The name of the game: palaeoproteomics and radiocarbon dates further refine the presence and dispersal of caprines in eastern and southern Africa

ABSTRACT: Genetic, linguistic, and archaeological studies have demonstrated the existence of strong links between eastern and southern Africa over the past millennia, including the diffusion of the first domesticated sheep and goats. However, the proportions at which they were introduced into past human subsistence strategies in Africa is difficult to assess archaeologically, as caprines share skeletal features with a number of wild bovids. Palaeoproteomics has proven effective at retrieving biological information from archaeological remains in African arid contexts. Using published collagen sequences and generated de novo ones of wild bovids, we present the molecular (re-)attribution of remains morphologically identified as sheep/goat or unidentifiable bovids from seventeen archaeological sites distributed between eastern and southern Africa and spanning seven millennia. More than 70% of the remains were identified and the direct radiocarbon dating of domesticates specimens allowed the chronological refinement of the arrival of caprines in both African regions. Our results further substantiate a predominance of sheep in the assemblages along with a similar arrival chronology. Beyond adding substantial biological data to the field of (palaeo-)proteomics, it is the first large-scale palaeoproteomics investigation to include both eastern and southern African sites, opening promising future applications of the method on the continent.

INSTRUMENT(S): Bruker Daltonics maXis series

ORGANISM(S): Antilopinae Capra Nubiana Gazella Sp. Pelea Capreolus Addax Nasomaculatus Gazella Dorcas Ammotragus Lervia Eudorcas Rufifrons Nanger Dama

TISSUE(S): Bone, Tooth

SUBMITTER: Louise Le Meillour  

LAB HEAD: Séverine Zirah

PROVIDER: PXD045452 | Pride | 2023-11-08

REPOSITORIES: Pride