A new approach for studying prehistoric herd management in arid areas:: intra-tooth isotopic analyses of archaeological caprine from Iran

Carbon and oxygen isotopic variations in archaeological tooth enamel from Iran have been used to investigate prehistoric herd management. Oxygen isotopic variations in domestic caprines are more important than in wild equids, indicating a seasonal consumption of O-18-depleted drinking water. Since the plants consumed at the same time were partly C-4, it is presumed that the access to this O-18-depleted water was controlled by humans, and that the water came from wells or underground canalisations. This methodology is expected to provide valuable information on herd management in the past in arid areas. (C) 2001 Academie des sciences / Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.