ON IMPACT OF THE BONE TYPE ON THE RESULTS OF PALEODIET RECONSTRUCTIONS ON THE BASIS OF THE STABLE ISOTOPE ANALYSIS

Анализ стабильных изотопов азота и углерода активно применяется в палеодиетических реконструкциях археологического материала. Однако на результаты изотопного исследования могут повлиять существующие отличия в соотношениях изотопов разных типов костей одного индивида, которые могут возникать из-за разницы в скорости ремоделирования (разрушение старой кости и образование новой) различных костей скелета. Данные отличия часто не учитываются при выборе образцов для проведения изотопного исследования. Таким образом, перед настоящей статьей ставятся следующие задачи. Во-первых, показать существование разницы в изотопных соотношениях костей скелета на основе материалов, представленных древнерусским сельским населением из могильника Шекшово 9 в Суздальском Ополье (X-XII вв.). И, во-вторых, предоставить основные рекомендации при отборе проб для изучения изотопного состава археологических материалов. В ходе исследования удалось установить, что при выборе образцов для проведения изотопного анализа следует отдавать предпочтения костям со схожей скоростью ремоделирования. The analysis of stable nitrogen and carbon isotopes is actively used in paleodiet reconstructions of archaeological materials. However, the results of the stable isotope study can be affected by differences in the isotope ratios of collagen in different types of bones of the same individual. This can arise due the different speed of remodeling (the process by which osteoclasts breakdown the tissue in bones and new bones form) of various bones in the skeleton. These differences are often disregarded when selecting samples for isotope studies. Therefore, this paper is intended to address the following tasks: (i) to show that there exists difference in the isotope ratios of the skeleton bones by analyzing human remnants of the Medieval Russia rural population from the Shekshovo-9 cemetery in Suzdal Opolye (10th-12th centuries); (ii) to provide basic recommendations for selecting samples for the studies of the stable isotope composition of archaeological materials. Our research evidences that. when selecting samples for the isotope analysis. preference should be given to the bones with similar remodeling speed.

Migration and cultural integration in the early medieval cemetery of Finglesham, Kent, through stable isotopes

Debate over migrations to Britain during the fifth and sixth centuries AD is still rampant in archaeological discourse. Stable carbon, nitrogen and oxygen isotope values from multiple tissues in individuals buried at Finglesham in Kent during the first millennium AD demonstrate not only migration of individuals to the region but also highlight community integration through foodways and refute previous models of ‘invasion’ and replacement. This case study community suggests gendered differences in mobility into early medieval England, with males more likely to be migrants from cooler regions than women. It also challenges traditional narratives of social status in these furnished cemeteries being linked to diet or migrant status with no clear correlations found between funerary treatment and isotopic signatures. This multi-tissue and multi-isotope study tracks dietary changes in this multi-origin community throughout their lives and shows that they may have even changed their diets to adapt to Christianising influences in the region.

Elemental and isotopic compositions in blank filters collecting atmospheric particulates

Background The atmospheric particulates can be harmful to human health due to toxic substances sorbed onto particulates. Although the atmospheric particulates have been collected using different types of filters, few studies have reported background contents of major and trace element, and isotopic compositions in the blank filters used for collecting the particulates yet. Here, we first report background contents of major and trace elements, and isotopic compositions (Zn and Pb isotopes) in the blank filters. Then, we evaluate the best type of filter for elemental and isotope analyses in the particulates. Findings The contents of major elements are the lowest in the PTFE filter and become higher in the order of the Nylon, NC, and GF filters, indicating that either PTFE and/or Nylon filters are the most suitable for major element analysis in the atmospheric particulates. Likewise, the contents of trace elements are the lowest in the PTFE filter and become much higher in the order of the Nylon, NC, and GF filters, indicating that PTFE filter is the most suitable for trace element analysis in the atmospheric particulates. Otherwise, background elemental contents result in overestimating their concentrations in the atmospheric particulates. All δ66ZnJMC-Lyon values in two GF filters are within those from samples of the Chinese deserts and of the Chinese Loess Plateau. Likewise, their 206Pb/204Pb ratios are similar with those of samples from Xi’an and Beijing, indicating that the GF filter is not suitable for Zn and Pb isotope study in the atmospheric particulates. Conclusions This study suggests that the PTFE filter is the most suitable for elemental and isotope study in the atmospheric particulates and that the GF filter cannot be used for source identification in the atmospheric particulates using Zn and Pb isotopes.

U–Pb and Hf isotope study of detrital zircon and Cr-spinel in the Banavara quartzite and implications for the evolution of the Dharwar Craton, south India

The Sargur Group has been considered to be the oldest group (>3.0 Ga) in the Archaean sequence of the Dharwar Craton in south India, whereas the rocks of the Dharwar Supergroup are younger (between 3.0 and 2.55 Ga). The supracrustal units of the Sargur Group were deposited during the Archaean period. The Banavara quartzite forms part of the supracrustal Sargur Group and contains significant amounts of chromian spinel (Cr-spinel). Here, U–Pb and Hf isotopes of detrital zircons are integrated with compositional data and X-ray refinement parameters for Cr-spinels to decipher the provenance of the metasediments. Zircons show an age spectrum from 3.15 to 2.50 Ga, and juvenile Hf isotopic compositions (ϵHf = +0.8 to +6.4) with model ages between 3.3 and 3.0 Ga. Major- and trace-element contents of the Cr-spinels do not resemble those in the Sargur ultramafic rocks, but resemble well-characterized Archaean anorthosite-hosted chromites. Cr-spinel trace-element signatures indicate that they have undergone secondary alteration or metamorphism. X-ray refinement parameters for the Cr-spinels also resemble the anorthosite-hosted chromites. We conclude that the detrital minerals were probably derived from gneissic and anorthositic rocks of the Western Dharwar Craton, and that the Sargur Group sequences have experienced a younger (2.5 Ga) metamorphic overprint.