Archaeozoological contexts of the isotopic analysis of domestic ungulate bones from medieval Russia cities

The paper discusses specific aspects of medieval herding sector in Eastern Europe related to the use of natural and cultivated fodder resources. It provides new information on the isotopic composition (13C and 15N) of the collagen from the bones of domestic ungulates from four Medieval Russia cities located in different regions of the central forest belt. Variations in isotopic data on domestic ungulates were examined based on morphological features of animals and archaeological contexts of the sites. The analyses of these data in parallel, maybe, for the first time, individualize isotopic information on domestic ungulates from the East European medieval period. The interpretation of the 515N values helped establish not only dietary habits and specific traits of animal keeping but also identify specific aspects of economic systems. The values of 513С for each species as well as characteristics of natural vegetation in the urban suburb suggest that cattle, goats/sheep were supplied to Medieval Russia cities from far away regions.