Stable hydrogen isotopes of bone collagen in palaeodietary and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction

L. M. Reynard, R. E.M. Hedges

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

89 Scopus citations

Abstract

The stable hydrogen isotope ratios (δD) of bone collagen in archaeological human and animal samples demonstrate a trophic level effect, with increasing δD from herbivores to omnivores to humans, in steps of 10-30‰. In addition the archaeological sites studied (Yarnton, Eton Rowing Lake, Danebury Environs-Suddern Farm, and Windmill Hill in the UK, Balatonszárszó in Hungary, and Huari in Peru) demonstrate geographical variation in δD. The detection of manuring in prehistory by comparison of δ15N to δD values in humans and a local herbivore (cattle) is also considered. This work is the first to measure δD in a large number and range of archaeological samples, with several animal species and humans. It demonstrates unequivocally that δD is different between species in ancient material, increasing from herbivores to omnivores to carnivores.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1934-1942
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Archaeological Science
Volume35
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2008

Keywords

  • Bone
  • Collagen
  • Hydrogen
  • Palaeoclimate
  • Palaeodiet
  • Stable isotopes
  • Trophic level

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