Diet at Late Chalcolithic Çamlıbel Tarlası, north-central Anatolia: An isotopic perspective (original) (raw)
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Aktopraklık is a settlement site composed of three areas (A–C) in the Marmara region of northwest Anatolia, with phases of occupation that date to the Late Neolithic and Early Chalcolithic periods, mid-seventh to mid-sixth millennium BC (ca. 6400–5600 cal. BC). Here, we present 54 human and fauna bone collagen stable isotope results from the site, alongside five modern fish bone collagen isotope results, to examine the nature of human diet. The stable isotope analysis shows that human diet comprised the consumption of select C 3 terrestrial resources, with a preference for domestic animal proteins over plant proteins. The evidence to date suggests that animal husbandry was at the forefront of Late Neolithic and Early Chalcolithic subsistence practices. No isotopic difference in humans is observed between biological sex or between areas B and C at the settlement.
Aktopraklık is a settlement site composed of three areas (A–C) in the Marmara region of northwest Anatolia, with phases of occupation that date to the Late Neolithic and Early Chalcolithic periods, mid-seventh to mid-sixth millennium BC (ca. 6400–5600 cal. BC). Here, we present 54 human and fauna bone collagen stable isotope results from the site, alongside five modern fish bone collagen isotope results, to examine the nature of human diet. The stable isotope analysis shows that human diet comprised the consumption of select C 3 terrestrial resources, with a preference for domestic animal proteins over plant proteins. The evidence to date suggests that animal husbandry was at the forefront of Late Neolithic and Early Chalcolithic subsistence practices. No isotopic difference in humans is observed between biological sex or between areas B and C at the settlement.
American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 2006
Human and animal bones from the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B site of Nevalı Çori (southeast Anatolia) were analyzed with regard to stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in bone collagen, and stable carbon and oxygen isotopes in bone carbonate. The reconstruction of the vertebrate food web at this site revealed that humans may have faced difficulties with meat procurement, since their stable-isotope ratios reflect a largely herbivorous diet. This is in contrast with the preceding Pre-Pottery Neolithic A contexts and late Neolithic sites in the Fertile Crescent, where humans are located at the top of the food chain. Conceivably, Nevalı Çori represents a community in the transition from a hunting and gathering subsistence to an economy with agriculture and animal husbandry, since domesticated einkorn and sheep, pigs, and probably also goats are in evidence at the site. In the second half of the 9th millennium calibrated (cal.) BC, however, the contribution of stock on the hoof to the human diet still seems modest. Animals kept under cultural control obviously had a dietary spectrum different from their free-ranging relatives. We conclude that these animals had been deliberately nourished by their owners, whereby the overall low δ15N-signatures in both humans and livestock might result from the consumption of protein-rich pulses. Am J Phys Anthropol 131:181–193, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Dietary habits in the Early Bronze Age (3rd millennium BC) of Anatolia: A multi-isotopic approach
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2019
This paper presents the results of isotopic analysis for dietary reconstruction of humans and animal remains from several prehistoric (3500–2000 BCE) populations in Anatolia. The investigated sites are İkiztepe (north Anatolia, Samsun region, on the Black Sea coast), Titriş Höyük (south east Anatolia, Urfa region), Bademağacı (south Anatolia, Antalya region), and Bakla Tepe (south west Anatolia, in the İzmir region). This research utilises the results of stable isotope analyses of carbon (δ13C), nitrogen (δ15N), and sulphur (δ34S) in bone collagen from over 200 human and animal samples in conjunction with published archaeological, archaeobotanical, and archaeozoological data (where present) to address this issue. This study, for the first time, has permitted a wider observation of Early Bronze Age dietary habits and subsistence strategies across the region, as well as examining the nature of dietary habits on an intra- and inter-site level, and temporally across the 3rd millennium BC. The results show that during the EBA in Anatolia there was a general degree of homogeneity in dietary habits at an intra- and inter-site and regional level and across the millennium of the EBA with diets being predominantly terrestrial C3 based.
The dietary changes of four individuals from the Chalcolithic site of Çamlibel Tarlasi, central Anatolia, was investigated using analysis of both carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotopes from incremental dentine sections of both permanent and deciduous teeth. Dentine is a mineralised tissue that does not remodel after formation, allowing greater temporal resolution of any dietary changes that occurred. Two teeth from each of the two children and two adults were sampled, providing 32 dentine sections for analysis. Results indicated that the diet of both age groups was founded mainly on C3 resources. Animal protein contributed to the diet to a varying degree, but diet was primarily centred on plant-based foods. The adult samples suggested some possible gender based differences in consumption of food groups, with females having more access to C4 resources and males consuming more animal protein. A statistically significant difference in δ15N levels was found between the age groups, with children exhibiting much higher values. This is possibly indicative of a breastfeeding and weaning signal. No difference was found in childhood diet between individuals who survived into adulthood, and those who died before reaching maturity. Sample size was limited however, and further work is suggested with a wider variety of tooth types and thinner sections of dentine, to provide more detailed temporal resolution and clarity to the dietary changes suggested by this study.
Human and animal bones from the Pre- Pottery Neolithic B site of Neval C¸ ori (southeast Anatolia) were analyzed with regard to stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in bone collagen, and stable carbon and oxygen isotopes in bone carbonate. The reconstruction of the vertebrate food web at this site revealed that humans may have faced difficulties with meat procurement, since their stable-isotope ratios reflect a largely herbivorous diet. This is in contrast with the preceding Pre-Pottery Neolithic A contexts and late Neolithic sites in the Fertile Crescent, where humans are located at the top of the food chain. Conceivably, Neval C¸ ori represents a community in the transition from a hunting and gathering subsistence to an economy with agriculture and animal husbandry, since domesticated einkorn and sheep, pigs, and probably also goats are in evidence at the site. In the second half of the 9th millennium calibrated (cal.) BC, however, the contribution of stock on the hoof to the human diet still seems modest. Animals kept under cultural control obviously had a dietary spectrum different from their freeranging relatives. We conclude that these animals had been deliberately nourished by their owners, whereby the overall low d15N-signatures in both humans and livestock might result from the consumption of protein-rich pulses.
Stable isotope evidence of diet at Neolithic Çatalhöyük, Turkey
Journal of Archaeological Science, 2003
We report here new evidence for human subsistence from stable isotope analysis of humans and fauna from Catalhöyük. The analyses complement other lines of subsistence evidence, and indicate that, contrary to the original excavator James Mellaart's assertion (Mellaart, 1975), cattle was unlikely to have been the main source of dietary protein for all occupants. The analyses have also indicated the incorporation of C4 plants into diets, which was previously unrecognized. In addition, the stable isotope measurements of juveniles have provided an indication of the age of weaning in this Early Neolithic society.
2016
Stable isotope analysis is an essential investigative technique, complementary to more traditional zooarchaeological approaches to elucidating animal keeping practices. Carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope values of 132 domesticates (cattle, caprines and pigs) were evaluated to investigate one aspect of animal keeping, animal forage, at the Late Chalcolithic (mid-fourth millennium BC) site of Çamlıbel Tarlası, which is located in north-central Anatolia. The analyses indicated that all of the domesticates had diets based predominantly on C3 plants. Pig and caprine δ13C and δ15N values were found to be statistically indistinguishable. However, cattle exhibited distinctive stable isotope values and, therefore, differences in diet from both pigs and caprines at Çamlıbel Tarlası. This difference may relate to the distinct patterns of foraging behaviour exhibited by the domesticates. Alternatively, this diversity may result from the use of different grazing areas or from the foddering practices of the Çamlıbel Tarlası inhabitants.
Animal keeping in Chalcolithic north-central Anatolia: what can stable isotope analysis add?
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2016
Stable isotope analysis is an essential investigative technique, complementary to more traditional zooarchaeological approaches to elucidating animal keeping practices. Carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) stable isotope values of 132 domesticates (cattle, caprines and pigs) were evaluated to investigate one aspect of animal keeping, animal forage, at the Late Chalcolithic (mid-fourth millennium BC) site of Çamlıbel Tarlası, which is located in north-central Anatolia. The analyses indicated that all of the domesticates had diets based predominantly on C 3 plants. Pig and caprine δ 13 C and δ 15 N values were found to be statistically indistinguishable. However, cattle exhibited distinctive stable isotope values and, therefore, differences in diet from both pigs and caprines at Çamlıbel Tarlası. This difference may relate to the distinct patterns of foraging behaviour exhibited by the domesticates. Alternatively, this diversity may result from the use of different grazing areas or from the foddering practices of the Çamlıbel Tarlası inhabitants. Keywords North-central Anatolia. Animal forage. Stable isotope analysis. δ 13 C. δ 15 N