Stable isotope palaeodietary analysis of the Early Bronze Age Afanasyevo Culture in the Altai Mountains, Southern Siberia. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Svyatko, Svetlana V.; Polyakov, Andrey V.; Soenov, Vasilii I.; Stepanova, Nadezhda F.; Reimer, Paula J.; Ogle, Neil; Tyurina, Ekaterina A.; Grushin, Sergei P.; Rykun, Marina P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 14(2017)
• Page Start: 65
• Page End: 75
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Altai -- Palaeodiet -- Afanasyevo -- Karakol -- Bronze Age -- Carbon -- Nitrogen -- Sulphur -- AMS radiocarbon dating -- Freshwater reservoir effects; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Research -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2017.05.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-409X

Abstract

Abstract: This study represents the first stable isotope (δ 13 С, δ 15 N and δ 34 S) palaeodietary data and AMS radiocarbon dates for Early Bronze Age humans and fauna (n = 24), and two modern fish from the Altai Mountains, Southern Siberia. The results show that the diet of the population was mainly C3 -based with heavy reliance on animal protein. Within the population, males are overall higher in δ 15 N values which could be the result of better access to higher-trophic level foods, such as meat. Another important observation is that comparison of the results with the previous data for the Afanasyevo population from the Minusinsk Basin (Southern Siberia) suggests a difference in the amount of fish in the diet, with the Altai population virtually not using this food source. Modern fish (data from previous research) demonstrates a strong freshwater reservoir offset, although a human sample from a single archaeological terrestrial/human pair analysed does not appear to be affected. No significant offsets were detected between δ 34 S values of archaeological humans and herbivores, and modern fish. Highlights: δ 13 С, δ 15 N, δ 34 S and AMS 14C data have been obtained for 24 Early Bronze Age samples, and two modern fish from Altai. The diet of the population was mainly C3 -based with heavy reliance on animal protein. Males are overall higher in δ 15 N values which could be the result of better access to meat. A single archaeological terrestrial/human pair does not demonstrate freshwater reservoir offset, as opposed to modern fish. For the first time, isotopic variations have been detected between the Afanasyevo humans from the Minusinsk Basin and Altai.