The handaxe is an iconic stone tool form used to define and symbolise both the Acheulean and the ... more The handaxe is an iconic stone tool form used to define and symbolise both the Acheulean and the wider Palaeolithic. There has long been debate around the extent of its morphological variability between sites, and the role that extrinsic factors (especially raw material, blank type, and the extent of resharpening) have played in driving this variability, but there has been a lack of high-resolution examinations of these factors in the same study. In this paper, we present a 2D geometric morphometric analysis of 1097 handaxes from across Africa, the Levant, and western Europe to examine the patterning of this variability and what it can tell us about hominin behaviour. We replicate the findings of previous studies, that handaxe shape varies significantly between sites and entire continental regions, but we find no evidence for raw material, blank type, or resharpening in determining this pattern. What we do find, however, is that markers of reduction trajectory vary substantially between sites, suggesting that handaxes were deployed differently according to hominin need at a given site. We argue this is reflective of a continuum of reduction strategies, from those focused on the maintenance of a sharp cutting edge (i.e. direct use in cutting activities), to those focused on maintaining tip shapes, and perhaps a corresponding production of flakes. Implications for hominin behavioural flexibility are discussed.
Antler is one of the primary animal raw materials exploited for technical purposes by the hunterg... more Antler is one of the primary animal raw materials exploited for technical purposes by the huntergatherer groups of the Eurasian Upper Palaeolithic (UP) all over the ecological range of deers, and beyond. It was exhaustively employed to produce one of the most critical tools for the survival of the UP societies: hunting weapons. However, antler implements can be made from diverse deer taxa, with different ecological requirements and ethological behaviours. Identifying the antler's origin at a taxonomic level is thus essential in improving our knowledge of humans' functional, practical and symbolic choices, as well as the human-animal interface during Prehistoric times. Nevertheless, palaeogenetics analyses have focused mainly on bone and teeth, with genetic studies of antler generally focused on modern deer conservation. Here we present the results of the first whole mitochondrial genome ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis by means of in-solution hybridisation capture of antlers from pre-Holocene archaeological contexts. We analysed a set of 50 Palaeolithic and Neolithic (c. 34-8ka) antler and osseous objects from SouthWestern Europe, Central Europe, SouthWestern Asia and the Caucasus. We successfully obtained aDNA, allowing us to identify the exploited taxa and demonstrate the archaeological relevance of those finds. Moreover, as most of the antlers were sampled using a minimally-invasive method, further analyses (morphometric, technical, genetic, radiometric and more) remain possible on these objects. Significance statement Antlers from the Cervidae family are one of the most exploited raw materials from the Palaeolithic period. Nevertheless, antler implements can be made from diverse deer taxa with different ecological requirements and ethological behaviours. It is thus essential to know their taxonomic origin to evaluate the synergy between the hunter-gatherers, their prey and their environment. Here, we successfully conducted a whole mitochondrial genome aDNA analysis of antlers by means of in-solution hybridisation capture from pre-Holocene archaeological contexts. We demonstrate that implements made from the antlers of undefined taxa can be attributed to a species, enabling deeper archaeological inferences. Although other methods, like palaeoproteomic analyses, can identify at a family taxonomic level, only aDNA allows us to identify the exploited species and perform further phylogenetic analyses.
In this report we summarize the findings of our fieldwalking survey conducted around the well-kno... more In this report we summarize the findings of our fieldwalking survey conducted around the well-known Mid-Upper Palaeolithic (Gravettian) open-air site Grub-Kranawetberg I in Lower Austria, about 40 kilometres northeast of Vienna. In September 2021, we surveyed around 126,000 square metres using GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) to piece-plot each find. In total, we recovered 359 finds comprising lithic artefacts and faunal remains. In our analysis we show that the state of the fields did not drive how many finds per cadastral parcel were recovered during our survey and did not bias the find density per cadastral parcel. The majority of finds hint at a Gravettian dating and occur in two concentrations on top of the hill west of the known site Grub-Kranawetberg I.
The site of Korolevo II in western Ukraine, located in the border area between central and easter... more The site of Korolevo II in western Ukraine, located in the border area between central and eastern Europe, is mainly known for its Early Upper Palaeolithic assemblage, argued in the past to represent an assemblage at the transition from the Middle to the Upper Palaeolithic. Hence, the site holds a potential for a better understanding of the Middle to the Upper Palaeolithic transition and the replacement of Neanderthals by modern humans. Here we report on our new fieldwork between 2015 and 2017, which provided a new view on the stratigraphy, chronology and archaeological sequence of the site. We present a new assessment of the stratigraphy, new Upper Palaeolithic assemblages and first radiocarbon dates for some of them. Our results show the great potential of the site and contribute to a better understanding of a key sequence along the northern fringe of the Pannonian Basin. Of special interest is the assemblage of cultural layer D, adding to our understanding of the first Upper Palaeolithic assemblages and their diversity across western Eurasia.
Abstract This paper presents preliminary results of fieldwork conducted at the Upper Palaeolithic... more Abstract This paper presents preliminary results of fieldwork conducted at the Upper Palaeolithic open-air site Mitoc-Malu Galben in northeastern Romania. The site has a ~14m deep loess-paleosol sequence with a rather high climatic resolution. The chronostratigraphy is well established and embedded in this long sequence are abundant archaeological remains, mostly attributed to the Aurignacian and Gravettian. Our fieldwork between 2013 and 2016 provided new samples of the main Aurignacian and Gravettian layers. Here we provide an overview of our fieldwork activities, the generated archaeological collections, and present a preliminary analysis of raw material economy and blank production and core exploitation strategies of the Gravettian assemblages. We also discuss the Mitoc-Malu Galben Gravettian in its wider regional context and implications for the Aurignacian-Gravettian transition.
Reconnue comme gisement préhistorique depuis la fin du XIXème siècle, la station paléolithique de... more Reconnue comme gisement préhistorique depuis la fin du XIXème siècle, la station paléolithique de Mitoc–Malu Galben a attendu jusqu’en 1978 pour que son potentiel archéologique commence à être pleinement exploité. Vasile Chirica y entame à cette date des fouilles de grande ampleur, révélant une stratigraphie loessique complexe au sein de laquelle se succèdent occupations aurignaciennes et gravettiennes. Dès lors, les travaux de Vasile Chirica sur ce gisement exceptionnel permettront d’ouvrir son étude à la communauté scientifique. En collaboration avec d’autres chercheurs, le site fera l’objet de fouilles par une équipe internationale à partir des années 1990. Au fil du temps, toutes ces recherches ont permis d’établir Mitoc–Malu Galben comme l’une des séquences de référence du Paléolithique supérieur et de la transition Aurignacien- Gravettien à l’est des Carpathes. Dernièrement, quatre campagnes de fouille ont été conduites de 2013 à 2016. À travers diverses approches interdisciplinaires menées sur le site et le matériel extrait, les données les plus récentes permettent encore à l’heure actuelle de fournir de nouveaux éléments pour mieux appréhender ces deux paléocultures. Ce texte se propose de revenir brièvement sur ces résultats
The handaxe is an iconic stone tool form used to define and symbolise both the Acheulean and the ... more The handaxe is an iconic stone tool form used to define and symbolise both the Acheulean and the wider Palaeolithic. There has long been debate around the extent of its morphological variability between sites, and the role that extrinsic factors (especially raw material, blank type, and the extent of resharpening) have played in driving this variability, but there has been a lack of high-resolution examinations of these factors in the same study. In this paper, we present a 2D geometric morphometric analysis of 1097 handaxes from across Africa, the Levant, and western Europe to examine the patterning of this variability and what it can tell us about hominin behaviour. We replicate the findings of previous studies, that handaxe shape varies significantly between sites and entire continental regions, but we find no evidence for raw material, blank type, or resharpening in determining this pattern. What we do find, however, is that markers of reduction trajectory vary substantially bet...
The impact of changing climate on Upper Palaeolithic humans is a heavily debated topic and key to... more The impact of changing climate on Upper Palaeolithic humans is a heavily debated topic and key to understand variability and change in Upper Palaeolithic material culture. To contribute to a better understanding of the timing and environmental context of changes in material culture, we need to focus on archaeological sites with a long sequence, secure climatic context, and abundant archaeology. In Eastern Europe, one of these sites is Mitoc-Malu Galben (Romania) with a semi-continuous loess-paleosol record from ~32 to 20 ka uncal BP. Embedded in this sequence are multiple Aurignacian and Gravettian archaeological horizons. Between 2013 and 2016 a international team re-excavated the site and focused on small excavations using high-resolution excavation and documentation methods and applied an interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of the materials and their context. Here, we present our new results focusing on the lithic technology of two Aurignacinan and two Gravettian archaeological horizons. In particular, we present an Aurignacian assemblage which is securely dated to 27.8 ka uncal BP (Greenland Interstadial 5), and discuss implications of this evidence in a regional context
Antler is one of the primary animal raw materials exploited for technical purposes by the hunterg... more Antler is one of the primary animal raw materials exploited for technical purposes by the huntergatherer groups of the Eurasian Upper Palaeolithic (UP) all over the ecological range of deers, and beyond. It was exhaustively employed to produce one of the most critical tools for the survival of the UP societies: hunting weapons. However, antler implements can be made from diverse deer taxa, with different ecological requirements and ethological behaviours. Identifying the antler's origin at a taxonomic level is thus essential in improving our knowledge of humans' functional, practical and symbolic choices, as well as the human-animal interface during Prehistoric times. Nevertheless, palaeogenetics analyses have focused mainly on bone and teeth, with genetic studies of antler generally focused on modern deer conservation. Here we present the results of the first whole mitochondrial genome ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis by means of in-solution hybridisation capture of antlers from pre-Holocene archaeological contexts. We analysed a set of 50 Palaeolithic and Neolithic (c. 34-8ka) antler and osseous objects from SouthWestern Europe, Central Europe, SouthWestern Asia and the Caucasus. We successfully obtained aDNA, allowing us to identify the exploited taxa and demonstrate the archaeological relevance of those finds. Moreover, as most of the antlers were sampled using a minimally-invasive method, further analyses (morphometric, technical, genetic, radiometric and more) remain possible on these objects. Significance statement Antlers from the Cervidae family are one of the most exploited raw materials from the Palaeolithic period. Nevertheless, antler implements can be made from diverse deer taxa with different ecological requirements and ethological behaviours. It is thus essential to know their taxonomic origin to evaluate the synergy between the hunter-gatherers, their prey and their environment. Here, we successfully conducted a whole mitochondrial genome aDNA analysis of antlers by means of in-solution hybridisation capture from pre-Holocene archaeological contexts. We demonstrate that implements made from the antlers of undefined taxa can be attributed to a species, enabling deeper archaeological inferences. Although other methods, like palaeoproteomic analyses, can identify at a family taxonomic level, only aDNA allows us to identify the exploited species and perform further phylogenetic analyses.
The handaxe is an iconic stone tool form used to define and symbolise both the Acheulean and the ... more The handaxe is an iconic stone tool form used to define and symbolise both the Acheulean and the wider Palaeolithic. There has long been debate around the extent of its morphological variability between sites, and the role that extrinsic factors (especially raw material, blank type, and the extent of resharpening) have played in driving this variability, but there has been a lack of high-resolution examinations of these factors in the same study. In this paper, we present a 2D geometric morphometric analysis of 1097 handaxes from across Africa, the Levant, and western Europe to examine the patterning of this variability and what it can tell us about hominin behaviour. We replicate the findings of previous studies, that handaxe shape varies significantly between sites and entire continental regions, but we find no evidence for raw material, blank type, or resharpening in determining this pattern. What we do find, however, is that markers of reduction trajectory vary substantially between sites, suggesting that handaxes were deployed differently according to hominin need at a given site. We argue this is reflective of a continuum of reduction strategies, from those focused on the maintenance of a sharp cutting edge (i.e. direct use in cutting activities), to those focused on maintaining tip shapes, and perhaps a corresponding production of flakes. Implications for hominin behavioural flexibility are discussed.
Antler is one of the primary animal raw materials exploited for technical purposes by the hunterg... more Antler is one of the primary animal raw materials exploited for technical purposes by the huntergatherer groups of the Eurasian Upper Palaeolithic (UP) all over the ecological range of deers, and beyond. It was exhaustively employed to produce one of the most critical tools for the survival of the UP societies: hunting weapons. However, antler implements can be made from diverse deer taxa, with different ecological requirements and ethological behaviours. Identifying the antler's origin at a taxonomic level is thus essential in improving our knowledge of humans' functional, practical and symbolic choices, as well as the human-animal interface during Prehistoric times. Nevertheless, palaeogenetics analyses have focused mainly on bone and teeth, with genetic studies of antler generally focused on modern deer conservation. Here we present the results of the first whole mitochondrial genome ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis by means of in-solution hybridisation capture of antlers from pre-Holocene archaeological contexts. We analysed a set of 50 Palaeolithic and Neolithic (c. 34-8ka) antler and osseous objects from SouthWestern Europe, Central Europe, SouthWestern Asia and the Caucasus. We successfully obtained aDNA, allowing us to identify the exploited taxa and demonstrate the archaeological relevance of those finds. Moreover, as most of the antlers were sampled using a minimally-invasive method, further analyses (morphometric, technical, genetic, radiometric and more) remain possible on these objects. Significance statement Antlers from the Cervidae family are one of the most exploited raw materials from the Palaeolithic period. Nevertheless, antler implements can be made from diverse deer taxa with different ecological requirements and ethological behaviours. It is thus essential to know their taxonomic origin to evaluate the synergy between the hunter-gatherers, their prey and their environment. Here, we successfully conducted a whole mitochondrial genome aDNA analysis of antlers by means of in-solution hybridisation capture from pre-Holocene archaeological contexts. We demonstrate that implements made from the antlers of undefined taxa can be attributed to a species, enabling deeper archaeological inferences. Although other methods, like palaeoproteomic analyses, can identify at a family taxonomic level, only aDNA allows us to identify the exploited species and perform further phylogenetic analyses.
In this report we summarize the findings of our fieldwalking survey conducted around the well-kno... more In this report we summarize the findings of our fieldwalking survey conducted around the well-known Mid-Upper Palaeolithic (Gravettian) open-air site Grub-Kranawetberg I in Lower Austria, about 40 kilometres northeast of Vienna. In September 2021, we surveyed around 126,000 square metres using GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) to piece-plot each find. In total, we recovered 359 finds comprising lithic artefacts and faunal remains. In our analysis we show that the state of the fields did not drive how many finds per cadastral parcel were recovered during our survey and did not bias the find density per cadastral parcel. The majority of finds hint at a Gravettian dating and occur in two concentrations on top of the hill west of the known site Grub-Kranawetberg I.
The site of Korolevo II in western Ukraine, located in the border area between central and easter... more The site of Korolevo II in western Ukraine, located in the border area between central and eastern Europe, is mainly known for its Early Upper Palaeolithic assemblage, argued in the past to represent an assemblage at the transition from the Middle to the Upper Palaeolithic. Hence, the site holds a potential for a better understanding of the Middle to the Upper Palaeolithic transition and the replacement of Neanderthals by modern humans. Here we report on our new fieldwork between 2015 and 2017, which provided a new view on the stratigraphy, chronology and archaeological sequence of the site. We present a new assessment of the stratigraphy, new Upper Palaeolithic assemblages and first radiocarbon dates for some of them. Our results show the great potential of the site and contribute to a better understanding of a key sequence along the northern fringe of the Pannonian Basin. Of special interest is the assemblage of cultural layer D, adding to our understanding of the first Upper Palaeolithic assemblages and their diversity across western Eurasia.
Abstract This paper presents preliminary results of fieldwork conducted at the Upper Palaeolithic... more Abstract This paper presents preliminary results of fieldwork conducted at the Upper Palaeolithic open-air site Mitoc-Malu Galben in northeastern Romania. The site has a ~14m deep loess-paleosol sequence with a rather high climatic resolution. The chronostratigraphy is well established and embedded in this long sequence are abundant archaeological remains, mostly attributed to the Aurignacian and Gravettian. Our fieldwork between 2013 and 2016 provided new samples of the main Aurignacian and Gravettian layers. Here we provide an overview of our fieldwork activities, the generated archaeological collections, and present a preliminary analysis of raw material economy and blank production and core exploitation strategies of the Gravettian assemblages. We also discuss the Mitoc-Malu Galben Gravettian in its wider regional context and implications for the Aurignacian-Gravettian transition.
Reconnue comme gisement préhistorique depuis la fin du XIXème siècle, la station paléolithique de... more Reconnue comme gisement préhistorique depuis la fin du XIXème siècle, la station paléolithique de Mitoc–Malu Galben a attendu jusqu’en 1978 pour que son potentiel archéologique commence à être pleinement exploité. Vasile Chirica y entame à cette date des fouilles de grande ampleur, révélant une stratigraphie loessique complexe au sein de laquelle se succèdent occupations aurignaciennes et gravettiennes. Dès lors, les travaux de Vasile Chirica sur ce gisement exceptionnel permettront d’ouvrir son étude à la communauté scientifique. En collaboration avec d’autres chercheurs, le site fera l’objet de fouilles par une équipe internationale à partir des années 1990. Au fil du temps, toutes ces recherches ont permis d’établir Mitoc–Malu Galben comme l’une des séquences de référence du Paléolithique supérieur et de la transition Aurignacien- Gravettien à l’est des Carpathes. Dernièrement, quatre campagnes de fouille ont été conduites de 2013 à 2016. À travers diverses approches interdisciplinaires menées sur le site et le matériel extrait, les données les plus récentes permettent encore à l’heure actuelle de fournir de nouveaux éléments pour mieux appréhender ces deux paléocultures. Ce texte se propose de revenir brièvement sur ces résultats
The handaxe is an iconic stone tool form used to define and symbolise both the Acheulean and the ... more The handaxe is an iconic stone tool form used to define and symbolise both the Acheulean and the wider Palaeolithic. There has long been debate around the extent of its morphological variability between sites, and the role that extrinsic factors (especially raw material, blank type, and the extent of resharpening) have played in driving this variability, but there has been a lack of high-resolution examinations of these factors in the same study. In this paper, we present a 2D geometric morphometric analysis of 1097 handaxes from across Africa, the Levant, and western Europe to examine the patterning of this variability and what it can tell us about hominin behaviour. We replicate the findings of previous studies, that handaxe shape varies significantly between sites and entire continental regions, but we find no evidence for raw material, blank type, or resharpening in determining this pattern. What we do find, however, is that markers of reduction trajectory vary substantially bet...
The impact of changing climate on Upper Palaeolithic humans is a heavily debated topic and key to... more The impact of changing climate on Upper Palaeolithic humans is a heavily debated topic and key to understand variability and change in Upper Palaeolithic material culture. To contribute to a better understanding of the timing and environmental context of changes in material culture, we need to focus on archaeological sites with a long sequence, secure climatic context, and abundant archaeology. In Eastern Europe, one of these sites is Mitoc-Malu Galben (Romania) with a semi-continuous loess-paleosol record from ~32 to 20 ka uncal BP. Embedded in this sequence are multiple Aurignacian and Gravettian archaeological horizons. Between 2013 and 2016 a international team re-excavated the site and focused on small excavations using high-resolution excavation and documentation methods and applied an interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of the materials and their context. Here, we present our new results focusing on the lithic technology of two Aurignacinan and two Gravettian archaeological horizons. In particular, we present an Aurignacian assemblage which is securely dated to 27.8 ka uncal BP (Greenland Interstadial 5), and discuss implications of this evidence in a regional context
Antler is one of the primary animal raw materials exploited for technical purposes by the hunterg... more Antler is one of the primary animal raw materials exploited for technical purposes by the huntergatherer groups of the Eurasian Upper Palaeolithic (UP) all over the ecological range of deers, and beyond. It was exhaustively employed to produce one of the most critical tools for the survival of the UP societies: hunting weapons. However, antler implements can be made from diverse deer taxa, with different ecological requirements and ethological behaviours. Identifying the antler's origin at a taxonomic level is thus essential in improving our knowledge of humans' functional, practical and symbolic choices, as well as the human-animal interface during Prehistoric times. Nevertheless, palaeogenetics analyses have focused mainly on bone and teeth, with genetic studies of antler generally focused on modern deer conservation. Here we present the results of the first whole mitochondrial genome ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis by means of in-solution hybridisation capture of antlers from pre-Holocene archaeological contexts. We analysed a set of 50 Palaeolithic and Neolithic (c. 34-8ka) antler and osseous objects from SouthWestern Europe, Central Europe, SouthWestern Asia and the Caucasus. We successfully obtained aDNA, allowing us to identify the exploited taxa and demonstrate the archaeological relevance of those finds. Moreover, as most of the antlers were sampled using a minimally-invasive method, further analyses (morphometric, technical, genetic, radiometric and more) remain possible on these objects. Significance statement Antlers from the Cervidae family are one of the most exploited raw materials from the Palaeolithic period. Nevertheless, antler implements can be made from diverse deer taxa with different ecological requirements and ethological behaviours. It is thus essential to know their taxonomic origin to evaluate the synergy between the hunter-gatherers, their prey and their environment. Here, we successfully conducted a whole mitochondrial genome aDNA analysis of antlers by means of in-solution hybridisation capture from pre-Holocene archaeological contexts. We demonstrate that implements made from the antlers of undefined taxa can be attributed to a species, enabling deeper archaeological inferences. Although other methods, like palaeoproteomic analyses, can identify at a family taxonomic level, only aDNA allows us to identify the exploited species and perform further phylogenetic analyses.
The Early Upper Palaeolithic (EUP) record throughout Europe is characterized by major changes in ... more The Early Upper Palaeolithic (EUP) record throughout Europe is characterized by major changes in human behaviour. Different models explaining these changes and the emergence of the EUP have been proposed over the past decades. The research presented in this volume focuses on answering the question of whether the EUP changes in human behaviour are due to local evolution or diffusion processes. Using a methodology that includes an attribute analysis and quantifies the differences between assemblages the models of local evolution, diffusion, and stimulus diffusion are tested against the archaeological record of the Middle Danube region that shows a variability of EUP technocomplexes (Szeletian, Bohunician, Aurignacian). The results suggest that the development of the Szeletian is not an independent process but rather results from diffusion at the time of the modern human dispersal into Europe as manifested by the Bohunician.
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Papers by Philip R Nigst