Animal Bones Research Articles

Iron-doped swine bone char as hydrogen peroxide activator for efficient removal of acetaminophen in water

Bone char is a functional material obtained by calcining animal bones and is widely used for environmental remediation. In this work, iron was inserted into porcine bone-derived bone char via ion exchange to synthesize iron-doped bone char (Fe-BC) for efficient catalysis of hydrogen peroxide. This is the first time that Fe-BC has been used as a catalyst for the activation of H2O2. The effectiveness of the Fe-BC catalyst was influenced by the annealing temperature and the amount of iron doping. The results showed that the activation of H2O2 by the Fe-BC catalyst with the best catalytic performance could achieve 97.6% of APAP degradation within 30 min. Insights from electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), free radical scavenging experiments and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) proposed a reaction mechanism based on free radicals dominated degradation pathways (OH and O2−). Iron served as the primary active site in Fe-BC, with defect sites and oxygen-containing groups in the catalyst also contributing to the removal of pollutants. The Fe-BC/H2O2 system demonstrated resilience to interference from common anions (Cl−, NO3−, SO42− and HCO3−) in water, but was less effective against humic acid (HA). Based on the detection of intermediates produced during APAP degradation, possible degradation pathways of APAP were proposed and the toxicity of intermediates was evaluated. This work provides fresh insights into the use of heterogeneous Fenton catalysts for the removal of organic pollutants from water.

The diet of the human groups buried in a late- and post-Medieval rural parish cemetery in Libkovice (Czech Republic)

Libkovice is a village in the northwestern Czech Republic that was demolished at the end of the last century due to the expansion of a nearby mine. The former church cemetery has been a subject to bioarchaeological excavation and research, where some 850 burials from the 13th to the 19th Century have been discovered so far. With the application of stable isotope analysis, it has also been possible to uncover the dietary patterns of this exemplary rural Central European community, which was the aim of this study. The materials analysed here consist of samples from long bones of 56 burials and 18 animal bones discovered in Libkovice during the 2019/21 excavations. It has been employed stable carbon (δ13C) isotope analysis to determine the average contributions of foods derived from the C3 plants. Statistically significant differences were found between the analyzed fauna and human samples for nitrogen (F=47.4 p<0.05) and carbon (F=19.18 p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the analyzed animal and human samples between the specify centuries. When considering the ages of various human individuals, the results indicated statistically significant differences in nitrogen isotopes (F= 7.71 p<0.05) between children from the infants I group and older children together with adults from the Middle Ages, as well as between children from the infants I group and adults (F= 3.3, p<0.05) from the modern times. The proportion of food from C3 plants that made up the diets of the studied population was on average 89%, and the potential proportion of freshwater fish in the diet could be higher than 80%. The similarity between the chronologically diverse groups may indicate similar strategies for food acquisition. The results obtained for the population of Libkovice are very similar to the diets of the populations living in Central Europe broadly during the two periods.

Sheep bone valorization: Enhancing gastronomic sustainability through hydroxyapatite-enriched potato wedges

In pursuit of sustainability and resource optimization, the zero-waste theory has gained momentum across diverse sectors. The concept of "zero waste" integrates waste management strategies to minimize waste such as animal bones. This study aimed to prepare Calcined and Nano hydroxyapatite (HAp) from sheep bone as a valuable calcium source by using calcination (850 °C) and ultra-sonication methods. FTIR, particle size distribution (PSD), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and XRD techniques were used to characterize the resulting samples. FTIR spectra confirmed PO43− at 1027.43 and 1030.32 cm−1 in nano and calcined HAp respectively. AAS, UV, and PSD indicated 32.3 ± 0.11% calcium content and 18.86 ± 0.19% P, with 142 nm particle size in Nano-HAp; which significantly differed from calcined HAp. STEM confirmed morphological behavior. XRD crystalline behavior seemed highest at 460a.u., whereas LIBS-derived Ca/P ratio was 1.99 in Nano HAp. Notably, in-vitro findings measured the highest bioavailable calcium content in Nano HAp (46.6%) and Calcined HAp (42.1%). Further, HAp was used to develop and characterize fortified baked potato wedges with formulations; 0%, 0.22%, 0.44%, and 0.66%. Moisture (%) was measured within the range of 21.51 ± 0.11 to 34.83 ± 0.03. Nano-Bio-2 (0.44%) was the best formulation that could be a better choice to wipe out calcium deficiency for end-users. Moreover, principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to the physical and sensory attributes of the developed product. On account of eigenvalues, the total variation was recorded at 94.71. Hence, current work showcased the potential of utilizing sheep bone for sustainable calcium enrichment and offered insights into innovative food formulations.

Animals as Offerings: Faunal Remains from the Carthage tophet

Abstract The non-human animal remains excavated in the Carthage tophet represent a substantial sample of animal bones from a single site. The urns contain partial or whole sheep or goat (ovicaprids) carcasses in abundant numbers, revealing a consistent offering of ovicaprids, some birds, and in a very few cases, fish. Overwhelmingly, the animals are whole-burnt offerings, sacrificed as an offering to the deity or deities. The consistency of the age of the cremated ovicaprids that were interred in the urns allows for a profile of relating animal remains to ritual behavior that took place at the Carthage tophet.

Beaver exploitation, 400,000 years ago, testifies to prey choice diversity of Middle Pleistocene hominins

Data regarding the subsistence base of early hominins are heavily biased in favor of the animal component of their diets, in particular the remains of large mammals, which are generally much better preserved at archaeological sites than the bones of smaller animals, let alone the remains of plant food. Exploitation of smaller game is very rarely documented before the latest phases of the Pleistocene, which is often taken to imply narrow diets of archaic Homo and interpreted as a striking economic difference between Late Pleistocene and earlier hominins. We present new data that contradict this view of Middle Pleistocene Lower Palaeolithic hominins: cut mark evidence demonstrating systematic exploitation of beavers, identified in the large faunal assemblage from the c. 400,000 years old hominin site Bilzingsleben, in central Germany. In combination with a prime-age dominated mortality profile, this cut mark record shows that the rich beaver assemblage resulted from repetitive human hunting activities, with a focus on young adult individuals. The Bilzingsleben beaver exploitation evidence demonstrates a greater diversity of prey choice by Middle Pleistocene hominins than commonly acknowledged, and a much deeper history of broad-spectrum subsistence than commonly assumed, already visible in prey choices 400,000 years ago.

Effects of pyrolysis and incineration on the phosphorus fertiliser potential of bio-waste- and plant-based materials

Land application of biomass materials and their products of thermal treatment (biochars and ashes) can offset the unsustainable use of soluble P fertilisers. However, few evaluations of P fertiliser potential have systematically addressed diverse biomass types with contrasting P contents.This paper evaluates the relative P fertiliser potential of four P-rich biowastes (animal bone, poultry manure, pig slurry, and a municipal sewage sludge) and three low-P, plant-based materials (reeds [Phragmites australis L.], rice husks [Oryza sativa L.] and cocoa prunings [Theobroma cacao L.]) and their biochars and ashes. We utilised three complementary approaches: P extractability in single solvents (2% formic and citric acids, and 1 M neutral ammonium citrate); sequential chemical P fractionation, and P dissolution/desorption kinetics.In most cases, pyrolysis and incineration of the P-rich biowastes increased P extractability (% TP) in the single solvents, whilst decreasing water-soluble P. For pig slurry, for example, pyrolysis reduced water-soluble P 20-fold, with corresponding increases observed not only in the solvent-extractable P but also in the pool of potentially plant available, NaHCO3-Pi fraction (e.g., 17 to 35% TP). These complementary datasets were also evident for the low-P feedstocks and thermal products; e.g., pyrolysis increased the NaHCO3-Pi fraction in reed feedstock from 6 to 15% TP. For all biomass feedstocks, biochars and ashes, pseudo-second order P-release kinetics provided the best fit with the experimental data.The data demonstrate scope for using pyrolysis to upgrade the P fertiliser value of a wide range of biomass materials whilst reducing their environmental impact.

Preliminary Report on the 2019 and 2020 Seasons of the New York University-ISAW Project at the Temple of Ramesses II in Abydos


 
 
 This preliminary report provides a general account of the fieldwork of the New York University-ISAW during the two seasons 2019 and 2020 at the temple of Ramesses II in Abydos. The results include the discovery of a temple palace, ten mud-brick magazines, and foundation deposits, as well as a pair of cartouches of Ramesses II carved on the sub-foundation on each side of the four corners of temple, the unusual burial of a bovine skeleton under the floor of the temple palace, and animal skulls and bones packed inside niches cut in some of the magazines’ walls.
 
 

A Concentric Tube Steerable Drilling Robot for Minimally Invasive Spinal Fixation of Osteoporotic Vertebrae.

Spinal fixation with rigid pedicle screws have shown to be an effective treatment for many patients. However, this surgical option has been proved to be insufficient and will eventually fail for patients experiencing osteoporosis. This failure is mainly attributed to the lack of dexterity in the existing rigid drilling instruments and the complex anatomy of vertebrae, forcing surgeons to implant rigid pedicle screws within the osteoporotic regions of anatomy. To address this problem, in this paper, we present the design, fabrication, and evaluation of a unique flexible yet structurally strong concentric tube steerable drilling robot (CT-SDR). The CT-SDR is capable of drilling smooth and accurate curved trajectories through hard tissues without experiencing buckling and failure; thus enabling the use of novel flexible pedicle screws for the next generation of spinal fixation procedures. Particularly, by decoupling the control of bending and insertion degrees of freedom (DoF) of the CT-SDR, we present a robotic system that (i) is intuitive to steer as it does not require an on-the-fly control algorithm for the bending DoF, and (ii) is able to address the contradictory requirements of structural stiffness and dexterity of a flexible robot interacting with the hard tissue. The robust and repeatable performance of the proposed CT-SDR have been experimentally evaluated by conducting various drilling procedures on simulated bone materials and animal bone samples. Experimental results indicate drilling times as low as 35 seconds for curved trajectories with 41 mm length and remarkable steering accuracy with a maximum 2% deviation error.

Neanderthal use of animal bones as retouchers at the Level XV of the Sopeña rock shelter (Asturias, northern Spain)

AbstractBone retouchers are a technological appliance used to perfect lithic tools efficiently. They are most frequently found in Middle Palaeolithic contexts. In this paper, we present a group of bone retouchers from the Mousterian Level XV of the Sopeña rock shelter (Asturias, Spain). The bone part preferred was the middle part of the shaft of long bones: Most of them are on metacarpals, followed by metatarsals, femurs, and tibias. The most used animal species is adult red deer. These retouchers have either one, two, or three active areas, with a central disposition. The impact marks are close together; oval pits are common, as well as straight, sinuous, and irregular grooves. The surfaces on these marks appear pitted and scaled. There are indications that the bones employed were relatively fresh. The length, width, and thickness of those bone fragments seem to be the determining factor when choosing them to be used as retouchers in the process of finishing lithic tools. The formats documented in Sopeña Level XV are similar to those found in other Mousterian sites in Iberia, although there is a certain variability regarding their width. The Neanderthals of Sopeña acquired the raw material for these retouchers from the faunal remains generated in the process of butchering and eating the animals. These retouchers were used as implements to perfect lithic tools made mainly on quartzite, and they were used repeatedly and maybe for a long time.

Osseointegration of photodynamic active biomaterials for bone regeneration in an animal bone model over a period of 12 months.

Previous efforts led to the development of two different polymeric biomaterials for periodontal regeneration with antibacterial photodynamic surface activity. The present study aimed to investigate osseointegration and bone formation of both materials in an ovine model. Both biomaterials: 1) urethane dimethacrylate-based Biomaterial 1 (BioM1) and 2) tri-armed oligoester-urethane methacrylate-based Biomaterial 2 (BioM2) are enriched with beta-tri-calcium phosphate and the photosensitizer meso-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC). These materials were implanted in non-critical size bone defects in the sheep femur (n=16) and tibia (n=8). Empty defects served as controls (n=16). Polyfluorochrome sequential bone labeling was carried out at baseline and after 3, 6, and 12 months. Animals were sacrificed after 12 months. Bone specimens (n=40) were fixed and subjected to microtomographic analysis (µCT) for the evaluation of the bone-volume-fraction (BV/TV), trabecular number and trabecular thickness. Subsequently, histological sections were arranged and polyfluorochrome sequential bone labeling was analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (cLSM). cLSM analysis revealed that highest remodeling and bone formation activity occurred during the second half of the study period (6-12 months). Bone formation in the tibia was significantly lower for the control (2.71±1.26%) as compared to BioM1 (6.01±2.99%) and BioM2 (6.45±2.12%); (p=0.006, p=0004). Micro-computed tomography revealed a BV/TV volume fraction of 44.72±9.01% in femur defects filled with BioM1 which was significantly higher compared to the control (32.27±7.02%; p=0.01). Bone architecture (trabecular number, trabecular thickness) did not significantly differ from the self-healed defects. Both biomaterials, especially BioM1 showed good osseointegration and bone formation characteristics and can be recommended for further examination in periodontal regeneration studies.

Histological examination of biopsy material of animal bone tissue using osteoplastic biocomposite coating of implants accelerating consolidation

In modern veterinary and humane medicine, the issue of optimizing reparative osteogenesis, aimed at accelerating consolidation, preventing bacterial infection, a stabilization method, as well as activating osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties, is quite acute. This can be achieved using osteoplastic biocomposite coatings on implants. The significant role of such components as hydroxyapatite, methyluracil, amoxicillin in metabolic processes aimed at regenerative, antibacterial and metabolic processes of osteogenesis has been determined. The group of authors set the goal of the study: to study, using a histological method, the quantitative and qualitative aspects of fusion of a fracture of the middle third of the diaphysis of long tubular bones (radius), in an experiment, using the developed biocomposite coating. The material for this study was histotopographic preparations of bone regenerates obtained on day 35 using a needle for trephine biopsy of bone tissue, after consolidation of the simulated fracture was established using implants with the developed osteoplastic coating. As a result of the study of histotopographic materials using 3.5% and 5% biocomposite coating to accelerate consolidation, in the experimental groups there is no amount of the developed composite, which indicates biocompatibility with complete biointegration without allergenic and cytostatic effects.Throughout the experiment, no significant difference was found between the experimental groups; in each group, restored microcirculation was visualized with many physiological Haversian canals with blood vessels, the nervous system and adequate tissue trophism. Histological examination of the formed bone regenerate is necessary to confirm the completed accelerated process of osteogenesis in small non-productive animals.

Fish in Burial Practice of the Sargat Culture Population of the Early Iron Age of the Baraba Forest-Steppe (According to the Materials of the Mound No. 51 of the Ust-Tartas Burial Ground)

Purpose. The Sargat culture fish remains are still given very little attention. The purpose of this work is to present materials that testify to the use of fish in the burial practice of the Sargat population of Baraba.Finds (artefacts). In the field season of 2022, the Toguchin team of the IAET SB RAS explored the mound no. 51 of the Ust-Tartas burial ground of the Sargat culture. Among the various artifacts found on the mound territory there were objects containing animal bones, and objects containing fish remains, as well as objects containing both animal bones and fish remains.Methods. Preparation of the osteological collection of fish remains was carried out in 2022–2023 using a cameral processing method. The collection contains mainly scales, bones of the visceral part of the skeleton of the head, bones of the skull. Fragments of the axial skeleton (vertebrae, Weberian apparatus, urostyle) and pharyngeal teeth appear in a smaller number. In the pocess of the collection formation, it was found that the best preservation of samples is ensured by materials that have not been preliminary washed and cleaned: the bone structures are less brittle. Therefore, fragments of the fish skeleton were separated from the soil in the laboratory.Results. For the most part, accumulations of fish remains are represented by large specimens of older age groups (from 7+ years, mostly 10+ and more). The identified species composition of fish in samples of the Early Iron Age includes representatives of the family Cyprinidae (ide Leuciscus idus, goldfish Carassius gibelio) and family Percidae (perch Perca fluviatilis). In addition to the listed species, remains of the family Acipenseridae (sterlet Acipenser ruthenus) and the family Cyprinidae (golden crucian carp C. Carassius) were noted in the earlier objects. Object 10 stands out: it is a butt containing not only tools and animal bones, but also fish remains. For the first time, the fact of fish use in the funeral rite of the Sargatians was revealed. The fish remains in the mound testify that the population of the Sargat culture who created this site practiced fishing along with their main occupation – cattle breeding.Conclusion. Materials of the mound no. 51 of the Ust-Tartas burial ground, containing fish remains, are an example of the local population adaptation to the natural environment. The Tai tract was a natural oasis, which not only provided a forage base for livestock but also ensured an easy catch of fish. Human adaptation to the natural conditions in the Baraba region was quite successful, as evidenced by the fact that fish was a part of the funeral rite along with products of animal origin. It was often included in butts in some objects, which correlates with sacred actions.

Machine learning-enabled constrained multi-objective design of architected materials

Architected materials that consist of multiple subelements arranged in particular orders can demonstrate a much broader range of properties than their constituent materials. However, the rational design of these materials generally relies on experts’ prior knowledge and requires painstaking effort. Here, we present a data-efficient method for the high-dimensional multi-property optimization of 3D-printed architected materials utilizing a machine learning (ML) cycle consisting of the finite element method (FEM) and 3D neural networks. Specifically, we apply our method to orthopedic implant design. Compared to uniform designs, our experience-free method designs microscale heterogeneous architectures with a biocompatible elastic modulus and higher strength. Furthermore, inspired by the knowledge learned from the neural networks, we develop machine-human synergy, adapting the ML-designed architecture to fix a macroscale, irregularly shaped animal bone defect. Such adaptation exhibits 20% higher experimental load-bearing capacity than the uniform design. Thus, our method provides a data-efficient paradigm for the fast and intelligent design of architected materials with tailored mechanical, physical, and chemical properties.

Let’s play with fire! Preliminary results of new experiments on animal bone of thermo-alterations

ABSTRACT Thermo-alterations in skeletal remains result from circumstances that can be key to understanding the context in which these appear. Here, we present the results of a series of experiments based on the exposure of animal remains to a range of different conditions and temperatures (up to 900°C) to document a variety of contexts that provide valuable information in fossil sites and forensic cases. Meat-bearing and defleshed remains (i.e. meat manually removed before the experiment) were exposed to high-temperatures, both directly or buried in different types of sediments (silt, sand, gravel and mixed sediment), in order to document colour changes and survival of soft tissues. Thus, our main goal was to monitor colour alteration and superficial modifications on the bone surface (i.e. cracks, as well as disarticulation of small mammal carcasses caused by high temperatures).

Roman wall paintings from the Roman Forum district of Carthago Nova: Characterisation of mortars and pigments

This paper aims to study the construction technique and characterisation of original mortars and wall paintings at the Roman Forum district of Carthago Nova (Spain). A multi-analytical approach was conducted on original fragments using Optical Microscopy (OM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), colour tests (CIE L*a*b*) and contact angle measurements. Besides, the chemical composition was studied by X-fluorescence (XRF), Thermogravimetry (TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Infrared spectroscopy using attenuated total reflectance (ATR-FTIR). The mortars showed a multi-layered pattern consisting of three distinguishable layers that were decorated with low-thickness coatings. The top layer composition was eminently calcitic, while the central and bottom layers were probably elaborated with pozzolanic materials. It is worth noting that unusual minerals as cerussite (PbCO3) were identified in some layers, and probably associated to subsequent activities carried out in the site after Roman times. The top coating was made of hematite (Fe2O3) for red decoration, whereas graphite (C) and hydroxyapatite (Ca5(PO4)3(OH)) were identified in black coatings, which suggests the use of animal bones in the production of black pigments. In addition, the outer surface of some fragments was most likely coated with organic substances to enhance colour and durability. Finally, SEM examination and EDX analyses also confirmed some of the above findings and the existence of NaCl surface crusts due to natural weathering.

Zoning of Desert, Steppe, Steppe-Forest and Forest Ecosystems By Carbon And Nitrogen Isotope in Mongolia and Western Transbaikalia

The Mongolian–Transbaikalian region of the Central Asia is known for its wide range of intracontinental ecosystems from desert through steppe to taiga forest and mountain tundra. Data on the isotopic composition of carbon and nitrogen in the bone and dental tissues of herbivorous animals inhabiting the desert, steppe, and forest–steppe landscapes of Outer Mongolia and Western Transbaikalia are presented. The maximum values of the carbon isotope ratio are observed in animals from the desert (Gobi Desert) and the semi-desert landscapes, median (mean) δ13C is -17.9‰. The minimum values of δ13C were obtained by herbivorous animals of the forest-steppe and the forest landscapes (Transbaikalia), which median δ13C is -23‰. The fauna of the steppes (median δ13C is -21.7‰) has intermediate values of the carbon isotopic composition. According to the isotope composition of nitrogen, the isotope-geochemical isolation of ecosystems is less pronounced.

Determination of Optimum Ratio of Selected Carbonaceous Materials on Mechanical and Corrosion Behavior of Carburized Mild Steel

This work is centred on the determination of optimum ratio of selected carbonaceous materials of A(40% Snail shell + 40% Animal bone), B(60% Snail shell + 20% Animal Bone), C(20% Snail shell + 60% Animal bone), D(50 Snail shell + 30 Animal bone) and E(30 Snail shell + 50% Animal bone), the mechanical properties and corrosion behaviour of carburized mild steel. Which were carburized at single austenitic temperatures of 1000°C, soaked at single carburizing time of 5hr, at the treatment temperature and samples were then quenched in water. Before the carburization process, standard test specimens were prepared from the received sample for testing hardness, tensile strength, wear, and microstructure analysis. After the carburization process, the test samples are subjected to standard testing to generate data on the ultimate tensile strength and wear rate of the carburized samples. Research shows that the mechanical properties of mild steel are strongly influenced by each of the mixed ratios of the carbonaceous material (Such as Snail shell and Animal Bone). An improved hardness values in all the samples were observed, with sample A having the highest hardness value of 59.05 RHC while sample B and sample C have the highest wear resistance value of 0.090. The samples were immersed in 0.3M H2SO4 solution for potentiodynamic studies. There results show that sample E had the least corrosion rate of 8.1809 mpy hence is less prone to corrosion attack in acidic environment than others. These samples are found to be useful in automobile industry.

RADIOCARBON DATING OF THE MAJOR SETTLEMENT AT SKARKOS (IOS ISLAND, CYCLADES) AND INFERENCES FOR THE EARLY CYCLADIC CHRONOLOGY

ABSTRACTWe have radiocarbon-dated the main settlement of Skarkos (Skarkos II) on the Cycladic island of Ios, using a set of animal bone samples. The site of Skarkos stands on a hill in a coastal plain, mid-way down the western side of Ios island and about 1 km from the island’s harbour. It is the first time this important settlement with a wealth of finds and an extraordinary building system with two-storey houses is dated in absolute terms complementing the chronology of the Cycladic EBA II period. The radiocarbon determinations show that the major phase of the settlement came to an end between circa 2550 and circa 2500 BC. The dates also confirm the archaeological evidence that the main occupation period is dated archaeologically to the EC II period (Keros-Syros culture). Furthermore, in order to embed the new Skarkos dates within the overall Cycladic chronology and define better the end of the EC II phase, we treated the Skarkos dates together with published dates from other Cycladic sites using Bayesian analysis considering two different models.

Human-beaver Engagements Seen Through Multiperiod Settlement Sites at Rautalampi, Hämeenniemi and Kitee, Hiidenniemi, Finland

The aim of this article is to investigate the relationship between beavers and humans in the prehistoric times. This is studied through animal bone assemblages excavated from two multi-period settlement sites in Northern Savonia and North Karelia, Finland, and is supplemented with ethnographic and folklore material. The theoretical framework uses perspectives from social zooarchaeology, relational ontology and multispecies archaeology and the research questions are answered with zooarchaeological analysis, age estimates and beaver ethology. This study shows that the hunted beavers were adults who could have established their own colonies, modified the landscape to suit their needs and had their first litter. Beavers had different ways of being, engaging and being present in a world that sometimes led to direct and indirect encounters between humans and beavers. The hunters had knowledge that based on the behaviour of beavers, and they used it to find the animals to engage with them.

Early Neolithic of the Middle Don in the Light of Current Research (based on materials from the Cherkasskaya-5 site)

The article deals with the latest overview of the Early Neolithic site Cherkasskaya-5, located in the Middle Don, southern part of the forest-steppe zone, Voronezh Oblast. The site is characterized by particular preservation of organic remains and a range of materials available for dating, which is rare for sites of the Don forest-steppe area. The first radiocarbon dates, along with particular early Neolithic flint assemblage, allowed attributing the complex to the early Neolithic. First archaeozoological analysis suggested the presence of bones of domesticated species. However recent re-examination of the faunal collection did not allow identifying any domesticated species. New AMS-radiocarbon dates made on organic crust and animal bones confirmed the Early Neolithic age of the site. Direct dating of the organic wrapping of a Cretaceous sinker allowed refining the age of the early Neolithic period to the first quarter of the 6th mill BC. Excavations conducted in 2014–2015 allowed obtaining a ceramic collection, which does not have any analogies within the surrounding Neolithic sites of the Middle and Upper Don region, and finds more similarities with Lower Volga ceramic tradition. It allows us to put a new glance at the process of Neolithisation of the region.