Unveiling ancient Jerusalem’s pastoral dynamics (7th to 2nd centuries BCE) with multi-isotope analysis
Abstract This study explores changes in pastoral practices in the Jerusalem region (Iron Age II - Late Hellenistic) through a multi-isotope approach (strontium, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen). Based on the analysis of 135 sheep, goat, and cattle teeth and bone samples from Givati Parking Lot we demon...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2024-11-01
|
| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78020-2 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1846171936329039872 |
|---|---|
| author | Abra Spiciarich Yuval Gadot Yiftah Shalev Lidar Sapir-Hen Erin Scott Petrus le Roux Patrick Roberts Philipp W. Stockhammer |
| author_facet | Abra Spiciarich Yuval Gadot Yiftah Shalev Lidar Sapir-Hen Erin Scott Petrus le Roux Patrick Roberts Philipp W. Stockhammer |
| author_sort | Abra Spiciarich |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This study explores changes in pastoral practices in the Jerusalem region (Iron Age II - Late Hellenistic) through a multi-isotope approach (strontium, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen). Based on the analysis of 135 sheep, goat, and cattle teeth and bone samples from Givati Parking Lot we demonstrate the value of this method in reconstructing past animal husbandry, revealing adaptation and resilience of pastoral communities amidst environmental and socio-political changes. Isotopic analysis indicates local sourcing for most animals, with intriguing outliers from distant regions up to 150 km away, suggesting regional exchange networks. Notably, the Persian period (5th century BCE) exhibits a wider isotope range, implying increased flexibility and exploitation of diverse grazing lands, potentially driven by climate shifts and political upheavals. Conversely, Late Hellenistic (2nd century BCE) livestock display restricted movement, while showcasing a rise in desert caprines, indicative of increased import compared to the Persian era. These findings highlight the dynamism and adaptability of past pastoral communities, adjusting their strategies in response to various pressures. This study opens new avenues for understanding human-environment interactions in the Levant and underscores the power of multi-isotope approaches in unraveling intricate socio-economic and ecological dynamics of the past. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-122919626c00436f9d6f3b69b4189c20 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-122919626c00436f9d6f3b69b4189c202024-11-10T12:25:39ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-11-0114111310.1038/s41598-024-78020-2Unveiling ancient Jerusalem’s pastoral dynamics (7th to 2nd centuries BCE) with multi-isotope analysisAbra Spiciarich0Yuval Gadot1Yiftah Shalev2Lidar Sapir-Hen3Erin Scott4Petrus le Roux5Patrick Roberts6Philipp W. Stockhammer7Institute for Pre- and Protohistoric Archaeology and Archaeology of the Roman Provinces, Ludwig Maximilian UniversityDepartment of Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures, Tel Aviv UniversityIsrael Antiquities AuthorityDepartment of Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures, Tel Aviv UniversityisoTROPIC Research Group, Max Planck Institute for GeoanthropologyDepartment of Geological Sciences, University of Cape TownisoTROPIC Research Group, Max Planck Institute for GeoanthropologyInstitute for Pre- and Protohistoric Archaeology and Archaeology of the Roman Provinces, Ludwig Maximilian UniversityAbstract This study explores changes in pastoral practices in the Jerusalem region (Iron Age II - Late Hellenistic) through a multi-isotope approach (strontium, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen). Based on the analysis of 135 sheep, goat, and cattle teeth and bone samples from Givati Parking Lot we demonstrate the value of this method in reconstructing past animal husbandry, revealing adaptation and resilience of pastoral communities amidst environmental and socio-political changes. Isotopic analysis indicates local sourcing for most animals, with intriguing outliers from distant regions up to 150 km away, suggesting regional exchange networks. Notably, the Persian period (5th century BCE) exhibits a wider isotope range, implying increased flexibility and exploitation of diverse grazing lands, potentially driven by climate shifts and political upheavals. Conversely, Late Hellenistic (2nd century BCE) livestock display restricted movement, while showcasing a rise in desert caprines, indicative of increased import compared to the Persian era. These findings highlight the dynamism and adaptability of past pastoral communities, adjusting their strategies in response to various pressures. This study opens new avenues for understanding human-environment interactions in the Levant and underscores the power of multi-isotope approaches in unraveling intricate socio-economic and ecological dynamics of the past.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78020-2Stable isotopesHuman-animal relationsSouthern LevantMigrationAnimal EconomyUrban pastoralism |
| spellingShingle | Abra Spiciarich Yuval Gadot Yiftah Shalev Lidar Sapir-Hen Erin Scott Petrus le Roux Patrick Roberts Philipp W. Stockhammer Unveiling ancient Jerusalem’s pastoral dynamics (7th to 2nd centuries BCE) with multi-isotope analysis Scientific Reports Stable isotopes Human-animal relations Southern Levant Migration Animal Economy Urban pastoralism |
| title | Unveiling ancient Jerusalem’s pastoral dynamics (7th to 2nd centuries BCE) with multi-isotope analysis |
| title_full | Unveiling ancient Jerusalem’s pastoral dynamics (7th to 2nd centuries BCE) with multi-isotope analysis |
| title_fullStr | Unveiling ancient Jerusalem’s pastoral dynamics (7th to 2nd centuries BCE) with multi-isotope analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unveiling ancient Jerusalem’s pastoral dynamics (7th to 2nd centuries BCE) with multi-isotope analysis |
| title_short | Unveiling ancient Jerusalem’s pastoral dynamics (7th to 2nd centuries BCE) with multi-isotope analysis |
| title_sort | unveiling ancient jerusalem s pastoral dynamics 7th to 2nd centuries bce with multi isotope analysis |
| topic | Stable isotopes Human-animal relations Southern Levant Migration Animal Economy Urban pastoralism |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78020-2 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT abraspiciarich unveilingancientjerusalemspastoraldynamics7thto2ndcenturiesbcewithmultiisotopeanalysis AT yuvalgadot unveilingancientjerusalemspastoraldynamics7thto2ndcenturiesbcewithmultiisotopeanalysis AT yiftahshalev unveilingancientjerusalemspastoraldynamics7thto2ndcenturiesbcewithmultiisotopeanalysis AT lidarsapirhen unveilingancientjerusalemspastoraldynamics7thto2ndcenturiesbcewithmultiisotopeanalysis AT erinscott unveilingancientjerusalemspastoraldynamics7thto2ndcenturiesbcewithmultiisotopeanalysis AT petrusleroux unveilingancientjerusalemspastoraldynamics7thto2ndcenturiesbcewithmultiisotopeanalysis AT patrickroberts unveilingancientjerusalemspastoraldynamics7thto2ndcenturiesbcewithmultiisotopeanalysis AT philippwstockhammer unveilingancientjerusalemspastoraldynamics7thto2ndcenturiesbcewithmultiisotopeanalysis |