TY - JOUR
T1 - Stable hydrogen isotopes of bone collagen in palaeodietary and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction
AU - Reynard, L. M.
AU - Hedges, R. E.M.
PY - 2008/7
Y1 - 2008/7
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Bone
KW - Collagen
KW - Hydrogen
KW - Palaeoclimate
KW - Palaeodiet
KW - Stable isotopes
KW - Trophic level
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=43249111757&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jas.2007.12.004
DO - 10.1016/j.jas.2007.12.004
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:43249111757
SN - 0305-4403
VL - 35
SP - 1934
EP - 1942
JO - Journal of Archaeological Science
JF - Journal of Archaeological Science
IS - 7
ER -