Non-local Origins Research Articles

Distinct positions of genetic and oral histories: Perspectives from India

Over the past decade, genomic data has contributed to several insights on global human population histories. These studies have been met both with interest and critically, particularly by populations with oral histories that are records of their past and often reference their origins. While several studies have reported concordance between oral and genetic histories, there is potential for tension that may stem from genetic histories being prioritized or used to confirm community-based knowledge and ethnography, especially if they differ. To investigate the interplay between oral and genetic histories, we focused on the southwestern region of India and analyzed whole-genome sequence data from 156 individuals identifying as Bunt, Kodava, Nair, and Kapla. We supplemented limited anthropological records on these populations with oral history accounts from community members and historical literature, focusing on references to non-local origins such as the ancient Scythians in the case of Bunt, Kodava, and Nair, members of Alexander the Great’s army for the Kodava, and an African-related source for Kapla. We found these populations to be genetically most similar to other Indian populations, with the Kapla more similar to South Indian tribal populations that maximize a genetic ancestry related to Ancient Ancestral South Indians. We did not find evidence of additional genetic sources in the study populations than those known to have contributed to many other present-day South Asian populations. Our results demonstrate that oral and genetic histories may not always provide consistent accounts of population origins and motivate further community-engaged, multi-disciplinary investigations of non-local origin stories in these communities.

Production of Greater Antillean pottery and its exchange to the Lucayan Islands: A compositional study

Archaeologists working in the Lucayan Islands (The Bahamas and Turks & Caicos) have routinely identified artifacts with non-local origins, such as pottery from the Greater Antilles. Greater Antillean pottery production is characterized by broad trends in form and decoration, with a few distinct local expressions. Given the mobility of these peoples, it is often impossible based on visual appearance alone to determine where a vessel was produced at the island or intra-island level. However, despite complex and shared geological features, there are characteristics specific to certain islands and subregions of the Greater Antilles creating unique elemental signatures within clay resources that are maintained within fired pottery. We used laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to elementally characterize pottery production zones for Greater Antillean pottery, with pottery samples recovered from sites throughout the region. We identified nine main compositional groups, likely representing local production on each Antillean island sampled, including at least three compositional groups associated with different regions of Hispaniola. We then sourced samples imported to the Lucayan Islands back to their Antillean origins. Our results support the importance of the north coast of Hispaniola as a gateway to the Lucayan Islands.

Is there Initial Upper Palaeolithic in Western Tian Shan? Example of an open-air site Katta Sai 2 (Uzbekistan)

The paper presents the results of multidisciplinary studies on the open-air loess site Katta Sai 2 located in the western piedmonts of Tian Shan in Uzbekistan. Two archaeological horizons contain features associated with the Initial Upper Palaeolithic (IUP) - both Levallois and blade/bladelet volumetric technology, together with an Upper Palaeolithic toolkit. The cultural traits observed in Katta Sai 2 might have local roots dating back to MIS 5a and can be found in so-called Obirakhmatian technocomplex determined in several archaeological sites in the region. Thus, the obtained results question the hypothesis of non-local origins of IUP complexes associated with the early modern human migration from the Near East to Mongolia along the piedmonts of Pamir and Tian Shan. Until reliable anthropological and genetic data are obtained, it seems to be too early to conclude about the relationship between modern human migration and the appearance of IUP assemblages, at least across the western parts of Central Asia.

Relative genomic impacts of translocation history, hatchery practices, and farm selection in Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas throughout the Northern Hemisphere.

Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas, endemic to coastal Asia, has been translocated globally throughout the past century, resulting in self‐sustaining introduced populations (naturalized). Oyster aquaculture industries in many parts of the world depend on commercially available seed (hatchery‐farmed) or naturalized/wild oysters to move onto a farm (naturalized‐farmed). It is therefore important to understand genetic variation among populations and farm types. Here, we genotype naturalized/wild populations from France, Japan, China, and most extensively in coastal British Columbia, Canada. We also genotype cultured populations from throughout the Northern Hemisphere to compare with naturalized populations. In total, 16,942 markers were identified using double‐digest RAD‐sequencing in 182 naturalized, 112 hatchery‐farmed, and 72 naturalized‐farmed oysters (n = 366). Consistent with previous studies, very low genetic differentiation was observed around Vancouver Island (mean F ST = 0.0019) and low differentiation between countries in the Japan–Canada–France historical translocation lineage (France–Canada F ST = 0.0024; Japan–Canada F ST = 0.0060). Chinese populations were more differentiated (China–Japan F ST = 0.0241). Hatchery‐propagated populations had higher interindividual relatedness suggesting family structure. Within‐population inbreeding was not detected on farms, but nucleotide diversity and polymorphism rate were lower in one farm population. Moving oysters from nature onto farms did not result in strong within‐generation selection. Private alleles at substantial frequency were identified in several hatchery populations grown in BC, suggesting nonlocal origins. Tests of selection identified outlier loci consistent with selective differences associated with domestication, in some cases consistently identified in multiple farms. Top outlier candidates were nearby genes involved in calcium signaling and calmodulin activity. Implications of potential introgression from hatchery‐farmed oysters depend on whether naturalized populations are valued as a locally adapted resource or as an introduced, invasive species. Given the value of the industry in BC and the challenges the industry faces (e.g., climate change, crop losses, biotic stressors), this remains an important question.

Multi-proxy stable isotope analyses of dentine microsections reveal diachronic changes in life history adaptations, mobility, and tuberculosis-induced wasting in prehistoric Liguria (Finale Ligure, Italy, northwestern Mediterranean)

ObjectiveTo reconstruct breastfeeding and weaning practices, metabolic stress including tuberculosis-induced wasting, and residential mobility of children in Neolithic and Metal Ages to infer their local ecologies. MaterialsSeven permanent teeth from individuals dated to the Neolithic, Copper, Bronze, and Iron Ages buried in nearby caves in western Liguria, Italy. MethodsCarbon, nitrogen, and sulfur stable isotope analyses on dentine microsections. Tooth maturation was used to calculate age at death. ResultsTwo Neolithic children present longer pattern of weaning and appear to have been weaned using animal protein in contrast to the earlier weaning of Metal Ages children, which were probably weaned with vegetable resources. Sulfur isotopes suggest local origin of Neolithic and Cooper Age children, and non-local origins for Bronze and Iron Age children. Intense catabolism in the last two years is apparent in the adolescent with tuberculosis. ConclusionsShortening in weaning patterns during the Metal Ages are likely driven by the intensification of agricultural practices and cultivation of new crops during Bronze and Iron Ages. Neolithic food choices and delayed weaning patterns may represent one of the strategies to maximize growth and immune potential in a local economy/ecology with high-infectious load. Tuberculosis was a chronic and long-lasting disease. SignificanceThe first combined carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur analysis on prehistoric dentine microsections revealing changing human life history adaptations within the same region. LimitationsSmall sample size. Suggestions for further researchIncrease the sulfur isotope dataset, use new EA-IRMS equipment, and provide data on amino acid to better define weaning food composition.

Migration and integration on the Baltic island of Öland in the Iron Age

This study explores a bi-isotopic approach to migration, adding δ18O values to samples with 87Sr/86Sr values for 109 individuals from the Iron Age (500BCE–1050CE) on the island of Öland, Sweden. Determining a local baseline for 87Sr/86Sr was complicated due to the wide range of variation in faunal samples so we divided the human values into three groups: local, non-local and undetermined. The addition of δ18O isotopes allowed identifying further non locals than the data from the 87Sr/86Sr alone provided. We found significant migration rates in both the Early period (500BCE–400CE) with 30% non-locals and in the Late (400–1050CE), more than doubling to 68%. In both periods the non-locals appear to have diverse geographical origins.In order to study integration and migration patterns we use a bioarchaeological approach to these non cremated individuals who come from all types of contexts, i.e. not just burials. This allows discussing the cultural and social integration of non-locals. Integration is apparent in both periods and in the Late period, with a higher proportion of non-locals, there is both integration and diversity. The proportion of female non-locals suggest a mobility in both periods, especially the Late, that is relatively large. Our results of diverse non-local origins, female mobility and integration on Öland throughout the Iron Age add a new perspective, a Scandinavian multi-isotopic bioarchaeological perspective, to current discussions of Viking movement and expansion.

Dietary reconstruction of the Iron Age population at the Fantzuyuan site, Taiwan, revealed by isotopic analysis on human and faunal bone collagen

In this study, we analyzed the carbon and nitrogen stable isotopic composition of human bone collagen in 33 individuals found at the Fantzuyuan site in Taiwan in order to investigate the dietary patterns of this Iron Age group. Forty-three faunal collagen samples were also analyzed to ascertain the variability of baseline isotopic signatures in the area. Mean δ13C and δ15N values of −12.5±0.7‰ and 8.1±0.5‰, respectively, were found in 26 human individuals. In conjunction with archaeological evidence, this study showed that human diet at this site derived mainly from terrestrial animals, with a minor component derived from marine shellfish. No significant difference in isotopic compositions was detected between male and female adults or between adults and juveniles. However, six individuals had dietary patterns that were different from others, which probably reveals that they had special social status and/or non-local origins.

An Introduction to the Isotopic Studies of Ancient Human Remains

Abstract This paper provides an introduction to methods in archaeology that utilize light isotopes for helping to determine diet and heavier isotopes for information on mobility and provenience of specimens. The common isotopic systems of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, strontium, and lead are described in terms of basic principles, specifically with references of human bone and tooth enamel. Isotopic analyses of carbon and nitrogen in collagen for past diet provides information on certain food types (e.g., C4 plants, marine resources, freshwater fish) and trophic level, while the analysis of oxygen, strontium, and lead can provide information on local vs. non-local origins, mobility, and place of origin. Analysis of tooth enamel provides information on childhood contexts, and the analysis of adult bone provides information on the later years of life. This paper is intended to provide the methodological background for the isotopic analysis of human and faunal materials from the Viking colonization of the North ...

Increasing Mobility at the Neolithic/Bronze Age Transition - sulphur isotope evidence from Öland, Sweden

The objective of this investigation is to look at the use of various aquatic, in this case marine, resources in relation to mobility during the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods. On the island of Oland, in the Baltic Sea, different archaeological cultures are represented in the form of material culture and skeletal remains at three sites. We have analysed δ34S values in human remains representing 36 individuals, as well as faunal remains. We investigated intra-individual patterns of mobility from childhood to adulthood, primarily focusing on a passage grave. Taking into account previously published dietary data that demonstrate a wide range of dietary practices involving aquatic resources, we applied a model to estimate the contribution of δ34S from terrestrial protein, to separate mobility from dietary changes, thereby identifying individuals who changed residence, as well as individuals with non-local origins. Evidence of mobility could be demonstrated at two sites. For the third site the consistently marine diet inhibits inferences on mobility based on δ34S analysis. Chronologically, the frequency of non-locals was highest during the Bronze Age, when the diet was very uniform and based on terrestrial resources.

The influence of genetic origin and its interaction with environmental effects on the survival of Apis mellifera L. colonies in Europe

SummaryThe survival and performance of 597 honey bee colonies, representing five subspecies and 16 different genotypes, were comparatively studied in 20 apiaries across Europe. Started in October 2009, 15.7% of the colonies survived without any therapeutic treatment against diseases until spring 2012. The survival duration was strongly affected by environmental factors (apiary effects) and, to a lesser degree, by the genotypes and origin of queens. Varroa was identified as a main cause of losses (38.4%), followed by queen problems (16.9%) and Nosema infection (7.3%). On average, colonies with queens from local origin survived 83 days longer compared to non-local origins (p < 0.001). This result demonstrates strong genotype by environment interactions. Consequently, the conservation of bee diversity and the support of local breeding activities must be prioritised in order to prevent colony losses, to optimize a sustainable productivity and to enable a continuous adaptation to environmental changes.

Inter-ethnic social interactions in 16th century La Florida: sourcing pottery using siliceous microfossils

A case study is presented to test the notion that minority pottery types from 16th century contexts at the Fountain of Youth (FOY) site in St. Augustine reflect population movements from the north that preceded major political reorganizations in the region. Petrographic methods are employed to trace the manufacturing origins of early historic period aboriginal pottery in northeast Florida.Fragments of siliceous microfossils, including sponge spicules, opal phytoliths, and, most notably, diatoms, were identified in the matrix of some early historic period aboriginal pottery from FOY, as well as in some clay samples from the coastal region of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia.Diatom taxa are identified and their spatial distribution is assessed. The distribution of microfossils supports the nonlocal manufacturing origins of some samples from St. Augustine and conform to expectations about the historic movement of certain aboriginal groups to the settlement.

The Movement and Exchange of Dogs in the Prehistoric Caribbean: An Isotopic Investigation

AbstractThis study explores the feasibility of using strontium isotope (87Sr/86Sr) analyses of enamel from domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) to investigate networks of exchange in the prehistoric Circum‐Caribbean. Dog teeth were obtained from burial and domestic contexts from two prehistoric sites (Anse à la Gourde and Morel) on Grande‐Terre, Guadeloupe (Lesser Antilles). Strontium isotope results were compared with local biosphere 87Sr/86Sr data at the scale of the site, island and archipelago. The isotope results indicate both local and nonlocal origins with three dogs (30%) identified as nonlocal (one from Anse à la Gourde and two from Morel). The variance in 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the nonlocal dog teeth is consistent with diverse multiple origins external to the island of Grande‐Terre but consistent with origins from other islands of the Lesser Antilles. The diverse origins of the nonlocal dog samples indicate that the prehistoric circulation of dogs occurred at multiple scales from regional to long distance. Significantly, the 87Sr/86Sr ratios of some of the dog teeth are comparable with values of nonlocal humans at Anse à la Gourde determined in previous studies. It is possible that these comparable 87Sr/86Sr ratios result from similar natal origins, for example if individuals were migrating to Guadeloupe with dogs. The results of this study contribute to an ongoing regional investigation of the economic, social and political roles of animals and animal remains and the multiscalar networks of prehistoric mobility and exchange in the Circum‐Caribbean region. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

OXYGEN AND CARBON ISOTOPE ANALYSIS OF HUMAN DENTAL ENAMEL FROM THE CARIBBEAN: IMPLICATIONS FOR INVESTIGATING INDIVIDUAL ORIGINS

This study explores the potential of carbon and oxygen isotope data from human enamel carbonate (n = 50) to contribute to mobility studies in the Caribbean. Most oxygen and carbon isotope results display limited variation, with substantial overlap between islands. However, a few individuals from El Chorro de Maíta, Cuba possess relatively low δ18O and high δ13C. Two of these individuals were previously identified as possible non-Antillean immigrants on the basis of strontium isotopes, and bioarchaeological and mortuary evidence. The carbon and oxygen isotope results provide additional evidence supporting the proposed non-local origins of these individuals and contribute to explorations of their potential natal origins.

Isotopic investigation of human provenience at the eleventh century cemetery of Ndr. Grødbygård, Bornholm, Denmark

Bornholm is a Danish island almost in the center of the southern Baltic Sea. The strategic location of the island, its rich archeology, and its complex geology make it an intriguing location for the isotopic study of past human mobility. The focus of this study is on the large cemetery of Ndr. Grødbygård in the southern part of the island, which dates to the eleventh century AD and contains 553 individuals in 516 graves. The majority of the burials were in a supine position oriented west–east, with the heads to the west, following the tradition of that time. In contrast to the Christian traditions, however, the graves at Grødbygård were richly equipped by Scandinavian standards and some of the burial practices more closely resembled those from the Western Slavic region of the south (present day northeastern Germany and Poland). We have used isotopic analyses to examine the external relations and potential places of origin of the inhabitants of the cemetery. Strontium and oxygen isotope ratios in human tooth enamel provide a signature of place of origin and can be compared to the ratios of the place of burial to determine local or non-local origins. In the case of Bornholm, the local geology is quite complex, with a variety of rocks of different age and composition, resulting in a wide range of strontium isotope sources on the island, complicating the issue of identifying migrants. At the same time, Grødbygård provides an important example of the application of such methods in less than ideal conditions.

Investigating a child sacrifice event from the Inca heartland

Human sacrifice in the Inca Empire at times took the form of the capacocha, a sacrificial rite involving the most beautiful children in the empire. In this study, we investigate a possible capacocha at the pre-Columbian site of Choquepukio in the Cuzco Valley of Peru. During excavations at Choquepukio in 2004, seven children (aged 3–12 years) were discovered buried together; accompanying them was an elaborate assemblage of high status artifacts similar to those from other recent archaeological finds that are believed to be capacocha sacrifices. Since colonial documents indicate that capacocha children were selected from diverse regions of the empire, we initiated a radiogenic strontium isotope analysis to determine the origins of the children found at Choquepukio. Our analysis showed that, indeed, two children in the assemblage had non-local origins. When considered together, the osteological, archaeological, and isotopic evidence suggest that a capacocha event occurred at Choquepukio, representing the only lower-elevation capacocha to have been found in the Cuzco region.

Among Polynesia's first pots

X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and petrographic thin section microscopy are applied to a sample of anomalous appearing Lapita pottery sherds from Nukuleka, the earliest archaeological site in Polynesia. Both analyses indicate non-local origins for the ceramic vessels, suggesting they were brought on founding canoes. Mineral inclusions in ceramic tempers eliminate sources to the west of Tonga in eastern Melanesia; rather the temper source is most probably a dacitic high island from a distant island arc of central Melanesia. Polynesian origins and settlement are issues more complex than currently recognized by the orthodox progressive settlement model for Lapita expansion across Oceania.

Biodistance analysis of the Moche sacrificial victims from Huaca de la Luna plaza 3C: Matrix method test of their origins

The purpose of this study is to test two competing models regarding the origins of Early Intermediate Period (AD 200-750) sacrificial victims from the Huacas de Moche site using the matrix correlation method. The first model posits the sacrificial victims represent local elites who lost competitions in ritual battles with one another, while the other model suggests the victims were nonlocal warriors captured during warfare with nearby polities. We estimate biodistances for sacrificial victims from Huaca de la Luna Plaza 3C (AD 300-550) with eight previously reported samples from the north coast of Peru using both the mean measure of divergence (MMD) and Mahalanobis' distance (d2). Hypothetical matrices are developed based upon the assumptions of each of the two competing models regarding the origins of Moche sacrificial victims. When the MMD matrix is compared to the two hypothetical matrices using a partial-Mantel test (Smouse et al.: Syst Zool 35 (1986) 627-632), the ritual combat model (i.e. local origins) has a low and nonsignificant correlation (r = 0.134, P = 0.163), while the nonlocal origins model is highly correlated and significant (r = 0.688, P = 0.001). Comparisons of the d2 results and the two hypothetical matrices also produced low and nonsignificant correlation for the ritual combat model (r = 0.210, P = 0.212), while producing a higher and statistically significant result with the nonlocal origins model (r = 0.676, P = 0.002). We suggest that the Moche sacrificial victims represent nonlocal warriors captured in territorial combat with nearby competing polities.

Comments on “Atmospheric Disturbance Caused by Human Modification of the Landscape”

In a recent article published in the February 2001 issue of the Bulletin of American Meteorological Society, Weaver and Avissar (hereafter WA) investigated the response of the atmosphere to landscape heterogeneity to assess the importance of mesoscale fluxes of sensible and latent heat arising from differences in land use in the southern Great Plains. To do so they used the RAMS mesoscale model and a surface flux data set derived from observations and the Simple Biosphere Model. They selected six days for analysis based on the criterion that the study region located at the Department of Energy's Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program's Cloud and Radiation Testbed (CART) was not obscured by clouds with obvious non-local origins. WA noted that mesoscale fluxes of latent heat on those six days were large, especially near and above the top of the boundary layer. They argued that regions of strong vertical motion that they associated with mesoscale fluxes were closely correlated with regions of precipitation on one of the six days they studied and with cloudy regions on two other days. From these findings, WA concluded that landscape heterogeneity arising from human influences can''significantly affect local weather and climate.'' They further concluded that the inabilitymore » to predict mesoscale fluxes is a serious failing of general circulation models (GCMs) used to predict climate change and that further studies in parameterizing such fluxes for use in GCMs is therefore necessary. In this paper we offer a somewhat different interpretation and perspective on the findings of WA.« less

Analytical Perspectives on Prehistoric Migration: A Case Study From East-Central Arizona

Strontium isotope analysis of the tooth enamel of 69 adults from Grasshopper Pueblo reveals aspects of the settlement of and immigration to the area during the late 13th and 14th centuries. Depending on the range of local strontium isotope compositions, non-local residents vary from one-third to more than half of the individuals analysed. Based on associated archaeological evidence, it is likely that the latter figure is more accurate. The majority of locals are associated with Room Block 2 and the Great Kiva. Individuals associated with Room Blocks 1 and 3 tend to be immigrant, and this is also the case of the two individuals analysed from Room Block 5, a room block which has been thought to represent an immigration to the site. There are both locals and immigrants in the outliers, and the temporal data indicates that immigration continued throughout the occupation of the pueblo. Immigrants originate largely from two geologic areas: those underlain by Precambrian rocks located to the west and south of Grasshopper, or from areas underlain by Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks to the north and immediately east of Grasshopper. Ten individuals buried with diagnostic artefacts were analysed in the sample, and they represent both local and non-local origins, supporting earlier notions that the diagnostic artefacts symbolized sodalities which cross-cut ethnic and social boundaries.

An intangible energy in the functioning biosystem. I: A search for its fate and a proposed method of delivery

This paper treats evidence for an increasing recognition of a force with intangible properties in biosystems with special reference to its ability to transport electrons at near 0° Kelvin. It is implied that such force, whose demonstration at these temperatures is an experimental contrivance to emphasise its strictly quantal status, can be operative at room temperature. A discussion is entered as to a mode for delivery of intangible energy from demonstrable non-local origins, locally to the cell to provide for structure and function. Extensive use is made of theory of the structure of the photon from de Broglie and others to accommodate a co-existence of real (electromagnetic) and quantal (intangible) fields within the photon and to discuss how such co-existence may have been copied or otherwise made manifest in a macroscopic structure such as the cell. Cell function is then viewed as concurrent real and intangible effects following stimuli derived from perturbation of the real or electromagnetic component.