Bioavailable Sr and Pb isotope ratios of archaeological cattle bone from coastal India

Abstract

We present the first measurement of bioavailable strontium (87Sr/86Sr) and lead (206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb) isotope ratios from five cattle bones and one soil sample from Erenda, a chalcolithic site in coastal east India. Bioavailable 87Sr/86Sr of bones differ from that of the soil. A similar Pb isotope ratios of bones to the soil indicates an insignificant diagenesis and local origin of the cattle. Our result suggests a potential influence of marine Sr in modifying the bioavailable 87Sr/86Sr ratio, although the current coastline is far from the site. The finding has implications in archaeological, geological, environmental and ecological research.