A light stable isotope (C, N, H, O) approach to identifying movement of medieval textiles in North West Europe
This thesis examined how light stable isotopic analysis could be used to examine the provenance of archaeological wool textiles preserved by anoxic waterlogging. Preliminary studies in modern sheep wool samples showed that their carbon (ÎŽ13C), nitrogen (ÎŽ15N), un-exchangeable hydrogen (ÎŽ2H) and oxygen (ÎŽ18O) composition varied systematically with geographical location in British Isles and Iceland, but were significantly influenced by farming practice (fodder provision, fertilizer use). Keratin and collagen isotope values within a single sheep were shown to be systematically related. Experimental characterisation of the isotopic effects of wool degradation by elemental, amino acid and isotopic composition showed that changes in experimentally buried samples were minimal compared to samples treated under high-temperature hydrous conditions, which showed significant hydrolysis, oxidation and racemisation. These results were used to interpret data from 101 archaeological textiles from contexts dated between AD 700-1600 from excavations at Reykholt, Iceland; York and Newcastle, Britain; Hessens, Germany; and Birka, Sweden. Local isotope range for each location was defined by assemblage median Â± maximum variation
von Holstein, Isabella C. C.
A light stable isotope (C, N, H, O) approach to identifying movement of medieval textiles in North West Europe. This thesis examined how light stable isotopic analysis could be used to examine the provenance of archaeological wool textiles preserved by anoxic waterlogging. Preliminary studies in modern sheep wool samples showed that their carbon (ÎŽ13C), nitrogen (ÎŽ15N), un-exchangeable hydrogen (ÎŽ2H) and oxygen (ÎŽ18O) composition varied systematically with geographical location in British Isles and Iceland, but were significantly influenced by farming practice (fodder provision, fertilizer use). Keratin and collagen isotope values within a single sheep were shown to be systematically related. Experimental characterisation of the isotopic effects of wool degradation by elemental, amino acid and isotopic composition showed that changes in experimentally buried samples were minimal compared to samples treated under high-temperature hydrous conditions, which showed significant hydrolysis, oxidation and racemisation. These results were used to interpret data from 101 archaeological textiles from contexts dated between AD 700-1600 from excavations at Reykholt, Iceland; York and Newcastle, Britain; Hessens, Germany; and Birka, Sweden. Local isotope range for each location was defined by assemblage median Â± maximum variation
light stable_isotope identify movement medieval textile north west europe examine_light stable isotopic_analysis could_use examine provenance archaeological wool textile preserve preliminary study modern sheep wool sample show carbon_nitrogen oxygen composition vary systematically geographical_location british isles iceland significantly_influence farming practice fodder provision use collagen isotope_value within_single sheep show systematically relate experimental characterisation isotopic effect wool degradation elemental amino_acid isotopic composition show change experimentally bury sample minimal compare sample treat high_temperature condition show significant oxidation use_interpret data archaeological textile contexts dated excavation iceland york newcastle britain germany sweden local isotope range location define assemblage maximum variation