Is the Mesolithic-Neolithic Subsistence Dichotomy Real? New Stable Isotope Evidence from the Danube Gorges

Borić, Dušan; Grupe, Gisela; Peters, Joris and Mikić, Živko (2004): Is the Mesolithic-Neolithic Subsistence Dichotomy Real? New Stable Isotope Evidence from the Danube Gorges. In: European Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 7, No. 3: pp. 221-248

Abstract

The article presents new results of stable isotope analyses made on animal and human bones from the Mesolithic-early Neolithic sites of Lepenski Vir and Vlasac in the Danube Gorges of the Balkans. It reconstructs the food web for the region during these periods on the basis of stable isotope analyses of mammal and fish species found at Vlasac. These results are compared to measurements made on human burials from the two sites. In the light of these new results, the article also discusses interpretations provided by previous isotopic studies of this material. It concludes that great care is required in the interpretation of stable isotope results due to inherent methodological complexities of this type of analysis, and suggests that it is also necessary to integrate stable isotope results with information based on the examination of faunal remains and the archaeological context of analysed burials when making inferences about palaeodietary patterns.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Form of publication: Publisher's Version
• Faculties: Veterinary Medicine > Department of Veterinary Medicine > Lehrstuhl für Palaeoanatomie und Geschichte der Tiermedizin
• Subjects: 500 Science > 560 Fossils and prehistoric life
• ISSN: 1461–9571
• Alliance/National Licence: This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively.
• Language: English