The influence of manuring on stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) in Celtic bean (Vicia faba L.): archaeobotanical and palaeodietary implications

Treasure, E.R.; Church, M.J.; Gröcke, D.R.

doi:10.1007/s12520-015-0243-6

The influence of manuring on stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) in Celtic bean (Vicia faba L.): archaeobotanical and palaeodietary implications

Treasure, E.R.; Church, M.J.; Gröcke, D.R.

Authors

E.R. Treasure

Professor Mike Church m.j.church@durham.ac.uk
Professor

Professor Darren Grocke d.r.grocke@durham.ac.uk
Professor

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of animal manure on δ15N and δ13C values in a legume, Celtic Black broad bean (Vicia faba). In a field experiment, V. faba was cultivated in plots treated with farmyard manure and pure sheep manure. The results indicate that highly intensive manuring can increase δ15N values in beans, stems, leaves and pods. In comparison, manuring had a relatively small impact on δ13C values. In terms of palaeodietary reconstructions, the high δ15N values in very intensively manured beans (+3 ‰) are equivalent to the trophic-level effect. Based on the experimental results, it is suggested that high δ15N values in archaeobotanical remains of V. faba may be attributable to small-scale cultivation with intensive manuring.

Citation

Treasure, E., Church, M., & Gröcke, D. (2016). The influence of manuring on stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) in Celtic bean (Vicia faba L.): archaeobotanical and palaeodietary implications. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 8(3), 555-562. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-015-0243-6

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Apr 28, 2015
Online Publication Date	May 7, 2015
Publication Date	Sep 1, 2016
Deposit Date	Dec 5, 2014
Publicly Available Date	May 13, 2015
Journal	Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences
Print ISSN	1866-9557
Electronic ISSN	1866-9565
Publisher	Springer
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	8
Issue	3
Pages	555-562
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-015-0243-6
Keywords	Stable isotopes, Nitrogen, Carbon, Manuring, Legume, Palaeodiet.

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