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22 - An investigation into the archaeological application of carbon stable isotope analysis used to establish crop water availability: solutions and ways forward

from Part V - Palaeoeconomies and developing archaeological methodologies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 April 2011

By
Helen Stokes ,
Gundula Müldner  and
Emma Jenkins
Edited by
Steven Mithen  and
Emily Black
Helen Stokes
Affiliation:
University of York
Gundula Müldner
Affiliation:
University of Reading
Emma Jenkins
Affiliation:
Bournemouth University
Steven Mithen
Affiliation:
University of Reading
Emily Black
Affiliation:
University of Reading
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Summary

ABSTRACT

Carbon stable isotope analysis of charred cereal remains is a relatively new method employed by archaeological scientists to investigate ancient climate and irrigation regimes. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of environmental variables on carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) in multiple environments to develop the technique and its archaeological application, using crops grown at three experimental stations in Jordan. There are two key results: (1) as expected, there was a strong positive relationship between water availability and Δ; (2) site, not water input, was the most important factor in determining Δ. Future work should concentrate on establishing ways of correcting Δ for the influence of site specific environmental variables and on assessing how well carbon isotope discrimination values are preserved within the archaeological record.

INTRODUCTION

Carbon stable isotope analysis of archaeological cereals is a relatively new approach for the investigation of ancient irrigation systems (Araus and Buxo, 1993; Araus et al., 1997b; Ferrio et al., 2005; Araus et al., 2007; Riehl et al., 2008). The approach relies on the basic principle that plants under water stress discriminate less against the ‘heavier’ carbon-13 (13C) isotope than plants whose water requirements are fully met (Farquhar and Richards, 1984; Farquhar et al., 1989). As a consequence, the tissues of water-stressed plants contain more 13C than those which have received sufficient water through rainfall or irrigation.

Type
Chapter
Information
Water, Life and Civilisation
Climate, Environment and Society in the Jordan Valley
 , pp. 373 - 380
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2011

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