Integrating ZooMS and zooarchaeology: New data from the Uluzzian levels of Uluzzo C Rock Shelter, Roccia San Sebastiano cave and Riparo del Broion

PLoS One. 2022 Oct 13;17(10):e0275614. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275614. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

In this study we explore the potential of combining traditional zooarchaeological determination and proteomic identification of morphologically non-diagnostic bone fragments (ZooMS) collected from the Uluzzian levels of three Italian sites: Uluzzo C Rock Shelter, Roccia San Sebastiano cave, and Riparo del Broion. Moreover, we obtained glutamine deamidation ratios for all the contexts analysed during routine ZooMS screening of faunal samples, giving information on collagen preservation. We designed a selection protocol that maximizes the efficiency of the proteomics analyses by excluding particularly compromised fragments (e.g. from taphonomic processes), and that aims to identify new human fragments by favouring bones showing morphological traits more similar to Homo. ZooMS consistently provided taxonomic information in agreement with the faunal spectra outlined by traditional zooarchaeology. Our approach allows us to delineate and appreciate differences between the analysed contexts, particularly between the northern and southern sites, related to faunal, environmental, and climate composition, although no human remains were identified. We reconstructed the faunal assemblage of the different sites, giving voice to morphologically undiagnostic bone fragments. Thus, the combination of these analyses provides a more complete picture of the faunal assemblage and of the paleoenvironment during the Middle-Upper Palaeolithic transition in Italy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Archaeology
  • Bone and Bones
  • Caves
  • Fossils*
  • Glutamine*
  • Proteomics

Substances

  • Glutamine

Grants and funding

This project was funded by the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (Grant Agreement no. 724046–SUCCESS awarded to S.B.); http://www.erc-success.eu/. M.P. Leakey Foundation, Spring 2015 Grant (https://leakeyfoundation.org/2015presenting-our-spring-2015-grantees-1/). C.R. is the beneficiary of an APOSTD2021/143 grant from the Generalitat Valenciana - European Social Fund. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.