Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, cilt.71, 2026 (AHCI, Scopus)
This study uses the δ13C and δ15N values from bulk bone collagen of adult individuals, in combination with δ13C and δ15N values from bulk bone collagen of faunal remains, from the late Early Bronze Age and Middle Bronze Age individuals of Kültepe (Kayseri, Türkiye) to examine dietary habits and subsistence practices. This includes examining potential intra-population and demographic variation that will contribute to further understanding the societal dynamics at this important Anatolian Bronze Age centre. The δ13C values of the adult humans from Kültepe range from -20.1‰ to -18.3‰, and for δ15N values range from 4.7‰ to 11.6‰. The mean δ13C value for the adult humans sampled in this study is −18.9‰ ± 0.4‰, and for δ15N the mean value is 9.9‰ ± 1.3‰. The results of this study demonstrate that whilst there is general and overall variation in isotopic values and, thereby, implied dietary habits, this is not observed when we examine them at smaller scales regarding intra-population demographic, burial, and chronological variables. No significant differences were identified between demographic groups, chronological periods, burial types, or burial locations. We could not clearly distinguish non-locals from locals in the skeletal sample population, and also no isotopic dietary evidence was found which would suggest non-locals in the sampled population.