FROM SUSA TO ANURADHAPURA: RECONSTRUCTING ASPECTS OF TRADE AND EXCHANGE IN BITUMEN‐COATED CERAMIC VESSELS BETWEEN IRAN AND SRI LANKA FROM THE THIRD TO THE NINTH CENTURIES AD*

In contrast with artefactual studies of long‐distance trade and exchange in South Asia during the Prehistoric and Early Historic periods ( Ardika et al. 1993 ; Gogte 1997 ; Krishnan and Coningham 1997 ; Tomber 2000 ; Gupta et al. 2001 ; Ford et al. 2005 ), few scientifically orientated analyses have focused on artefacts from the region's Historic period. During excavations at the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, a number of buff ware ceramics with a putative organic coating on the interior were recovered ( Coningham 2006 ). Dated stylistically to between the third and ninth centuries ad , analysis of the coatings using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and stable isotope analysis (carbon and deuterium) confirmed that the coatings are bitumen—an organic product associated with petroleum deposits. There are no known bitumen sources in Sri Lanka, and biomarker distributions and isotopic signatures suggest that the majority of the samples appear to have come from a single bitumen source near Susa in Iran. The relationship between the bitumen coatings and the vessels is discussed, and it is suggested that the coatings were used to seal permeable ceramic containers to allow them to transport liquid commodities. This study enhances our knowledge of networks of trade and exchange between Sri Lanka and western Asia during Historic times.     

INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA-MASS SPECTROMETRY FOR THE ANALYSIS OF ANCIENT METALS*

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a relatively new analytical technique, growing in popularity, that offers many advantages over previously available instrumentation for the measurement of both the elemental and isotopic composition of metallic antiquities. The application of this method of analysis to archaeological metalwork is discussed and the technique compared with other methods of analysis commonly used in archaeometallurgy. Particular attention is drawn to the potential pitfalls and difficulties associated with ICP-MS and the need for extremely careful sample preparation and instrument operation.     

Infrared and Isotopic Evidence for Diagenesis of Bone Apatite at Dos Pilas, Guatemala: Palaeodietary Implications

The use of stable carbon isotopic analysis of bone apatite to reconstruct prehistoric diets is hindered by the possibility of diagenetic alteration of carbonate during burial. We examine apatite preservation in Classic Period Maya skeletal remains from Dos Pilas, Guatemala, using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). We use weight % CO₂evolved from apatite, FTIR carbonate/phosphate absorbance ratios, phosphate peak splitting crystallinity indices, fluoride peaks, and stable oxygen isotopic ratios to identify diagenetic change in apatite chemistry. Isotopically light carbon taken up from burial soil is adequately removed from most Dos Pilas bone by treatment with dilute acetic acid, but more severe alteration cannot be reversed by standard preparation methods. Infrared criteria identify recrystallized apatite in a subset of Dos Pilas burials, that is accompanied by isotopic exchange, and that no longer preserves biogenic δ¹³C. These results illustrate that comparatively recent bone may be diagenetically altered and demonstrate a need for systematic evaluation of mineral integrity in all archaeological bone prior to interpreting paleodiets with apatite δ¹³C.     

MIDDLE HOLOCENE PERIODICITIES IN RAINFALL INFERRED FROM OXYGEN AND CARBON ISOTOPIC FLUCTUATIONS IN PREHISTORIC TROPICAL ESTUARINE MOLLUSC SHELLS

Stable oxygen and carbon isotopic ratios in modern and archaeological estuarine mollusc shells, Polymesoda radiata, change in accordance with seasonal salinity fluctuations in the Acapetahua estuary located on the Pacific coast of southern Mexico. This region receives ?3000 mm of precipitation annually, most during a wet season between April and October. The changing flux of fresh water and organic detritus into the estuary causes large changes in the oxygen and carbon isotopic composition of the estuarine waters and in the carbonate precipitated by P. radiata. Oxygen isotopic ratios in the shells of molluscs collected by late Archaic period populations (5000–4000 BP) in this region indicate that patterns of rainfall were similar to today. Modern shells, however, exhibit much more negative carbon isotopic values than observed in prehistoric shells. This change may be associated with the input of modern fertilizers into the estuary.     

MARINE RESOURCES IN THE MESOLITHIC AND NEOLITHIC AT THE GROTTA DELL’UZZO (SICILY): EVIDENCE FROM ISOTOPE ANALYSES OF MARINE SHELLS*

Oxygen isotopes in shell carbonate samples from the marine rocky‐shore intertidal gastropod Monodonta turbinata (Born) are investigated in both modern analogue specimens and in archaeological specimens from the Grotta dell’Uzzo (Sicily). Variations in shell edge values of δ¹⁸O in living specimens collected monthly over two years are closely correlated with monthly seawater temperatures measured at the time of collection, showing that the species can be used for palaeoseasonality studies. Analyses of shell edge δ¹⁸O values in archaeological specimens, from Mesolithic through to early Neolithic phases at the Grotta dell’Uzzo, enabled the inference of various seasons of collection of shellfish and how such seasonality varies between the different phases of occupation. Interesting similarities and differences exist between the seasons of marine shellfish exploitation and the seasons inferred from the vertebrate zooarchaeological assemblages. A major inference drawn from the analyses and discussion is that the exploitation of all marine resources (fish and shellfish) increased in the later Mesolithic and early Neolithic periods.     

STABLE CARBON ISOTOPE MEASUREMENTS OF THE CARBOXYL CARBONS IN BONE COLLAGEN*

In order to explore the possibility that intramolecular differences in the δ¹³C value of bone collagen can provide useful infomation for isotopic dietary analysis, a method for reliably measuring the δ¹³C value of the peptide-bonded carboxyl carbons in collagen was developed and applied to a wide range of modem and ancient species, including humans. Carboxyl carbons were selectively removed as CO₂ by decarboxylation of collagen hydrolysates with ninhydrin (2,2-dihydroxy-l,3-indanedione). Carboxyl carbons were usually isotopically heavier than the total carbon in the collagen, with differences ranging from -0.9 to 4.0%c. Animals at higher trophic levels and with more positive δ¹⁵N values usually had smaller differences than the lower animals while humans had the largest range, reflecting their larger range of diets.     

AN UPDATED,MULTI‐METHOD DATABASE OF EPHESOS MARBLES,INCLUDING WHITE,GRECO SCRITTO AND BIGIO VARIETIES*

An updated database of Ephesos marbles including 244 samples from 16 quarrying districts is reported. The unknown Greco Scritto quarries near Hasançavuslar and the Bigio marbles from the quarries of Belevi and of Mt Panayir are also presented. The paper, however, is mostly devoted to the identification of the Ephesos white marbles, whereas the problems posed by the Bigio and Greco Scritto varieties are deferred to future work. The samples have been characterized by isotopic analysis, EPR spectroscopy and additional petrographic and optical properties. Owing to the complex geology of the region, the white marbles of Ephesos exhibit rather inhomogeneous properties and are conveniently classified into four marble groups, which can be almost completely discriminated. The problem of distinguishing the Ephesos white marbles from other similar varieties has been dealt with by statistically comparing the Ephesos samples with all the similar, medium‐grained varieties present in the marble database. Although some of the four Ephesos groups can be reliably identified, general solution of the discriminant problem is difficult. Historical archaeological information is needed to reduce the complexity of the problem by eliminating unlikely provenances. In this way relevant problems, such as the discrimination between Ephesos and Proconnesos marbles, can be solved.     

ISOTOPES ON THE BEACH,PART 2: NEODYMIUM ISOTOPIC ANALYSIS FOR THE PROVENANCING OF ROMAN GLASS‐MAKING

In this study, we have evaluated the applicability of Nd isotopic analysis for the provenancing of Roman glass and we present a database of Nd isotopic compositions of possible sand raw materials from the western Mediterranean, as a means of comparison for the growing number of isotopic studies on ancient glass. The ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd isotope ratio of sands is a good indicator for their geological (and sometimes geographical) provenance. The use of the isotopic signature of Nd as a proxy for the source of silica in glass is, however, not always straightforward because of the possible overlap of signatures from different suppliers.     

CHILDHOOD DIET: A CLOSER EXAMINATION OF THE EVIDENCE FROM DENTAL TISSUES USING STABLE ISOTOPE ANALYSIS OF INCREMENTAL HUMAN DENTINE*

Incremental dentine analysis utilizes tissue that does not remodel and that permits comparison, at the same age, of those who survived infancy with those who did not at high temporal resolution. Here, we present a pilot study of teeth from a 19th‐century cemetery in London, comparing the merits of two methods of obtaining dentine increments for subsequent isotope determination. Covariation in δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values suggests that even small variations have a physiological basis. We show that high‐resolution intra‐dentine isotope profiles can pinpoint short‐duration events such as dietary change or nutritional deprivation in the juvenile years of life.     

EXAMINING CHILDHOOD DIETS AT KAMINALJUYU,GUATEMALA, THROUGH STABLE ISOTOPIC ANALYSIS OF SEQUENTIAL ENAMEL MICROSAMPLES*

Stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of tooth enamel provide a means to examine nutritional changes during childhood. To date, such studies have used large enamel samples, often spanning the developmental period of the tooth. This paper reports the results of small samples drilled from first molars and premolars of human teeth from Kaminaljuyu, a Classic period city in highland Guatemala. Carbon isotopes show considerable increase between cuspal and cervical enamel for both teeth, indicating an increase in maize consumption during childhood. Oxygen isotope trends are more variable, and suggest some seasonal fluctuation. While the oxygen isotope data confirm the identification of foreign skeletons among the samples, they illustrate a need for caution when sampling teeth due to variable δ¹⁸O composition of enamel within a tooth.