Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis on an unclearly classified pig bone from Pingfengshan, Xiapu
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(1. School of humanities, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China;2. Fujian provincial Museum, Fuzhou 350001, China)

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    Abstract:

    In this study, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis was used on collagen extracted from an unclearly classified pig bone sample from the Pingfengshan shell midden site in Xiapu County. The δ13C value of this sample was determined as -12.2‰, and the δ15N value 4.9‰. The value of carbon isotope ratio indicates that the food consumed by the pig contained both C3 and C4 plants, but mainly C4 plants. The nitrogen isotope ratio shows that the pig was less carnivorous and of a lower trophic level. However, the value of δ15N is still higher than the contrast group of wild boars and wild terrestrial mammals. Based on comprehensive study, it is argued that the feeding of the pig depended on human supply to some extent, thus the pig was likely to have been cultivated. Meanwhile, the C4 plant sources in the pig’s food structure suggest that millet farming may have existed at the site.

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History
  • Received:December 05,2016
  • Revised:February 17,2017
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  • Online: October 25,2017
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