Stable isotope palaeodietary analysis of the Early Bronze Age Afanasyevo Culture in the Altai Mountains, Southern Siberia

Abstract

This study represents the first stable isotope (δ13С, δ15N and δ34S) palaeodietary data and AMS radiocarbon dates for Early Bronze Age humans and fauna (n=24), and two modern fish from the Altai Mountains, Southern Siberia. The results show that the diet of the population was mainly C3-based with heavy reliance on animal protein. Within the population, males are overall higher in δ15N values which could be the result of better access to higher-trophic level foods, such as meat. Another important observation is that comparison of the results with the previous data for the Afanasyevo population from the Minusinsk Basin (Southern Siberia) suggests a difference in the amount of fish in the diet, with the Altai population virtually not using this food source. Modern fish (data from previous research) demonstrates a strong freshwater reservoir offset, although a human sample from a single archaeological terrestrial/human pair analysed does not appear to be affected. No significant offsets were detected between δ34S values of archaeological humans and herbivores, and modern fish.