Bones and teeth isotopes as archives for palaeoclimatic, palaeoenvironmental and palaeoecological data

Abstract

This review paper explores the contribution of the stable isotope analysis of mammalian bones and teeth to the study of palaeoclimate, palaeoenvironment, and palaeoecology. These skeletal remains, composed of both organic and inorganic materials, preserve isotopic signals that reflect an organism's dietary habits and other behaviours, as well as environmental, and climatic conditions during an animal's lifetime. Here, we discuss how carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen, hydrogen, strontium, and zinc isotopes in bones and teeth have been used to reconstruct past changes in temperature, precipitation, aridity, permafrost, vegetation, seasonality, and animal diet and mobility. We identify areas where understanding is limited and suggest avenues for future research. Additionally, we highlight how information from different isotopes and tissues can be integrated with archaeological findings to assess the impact of environmental shifts on animal behaviour and ecosystems, offering a deeper understanding of human-animal interactions throughout (pre)history. Ultimately, stable isotopes in bones and teeth serve as more than just palaeo-proxies; they offer insights into human and non-anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems, and help establish baselines for contemporary conservation, ecosystem restoration and rewilding policies and practices.