Comparison of isotopic variability in proteinaceous tissues of a domesticated herbivore: a baseline for zooarchaeological investigation

Abstract

This dataset provides a baseline measure of variability and comparability for isotopic investigations into origin and husbandry conditions in archaeological sheep tissues, both collagen and keratin.

Geographical variability in northern European sheep wool isotopic composition (δ13C, δ15N, δ2H values)

“…The total range in δ 13 C values for wool obtained for all flocks was –27.6 to –25.0‰ (median –26.2‰) (Fig. ), values within the previously reported range for sheep/lamb wool and meat from northwest Europe . Differences in carbon isotopic variation were observed between flocks, with the lowest flock range (0.4‰) at Gustavsfors/SE and Ruhnu/EE, and the largest (1.4‰) at Tollesbury/GB.…”

“…All wool keratin exhibited C:N atom ratios between 3.4 and 3.6. These values are within the accepted range for modern sheep wool …”

“…The δ 13 C and δ 15 N data for Penicuik/GB has been published elsewhere . The δ 2 H data in this study derives from new analyses and are not the same as previously published.…”

“…Basic information was collected about each animal (breed, sex, age category, ewes lambed or empty during the year of hair growth, time since last shear). From each sample, 0.5 g raw wool were washed using polar and organic solvents to remove lipids and dirt. Samples were freeze‐dried, ground using a ball mill (Retsch MM200, Haan, Germany) and stored in a desiccator.…”

Complexities of nitrogen isotope biogeochemistry in plant-soil systems: implications for the study of ancient agricultural and animal management practices

“…In many regions, particularly in Europe, where the production of particular kinds of meats, cheeses, and other animal products is regulated and occurs on relatively small or at least non-industrial scales, there is potential to investigate a wide-variety of animal management strategies that have been maintained over long periods of time. Certainly isotopic analysis have already been used extensively in attempts to verify the geographic origin of particular animal products (reviewed by Gonzalvez et al, 2009), but more directed efforts should also be made to assess the consequences of different management techniques on animal tissue (and potentially plant tissue) isotopic compositions (Von Holstein et al, 2013). …”