Bone Assemblages Research Articles

Taphonomy of two Holocene penguin taphocoenoses in Potter Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica

ABSTRACT Abandoned rookeries belonging to any of the Pygoscelis species are very particular taphocoenosis, usually preserved due to the accumulations of bones, pebbles, and guano year after year in the same nesting area, that condense together with other biogenic material and form ornithogenic sediments. The results of the excavation, sieved and analyses of sediment and materials found in two rookeries formed during the last 8000 years, named Pingfo I and Pingfo II and found in the 25 de Mayo/King George Island (South Shetland Islands, West Antarctica) are presented here. The analyses of the bones and eggshells, taxonomic and ontogenetic composition, elements representation, transport degree, predation, and scavenging marks, together with the micropalaeontological content provided informative tools for the reconstruction of the nesting areas, suggesting that bones were transported and accumulated in Pingfo I that would represent high energy beach, whereas a breeding colony was settled in Pingfo II. The preservation of hexactinellid spicules and several arthropod remains are particularly informative for the levels at Pingfo I. The preservation of a Culicidae (Diptera) wing could be the first middle Holocene record of the group in Antarctica, the only continent without extant mosquitoes.

Reply to the comment on “Population dynamics on Aetokremnos hippos of Cyprus or have Cypriots ever tasted hippo meat? [Quat. Int. 568 (2020) 55–64

In our paper (Nicolaou et al., 2020) we used age-graded mandibles to draw attritional mortality profiles which challenge the hypothesis that the hippo bone accumulation of Aetokremnos resulted from human hunting. Simmons et al. (2022) raised concerns about the methodology we used compared to the methodology used by Wopschall (2014) who drew prime-dominated mortality profiles on the very same material. Here, we compare the two methodologies, and we explain why our use of age-graded mandibles is more reliable than the use of isolated m1 and m2 molars used by Wopschall. We also address some of the commenter's objections to the arguments raised by chronology, stratigraphy and taphonomy studies which were cited in our article.

Paleobiological inferences from paleopathological occurrences in the Arctic ceratopsian Pachyrhinosaurus perotorum.

As a key tool for understanding how animals lived in the past, paleopathology informs us about the lives and deaths of fossil animals. We identify paleopathologies within an assemblage of bones of the pachyrostran centrosaurine Pachyrhinosaurus perotorum, an Arctic ceratopsian. More than 1,000 bones of this dinosaur were collected from the Prince Creek Formation of North Slope, Alaska from fossil sites along the Colville River. Our survey shows the occurrence of paleopathology to be very low and comparable to other populations of horned dinosaurs from the lower latitudes, suggesting that the ancient Arctic environment did not impose intense hardships on these dinosaurs greater than in other environments, as expressed by paleopathological modification of the skeleton. This result may be due to the more equable mean annual temperatures in the Arctic region during the Cretaceous. Also of interest, the frequency of occurrence of paleopathology in the Arctic Pachyrhinosaurus population is very low compared to populations of fossil and historic quadrupedal artiodactyls that are recognized as long distance wanderers.

Ikhnos: A Novel Software to Register and Analyze Bone Surface Modifications Based on Three-Dimensional Documentation.

Simple SummaryHere we present a novel open-access 3D software called Ikhnos to register and analyze bone surface modifications in bone assemblages using a sample of wild and captive wolf populations as an example to demonstrate the possibilities offered by this newly developed toolkit. The study of bone surface modifications has been proven crucial in understanding archaeological and paleontological site formation processes, including the identification of the assemblage causal agent. The use of the tools provided by Ikhnos will help interpret the fossil record by allowing the generation of accurate biological and physicochemical referential models as well as the precise documentation of bone surface modifications in archaeological and paleontological assemblages.The study of bone surface modifications (BSM) is crucial in understanding site formation processes and the identification of the causal agent behind bone assemblages in the fossil record. In that line, many efforts have been made to generate referential models based on feeding experiments and human butchery simulations that can then be used to interpret the patterns observed in archaeological and paleontological sites. Considering these needs, we developed a novel open-access three-dimensional (3D) software called Ikhnos for the study of BSM distribution patterns on limb long bones. This software is comprised of all the necessary tools for the 3D documentation of BSM and bone breakage patterns, as well as the subsequent statistical analysis of this data due to the integration of an exclusive R library, the IkhnosToolBox. Additionally, Ikhnos integrates tools for bone survivorship calculations that could facilitate the estimation of the minimum number of elements (MNE) and minimum number of individuals (MNI). As a demonstration of its precision, here we present a case study analyzing the modifications produced by wild and captive wolf (Canis lupus signatus) populations of the Iberian Peninsula on deer carcasses.

Reply to comments on Hyaenids, felids and canids as bone accumulators: Does the natural history of extant species support zooarchaeological inferences? By Palomares et al. [Quat. Sci. Rev. 284 (2022) 107459

Reply to comments on Hyaenids, felids and canids as bone accumulators: Does the natural history of extant species support zooarchaeological inferences? By Palomares et al. [Quat. Sci. Rev. 284 (2022) 107459

Comments on ‘Hyaenids, felids and canids as bone accumulators: Does the natural history of extant species support zooarchaeological inferences?’, by Palomares et al. [Quat. Sci. Rev. 284 (2022) 107459

In a recent review paper, Palomares et al. (2022) questioned whether the current behaviour of some carnivorous mammals supports zooarchaeological interpretations of the origin and authorship of certain fossil accumulations in Quaternary sites, concluding that it is questionable. The authors develop classical approach based on actualism to interpret the fossil record but commit some inaccuracies in analogical reasoning, overlook the complexity of taphonomic pathways and the fact that the process of fossil accumulation and assemblage formation is time-dependent. This comment concerns only Lynx pardinus as a taphonomic agent. Based on observations of the fossil record, experimental works in captivity, actualistic work in the wild, and information derived from the current behaviour of the species, I argue that the Iberian lynx should be seriously considered as a relevant taphonomic agent, especially in karstic contexts.

Novel Chelating Agents for Zirconium-89-Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Imaging: Synthesis, DFT Calculation, Radiolabeling, and In Vitro and In Vivo Complex Stability.

We report the synthesis and evaluation of novel chelating agents for zirconium-89 (89Zr) with positron emission tomography (PET) imaging applications. New chelating agents NODHA, NOTHA, and NODHA-PY were constructed on 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (TACN) and possess hydroxamic acid or a pyridine ring as an acyclic binding moiety. The new chelating agents were theoretically studied for complexation with Zr(IV). Structures of Zr(IV)-NODHA, Zr(IV)-NOTHA, and Zr(IV)-NODHA-PY were predicted using density functional methods. NODHA was found to form stronger bonds with Zr(IV) when compared to NOTHA and NODHA-PY. The new chelating agents were evaluated for radiolabeling efficiency in binding 89Zr. The corresponding [89Zr]Zr-labeled chelators were evaluated for complex stability in human serum. All new chelating agents rapidly bound to 89Zr in excellent radiolabeling efficiency at room temperature. Among the new [89Zr]Zr-labeled chelators evaluated, [89Zr]Zr-NODHA showed the highest stability in human serum without losing 89Zr, and [89Zr]Zr-NODHA-PY released a considerable amount of 89Zr in human serum. [89Zr]Zr-NODHA, [89Zr]Zr-NODHA-PY, and [89Zr]Zr-DFO were comparatively evaluated for in vivo complex stability by performing biodistribution studies using normal mice. [89Zr]Zr-DFO had the lowest bone uptake at all time points, while [89Zr]Zr-NODHA-PY showed poor stability in mice as evidenced by high bone accumulation at the 24 h time point. [89Zr]Zr-NODHA exhibited better renal clearance but higher bone uptake than [89Zr]Zr-DFO.

Does the evidence at Arroyo del Vizcaíno (Uruguay) support the claim of human occupation 30,000 years ago?

ABSTRACT Researchers at Arroyo del Vizcaíno (AdV), Uruguay, have argued that human occupation dates prior to the Last Glacial Maximum (33,000–31,000 cal BP) based on the presence of purported stone tools and cutmarks on bones. We provide a summary of their research and critically evaluate these claims. We conclude that the claims of a pre-LGM occupation at AdV are unsupported due to: (1) equivocal evidence that the purported stone tools are culturally modified; (2) insufficiently documented spatial and contextual information; (3) inadequate geological research leading to an unconvincing site formation model; and (4) inadequate testing of alternative hypotheses for bones with surface modifications. We conclude that the site is best interpreted as a natural time-transgressive accumulation of mammal bones and other organic and inorganic materials within a fluvial setting spanning four millennia, and that bone surface modifications are the product of natural site formation processes rather than human agency.

Causative or associative: A critical review of the role of advanced glycation end-products in bone fragility.

The accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in the organic matrix of bone with aging and chronic disease such as diabetes is thought to increase fracture risk independently of bone mass. However, to date, there has not been a clinical trial to determine whether inhibiting the accumulation of AGEs is effective in preventing low-energy, fragility fractures. Moreover, unlike with cardiovascular or kidney disease, there are also no pre-clinical studies demonstrating that AGE inhibitors or breakers can prevent the age- or diabetes-related decrease in the ability of bone to resist fracture. In this review, we critically examine the case for a long-standing hypothesis that AGE accumulation in bone tissue degrades the toughening mechanisms by which bone resists fracture. Prior research into the role of AGEs in bone has primarily measured pentosidine, an AGE crosslink, or bulk fluorescence of hydrolysates of bone. While significant correlations exist between these measurements and mechanical properties of bone, multiple AGEs are both non-fluorescent and non-crosslinking. Since clinical studies are equivocal on whether circulating pentosidine is an indicator of elevated fracture risk, there needs to be a more complete understanding of the different types of AGEs including non-crosslinking adducts and multiple non-enzymatic crosslinks in bone extracellular matrix and their specific contributions to hindering fracture resistance (biophysical and biological). By doing so, effective strategies to target AGE accumulation in bone with minimal side effects could be investigated in pre-clinical and clinical studies that aim to prevent fragility fractures in conditions that bone mass is not the underlying culprit.

Footprint beds record Holocene decline in large mammal diversity on the Irish Sea coast of Britain.

Long-term monitoring along the Irish Sea coast of Britain at Formby has identified hundreds of animal and human footprints in 31 discrete sediment beds. A new programme of radiocarbon dating shows that the Formby footprints span at least 8,000 years of the Holocene Epoch from the Mesolithic period to Medieval times. In a landscape largely devoid of conventional archaeology and faunal records, we show how species data from the footprint stratigraphy document long-term change in both large mammal diversity and human behaviour. The footprint beds record shifting community structure in the native fauna through an era of profound global change. As sea levels rose rapidly in the Early Holocene, men, women and children formed part of rich Mesolithic intertidal ecosystems from ~9,000 to 6,000 cal BP, with aurochs, red deer, roe deer, wild boar, beaver, wolf and lynx. Doggerland was reclaimed by the sea in this period. In the agriculture-based societies that followed, after 5,500 cal BP human footprints dominate the Neolithic period and later beds, alongside a striking fall in large mammal species richness. Stacked footprint beds can form multimillennial records of ecosystem change with precise geographical context that cannot be retrieved from site-based fossil bone assemblages.

Tetracycline-grafted mPEG-PLGA micelles for bone-targeting and osteoporotic improvement.

Aim: We aimed to create a nano drug delivery system with tetracycline (TC)-grafted methoxy poly-(ethylene-glycol)‒poly-(D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (mPEG‒PLGA) micelles (TC‒mPEG‒PLGA) with TC and mPEG‒PLGA for potential bone targeting. Prospectively, TC‒mPEG‒PLGA aims to deliver bioactive compounds, such as astragaloside IV (AS), for osteoporotic therapy. Methods: Preparation and evaluation of TC‒mPEG‒PLGA were accomplished via nano-properties, cytotoxicity, uptake by MC3T3-E1 cells, ability of hydroxyapatite targeting and potential bone targeting in vivo, as well as pharmacodynamics in a rat model. Results: The measured particle size of AS-loaded TC‒mPEG‒PLGA micelles was an average of 52.16 ± 2.44 nm, which exhibited a sustained release effect compared to that by free AS. The TC‒mPEG‒PLGA demonstrated low cytotoxicity and was easily taken by MC3T3-E1 cells. Through assaying of bone targeting in vitro and in vivo, we observed that TC‒mPEG‒PLGA could effectively increase AS accumulation in bone. A pharmacodynamics study in mice suggested potentially increased bone mineral density by AS-loaded TC‒mPEG‒PLGA in ovariectomized rats compared to that by free AS. Conclusion: The nano drug delivery system (TC‒mPEG‒PLGA) could target bone in vitro and in vivo, wherein it may be used as a novel delivery method for the enhancement of therapeutic effects of drugs with osteoporotic activity.

A Middle Pleistocene Butchery Site at Great Yeldham, Essex, UK: Identifying Butchery Strategies and Implications for Mammalian Faunal History

This paper discusses the evidence relating to an assemblage of Pleistocene bones and teeth discovered in a brick pit at Great Yeldham, Essex, in the late nineteenth century. Surviving elements from this collection, which include a bison foot bone with cut-marks, are now in the British Geological Survey Museum, Keyworth. A re-examination of this collection suggests that humans were present at the site during a temperate period in the earlier part of the late Middle Pleistocene. The cut-marks suggest that the hind foot was detached and discarded as butchery waste at the death site. Finally, the paper discusses the implications of humanly modified bones for understanding aspects of early human behaviour and distribution in Britain, which have hitherto largely centred around the study of stone tools.

Geochemical Indication of Functional Zones at the Archaeological Sites of Eastern Europe

The article considers a new approach for determining the functional zones of the prehistoric archaeological sites in Eastern Europe by the method of geochemical indication: the use of mathematical statistics for processing the geochemical data of cultural deposits at archaeological sites, and the identification of groups of interrelated chemical elements and compounds that reflects the processes of natural sedimentation and anthropogenic activity. It makes it possible to separate the lithological and anthropogenic components. This approach is important for the identification of geochemical element groups associated with different functional zones. The reconstructions were conducted at the Neolithic, Early Metal Age, and the Bronze-Early Iron Age sites in Eastern Europe. Abnormal concentrations of the association (P2O5antr, CaOantr and Srantr) in sediments are attributed to zones of accumulation of bone remains. Anomalous concentrations of a group of elements (K2Oantr, Rbantr) in deposits are associated with wood ash and fireplaces, ash residues from ritual activities, and fires. The group of elements (Ba, MnO, Corg) reflects the accumulation of humus and organic remains, and can characterize areas with food residues, skins, and rotten wood. With the help of the distribution of the main lithological elements (SiO2, Al2O3) in sediments, it is possible to reconstruct the paleorelief at the sites.

Étude taphonomique et spatiale des associations de grands mammifères non analogues du Pléistocène supérieur de la Grotte XVI (Dordogne, France)

The study of fossil bone assemblages has brought up evidence of the existence in the Pleistocene of faunal communities with no modern analogues. This is notably the case for Palaeolithic archaeological sites that have yielded, in the same stratigraphic layers, remains of species that are rarely sympatric in present-day ecosystems. The Mousterian – layer C – and Châtelperronian – layer B – of Grotte XVI (Dordogne, France) provide examples of such “composite” faunas: high proportions of Red deer (21 % and 34 % of the total number of identifiable remains of ungulates, respectively), Roe deer (17 % and 14 %) and Reindeer (42 % and 26 %) have been described in the same assemblages. In order to better interpret these no-analog communities, large mammal remains from layers B and C of Grotte XVI are reanalysed here. Taxonomic identifications, taphonomic data (cortical surface states, anthropic marks, evidences of carnivore activity, etc.), season-of-death estimates and bone refits (intra- and inter-layers) are combined and analysed as part of a three-dimensional spatial study of the faunal assemblages.

New evidence of Neandertal butchery traditions through the marrow extraction in southwestern Europe (MIS 5-3).

Long bone breakage for bone marrow recovery is a commonly observed practice in Middle Palaeolithic contexts, regardless of the climatic conditions. While lithic technology is largely used to define cultural patterns in human groups, despite dedicating research by zooarchaeologists, for now butchering techniques rarely allowed the identification of clear traditions, notably for ancient Palaeolithic periods. In this paper, we test the hypothesis of butchery traditions among Neandertal groupsusing the bone assemblages from three sites in southwestern Europe. These sites are located in southeastern France and northern Italy and are dated to the Late Middle Palaeolithic: Abri du Maras (Marine Isotopic Stages (MIS) 4-3, Ardèche), Saint-Marcel (MIS 3, Ardèche), and Riparo Tagliente (MIS 4-3, Verona). The detection of culturally-induced patterns of bone breakage involves differentiating them from intuitively generated patterns. To tackle this issue, we used a zooarchaeological approach focusing on the percussion marks produced during the bone breakage process. Statistical analyses as the chi-square test of independence were employed to verify if percussion mark locations were randomly distributed, and if these distributions were different from the intuitive ones. For femurs and humeri, our results demonstrate that Neandertal groups occupying the Abri du Maras (levels 4.1 and 4.2) and the Saint-Marcel Cave (levels g and h) sites in France applied butchery traditions to recover yellow marrow. However, the traditions developed at each site were different. On the contrary, in Riparo Tagliente, in Italy, several groups or individuals of a same group did not share the same butchery traditions over time. Regarding the Abri du Maras and Saint Marcel Cave assemblages, our research demonstrates that Neandertal groups applied intense standardized bone breakage, far from the intuitive practice observed experimentally and related to bone density and/or skeletal morphology. These standardized patterns, which are systematic and counter-intuitive, can be interpreted as culturally induced for the Abri du Maras and Saint Marcel Cave. The diversity of Neandertal traditions should be considered by taking into account the butchery, in particular the practice of bone marrow extraction, and not only technological behaviours and types of tool kits.

Novel 99mTc labeled complexes with bisphosphonate isocyanide: Radiosynthesis and evaluation as potential bone-seeking agents

In order to develop 99mTc-labeled complexes with bisphosphonate isocyanide as novel bone imaging agents, two bisphosphonate isocyanide derivatives (CNALN and CNPAM) were synthesized and radiolabeling was performed for preparing the corresponding [99mTc]Tc(I) complexes. [99mTc]Tc-CNALN and [99mTc]Tc-CNPAM were obtained with high radiochemical purity and showed good in vitro stability. Both of them were hydrophilic and had high affinity to hydroxyapatite. The biodistribution studies in mice revealed [99mTc]Tc-CNALN showed higher bone/background ratios at 60 min post-injection. In single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging study, [99mTc]Tc-CNALN had an obvious accumulation in bone, suggesting it would be a promising bone-seeking agent.

Carnivores and hominins contributions to the Early Pleistocene bone accumulation of Cooper's D, South Africa

Carnivores have long been identified as one of the most important taphonomical agents of the Plio-Pleistocene hominin-bearing caves of South Africa. Cooper's D is an eroded cave deposit dated between 1.3 and 1.0 Ma and has yielded an abundant and diverse large mammal faunal assemblage. It has been previously argued that brown hyenas (Parahyaena brunnea) were the main accumulator agent. However, more recently the involvement of hominins has also been identified in the accumulation of at least a part of the assemblage. In this paper, we first describe the composition of the carnivore paleoguild from Cooper's D, which permits to highlight an important taxonomic diversity. The completeness indexes indicate good retention of bone material in our analysis. The carnivore ravaging index pointed out the relative moderate impact of carnivores in the destruction of the bone assemblage. Through skeletal part representation, mortality profiles and bone surface modifications, we argue that large felids, and especially leopards, can in fact be identified as the most probable main taphonomic agents. Moreover, we confirmed the involvement of hyenids but also canids in the accumulation and modification of the assemblage. Based on the multiple carnivore taphonomic signal, we proposed that the cave was not used as a carnivore den on a regular basis. Thus, we argue that Cooper's D faunal assemblage is the result of the independent accumulations of both hominins and carnivores.

Effect of FLAVAnols on bone turnover markers in type 2 diabetes mellitus–post hoc analysis from a 3-month randomized placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have increased fracture risk with high bone mineral density, possibly related to advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accumulation in bone. Flavanol supplementation in postmenopausal women reduced AGEs formation and decreased bone resorption markers. However, to date, these effects have not been investigated in T2DM. OBJECTIVE: We used a post hoc secondary analysis to determine the effect of monomeric and oligomeric flavanols supplementation on bone turnover markers (BTMs) in individuals with T2DM. METHODS: Eighty-three individuals with T2DM, aged 40–85 years, with microalbuminuria were enrolled from 4 trial centers in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, into a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with renal vascular health as the primary outcome. Participants were randomized (1:1) to receive either a placebo or 200 mg of monomeric and oligomeric flavanols as intervention for three months. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), type I collagen crosslinked beta C-telopeptide (β-CTx), and type I procollagen-N-propeptide (P1NP) were measured at baseline and three months. ANCOVA was performed on rank transformed BTMs at three months as the outcome, adjusting for baseline BTMs, group, age, sex, and BMI. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics did not differ between the two arms. The adjusted mean change in BTMs at three months was not different between the placebo vs. intervention arm: ALP –0.059 (–0.262–0.145) vs. 0.060 (–0.135–0.356), p = 0.41; β-CTx 0.013 (–0.205–0.231) vs. 0.100 (–0.109–0.310), p = 0.53 and P1NP 0.091 (–0.080–0.262) vs. 0.030 (–0.134–0.195), p = 0.61. There was no significant within-group change in BTMs after three months in both study arms. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with daily 200 mg of flavanols during three months, on top of usual care in individuals with T2DM, did not result in changes in BTMs compared to placebo. Future studies are needed to show whether long-term supplementation in higher dosages may positively affect BTMs in individuals with T2DM.

Iyuku raathi, a new iguanodontian dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous Kirkwood Formation, South Africa.

We name and describe a new iguanodontian dinosaur from the Early Creteceous Kirkwood Formation, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. This dinosaur is one of only two ornithopod dinosaurs known from the Cretaceous of southern Africa, and is unique in being represented primarily by hatchling to young juvenile individuals as demonstrated by bone histological analysis. All of the juvenile material of this new taxon comes from a single, laterally-restricted bonebed and specimens were primarily recovered as partial to complete single elements, although rare articulated materials and one partial skeleton were found. Sedimentology of the bonebed suggests that this horizon heralds a change in environment upsection to a drier and more seasonal climate. This accumulation of bones is interpreted as seasonal mortality from a nesting site or nesting grounds and may be linked to this environmental shift.

Saturation Effect of Body Mass Index on Bone Mineral Density in Adolescents of Different Ages: A Population-Based Study.

BackgroundAdolescence is a critical period for bone development, and peak bone mass may be reached in late adolescence. Boosting bone accumulation at this time can help preserve adult bone health and avoid osteoporosis later in life. Body mass index (BMI) has been found to have a favorable impact on bone mineral density (BMD) in previous research. However, excessive obesity is harmful to health and may lead to various systemic diseases. Therefore, finding an appropriate BMI to maintain a balance between obesity and BMD is critical for adolescents.MethodsThe datasets from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2020 were used in a cross-sectional investigation. Multivariate linear regression models were used to examine the linear connection between BMI and BMD. Fitted smoothing curves and threshold effect analysis were used to describe the nonlinear relationship. Subgroup analyses were then conducted based on gender and age.ResultsThis population-based study included a total of 6,143 adolescents aged 8–19 years. In a multivariate linear regression analysis, a good association between BMI and total BMD was shown [0.014 (0.013, 0.014)]. This positive association was maintained in all subgroup analyses grouped by sex and age. Furthermore, the association between BMI and BMD was nonlinear with a saturation point present, as evidenced by smoothed curve fitting. According to the threshold effect study, with an age group of two years, adolescents of different ages had different BMI saturation values with respect to BMD.ConclusionsOur study showed a significant positive and saturated association between BMI and BMD in adolescents aged 8–19 years. Maintaining BMI at saturation values may reduce other adverse effects while achieving optimal BMD.