Equine diet during protohistoric times in the Northeast of the Iberian Peninsula: Stable isotope data (C, N) from bone collagen.
Abstract: The analysis of stable isotopes in bone collagen allows us to infer the diet of the animals studied. This dataset consists of isotopic signatures (δC and δN) obtained by isotope ratio mass spectrometry from the skeletal remains of 42 equines (horse, ass and their hybrids) from the Can Roqueta site (Sabadell, Northeast Iberian Peninsula). Their chronology spans from Late Bronze Age to Late Roman Period, with particular emphasis on the Early Iron Age. These animals were found in storage silos and graves and were probably sacrificed as ritual offerings. The isotopic values are accompanied by data to assess the quality of the collagen analyzed. This fills a gap in equine isotopic values for this region and chronology, which may be of use to archaeologists interested in the study of livestock management or palaeodiet.
© 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2021-09-16 PubMed ID: 34589562PubMed Central: PMC8461339DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2021.107374Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research uses stable isotopes in bone collagen to study the diet of ancient horses, asses, and their hybrids in northeast Iberian Peninsula from Late Bronze Age to Late Roman Period. The findings could help understand livestock management and diet during this era.
Understanding Stable Isotopes and Bone Collagen
- The study was carried out by analyzing stable isotopes in bone collagen of ancient equines. Stable isotopes are variants of chemical elements that have the same number of protons but different number of neutrons in their nuclei. They remain unaltered or ‘stable’ over time and thus provide a reliable record of past biological and environmental processes.
- Bone collagen, a protein found in bones, contains carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) isotopes, amongst others. By examining the ratios of these isotopes (designated as δC and δN), researchers can make inferences about the animal’s diet. For example, variations in δC values can indicate different types of plant food in the diet, while δN values can indicate the level of meat consumption or starvation periods.
Equines from Can Roqueta Site and Their Application to the Study
- The equine skeletal remains used for the study came from 42 individual animals unearthed at Can Roqueta archaeological site in Sabadell, located in the Northeast Iberian Peninsula.
- These remains date from the Late Bronze Age to the Late Roman Period, with a particular focus on the Early Iron Age. They were found in storage silos and graves, indicating that these animals were likely sacrificed in rituals.
- The data set included isotopic values for each of these animals as well as additional data to assess the quality of the collagen analyzed.
Impact of the Study
- This study fills a gap in understanding the equine diet using isotopic values in this particular region and time period.
- The findings may be valuable to archaeologists studying livestock management or palaeodiet. By understanding the diet of these animals, researchers can gain insights into agricultural practices, the availability of different types of food, and the overall lifestyle of ancient communities in this region.
Cite This Article
APA
Grandal-d'Anglade A, Albizuri S, López-Cachero FJ.
(2021).
Equine diet during protohistoric times in the Northeast of the Iberian Peninsula: Stable isotope data (C, N) from bone collagen.
Data Brief, 38, 107374.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2021.107374 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University Institute of Geology, University of A Coruña, ESCI, Campus de Elviña, A Coruña 15081, Spain.
- SERP, Departament d'Història i Arqueologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Montealegre 6-8, Barcelona 08001, Spain.
- SERP, Departament d'Història i Arqueologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Montealegre 6-8, Barcelona 08001, Spain.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships which have or could be perceived to have influenced the work reported in this article.
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