First Strontium Isotope Evidence of Mobility in the Neolithic of Southern France (original) (raw)
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In: E. Kaiser, J. Burger, W. Schier, Population Dynamics in Pre- and Early History. New Approaches by Using Stable Isotopes and Genetics. Topoi – Berlin Studies of the Ancient World, 2012, 199-212.
In the last forty years, continuing rescue excavations in the Lower Traisen valley (Unteres Traisental) in Lower Austria have identified about 180 burials dating to the final Neolithic (2600–2200 BC). They belong to the Corded Ware culture and Late Bell Beaker culture. Enamel from permanent teeth of a total of 49 individuals originating from Subsites I, II and III of the Franzhausen (FH) excavation area were analysed with respect to their strontium isotopic composition. The aim was to identify locals and nonlocals and to contribute to questions of mobility and migration. We applied a validated routine procedure for Sr isotope ratio measurements using solutionbased multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). In addition, recent soil samples from the Franzhausen area were extracted by ammonium nitrate solutions in order to delimit the local isotope signal of bioavailable Sr in the region. 87Sr/86Sr ratios in the enamel revealed that about 88 % of the investigated individuals are autochthonous. These data were subjected to a further detailed evaluation with respect to the individuals’ age at death and sex, as well as to a possible spatial differentiation (FH I, II and III) and cultural affiliation. Sr isotope ratio data show no pattern regarding age at death. Higher mobility was found for male individuals compared to that for females. Results evaluated according to chronological and spatial subgroups imply differences in mobility. Distinct groups of representatives of the Corded Ware culture in the subsites were identified as nonlocals, whereas all of the investigated individuals assigned to the Late Bell Beaker culture were locals.
AURA 4, 2021
The present study discusses aspects of human mobility in Ceramic Neolithic (ca. 5200/5000-4000 B.C.) and Middle Chalcolithic Cyprus (ca. 3500-2800 B.C.) through the application of strontium isotope analysis. Small-scale intra-island movement in prehistoric Cypriot contexts is usually inferred by the circulation of finished artifacts and raw materials, while several researchers in the past supported large-scale migrations based exclusively on the ostensibly abrupt changes in the material culture. Focusing on the strontium isotopic values of sampled human teeth from sites of the Limassol district, this pilot study attempts to demonstrate the potential of this methodology for the identification of non-local individuals and/or groups. The results provide fresh insights on prehistoric mobility patterns in Cyprus, while also discussing some of the methodological limitations in archaeological contexts.
This paper presents the strontium (Sr) isotope composition of the teeth of Neolithic individuals from the Linearbandkeramik (LBK) pit-enclosure of Herxheim (South Palatinate, Germany). The Sr isotope analyses are vital for the comprehension of the extraordinary site of Herxheim with the abundant human bone modifications found there. The large number of dead individuals, as well as the various exotic styles of high quality pottery of the latest LBK phase, found with the fragmented human skeletons, support movement from foreign places to Herxheim. Sr isotopes of tooth enamel have been analyzed to establish the possible origins of the individuals at Herxheim. Initial results for individuals found in the regular Bandkeramik burial position and for samples from a concentration of fragmented skeletons indicate the presence of a significant amount of nonlocal individuals, in a proportion higher than reported for other LBK settlements to date. None of the modified skeletal remains from the site investigated thus far belong to indigenous individuals. The observed Sr isotope ratios often indicate basement rock signatures. A subgroup of individuals has high 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.712–0.715, suggesting similarities to a group of five juveniles found in the Neolithic settlement of Nieder-Mörlen/Hesse.