Soil microbiological properties in livestock corrals: An additional new line of evidence to identify livestock dung. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chernysheva, Elena; Korobov, Dmitry; Khomutova, Tatiana; Fornasier, Flavio; Borisov, Alexander
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 37(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Animal husbandry -- Soil microbiology -- Dung identification -- North Caucasus; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Research -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.103012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-409X

Abstract

Abstract: In the article we have attempted to expand the list of methods for identification of livestock dung produced by cattle kept in corrals at archaeological sites on the basis of an integrated approach combining soil microbiology and chemistry methods. A multidisciplinary study of soils in the stone corrals in the Kislovodsk basin (North Caucasus, Russia) was carried out. The time of corral creation was from first millennium BC to the first millennium AD. The study of soils from the corrals showed that the most informative microbiological indicators for identifying livestock keeping locations at archaeological sites are the activity of enzymes involved in the phosphorus cycle and the abundance of thermophilic microorganisms. A significant increase in the phosphate content can be observed in soils of corrals, especially in soils of the occupation layer; however, high enzyme activity and the abundance of thermophilic microorganisms are reliable indicators of cattle dung accumulation and may be used as indicators of ancient corrals. Highlights: Traces of ancient cattle corrals are preserved mainly in mountains and submountains regions. Chemical properties of soils from cattle corrals not differ significantly from occupation layers. Soils from pens can be distinguished from soils of ancient settlements by microbiological properties. Soils from cattle corrals are characterised by high enzyme activity and abundance of thermophilic microorganisms.