In:
Scientific Reports, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, Vol. 10, No. 1 ( 2020-05-22)
Abstract:
The prehistory of the Mediterranean region has long been a subject of considerable interest, particularly the links between human groups and regions of origin. We utilize the spatial variation in the δ 2 H and δ 18 O values of precipitation (isoscapes) to develop proxies for geographic locations of fauna and humans. Bone collagen hydrogen isotope ratios (δ 2 H) in cattle (and to a lesser extent, ovicaprids) across the Mediterranean reflect the isotopic differences observed in rainfall (but δ 18 O values do not). We conclude that δ 2 H in herbivore bone collagen can be used as a geolocation tracer and for palaeoenvironmental studies such as tracing past isotopic variations in the global hydrological cycle. In contrast, human bone δ 2 H values are relatively tightly grouped and highly distinct from precipitation δ 2 H values, likely due to human-specific food practices and environmental modifications. Given the inter-species variability in δ 2 H, care should be taken in the species selected for study.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2045-2322
DOI:
10.1038/s41598-020-65407-0
Language:
English
Publisher:
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Publication Date:
2020
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2615211-3
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