Archaeology
Permafrost preservation reveals evidence for early yak milk consumption
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.”
https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-04723-3
Header Image Credit : iStock
Archaeologists excavating at Colonial Williamsburg have discovered a barracks for soldiers of the Continental Army during the American War of Independence.
Colonial Williamsburg is a living-history museum that forms part of the historic district in the city of Williamsburg, Virginia.
Williamsburg was the capital of the Virginia colony from 1699 until 1779, founded by English settlers during the Second Anglo-Powhatan War (1622–1632).
Tensions with England mounted over fundamental civil and economic rights for the colonists, resulting in the American Revolution and the American War of Independence.
Image Credit : Colonial Williamsburg
Archaeologists excavating next to the museum’s visitor’s centre uncovered foundations of a barracks that could accommodate up to 2,000 soldiers from the Continental Army and up to 100 horses.
“We have horseshoes,” said Jack Gary, Colonial Williamsburg executive director of archaeology. “We also have this object here which is a snaffle bit, so it’s part of a horse bit that goes in the mouth to control the horse. And this object here is part of a curry comb for brushing down the horse’s coat.”
Excavations have so far unearthed only a small part of the complex, but experts suggest that it covered roughly three to four acres.
The barracks were known from Eighteenth-century maps and other historical documents, but until now, the exact location of where it existed within the colony interior was unknown.
According to the historical sources, the barracks were built between 1776 and 1777, and were later destroyed by fire in 1781 by soldiers of the British Army under the command of General Cornwallis.
Excavations also uncovered mid-1700 chimney bases, ceramics, gun flint, coins, musket balls, military buckles, and items of decorative jewellery worn by high-ranking officers as cufflinks.
An interesting discovery are examples of lead shot with indications of tooth-marks, suggesting that the soldiers chewed on the lead shot because it tasted sweet.
Header Image Credit : Colonial Williamsburg
Sources : Colonial Williamsburg
This content was originally published on www.heritagedaily.com – © 2023 – HeritageDaily
Archaeology
Pleistocene hunter-gatherers settled in Cyprus thousands of years earlier than previously thought
Archaeologists have found that Pleistocene hunter-gatherers settled in Cyprus thousands of years earlier than previously thought.
An analysis of the oldest archaeological sites on the island suggests that the first human occupation occurred between 14,257 and 13,182 years ago.
This analysis, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used archaeological data, climate estimates, and demographic modelling.
The demographic modelling indicates that these early groups consisted of hundreds to thousands of people, who arrived in two to three main migration events over a period of only 100 years. Within just a few centuries, 11 generations – the population of Cypris had expanded to up 4,000 to 5000 inhabitants.
According to the study authors, these findings refute previous studies that suggested Mediterranean islands would have been unreachable and inhospitable for Pleistocene hunter-gatherer societies. “This settlement pattern implies organised planning and the use of advanced watercraft,” says Professor Bradshaw.
The climate estimates suggest that these early settlers arrived at a time during an increase in temperature and precipitation, also enabling an increase in environmental productivity that could sustain large hunter-gather populations.
Dr Moutsiou, said: “It has been argued that human dispersal to and settlement of Cyprus and other eastern Mediterranean islands is attributed to demographic pressures on the mainland after abrupt climatic change saw coastal areas inundated by post-glacial sea-level rise, forcing farming populations to move to new areas out of necessity rather than choice.”
Our research, based on more archaeological evidence and advanced modelling techniques, changes that”, adds Dr Moutsiou.
The research – “Demographic models predict end-Pleistocene arrival and rapid expansion of pre-agropastoralist humans in Cyprus” by Corey Bradshaw, Christian Reepmeyer, Frédérik Saltré, Athos Agapiou, Vasiliki Kassianidou, Stella Demesticha, Zomenia Zomeni, Miltiadis Polidorou and Theodora Moutsiou – has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA.
Header Image Credit : Michalakis Christoforou
Sources : Demographic models predict end-Pleistocene arrival and rapid expansion of pre-agropastoralist humans in Cyprus. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2318293121
This content was originally published on www.heritagedaily.com – © 2023 – HeritageDaily
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