High†resolution compound†specific δ <sup>15</sup> N isotope dietary study of humans from the Scottish Mesolithic and Neolithic
Name
Archaeometry_-_2025_-_Martinoia_-_High_resolution_compound_specific__15N_isotope_dietary_study_of_humans_from_the_Scottish.pdf
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1.14 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
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Resource type
Journal article
Date published
April 24, 2025
Abstract
Numerous isotopic studies of Scottish Mesolithic and Neolithic diets suggest a shift from marine†based to terrestrial†based subsistence strategies. However, bulk collagen isotope analysis may overlook low†level marine food consumption. This study combines bulk collagen stable isotope data from four Neolithic sites (Quanterness, Rattar East, Ness of Brodgar, and Knap of Howar) with nitrogen compound†specific isotope analysis (CSIA†AA) from one Late Mesolithic and five Neolithic sites. CSIA†AA, applied here for the first time to Scottish material, reveals limited but detectable aquatic resource use by some Neolithic individuals in Orkney. These findings highlight the complexities in identifying marine contributions to diet and underscore the value of CSIA†AA in distinguishing direct marine consumption from other sources of elevated nitrogen isotope values, such as seaweed or animals with marine†influenced diets.
Funder
| Funder name | Awards |
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | 2021†03678 |
European Research Council | EP/Y023641/1 |
University of Aberdeen | |
Journal title
Archaeometry
Publisher
Wiley
ISSN
0003-813X
eISSN
1475-4754
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In Copyright
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Full text available via the official URL