Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EcoNoMy (Economy of Non-Elite Mycenaeans)
Período documentado: 2019-10-01 hasta 2021-09-30
-Problem addressed:
What is it like to live like common people in a Kingdom? This was the most important research question of the project EcoNoMy, carried out by Dr Efrossini Vika in 2019-2022, funded by the European Commission.
The archaeology of Greece in the Late Bronze Age is dominated by the glory of the illustrious Mycenaean palaces and the rich warrior burials. The role of the non-elites remains at large an enigma, although recent research suggests that their contribution to the economy was much more critical than previously thought.
-Objectives:
The project applied a novel combination of the most advanced analytical techniques in reconstructing subsistence in the past, in order to shift the attention from elite burials to non-elite lifeways.
By comparing, contrasting, and integrating isotope analyses from bulk collagen and specific collagen aminoacids, ZooMS, proteomics, and organic residue analyses, the project has created a new suite of methodological applications, that overcomes the limitations of the previous approaches and creates a new avenue in the pursuit of subsistence studies.
-Conclusions:
By applying this new, combined analytical protocol for the first time, the project reconstructed in unprecedented detail the economy of peripheral societies, in particular the economic activities reflected in subsistence practices. The level of detail provided demonstrated that it is methodologically possible to overcome the limitations imposed by previous techniques. The results of this project form the largest dataset for the Late Bronze Age in Greece to-date, and will serve as the basis for all future studies. In addition to the methodological advancements, the project successfully shifted the archaeological attention from the elites to the peripheral communities and will revolutionise the way archaeologists think about local economies in the Bronze Age.
-Importance for archaeology and society:
It is well established that the reconstruction of ancient diets is the most efficient way to understand the exploitation of natural resources, inequalities in access to food-producing technologies, and lifestyle hierarchies. The aim of the project was to reconstruct the local subsistence economies in non-palatial regions, in order to approach their socio-economic system that did not lead to palatial development, but yet created a sustained power for its participants to be able to negotiate with the elites. Thus, the objective was to offer an alternative narrative, one that comprehends the role of non-elite polities in the creation of social hierarchies in the Late Bronze Age. In a wider frame, the project resonates with issues relevant in present times. Food is part of our collective intangible heritage. The results of this project extend the transmission of knowledge in time, demonstrating within diachronicity the amphidromous relationship between humans and nature, a common human intellectual tradition, that operates regardless of social systems. As the current circumstances across Europe raise awareness around the sustainability of local economies, a project that provides evidence on the evolution of communities, their development and thriving, can provide a strong anchor for initiatives that support a more social view of development.
What is it like to live like common people in a Kingdom? This was the most important research question of the project EcoNoMy, carried out by Dr Efrossini Vika in 2019-2022, funded by the European Commission.
The archaeology of Greece in the Late Bronze Age is dominated by the glory of the illustrious Mycenaean palaces and the rich warrior burials. The role of the non-elites remains at large an enigma, although recent research suggests that their contribution to the economy was much more critical than previously thought.
-Objectives:
The project applied a novel combination of the most advanced analytical techniques in reconstructing subsistence in the past, in order to shift the attention from elite burials to non-elite lifeways.
By comparing, contrasting, and integrating isotope analyses from bulk collagen and specific collagen aminoacids, ZooMS, proteomics, and organic residue analyses, the project has created a new suite of methodological applications, that overcomes the limitations of the previous approaches and creates a new avenue in the pursuit of subsistence studies.
-Conclusions:
By applying this new, combined analytical protocol for the first time, the project reconstructed in unprecedented detail the economy of peripheral societies, in particular the economic activities reflected in subsistence practices. The level of detail provided demonstrated that it is methodologically possible to overcome the limitations imposed by previous techniques. The results of this project form the largest dataset for the Late Bronze Age in Greece to-date, and will serve as the basis for all future studies. In addition to the methodological advancements, the project successfully shifted the archaeological attention from the elites to the peripheral communities and will revolutionise the way archaeologists think about local economies in the Bronze Age.
-Importance for archaeology and society:
It is well established that the reconstruction of ancient diets is the most efficient way to understand the exploitation of natural resources, inequalities in access to food-producing technologies, and lifestyle hierarchies. The aim of the project was to reconstruct the local subsistence economies in non-palatial regions, in order to approach their socio-economic system that did not lead to palatial development, but yet created a sustained power for its participants to be able to negotiate with the elites. Thus, the objective was to offer an alternative narrative, one that comprehends the role of non-elite polities in the creation of social hierarchies in the Late Bronze Age. In a wider frame, the project resonates with issues relevant in present times. Food is part of our collective intangible heritage. The results of this project extend the transmission of knowledge in time, demonstrating within diachronicity the amphidromous relationship between humans and nature, a common human intellectual tradition, that operates regardless of social systems. As the current circumstances across Europe raise awareness around the sustainability of local economies, a project that provides evidence on the evolution of communities, their development and thriving, can provide a strong anchor for initiatives that support a more social view of development.
The analytical work that was conducted includes:
-Measurements of δ13C and δ15N from bulk collagen-200 samples
-Measurements of δ13C and δ15N from individual amino acids-50 samples
-Measurements of δ13C from bone carbonates-10 samples
-FTIR-10 samples
-Measurements of δ34S from bone collagen-80 samples
-ZooMS- 20 samples
-Proteomics on pottery sherds-14 samples
-Organic residue analysis-14 samples
Achieved results:
-The project generated the largest database of combined biomolecular data for Late Bronze Age skeletal samples in Greece. These originated from three sites along the Western coast, where no previous paleodietary and subsistence studies exist.
-The project generated the first results on compound-specific isotopic measurements for Southeastern Europe in general and Greece in particular for prehistory.
-The project generated the first data on ZooMS applications for Southeastern Europe in general and Greece in particular for prehistory.
-The project generated the first data on proteomics from pottery for Southeastern Europe in general and Greece in particular for prehistory.
-The project is the first to generate combined proteomics and organic residues analyses for the same samples.
Achieved dissemination and exploitation of results:
-Conference presentation -ISBA 2020 online
-Public engagement outreach -European Researchers Night 2019 Brussels
-Public engagement outreach-York festival of Ideas 2020 York
-Public engagement outreach-Ancient Dust busters site 2021 online
-Departmental seminar-Research Day 2020, online
-Departmental seminar-group meeting 2019
-Departmental seminar-video interview for undergraduates
-Social media (Twitter, Facebook)
-Measurements of δ13C and δ15N from bulk collagen-200 samples
-Measurements of δ13C and δ15N from individual amino acids-50 samples
-Measurements of δ13C from bone carbonates-10 samples
-FTIR-10 samples
-Measurements of δ34S from bone collagen-80 samples
-ZooMS- 20 samples
-Proteomics on pottery sherds-14 samples
-Organic residue analysis-14 samples
Achieved results:
-The project generated the largest database of combined biomolecular data for Late Bronze Age skeletal samples in Greece. These originated from three sites along the Western coast, where no previous paleodietary and subsistence studies exist.
-The project generated the first results on compound-specific isotopic measurements for Southeastern Europe in general and Greece in particular for prehistory.
-The project generated the first data on ZooMS applications for Southeastern Europe in general and Greece in particular for prehistory.
-The project generated the first data on proteomics from pottery for Southeastern Europe in general and Greece in particular for prehistory.
-The project is the first to generate combined proteomics and organic residues analyses for the same samples.
Achieved dissemination and exploitation of results:
-Conference presentation -ISBA 2020 online
-Public engagement outreach -European Researchers Night 2019 Brussels
-Public engagement outreach-York festival of Ideas 2020 York
-Public engagement outreach-Ancient Dust busters site 2021 online
-Departmental seminar-Research Day 2020, online
-Departmental seminar-group meeting 2019
-Departmental seminar-video interview for undergraduates
-Social media (Twitter, Facebook)
From the onset, the project aimed to go beyond the state-of-the-art in the reconstruction of subsistence studies in archaeology. These new approaches will allow archaeologists to select their samples and methodologies in a more efficient, cost-effective way, to directly answer an array of questions on subsistence. This potential will guide the future implementation of analytical techniques in regions with poor organic preservation, like Greece and the Mediterranean.
1. The project demonstrated that the traditional reconstructions of past diets with bulk isotopic measurements do not adequately characterise subsistence for certain ecological landscapes like the Mediterranean. Instead, the project showed that the application of compound-specific isotope measurements can provide much more detail and individuation parameters in dietary profiles. Progress beyond the state-of-the-art: a new, combined protocol for dietary reconstructions in the past. Impact: a change in the implementation of future projects in regions like Greece, that will need to take into account the results of this project.
2. The project demonstrated that the existing methodological protocol on protein extractions from pottery needs to be modified for fully calcined clays. Progress beyond the state-of-the-art: the project applied the proteomics protocol for the first time to clay pottery from the Aegean/Greece, and the results added to the methodological refinement of this relatively new application. Impact: successful refinement of the proteomics methodology for use with Mediterranean material.
3. The project demonstrated with the use of FTIR that certain analytical protocols compromise bone preservation. Progress beyond the state-of-the-art: the project provided a measurable index for the evaluation of bone preservation after chemical pretreatment. Impact: future projects will be able to utilise this information when planning chemical analyses on poorly preserved bones and archaeologists will be able to select their samples more efficiently.
4. The project was the first to address the economy of non elites in the Late Bronze Age. Progress beyond the state-of-the-art: a shift in the focus of the research agenda, that was primarily centred on the palatial sites. Impact: the project generated data about the economical advantages created by the local environment and the characterisation of peripheral communities, for the first time for the archaeology of the time period.
1. The project demonstrated that the traditional reconstructions of past diets with bulk isotopic measurements do not adequately characterise subsistence for certain ecological landscapes like the Mediterranean. Instead, the project showed that the application of compound-specific isotope measurements can provide much more detail and individuation parameters in dietary profiles. Progress beyond the state-of-the-art: a new, combined protocol for dietary reconstructions in the past. Impact: a change in the implementation of future projects in regions like Greece, that will need to take into account the results of this project.
2. The project demonstrated that the existing methodological protocol on protein extractions from pottery needs to be modified for fully calcined clays. Progress beyond the state-of-the-art: the project applied the proteomics protocol for the first time to clay pottery from the Aegean/Greece, and the results added to the methodological refinement of this relatively new application. Impact: successful refinement of the proteomics methodology for use with Mediterranean material.
3. The project demonstrated with the use of FTIR that certain analytical protocols compromise bone preservation. Progress beyond the state-of-the-art: the project provided a measurable index for the evaluation of bone preservation after chemical pretreatment. Impact: future projects will be able to utilise this information when planning chemical analyses on poorly preserved bones and archaeologists will be able to select their samples more efficiently.
4. The project was the first to address the economy of non elites in the Late Bronze Age. Progress beyond the state-of-the-art: a shift in the focus of the research agenda, that was primarily centred on the palatial sites. Impact: the project generated data about the economical advantages created by the local environment and the characterisation of peripheral communities, for the first time for the archaeology of the time period.