Winter is coming: seasonality of ancient pastoral nomadic practices revealed in the carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) isotopic record of Xiongnu caprines

摘要: Winter is a challenging time for herders, who must carefully consider both calculable and unpredictable environmental circumstances in order to ensure that their livestock survive the season retain body condition adequate production of offspring animal products during rest year. Today, pastoral nomads Inner Asia employ several strategies serve alleviate graze shortages associated with onset winter season, including pasturing foddering. However, emergence such management ancient nomadic communities remains poorly understood. Ancient husbandry practices related seasonal dietary augmentation are documented here first an Asian context. Carbon (δ13C) nitrogen (δ15N) isotopic analyses incrementally sampled second mandibular molar dentin collagens from caprines recovered Iron Age Xiongnu (300 bc 200 ad) contexts Gobi Desert, Mongolia, reveal patterned intra-tooth variation, indicating provisioning animals fodder source included C4 plants on pastures enriched 15N by manure. Inter-individual variation shape carbon curves suggests differences timing intensity application pastoralists different animals. These data herding focused promoting survivorship through harsh months were use over 2000 years ago.