Objective This project explores the introduction and spread of cattle-based agriculture by Neolithic Linearbandkeramik (LBK) farmers and its implications for modelling of the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition in Northern and Central Europe beginning ca. 8,000 years ago. This revolutionary shift in human subsistence strategy completely reshaped prehistoric European culture, biology and economy, in ways which underlie modern life virtually worldwide. These changes underpinned the evolution of Lactase Persistence (LP) amongst modern Europeans, while the multi-billion Euro modern dairy economy is a direct consequence of human-induced biological reformulations made in this critical phase in European prehistory. The distinctive pottery that defines the LBK holds the key to understanding the changing roles of animals in the diets, economies and evolutionary genetics of LBK people. The project integrates three research themes: 1. Lipid biomarker and stable isotope analyses of food residues in LBK pottery to provide assessments of the major animal products acquired and processed, to test hypotheses emerging from recent genetic studies indicating the LBK as the core region for the emergence of LP; 2. State-of-the-art analyses, including stable isotope studies of domesticated animal teeth (and bone), of herding and slaughtering practices for cattle and sheep/goats and wild/hunted species compositions, butchery practices, meat and fat exploitation, to define animal husbandry related to the intensification of cattle herding and milking, and 3. Statistical modelling of lipid residue, isotopic and dating evidence from pottery and animal remains, with cultural and palaeoenvironmental records to identify the critical influences on managing and processing animals for meat and milk. The project will provide a unique picture of animal exploitation and milk use across the entire spatiotemporal range of the LBK embedded within a proper environmental and cultural framework. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsagricultural sciencesanimal and dairy sciencedairynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculeslipidsagricultural sciencesanimal and dairy sciencedomestic animalsanimal husbandry Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-AG-SH6 - ERC Advanced Grant - The study of the human past Call for proposal ERC-2012-ADG_20120411 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL Address Beacon house queens road BS8 1QU Bristol United Kingdom See on map Region South West (England) Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area Bristol, City of Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Richard Peter Evershed (Prof.) Administrative Contact Audrey Michael (Mrs.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 1 898 901,00 Beneficiaries (4) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL United Kingdom EU contribution € 1 898 901,00 Address Beacon house queens road BS8 1QU Bristol See on map Region South West (England) Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area Bristol, City of Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Richard Peter Evershed (Prof.) Administrative Contact Audrey Michael (Mrs.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS France EU contribution € 115 456,00 Address Rue michel ange 3 75794 Paris See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Chiara Chelini (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER United Kingdom EU contribution € 149 325,00 Address The queen's drive northcote house EX4 4QJ Exeter See on map Region South West (England) Devon Devon CC Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Gaynor Hughes (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window UCL Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women’s Health United Kingdom EU contribution € 301 070,00 Address Gower street WC1E 6BT London See on map Region London Inner London — West Camden and City of London Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Greta Borg-Carbott (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window
