engleski

Neolithic human remains from Ljubićeva pećina (Istria, Croatia)

Excavations at Ljubićeva pećina (Istria, Croatia) site yielded archaeological material from various prehistoric periods (Paleolithic to Iron Age), including human skeletal remains. Here we report preliminary results of the bioarchaological and stable isotope analysis of Neolithic human sample from the site. Nine, and possibly 13 skeletal elements can securely be ascribed to the Neolithic. Based on the morphological characteristics, including the duplication of skeletal elements and age assessment, the MNI is 5. Three of the bones were directly dated to between 6938 and 6621 cal BP (1 σ), which corresponds to the Early Neolithic in the region. Random spatial distribution and fragmentary state of the remains, make it unclear if the remains were accumulated as a result of burial practices. Stable isotope results (carbon and nitrogen) for the three individuals of different ages have been compared to the Early Neolithic data from eastern Adriatic sites (Kargadur, Vela Spilja on Lošinj, Crno Vrilo, and Vela Spila on Korčula). The adult from Ljubićeva pećina displays similar  13 C and  15 N values to the individuals from the comparative samples, suggesting a terrestrial based diet. The relatively high  15 N levels displayed by the infant from Ljubićeva pećina are similar to those observed for the individual from Vela Spilja on Lošinj, and are consistent with breastfeeding. Conversely, the juvenile from Ljubićeva pećina displays the lowest  15 N values of all the comparative specimens, suggesting a purely C 3 diet with either a very little intake of terrestrial protein or the consumption of very low trophic level foods. Acknowledgements: This work was supported by the Croatian Science Foundation [grant number HRZZ IP-2019-04-7821] and Dr. Michael Richards’ Stable Isotope Lab (Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada)

Istria, Neolithic, human remains

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