Olaf Nehlich | University of British Columbia (original) (raw)
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Papers by Olaf Nehlich
Archäologische Informationen, Jan 16, 2015
Zusammenfassung-Neolithische und mesolithischen Menschenreste aus dem 9. und 4. Jahrtausend vor C... more Zusammenfassung-Neolithische und mesolithischen Menschenreste aus dem 9. und 4. Jahrtausend vor Christus sind nicht nur im Bereich der Mittelgebirge Westfalens (Sauerland) selten belegt. Durch die Entdeckung der Blätterhöhle in Hagen im Jahre 2004 änderte sich die Situation. Die derzeit verfügbaren 14 C-Datierungen belegen ein Alter der Menschenreste zwischen 9200 und 8600 sowie 3900 und 3000 calBC. Neolithische Kollektivbestattungen des 4. Jahrtausends in Höhlen und unter Felsdächern sind in verschiedenen Regionen wie Belgien, Luxemburg und den britischen Inseln bekannt, jedoch bislang für Westfalen nicht belegt. Die Funde der Blätterhöhle stellen den ersten Beleg für diese Praxis im Bereich der Mittelgebirge dar. Dabei verläuft die Grenze zu der Zone in der die Megalithgräber verbreitet sind, ca. 50 km weiter nördlich. Obwohl die sehr gut erhaltenen Menschenreste aus gestörtem (bioturbierten) Kontext stammen, stellen sie eine reiche Informationsquelle dar. Die Beprobung von mesolithisch und neolithisch datierten Resten ergab in fast allen Fällen Ergebnisse. Diese Resultate zeigen, dass die mesolithisch datierten Menschenreste alle zur mitochondrialen Haplogruppe U gehören, wie es für europäische Jäger-Sammlerpopulationen des Paläolithikums und Mesolithikums bislang nachgewiesen wurde. Bei den neolithischen Menschenresten dagegen ließen sich sowohl die Haplogruppen U, H und andere nachweisen. Zusätzlich wurden auch stabile Isotopen (13 C/ 15 N/ 34 S) untersucht um Aussagen zur Ernährung treffen zu können. Die Ergebnisse lassen drei unterschiedliche Gruppen erkennen, die sich voneinander unterscheiden. Eine terrestrische Ernährung war sowohl bei der mesolithischen als auch bei einer neolithischen Gruppe nachweisbar. Dagegen ließ eine der beiden neolithischen Gruppen eine abweichende Ernährung, basierend auf Süßwasserfisch erkennen. Die Angehörigen dieser Gruppe wiesen alle Haplogruppe U5 auf. Anhand dieses Ergebnisses kann eine "nicht-neolithischen" Lebensweise im 4. Jahrtausend v. Chr. belegt werden.
The 80th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, 2015
Interdisciplinary contributions to archaeology, 2023
The 81st Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, 2017
Environmental Archaeology, Mar 23, 2015
This paper presents carbon and nitrogen isotopic results from several Swiss freshwater fish (Esox... more This paper presents carbon and nitrogen isotopic results from several Swiss freshwater fish (Esox lucius, Perca fluviatilis, Barbus barbus, Rutilus rutilus and other Cyprinidae) in order to provide information about their trophic level, feeding habits and provenance. Freshwater fish remains are regularly recovered from archaeological contexts in Switzerland, which attests to the importance of these aquatic food resources to past communities. However, it can be difficult to determine the effect of freshwater fish consumption in human bone isotope signatures by stable isotope ratio analysis. Therefore, an establishment of baseline isotope signatures of freshwater fish by region and time is necessary. Additionally, freshwater fish isotope analysis can serve as a backdrop for research on former aquatic isotopic ecology. We measured carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of 140 freshwater fish bone samples from sites dating between the 11th and 19th centuries AD. Suitable C:N ratios (2•9-3•6) were obtained from 56 of the samples, a rather low success rate that may be the result of diagenetic contamination and insufficient sample weight (<20 mg). A high inter-and intraspecies variability of freshwater fish isotope signature was observed. The δ 15 N results indicate a size and age-related trophic level effect. Heterogeneous carbon isotope signatures from samples from the same site could indicate spatial variation in isotope values within a single ecosystem or alternatively represent the use of different fishing grounds.
ABSTRACT Sulphur (δ34S), carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope data are presented for 120 hum... more ABSTRACT Sulphur (δ34S), carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope data are presented for 120 humans and 33 animals from eight sites dating from the Neolithic to the Iron Age (Benzingerode, Westerhausen, Derenburg, Halberstadt, Karsdorf, Kölsa, Grebehna and Großstorkwitz) from central Germany. Sulphur isotope ratios from skeletal collagen reflect the dietary sulphur isotopic composition and therefore differ between environments and regions. Here it is shown that the majority of the analyzed individuals are consistent with a regional local origin; only three may be of non-local origin, namely one each from Benzingerode, Westerhausen and Derenburg. At Großstorkwitz the δ34S values correlate with the δ15N values and suggest the input of freshwater proteins. At the other sites the δ34S values, along with the δ13C and δ15N values, reflect a terrestrial based diet. No significant difference in δ34S values could be observed through time. Sulphur isotope signatures were not significantly different in animals with different δ15N values and animals are assumed to have lived locally. However, there may not be much regional variability in δ34S in this area, and the distribution of the archaeological δ34S values displays little variation across the investigated landscape.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, Dec 1, 2016
The aim of this study is to investigate isotopic variability in archaeological (n=85) and modern ... more The aim of this study is to investigate isotopic variability in archaeological (n=85) and modern (n=29) freshwater fish specimens from Switzerland. Here, carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) stable isotope ratio analysis was performed on bone collagen samples of pike (Esox lucius), perch (Perca fluviatilis), barbel (Barbus barbus), roach (Rutilus rutilus) and carp (Cyprinus carpio) from eleven archaeological (11 th to 18/19 th centuries) and modern sites. The archaeological vs. modern fish data revealed significant isotopic differences for pike, perch and barbel (δ¹³C p ≤ 0.03; δ 15 N p ≤ 0.008), and provides possible evidence for a temporal change in Swiss aquatic ecosystems from Medieval to modern times. In comparison to archaeological fish (δ 13 C mean ± SD;-23.3±1.6‰; δ 15 N mean ± SD; 8.3±1.8‰), the modern fish samples show decreased 13 C and increased 15 N values (δ 13 C mean ± SD;-27.4±2.3‰; δ 15 N mean ± SD; 12.5±4.1‰) that could be associated with anthropogenic effects: fossil fuel combustion, deforestation and organic waste in the form of sewage and fertilizers. The isotopic signatures of archaeological fish remains indicate a local fishery practice, but also the exploitation of distant fishing grounds and freshwater fish transportation. Furthermore, a diachronic isotopic trend is observed in young perch from sites in Basel, dating between the 12 th and 15/16 th centuries, and the isotopic data from the Rhine freshwater fish (18/19 th century) suggests that a significant shift in the river's trophic state was possibly caused by organic pollution from urban and industrial wastewater. This retrospective research illustrates possible natural processes and human activities which can cause differences in fish stable isotope data and highlights the ability to elucidate changes in past bodies of water. Furthermore, this study provides an interpretative framework for additional palaeoenvironmental studies and modern restoration projects focused on freshwater ecosystems.
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, Feb 26, 2009
Sulphur isotope measurements of bone collagen from archaeological sites are beginning to be appli... more Sulphur isotope measurements of bone collagen from archaeological sites are beginning to be applied more often, yet there are no clear criteria to assess the quality of the collagen and therefore the validity of the sulphur isotope values. We provide elemental data from different methods (DNA sequences, amino acid sequences and mass spectrometric measurements) which are used to establish a reliable system of quality criteria for sulphur isotope analyses of bone collagen. The difference in the amount of sulphur from fish and mammalian collagen type I led to the suggestion to use different criteria to assess the in vivo character of the collagen between these two categories. For establishing quality ranges, the bone collagen of 140 modern animals were analysed. The amount of sulphur in fish and mammalian bone collagen is 0.63±0.08% and 0.28 ±0.07%, respectively. Based on these results we define for mammalian bone collagen an atomic C:S ratio of 600±300 and an atomic N:S ratio of 200±100, and for fish bone an atomic C:S ratio of 175±50 and an atomic N:S ratio of 60± 20. These quality criteria were then applied to 305 specimens from different archaeological contexts.
Oxbow Books, May 31, 2019
Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 2018
Transport of sea spray aerosol in coastal areas ("sea spray" effect) can have a marked influence ... more Transport of sea spray aerosol in coastal areas ("sea spray" effect) can have a marked influence on isotopic ratios of terrestrial ecosystems shifting terrestrial isotopic ratios towards unusual high values masking the original terrestrial signature. It is unclear so far if and to what extend sea spray influences other stable isotopes besides sulphur. In this study, we examined if the effect was also detectable in carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen stable isotopes of bone collagen and carbonate, respectively. Multi-isotope data of mammals sampled from the Viking Haithabu and medieval Schleswig sites in Northern Germany were analysed according to a previously developed approximation procedure and Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) clustering in order to quantify the sea spray effect in the isotopes under study. While we were able to approximate an influence of the sea spray effect of at least 32.8% and 62.8% in δ 13 C carb and δ 18 O carb , respectively, it was not possible to validate or approximate this effect in δ 13 C coll and δ 15 N coll. Indeed, detection of the sea spray effect not only in δ 34 S coll , but also in δ 13 C carb and δ 18 O carb is of particular importance for studies on both prehistoric and recent material. GMM clustering on terrestrial herbivorous and marine piscivorous mammals was used to confirm the existing influence and to validate the approximated correction for the sea spray effect in the respective isotopic ratios (δ 13 C carb , δ 18 O carb , δ 34 S coll) and the correction for the limnic influence on δ 15 N coll approximated in a previous study. After correction, the clustering results markedly changed corresponding to the actual diet and habitat preference of the examined species. Although our study focused on palaeoecology, we suggest that GMM clustering also constitutes a very useful tool for modern landscape ecology based on stable isotope analyses.
Oxbow Books, Dec 31, 2016
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, Mar 1, 2015
Salted meats were an important foodstuff throughout recent centuries, not only as a protein sourc... more Salted meats were an important foodstuff throughout recent centuries, not only as a protein source during long distance voyages but also in New World colonies. They were often used in conjunction with locally husbanded animals in areas where it was possible to raise European livestock. Isotope analysis can potentially be used to determine the sources and relative contributions of imported vs. local meats. This paper explores the stable carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur isotope values of bone collagen from barreled salt pork and beef products (n=18) recovered from the wrecksite of the William Salthouse, a British ship that sank in 1841 while undertaking the first ever attempt at trade between Canada and Australia. Results show a pronounced heterogeneity in animal life histories and highlight a need for better understanding of variation in animal husbandry practices in major livestock production centers during the historical period.
Journal of Archaeological Science, May 1, 2010
To explore the use of sulphur isotopes as an indicator of the consumption of freshwater fish, we ... more To explore the use of sulphur isotopes as an indicator of the consumption of freshwater fish, we undertook sulphur isotope analysis on bone collagen extracted from humans and animals from five archaeological sites from the Danube Gorges region dating from the Mesolithic to the middle Neolithic periods. The results show a difference in the sulphur isotope values between freshwater and
Scientific Reports, Sep 21, 2018
The archaeological site of Lepenski Vir is widely known after its remarkable stone art sculptures... more The archaeological site of Lepenski Vir is widely known after its remarkable stone art sculptures that represent a unique and unprecedented case of Holocene hunter-gatherer creativity. These artworks were found largely associated with equally unique trapezoidal limestone building floors around their centrally located rectangular stone-lined hearths. A debate has raged since the discovery of the site about the chronological place of various discovered features. While over years different views from that of the excavator about the stratigraphy and chronology of the site have been put forward, some major disagreements about the chronological position of the features that make this site a key point of reference in European Prehistory persist. Despite challenges of re-analyzing the site's stratigraphy from the original excavation records, taphonomic problems, and issues of reservoir offsets when providing radiocarbon measurements on human and dog bones, our targeted AMS (Accelerator Mass Spectrometry) dating of various contexts from this site with the application of Bayesian statistical modelling allows us to propose with confidence a new and sound chronological framework and provide formal estimates for several key developments represented in the archaeological record of Lepenski Vir that help us in understanding the transition of last foragers to first farmers in southeast Europe as a whole. Lepenski Vir (translated from Serbian "Lepenski Whirlpool"). The site (44°33′N, 22°01′E) is situated on a Danube's river terrace of the Lady's Whirlpool Gorge of the Danube Gorges, also known as the Iron Gates region, of the north-central Balkans, 14 km upstream from the present-day town of Donji Milanovac. It is located at the elevation between 59 and 72 masl and the river terrace consists of finely laminated riverine sands and colluvial deposits. Excavations at the site took place from 1965 until 1970 and 2400 m 2 were investigated, exposing the complete Mesolithic-Neolithic settlement spread 1,2. Upon its discovery, the site became the type-site of a new, pre-Neolithic (Epipalaeolithic and Mesolithic) forager archaeological culture phenomenon that was limited to this region and found at another 20 sites along around 150 km stretch of the River Danube on both Serbian and Romanian banks (Fig. 1).
Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, Sep 9, 2013
RATIONALE: This study presents the first sulphur isotope data of modern and archaeological cod (G... more RATIONALE: This study presents the first sulphur isotope data of modern and archaeological cod (Gadus morhua) bone collagen, undertaken to identify large-scale spatial variability of significance as both baseline values for studies of human diet and a potential variable in isotope-based studies of fish trading. METHODS: Collagen was extracted from modern and archaeological cod bones using a weak HCl solution and analysed for its sulphur isotopic composition by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). RESULTS: The archaeological cod have sulphur isotope values ranging from +9.1‰ to +18.2‰, whereas values for modern specimens range from +14.8‰ to +18.3‰. The modern data show values implying less freshwater influence, consistent with their offshore catch locations, but also corroborate some of the regional variability evident from the archaeological evidence. CONCLUSIONS: The archaeological data have a large range of sulphur isotope values compared with the modern populations, probably indicating they were taken from a wide range of geographic locations, including both coastal and offshore locales. They show broad trends of regional difference that may relate to both the fish populations targeted (e.g. 'inshore' versus 'offshore') and the baseline values of the local ecosystem (e.g. degree of freshwater input from river systems).
Archäologische Informationen, Jan 16, 2015
Zusammenfassung-Neolithische und mesolithischen Menschenreste aus dem 9. und 4. Jahrtausend vor C... more Zusammenfassung-Neolithische und mesolithischen Menschenreste aus dem 9. und 4. Jahrtausend vor Christus sind nicht nur im Bereich der Mittelgebirge Westfalens (Sauerland) selten belegt. Durch die Entdeckung der Blätterhöhle in Hagen im Jahre 2004 änderte sich die Situation. Die derzeit verfügbaren 14 C-Datierungen belegen ein Alter der Menschenreste zwischen 9200 und 8600 sowie 3900 und 3000 calBC. Neolithische Kollektivbestattungen des 4. Jahrtausends in Höhlen und unter Felsdächern sind in verschiedenen Regionen wie Belgien, Luxemburg und den britischen Inseln bekannt, jedoch bislang für Westfalen nicht belegt. Die Funde der Blätterhöhle stellen den ersten Beleg für diese Praxis im Bereich der Mittelgebirge dar. Dabei verläuft die Grenze zu der Zone in der die Megalithgräber verbreitet sind, ca. 50 km weiter nördlich. Obwohl die sehr gut erhaltenen Menschenreste aus gestörtem (bioturbierten) Kontext stammen, stellen sie eine reiche Informationsquelle dar. Die Beprobung von mesolithisch und neolithisch datierten Resten ergab in fast allen Fällen Ergebnisse. Diese Resultate zeigen, dass die mesolithisch datierten Menschenreste alle zur mitochondrialen Haplogruppe U gehören, wie es für europäische Jäger-Sammlerpopulationen des Paläolithikums und Mesolithikums bislang nachgewiesen wurde. Bei den neolithischen Menschenresten dagegen ließen sich sowohl die Haplogruppen U, H und andere nachweisen. Zusätzlich wurden auch stabile Isotopen (13 C/ 15 N/ 34 S) untersucht um Aussagen zur Ernährung treffen zu können. Die Ergebnisse lassen drei unterschiedliche Gruppen erkennen, die sich voneinander unterscheiden. Eine terrestrische Ernährung war sowohl bei der mesolithischen als auch bei einer neolithischen Gruppe nachweisbar. Dagegen ließ eine der beiden neolithischen Gruppen eine abweichende Ernährung, basierend auf Süßwasserfisch erkennen. Die Angehörigen dieser Gruppe wiesen alle Haplogruppe U5 auf. Anhand dieses Ergebnisses kann eine "nicht-neolithischen" Lebensweise im 4. Jahrtausend v. Chr. belegt werden.
The 80th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, 2015
Interdisciplinary contributions to archaeology, 2023
The 81st Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, 2017
Environmental Archaeology, Mar 23, 2015
This paper presents carbon and nitrogen isotopic results from several Swiss freshwater fish (Esox... more This paper presents carbon and nitrogen isotopic results from several Swiss freshwater fish (Esox lucius, Perca fluviatilis, Barbus barbus, Rutilus rutilus and other Cyprinidae) in order to provide information about their trophic level, feeding habits and provenance. Freshwater fish remains are regularly recovered from archaeological contexts in Switzerland, which attests to the importance of these aquatic food resources to past communities. However, it can be difficult to determine the effect of freshwater fish consumption in human bone isotope signatures by stable isotope ratio analysis. Therefore, an establishment of baseline isotope signatures of freshwater fish by region and time is necessary. Additionally, freshwater fish isotope analysis can serve as a backdrop for research on former aquatic isotopic ecology. We measured carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of 140 freshwater fish bone samples from sites dating between the 11th and 19th centuries AD. Suitable C:N ratios (2•9-3•6) were obtained from 56 of the samples, a rather low success rate that may be the result of diagenetic contamination and insufficient sample weight (<20 mg). A high inter-and intraspecies variability of freshwater fish isotope signature was observed. The δ 15 N results indicate a size and age-related trophic level effect. Heterogeneous carbon isotope signatures from samples from the same site could indicate spatial variation in isotope values within a single ecosystem or alternatively represent the use of different fishing grounds.
ABSTRACT Sulphur (δ34S), carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope data are presented for 120 hum... more ABSTRACT Sulphur (δ34S), carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope data are presented for 120 humans and 33 animals from eight sites dating from the Neolithic to the Iron Age (Benzingerode, Westerhausen, Derenburg, Halberstadt, Karsdorf, Kölsa, Grebehna and Großstorkwitz) from central Germany. Sulphur isotope ratios from skeletal collagen reflect the dietary sulphur isotopic composition and therefore differ between environments and regions. Here it is shown that the majority of the analyzed individuals are consistent with a regional local origin; only three may be of non-local origin, namely one each from Benzingerode, Westerhausen and Derenburg. At Großstorkwitz the δ34S values correlate with the δ15N values and suggest the input of freshwater proteins. At the other sites the δ34S values, along with the δ13C and δ15N values, reflect a terrestrial based diet. No significant difference in δ34S values could be observed through time. Sulphur isotope signatures were not significantly different in animals with different δ15N values and animals are assumed to have lived locally. However, there may not be much regional variability in δ34S in this area, and the distribution of the archaeological δ34S values displays little variation across the investigated landscape.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, Dec 1, 2016
The aim of this study is to investigate isotopic variability in archaeological (n=85) and modern ... more The aim of this study is to investigate isotopic variability in archaeological (n=85) and modern (n=29) freshwater fish specimens from Switzerland. Here, carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) stable isotope ratio analysis was performed on bone collagen samples of pike (Esox lucius), perch (Perca fluviatilis), barbel (Barbus barbus), roach (Rutilus rutilus) and carp (Cyprinus carpio) from eleven archaeological (11 th to 18/19 th centuries) and modern sites. The archaeological vs. modern fish data revealed significant isotopic differences for pike, perch and barbel (δ¹³C p ≤ 0.03; δ 15 N p ≤ 0.008), and provides possible evidence for a temporal change in Swiss aquatic ecosystems from Medieval to modern times. In comparison to archaeological fish (δ 13 C mean ± SD;-23.3±1.6‰; δ 15 N mean ± SD; 8.3±1.8‰), the modern fish samples show decreased 13 C and increased 15 N values (δ 13 C mean ± SD;-27.4±2.3‰; δ 15 N mean ± SD; 12.5±4.1‰) that could be associated with anthropogenic effects: fossil fuel combustion, deforestation and organic waste in the form of sewage and fertilizers. The isotopic signatures of archaeological fish remains indicate a local fishery practice, but also the exploitation of distant fishing grounds and freshwater fish transportation. Furthermore, a diachronic isotopic trend is observed in young perch from sites in Basel, dating between the 12 th and 15/16 th centuries, and the isotopic data from the Rhine freshwater fish (18/19 th century) suggests that a significant shift in the river's trophic state was possibly caused by organic pollution from urban and industrial wastewater. This retrospective research illustrates possible natural processes and human activities which can cause differences in fish stable isotope data and highlights the ability to elucidate changes in past bodies of water. Furthermore, this study provides an interpretative framework for additional palaeoenvironmental studies and modern restoration projects focused on freshwater ecosystems.
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, Feb 26, 2009
Sulphur isotope measurements of bone collagen from archaeological sites are beginning to be appli... more Sulphur isotope measurements of bone collagen from archaeological sites are beginning to be applied more often, yet there are no clear criteria to assess the quality of the collagen and therefore the validity of the sulphur isotope values. We provide elemental data from different methods (DNA sequences, amino acid sequences and mass spectrometric measurements) which are used to establish a reliable system of quality criteria for sulphur isotope analyses of bone collagen. The difference in the amount of sulphur from fish and mammalian collagen type I led to the suggestion to use different criteria to assess the in vivo character of the collagen between these two categories. For establishing quality ranges, the bone collagen of 140 modern animals were analysed. The amount of sulphur in fish and mammalian bone collagen is 0.63±0.08% and 0.28 ±0.07%, respectively. Based on these results we define for mammalian bone collagen an atomic C:S ratio of 600±300 and an atomic N:S ratio of 200±100, and for fish bone an atomic C:S ratio of 175±50 and an atomic N:S ratio of 60± 20. These quality criteria were then applied to 305 specimens from different archaeological contexts.
Oxbow Books, May 31, 2019
Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 2018
Transport of sea spray aerosol in coastal areas ("sea spray" effect) can have a marked influence ... more Transport of sea spray aerosol in coastal areas ("sea spray" effect) can have a marked influence on isotopic ratios of terrestrial ecosystems shifting terrestrial isotopic ratios towards unusual high values masking the original terrestrial signature. It is unclear so far if and to what extend sea spray influences other stable isotopes besides sulphur. In this study, we examined if the effect was also detectable in carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen stable isotopes of bone collagen and carbonate, respectively. Multi-isotope data of mammals sampled from the Viking Haithabu and medieval Schleswig sites in Northern Germany were analysed according to a previously developed approximation procedure and Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) clustering in order to quantify the sea spray effect in the isotopes under study. While we were able to approximate an influence of the sea spray effect of at least 32.8% and 62.8% in δ 13 C carb and δ 18 O carb , respectively, it was not possible to validate or approximate this effect in δ 13 C coll and δ 15 N coll. Indeed, detection of the sea spray effect not only in δ 34 S coll , but also in δ 13 C carb and δ 18 O carb is of particular importance for studies on both prehistoric and recent material. GMM clustering on terrestrial herbivorous and marine piscivorous mammals was used to confirm the existing influence and to validate the approximated correction for the sea spray effect in the respective isotopic ratios (δ 13 C carb , δ 18 O carb , δ 34 S coll) and the correction for the limnic influence on δ 15 N coll approximated in a previous study. After correction, the clustering results markedly changed corresponding to the actual diet and habitat preference of the examined species. Although our study focused on palaeoecology, we suggest that GMM clustering also constitutes a very useful tool for modern landscape ecology based on stable isotope analyses.
Oxbow Books, Dec 31, 2016
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, Mar 1, 2015
Salted meats were an important foodstuff throughout recent centuries, not only as a protein sourc... more Salted meats were an important foodstuff throughout recent centuries, not only as a protein source during long distance voyages but also in New World colonies. They were often used in conjunction with locally husbanded animals in areas where it was possible to raise European livestock. Isotope analysis can potentially be used to determine the sources and relative contributions of imported vs. local meats. This paper explores the stable carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur isotope values of bone collagen from barreled salt pork and beef products (n=18) recovered from the wrecksite of the William Salthouse, a British ship that sank in 1841 while undertaking the first ever attempt at trade between Canada and Australia. Results show a pronounced heterogeneity in animal life histories and highlight a need for better understanding of variation in animal husbandry practices in major livestock production centers during the historical period.
Journal of Archaeological Science, May 1, 2010
To explore the use of sulphur isotopes as an indicator of the consumption of freshwater fish, we ... more To explore the use of sulphur isotopes as an indicator of the consumption of freshwater fish, we undertook sulphur isotope analysis on bone collagen extracted from humans and animals from five archaeological sites from the Danube Gorges region dating from the Mesolithic to the middle Neolithic periods. The results show a difference in the sulphur isotope values between freshwater and
Scientific Reports, Sep 21, 2018
The archaeological site of Lepenski Vir is widely known after its remarkable stone art sculptures... more The archaeological site of Lepenski Vir is widely known after its remarkable stone art sculptures that represent a unique and unprecedented case of Holocene hunter-gatherer creativity. These artworks were found largely associated with equally unique trapezoidal limestone building floors around their centrally located rectangular stone-lined hearths. A debate has raged since the discovery of the site about the chronological place of various discovered features. While over years different views from that of the excavator about the stratigraphy and chronology of the site have been put forward, some major disagreements about the chronological position of the features that make this site a key point of reference in European Prehistory persist. Despite challenges of re-analyzing the site's stratigraphy from the original excavation records, taphonomic problems, and issues of reservoir offsets when providing radiocarbon measurements on human and dog bones, our targeted AMS (Accelerator Mass Spectrometry) dating of various contexts from this site with the application of Bayesian statistical modelling allows us to propose with confidence a new and sound chronological framework and provide formal estimates for several key developments represented in the archaeological record of Lepenski Vir that help us in understanding the transition of last foragers to first farmers in southeast Europe as a whole. Lepenski Vir (translated from Serbian "Lepenski Whirlpool"). The site (44°33′N, 22°01′E) is situated on a Danube's river terrace of the Lady's Whirlpool Gorge of the Danube Gorges, also known as the Iron Gates region, of the north-central Balkans, 14 km upstream from the present-day town of Donji Milanovac. It is located at the elevation between 59 and 72 masl and the river terrace consists of finely laminated riverine sands and colluvial deposits. Excavations at the site took place from 1965 until 1970 and 2400 m 2 were investigated, exposing the complete Mesolithic-Neolithic settlement spread 1,2. Upon its discovery, the site became the type-site of a new, pre-Neolithic (Epipalaeolithic and Mesolithic) forager archaeological culture phenomenon that was limited to this region and found at another 20 sites along around 150 km stretch of the River Danube on both Serbian and Romanian banks (Fig. 1).
Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, Sep 9, 2013
RATIONALE: This study presents the first sulphur isotope data of modern and archaeological cod (G... more RATIONALE: This study presents the first sulphur isotope data of modern and archaeological cod (Gadus morhua) bone collagen, undertaken to identify large-scale spatial variability of significance as both baseline values for studies of human diet and a potential variable in isotope-based studies of fish trading. METHODS: Collagen was extracted from modern and archaeological cod bones using a weak HCl solution and analysed for its sulphur isotopic composition by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). RESULTS: The archaeological cod have sulphur isotope values ranging from +9.1‰ to +18.2‰, whereas values for modern specimens range from +14.8‰ to +18.3‰. The modern data show values implying less freshwater influence, consistent with their offshore catch locations, but also corroborate some of the regional variability evident from the archaeological evidence. CONCLUSIONS: The archaeological data have a large range of sulphur isotope values compared with the modern populations, probably indicating they were taken from a wide range of geographic locations, including both coastal and offshore locales. They show broad trends of regional difference that may relate to both the fish populations targeted (e.g. 'inshore' versus 'offshore') and the baseline values of the local ecosystem (e.g. degree of freshwater input from river systems).
Cetacean mass strandings occur regularly worldwide, yet the compounded effects of natural and ant... more Cetacean mass strandings occur regularly worldwide, yet the compounded effects of natural
and anthropogenic factors often complicate our understanding of these phenomena. Evidence
of past stranding episodes may, thus, be essential to establish the potential influence of climate
change. Investigations on bones from the site of Grotta dell’Uzzo in North West Sicily (Italy) show
that the rapid climate change around 8,200 years ago coincided with increased strandings in the
Mediterranean Sea. Stable isotope analyses on collagen from a large sample of remains recovered at
this cave indicate that Mesolithic hunter-gatherers relied little on marine resources. A human and a
red fox dating to the 8.2-kyr-BP climatic event, however, acquired at least one third of their protein
from cetaceans. Numerous carcasses should have been available annually, for at least a decade, to
obtain these proportions of meat. Our findings imply that climate-driven environmental changes,
caused by global warming, may represent a serious threat to cetaceans in the near future.