This thesis contributes to increased knowledge on Holocene climate and environmental variability from two complex and sparsely studied areas. Using a speleothem from Gasparee Cave, Trinidad, as a paleoclimate archive, the local expression of the 8.2 ka (thousand years before 1950) climate event and associated patterns of the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and rainfall is provided. Subsequent speleothem studies using multi-proxy analysis of stalagmites from Kapsia Cave and Alepotrypa Cave, Greece, provide records of climate, vegetation and human induced changes in the cave environment during parts of the Holocene. The speleothems from the well-studied Neolithic habitation site, Alepotrypa Cave, have produced a climate and habitation record which covers the period of 6.3-1.0 ka. The cave was inhabited between 8.0-5.2 ka and was closed by a tectonic event, which has preserved the settlement. The stable oxygen record shows the first well-dated and robust expression of the 4.2 ka dry event in the Peloponnese, places the timing of the 3.2 ka dry event within an ongoing dry period, and shows a final dry event at 1.6 ka. The North Atlantic as well as more regional drivers, such as the North Sea Caspian Pattern Index is proposed to, in a complex interplay, govern many of the climate trends and events observed. Trace element variation after the site is abandoned indicate what is interpreted as two volcanic eruptions, the Minoan eruption of Thera (Santorini) around 3.6 ka and the 2.7 ka eruption of Somma (Vesuvius). Variations in trace elements during the habitation period show clear human influence, indicating an association with specific cave activities. One of the most interesting prospects for continued work on Alepotrypa Cave is this successful marriage of speleothem studies and archeology. A framework of dates which constrain some behavior of people living in the cave is only the beginning, and there is great potential to continue finding new clues in the speleothem data. / Denna avhandling bidrar till ökad kunskap om klimatets variationer och miljön i två geografiskt skilda områden på låga breddgrader och under tidsperioder inom den Holocena epoken. Genom att använda en droppsten (stalagmit) från Gasparee-grottan, Trinidad, som ett paleoklimatarkiv, har det bland annat varit möjligt att visa att Trinidad upplevde torrare förhållanden under den snabba klimatförändring som observerats ske för 8200 år sedan på många platser i världen. Denna torrare klimatsituation i Trinidad föreslås vara ett resultat av en sydlig förflyttning av den intertropiska konvergenszonen. Övriga stalagmiter som studerats för denna avhandling kommer från Kapsia-grottan och Alepotrypa-grottan som finns på Peloponnesos-halvön i Grekland. Resultaten därifrån speglar dels klimat- och vegetationsvariatoner och dels graden av mänsklig aktivitet, under tiden för ca 8000 år sedan till för 1000 år sedan. Alepotrypa-grottan är känd för att vara en av de större Neolitiska boplatserna i Grekland. Isotop- och spårämnesanalyser av stalagmiterna har bidragit med ny kunskap om tidpunkten för mänsklig aktivitet, hur människorna påverkade grott-miljön samt hur klimatet varierat efter det att grottan, genom en tektonisk händelse, stängdes för människans inverkan. Snabba klimatförändringar, för 4200 och 3200 år sedan, observerade i andra regioner, rekonstrueras här för första gången på Peloponnesos. En snabb förändring mot torrare förhållanden observeras även för 1600 år sedan. De klimatstyrande processerna föreslås vara en kombination av storskaliga processer som den nordatlantiska oscillationen och mer regionala processer som det så kallade North Sea Caspian Pattern Index. Variationer i spårämnen i stalagmiterna efter att Alepotrypa-grottan stängdes kan kopplas till två vulkaniska utbrott, nämligen det Minoiska utbrottet av Thera på ön Santorini kring 3600 år sedan och utbrottet av Somma (Vesuvius) kring 2700 år sedan. Spårämnesvariationer under bo-perioden ger tydliga indikationer på människans påverkan på grottmiljön och som delvis kan länkas till specifika aktiviteter, som eldning av dynga i grottan. Avhandlingen är ett resultat av en framgångsrik kombination av klimatstudier och arkeologisk kunskap och utgör ett viktigt underlag för fördjupat interdisciplinärt forskningssamarbete i Alepotrypa-grottan. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 1: Manuscript. Paper 4: Manuscript. Paper 5: Manuscript. Paper 6: Manuscript.</p>

No description available.

Ce mémoire reconstitue l’histoire des théories, modèles et hypothèses qui ont été formulés, principalement en archéologie, afin d’expliquer la naissance de l’agriculture qui correspond, du point de vue chronologique, à la transition (ou révolution) néolithique. Ces schèmes explicatifs sont décrits chronologiquement depuis la naissance de l’archéologie préhistorique, dans la première moitié du XIXe siècle, jusqu’à maintenant. Ils sont classifiés en fonction des principales écoles qui ont joué un rôle prédominant en archéologie préhistorique depuis son origine, soit : l’évolutionnisme multilinéaire, l’école culturelle-historique, le processualisme, le néodarwinisme et le postprocessualisme. Les théories spécifiques (dites de « niveau mitoyen » ou « régionales ») qui ont été avancées par ces écoles sont présentées dans leur ordre chronologique, soit (principalement) : les théories de la dessiccation ou de l’oasis, des flancs de colline, de la périphérie, du stress démographique, du festin compétitif, de la révolution des symboles, etc. Ce mémoire pose enfin les jalons d’une théorie multifactorielle qui intègre ou synthétise les principaux facteurs qui ont pu influer sur la naissance de l’agriculture et sur la transition néolithique. / This dissertation reconstructs the history of theories, models and hypotheses which have been proposed in order to explain the birth of agriculture, that is the neolithic transition or revolution. These explanatory schemes are described chronologically from the birth of prehistoric archaeology, in the first half of the 19th century, until today. They are classified according to the main schools which have played a leading role in prehistoric archaeology since its birth: multilinear evolutionism, the culture-historical school, processualism, neodarwinism and postprocessualism. The specific theories (also called “middle-range” or “regional”) which have been proposed by these schools are presented the chronological order: the theories of desiccation, oases, hilly flanks, periphery, population stress, competitive feasting, revolution of symbols, etc. Finally, this dissertation lays the ground for a multifactorial theory integrating or synthesizing the main factors which may have influenced the birth of agriculture and the neolithic transition.

This thesis analyses the Funnel Beaker Culture on the island of Gotland. Since no comprehensive studies of the remains of the pottery have been made, this is one of the reasons why I chose to study this topic. The purpose of this study is to analyze the pottery and to discuss the chronological and spatial implications. Four sites from the Funnel Beaker Culture on Gotland are studied; Mölner/Gullarve, Gräne, Ardags and Suderkvie. Ceramic samples are analyzed with respect to its ornament and it is discussed if the pottery found at various sites are contemporary. This is done by comparing with pottery from Funnel Beaker sites in Scania. A comparison with Öland is also made, mainly with the site of Runsbäck. Another well excavated Funnel Beaker site is discussed, Skogsmossen in Västmanland. Finally, I have done a detailed spatial analysis of the site Mölner/Gullarve, with focus on the area of Gullarve, to understand the distribution of the ceramics and some of the flint material. This is an attempt to discuss the relations between Gullarve and Mölner, as well as all the sites regionally and their possible interregional relationships with Öland and the Swedish mainland. This thesis has shown that it is possible that the site of Mölner/Gullarve might belong to the earlier part of the early Neolithic era whilst the sites Gräne and Suderkvie might belong to the later part of the same period. Ardags has been a complicated site to date and seem to have been of importance to the people for a long time. The spatial analysis of Mölner/Gullarve has shown that some flint-artifacts have seemingly been more common on Gullarve whilst ceramics seems to have been more common on Mölner. Other things that have been discussed is the possibility of a megalithic tomb near the site of Suderkvie and that the site of Ardags should be further discussed out of a perspective of possible ertebølle-pottery. / Skärvor av en forntid

Investigating Neolithic pottery and vessel use could elucidate the duality between the farming Funnel Beaker Culture and the hunter-gathering Pitted Ware Culture during the Neolithic. The two archaeological groups differ on several accounts that are of great importance when interpreting past societies. However, it is the suggested differential subsistence economies that are of specific interest for this particular investigation. A comparative study based on the absorbed fatty acids in the ceramic material from two different Neolithic sites addresses the food cultures of the farming subsistence and the contrasting, contemporary hunter-gatherer society and the differences in resource-use. The investigation argues that food acts as an active social binder, and stress the importance of incorporating this aspect when discussing past cultures. The results of the analyses display difference in vessel use between the two sites as well as an intra-site difference at Korsnäs. It is argued that these differences are indicative of deviating food-cultures and spatial organisation at Korsnäs respectively. These results are combined with the previously conducted osteological analyses and stable isotopic analyses an approach that contribute to a more dynamic understanding of the Neolithic food cultures than what has been available before. Investigating Neolithic pottery and vessel use could elucidate the duality between the farming Funnel Beaker Culture and the hunter-gathering Pitted Ware Culture during the Neolithic. The two archaeological groups differ on several accounts that are of great importance when interpreting past societies. However, it is the suggested differential subsistence economies that are of specific interest for this particular investigation. A comparative study based on the absorbed fatty acids in the ceramic material from two different Neolithic sites addresses the food cultures of the farming subsistence and the contrasting, contemporary hunter-gatherer society and the differences in resource-use. The investigation argues that food acts as an active social binder, and stress the importance of incorporating this aspect when discussing past cultures. The results of the analyses display difference in vessel use between the two sites as well as an intra-site difference at Korsnäs. It is argued that these differences are indicative of deviating food-cultures and spatial organisation at Korsnäs respectively. These results are combined with the previously conducted osteological analyses and stable isotopic analyses an approach that contribute to a more dynamic understanding of the Neolithic food cultures than what has been available before.

The evolutionary history of the human species has generated complex patterns of population structure and linkage disequilibrium (non-random associations of alleles at different loci or LD). The understanding of these patterns is crucial to two of the most important challenges facing biomedical science today: the identification of disease predisposing genes and prediction of variable drug reactions. The genetic variation revealed by these endeavours can also illuminate the underlying population historical processes. Here, I illustrate each of these applications: first, by assessing the demographic context of cultural change in the British Isles. Y chromosome variation indicates that the Viking age invasions left a significant paternal legacy (at least in Orkney), while the Neolithic and Iron Age cultural transitions did not. In contrast, mitochondrial DNA and X chromosome variation indicate that one or more of these pre-Anglo-Saxon revolutions had a major effect on the maternal genetic heritage of the British Isles. Second, I provide conclusive evidence that diverse demographic histories produce strikingly different patterns of association. Elevated LD extends an order of magnitude further in the Lemba, a Bantu-Semitic hybrid population, than in the putative parental populations. A significant relationship between allele-frequency differentials in the parental populations and the Lemba LD demonstrates that it is admixture-generated. Third, I demonstrate that the genetic structure inferred in a heterogeneous sample using neutral markers (a) shows ethnic labels to be inaccurate descriptions of human population structure, and (b) predicts drug metabolising profiles, defined by the distribution of drug metabolising enzyme variants. Thus the trade-off between therapeutic response and adverse drug reactions will differ between different sub-clusters. Assessment of genetic structure during drug trials is therefore, like the empirical evaluation of each population’s pattern of LD, a necessity.

Thesis (doctoral)--Uppsala universitet, 1995. / Extra t.p. with thesis statement and English abstract inserted. Includes bibliographical references (p. [207]-219).

Thesis (doctoral)--Uppsala universitet, 1995. / Extra t.p. with thesis statement and English abstract inserted. Includes bibliographical references (p. [207]-219).

An archaeozoological analysis of the assemblages of animal bones and teeth of Neolithic (Linear and Stroked Pottery cultures; approx. 5500-4200 BC)settlements in Bohemia, provide new elements on the way of life of early farmers. By means of study of animal bones and teeth we can specify the role of domestic and hunting animals in the Neolithic economy, define the herd management strategies for main domestic animals and focus on the environmental reconstruction and investigation of births distribution of domestic animals (for exemple of cattle in the case of this study) through the analysis of the carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of fossil tooth enamel bioapatite. To achieve these objectives, we can use, except standard archaeozoological methods and stable isotope analysis, more specific procedures, e.g. determination of damaged bones of animals using the ELISA test.

Les sépultures collectives apparaissent dans toute l’Europe à la fin du 4e millénaire avant J.-C. Les 446 tombes mises au jour dans le Bassin de la Seine indiquent la densité et l'ampleur des constructions réalisées à cette période. Cette augmentation sans précédent de constructions funéraires est à l’origine d’une abondante bibliographie théorique. Ce travail s’est attaché à dresser une carte d’identité des défunts déposés dans deux des tombes les mieux documentées du Bassin de la Seine, Bazoches-sur-Vesle et Bury, pour reconstituer le statut des défunts, l’organisation sociale et l’idéologie funéraire de la population vivante du village ou du terroir qui ont utilisé ces tombes.Ce travail s’est appuyé sur l’analyse des squelettes, abordés selon les méthodes de la bio-archéologie et de la paléo-démographie. Des modélisations chronologiques du rythme des inhumations au sein des tombes ont été proposées, pour permettre de comparer l’évolution détaillée des dépôts. Au final, ces analyses montrent une évolution des pratiques funéraires au sein des tombes collectives sans changement de population. Contrairement aux théories avancées depuis les années 1980, les regroupements observés au sein des tombes sont rarement fondés sur des critères génétiques, mais plus particulièrement sur des critères liés aux activités pratiquées par chacun des sous-groupes qui ont partagé le monument. Au sein des dépôts, les enfants semblent avoir un statut à part, regroupés dans des zones spécifiques de la chambre funéraire. Une comparaison à l’échelle macro-régionale montre que ces caractéristiques sont communes à plusieurs allées sépulcrales, montrant l’existence d’une même idéologie dans la mort. / The collective graves appeared in all Europe at the end of the 4th millennium BC. The 446 graves known in the Paris Basin indicate the density and the extent of the constructions made during this period. This unprecedented increase of burials constructions has triggered a wide theoretical bibliography. The present work is focused on the identity of the dead deposited in two of the best documented graves from the Paris Basin, Bazoches-sur-Vesle and Bury, to reconstruct the status of the dead, the social organization and the funerary ideology of the living population of the village or the region which used these graves.The work was built from the analysis of the skeletons, approached through bio-archaeology and paleo-demography methods. Chronological models considering the rate of the inhumations into the graves were proposed, allowing to compare the precise evolution. At the end, these analyses show a real evolution of the burial practices inside the collective graves without population replacement. Contrary to the theories proposed during the 1980’, groups of dead observed inside the graves are rarely based on genetic criteria, but most of time on activities practiced by each subgroups which shared the monument. Among the deposits, the children seem to have a special status, grouped in specific areas of the burial chamber. A comparison on the macro-regional scale shows that these characteristics were common to several gallery graves, demonstrating the existence of the same funerary ideology.