scholarly journals Radiocarbon Dating, Stable Isotope Analysis, and Diet-Derived Offsets in 14C Ages from the Klin-Yar Site, Russian North Caucasus

Radiocarbon ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 653-670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Higham ◽  
Rebecca Warren ◽  
Andrej Belinskij ◽  
Heinrich Härke ◽  
Rachel Wood
Keyword(s):  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Nitrogen Isotopes ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
North Caucasus ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
Animal Bone ◽  
Variable Nature ◽  
Russian North ◽  
Ams Dating

The influence of geothermally derived carbon on the radiocarbon dating of human bone from archaeological sites is poorly understood and has rarely been rigorously examined. This study identifies a previously unknown reservoir effect at the archaeological site of Klin-Yar in the Russian North Caucasus. AMS-dated human bones yielded results that were older than expected when compared with dates of coins found in the same grave contexts. We investigated the reasons for this offset by AMS dating modern plant, fish, and water samples to examine the source of the old carbon. We identified a potential source in geothermally derived riverine and spring water, with an apparent age of several thousand years, and hypothesize that carbon from here is being transferred through the food chain to humans. If humans consume resources from the local rivers, such as fish, then they ought to be affected by this reservoir offset. An extensive analysis of carbon and nitrogen isotopes of human and animal bone showed evidence for a mixed diet that may be masking the amount of freshwater-derived protein being consumed. Due to the highly variable nature of the 14C offset (0 to ∼350 yr), no suitable average correction factor is applicable to correct for the human dates at the site. A 14C chronology based on dates obtained from terrestrial ungulate bones, which we subsequently obtained, is instead a more reliable indicator of age.

Reconstructed Paleodiets and Subsistence Strategies of the Central Ciscaucasian Population (1000 BC to 1000 AD), Based on Collagen Isotope Analysis of Bone Samples from the Kichmalka II Burial Ground

2022 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 80-90
Author(s):  
A. N. Babenko ◽  
M. V. Dobrovolskaya ◽  
E. E. Vasilyeva ◽  
D. S. Korobov
Keyword(s):  
Isotopic Composition ◽  
Iron Age ◽  
Nitrogen Isotopes ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Bone Collagen ◽  
North Caucasus ◽  
Anthropogenic Effect ◽  
Isotopic Signatures ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
Animal Bone

Settlement and economy patterns of the Iron Age and early medieval population of the Central North Caucasus evidence complex cultural processes in the region. The ecological approach including the evaluation of carbon and nitrogen isotopes in the local biota opens up new prospects in the study of environments, climate, anthropogenic effect, land use, and nutrition. We analyze the isotopic composition of collagen in 19 human and 11 animal bone samples from Kichmalka II—a cemetery successively used by the Koban people, those of the Sarmatian stage, and Alans. The isotopic composition of the Alanian sample indicates a heavy predominance of plants with the C3-type photosynthesis in the diet of humans and animals. People who lived during the Koban and Sarmatian stages consumed also C4-plants, such as common millet (Panicum miliaceum), suggesting the rise of the trophic step for carbon (Δδ13Chuman-animal). Statistically signifi cant differences in the isotopic composition of carbon were found within the Koban population, apparently evidencing two dietary models. The Δδ15Nhuman-animal values fall within the trophic step, mirroring a focus on meat and dairy products in the diet of all groups. Comparison with respective data on the Klin-Yar III cemetery revealed differences in isotopic signatures in the diet of both humans and domestic animals during the Koban period. The possible reason is climatic change in the Iron Age and the variable share of millet in the diet of the Koban people. The low proportion of δ15N (below 4 ‰) in the bone collagen of goat, sheep, and horse of the Alanian period may attest to vertical transhumance.

Radiocarbon Dating and Dietary Stable Isotope Analysis of Kwaday Dän Ts'inchí

2007 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 719-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Richards ◽  
Sheila Greer ◽  
Lorna T. Corr ◽  
Owen Beattie ◽  
Alexander Mackie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Human Remains ◽  
Isotopic Analysis ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Bone Collagen ◽  
Contact Period ◽  
European Contact ◽  
Ams Dating ◽  
The Individual

We report here on the results of AMS dating and isotopic analysis of the frozen human remains named Kwaday Dän Ts'inchí and associated materials recovered from a glacier located in Northwest British Columbia, Canada in 1999. The isotopic analysis of bone collagen (bulk and single amino acids) from the individual indicates a strongly marine diet, which was unexpected given the location of this find, more than 100 km inland eroding out of a high elevation glacier; however, bulk hair and bone cholesterol isotopic values indicate a shift in diet to include more terrestrial foods in the year before death. The radiocarbon dating is not straightforward, as there are difficulties in determining the appropriate marine correction for the human remains, and the spread of dates on the associated artifacts clearly indicates that this was not a single use site. By combining the most recent date on a robe worn by Kwaday Dän Ts'inchi with direct bone collagen dates we conclude that the individual likely dates to between cal A.D. 1670 to 1850, which is in the pre-(or early) European contact period for this region.

Isotopic Evidence for Diet in the Seventeenth-Century Colonial Chesapeake

2003 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas H. Ubelaker ◽  
Douglas W. Owsley
Keyword(s):  
Seventeenth Century ◽  
Carbon Isotope ◽  
Nitrogen Isotopes ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Stable Carbon Isotope ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Nitrogen Isotope ◽  
Stable Carbon ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
American Colonies

Excavations of colonial period sites in Maryland and Virginia have produced human remains dating to the seventeenth century. In this study, we analyze stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen from these remains to explore aspects of the diets of the individuals represented. Analyses of both stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes were conducted on preserved protein while stable carbon isotope analysis was also conducted on preserved biological apatite. Carbon isotope values (δ13N‰) ranged from -10.5 to -20.5 for collagen and -5.1 to -12.5 for bioapatite. Nitrogen isotope values (δ15N‰) ranged from 9.9 to 14.4. The data suggest dietary diversity among the individuals examined. Three factors contribute to this diversity: the availability of maize, variation in immigration histories of the individuals, and the differing lengths of time they spent in the American colonies.

Collagen Extraction and Stable Isotope Analysis of Small Vertebrate Bones: A Comparative Approach

Radiocarbon ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 679-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Cersoy ◽  
A Zazzo ◽  
M Lebon ◽  
J Rofes ◽  
S Zirah
Keyword(s):  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Nitrogen Isotope ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Attenuated Total Reflectance ◽  
Large Mammals ◽  
Total Reflectance ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
Small Vertebrate ◽  
Bone Remains

AbstractBone remains of small vertebrate fossils provide valuable information for paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic reconstructions. However, direct radiocarbon dating of small vertebrates remains challenging as the extraction of sufficient good quality collagen is required. The efficiency of eight collagen extraction protocols was tested on seven samples, representative of different ages and burial environments, including both macro and small vertebrate taxa. First, the samples were prescreened using attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) to quantify collagen content in archaeological bones, revealing that one should be discarded for 14C dating. Then, the quantity of protein extracted (yield) and collagen integrity were checked using conventional elemental analysis. The results show that one protocol was not able to accurately extract collagen from the samples. A soft HCl-based protocol seems more appropriate for the pretreatment of archaeological small mammal bones, whereas a harsher protocol might be more efficient to extract a higher amount of collagen from large mammals as well as amphibian bones. The influence of the tested protocols on carbon and nitrogen isotope values was also investigated. The results showed that isotopic variability, when existing, is related to the interindividual differences rather than the different protocols.

scholarly journals Sosnovyi Mys Burial Ground in the Northern Angara Region: Analysis of the Mortuary Tradition and the Results of Radiocarbon Dating

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 3-37
Author(s):  
N. A. Saveliev ◽  
◽  
S. P. Dudarek ◽  
A. A. Timoshchenko ◽  
D. N. Lokhov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Nitrogen Isotopes ◽  
Late Phase ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
High Ratio ◽  
Burial Ground ◽  
History Of ◽  
Freshwater Reservoir

The article presents the results of the study of 8 burial complexes of the Sosnovyi Mys burial ground. The article contains all the information about the history of the discovery and study of this archaeological site. We describe the geographical location and geomorphological structure of the burial ground deposits and give a complete description of the burial complexes No. 1–8 (excavation # 1, archaeological works of 2011). The analysis of individual elements of the mortuary tradition is carried out. Some similarities and differences with synchronous burials on the territory of the Southern Angara region have been revealed. All burials were divided into three groups based on the analysis of the mortuary tradition elements: 1) burials # 2, 4, 5, 7, 8; 2) burial # 3; 3) destroyed burials # 1 and 6. Published in the article radiocarbon dating results showed the Neolithic age of most burial complexes. The exception is burial No. 3, which belongs to the Early Bronze Age. Analyzing the radiocarbon AMS dates, we can state the high ratio of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes ( δ 13 C and δ 15 C ) obtained for a human bone sample. These data indicate a high trophic level of the humans, which points out the presence of a freshwater reservoir effect (FRE). A special study of this problem has not been conducted yet for the Northern Angara Region, so it is not possible to determine the radiocarbon offsets. The complexes of the Sosnovyi Mys burial ground may be synchronous with the late phase of the Kitoi burial tradition (the finale of the Early Neolithic). However, if the value of the correction for the FRE is ever calculated and turns out to be the same as in the Baikal region (or more significant), then the age of the burials may be determined by the beginning of the Middle Neolithic, which is determined by the period 7027 ± 33 – 5571 ± 88 cal BP. The search for analogies to the features of the mortuary tradition and categories of grave goods with the materials of the Southern Angara region is carried out. The main problem of further study of the burial ground materials is the determination of the correction value of the FRE based on the dating of human bones, as well as finds and individual animal bones directly related to the burial complexes for the entire territory of the Northern Angara region.

scholarly journals Tissue–diet discrimination factors and turnover of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus)

2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (10) ◽  
pp. 961-967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel L. DeMots ◽  
James M. Novak ◽  
Karen F. Gaines ◽  
Aaron J. Gregor ◽  
Christopher S. Romanek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Ecology ◽  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Stable Isotope Analysis ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
Liver Tissue ◽  
Nitrogen Isotopes ◽  
Peromyscus Leucopus ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Turnover Rates ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen

Stable isotope analysis has become an increasingly valuable tool in investigating animal ecology. Here we document the turnover rates for carbon in the liver, muscle, and whole blood tissue, as well as the tissue–diet discrimination values for carbon and nitrogen isotopes in the liver, whole blood, muscle, and hair, of the white-footed mouse ( Peromyscus leucopus (Rafinesque, 1818)). A 168-day diet-switching experiment was conducted with a laboratory population of white-footed mice. The δ13C values for all tissues deviated less than 1‰ from those of the diet except for whole blood, which had a slightly higher tissue–diet discrimination factor of 1.8‰. All tissues were enriched in 15N by approximately 3‰ relative to the diet except for liver tissue, which was 4.5‰ higher than the dietary δ15N value. Turnover rates for tissues of white-footed mice were ranked liver > whole blood > muscle. The half-lives calculated for liver tissue differed significantly between the two diet switches performed in this experiment. We demonstrate that there is potential for variation in tissue–diet discrimination values and tissue turnover rates between even closely related species. These findings highlight the importance of determining species-specific estimates of these parameters prior to the use of stable isotope analysis in field investigations of animal ecology.

RADIOCARBON DATING APPLIED TO PREHISPANIC TERRITORIAL DYNAMICS AT EL MAYE, IXMIQUILPAN, HIDALGO, MEXICO

Radiocarbon ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 1723-1731
Author(s):  
Alberto Alcántara ◽  
Corina Solís ◽  
Fernando López Aguilar ◽  
María Rodríguez-Ceja ◽  
Víctor Hugo Anaya Linares ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Collaborative Study ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Postclassic Period ◽  
Residential Units ◽  
Late Postclassic ◽  
Ams Dating

ABSTRACTEl Maye is a community located in the municipality of Ixmiquilpan, Hidalgo, in the central region of Mexico. During the late Postclassic period (1350–1521 AD), the Aztecs controlled the area through the establishment of a dual-headed system, one part belonging to the Aztec government and the other to the local government. El Maye was the local government center for the Ixmiquilpan territory under the Aztec domain. The residential units of El Maye archaeological site were constructed in 6 different occupational phases, with the presence of large rooms, stucco floors and walls, offerings, and a variety of ceramics belonging to the late Aztec III ceramic period (1400–1520 AD). The Axis Project of the Mezquital Valley (PEVM-ENAH) and the Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Laboratory (LEMA-UNAM) have undertaken a collaborative study of the El Maye site by performing absolute radiocarbon accelerator mass spectrometry (14C AMS) dating. For a better understanding of the emergence and development of El Maye, a series of AMS 14C dates of charcoal and bone samples recovered from different stratigraphic levels, was performed. This allowed us to locate the occupation of the site between 1320 and 1625 cal AD.

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