Does Exposure to Heat Alter Stable Isotope Values of Ostrich Eggshell?

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2019: General Sessions" session, at the 84th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Archaeological sites in Africa and Asia often contain large amounts of eggshell fragments from ostriches (Struthio spp.), indicating that these birds and their eggs were a valuable source of protein and calories for hunter-gatherers. Despite their abundance, however, ostrich eggshell (OES) remains understudied. Stable isotopic values preserved in archaeological OES can provide significant data regarding paleoclimates (Carbon, Nitrogen, and Oxygen) and human foraging ranges (Strontium). The Middle and Later Stone Age site of Varsche River 003 (VR003; South Africa) has produced OES from all contexts; however, like many comparable sites, much of the OES, especially in the older layers, has been burned to some extent. The physical nature of OES can endure with integrity; the crystalline matrix is as strong as tooth enamel and can provide a time-capsule-like effect, securing mineral isotopes without degradation over time. Isotopes from the organic portion of OES (collagen) may not react in the same way as the mineral portion, and an understanding of how heat effects the isotopic values of OES is vital for sample selection to ensure reliable data. Using modern OES that has been exposed to varying degrees of heat, this study explores if heat alters stable isotope values of ostrich eggshell.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 84th Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, NM (2019)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 25792