Combined visual and biochemical analyses confirm depositor and diet for Neolithic coprolites from Skara Brae
Coprolites (fossilized faeces) can provide valuable insights into species’ diet and related habits. In archaeozoological contexts, they are a potential source of information on human-animal interactions as well as human and animal subsistence. However, despite a broad discussion on coprolites in arc...
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Online Access: | https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/publications/f41dab48-ada5-4b48-8065-62faf2accef9 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01225-9 |
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ftumanchesterpub:oai:pure.atira.dk:publications/f41dab48-ada5-4b48-8065-62faf2accef9 2023-11-12T04:21:00+01:00 Combined visual and biochemical analyses confirm depositor and diet for Neolithic coprolites from Skara Brae Romaniuk, Andrzej Panciroli, Elsa Buckley, Michael Pal Chowdhury, Manasij Willars, Carla Herman, Jeremy S. Troalen, Lore G. Shepherd, Alexandra N. CLarke, David V. Sheridan, Alison van Dongen, B E Butler, Ian B. Bendrey, Robin 2020-11-10 https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/publications/f41dab48-ada5-4b48-8065-62faf2accef9 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01225-9 eng eng info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess Romaniuk , A , Panciroli , E , Buckley , M , Pal Chowdhury , M , Willars , C , Herman , J S , Troalen , L G , Shepherd , A N , CLarke , D V , Sheridan , A , van Dongen , B E , Butler , I B & Bendrey , R 2020 , ' Combined visual and biochemical analyses confirm depositor and diet for Neolithic coprolites from Skara Brae ' , Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences , vol. 12 , 274 . https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01225-9 ResearchInstitutes_Networks_Beacons/manchester_institute_of_biotechnology Manchester Institute of Biotechnology article 2020 ftumanchesterpub https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01225-9 2023-10-30T09:17:19Z Coprolites (fossilized faeces) can provide valuable insights into species’ diet and related habits. In archaeozoological contexts, they are a potential source of information on human-animal interactions as well as human and animal subsistence. However, despite a broad discussion on coprolites in archaeology, such finds are rarely subject to detailed examination by researchers, perhaps due to the destructive nature of traditional analytical methods. Here, we have examined coprolitic remains from the Neolithic (third millennium BCE) settlement at Skara Brae, Orkney, using a range of modern methods: X-ray computed tomography, scanning electron microscopy, lipid and protein analysis (shotgun proteomics of the coprolite matrix as well as collagen peptide mass fingerprinting of isolated bone fragments). This combined approach minimised destructiveness of sampling, leaving sufficient material for subsequent study, while providing more information than traditional morphological examination alone. Based on gross visual examination, coprolites were predominantly attributed to domestic dogs (Canis familiaris), with morphologically identified bone inclusions derived from domestic sheep (Ovis aries) and common voles (Microtus arvalis). Partial dissection of a coprolite provided bone samples containing protein markers akin to those of domestic sheep. Considering the predominance of vertebral and distal limb bone fragments, Skara Brae dogs were probably consuming human butchery or meal refuse, either routinely fed to them or scavenged. The presumably opportunistic consumption of rodents may also have played a role in pest control. Article in Journal/Newspaper Microtus arvalis The University of Manchester: Research Explorer Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 12 12 |
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The University of Manchester: Research Explorer |
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ftumanchesterpub |
language |
English |
topic |
ResearchInstitutes_Networks_Beacons/manchester_institute_of_biotechnology Manchester Institute of Biotechnology |
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ResearchInstitutes_Networks_Beacons/manchester_institute_of_biotechnology Manchester Institute of Biotechnology Romaniuk, Andrzej Panciroli, Elsa Buckley, Michael Pal Chowdhury, Manasij Willars, Carla Herman, Jeremy S. Troalen, Lore G. Shepherd, Alexandra N. CLarke, David V. Sheridan, Alison van Dongen, B E Butler, Ian B. Bendrey, Robin Combined visual and biochemical analyses confirm depositor and diet for Neolithic coprolites from Skara Brae |
topic_facet |
ResearchInstitutes_Networks_Beacons/manchester_institute_of_biotechnology Manchester Institute of Biotechnology |
description |
Coprolites (fossilized faeces) can provide valuable insights into species’ diet and related habits. In archaeozoological contexts, they are a potential source of information on human-animal interactions as well as human and animal subsistence. However, despite a broad discussion on coprolites in archaeology, such finds are rarely subject to detailed examination by researchers, perhaps due to the destructive nature of traditional analytical methods. Here, we have examined coprolitic remains from the Neolithic (third millennium BCE) settlement at Skara Brae, Orkney, using a range of modern methods: X-ray computed tomography, scanning electron microscopy, lipid and protein analysis (shotgun proteomics of the coprolite matrix as well as collagen peptide mass fingerprinting of isolated bone fragments). This combined approach minimised destructiveness of sampling, leaving sufficient material for subsequent study, while providing more information than traditional morphological examination alone. Based on gross visual examination, coprolites were predominantly attributed to domestic dogs (Canis familiaris), with morphologically identified bone inclusions derived from domestic sheep (Ovis aries) and common voles (Microtus arvalis). Partial dissection of a coprolite provided bone samples containing protein markers akin to those of domestic sheep. Considering the predominance of vertebral and distal limb bone fragments, Skara Brae dogs were probably consuming human butchery or meal refuse, either routinely fed to them or scavenged. The presumably opportunistic consumption of rodents may also have played a role in pest control. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Romaniuk, Andrzej Panciroli, Elsa Buckley, Michael Pal Chowdhury, Manasij Willars, Carla Herman, Jeremy S. Troalen, Lore G. Shepherd, Alexandra N. CLarke, David V. Sheridan, Alison van Dongen, B E Butler, Ian B. Bendrey, Robin |
author_facet |
Romaniuk, Andrzej Panciroli, Elsa Buckley, Michael Pal Chowdhury, Manasij Willars, Carla Herman, Jeremy S. Troalen, Lore G. Shepherd, Alexandra N. CLarke, David V. Sheridan, Alison van Dongen, B E Butler, Ian B. Bendrey, Robin |
author_sort |
Romaniuk, Andrzej |
title |
Combined visual and biochemical analyses confirm depositor and diet for Neolithic coprolites from Skara Brae |
title_short |
Combined visual and biochemical analyses confirm depositor and diet for Neolithic coprolites from Skara Brae |
title_full |
Combined visual and biochemical analyses confirm depositor and diet for Neolithic coprolites from Skara Brae |
title_fullStr |
Combined visual and biochemical analyses confirm depositor and diet for Neolithic coprolites from Skara Brae |
title_full_unstemmed |
Combined visual and biochemical analyses confirm depositor and diet for Neolithic coprolites from Skara Brae |
title_sort |
combined visual and biochemical analyses confirm depositor and diet for neolithic coprolites from skara brae |
publishDate |
2020 |
url |
https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/publications/f41dab48-ada5-4b48-8065-62faf2accef9 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01225-9 |
genre |
Microtus arvalis |
genre_facet |
Microtus arvalis |
op_source |
Romaniuk , A , Panciroli , E , Buckley , M , Pal Chowdhury , M , Willars , C , Herman , J S , Troalen , L G , Shepherd , A N , CLarke , D V , Sheridan , A , van Dongen , B E , Butler , I B & Bendrey , R 2020 , ' Combined visual and biochemical analyses confirm depositor and diet for Neolithic coprolites from Skara Brae ' , Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences , vol. 12 , 274 . https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01225-9 |
op_rights |
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01225-9 |
container_title |
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences |
container_volume |
12 |
container_issue |
12 |
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1782336661090205696 |