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Permafrost preservation reveals evidence for early yak milk consumption

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According to a study by the University of Michigan, the elites of the Mongol Empire first consumed yaks’ milk during the 13th century based on proteomic evidence.

By analysing proteins found within ancient dental calculus from individuals buried in permafrost, the study provides direct evidence for consumption of milk from multiple ruminants such as Yak, as well as milk and blood proteins linked to horses and ruminants.

Yak products serve as a crucial source of calories and commodities for local consumption and trade in eastern Eurasia’s high-altitude communities. Until now, little evidence has been found regarding the early history of yaks in Mongolia, and it is often uncertain whether yaks were domesticated or not. The sole identifiable archaeological specimen discovered is a yak cranium recovered from the Denjiin Navtan site, which is tentatively dated to the Late Bronze or Early Iron Age.

Due to the limited archaeological and historical records regarding the domesticated yak in Mongolia, the analysis of proteins provides an important opportunity to gain insights into the animal’s early uses and spread.

Novel protein findings have been presented in the study from the Mongol Khorig cemeteries, where elite burials took place on high-altitude ridgelines in the Khovsgol mountains in northern Mongolia. The burials are situated within the permafrost, which has allowed for exceptional preservation of organic materials such as silk, felt, and leather, as well as residues found in ceramic vessels.

“Our most important finding was an elite woman buried with a birchbark hat called a bogtog and silk robes depicting a golden five-clawed dragon. Our proteomic analyses concluded that she drank yak milk during her lifetime,” said Alicia Ventresca-Miller, U-M assistant professor of anthropology. “This helped us verify the long-term use of this iconic animal in the region and its ties to elite rulers.”

Proteins were extracted from the dental calculus of 11 individuals from Khorig where 10 of 11 samples yielded proteins typically found in the oral cavity.

According to the study: “The results suggest that yak milk was likely consumed in Mongolia by ~AD 1270. Given the paucity of existing evidence for yak dairying and, indeed, yak exploitation more broadly in the Mongolian and greater global archaeological record, this finding is significant. We acknowledge that this is a relatively late date for yak milk consumption, which probably occurred in earlier eras but has until now not been identified.”

University of Michigan

https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-04723-3

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Archaeology

Archaeologists find five Bronze Age axes in the forests of Kociewie

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According to an announcement by the Pomeranian Provincial Conservator of Monuments, archaeologists have discovered five Bronze Age axes in Starogard Forest District, located in Kociewie, Poland.

The initial discovery was made by history enthusiast, Denis Konkol, who notified local authorities from the Pomeranian provincial conservator of monuments. In Poland, it is forbidden to conduct an amateur search for artefacts using a metal detector, either for commercial or for personal use unless licensed by local authorities, requiring all finds to be reported which become the property of the state.

Upon inspection of the discovery site, archaeologists found five axes within a radius of several dozen metres at a depth of 20 to 30 centimetres beneath a layer of turf and humus.

Igor Strzok, Pomeranian provincial conservator of monuments, said: “The extraction of these finds took place under the archaeological supervision of our colleagues from the Provincial Office for the Protection of Monuments. This means that we prevented possible destruction of the site.”

The five axes date from between 1700 and 1300 BC and were likely a ritual deposit of a cult nature, however, the archaeologists haven’t ruled out that the axes could also be a deposit related to trade.

According to the announcement, the objects are tautušiai type axes associated with Baltic cultures from today’s Lithuania or north-eastern Poland. Defined by their considerable size, the axes feature a slim handle with raised edges and a wide blade.

Previous excavations of Bronze Age sites in the region generally find bracelets or breastplates, while the most recent unearthing of a weapon or Bronze Age tool dates back 20 years, highlighting the scarcity of such finds in the region.

The axes are scheduled to be transported to the Archaeological Museum in Gdańsk, where experts will conduct a thorough examination.

Header Image Credit : Stargard Forest District

This content was originally published on www.heritagedaily.com – © 2023 – HeritageDaily

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Mosaic depicting lions found at ancient Prusias ad Hypium

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Archaeologists have uncovered a mosaic depicting lions during excavations at ancient Prusias ad Hypium, located in modern-day Konuralp, Turkey.

Prusias ad Hypium was a city in ancient Bithynia which was annexed by the Roman Republic in 74 BC. The city flourished as a significant trading hub, maintaining autonomy in its local governance and even issuing its own currency.

The city was rediscovered during the 19th century, with recent excavations being conducted by the archaeology department of Düzce University under the patronage of the Konuralp Museum, and supported by the Municipality of Düzce.

Excavations indicate that the city exhibits characteristics of a Hellenistic polis. Among the surviving remains are remnants of the city walls, a gate within the fortifications, an open-air theatre, an aqueduct, and a Roman bridge.

A recent archaeological study has focused on the theatre, known locally as the “The Forty Stairs”. The theatre was built during the Hellenistic period (300–30 BC) and was expanded in the Roman period.

The study has uncovered the remains of a mosaic depicting a pair of lions, which was found in a room of the portico in the middle of the theatre axis.

The room has a rectangular shape and is adorned with a mosaic covering the entire floor with a geometric floral pattern. At the centre is a mosaic frame depicting the pair of lions either side of a pine tree. Hanging from the tree is a tympanum (a drum or tambourine), and on the left branch is a pan flute.

According to the researchers, the room was dedicated to the cult of Dionysus. During Dionysian processions, it was common to observe Silenus and maenads participating by playing musical instruments such as the tympanum and pan flute.

Header Image Credit : Konuralp Museum

This content was originally published on www.heritagedaily.com – © 2023 – HeritageDaily

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