Palaeonvironmental and palaeodietary implications of isotopic biogeochemistry of last interglacial Neanderthal and mammal bones in Scladina Cave (Belgium)

An isotopic investigation of interglacial Upper Pleistocene mammal bones from layer 4 in Scladina Cave (Sclayn, Belgium) demonstrated good-quality collagen preservation. The extraction protocol had to be modified relative to the usual technique, but the collagen obtained meets the quality criteria requirements for isotopic indigeneity. Carbon isotopic abundances show that the herbivores analysed lived in a forested environment, but the carnivores also consumed prey from more open landscapes. Neanderthal isotopic carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions suggest that most of his dietary proteins were supplied by herbivore prey from open environments.