Oxygen isotopes in Molluscan shell: Applications in environmental archaeology
Oxygen isotope geochemistry of Molluscan shell is an essential part of environmental archaeology and over the last decade has contributed significantly to the understanding of the past inhabitants of our planet. From the analysis of collected (and disposed of) shells we can gain information on envir...
Saved in:
Published in | Environmental archaeology : the journal of human palaeoecology Vol. 21; no. 3; pp. 295 - 306 |
---|---|
Main Authors | , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Routledge
01.09.2016
|
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
Cover
Loading…
Summary: | Oxygen isotope geochemistry of Molluscan shell is an essential part of environmental archaeology and over the last decade has contributed significantly to the understanding of the past inhabitants of our planet. From the analysis of collected (and disposed of) shells we can gain information on environmental data from the species assemblages and also from the shell chemistry. In particular, intra-seasonal information can be gained from shells by analysing the isotope composition of the shell from successive growth increments. Here, we describe some of the recent developments in the use of oxygen isotopes in environmental archaeology. In particular, we consider preservation and sampling and describe how δ
18
O can provide us with information on seasonal climate, season of collection as well as changes in global climate. |
---|---|
ISSN: | 1461-4103 1749-6314 |
DOI: | 10.1179/1749631414Y.0000000048 |