Isotope studies of fossil bones of Pleistocene Yakut horses

A. Di Matteo; T. V. Kuznetsova; V. I. Nikolaev; N. N. Spasskaya; P. Jakumin

doi:10.15356/2076-6734-2013-2-93-101

Isotope studies of fossil bones of Pleistocene Yakut horses

A. Di Matteo, T. V. Kuznetsova, V. I. Nikolaev, N. N. Spasskaya, P. Jakumin

https://doi.org/10.15356/2076-6734-2013-2-93-101

Full Text:

Abstract

Well-conserved carcasses of ancient large mammals can be found in permafrost of North-eastern Siberia. Mummified remains of ancient horses are rather rare ones. Complex stable isotope studies of 5 mummies and several horses’ bones from Northern Yakutia were carried out. Results obtained testify to possibility to use carbon isotope composition of hydroxylapatite carbonate from horses’ bones as palaeoclimatic indicator. It was determined relative (warmer or cooler, more dry or humid) environmental conditions during our horses’ lives. Preliminary data allow us to suppose that in Late Pleistocene lived in similar landscapes as well in Yakutia as Western Europe.

Keywords

Late Pleistocene, horses, palaeontological remains, stable isotopes,

About the Authors

A. Di Matteo

Parma University, Italy;
Russian Federation

T. V. Kuznetsova

Moscow State University;
Russian Federation

V. I. Nikolaev

Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow;
Russian Federation

N. N. Spasskaya

Museum of Zoology, Moscow State University
Russian Federation

P. Jakumin

Parma University, Italy;
Russian Federation

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Supplementary files

For citation: Di Matteo A., Kuznetsova T.V., Nikolaev V.I., Spasskaya N.N., Jakumin P. Isotope studies of fossil bones of Pleistocene Yakut horses. Ice and Snow. 2013;53(2):93-101. https://doi.org/10.15356/2076-6734-2013-2-93-101

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