Freshwater Reservoir Offsets Investigated Through Paired Human-Faunal14C Dating and Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Analysis at Lake Baikal, Siberia

• DOI: 10.2458/56.17963
• Publication Date: 2014-06-12T19:15:45Z
• Authors: Rick J Schulting; Christopher Bronk...; Vladimir I Bazali...; Olga I Goriunova; Andrzej Weber
• Keywords: Isotopes of nitrogen; Accelerator mass spectrometry; Isotope Analysis

Thirty-three paired accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dates on human and terrestrial faunal remains from the same Neolithic Early Bronze Age graves are used to develop a correction for freshwater reservoir effect (FRE) at Lake Baikal, Siberia. Excluding two outliers, stable nitrogen isotope (δ 15 N) values show positive correlation (r 2 = 0.672, p < 0.000) with offsets in 14 C yr between fauna determinations. The highest offset observed our data set is 622 yr, which close value of ∼700 suggested endemic seals lake. For each per mil increase δ N, increases by 77 ± 10 overall set. However, there indications that different regression models apply microregions Cis-Baikal. In first, sites southwest shore lake along Angara River strong N ( r 0.814, 0.000). other, Little Sea, both 13 make significant contributions model (adjusted 0.878; 0.001; This can be related complex ecology lake, displays one widest ranges known any natural ecosystem. results will important terms refining culture-history region, as well exploring dynamic interactions hunter-gatherer communities synchronically diachronically.