| Palaeoenvironmental modelling of δ(13) C and δ(15) N values in the North Atlantic Islands: understanding past marine resource use. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 22976206 Owner: NLM Status: In-Data-Review |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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RATIONALE: Carbon (δ(13) C) and nitrogen (δ(15) N) analysis has been extensively used to investigate the importance of marine foods in the diet of archaeological populations in the North Atlantic Islands; however, few faunal studies exist to aid the interpretation of results. Palaeoenvironmental modelling of δ(13) C and δ(15) N values is crucial in determining whether changes in the stable isotope values are a result of dietary change, rather than temporal or geographical fluctuations in carbon and nitrogen. Investigating faunal dietary behaviour can provide an insight into past foddering and land management strategies. METHODS: Detailed sampling of wild and domestic species for bulk collagen analysis was undertaken in order to characterise geographical variations in δ(13) C and δ(15) N values in the Outer Hebrides and Orkney. Samples from the Neolithic to the Norse period were analysed to assess temporal and geographical variations in δ(13) C and δ(15) N values, in addition to determining the contribution of marine foods to the diet of local fauna. RESULTS: A δ(15) N shift of 1‰ was observed between the Outer Hebrides and Orkney in the Neolithic and Iron Age. A geographical variation in δ(13) C values was observed in the Norse period between Orkney and the Outer Hebrides. Temporal fluctuations in δ(13) C and δ(15) N values demonstrate variations in foddering practices of sheep in the Outer Hebrides. Pig specimens from the Outer Hebrides demonstrated evidence of marine food consumption in the Iron Age. CONCLUSIONS: Faunal dietary behaviour can act as a vital indicator of the importance of marine resources in the past. Characterisation of faunal δ(13) C and δ(15) N values geographically and temporally is crucial in our interpretation of human dietary behaviour. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
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Authors:
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J R Jones; J A Mulville; R A R McGill; R P Evershed |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM Volume: 26 ISSN: 1097-0231 ISO Abbreviation: Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. Publication Date: 2012 Oct |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2012-09-14 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8802365 Medline TA: Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 2399-406 Citation Subset: IM |
Copyright Information:
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Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
Affiliation:
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School of History, Archaeology and Religion, Cardiff University, Humanities Building, Colum Drive, Cardiff, CF10 3EU, UK. |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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