New insights into the Upper Palaeolithic of the Caucasus through the study of personal ornaments. Teeth and bones pendants from Satsurblia and Dzudzuana caves (Imereti, Georgia)
Abstract:The region of western Georgia (Imereti) in the Southern Caucasus has been a major geographic corridor for human migrations during the Middle and Upper Paleolithic. Data of recent research and excavations in this region display its importance as a possible route for the dispersal of anatomically modern humans (AMH) into northern Eurasia. Nevertheless, within the local research context, bone-working and personal ornaments have yet contributed but little to the Upper Palaeolithic (UP) regional sequence’s characte… Show more
“…), which has been documented in previous experiments [36] and for other ancient ornaments (e.g. [37][38][39][40]). Still, the use-wear traces are visible.…”
Section: (B) Human and Rodent Modification Of Giant Sloth Osteodermssupporting
confidence: 65%
“…Direct visualization of the retouched and sharp edges in osteoderm SEI6557, and intensive deformation of the rim evidenced by the concave surface in osteoderm SEI6386 ( figure 4 r ), are possible on the three-dimensional volumes of SR-µCT, overcoming the limitations of conventional surface profilometry. The concave use-wear traces observed in osteoderms SEI6386 and SEI6557, although less intense in the latter, may be attributed to interaction with strings, clothes or pressure against other pieces [ 37 – 39 ]. The double perforated osteoderm (SEI6059) and one of the single perforated osteoderms (SEI6386) were found in a broken state, which may be related to having been lost or discarded after being worn [ 42 ].…”
The peopling of the Americas and human interaction with the Pleistocene megafauna in South America remain hotly debated. The Santa Elina rock shelter in Central Brazil shows evidence of successive human settlements from around the last glacial maximum (LGM) to the Early Holocene. Two Pleistocene archaeological layers include rich lithic industry associated with remains of the extinct giant ground sloth
Glossotherium phoenesis
. The remains include thousands of osteoderms (i.e. dermal bones), three of which were human-modified. In this study, we perform a traceological analysis of these artefacts by optical microscopy, non-destructive scanning electron microscopy, UV/visible photoluminescence and synchrotron-based microtomography. We also describe the spatial association between the giant sloth bone remains and stone tools and provide a Bayesian age model that confirms the timing of this association in two time horizons of the Pleistocene in Santa Elina. The conclusion from our traceological study is that the three giant sloth osteoderms were intentionally modified into artefacts before fossilization of the bones. This provides additional evidence for the contemporaneity of humans and megafauna, and for the human manufacturing of personal artefacts on bone remains of ground sloths, around the LGM in Central Brazil.
“…), which has been documented in previous experiments [36] and for other ancient ornaments (e.g. [37][38][39][40]). Still, the use-wear traces are visible.…”
Section: (B) Human and Rodent Modification Of Giant Sloth Osteodermssupporting
confidence: 65%
“…Direct visualization of the retouched and sharp edges in osteoderm SEI6557, and intensive deformation of the rim evidenced by the concave surface in osteoderm SEI6386 ( figure 4 r ), are possible on the three-dimensional volumes of SR-µCT, overcoming the limitations of conventional surface profilometry. The concave use-wear traces observed in osteoderms SEI6386 and SEI6557, although less intense in the latter, may be attributed to interaction with strings, clothes or pressure against other pieces [ 37 – 39 ]. The double perforated osteoderm (SEI6059) and one of the single perforated osteoderms (SEI6386) were found in a broken state, which may be related to having been lost or discarded after being worn [ 42 ].…”
The peopling of the Americas and human interaction with the Pleistocene megafauna in South America remain hotly debated. The Santa Elina rock shelter in Central Brazil shows evidence of successive human settlements from around the last glacial maximum (LGM) to the Early Holocene. Two Pleistocene archaeological layers include rich lithic industry associated with remains of the extinct giant ground sloth
Glossotherium phoenesis
. The remains include thousands of osteoderms (i.e. dermal bones), three of which were human-modified. In this study, we perform a traceological analysis of these artefacts by optical microscopy, non-destructive scanning electron microscopy, UV/visible photoluminescence and synchrotron-based microtomography. We also describe the spatial association between the giant sloth bone remains and stone tools and provide a Bayesian age model that confirms the timing of this association in two time horizons of the Pleistocene in Santa Elina. The conclusion from our traceological study is that the three giant sloth osteoderms were intentionally modified into artefacts before fossilization of the bones. This provides additional evidence for the contemporaneity of humans and megafauna, and for the human manufacturing of personal artefacts on bone remains of ground sloths, around the LGM in Central Brazil.
“…2013; Tejero et al . 2021). As with the previous artefact, a large notch has been worn into the lower mesial side of the perforation edge, indicating tightly bound ligatures (Figure 4).…”
Section: The Toalean Tiger Shark-tooth Artefactsmentioning
Although first identified 120 years ago, knowledge of the Toalean technoculture of Middle Holocene Sulawesi, Indonesia, remains limited. Previous research has emphasised the exploitation of largely terrestrial resources by hunter-gatherers on the island. The recent recovery of two modified tiger shark teeth from the Maros-Pangkep karsts of South Sulawesi, however, offers new insights. The authors combine use-wear and residue analyses with ethnographic and experimental data to indicate the use of these artefacts as hafted blades within conflict and ritual contexts, revealing hitherto undocumented technological and social practices among Toalean hunter-gatherers. The results suggest these artefacts constitute some of the earliest archaeological evidence for the use of shark teeth in composite weapons.
“…1 ). As has been suggested for bone, ivory and teeth objects, identifying the antler's origin at a taxonomic level is therefore critical in improving our knowledge of humans' subsistence, social behaviour, functional, practical and symbolic choices, and the human-animal interface during Prehistoric times [ [30] , [31] , [32] , [33] , [34] , [35] , [36] , [37] ]. Fig.…”
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