A pilot isotope study of lifetime mobility of the Early Iron Age population from the Minusinsk Basin

Abstract

For the first time, we report data from isotopic study concerning lifetime mobility of the Early Iron Age inhabi-tants of the Minusinsk Basin, Southern Siberia. Using the mass-spectrometry method, we analysed the 87Sr/86Sr ratio in 22 samples of permanent teeth enamel from six burial sites of the Tagar and Tes’ archeological cultures (Tagarski Ostrov, Bainovsky and Podgornovsky stages; Beya 1, Podgornovsky stage; Samokhval, Kyzyl-Kul, Saragashensky stage; Arshanovo 30, early Tes’ Culture tomb; Podsukhanikha, Tes’ Culture ground graves). Analysis of the samples of nomadic or semi-nomadic population allows obtaining an average value reflecting hu-man seasonal mobility around a vast area during the first ten years of individuals’ life. The ethnographic data sug-gests stable patterns of seasonal routes. All studied sites are located close to each other, with a maximum dis-tance of 100 kilometers. Yet, the analysis demonstrates a variety of isotopic signals. The lowest 87Sr/86Sr values were found in samples from the Tagarsky Ostrov, Samokhval and Podsukhanikha burials (0.708311–0.708873), reflecting cattle and sheep grazing on loess soils widely present in the coastal zone of the Yenisei River. Different values were received for the samples from burial sites of Beya 1 (0.709002–0.709187) and Kyzyl-Kul (0.709117–0.709193), and the highest values were found in materials of the Arshanovo 30 mound (0,709284–0,70946). In the context of pilot study, it cannot be ruled out that people with elevated isotope signals could represent first-generation migrants.

Affiliated Institutions

• Institute of Archeology UA

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