A new approach for deciphering between single and multiple accumulation events using intra-tooth isotopic variations: Application to the Middle Pleistocene bone bed of Schöningen 13 II-4.

The research article is about a new technique applying intra-tooth isotopic variations to determine if archaeological bonebeds were produced by a single event, or multiple events over time. This method was tested on horse teeth fossils from the Schöningen Middle Pleistocene site.

Study Objectives and Methodology

• The primary goal of the study was to develop a new method for discerning between single-event and multiple-event formation of archaeological bonebeds. The difficulty in differentiating between these types of formation events often poses a challenge for archaeologists and paleontologists.
• The researchers applied a high temporal resolution study technique known as intra-tooth isotopic profiling. This involves examining isotopic variations within the dental enamel of various archaeological specimens.
• The specimens used in this study consisted of 23 horse third molars obtained from the Middle Pleistocene archaeological site of Schöningen.
• The technique employed combined the use of bulk and intra-tooth isotopic variations. It also factored in considerations such as animal behavior, age at death, and dental development.

Results and Findings

• The bulk values of oxygen and carbon isotopes indicated that the horses from Schöningen 13 II-4 experienced relatively similar climatic and dietary conditions, suggesting possible commonality in conditions leading to their death.
• However, inter-individual differences in the bulk values showed variability similar to that in multi-layered localities. This suggests a more complex accumulation event.
• The intra-tooth isotopic variation among specimens of the same age suggested that the cohort consisted of a mixture of individuals with both similar and diverse isotopic histories.
• Of note, the conditions captured in the isotopic signals shortly before death varied among sampled individuals. This difference suggests varying seasonality in the time of death.

Conclusion and Discussion

• In light of these results, the study discusses the possibility that the horses from Schöningen 13 II-4 represent an accumulation of individual death events, rather than a single mass event.
• This illustrates the potential for intra-tooth isotopic variation techniques in investigating fossil accumulation processes in archaeological sites.