Use of Sulphur Isotope Analysis in Archaeology

Year 2022, Volume: 39 Issue: 1, 37 - 49, 30.06.2022

Benjamin Irvıne Kameray Özdemir

https://doi.org/10.32600/huefd.993690

Abstract

The measurement of sulphur stable isotope ratios in bone collagen is increasingly used in the present and past environmental and dietary reconstructions. Sulphur isotope ratios from human and animal bone collagen are particularly useful at identifying freshwater, marine, and terrestrial dietary inputs (when used in conjunction with δ13C and δ15N) as well as distinguishing foods from different geographical micro-regions which can, in turn, be used to investigate residential mobility and individuals of non-local origin. This article introduce the theoretical geochemical background, including the variability of sulphur isotope compositions in the geosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. A substantive review of Anatolian studies utilising this method is also undertaken to introduce this new marker for archaeological sciences and demonstrate its possible applications for future research. It is clear that whilst stable isotopes of sulphur (δ34S) are still in a relative infancy compared to the more established ones currently employed in archaeological research, it has the potential to complement and enhance palaeodietary investigations that use the more ‘traditional’ stable isotope ratios of δ13C and δ15N as well as mobility studies using 87Sr/86Sr ratios and δ18O.

Keywords

Bone Chemistry, Bioarchaeology, Stable Isotopes, Palaeodiet, Mobility, Bone Chemistry, Bioarchaeology, Stable Isotopes, Palaeodiet, Mobility

Kükürt İzotop Analizlerinin Arkeolojide Kullanımı

Abstract

Kemik kolajenindeki kükürt sabit izotop oranlarının ölçümü hem günümüz hem de geçmiş çevre ve diyetin yeniden yapılandırılması çalışmalarında giderek daha fazla kullanılmaktadır. İnsan ve hayvan kemik kolajeninden elde edilen kükürt izotop oranları, tatlı su, deniz ve karasal kökenli diyet girdilerini (δ13C ve δ15N ile birlikte değerlendirildiğinde) belirlediği için farklı coğrafi mikro-bölgelerden elde edilen gıdaların ayırt edilmesinde özellikle kullanışlıdır. Böylelikle beslenmeye dair elde edilen bilgiler dolaylı olarak yerleşim yeri hareketliliğini ve yerel kökenli olmayan bireyleri tespit etmeye yönelik araştırmalara da yardımcı olur. Bu çalışma, jeosfer, hidrosfer ve biyosferde gözlenen değişken kükürt izotop bileşimlerinin de dahil olduğu teorik jeokimyasal arka planı kapsamaktadır. Ardından, bu yeni belirteci arkeoloji bilimleri için tanıtmak ve gelecekteki araştırmalar için olası uygulamalarını göstermek amacıyla Anadolu’da yürütülen çalışmalarının kapsamlı bir incelemesi yapılmıştır. Sabit kükürt izotopları (δ34S), gerek paleodiyet gerekse hareketlilik araştırmalarında daha sıklıkla kullanılan δ13C ve δ15N, 87Sr/86Sr oranı ve δ18O gibi diğer izotop oran değerleri ile karşılaştırıldığında nispeten emekleme aşamasındadır. Bununla birlikte, kükürt izotop oranlarının daha 'geleneksel' izotop araştırmalarını tamamlama ve geliştirme potansiyeline sahip olduğu da açıktır.

Keywords

Kemik Kimyası, Biyoarkeoloji, Sabit İzotoplar, Paleodiyet, Hareketlilik

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