References

nsc

Archaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of Eurasia

Археология, этнография и антропология Евразии

1563-0110

IAET SB RAS

nsc-197

Research Article

PALEOENVIRONMENT. THE STONE AGE

ПАЛЕОЭКОЛОГИЯ. КАМЕННЫЙ ВЕК

Stable Isotope Analysis: Outline of Methodology, and a Review of Studies in Siberia and the Eurasian Steppe

Анализ стабильных изотопов: основы метода и обзор исследований в Сибири и Евразийской степи

Святко

С. В.

Svyatko

S. V.

s.svyatko@qub.ac.uk

Центр по изучению климата, окружающей среды и хронологии (14CHRONO) Королевского университета Белфаста, Соединенное Королевство Великобритании и Северной Ирландии 14CHRONO Centre for Climate, the Environment, and Chronology, Queen’s University Belfast Belfast, BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland, United KingdomРоссия14CHRONO Centre for Climate, the Environment, and Chronology, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland, United KingdomRussian Federation

2016

02072016

4424755

2016

Святко С.В.

Svyatko S.V.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://journal.archaeology.nsc.ru/jour/article/view/197

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis is one of the main techniques for assessing various aspects of life of the prehistoric populations including diet and economy. Here, we present the theoretical background of the method, and review the major stable isotope paleodietary studies relating to the Eurasian steppe and available by the end of 2013. Existing data show that the diet of various Chalcolithic to Early Iron Age populations in the region varied in time and space and included substantial amounts of fi sh. Variations in diet and economy between groups associated with the same archaeological culture were likely caused by adaptations to local environments and climates. Millet appeared in the area (in the Minusinsk Basin) only in the 14th century BC. The Minusinsk Basin thereby became one of the fi rst centres of millet cultivation in Siberia. The impact of climate, specifi cally precipitation, on the isotopic values of human bone tissue has also been recorded. Although studies of ancient Siberian and Eurasian steppe groups are numerous, paleodietary research using stable isotope analysis is still at the data acquisition stage. One of the main criteria of modern research in the region is a systematic and well-designed approach to the isotopic analysis of various archaeological populations. This analysis must include not only human bone samples, but also those relating to all potential dietary components such as terrestrial and aquatic animals as well as samples of associated plants.

Анализ стабильных изотопов азота и углерода – один из современных методов изучения различных аспектов жизни древних популяций, включая диету и экономику. В статье изложены методические основы анализа, а также дан обзор палеодиетарных исследований с его применением в Сибири и Евразийской степи по состоянию на конец 2013 г. По имеющимся данным, диета различных популяций энеолита – раннего железного века на этой территории менялась как во времени, так и в пространстве, но всегда включала достаточно большое количество рыбы. Различия в диете (и, соответственно, в хозяйственном укладе) между разными группами носителей одной и той же культуры были связаны с их попытками адаптироваться к конкретным условиям окружающей среды. Отмечено сильное влияние климатических факторов (изменения влажности) на изотопные показатели. Просо появилось лишь в XIV в. до н.э. в Минусинской котловине; таким образом, Южная Сибирь, поидимому, стала одним из первых центров его распространения в Сибирском регионе. Несмотря на относительно большое количество работ, палеодиетарные исследования с применением изотопного анализа в Сибири и Евразийской степи находятся на этапе накопления данных. Одним из важнейших критериев этих исследований является систематический подход, включающий изотопный анализ костных остатков не только людей, но и всех потенциальных составляющих диеты – наземных и водных животных, а также образцов растений (т.н. фоновых образцов).

анализ стабильных изотоповЕвразийская степьСибирьпалеодиета

Stable isotope analysisEurasian steppeSiberiapaleodiet

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The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest present.