biostudies-literatureSilvestrini SLeakey FoundationGeneralitat Valenciana - European Social FundEuropean Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programmee0275614https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9560625biostudies-literatureUnknown17(10)In this study we explore the potential of combining traditional zooarchaeological determination and proteomic identification of morphologically non-diagnostic bone fragments (ZooMS) collected from the Uluzzian levels of three Italian sites: Uluzzo C Rock Shelter, Roccia San Sebastiano cave, and Riparo del Broion. Moreover, we obtained glutamine deamidation ratios for all the contexts analysed during routine ZooMS screening of faunal samples, giving information on collagen preservation. We designed a selection protocol that maximizes the efficiency of the proteomics analyses by excluding particularly compromised fragments (e.g. from taphonomic processes), and that aims to identify new human fragments by favouring bones showing morphological traits more similar to Homo. ZooMS consistently prPloS oneIntegrating ZooMS and zooarchaeology: New data from the Uluzzian levels of Uluzzo C Rock Shelter, Roccia San Sebastiano cave and Riparo del Broion.PMC9560625APOSTD2021/143Spring 2015 Grant724046–SUCCESSSilvestrini SCollina CArrighi SFigus CHiggins OAPeresani MReal CVazzana ADelpiano DSpinapolice EERomandini MOxilia GMarciani GBortolini EPiperno MBenazzi SSommella ESalviati ECrescenzi CLugli FCampiglia PfalseIntegrating ZooMS and zooarchaeology: New data from the Uluzzian levels of Uluzzo C Rock Shelter, Roccia San Sebastiano cave and Riparo del Broion.In this study we explore the potential of combining traditional zooarchaeological determination and proteomic identification of morphologically non-diagnostic bone fragments (ZooMS) collected from the Uluzzian levels of three Italian sites: Uluzzo C Rock Shelter, Roccia San Sebastiano cave, and Riparo del Broion. Moreover, we obtained glutamine deamidation ratios for all the contexts analysed during routine ZooMS screening of faunal samples, giving information on collagen preservation. We designed a selection protocol that maximizes the efficiency of the proteomics analyses by excluding particularly compromised fragments (e.g. from taphonomic processes), and that aims to identify new human fragments by favouring bones showing morphological traits more similar to Homo. ZooMS consistently pr2022-01-01T00:00:00Z20222025-06-01T01:15:58.819Z2024-11-13T21:53:25.754ZS-EPMC95606253622796110.1371/journal.pone.0275614