Recent genetic, isotopic and linguistic research has dramatically changed our understanding of ho... more Recent genetic, isotopic and linguistic research has dramatically changed our understanding of how the Corded Ware Culture in Europe was formed. Here the authors explain it in terms of local adaptations and interactions between migrant Yamnaya people from the Pontic-Caspian steppe and indigenous North European Neolithic cultures. The original herding economy of the Yamnaya migrants gradually gave way to new practices of crop cultivation, which led to the adoption of new words for those crops. The result of this hybridisation process was the formation of a new material culture, the Corded Ware Culture, and of a new dialect, Proto-Germanic. Despite a degree of hostility between expanding Corded Ware groups and indigenous Neolithic groups, stable isotope data suggest that exogamy provided a mechanism facilitating their integration.
ABSTRACT
Since the mid 1990s the National Museum of Denmark and Museum Vestsjælland have conducte... more ABSTRACT Since the mid 1990s the National Museum of Denmark and Museum Vestsjælland have conducted excavations on two royal residential complexes from late Germanic Iron Age and Viking Age. During the excavations a range of samples were collected for macrofossil analysis. In two of these samples two seeds of vine grapes dated to the late Germanic Iron Age and the Viking Age were discovered. So far they are the oldest grape seeds discovered in the present Danish area.
One of the seeds was chosen for strontium isotope analysis in order to determine the provenance of the grape. The strontium isotopic composition of the grape seed yielded a 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.71091 (±0.00004; 2σ) which falls within Denmark’s strontium isotopic baseline range indicating that the seed could be of local origin.
Archaeological and historical evidence seem to point to that people in the Iron and Viking Age knew and consumed wine and even had access to gain potential know-how related to wine production. Hence, even though it is not possible to determine whether the two seeds found at Tissø are a result of either grape consumption (fresh or dried) or used for wine production, these finds point to that grapes and probably wine were products consumed by the elite at Tissø.
Historical documents record the operation of a silver mine from the 16th century AD located near ... more Historical documents record the operation of a silver mine from the 16th century AD located near the former village of Salberget in central Sweden. The historical record describes several categories of inhabitants , including local families, workers and miners, foreign engineers and mining specialists, as well as war captives and criminals used as forced labor in the mines. A church yard in the vicinity of the village served as a burial ground. Archaeological evidence indicates two distinct grave types (coffin and earthen) and physical anthropology documents differences in age and sex between these grave types, as well as harsh conditions of life. Strontium and oxygen isotopes have been used previously to investigate the place of origin of the cemetery inhabitants and clear differences among the types of graves were seen in the isotope results. Place of origin was more difficult to ascertain however. Here we utilize lead isotopes as an additional isotopic tracer to identify origins. The lead isotope investigations pinpoint several areas outside of the Sala region where some of the inhabitants originated. In addition, the study documents the benefits of using lead isotopes in human proveniencing studies.
10 Bronzealderen, " Europas første guldalder " , var praeget af store tekniske, økonomiske og soc... more 10 Bronzealderen, " Europas første guldalder " , var praeget af store tekniske, økonomiske og sociale forandringer staerkt stimuleret af langdistanceforbindelser. I et forskningsprojekt finansieret af Carlsbergfondet har strontiumisotopanalyser af Egtvedpigen for nylig leveret det første sikre eksempel på et forhistorisk menneske, som har rejst over meget store afstande. Denne indsigt rejser flere nye spørgsmål: Er Egtvedpigen et enkelt stående tilfaelde, eller har bronzealderens elitekvinder generelt haft et liv praeget af stor mobilitet og i bekraeftende fald, hvilken rolle har de haft i de datidige udvekslingsnetvaerk?
Migrations and population dynamics are considered very problematic topics in the fields of ancien... more Migrations and population dynamics are considered very problematic topics in the fields of ancient studies. Recent scholarship in (pre)historical population has generated new impulses by using scientific approaches using radiogenic and stable isotopes, and palaeogenetics, as well as computer simulation. As a result, the state of migration research has undergone rapid change. Several research groups presented papers at a conference held in Berlin in 2010, addressing specific historical aspects of population dynamics and migration, with no chronological or geographical restrictions, in the light of cutting-edge bio-archaeological research. This volume, divided into three larger thematic sections (isotope analysis, population genetics, and modelling and computer simulation), presents experiences and insights about methodological approaches, research results and prospects for future research in this area in a varied collection of papers. Scholars from widely diverse scientific disciplines present their approaches, findings and interpretations to an audience far broader than the circles of the individual disciplines
Das Grab aus Kruszyn, 2009 in Kujawien entdeckt, rechnet zu einer kleinen Regionalgruppe der Schn... more Das Grab aus Kruszyn, 2009 in Kujawien entdeckt, rechnet zu einer kleinen Regionalgruppe der Schnurkeramik. Es zeichnet sich durch einen verhältnismäßig guten Erhaltungszustand und untypisch zahlreiche,aus Knochen und Geweih gefertigte Werkzeugbeigaben aus. Die aufgedeckten sterblichen Überreste wurden anthropologisch und isotopisch analysiert (14C, δ13C, δ15N, 87Sr/86Sr, δ18O), organische Reste archäozoologisch und trassologisch untersucht wie auch Sedimentproben aus dem Umfeld der Bestattung studiert. Der Befund datiert in die 2. Hälfte des 3. Jahrtausends v. Chr. und weist im Hinblick auf seine Grabkonstruktion Ähnlichkeiten mit mitteleuropäischen, frühen schnurkeramischen Hügelgräbern auf. Bestattet wurde hier ein älterer Mann nicht einheimischer Herkunft, der sich zu Lebzeiten wahrscheinlich mit der Verarbeitung von Leder beschäf tigt hatte, wovon Spuren an ihm beigegebenen Werkzeugen aus Wildtierknochen zeugen. Im Grab konnten außerdem Rinderknochen und ein für spätneolithische Siedlungen jener Kultur typisches Gefäß entdeckt werden. La tombe de Kruszyn, découverte en 2009 dans la région de Cujavie, fait partie d’un petit groupe régional de la culture à céramique cordée. Elle est relativement bien conservée et se distingue par un riche assemblage d’outils, fabriqués en os et en cornes. Des analyses anthropologiques et des investigations isotope (14C, δ13C, δ15N, 87Sr/86Sr, δ18O) ont été menées sur les débris humains, les vestiges en matières organiques ont été examinés en appliquant les méthodes archéozoologiques et l’analyse fonctionnelle. On a aussi analysé les échantillons des sédiments de l’entourage de la tombe. La tombe date de la première moitié du IIIe millénaire av. J.-C. Pour ce qui est de sa construction, elle ressemble le plus aux tumuli d’Europe centrale du début de la culture à céramique cordée. Cette sépulture appartenait à un homme âgé qui n’était pas originaire de la Cujavie et qui, probablement, travaillait le cuir: les traces laissées sur les outils en os retrouvés auprès de lui en constituent la preuve. Ils ont été fabriqués avec des matières d’origine animale sauvage. Dans la tombe, on a aussi découvert des os de vache ainsi qu’une marmite typique pour les sites de peuplement du Néolithique final. Excavated in 2009, the barrow from Kruszyn (the Kujawy region) is related to a small regional group of the Corded Ware culture. Noteworthy is a fairly good state of its preservation and a remarkably numerous assemblage of tools made of bone and antler. Unearthed human remains were anthropologically studied and examined isotopically (14C, δ13C, δ15N, 87Sr/86Sr, δ18O), while artefacts made of organic material were subject to archaeozoological and use wear analyses. Samples of sediments surrounding the grave were also investigated. The grave dates back to the first half of the third millennium BC and in terms of its construction bears the closest resemblance to the Central European early Corded Ware barrows. It was a burial of a non-local elderly man, probably engaged in hide working in life, as evidenced by traces on the tools deposited with him in the grave and made from bones of wild animals. The grave yielded also cow bones and a pot typical for the late Neolithic settlement sites. Grób z Kruszyna, odkryty w 2009 r. na Kujawach, należy do niewielkiej regionalnej grupy kultury ceramiki sznurowej. Wyróżnia się on stosunkowo dobrym stanem zachowania oraz nietypowo licznym zbiorem narzędzi wykonanych z kości i poroża. Szczątki ludzkie poddano analizom antropologicznym i izotopowym (14C, δ13C, δ15N, 87Sr/86Sr, δ18O), dla zabytków z surowców organicznych wykonano badania archeozoologiczne i traseologiczne, przebadano również próbki osadów z otoczenia grobu. Grób pochodzi z 1. poł. 3 tys. przed Chr. i pod względem konstrukcyjnym wykazuje najbliższe podobieństwo do środkowoeuropejskich kurhanów wczesnosznurowych. Pochówek należał do starszego mężczyzny, pochodzącego spoza Kujaw, który najprawdopodobniej zajmował się obróbką skór, o czym świadczą ślady na znalezionych przy nim narzędziach. Wykonano je z surowców pochodzących od zwierząt dzikich. W grobie odkryto również kości krowy oraz garnek typowy dla późnoneolitycznych stanowisk osadowych.
ABSTRACT Walrus-tusk ivory and walrus-hide rope were highly desired goods in Viking Age north-wes... more ABSTRACT Walrus-tusk ivory and walrus-hide rope were highly desired goods in Viking Age north-west Europe. New finds of walrus bone and ivory in early Viking Age contexts in Iceland are concentrated in the south-west, and suggest extensive exploitation of nearby walrus for meat, hide and ivory during the first century of settlement. In Greenland, archaeofauna suggest a very different specialized long-distance hunting of the much larger walrus populations in the Disko Bay area that brought mainly ivory to the settlement areas and eventually to European markets. New lead isotopic analysis of archaeological walrus ivory and bone from Greenland and Iceland offers a tool for identifying possible source regions of walrus ivory during the early Middle Ages. This opens possibilities for assessing the development and relative importance of hunting grounds from the point of view of exported products.
oped for dyed (by organic dyestuffs) wool threads from ancient textiles. The outcome of these two... more oped for dyed (by organic dyestuffs) wool threads from ancient textiles. The outcome of these two particular studies revealed both the potential of these novel methodologies for retrieving the original Sr isotope signature of the raw material wool, and their limitations.
Migration and trade are issues important to the understanding of ancient cultures. There are many... more Migration and trade are issues important to the understanding of ancient cultures. There are many ways in which these topics can be investigated. This article provides an overview of a method based on an archaeological scientific methodology developed to address human and animal mobility in prehistory, the so-called strontium isotope tracing system. Recently, new research has enabled this methodology to be further developed so as to be able to apply it to archaeological textile remains and thus to address issues of textile trade.In the following section, a brief introduction to strontium isotopes in archaeology is presented followed by a state-of-the-art summary of the construction of a baseline to characterize Denmark’s bioavailable strontium isotope range. The creation of such baselines is a prerequisite to the application of the strontium isotope system for provenance studies, as they define the local range and thus provide the necessary background to potentially identify individ...
New Approaches Using Stable Isotopes and Genetics, 2012
The use of isotopes in tooth enamel for investigating place of origin for archaeological human re... more The use of isotopes in tooth enamel for investigating place of origin for archaeological human remains is becoming common practice. Too often, however, only a few samples are analyzed and little work is done to establish baseline information. An argument for large samples is made in the discussion here, pointing to the presence of substantial variation in human populations due to both migration and dietary differences. The need to determine local isotope ratios is highlighted by the differences that may exist between naturally available isotope ratios in rock, sediments, and surface water and bioavailable isotope ratios found in living and fossil organisms. The use of multi-isotope approaches is also strongly encouraged. Two examples demonstrate the importance of these recommendations. In the first example described in this study, carbon isotopes in both enamel and collagen provide important ancillary information. The arrival of Spanish and African settlers in Campeche, Mexico in the 16 th century AD left new isotopic and dietary signals in the cemeteries of the early colonial town. The colonization of Iceland in the 9 th century AD brought settlers from northern Europe to the unoccupied islands of the North Atlantic. Dramatic isotopic contrasts in this region enhance our ability to understand population variation. These projects were largely successful because of large sample size, good baseline data, and the use of more than one isotopic system.
Bornholm is a Danish island almost in the center of the southern Baltic Sea. The strategic locati... more Bornholm is a Danish island almost in the center of the southern Baltic Sea. The strategic location of the island, its rich archeology, and its complex geology make it an intriguing location for the isotopic study of past human mobility. The focus of this study is on the large cemetery of Ndr. Grødbygård in the southern part of the island, which dates to the eleventh century AD and contains 553 individuals in 516 graves. The majority of the burials were in a supine position oriented westeast, with the heads to the west, following the tradition of that time. In contrast to the Christian traditions, however, the graves at Grødbygård were richly equipped by Scandinavian standards and some of the burial practices more closely resembled those from the Western Slavic region of the south (present day northeastern Germany and Poland). We have used isotopic analyses to examine the external relations and potential places of origin of the inhabitants of the cemetery. Strontium and oxygen isotope ratios in human tooth enamel provide a signature of place of origin and can be compared to the ratios of the place of burial to determine local or non-local origins. In the case of Bornholm, the local geology is quite complex, with a variety of rocks of different age and composition, resulting in a wide range of strontium isotope sources on the island, complicating the issue of identifying migrants. At the same time, Grødbygård provides an important example of the application of such methods in less than ideal conditions.
We have investigated the pathway of chromium from its mobilization on land and along its riverine... more We have investigated the pathway of chromium from its mobilization on land and along its riverine transport in a subtropical region of South America (Misiones Province, Argentina), in an attempt to link Cr stable isotope compositions recently measured in seawater with signals prevailing in rivers and, ultimately, with Cr isotope effects observed during oxidative surface weathering in subtropical red soils. Cr concentrations and stable Cr isotopic compositions (expressed as δ 53 Cr ‰ values) in two typical and representative surface profiles of weathered basalt show significant depletion of Cr in the soils of up to 50%, together with pronounced negatively fractionated δ 53 Cr values which are indicative of oxidative mobilization of heavy Cr(VI) into the run-off. The behavior of Cr in the studied weathering profiles is not correlated with that of other redox sensitive elements, such as Ce and U; this is essentially due to the affinity of REE and U, but not Cr with secondary phosphates which form during weathering processes. Smaller tributaries in NW Argentina to the Paraná River (second largest river in South America) carry dissolved Cr in the order of 0.7-1.4 ppb (13-27 nM) with δ 53 Cr values of + 0.2 to +0.4‰, balancing the negatively fractionated weathering products. The isotope composition and concentration of dissolved Cr in the ca. 1200 km long Paraná River from Misiones to its estuary and discharge area into the South Atlantic Ocean remains relatively constant with an average Cr concentration around 2.4 ppb (46 nM) and an average δ 53 Cr value of +0.32‰. The Cr concentration in the estuary itself drops by ca. 50% but with only minor change in its Cr isotope composition. Results from the Paraná estuary are identical with recently analyzed surface seawater from the Argentine Basin with Cr contents of~0.3 ppb (~6 nM) and δ 53 Cr values~+0. 4‰ (Bonnand et al., 2013), and indicate that there is only a minimal Cr isotopic variability during riverine transport, even during long transport distances as shown in our example of the Paraná River. Simple Cr input flux calculations reveal that the Paraná River accounts for~5% of the total yearly Cr flux to the world's oceans today and that its isotopic signature seems to be, at least locally, imparted to the surface seawater of the Argentine Basin. Whether or not this Cr isotope signature is generally exhibited by the world's oceans needs further investigations, particularly the characterization of seawater around the globe.
... Bjerrum and Canfield (2002) proposed that the burial pulse of organic carbon between 2.4 and ... more ... Bjerrum and Canfield (2002) proposed that the burial pulse of organic carbon between 2.4 and 2.0 Ga could have been driven, at least in part, by a build-up of excessive phosphorus (and thus nutrient) concentrations in water columns resulting from its diminished ... 1; DeWitt et al. ...
ABSTRACT The important Viking Age and early Medieval site of Sebbersund in northern Jutland, Denm... more ABSTRACT The important Viking Age and early Medieval site of Sebbersund in northern Jutland, Denmark, contains a large churchyard from the 11th–12th century AD. Sebbersund was an important trading center in this period and the location of one of the first churches in Denmark, perhaps an entry point for the introduction of Christianity to the country. Excavations have exposed almost 500 graves of an estimated 700 individuals in the cemetery. Here we report on the analysis of strontium isotopes in human tooth enamel from burials in the cemetery as a signal of place of birth. Some 19 samples have been measured and at least three non-local outliers identified. Futhermore, six archaeological fauna samples had been analyzed in order to define the local bioavailable strontium isotope baseline range and these values were compared to the more general bioavailable baseline range values for Denmark. The burials are evaluated in light of the available archaeological, chronological, anthropological, and isotopic information.
Os, Sr, Nd and Pb isotope data were collected from a profile across the Cretaceous^Tertiary (K^T)... more Os, Sr, Nd and Pb isotope data were collected from a profile across the Cretaceous^Tertiary (K^T) boundary layer at Stevns Klint, Denmark. O Nd [T = 65 Ma] values from within the boundary layer (Fish Clay) are lower by V1 O unit than those of the underlying Maastrichtian limestone and the overlying Danian chalk sequences. Systematic profileupward changes of Pb, Sr and Os isotopic compositions and concentrations in the boundary layer cannot be accounted for by in situ growth of daughter products since the sedimentation of the Fish Clay. While Os, Nd and Pb isotopes indicate the admixing of less radiogenic components to the Fish Clay, Sr isotopes show elevated radiogenic values in the boundary layer, relative to the carbonate sequences beneath and above it. The sudden change in lithophile (e.g., Sr, Pb and Nd) isotope compositions at the base of the Fish Clay and profile-upward trends of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr and 206 Pb/ 204 Pb ratios towards those of the overlying Danian chalk are interpreted to reflect recovery from enhanced, acid rain-induced continental (local?) weathering input to the seawater. However, a continental crustal source is invalid for the siderophile element Os. In the light of evidence from chromium isotopes for a cosmic origin of the platinum group elements (PGEs) and certain moderately siderophile elements (Cr, Ni, Co, V) in K^T boundary sediments, including Stevns Klint [Shukolyukov and Lugmair, Science 282 (1998) 927^929], and supported by the finding of projectile debris [Bauluz et al., Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 182 (2000) 127^136] and the occurrence of abundant Ni-rich spinel at many K^T sites [Robin et al., Nature 363 (1993) 615^617; Kyte, Nature 396 (1998) 237^239], we favor to explain the sudden drop of 187 Os/ 188
The principles behind the strontium isotopic system are an important tool for archaeologists trac... more The principles behind the strontium isotopic system are an important tool for archaeologists tracing human migration and patterns of movement in prehistory. However, there are several scientific challenges of analytical nature, as well as those which relate to unknown parameters inherent to the interpretation of such data. One prerequisite is the knowledge of the range of strontium isotopic ratios that best characterize the bioavailable fractions of a particular area of interest. The study reported here attempts to establish a baseline for strontium isotope signatures valuable for Denmark (excluding the island of Bornholm) and particularly for the use in archaeological investigations. We present strontium isotope ratios of bones and teeth from modern mice contained in owl pellets, of snail shells, and of archaeological fauna samples. We compare these ratios with median strontium isotope signatures characterizing human enamel populations from archaeological sites within Denmark. The fauna samples reported here range from 87 Sr/ 86 Sr00.70717 to 0.71185 with an average of 0.70919, and human enamel defines a range from 87 Sr/ 86 Sr00.7086 to 0.7110 with an average of 0.7098. In both datasets, we observe a small difference between the baseline values for the western (Jutland) and eastern (Funen, Zealand, and the southern islands) parts of Denmark. We therefore propose two slightly different baseline ranges with a partial overlap for the isotopic signatures of bioavailable strontium fractions within Denmark, namely a range of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr00.7078-0.7098 for the western area and a range of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr00.7089-0.7108 for the eastern parts.
ABSTRACT In this paper we report the Sr isotope signatures, and Sr, Al and Na concentrations of 3... more ABSTRACT In this paper we report the Sr isotope signatures, and Sr, Al and Na concentrations of 30 surface waters (lakes/ponds and rivers/creeks) and 19 soil sample extracts from the island of Bornholm (Denmark) and present a categorized 87Sr/86Sr value distribution map that may serve as a base for provenance studies, including archaeological migration and authenticity proof for particular food products. The Sr isotopic compositions of surface waters range from 87Sr/86Sr = 0.7097–0.7281 (average 0.7175 ± 0.0049; 1σ), whereas 0.1 M HNO3, 0.05 M HNO3, and 0.01 M CaCl2 soil extracts range from 87Sr/86Sr = 0.7095–0.7197 and define somewhat lower but statistically indistinguishable averages of 0.7125 ± 0.003 (1s). These compositions are lower than the values expected from the Precambrian granitoid basement (87Sr/86Sr = 0.758–0.944), and from the overlying, mainly clastic Paleozoic sediments. Combined Sr isotope composition vs. Sr, Na and Al concentration relationships of soil extracts imply that lowering of the isotopic composition of leachable Sr on Bornholm results as a consequence of significant admixture to this fraction of Sr deposited as marine salts (aerosols), and that rainwater only has a minor influence on the Sr budget of the surface waters. Positively correlated Al/Na and [1/Sr] vs. 87Sr/86Sr relationships in soil extracts and surface waters indicate that the surface run-off on Bornholm is characterized by two predominant sources, namely marine aerosols (sea salts) with high Sr and low 87Sr/86Sr values, and a source with lower [Sr] delivering radiogenic Sr to the surface waters, which we equate with Sr leached from the products of mineral weathering (soils). A feasibility study for using Sr isotopic compositions of surface waters and soil extracts as a proxy for bioavailable Sr signatures was performed with a few samples collected in the vicinity of the eleventh century AD Ndr. Grødbygård cemetery site in SW Bornholm, from where Sr isotope compositions of modern fauna samples and tooth enamel of humans buried in the cemetery have been reported. Waters and soil extracts studied herein from around this site range from 87Sr/86Sr = 0.7104–0.7166 and correspond to Sr compositions extracted from snail shells in this area which span a range of 87Sr/86Sr = 0.7095–0.7160. Some human tooth enamel is characterized by more radiogenic values (87Sr/86Sr up to 0.718) which points to a possible provenance of these humans from the granite–gneiss terrain in the north of the island and/or to immigration of these humans in their childhood from other places (for example from mainland Sweden) to Bornholm. If the total compositional range of 87Sr/86Sr = 0.709–0.718 (n = 44) recorded in human enamel from the Ndr. Grødbygård site is considered representative for the variation of bioavailable Sr on Bornholm, then our soil leachate and surface water data entirely covers this range. We therefore propose that the combination of Sr isotope analyses of surface waters and soil leachates are an easy, fast and relatively cost efficient way to characterize a local bioavailable 87Sr/86Sr signature, and consequently propose that the overall average of 87Sr/86Sr = 0.7153 ± 0.0048 (1σ; n = 50) can be taken as a band for bioavailable Sr fractions suitable to discriminate between local and non-local signatures in provenance studies in the field of archaeology and for food and plant authenticity control in agricultural applications.
Recent genetic, isotopic and linguistic research has dramatically changed our understanding of ho... more Recent genetic, isotopic and linguistic research has dramatically changed our understanding of how the Corded Ware Culture in Europe was formed. Here the authors explain it in terms of local adaptations and interactions between migrant Yamnaya people from the Pontic-Caspian steppe and indigenous North European Neolithic cultures. The original herding economy of the Yamnaya migrants gradually gave way to new practices of crop cultivation, which led to the adoption of new words for those crops. The result of this hybridisation process was the formation of a new material culture, the Corded Ware Culture, and of a new dialect, Proto-Germanic. Despite a degree of hostility between expanding Corded Ware groups and indigenous Neolithic groups, stable isotope data suggest that exogamy provided a mechanism facilitating their integration.
ABSTRACT
Since the mid 1990s the National Museum of Denmark and Museum Vestsjælland have conducte... more ABSTRACT Since the mid 1990s the National Museum of Denmark and Museum Vestsjælland have conducted excavations on two royal residential complexes from late Germanic Iron Age and Viking Age. During the excavations a range of samples were collected for macrofossil analysis. In two of these samples two seeds of vine grapes dated to the late Germanic Iron Age and the Viking Age were discovered. So far they are the oldest grape seeds discovered in the present Danish area.
One of the seeds was chosen for strontium isotope analysis in order to determine the provenance of the grape. The strontium isotopic composition of the grape seed yielded a 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.71091 (±0.00004; 2σ) which falls within Denmark’s strontium isotopic baseline range indicating that the seed could be of local origin.
Archaeological and historical evidence seem to point to that people in the Iron and Viking Age knew and consumed wine and even had access to gain potential know-how related to wine production. Hence, even though it is not possible to determine whether the two seeds found at Tissø are a result of either grape consumption (fresh or dried) or used for wine production, these finds point to that grapes and probably wine were products consumed by the elite at Tissø.
Historical documents record the operation of a silver mine from the 16th century AD located near ... more Historical documents record the operation of a silver mine from the 16th century AD located near the former village of Salberget in central Sweden. The historical record describes several categories of inhabitants , including local families, workers and miners, foreign engineers and mining specialists, as well as war captives and criminals used as forced labor in the mines. A church yard in the vicinity of the village served as a burial ground. Archaeological evidence indicates two distinct grave types (coffin and earthen) and physical anthropology documents differences in age and sex between these grave types, as well as harsh conditions of life. Strontium and oxygen isotopes have been used previously to investigate the place of origin of the cemetery inhabitants and clear differences among the types of graves were seen in the isotope results. Place of origin was more difficult to ascertain however. Here we utilize lead isotopes as an additional isotopic tracer to identify origins. The lead isotope investigations pinpoint several areas outside of the Sala region where some of the inhabitants originated. In addition, the study documents the benefits of using lead isotopes in human proveniencing studies.
10 Bronzealderen, " Europas første guldalder " , var praeget af store tekniske, økonomiske og soc... more 10 Bronzealderen, " Europas første guldalder " , var praeget af store tekniske, økonomiske og sociale forandringer staerkt stimuleret af langdistanceforbindelser. I et forskningsprojekt finansieret af Carlsbergfondet har strontiumisotopanalyser af Egtvedpigen for nylig leveret det første sikre eksempel på et forhistorisk menneske, som har rejst over meget store afstande. Denne indsigt rejser flere nye spørgsmål: Er Egtvedpigen et enkelt stående tilfaelde, eller har bronzealderens elitekvinder generelt haft et liv praeget af stor mobilitet og i bekraeftende fald, hvilken rolle har de haft i de datidige udvekslingsnetvaerk?
Migrations and population dynamics are considered very problematic topics in the fields of ancien... more Migrations and population dynamics are considered very problematic topics in the fields of ancient studies. Recent scholarship in (pre)historical population has generated new impulses by using scientific approaches using radiogenic and stable isotopes, and palaeogenetics, as well as computer simulation. As a result, the state of migration research has undergone rapid change. Several research groups presented papers at a conference held in Berlin in 2010, addressing specific historical aspects of population dynamics and migration, with no chronological or geographical restrictions, in the light of cutting-edge bio-archaeological research. This volume, divided into three larger thematic sections (isotope analysis, population genetics, and modelling and computer simulation), presents experiences and insights about methodological approaches, research results and prospects for future research in this area in a varied collection of papers. Scholars from widely diverse scientific disciplines present their approaches, findings and interpretations to an audience far broader than the circles of the individual disciplines
Das Grab aus Kruszyn, 2009 in Kujawien entdeckt, rechnet zu einer kleinen Regionalgruppe der Schn... more Das Grab aus Kruszyn, 2009 in Kujawien entdeckt, rechnet zu einer kleinen Regionalgruppe der Schnurkeramik. Es zeichnet sich durch einen verhältnismäßig guten Erhaltungszustand und untypisch zahlreiche,aus Knochen und Geweih gefertigte Werkzeugbeigaben aus. Die aufgedeckten sterblichen Überreste wurden anthropologisch und isotopisch analysiert (14C, δ13C, δ15N, 87Sr/86Sr, δ18O), organische Reste archäozoologisch und trassologisch untersucht wie auch Sedimentproben aus dem Umfeld der Bestattung studiert. Der Befund datiert in die 2. Hälfte des 3. Jahrtausends v. Chr. und weist im Hinblick auf seine Grabkonstruktion Ähnlichkeiten mit mitteleuropäischen, frühen schnurkeramischen Hügelgräbern auf. Bestattet wurde hier ein älterer Mann nicht einheimischer Herkunft, der sich zu Lebzeiten wahrscheinlich mit der Verarbeitung von Leder beschäf tigt hatte, wovon Spuren an ihm beigegebenen Werkzeugen aus Wildtierknochen zeugen. Im Grab konnten außerdem Rinderknochen und ein für spätneolithische Siedlungen jener Kultur typisches Gefäß entdeckt werden. La tombe de Kruszyn, découverte en 2009 dans la région de Cujavie, fait partie d’un petit groupe régional de la culture à céramique cordée. Elle est relativement bien conservée et se distingue par un riche assemblage d’outils, fabriqués en os et en cornes. Des analyses anthropologiques et des investigations isotope (14C, δ13C, δ15N, 87Sr/86Sr, δ18O) ont été menées sur les débris humains, les vestiges en matières organiques ont été examinés en appliquant les méthodes archéozoologiques et l’analyse fonctionnelle. On a aussi analysé les échantillons des sédiments de l’entourage de la tombe. La tombe date de la première moitié du IIIe millénaire av. J.-C. Pour ce qui est de sa construction, elle ressemble le plus aux tumuli d’Europe centrale du début de la culture à céramique cordée. Cette sépulture appartenait à un homme âgé qui n’était pas originaire de la Cujavie et qui, probablement, travaillait le cuir: les traces laissées sur les outils en os retrouvés auprès de lui en constituent la preuve. Ils ont été fabriqués avec des matières d’origine animale sauvage. Dans la tombe, on a aussi découvert des os de vache ainsi qu’une marmite typique pour les sites de peuplement du Néolithique final. Excavated in 2009, the barrow from Kruszyn (the Kujawy region) is related to a small regional group of the Corded Ware culture. Noteworthy is a fairly good state of its preservation and a remarkably numerous assemblage of tools made of bone and antler. Unearthed human remains were anthropologically studied and examined isotopically (14C, δ13C, δ15N, 87Sr/86Sr, δ18O), while artefacts made of organic material were subject to archaeozoological and use wear analyses. Samples of sediments surrounding the grave were also investigated. The grave dates back to the first half of the third millennium BC and in terms of its construction bears the closest resemblance to the Central European early Corded Ware barrows. It was a burial of a non-local elderly man, probably engaged in hide working in life, as evidenced by traces on the tools deposited with him in the grave and made from bones of wild animals. The grave yielded also cow bones and a pot typical for the late Neolithic settlement sites. Grób z Kruszyna, odkryty w 2009 r. na Kujawach, należy do niewielkiej regionalnej grupy kultury ceramiki sznurowej. Wyróżnia się on stosunkowo dobrym stanem zachowania oraz nietypowo licznym zbiorem narzędzi wykonanych z kości i poroża. Szczątki ludzkie poddano analizom antropologicznym i izotopowym (14C, δ13C, δ15N, 87Sr/86Sr, δ18O), dla zabytków z surowców organicznych wykonano badania archeozoologiczne i traseologiczne, przebadano również próbki osadów z otoczenia grobu. Grób pochodzi z 1. poł. 3 tys. przed Chr. i pod względem konstrukcyjnym wykazuje najbliższe podobieństwo do środkowoeuropejskich kurhanów wczesnosznurowych. Pochówek należał do starszego mężczyzny, pochodzącego spoza Kujaw, który najprawdopodobniej zajmował się obróbką skór, o czym świadczą ślady na znalezionych przy nim narzędziach. Wykonano je z surowców pochodzących od zwierząt dzikich. W grobie odkryto również kości krowy oraz garnek typowy dla późnoneolitycznych stanowisk osadowych.
ABSTRACT Walrus-tusk ivory and walrus-hide rope were highly desired goods in Viking Age north-wes... more ABSTRACT Walrus-tusk ivory and walrus-hide rope were highly desired goods in Viking Age north-west Europe. New finds of walrus bone and ivory in early Viking Age contexts in Iceland are concentrated in the south-west, and suggest extensive exploitation of nearby walrus for meat, hide and ivory during the first century of settlement. In Greenland, archaeofauna suggest a very different specialized long-distance hunting of the much larger walrus populations in the Disko Bay area that brought mainly ivory to the settlement areas and eventually to European markets. New lead isotopic analysis of archaeological walrus ivory and bone from Greenland and Iceland offers a tool for identifying possible source regions of walrus ivory during the early Middle Ages. This opens possibilities for assessing the development and relative importance of hunting grounds from the point of view of exported products.
oped for dyed (by organic dyestuffs) wool threads from ancient textiles. The outcome of these two... more oped for dyed (by organic dyestuffs) wool threads from ancient textiles. The outcome of these two particular studies revealed both the potential of these novel methodologies for retrieving the original Sr isotope signature of the raw material wool, and their limitations.
Migration and trade are issues important to the understanding of ancient cultures. There are many... more Migration and trade are issues important to the understanding of ancient cultures. There are many ways in which these topics can be investigated. This article provides an overview of a method based on an archaeological scientific methodology developed to address human and animal mobility in prehistory, the so-called strontium isotope tracing system. Recently, new research has enabled this methodology to be further developed so as to be able to apply it to archaeological textile remains and thus to address issues of textile trade.In the following section, a brief introduction to strontium isotopes in archaeology is presented followed by a state-of-the-art summary of the construction of a baseline to characterize Denmark’s bioavailable strontium isotope range. The creation of such baselines is a prerequisite to the application of the strontium isotope system for provenance studies, as they define the local range and thus provide the necessary background to potentially identify individ...
New Approaches Using Stable Isotopes and Genetics, 2012
The use of isotopes in tooth enamel for investigating place of origin for archaeological human re... more The use of isotopes in tooth enamel for investigating place of origin for archaeological human remains is becoming common practice. Too often, however, only a few samples are analyzed and little work is done to establish baseline information. An argument for large samples is made in the discussion here, pointing to the presence of substantial variation in human populations due to both migration and dietary differences. The need to determine local isotope ratios is highlighted by the differences that may exist between naturally available isotope ratios in rock, sediments, and surface water and bioavailable isotope ratios found in living and fossil organisms. The use of multi-isotope approaches is also strongly encouraged. Two examples demonstrate the importance of these recommendations. In the first example described in this study, carbon isotopes in both enamel and collagen provide important ancillary information. The arrival of Spanish and African settlers in Campeche, Mexico in the 16 th century AD left new isotopic and dietary signals in the cemeteries of the early colonial town. The colonization of Iceland in the 9 th century AD brought settlers from northern Europe to the unoccupied islands of the North Atlantic. Dramatic isotopic contrasts in this region enhance our ability to understand population variation. These projects were largely successful because of large sample size, good baseline data, and the use of more than one isotopic system.
Bornholm is a Danish island almost in the center of the southern Baltic Sea. The strategic locati... more Bornholm is a Danish island almost in the center of the southern Baltic Sea. The strategic location of the island, its rich archeology, and its complex geology make it an intriguing location for the isotopic study of past human mobility. The focus of this study is on the large cemetery of Ndr. Grødbygård in the southern part of the island, which dates to the eleventh century AD and contains 553 individuals in 516 graves. The majority of the burials were in a supine position oriented westeast, with the heads to the west, following the tradition of that time. In contrast to the Christian traditions, however, the graves at Grødbygård were richly equipped by Scandinavian standards and some of the burial practices more closely resembled those from the Western Slavic region of the south (present day northeastern Germany and Poland). We have used isotopic analyses to examine the external relations and potential places of origin of the inhabitants of the cemetery. Strontium and oxygen isotope ratios in human tooth enamel provide a signature of place of origin and can be compared to the ratios of the place of burial to determine local or non-local origins. In the case of Bornholm, the local geology is quite complex, with a variety of rocks of different age and composition, resulting in a wide range of strontium isotope sources on the island, complicating the issue of identifying migrants. At the same time, Grødbygård provides an important example of the application of such methods in less than ideal conditions.
We have investigated the pathway of chromium from its mobilization on land and along its riverine... more We have investigated the pathway of chromium from its mobilization on land and along its riverine transport in a subtropical region of South America (Misiones Province, Argentina), in an attempt to link Cr stable isotope compositions recently measured in seawater with signals prevailing in rivers and, ultimately, with Cr isotope effects observed during oxidative surface weathering in subtropical red soils. Cr concentrations and stable Cr isotopic compositions (expressed as δ 53 Cr ‰ values) in two typical and representative surface profiles of weathered basalt show significant depletion of Cr in the soils of up to 50%, together with pronounced negatively fractionated δ 53 Cr values which are indicative of oxidative mobilization of heavy Cr(VI) into the run-off. The behavior of Cr in the studied weathering profiles is not correlated with that of other redox sensitive elements, such as Ce and U; this is essentially due to the affinity of REE and U, but not Cr with secondary phosphates which form during weathering processes. Smaller tributaries in NW Argentina to the Paraná River (second largest river in South America) carry dissolved Cr in the order of 0.7-1.4 ppb (13-27 nM) with δ 53 Cr values of + 0.2 to +0.4‰, balancing the negatively fractionated weathering products. The isotope composition and concentration of dissolved Cr in the ca. 1200 km long Paraná River from Misiones to its estuary and discharge area into the South Atlantic Ocean remains relatively constant with an average Cr concentration around 2.4 ppb (46 nM) and an average δ 53 Cr value of +0.32‰. The Cr concentration in the estuary itself drops by ca. 50% but with only minor change in its Cr isotope composition. Results from the Paraná estuary are identical with recently analyzed surface seawater from the Argentine Basin with Cr contents of~0.3 ppb (~6 nM) and δ 53 Cr values~+0. 4‰ (Bonnand et al., 2013), and indicate that there is only a minimal Cr isotopic variability during riverine transport, even during long transport distances as shown in our example of the Paraná River. Simple Cr input flux calculations reveal that the Paraná River accounts for~5% of the total yearly Cr flux to the world's oceans today and that its isotopic signature seems to be, at least locally, imparted to the surface seawater of the Argentine Basin. Whether or not this Cr isotope signature is generally exhibited by the world's oceans needs further investigations, particularly the characterization of seawater around the globe.
... Bjerrum and Canfield (2002) proposed that the burial pulse of organic carbon between 2.4 and ... more ... Bjerrum and Canfield (2002) proposed that the burial pulse of organic carbon between 2.4 and 2.0 Ga could have been driven, at least in part, by a build-up of excessive phosphorus (and thus nutrient) concentrations in water columns resulting from its diminished ... 1; DeWitt et al. ...
ABSTRACT The important Viking Age and early Medieval site of Sebbersund in northern Jutland, Denm... more ABSTRACT The important Viking Age and early Medieval site of Sebbersund in northern Jutland, Denmark, contains a large churchyard from the 11th–12th century AD. Sebbersund was an important trading center in this period and the location of one of the first churches in Denmark, perhaps an entry point for the introduction of Christianity to the country. Excavations have exposed almost 500 graves of an estimated 700 individuals in the cemetery. Here we report on the analysis of strontium isotopes in human tooth enamel from burials in the cemetery as a signal of place of birth. Some 19 samples have been measured and at least three non-local outliers identified. Futhermore, six archaeological fauna samples had been analyzed in order to define the local bioavailable strontium isotope baseline range and these values were compared to the more general bioavailable baseline range values for Denmark. The burials are evaluated in light of the available archaeological, chronological, anthropological, and isotopic information.
Os, Sr, Nd and Pb isotope data were collected from a profile across the Cretaceous^Tertiary (K^T)... more Os, Sr, Nd and Pb isotope data were collected from a profile across the Cretaceous^Tertiary (K^T) boundary layer at Stevns Klint, Denmark. O Nd [T = 65 Ma] values from within the boundary layer (Fish Clay) are lower by V1 O unit than those of the underlying Maastrichtian limestone and the overlying Danian chalk sequences. Systematic profileupward changes of Pb, Sr and Os isotopic compositions and concentrations in the boundary layer cannot be accounted for by in situ growth of daughter products since the sedimentation of the Fish Clay. While Os, Nd and Pb isotopes indicate the admixing of less radiogenic components to the Fish Clay, Sr isotopes show elevated radiogenic values in the boundary layer, relative to the carbonate sequences beneath and above it. The sudden change in lithophile (e.g., Sr, Pb and Nd) isotope compositions at the base of the Fish Clay and profile-upward trends of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr and 206 Pb/ 204 Pb ratios towards those of the overlying Danian chalk are interpreted to reflect recovery from enhanced, acid rain-induced continental (local?) weathering input to the seawater. However, a continental crustal source is invalid for the siderophile element Os. In the light of evidence from chromium isotopes for a cosmic origin of the platinum group elements (PGEs) and certain moderately siderophile elements (Cr, Ni, Co, V) in K^T boundary sediments, including Stevns Klint [Shukolyukov and Lugmair, Science 282 (1998) 927^929], and supported by the finding of projectile debris [Bauluz et al., Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 182 (2000) 127^136] and the occurrence of abundant Ni-rich spinel at many K^T sites [Robin et al., Nature 363 (1993) 615^617; Kyte, Nature 396 (1998) 237^239], we favor to explain the sudden drop of 187 Os/ 188
The principles behind the strontium isotopic system are an important tool for archaeologists trac... more The principles behind the strontium isotopic system are an important tool for archaeologists tracing human migration and patterns of movement in prehistory. However, there are several scientific challenges of analytical nature, as well as those which relate to unknown parameters inherent to the interpretation of such data. One prerequisite is the knowledge of the range of strontium isotopic ratios that best characterize the bioavailable fractions of a particular area of interest. The study reported here attempts to establish a baseline for strontium isotope signatures valuable for Denmark (excluding the island of Bornholm) and particularly for the use in archaeological investigations. We present strontium isotope ratios of bones and teeth from modern mice contained in owl pellets, of snail shells, and of archaeological fauna samples. We compare these ratios with median strontium isotope signatures characterizing human enamel populations from archaeological sites within Denmark. The fauna samples reported here range from 87 Sr/ 86 Sr00.70717 to 0.71185 with an average of 0.70919, and human enamel defines a range from 87 Sr/ 86 Sr00.7086 to 0.7110 with an average of 0.7098. In both datasets, we observe a small difference between the baseline values for the western (Jutland) and eastern (Funen, Zealand, and the southern islands) parts of Denmark. We therefore propose two slightly different baseline ranges with a partial overlap for the isotopic signatures of bioavailable strontium fractions within Denmark, namely a range of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr00.7078-0.7098 for the western area and a range of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr00.7089-0.7108 for the eastern parts.
ABSTRACT In this paper we report the Sr isotope signatures, and Sr, Al and Na concentrations of 3... more ABSTRACT In this paper we report the Sr isotope signatures, and Sr, Al and Na concentrations of 30 surface waters (lakes/ponds and rivers/creeks) and 19 soil sample extracts from the island of Bornholm (Denmark) and present a categorized 87Sr/86Sr value distribution map that may serve as a base for provenance studies, including archaeological migration and authenticity proof for particular food products. The Sr isotopic compositions of surface waters range from 87Sr/86Sr = 0.7097–0.7281 (average 0.7175 ± 0.0049; 1σ), whereas 0.1 M HNO3, 0.05 M HNO3, and 0.01 M CaCl2 soil extracts range from 87Sr/86Sr = 0.7095–0.7197 and define somewhat lower but statistically indistinguishable averages of 0.7125 ± 0.003 (1s). These compositions are lower than the values expected from the Precambrian granitoid basement (87Sr/86Sr = 0.758–0.944), and from the overlying, mainly clastic Paleozoic sediments. Combined Sr isotope composition vs. Sr, Na and Al concentration relationships of soil extracts imply that lowering of the isotopic composition of leachable Sr on Bornholm results as a consequence of significant admixture to this fraction of Sr deposited as marine salts (aerosols), and that rainwater only has a minor influence on the Sr budget of the surface waters. Positively correlated Al/Na and [1/Sr] vs. 87Sr/86Sr relationships in soil extracts and surface waters indicate that the surface run-off on Bornholm is characterized by two predominant sources, namely marine aerosols (sea salts) with high Sr and low 87Sr/86Sr values, and a source with lower [Sr] delivering radiogenic Sr to the surface waters, which we equate with Sr leached from the products of mineral weathering (soils). A feasibility study for using Sr isotopic compositions of surface waters and soil extracts as a proxy for bioavailable Sr signatures was performed with a few samples collected in the vicinity of the eleventh century AD Ndr. Grødbygård cemetery site in SW Bornholm, from where Sr isotope compositions of modern fauna samples and tooth enamel of humans buried in the cemetery have been reported. Waters and soil extracts studied herein from around this site range from 87Sr/86Sr = 0.7104–0.7166 and correspond to Sr compositions extracted from snail shells in this area which span a range of 87Sr/86Sr = 0.7095–0.7160. Some human tooth enamel is characterized by more radiogenic values (87Sr/86Sr up to 0.718) which points to a possible provenance of these humans from the granite–gneiss terrain in the north of the island and/or to immigration of these humans in their childhood from other places (for example from mainland Sweden) to Bornholm. If the total compositional range of 87Sr/86Sr = 0.709–0.718 (n = 44) recorded in human enamel from the Ndr. Grødbygård site is considered representative for the variation of bioavailable Sr on Bornholm, then our soil leachate and surface water data entirely covers this range. We therefore propose that the combination of Sr isotope analyses of surface waters and soil leachates are an easy, fast and relatively cost efficient way to characterize a local bioavailable 87Sr/86Sr signature, and consequently propose that the overall average of 87Sr/86Sr = 0.7153 ± 0.0048 (1σ; n = 50) can be taken as a band for bioavailable Sr fractions suitable to discriminate between local and non-local signatures in provenance studies in the field of archaeology and for food and plant authenticity control in agricultural applications.
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Papers by Karin M Frei
Since the mid 1990s the National Museum of Denmark and Museum Vestsjælland have conducted excavations on two royal residential complexes from late Germanic Iron Age and Viking Age. During the excavations a range of samples were collected for macrofossil analysis. In two of these samples two seeds of vine grapes dated to the late Germanic Iron Age and the Viking Age were discovered. So far they are the oldest grape seeds discovered in the present Danish area.
One of the seeds was chosen for strontium isotope analysis in order to determine the provenance of the grape. The strontium isotopic composition of the grape seed yielded a 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.71091 (±0.00004; 2σ) which falls within Denmark’s strontium isotopic baseline range indicating that the seed could be of local origin.
Archaeological and historical evidence seem to point to that people in the Iron and Viking Age knew and consumed wine and even had access to gain potential know-how related to wine production. Hence, even though it is not possible to determine whether the two seeds found at Tissø are a result of either grape consumption (fresh or dried) or used for wine production, these finds point to that grapes and probably wine were products consumed by the elite at Tissø.
Since the mid 1990s the National Museum of Denmark and Museum Vestsjælland have conducted excavations on two royal residential complexes from late Germanic Iron Age and Viking Age. During the excavations a range of samples were collected for macrofossil analysis. In two of these samples two seeds of vine grapes dated to the late Germanic Iron Age and the Viking Age were discovered. So far they are the oldest grape seeds discovered in the present Danish area.
One of the seeds was chosen for strontium isotope analysis in order to determine the provenance of the grape. The strontium isotopic composition of the grape seed yielded a 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.71091 (±0.00004; 2σ) which falls within Denmark’s strontium isotopic baseline range indicating that the seed could be of local origin.
Archaeological and historical evidence seem to point to that people in the Iron and Viking Age knew and consumed wine and even had access to gain potential know-how related to wine production. Hence, even though it is not possible to determine whether the two seeds found at Tissø are a result of either grape consumption (fresh or dried) or used for wine production, these finds point to that grapes and probably wine were products consumed by the elite at Tissø.