Descripción del proyecto
Comprender el papel del consumo de alimentos marinos en la evolución humana temprana
El consumo sistemático de alimentos marinos marcó la diversificación de «Homo sapiens» respecto a otros homínidos. Sin embargo, la existencia de restos óseos de mamíferos marinos y moluscos en yacimientos arqueológicos neandertales pone en duda esta hipótesis. Un estudio reciente demostró la sensibilidad de la composición isotópica del zinc en la bioapatita, la parte mineral de los huesos y los dientes, al zinc alimentario. El proyecto ARCHEIS, financiado con fondos europeos, desarrollará una secuencia de trazadores sensibles del consumo de mamíferos marinos, peces y moluscos mediante la combinación de técnicas clásicas e innovadoras (incluidos análisis de isótopos del zinc en masa). El equipo del proyecto detectará y caracterizará el surgimiento de la explotación de los alimentos marinos en la historia humana al comparar diversas poblaciones prehistóricas de la costa atlántica de Europa y América Latina.
Objetivo
The onset of the systematic consumption of marine resources is thought to mark a turning point for the hominin lineage. To date, this onset cannot be traced, since classic isotope markers are not preserved beyond 50 - 100 ky. Aquatic food products are essential in human nutrition as the main source of polyunsaturated fatty acids in hunter-gatherer diets. The exploitation of marine resources is also thought to have reduced human mobility and enhanced social and technological complexification. Systematic aquatic food consumption could well have been a distinctive feature of Homo sapiens species among his fellow hominins, and has been linked to the astonishing leap in human intelligence and conscience. Yet, this hypothesis is challenged by the existence of mollusk and marine mammal bone remains at Neanderthal archeological sites. Recent work demonstrated the sensitivity of Zn isotope composition in bioapatite, the mineral part of bones and teeth, to dietary Zn. By combining classic (C and C/N isotope analyses) and innovative techniques (compound specific C/N and bulk Zn isotope analyses), I will develop a suite of sensitive tracers for shellfish, fish and marine mammal consumption. Shellfish consumption will be investigated by comparing various South American and European prehistoric populations from the Atlantic coast associated to shell-midden and fish-mounds. Marine mammal consumption will be traced using an Inuit population of Arctic Canada and the Wairau Bar population of New Zealand. C/N/Zn isotope compositions of various aquatic products will also be assessed, as well as isotope fractionation during intestinal absorption. I will then use the fully calibrated isotope tools to detect and characterize the onset of marine food exploitation in human history, which will answer the question of its specificity to our species. Neanderthal, early modern humans and possibly other hominin remains from coastal and inland sites will be compared in that purpose.
Ámbito científico
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Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
ERC-STG - Starting GrantInstitución de acogida
75794 Paris
Francia