Palaeodietary Implications of Isotopic Variability in Eurasian Lacustrine Fish

• Published in: Journal of archaeological science Vol. 26; no. 6; pp. 617 - 627
• Main Authors: Dufour, Elise, Bocherens, Hervé, Mariotti, André
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.06.1999; Elsevier Science; Academic Press
• Subjects: BONE COLLAGEN; BONY FISH; CARBON AND NITROGEN ISOTOPES; EURASIA; Excavation and methods; FRESHWATER; Laboratory methods; Methodology and general studies; PALAEODIET; Physical and chemical analysis; Prehistory and protohistory; Europe; EURASIA; BONY FISH; FRESHWATER; BONE COLLAGEN; PALAEODIET; CARBON AND NITROGEN ISOTOPES; Chemical analysis; Diet; Isotopic relation; Collagen; Seasonality; Ethnology; Fish; Ichtyofauna; Bone; Daily life
• ISSN: 0305-4403; 1095-9238
• DOI: 10.1006/jasc.1998.0379

Isotopic measurements were performed on bone collagen of teleostean fish from three European lakes (Lake Geneva, Lake Constance and Lake Aiguebelette) and from Lake Baikal (Russia) in order to investigate the isotopic variability of freshwater fish and its consequences for the reconstruction of prehistoric human diet in Eurasia. δ13C and δ15N values of the same species (Coregonus lavaretus) sampled in all lakes, as well as those of different species from the same lake, emphasize the isotopic variability within and between lakes. Since freshwater resources have variable isotopic compositions which partially overlap with other potential food resources, it may be misleading to infer the use of freshwater resources in human diet directly from the isotopic composition preserved in consumer remains. Checking the compositions of archaeological remains from each site, or when this is not possible an investigation of the isotopic compositions of recent species from local environments, is recommended. Nevertheless, isotopic study could be a useful approach to trace exchanges of fish or population migrations.