Scratching the surface? A histotaphonomic study of human remains at Neolithic Çatalhöyük

Histotaphonomic analysis of bone bioerosion reveals a regional framework of diverse deathways in the Neolithic of Southeast Italy

“…Taphonomic evidence for extreme flexure of the lower limbs and/or early post-mortem defleshing did not affect the extent of bone bioerosion in these individuals. This is consistent with recent histotaphonomic analysis of remains from Çatalhöyük, where no distinct patterns were observed between delayed and non-delayed burials [ 44 ].…”

“…This suggests that human remains at each site had variable associated taphonomic histories and the lack of significant inter-site differences in OHI scores also suggests these were similarly variable at each site. This variation is consistent with other archaeological studies [ 43 , 44 , 58 ] where it is assumed that bones of multiple individuals were accumulated or deposited after varied prior stages of mortuary processing. Given past associations between patterns of bacterial bioerosion and early taphonomy [ 14 , 15 , 28 , 29 ], it is reasonable to explore possible interpretations which draw upon these associations.…”

“…Histological analysis of bones from pig carcasses and a human body which had been exposed, versus defleshed and buried cow bones, showed bacterial bioerosion was present only in the cow bones which had been surrounded by soil [ 35 ]. Yet, differential intensity of bacterial bioerosion in bones deposited in the same soils or archaeological features, as well as an association with other markers of early taphonomy, is still frequently evidenced in archaeological studies [ 41 , 43 , 44 ]. These studies suggest that some bone bioerosion may be caused by bacteria in soil but is still influenced by a range of factors beyond the burial environment.…”

“…Prehistoric funerary practices have recently been the focus of a large number of histotaphonomic studies, from contexts as wide-ranging as disturbed primary burials and secondary depositions at Neolithic Çatalhöyük [ 44 , 57 ], Neolithic megalithic burials in southwest Sweden [ 58 ], Neolithic primary burials and Mycenaean and Minoan collective tombs in the Aegean [ 43 , 56 ], and burials and disarticulated bones from Bronze and Iron Age contexts in Britain [ 47 , 54 , 59 ]. Until now, histotaphonomic analysis has not been applied to prehistoric skeletal remains from Italy.…”

Develop an optimal washing method for textile relics adsorbing composite organic/inorganic stains

“…Textile relics have become an important part of the 5000-year history of Chinese civilization because of unique weaving style and texture structure [1][2][3]. Meanwhile textile relics is also important physical evidences to reveal the evolution history of ancient textile technology, to understand the culture, economy, social development environment and human activities of different historical periods [3][4][5]. Therefore, textile relics play an important role in preserving and inheriting the excellent ancient history and culture of China.…”