Zooarchaeology and Isotopes

Zooarchaeology

Zooarchaeology is the study of faunal remains. It aims at understanding aspects of past human-animal interaction. Using osteoarchaeological and isotopic analyses of dental enamel (δ18O, 87Sr/86Sr), our research purpose is to characterize the past composition of flocks and management practices along a large altitudinal gradient. Isotopic analyses will allow to investigate seasonality and season of birth of sheep and cattle and the movements of flocks and herds, including patterns of transhumance.

Traditional zooarchaeological study

The protocol consists in a classical multifactorial archaeozoological approach. The protocol consists in a classical multifactorial archaeozoological approach. In order to address the demography of animal populations and establish mortality profiles on livestock, the age of death of individuals is estimated from the teeth. This technique will also enable a better understanding of the seasonality of the species consumed. The "consumption" section will be addressed through the systematic examination of bones cortical surfaces. This exhaustive tracological study will be conducted in order to determine the processing of carcass. Taphonomical analysis will be carried out to determine the representativeness of the various assemblages s and to discuss the conditions of burial or even food waste management. Finally, aiming to apprehend the potential diversity of morphotypes, to highlight major trends in the temporal/spatial variation of body sizes and to understand livestock management, a fundamental step consists in carrying out reasoned odontometric and osteological analyses. Dianne Unsain started as Assistant Researcher (funded by A*MIDEX) for this work-package in february 2020.

Enamel isotopic analyses

The isotopic composition of tooth enamel is directly related to environment and diet during formation.The strontium isotope ratio (87Sr/86Sr) of herbivore enamel is directly related to the 87Sr/86Sr ratio of ingested plants derived from soils. The Sr isotopic ratio varies in different geological formations according to the age and original rubidium (Rb) content of the bedrock (Bentley, 2006). Thus, seasonal mobility on distinct geological regions can be tracked by sequential-sampling along the tooth crown.


Juliette Knockaert started as the post-doc' for this work-package in January 2018.