Distinguishing wild ruminant lipids by gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry
Craig, O.E. Allen, R.B. Thompson, A. Stevens, R.E. Steele, Valerie J. Heron, Carl P.
Craig, O.E.
Allen, R.B.
Thompson, A.
Stevens, R.E.
Steele, Valerie J.
Heron, Carl P.
Publication Date
2012
End of Embargo
Supervisor
Rights
Peer-Reviewed
Yes
Open Access status
closedAccess
Accepted for publication
Institution
Department
Awarded
Embargo end date
Collections
Additional title
Abstract
RATIONALE: The carbon isotopic characterisation of ruminant lipids associated with ceramic vessels has been crucial for elucidating the origins and changing nature of pastoral economies. delta(13)C values of fatty acids extracted from potsherds are commonly compared with those from the dairy and carcass fats of modern domesticated animals to determine vessel use. However, the processing of wild ruminant products in pottery, such as deer, is rarely considered despite the presence of several different species on many prehistoric sites. To address this issue, the carbon isotope range of fatty acids from a number of red deer (Cervus elaphus) tissues, a species commonly encountered in the European archaeological record, was investigated. METHODS: Lipids were extracted from 10 modern red deer tissues obtained from the Slowinski National Park (Poland). Fatty acids were fractionated, methylated and analysed by gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GCCIRMS). The delta(13)C values of n-octadecanoic acid and n-hexadecanoic acid, and the difference between these values (Delta(13)C), were compared with those from previously published ruminant fats. RESULTS: Nine of the ten deer carcass fats measured have Delta(13)C values of less than -3.3 per thousand, the threshold previously used for classifying dairy products. Despite considerable overlap, dairy fats from domesticated ruminants with Delta(13)C values less than -4.3 per thousand are still distinguishable. CONCLUSIONS: The finding has implications for evaluating pottery use and early pastoralism. The processing of deer tissues and our revised criteria should be considered, especially where there is other archaeological evidence for their consumption.
Version
No full-text in the repository
Citation
Craig OE, Allen RB, Thompson A (2012) Distinguishing wild ruminant lipids by gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry. 26(19): 2359-2364.
Link to publisher’s version
Link to published version
Link to Version of Record
Type
Article