Disspain, Morgan C.F., Ulm, Sean, Izzo, Christopher, and Gillanders, Bronwyn M. (2016) Do fish remains provide reliable palaeoenvironmental records? An examination of the effects of cooking on the morphology and chemistry of fish otoliths, vertebrae and scales. Journal of Archaeological Science, 74. pp. 45-59.

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Abstract

The morphological and chemical properties of fish calcified structures provide excellent environmental and anthropogenic proxies; however, pre-depositional handling may alter these properties, confounding interpretations. This study examines the effects of some traditional processing and cooking methods on the morphological and chemical properties of modern fish otoliths (ear bones), vertebrae, and scales using an experimental approach. Whole mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) were treated using a range of techniques, including boiled in freshwater and saltwater; roasted directly on a fire and wrapped in clay; salted; and completely burnt. Samples were also obtained from untreated fish as controls for comparison. Otoliths, vertebrae and scales from the samples were subjected to morphological, trace element (7Li, 23Na, 24Mg, 55Mn, 86Sr,138Ba, 208Pb, and 65Zn all ratioed to 43Ca) and stable isotope analyses (otoliths and vertebrae – inorganic δ13C and δ18O; scales – organic δ13C and δ15N). Results reveal disparities in the chemistry and morphology of otoliths and vertebrae processed in different ways. The otolith and vertebrae carbonate δ18O values were lower in samples that experienced heating; burnt samples differed significantly from the control samples. Otolith and vertebrae trace elements were largely unaffected by the treatments relative to the controls; however, some individual elements within the burning and salting groups varied significantly. The impacts observed in the fish scales were less substantial. Results provide a basis for evaluating the suitability of archaeological samples for analysis. We recommend avoiding the use of heated samples. Findings highlight the need to conduct palaeoenvironmental reconstructions based on chemistry and stable isotope data of archaeological remains with caution.

Item ID:	45683
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1095-9238
Keywords:	palaeoenvironmental reconstruction; zooarchaeology; otolith; stable isotopes; experimental archaeology; trace element analysis; icthyoarchaeology
Copyright Information:	© 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. The Accepted Manuscript version of this paper is available Open Access under a Creative Commons Non Commercial No-Derivatives (4.0) international license.
Funders:	Australian Research Council (ARC)
Projects and Grants:	ARC FT100100767, ARC DP110100716, ARC FT120100656
Date Deposited:	13 Sep 2016 01:10
FoR Codes:	43 HISTORY, HERITAGE AND ARCHAEOLOGY > 4301 Archaeology > 430101 Archaeological science @ 100%
SEO Codes:	95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9505 Understanding Past Societies > 950599 Understanding Past Societies not elsewhere classified @ 50% 97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970121 Expanding Knowledge in History and Archaeology @ 50%
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