 EQUIPMENT BROUGHT FROM THE U.K. 1 3 WORK DIARY 4 COMMENTARY. 13 5 FUTURE PROGRAMME 6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . 18 7 APPENDICES 19 APPENDIX 1: Termsof reference APPENDIX 2: SeminarPapers 20 APPENDIX 3: Equipment -specifications and comments. 33 APPENDIX 4: Suggestedresearch topics 39 I t SUMMARY The visit to CIFEMA extended over two weeks in January 1998. Its primary purpose was to introduce the concept of a single-donkey ploughing system using a high-lift harness (i.e. one with a steep angle of pull -about 300 in contrast to the customary angle of 200 or less) in conjunction with a lightweight plough. This system offers reduced draught and greater efficiency compared with more 'conventional' systems. A high-lift harness and two lightweight ploughs of slightly differing constructions were taken to Bolivia for demonstration and evaluation for potential manufacture by CIFEMA. They performed convincingly, generating considerable interest in single animal working. Enthusiasm was such that on the first working day a horse was fitted with a high-lift harness and put to work with the donkey plough, confirming that the high-lift concept is equally applicable to horse use.
  • CV Karkanas 2018.Pdf

    CV Karkanas 2018.Pdf

    PANAGIOTIS (TAKIS) KARKANAS CURRICULUM VITAE May 2018 Malcolm H. Wiener Laboratory for Archaeological Science American School of Classical Studies 54 Soudias, 10676 Athens, Greece Tel.: (30) 2130002400x224 Fax: (30) 2107294047 E-mail: [email protected] Personal Web Pages: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Panagiotis_Karkanas https://ascsa.academia.edu/PanagiotisKarkanas EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND 1994: Ph.D. in Geology (Specialty: mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry), Department of Geology, University of Athens. 1990: Postgraduate Seminar (300 hours) in Geology of sedimentary basin and energy resources. EU funded Research Seminar for Geologists, Department of Geology, University of Athens. 1986: B.Sc. in Geology, Department of Geology, University of Athens. AREAS OF INTEREST Geoarchaeology: site formation processes (stratigraphy, micromorphology, post-depositional chemical alterations) palaeoenvironmental reconstructions, paleoclimate, methods and techniques (dating, petrography, mineralogy, sedimentary analysis, provenance analysis). PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS 2014-: Director, Malcolm H. Wiener Laboratory of Archaeological Science, American School of Classical Studies at Athens, Greece. 1994-2014: Senior Geologist, Ephoreia of Palaeoanthropology-Speleology (EPS), Ministry of Culture, Greece. 2004-2013: Adjunct Lecturer, Department of Geography, Harokopio University of Athens. OTHER PROFESSIONAL AND LABORATORY EXPERIENCE 1995-2003 (approx. one month per year): Visiting research scientist, Kimmel Center for Archaeological Sciences,
  • The First Neanderthal Remains from an Open-Air Middle Palaeolithic Site In

    The First Neanderthal Remains from an Open-Air Middle Palaeolithic Site In

    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN The first Neanderthal remains from an open-air Middle Palaeolithic site in the Levant Received: 30 January 2017 Ella Been1,2, Erella Hovers3,4, Ravid Ekshtain3, Ariel Malinski-Buller5, Nuha Agha6, Alon Accepted: 8 May 2017 Barash7, Daniella E. Bar-Yosef Mayer8,9, Stefano Benazzi10,11, Jean-Jacques Hublin11, Lihi Published: xx xx xxxx Levin2, Noam Greenbaum12, Netta Mitki3, Gregorio Oxilia13,10, Naomi Porat 14, Joel Roskin15,16, Michalle Soudack17,18, Reuven Yeshurun19, Ruth Shahack-Gross15, Nadav Nir3, Mareike C. Stahlschmidt20, Yoel Rak2 & Omry Barzilai6 The late Middle Palaeolithic (MP) settlement patterns in the Levant included the repeated use of caves and open landscape sites. The fossil record shows that two types of hominins occupied the region during this period—Neandertals and Homo sapiens. Until recently, diagnostic fossil remains were found only at cave sites. Because the two populations in this region left similar material cultural remains, it was impossible to attribute any open-air site to either species. In this study, we present newly discovered fossil remains from intact archaeological layers of the open-air site ‘Ein Qashish, in northern Israel. The hominin remains represent three individuals: EQH1, a nondiagnostic skull fragment; EQH2, an upper right third molar (RM3); and EQH3, lower limb bones of a young Neandertal male. EQH2 and EQH3 constitute the first diagnostic anatomical remains of Neandertals at an open-air site in the Levant. The optically stimulated luminescence ages suggest that Neandertals repeatedly visited ‘Ein Qashish between 70 and 60 ka. The discovery of Neandertals at open-air sites during the late MP reinforces the view that Neandertals were a resilient population in the Levant shortly before Upper Palaeolithic Homo sapiens populated the region.
  • The Aurignacian Viewed from Africa

    The Aurignacian Viewed from Africa

    Aurignacian Genius: Art, Technology and Society of the First Modern Humans in Europe Proceedings of the International Symposium, April 08-10 2013, New York University THE AURIGNACIAN VIEWED FROM AFRICA Christian A. TRYON Introduction 20 The African archeological record of 43-28 ka as a comparison 21 A - The Aurignacian has no direct equivalent in Africa 21 B - Archaic hominins persist in Africa through much of the Late Pleistocene 24 C - High modification symbolic artifacts in Africa and Eurasia 24 Conclusions 26 Acknowledgements 26 References cited 27 To cite this article Tryon C. A. , 2015 - The Aurignacian Viewed from Africa, in White R., Bourrillon R. (eds.) with the collaboration of Bon F., Aurignacian Genius: Art, Technology and Society of the First Modern Humans in Europe, Proceedings of the International Symposium, April 08-10 2013, New York University, P@lethnology, 7, 19-33. http://www.palethnologie.org 19 P@lethnology | 2015 | 19-33 Aurignacian Genius: Art, Technology and Society of the First Modern Humans in Europe Proceedings of the International Symposium, April 08-10 2013, New York University THE AURIGNACIAN VIEWED FROM AFRICA Christian A. TRYON Abstract The Aurignacian technocomplex in Eurasia, dated to ~43-28 ka, has no direct archeological taxonomic equivalent in Africa during the same time interval, which may reflect differences in inter-group communication or differences in archeological definitions currently in use. Extinct hominin taxa are present in both Eurasia and Africa during this interval, but the African archeological record has played little role in discussions of the demographic expansion of Homo sapiens, unlike the Aurignacian. Sites in Eurasia and Africa by 42 ka show the earliest examples of personal ornaments that result from extensive modification of raw materials, a greater investment of time that may reflect increased their use in increasingly diverse and complex social networks.
  • First Footprints

    First Footprints

    First Footprints © ATOM 2013 A STUDY GUIDE BY CHERYL JAKAB http://www.metromagazine.com.au ISBN: 978-1-74295-327-4 http://www.theeducationshop.com.au CONTENTS 2 Series overview 3 The series at a glance 3 Credits 3 Series curriculum and education suitability 5 Before viewing VIEWING QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION STARTERS: 6 Ep 1: ‘Super Nomads’ This is a landmark series that every Australian must see. 7 Ep 2: ‘The Great Drought’ The evidence for the very ancient roots of people in 8 Ep 3: ‘The Great Flood’ Australia is presented in a compelling narrative by the , voice of Ernie Dingo. Over 50,000 years of Australia s 9 Ep 4: ‘The Biggest Estate’ ancient past is brought to life in this four-part series , through the world s oldest oral stories, new archaeological 10 Activities discoveries, stunning art, cinematic CGI and never-before- 13 Resources seen archival film. 15 Worksheets and information Suitability: This guide is designed Australia is home to the oldest living specifically for Year 7. This series cultures in the world. Over fifty thou- is destined to become the key sand years ago, well before modern regular monsoon across the north led resource for National Curriculum people reached America or domi- to cultural explosions and astound- Year 7 History Unit 1. nated Europe, people journeyed to the ing art. The flooding of coastal plains Also suitable for: Primary: Years 3, planet’s harshest habitable continent created conflict over land and even 4 & 6, History & Science; Junior and thrived. That’s a continuous culture pitched battles.
  • Contextualizing Early Homo Sapiens in the Middle Paleolithic Levant

    Contextualizing Early Homo Sapiens in the Middle Paleolithic Levant

    New Excavation at Skhul Cave, Israel: contextualizing early Homo sapiens in the Middle Paleolithic Levant Ron Shimelmitz∗1,2, Israel Hershkovitz3, Reuven Yeshurun1, Orbach Meir1, Lior Weissbrod1, Norbert Mercier4, H´el`eneValladas5, Mathieu Duval6, Julia Lee-Thorp7, Francesco Berna8, Nicolas Waldmann9, Nurit Shtober-Zisu10, Iris Groman-Yaroslavski1, Dan Cabanes11, Hila May3, Ariel De Lazari1, and Mina Weinstein-Evron1 1Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa { Isra¨el 2David Yellin Academic College of Education { Isra¨el 3Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Tel Aviv University { Isra¨el 4Institut de Recherche sur les Arch´eomat´eriaux, Universit´eBordeaux Montaigne { University Bordeaux (I) { France 5Laboratore des Sciences du Climat de l'Environment, Universit´eParis-Saclay, Gif Sur Yvette { Laboratore des Sciences du Climat de l'Environment, Universit´eParis-Saclay, Gif Sur Yvette { France 6Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution (ARCHE), Environmental Futures Research Institute (EFRI), Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia { Australie 7School of Archaeology, University of Oxford { Royaume-Uni 8Department of Archaeology, Simon Fraser University { Canada 9Department of Marine Geosciences, University of Haifa { Isra¨el 10Department of Israel Studies, University of Haifa { Isra¨el 11Department of Anthropology, Rutgers University { Etats-Unis´ R´esum´e MIS 5 is regarded as a central interlude of Homo sapiens dispersal into Asia. Neverthe- less, sites containing their diagnostic anatomical remains outside Africa from this particular stage remain extremely scarce. Qafzeh and Skhul are exceptions, and both demonstrate early symbolic behavior expressed in the presence of burials and the use of pigments and shells. Skhul was extensively excavated in 1931-1932 by McCown and reported to include two Middle Paleolithic layers, yielding ten hominins, some of which clearly represent intended burials.
  • Bacterial Diversity and Function Within an Epigenic Cave System and Implications for Other Limestone Cave Systems

    Bacterial Diversity and Function Within an Epigenic Cave System and Implications for Other Limestone Cave Systems

    University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Doctoral Dissertations Graduate School 12-2015 Bacterial diversity and function within an epigenic cave system and implications for other limestone cave systems Kathleen Merritt Brannen-Donnelly University of Tennessee - Knoxville, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss Part of the Biogeochemistry Commons, Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology Commons, and the Geology Commons Recommended Citation Brannen-Donnelly, Kathleen Merritt, "Bacterial diversity and function within an epigenic cave system and implications for other limestone cave systems. " PhD diss., University of Tennessee, 2015. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/3543 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a dissertation written by Kathleen Merritt Brannen-Donnelly entitled "Bacterial diversity and function within an epigenic cave system and implications for other limestone cave systems." I have examined the final electronic copy of this dissertation for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy,
  • Cave Pollen Taphonomy in Kurdish Iraq

    Cave Pollen Taphonomy in Kurdish Iraq

    CAVE POLLEN TAPHONOMY IN KURDISH IRAQ MARTA FIACCONI A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Liverpool John Moores University for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy March 2017 Abstract This thesis aims to understand the mechanisms involved in pollen transport and deposition in cave environments and the influence of different factors on the composition of the pollen assemblage, with special reference to the problem of the Neanderthal ‘Flower burial’ at Shanidar Cave, Kurdish Iraq. Limited systematic taphonomic work has been done in cave environments, with most of the studies on an ad hoc basis. However, the number of interconnected factors acting on pollen transport, deposition and accumulation in this kind of environments implies that models used for open-air sites are inadequate and demonstrates the need for further taphonomic studies. Surface samples from six caves located in the Zagros Mountains of Kurdish Iraq were collected along front-back transects and outside for comparison in order to evaluate the distribution of anemophilous and entomophilous taxa in relation to the sample location. Additional surface samples were collected from Shanidar Cave along a side to side and perimeter transects to better evaluate the pollen distribution. Water, airfall and animal dung samples were also collected to investigate the influence of those factors in pollen transport. Finally, stratigraphic samples collected during the excavation at the site were analysed for pollen and for particle size distribution. Results show that simple sac-like caves with little or no influence of factors such as water, humans and animals are characterised by broadly predictable patterns of pollen distribution with a positive correlation between anemophilous pollen and vicinity to the cave entrance and entomophilous pollen and distance from the cave entrance.