Igor Djakovic

TL;DR: 3D geometric morphometrics captures subtle differences in these strategies that influence flake formation on a flake-by-flake basis and that reflect decisions made by knappers about platform selection, preparation, and core-surface management.

TL;DR: A linkage between fracture mechanics and the results of previous controlled experiments to increase their combined explanatory and predictive power is developed by documenting the influence of Herztian cone formation, a constant in fracture mechanics, on flake platforms.

Abstract: ABSTRACT This study analyses zooarchaeological material recovered from the late precolumbian site of El Flaco (AD 990–1450), northern Dominican Republic. The faunal assemblage from this inland settlement demonstrates terrestrially focused modes of faunal exploitation but with some resources obtained from coastal ecosystems, such as mangrove forests, sandy-bottom, and reefs, which are located approximately 20 km to the northwest. This study establishes last occurrence dates for extinct taxa; examines the spatial distribution of fauna; explores modes of food procurement; and the effects of agricultural activities on local fauna by investigating animal remains from three excavation units. A diachronic study of animal remains from one artificial mound demonstrates changing patterns in resource exploitation, such as an increasing consumption of land crab over a roughly 100-year period. This study follows previous research that examined the isotope ecology of endemic species from El Flaco that indicates some hutias were possibly scavenging or being fed cultivated plants. Palaeoenvironmental data suggest that Indigenous landscape transformations led to the creation of mosaic environments, which may have attracted and supported certain species, implying that the inhabitants of El Flaco likely did not have to venture far to trap or hunt many of the animals upon which they relied.

TL;DR: In this article , the authors used optimal linear estimation to estimate the first appearance date of Homo sapiens and the extinction date of Neandertals in France and northern Spain by statistically inferring these missing portions of the Protoaurignacian and Châtelperronian archaeological records.