Equine diet during protohistoric times in the Northeast of the Iberian Peninsula: stable isotope data (C, N) from bone collagen

Abstract

The analysis of stable isotopes in bone collagen allows us to infer the diet of the animals studied. This dataset consists of isotopic signatures (δ13C and δ15N) obtained by isotope ratio mass spectrometry from the skeletal remains of 42 equines (horse, ass and their hybrids) from the Can Roqueta site (Sabadell, Northeast Iberian Peninsula). Their chronology spans from Late Bronze Age to Late Roman Period (with particular emphasis on the Early Iron Age). These animals were found in storage silos and inhumation tombs and were probably sacrificed as ritual offerings. The isotopic values are accompanied by data to assess the quality of the collagen analysed. This fills a gap in equine isotopic values for this region and chronology, which may be of use to prehistorians interested in the study of livestock management or palaeodiet.

Keywords

• Late Bronze Age
• Early Iron Age
• equidae
• palaeodiet
• stable isotopes
• Iberian Peninsula