Osseous Hunting Weapons of Early Modern Humans in Eurasia

Principal Investigator: José-Miguel Tejero. Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna Co-applicant: Ron Pinhasi, Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna Archaeological and palaeoanthropological research on Palaeolithic sites from the Near East, made it clear that early modern humans (H. sapiens) dispersed out of Africa more than 50,000 years ago, and colonised Europe ~40,000 years ago. The H. sapiens Eurasian dispersal is directly associated with the emergence and diffusion of the archaeological cultures belonging to the so-called Upper Palaeolithic period. Changes observed in the archaeological record at this time, coinciding with climatic cooling in Europe, seem to involve the invention and utilization of the first organic (bone/antler) hunting weapons, that partially replace lithic projectiles. Osseous projectiles probably played a critical role in adaptation to different ecological niches during human dispersion because, at this time, they were the major objects used in subsistence activities and are, hence, directly linked to a groups survival. Its use allows inflicting a lethal wound on prey from a safe distance. Differences in technology affect hunting success rate and the energy required. Changes in resource supply efficiency can also have significant demographic effects and probably depend on the type and level of social organisation. Knowledge of these factors is essential for understanding the success of modern humans` Eurasian colonisation. The project applies an innovative multidisciplinary approach which combines a range of archaeological science methods (technological assessment, use-wear analyses, etc.), with cutting-edge methods: palaeogenetics (analysis of ancient DNA), palaeoproteomics (analysis of ancient proteins), and radiocarbon chronology. By harnessing these methods and co- analysing a wide range of data we can expand our currently limited knowledge on many aspects of our first Eurasian ancestors and the interplay between their behaviour, subsistence, social structure, and technology. 1

The research project, Osseous Hunting Weapons of Early H. sapiens in Eurasia, funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) and led by Dr Jose-Miguel Tejero (University of Vienna), has implemented a multidisciplinary approach to analyse one of the most significant innovations of early Homo sapiens out of Africa, the use of a complex osseous projectile technology and its potential role in sapiens' successful colonisation of Eurasia. The project's methodology has been based on integrating archaeological methods; palaeogenetics; palaeoproteomics; and radiocarbon chronology. We analysed samples from archaeological sites from 4 Eurasian regions critical to sapiens' dispersals (Southwestern Europe, Central Europe, the Near East, and the Caucasus). Our starting hypothesis was based on the assumption that the emergence of complex projectiles propelled by mechanical aids is critical to assessing subsistence aspects and dispersals of sapiens out of Africa. The project's main results confirm contacts and technical/cultural influences between the Early Upper Palaeolithic (EUP) groups of the studied regions, previously suggested by lithic techno-typological features. These connections are founded on similarities in taxa selection, modes of production and types of hunting weapons. Such weapons, therefore, played a primary role in colonising diverse and varied ecological niches by Early sapiens in Eurasia. Our study also highlights the importance attributed to red deer (Cervus elaphus) by the EUP societies in sharing technical choices and/or a symbolic sphere. Radiocarbon dates show that the emergence and spread of projectile technology are associated with the permanent colonisation of Eurasia by H. sapiens some 40,000 years ago. Its coincidence with certain cold climatic events (Heinrich Stadial4/Campanian Ignimbrite) favouring open landscapes in vast areas of Eurasia suggests that one of the primary drivers of this innovative behaviour may be related to the environmental consequences of these climatic events. In such a context, using projectiles for hunting at a distance could have constituted an essential adaptive advantage for sapiens in new and previously unknown ecosystems. Furthermore, we have developed a minimally-invasive method for aDNA sampling bone/antler tools. We evaluated the impact on the specimens visually, microscopically and through Micro-CT scans, demonstrating that the surface impacts are marginal. Also, using a custom-made DNA capture kit for 51 mammalian species, we obtained sufficient aDNA to identify the taxa of a large part of the studied objects, including enough endogenous aDNA to infer the genetic affinities of the individuals of some. Our results also demonstrate that ancient antler, one of the primary raw materials used during a large part of prehistory, is a reliable source of aDNA. Our minimally-invasive aDNA sampling method is therefore effective while preserving osseous objects for potential further analyses and, thus, constitutes a significant methodological contribution of this project to the advancement of the discipline.