Distinguishing wild ruminant lipids by gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry

Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry - Tập 26 Số 19 - Trang 2359-2364 - 2012
Oliver E. Craig1,2, Richard Allen1, Anu Thompson3, Rhiannon E. Stevens4, Valerie J. Steele5, Carl Heron5
1BioArCh, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
2O. E. Craig, BioArCh, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK.
3School of Environmental Sciences, Nicholson Building, 4 Brownlow Street, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GP UK
4McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3ER, UK
5Archaeological Sciences, University of Bradford, Richmond Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP UK

Tóm tắt

RATIONALEThe carbon isotopic characterisation of ruminant lipids associated with ceramic vessels has been crucial for elucidating the origins and changing nature of pastoral economies. δ13C 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.METHODSLipids 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 δ13C values of n‐octadecanoic acid and n‐hexadecanoic acid, and the difference between these values (Δ13C), were compared with those from previously published ruminant fats.RESULTSNine of the ten deer carcass fats measured have Δ13C values of less than −3.3‰, the threshold previously used for classifying dairy products. Despite considerable overlap, dairy fats from domesticated ruminants with Δ13C values less than −4.3‰ are still distinguishable.CONCLUSIONSThe 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. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry

Tập 26 Số 19

2359-2364

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