Periodic Reporting for period 2 - PROSPER (Hominin phyloproteomics for the Pleistocene: PalaeoPROteomics of Skeletal Parts for Evolutionary Research)
Reporting period: 2022-06-01 to 2023-11-30
Palaeoproteomic analysis of skeletal proteomes has recently emerged as a potential biomolecular approach across the Pleistocene, and can provide molecular evidence on hominin evolutionary relationships on a global scale. In order to fulfil the promise of palaeoproteomics on Pleistocene material, PROSPER aims to (1) characterize the variation in proteome composition within the human skeleton, (2) develop enhanced approaches to sampling skeletal remains, and (3) acquire enhanced protein recovery and analysis methods dedicated to the analysis of ancient hominin proteomes. With these insights and methods available, PROSPER aims to gain unique insights into the evolutionary relationships between Pleistocene hominins across their African and Eurasian distribution, specifically in the last one million years, for a number of hominin specimens of particular significance. This includes the emergence and dispersal of our own species, Homo sapiens.
We have begun laboratory work on the characterization of skeletal proteome variation. Various technical and methodological approaches for skeletal proteome quantification and comparison have been explored. Initial results are positive in terms of the core research goals, with the bulk of proteomic data currently being generated.
We have begun our comparative research in determining optimal extraction approaches for Pleistocene skeletal proteomes, with surprising and novel insights being generated for both fauna and hominin datasets. The PROSPER team is finalizing the first round of publications on extraction method comparisons and comparative sampling approaches for a range of tissues and preservation conditions, demonstrating that significant steps can be made towards the generation of larger skeletal proteomes from Pleistocene archaeological material.
Proteomic screening to determine proteome preservation at key sites of interests, as well as to identify additional hominin remains, is in an advanced state. The collaborative team has expanded in this area, providing the potential for additional material of phyloproteomic interest to be analyzed in the future. In addition, PROSPER has been involved in the realization of a new proteomic approach for medium-throughput, medium-depth species identification approach. We plan to use this approach for subsequent proteomic screening part of PROSPER, alongside existing, traditional approaches. PROSPER has also been involved in enabling a first workshop on ZooMS and its integration with zooarchaeological research practices (2023, University of Kent). The workshop was very well attended, will result in a special issue of the journal Paleoanthropology, and hopefully results in further research network activities in the coming period.
Finally, PROSPER has begun analysis and publication of the first sets of Middle and Late Pleistocene hominin skeletal samples.