Vertical Transhumance Research Articles

Sequential δ13C and δ18O analyses of early Holocene bovid tooth enamel: Resolving vertical transhumance in Neolithic domesticated sheep and goats

Vertical transhumance is an important animal husbandry strategy that provides livestock with consistent access to pasture throughout the year and contributed to the intensification of sheep and goat husbandry in the Near East over 10,000years ago. Sequential carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotope analyses of teeth from domesticated sheep and goats dating to the early Neolithic (9200 to 8700calyrB.P.) from a region of strong local topographic relief in southern Jordan exhibit inverse cyclical isotopic variation characterized by the coincidence of high δ18O values with low δ13C values indicating ingestion of 13C-depleted plants during the summer season. This pattern is consistent with vertical transhumance of caprines moving from low-elevation C3/C4 Irano-Turanian pastures to higher-elevation Mediterranean C3 pastures during the summer, but other seasonally directed animal husbandry strategies involving amendment of livestock diets generate a similar isotopic outcome. Caprine δ18O values referenced against the oxygen isotope ratios of contemporaneous obligate drinking cattle and non-obligate drinking mountain gazelle, bovids with limited home ranges, help distinguish the influence of meteoric water, 18O-enriched leaf water, and movement on the oxygen isotopic composition of sheep and goat tooth enamel. This approach assists in independent validation of vertical transhumance hypothesized for inverse cyclical variation in sequential δ13C and δ18O values and, also, decouples seasonal foddering from mobility in the carbon isotopic dietary record. The isotopic data presented here reveal that complex sheep and goat husbandry systems involving vertical transhumance, stationary flock-keeping, and winter foddering were in place by the late tenth millennium cal y.r. B.P. east of the Jordan Valley.

Vertical transhumance of sheep and goats identified by intra-tooth sequential carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotopic analyses: Evidence from Chalcolithic Köşk Höyük, central Turkey

Vertical transhumance of sheep and goats identified by intra-tooth sequential carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotopic analyses: Evidence from Chalcolithic Köşk Höyük, central Turkey

Dendrochronology and radiocarbon dating of subfossil conifer logs from a peat bog, Maramureş Mts, Romania

Fifty-six subfossil samples, dominantly Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), have been collected between 2010 and 2014 from a peat bog located on the Vinderel Plateau, Farcău Massif, Maramureş Mountains (Romania). Seven floating chronologies have been developed. The longest floating chronology contains 259 years while the shortest one spans 56 years. The oldest and youngest ages obtained from six of the radiocarbon dated samples are 1717 ± 19 14C BP (255–388 cal AD) and 1039 ± 16 14C BP (985–1023 cal AD), respectively.The floating chronologies provide incomplete coverage of the c. 200 to 1326 AD period. These floating chronologies, supported with 14C dates, provide a crucial step towards the production of an Eastern Carpathians composite coniferous chronology.The lack of trunk accumulation after the early-14th century suggests the disappearance of trees from the proximity of the site. It closely follows the sharp increase of grazing indicator pollens in the region around the late-13th century. Conjunctly, this evidence points to a substantial landscape/land use change from forest to pasture during the 13th century which probably indicates the beginning of the typical traditional vertical transhumance which became a characteristic livestock management in the Maramureş region over the past centuries.

Perceived changes in climatic variables and impacts on the transhumance system in the Himalayas

Indigenous people whose subsistence livelihoods depend upon the direct utilization of natural resources are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and can yet be unaware of actual and possible change. Changes in seasonality, temperatures and rainfall could undermine traditional systems built in group's experience. In one such system in the Himalayas, some herders practice vertical transhumance whereby they ascend in stages to high-altitude rangelands for summer and similarly descend in winter. Climate change models have predicted warming in the Himalayan region but there is no information on whether or not herders are aware of any changes. For this study, temperature and rainfall data for the nearest stations were collected and analysed, 145 transhumant herders were interviewed and 6 focus group discussions were conducted in or near 3 mountainous Protected Areas of Nepal. Perceptions of herders corresponded with the trends of climatic variables but with some exceptions. The majority of transhumant herders reported early onset of summer and rapid melting of snow, early greening, early flowering/maturing of vegetation and the appearance of new plant species in the rangelands. They also reported reduced water availability, an increase in the number of droughts and the appearance of new livestock diseases. Findings suggest that the perceptions of local people towards changes in key climatic variables and other bio-physical indicators are useful in advancing understanding of climate change in remote mountainous areas.

Animal husbandry during Early and High Middle Ages in the Basque Country (Spain)

This work presents a preliminary approach to the characterization of animal husbandry practices in the province of Álava (Basque Country) and Treviño (Burgos, Castilla y León) during Early and High Middle Ages. The faunal remains recovered at the rural sites of Aistra (6th–12th c.), Zornoztegi (4th–12th c.), Zaballa (8th–13th c.), Dulantzi (5th–7th c.) and the castle of Treviño (10th–11th c.) were analysed. The zooarchaeological analysis, based on taxonomic identification, biometry and the study of the kill-off patterns, was integrated with carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis performed on collagen extracted from fauna bones. Results indicate sedentary animal husbandry integrated with intensive agriculture. Other bioarchaeological and palaeoenvironmental records were also considered in the interpretation, suggesting short distance vertical transhumance. Important transformations of the husbandry patterns throughout the Middle Ages, which can be related to socioeconomic changes and modifications of the landscape, were also verified.

Climate Change and Indigenous People: Perceptions of Transhumant Herders and Implications to the Transhumance System in the Himalayas

Climate change poses differential vulnerability for different communities, sectors and regions. People, whose subsistence livelihood is based on the direct utilisation of natural resources are most affected by climate change and have different but accurate perceptions of climate change than those people following modern lifestyles. The herders of the higher Himalayas follow vertical transhumance and combine it with subsistence agriculture for their livelihood. Although, climate models have predicted pronounced warming in high altitude areas of the Himalayas and there are many indications that climate change impacts different aspects of transhumance, there is no information on how transhumant herders have perceived change in climate and how these changes might impact transhumance system. One hundred and forty five transhumant herders were interviewed from three Village Development Committees (VDCs) namely Khumjung in Solukhumbu, Kalinchok in Dolakhaand Majhigaun in Bajhang; representing Eastern, Central and far-Western mountainous areas of Nepal respectively to explore their perceptions about climate change and other observed changes in biophysical indicators. About 80% of the herders perceived increasing summer temperature, 92% decreasing winter rainfall and more than 93% noticed decreasing snowfall. Majority of the herders agreed that there was fast melting of snow in the rangelands, rainfall events were becoming more and more unpredictable, drought events increased, there was early induce in greenery and maturity of grasses in the rangelands and appearance of new livestock diseases. These observations suggest that transhumant herders in the Himalayas have experienced change in climatic variables and have noticed change in bio-physical indicators that have implications to the transhumance system. The findings help to devise adaptation strategies for indigenous communities and incorporate them in the climate change policies in the Himalayas.

The Grey Goat of Lanzo Valleys (Fiurinà): Breed characteristics, genetic diversity, and quantitative-qualitative milk traits

The aim of this study was to provide an overview on breed's characteristics of a small dairy goat population recently identified in the Piedmont region (NW Italy): the Grey Goat of Lanzo Valleys. This goat, locally named Fiurinà, is composed of about 150 heads. Increasing knowledge on threatened breeds is an effective tool to develop conservation programs aiming at preserving loss of genetic resources, economically valorizing animal-derived food products, maintaining traditions and cultural values, as well as appropriately managing native habitats. Data and samples were collected in 15 representative farms to obtain information on geographical distribution, breeding systems, morphometric measures, and genetic diversity. Milk traits, including fatty acids profile and caseins polymorphism, were also investigated. The prevalent breeding system is extensive or semi-extensive, mostly with vertical transhumance from lowland to alpine pastures during the grazing season. The breed is characterized by a peculiar color of the fleece (mixture of white, grey and black course outer hairs with brown under-down) from which the local name “Fiurinà” (=speckled) derives. The breed is of medium size, with a quite high frequency of well-developed and turned backward horns. More than 80% of does have pear-shaped udder, typical of goats, with cylindrical teats directed downward. The microsatellite analysis pointed out significant distances between Fiurinà and other goat breeds reared in the same area. Consequently, Fiurinà has to be considered as a unique breed. Although highly variable, quite appreciable milk yields were observed. Considering milk gross composition and fatty acids profile, Fiurinà goat showed comparable results to other local breeds reared in alpine environment and mainly fed with fresh and conserved forages. A remarkable amount of α-linolenic acid (0.82g100g−1fat) was detected. The breed is also characterized by an interesting and wide variability in the casein cluster, with some haplotypes (i.e., A-C-F-C′, E-A-C-B, F-C1-F-C′) detected only in Fiurinà, confirming the genetic uniqueness of the breed. The balanced frequency of medium-strong and weak-null CSN1S1 alleles could be exploited for different breeding strategies.

Agro-pastoralism and vertical transhumance at the time of the Neolithic Alpine Iceman “Ötzi”

Agro-pastoralism and vertical transhumance at the time of the Neolithic Alpine Iceman “Ötzi”

Tracing Ancient 'Nomads': Isotopic Research on the Origins of Vertical 'Transhumance' in the Zagros Region

Introduction Sheep/goat pastoralism is a constant and dominant feature of traditional societies in the Middle East, both sedentary and nomadic. The present paper addresses the development of pastoralism in the latter context. Several studies by anthropologists document systems of herd management and territorial organisation among nomadic groups in Iran (e.g., Barth 1961; Irons 1972; Amanolahi-Baharvand 1975; Digard 1981; Black-Michaud 1986; Papoli Yazdi 1991). Further studies providing a theoretical base for reflection on the subject and discussing the variability inherent in this way of life are those of de Planhol (1965), Sunderland (1968), Dyson-Hudson (1972), Salzman (1972); Dyson-Hudson and Dyson-Hudson (1980), Khazanov (1984) and Galatay & Johnson (1990). All of those point to the difficulty of defining and classifying nomadism and pastoralism. For the sake of clarity I shall define pastoral nomadism as the association of man and herd in a pattern of cyclic mobility that is linked to the search for food for the herd, in the form of pastures in view to securing in its turn a constant and/or conservable human source of food, especially a protein, and in addition other by-products, such as wool. This way of life emerged in a geographical and ecological framework marked by the conjunction of two interrelated factors: seasonal aridity and humidity of varying degrees, associated with the territorial use of highlands and lowlands. A major consequence of this system was the elaboration of appropriate strategies of territorial management which implicitly led to the intricate formation of technical adaptations and social relationships. Since the most important capital of nomads is herds, specific herding strategies are required to ensure productivity in different environmental and social contexts. With the impetus given by Braidwood and his project on the origins of agriculture in the Fertile Crescent (Hole and Flannery 1967; Hole et al. 1969; Mortensen 1972; Lees and Bates 1974; Gilbert 1975; Wright et al. 1975; Zagarell 1975, see also for an overview Young 1987 and Sumner 1994), archaeologists have been interested in documenting the pastoral mode of ecological adaptation in the Zagros. Henry Wright and Kent Flannery were amongst those who, on the basis of regional excavations in southern Iran (Dehloran valley), characterised seasonal campsites as a pattern of settlement (Wright et al. 1975; Hole 1980 and 1987b). But as Hole (1987a: 24) himself underlines: 'Unfortunately despite the fact that most highland regions were probably occupied by transhumant people, there is little to say about interaction, except to mention the possibility, for there are few sites or data to shed light over any presumed relations.' Zagarell (1975) investigated this issue of interactions in the Bakhtiari region in 1974 and suggested the possibility of interaction between herding societies (pastoral nomads) and cultivators (sedentary societies) at the end of the Neolithic. Questioning the origins of specialised transhumant pastoralism in the Zagros highlands, Heurickson (1985) proposed the Chalcolithic period as a starting point, based on the spatial distribution of sites according to the topography and other environmental factors, regional demographic analysis, and characterisation of the type of settlement by structural analysis of all types of archaeological remains (pottery styles, etc.). Differences of opinion among archaeologists over the chronology of this event in the Zagros region and difficulties in identifying the phenomenon have stimulated the present research? This study aims first, to develop the appropriate methodological tools to deal with the problem of cyclic movement and then to contribute in documenting the question in the Zagros region which is critical for prehistoric studies. The project is a pilot research programme on the origins of vertical transhumance in the Middle East through stable isotope analyses ([sup. …