Emily Wilkerson, RPCA’s Post

We continue our July theme 𝗢𝗳 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗻, concerning the archaeological science of little mammals, with a twist on how the domestication of the chicken may have impacted mice: 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴, 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴: 𝘈 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘰𝘯-𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴 By J. Pitt et al. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports (February 2019) 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 • A novel method for analysing archaeological remains • Chicken have demonstrably closer affinity to domestic birds than to domestic mammals • The introduction of the chicken may have affected fox, partridge, pigeon and rat 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 Descended from junglefowl of Asia and South-east Asia, the chicken was introduced into Europe during the first millennium BCE. As one of the most recently domesticated species, it makes an excellent case study for investigating the consequences of such introductions to past ecological communities. We present a unique application of a novel ecological method to explore multiple past interspecies relationships. Analysing the faunal record using a Bayesian belief network, which allows for the analysis of multiple interspecies relationships simultaneously, indicates that the chicken has more affinity with other domestic birds rather than domestic mammals in terms of species interactions. We find that 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝘅, 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲, 𝗽𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗮𝘁, but the success of the chicken was most affected by responses to abiotic variables, rather than biotic interactions. As the method is not limited to environmental variables, we also examined the effect of recovery method and demonstrate that sieving would enhance the frequency of small animal remains recovered from archaeological sites. DOI: https://lnkd.in/giDpYv8N

Recent archaeological discoveries challenge long-held beliefs about the coexistence of humans and megafauna in the Americas. Evidence from sites like Santa Elina in Brazil suggests humans may have arrived over 27,000 years ago, significantly earlier than previously thought. Artifacts such as modified sloth osteoderms indicate prolonged human interaction with giant sloths and mastodons. These findings question the "Pleistocene overkill" theory, which posited rapid extinction of large mammals due to human hunting. As new research methods and diverse scholarly perspectives emerge, the narrative of early human settlement in the Americas continues to evolve, prompting a reevaluation of historical timelines.

🔍 Uncovering the Past at Bicker Fen: A Window into Roman and Saxon Life 🏺🌾 Archaeological investigations by Headland Archaeology at the Viking Link Converter Station site in Bicker Fen, Lincolnshire, have revealed fascinating glimpses of life from two major historical periods: Roman and Saxon. 🏺⚔️ Roman Farmstead (mid 2nd-4th centuries AD): Evidence of a the fringes of a complex farmstead, with ditched enclosures. Notable finds include Samian ware, glass beads, and a tazza used for burning incense. 🏺🔥 The economic focus was on cattle farming, with both mature and juvenile cattle bones found, alongside evidence of cereal cultivation (including barley and wheat). 🐄🌾 Anglo-Saxon Field System: The Anglo-Saxon period features narrower, curvilinear enclosures, likely used for seasonal land use or transient farming. 🏞️ The zooarchaeological evidence suggests an increase between the Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods in the importance of fish like cod, flounder, and salmon. 🐟 These discoveries provide a rare look at rural life through changing agricultural and economic practices over centuries! 📝 Learn more about the site in the recently published open-access paper on Internet Archaeology 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e-YJugzN #Archaeology #RomanBritain #SaxonEra #Farmstead #VikingLink #BickerFen #HeadlandArchaeology #Zooarchaeology #AngloSaxon #CattleFarming #HistoricalDiscovery #AncientBritain

This year, our team from the Maritime Archaeology Trust uncovered a pestle-shaped lithic nestled among ancient Mesolithic tree roots at Bouldnor Clif, an 8000 year old submerged site off the Isle of Wight. While most of the finds from Bouldnor Cliff are flint, this tool is made of a rough green stone, which shows signs of grinding on it's thicker end. The pestle’s green hue could be linked to mineral silicization and is seen in other prehistoric tools fashioned from minerals such as serpentine or antigorite. Its gritty surface may have been intentionally selected for effective grinding. This discovery could tie into a broader network of Mesolithic tools found across Europe. A similar pestle-shaped lithic, discovered during a fieldwalking project in Exmoor, shows signs of battering and may have been used as a hammerstone. Comparable grinding tools have also been identified in Norfolk, Ireland, and the Czech Republic, marking potential shared practices or convergent technological development. In Germany, grinding slabs that may have required pestles suggest a tradition of food processing, while dental evidence from the Balkans supports the likelihood that grinding tools were integral to Mesolithic diets. This remarkable find sheds light on Mesolithic tool-making and the networks connecting early communities. Stay tuned as research continues!

Imagine visiting a site rich with centuries of history, only to find that it’s gradually being washed away by rising seas and relentless storms. This is the harsh reality for Swandro, an archaeological site on Rousay, Orkney Islands, where the remains of Iron Age and Norse settlements are slowly vanishing beneath the waves. Every year, archaeologists rush against time, trying to unearth and preserve what’s left before it's lost forever. But here’s the catch: time isn’t on their side. The rapid rise in sea levels and increasingly severe weather are accelerating coastal erosion. Scotland, for instance, is experiencing heavier winters than experts predicted for 2050. As a result, what should have been years of excavation is turning into a race for survival. The crown jewel of the Knowe of Swandro—a stunning Iron Age dwelling—is almost entirely destroyed. It’s not just Swandro. Hundreds of heritage sites across the world are under similar threat due to climate change. From Roman tablets in England’s Vindolanda to indigenous artefacts in the Arctic, pieces of human history are being erased. The cultural arm of the UN, UNESCO, estimates that one in six cultural heritage sites is at risk. And yet, this crisis hardly makes the headlines. Why? Archaeology, sadly, isn’t at the top of the list when it comes to funding. The real question facing us is: What do we save, and what are we willing to lose? For some sites, like Swandro, digital preservation—using laser scanning and other technologies—has become the last resort. These tools can create virtual records that may outlast the physical structures themselves. But still, can a digital scan ever replace standing in the ruins of a 2,000-year-old settlement and feeling that connection to our ancestors? The reality is stark. Many of these treasures will disappear before we fully understand their significance. As a global community, we need to decide which parts of our history are worth preserving—and start acting before it’s too late. History is not just about the past—it’s about what we choose to carry forward into the future. 🌱 #ClimateChange #CulturalHeritage #Archaeology

I’ve just returned from an incredible workshop on Western African archaeology hosted by Eleanor Scerri and team at the Max Planck Institute of GeoAnthropology in Jena, Germany. Over two days, researchers from West Africa, Europe, UK, US, etc gathered to advance our understanding of human evolution, archaeology, and palaeoclimate in this critical region. A big thank you to Eleanor for the kind invitation to present our work on the Western African Palaeoclimate Project. It was inspiring to collaborate with fellow researchers, share insights, and engage in many vibrant discussions including how high-resolution palaeoclimate data can inform archaeological research in the region. Importantly, I learned a lot about the science behind world-class archaeology! The workshop highlighted a critical aspect of our high-resolution stalagmite palaeoclimate research: it will provide data at the scale of human lifespans (e.g., seasonal rainfall patterns impacting food security), complementing existing, lower-resolution marine and lake sediment records from the region. Looking forward to pushing this research forward and contributing to a deeper understanding of how environmental factors shaped human evolution in this important region. (Photo: keynote by inspiring palaeolithic archaeologist Khady Niang) #Palaeoclimate #Archaeology #WesternAfrica #HumanEvolution #MaxPlanckInstitute #ResearchCollaboration #PalaeoResearch #ClimateChange #WaterResources #Stalagmites

The role of children’s toys in adaptation during Greenland’s Little Ice Age A study published in the European Journal of Archaeology by Mathilde Vestergaard Meyer and Dr. Felix Riede examines how children’s toys influenced the adaptability of two cultures, the Norse and the Inuit, during the Little Ice Age in Greenland. This research reveals the unexpected role of childhood play in societal survival under extreme climatic conditions. Greenland, one of the world’s largest islands, has a narrow inhabitable strip of land. During the Little Ice Age (ca. 1458–1552 CE), both the Norse settlers, who arrived around CE 986, and the Inuit, who migrated from northern Alaska via Canada during the eleventh century, faced the harsh environmental challenges of colder and drier climates. While the Inuit adapted and thrived, the Norse disappeared. Traditional theories attribute the Norse decline to factors such as overgrazing, reliance on unsustainable agriculture, increased sea ice hindering trade, and violent storms. However, this study introduces a new perspective—children’s toys as a proxy for societal adaptability. More information: https://lnkd.in/efqVCGPy #archaeology #archeology #archaeologynews #iceage #greenland #norse #inuit

🌱 1st Call for Papers: Roots of Resilience – Archaeological Perspectives on Sustainability 🌍 The Environmental Archaeologists in Ireland (EAI) invite submissions for our upcoming conference, Roots of Resilience: Archaeological Perspectives on Sustainability, taking place at the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Merrion Square, on the 10th of May 2025. In an era of rapid environmental change, this conference seeks to explore how insights from environmental archaeology can help address pressing global challenges such as climate change, sustainability, and biodiversity. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: 🌿 Land management practices and human-animal relationships 🌾 Agricultural innovations and ecological invasions 🦷 Evidence from plant remains, pollen, insect populations, dental calculus, and more We welcome 15 minute talks and 5 minute lightning talks that take an interdisciplinary approach, addressing past strategies and contemporary practices in environmental archaeology, particularly in the context of Ireland. I would also like to thank our sponsors IAC Archaeology, Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit, Archaeological Management Solutions (AMS) and Déantán Consulting for their financial support for this conference. Submission Deadline: 📅 3rd of March 2025 Submit here: 🔗 https://rb.gy/lp3j5s

#OnTheBeamlines: We can learn a lot about early human diets and environments by analyzing fossilized food remains. For example, were people of that time able to adapt when their food sources changed? Researchers from the University of Calgary / UCalgary Faculty of Arts (Department of Anthropology and Archaeology) -- in collaboration with colleagues at Saskatchewan Structural Sciences Centre, University of Saskatchewan -- used our VESPERS beamline to study food residue left behind on stone age tools from Tanzania dating back 2 million years ago. Specifically, the scientists are trying to determine whether the components of starch, such as its structure and chemical composition, undergo any significant changes over time. Researcher Julio Mercader (in photo) says their research at the CLS holds incredible potential for understanding ancient materials in ways never before possible. “Synchrotron light tells us about the formation and preservation processes these materials underwent over thousands of years, which is key to understanding the ways in which biodegradable material such as starch can even survive deep time,” says Mercader. “It opens up a whole new realm of understanding archaeological and palaeontological remains, providing a critical perspective on dated paradigms in archaeological research, and revealing a new path forward.” #archeology #deeptime #fossilizedfood

#OnTheBeamlines: We can learn a lot about early human diets and environments by analyzing fossilized food remains. For example, were people of that time able to adapt when their food sources changed? Researchers from the University of Calgary / UCalgary Faculty of Arts (Department of Anthropology and Archaeology) -- in collaboration with colleagues at Saskatchewan Structural Sciences Centre, University of Saskatchewan -- used our VESPERS beamline to study food residue left behind on stone age tools from Tanzania dating back 2 million years ago. Specifically, the scientists are trying to determine whether the components of starch, such as its structure and chemical composition, undergo any significant changes over time. Researcher Julio Mercader (in photo) says their research at the CLS holds incredible potential for understanding ancient materials in ways never before possible. “Synchrotron light tells us about the formation and preservation processes these materials underwent over thousands of years, which is key to understanding the ways in which biodegradable material such as starch can even survive deep time,” says Mercader. “It opens up a whole new realm of understanding archaeological and palaeontological remains, providing a critical perspective on dated paradigms in archaeological research, and revealing a new path forward.” #archeology #deeptime #fossilizedfood