An Investigation of Cattle Birth Seasonality using δ13C and δ18O Profiles within First Molar Enamel. (28th August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Towers, J.; Gledhill, A.; Bond, J.; Montgomery, J.
• Is Part Of: Archaeometry. Volume 56(2014)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 208
• Page End: 236
• Publication Date: 2013-08-28
• Subjects: Tooth Enamel -- Molar Formation -- Cattle -- Birth Seasonality -- Oxygen -- Carbon -- Isotope Ratio Analysis; Archaeometry -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Expertising -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1111/arcm.12055
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-813X

Abstract

Abstract : Cattle ( Bos taurus ) are biologically able to breed year‐round, potentially giving farmers the freedom to choose a calving strategy to best meet their economic goals. Thus, an accurate method to determine cattle birth seasonality from archaeological remains would prove to be a valuable tool when investigating a prehistoric farming community. This paper presents the results of intra‐tooth isotope ratio analysis (δ 18 O, δ 13 C) of first, second and third molars from 15 cattle. The principal outcome is a possible new approach to determining cattle birth seasonality utilizing both carbon and oxygen isotope ratio measurements of first molar enamel. Although this technique requires verification through more extensive testing, particularly of modern material, initial results suggest that it may produce more accurate predictions of birth seasonality than techniques based on intra‐tooth δ 18 O measurements of second and third molars.