Osteological and stable isotope (δ13C and δ15N) analysis of faunal remains from Khami, Zimbabwe

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis paper presents distribution patterns and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope measurements of recently excavated faunal remains from two middens at Khami, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Zimbabwe. The middens are dated to c. AD 1475–1650. The results of the analysis indicate that food practices may have differed between high- and low-lying areas of the site, as reflected in the two excavated contexts studied here. δ13C values of serial samples of tooth dentine show that cattle and wild grazers consumed C4 grasses year-round. The availability of rich natural grazing would have been a considerable attraction to the builders of the site.