Papers by Angela Lieverse
Journal of Archaeological Science
Indigenous communities on the Northern Great Plains of North America commonly kept dogs as domest... more Indigenous communities on the Northern Great Plains of North America commonly kept dogs as domestic animals. Historical records and previous archaeological research indicate that many of these dogs were large-bodied animals. Both data sources also suggest that wolf-dog interbreeding was common and in part occurred as a means of producing large dogs for use in transport. However, nearly all previous studies of large canid remains on the Great Plains rely on traditional morphometrics, a method that can conflate shape differences with size differences due to isometry. Geometric morphometrics, a method that can factor out such scaling effects, is applied in this study to Late Holocene large canid remains from two non-archaeological locations on the plains of Alberta, Canada. Our results indicate the presence of both dogs and wolves, with many of the wolves experiencing extreme tooth wear and loss and having small body sizes. We argue that wolves on the plains were far more variable than presently recognized and that such smaller wolves are likely to be confused with early generation hybrid animals when studied with traditional morphometrics. Differences in wolf and dog reproductive biology and behaviour likely made wolf-dog introgression rare rather than common. The use of advanced methodologies such as geometric morphometrics is needed to more confidently identify ancient North American canid remains. However, such methodologies must rely upon comprehensive comparative datasets that account for past variability in regional canids. Traditional morphometrics will continue to have an important role in the study of North American canid remains due to the fragmentary nature of most archaeological specimens. Such methods will be most effectively used in combination with other methodologies.
Expats are characterized by a long-term orientation toward the future, which is reflected in the ... more Expats are characterized by a long-term orientation toward the future, which is reflected in the systematic long-term investments in some projects that will end in the lifetime of the next generations. At the same time, expat teachers are more prudent, persistent in achieving goals.
FACETS, 2020
Various multiple-disciplinary terms and concepts (although most commonly “interdisciplinarity,” w... more Various multiple-disciplinary terms and concepts (although most commonly “interdisciplinarity,” which is used herein) are used to frame education, scholarship, research, and interactions within and outside academia. In principle, the premise of interdisciplinarity may appear to have many strengths; yet, the extent to which interdisciplinarity is embraced by the current generation of academics, the benefits and risks for doing so, and the barriers and facilitators to achieving interdisciplinarity, represent inherent challenges. Much has been written on the topic of interdisciplinarity, but to our knowledge there have been few attempts to consider and present diverse perspectives from scholars, artists, and scientists in a cohesive manner. As a team of 57 members from the Canadian College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists of the Royal Society of Canada (the College) who self-identify as being engaged or interested in interdisciplinarity, we provide diverse intellectual, cultura...
Palgrave Communications, 2020
There is growing recognition that gender diversity within research organizations can result in in... more There is growing recognition that gender diversity within research organizations can result in innovative research outcomes. It has also been recognized that gender homogeneity can undermine the quality and breadth of the research and may allow some to cast doubt on the legitimacy of scientific findings. In this paper, we present the results of a gender-based analysis of Canada’s ArcticNet Networks Centers of Excellence. Representing Canada’s single largest commitment to climate change science, ArcticNet has involved 761 researchers who have published >2400 peer-reviewed publications on the impacts of climate change in the Canadian Arctic. Our results indicate that, despite outnumbering their male peers at the graduate levels, the representation of women within ArcticNet exhibits a marked decline to only 21% (N = 51) of all ArcticNet investigators (N = 246). In addition to being numerically under-represented, female investigators in ArcticNet have fewer research collaborators and...
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 2016
This paper presents the first archaeological case of long-term survival following a penetrating s... more This paper presents the first archaeological case of long-term survival following a penetrating spinal injury. The afflicted individual, a young adult male, was recovered from an Early Neolithic hunter-gatherer cemetery in the Baikal region of Siberia (Russian Federation), dating back nearly 8000 years. The second or third lumbar vertebra exhibits a lithic projectile point embedded in the right lamina, extending most of the way through the vertebral foramen, with evidence of extensive, if not complete, healing indicating survival for at least several months. Micro-CT imaging is used to nondestructively visualize both the point and the bone in order to better understand the nature of the traumatic event, as well as the immediate and long-term complications associated with this grave injury.
A Companion to South Asia in the Past provides the definitive overview of research and knowledge ... more A Companion to South Asia in the Past provides the definitive overview of research and knowledge about South Asia's past, from the Pleistocene to the historic era in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, provided by a truly global team of experts. • The most comprehensive and detailed scholarly treatment of South Asian archaeology and biological anthropology, providing groundbreaking new ideas and future challenges • Provides an in-depth and broad view of the current state of knowledge about South Asia's past, from the Pleistocene to the historic era in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal • A comprehensive treatment of research in a crucial region for human evolution and biocultural adaptation • A global team of scholars together present a varied set of perspectives on South Asian pre-and proto-history
PLoS ONE, 2014
Extensive osteolytic and osteoblastic lesions were observed on the skeletal remains of an adult m... more Extensive osteolytic and osteoblastic lesions were observed on the skeletal remains of an adult male excavated from an Early Bronze Age cemetery dated to 4556+32 years BP, located in the Cis-Baikal region of Siberia (Russian Federation). Lytic lesions ranged in size from several mm to over 60 mm in diameter and had irregular, moth-eaten borders. Many of these lesions destroyed trabecular bone, though a hollowed shell of cortical bone often remained observable. Radiographic analysis revealed numerous lytic lesions within trabecular bone that had not yet affected the cortex. Blastic lesions were identified as spiculated lines, bands, or nodules of mostly immature (woven) bone formed at irregular intervals. Anatomical elements with the greatest involvement included those of the axial skeleton (skull, vertebrae, sacrum, ribs, and sternum) as well as proximal appendicular elements (ossa coxae, proximal femora, clavicles, scapulae, and proximal humeri). Osteocoalescence of destructive foci was observed on the ilium and frontal bone, with the largest lesion found on the right ilium. Differential diagnoses include metastatic carcinoma, mycotic infections, tuberculosis, Langerhan's cell histiocytosis, and multiple myeloma. Based on lesion appearance and distribution, age and sex of the individual, as well as pathogen endemism, the most likely diagnostic option for this set of lesions is metastatic carcinoma. The age and sex of this individual and appearance of the lesions may reflect carcinoma of the lung or, possibly, prostate. This represents one of the earliest cases of metastatic
International Journal of Paleopathology, 2014
ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the mandible of an adult male individual (radiocarbon dated to 442... more ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the mandible of an adult male individual (radiocarbon dated to 4420–3995 cal BP) from the Early Bronze Age Cis-Baikal cemetery of Ust’-Ida I (Siberia, Russian Federation). The mandible contains two features of interest: (1) bilaterally missing central incisors, and (2) the tip of a lithic projectile point embedded in the symphyseal region. Despite the absent teeth, the mandible presents a dental arcade without diastemata, appearing normal and complete on first glance. Three different levels of CT (computed tomography) imaging—ranging from clinical to synchrotron-based—were employed in order to establish the aetiology behind the missing dentition, whether subsequent to the projectile trauma or entirely unrelated to it. Results indicate that the mandible exhibits two highly unusual but unrelated features: probable bilateral agenesis of the central incisors and perimortem trauma to the mental symphysis. In addition, the embedded tip was successfully matched via digital imaging to photographs of a broken projectile point, an artefact recovered from the facial region of the skeleton.
American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 2016
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Cornell University Graduate School, Ei... more Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Cornell University Graduate School, Einaudi Center for International Studies (Cornell University), Human Biology Program (Cornell University)
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
Abstract Bioarchaeological and forensic anthropological methods are limited in their ability to r... more Abstract Bioarchaeological and forensic anthropological methods are limited in their ability to re-associate human skeletal remains that have been both fragmented and commingled. Although many methods for individualizing commingled remains exist, they are rendered ineffective when the level of fragmentation is high. In these contexts, human remains are often approached similarly to faunal assemblages, regarded as sets of fragmented elements rather than as groups of fragments representing an individual. This paper introduces a new, four-stage approach to identifying discrete individuals from unintentionally fragmented and commingled human remains and salvaging information from highly disturbed cemetery contexts. These stages include documentation, grouping, analysis, and evaluation, each incorporating multiple methods so as to be applicable to a wide variety of assemblages or data availability. Through this process, quantitative analyses are used to evaluate qualitative groupings. This method is applicable to skeletal collections of varying levels of preservation. To demonstrate its application, we apply this methodology to an Early Neolithic (7560–6660 HPD cal. BP) hunter-gatherer cemetery, Moty-Novaia Shamanka (MNS), located in the Cis-Baikal region of Siberia, Russia. MNS was destroyed in the 1990s for urban development and flood management, leaving the ancient skeletal remains severely fragmented and commingled. Our results identified five discrete individual groupings from 1245 human bone fragments, and eight further groupings of related fragments. Through a process of elimination, it was determined that these groupings represented at least seven distinct people. The methodological approach of this study challenges our perception of the informative value of fragmented and commingled human remains and provides an example of how future studies could approach individualization in situations where most context has been lost.
International Journal of Paleopathology
OBJECTIVE We explore the utility of using a hand-held X-ray system to diagnose mastoiditis in arc... more OBJECTIVE We explore the utility of using a hand-held X-ray system to diagnose mastoiditis in archaeological populations. MATERIALS A sample (n = 56) of hunter-fisher-gatherers from the Early Neolithic (8,000-7,000/6,800 cal. BP) Cis-Baikal cemetery of Shamanka II (Russia) were examined. METHODS Images were taken medio-laterally, approximately 90° to a sensor temporarily affixed to the lateral surface of the mastoid process. Digital radiographs were analysed for signs of mastoiditis occurring pre- and/or post-puberty. RESULTS Two thirds of individuals (39/56) exhibited evidence of mastoiditis. Chronic mastoiditis and chronic sinusitis co-occurred in 61.5% (24/39) of observable individuals. CONCLUSIONS This method was found to be an effective, convenient, and versatile non-destructive alternative to sectioning and traditional radiographic imaging. SIGNIFICANCE This is the first project to adapt a hand-held X-ray system for imaging and diagnosis of mastoiditis and this approach encourages future analyses of this infection. LIMITATIONS The cost of the imaging system is limiting and there are few comparative images taken in the same plane. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH Further research should create a larger catalogue of comparative radiographs and assess the diagnostic potential of imaging the mastoid process to rather than imaging the entire pneumatized portion of the temporal bone.
Quaternary International, 2016
Anthropological Science
This paper discusses a probable case of pediatric mandibular osteomyelitis (OM) from the east Hok... more This paper discusses a probable case of pediatric mandibular osteomyelitis (OM) from the east Hokkaido Okhotsk (5th-13th century AD) site of Moyoro, Japan. The remains of a young child present an unusual mandibular lesion exhibiting two main features: (1) cortical thickening reflecting periosteal new bone formation, and (2) lytic alveolar destruction with associated antemortem tooth loss. The lesion was examined macroscopically, microscopically, and via computed tomography imaging. A differential diagnosis-considering lesion appearance, location, and the age of the child-is most consistent with OM, while alveolar and dental involvement suggest an odontogenic source such as an infected tooth germ. The infection appears to have been active at the time of death and chronic (i.e. of 4+ weeks) in duration, an interpretation supported by enamel hypoplastic evidence of physiological stress in the preceding 12-18 months. The lesion's unique appearance highlights the diverse manifestation of OM, especially in the jaws and in the absence of modern therapeutic treatment. Despite being considered a relatively common condition among non-adult individuals in the past, surprisingly few cases of pediatric OM have been reported from archaeological contexts. This case, only the second documented on a mandible, contributes to the general paucity of paleopathological literature on OM.
Archaeological Research in Asia
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Papers by Angela Lieverse