Carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes of bone collagen of large herbivores from the Late Pleistocene Kiputz IX cave site (Gipuzkoa, north Iberian Peninsula) for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction

Abstract

The Kiputz IX site records climatic variations during the Late Pleistocene since it represents a continuous time interval record (ca. 25–13 ka cal BP). Carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes from the bone collagen of herbivores (Rangifer tarandus, Cervus elaphus, and Bison priscus) were analysed to establish environmental and climatic conditions in the northern Iberian Peninsula. Faunal distribution over time represents a response to climatic variations, showing inverse patterns with reindeer and bison profusion during cold periods and red deer abundance during warmer times. The increase in reindeer δ15N values during stadial GS-2 appears to be greater in magnitude than in continental Europe and reflects drier, warmer climatic conditions. The δ13C values of red deer suggest more humid environmental conditions south of the Pyrenees. During interstadial GS-1 the climatic conditions of southern Pyrenees appear to be analogous to that of northern Pyrenees regions.