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Multiproxy evidence of Late Pleistocene environmental changes in the loess/paleosol sequence of Bůhzdař
Flašarová, Kristýna ; Strouhalová, Barbora (advisor) ; Trubač, Jakub (referee)
Loess-paleosol sequences preserve information that can be used to reconstruct paleoenvironement, specifically the climatic conditions and the vegetation present at the time of their formation. A dense network of reliably analyzed sequences from different geographic locations is crucial for representation of ecological and climatic trends during the Pleistocene (Frechen, 2011). The aim of this thesis is to fill the gap in the geographical distribution of well described loess-paleosol sequences in Central Europe. Therefore, it focuses on a loess- paleosol sequence in Bůhzdař, situated 9 km NW of Prague, Czech Republic. This profile was last studied in 1952 by naturalist Vojen Ložek. This thesis uses a number of analyses in order to get a multi-proxy record of local paleoenvironmental changes archived in a sequence of alternating loess sediments and paleosols in Bůhzdař. Geochemical approaches are combined with grain size distribution to define climatic conditions at the time of formation of the strata. Key words: loess/paleosol sequences, Bůhzdař, Czech Republic, particle size distribution, total organic carbon, XRF, XRD, stable isotopes 13 C and 18 O
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Diet and social stratification in Early Medieval France: Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis of adult population from Merovingian burial site of Le-Norroy-le-Veneur (France, 5th-8th century)
Vytlačil, Zdeněk ; Brůžek, Jaroslav (advisor) ; Kovačiková, Lenka (referee)
The aim of this work was to characterize the diet of a Merovingian population sample and examine if apparent differences in grave good assemblages of Merovingian burials and transfromation of this funerary rite during 6th and 7th centuries were reflected in diet. Dietary composition was assessed using a carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis of 74 bone collagen samples from adults buried at an early medieval cemetery of le-Norroy-le-Veneur, France. Results showed diet based primarily on C3 plants, supplemented with animal protein in a range similar to other contemporary sites. No significant contribution of C4 plants (e.g. millet) or marine-derived protein has been detected and neither has δ15 N dependency on status, sex or datation been found. However, persons with rich grave good assemblages had significantly higher δ13 C than low-ranking individuals. Also, during the time of use of the cemetery there has been a population-wide decrease of 0,33 ‰ in mean value of δ13 C, independent of social status or sex. Results indicate that dietary differentiation steaming from social stratification was only in its early phase of formation, slowly following a progressive rise in power of the Merovingian nobility, and the general subsistence was affected by another independent change in society, most...
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Carbon and Oxygen Stable Isotope Ratio from Foraminiferal Tests as a Key to the Paleoenvironmental Interpretations in the Middle Miocene of the Carpathian Foredeep (Central Paratethys)
Scheiner, Filip ; Holcová, Katarína (advisor) ; Soták, Ján (referee)
The (Lomnice) LOM-1 borehole records a nutrient-rich quiet environment of the outer shelf to upper bathyal in the Mid Badenian (sensu Hohenegger et al. (2014)) of the Carpathian Foredeep. The LOM-1 borehole is rich of a fossil content with a relatively good preservation. The studied section can be correlated with the interval from 14.6 Ma (the FO of Orbulina spp.) to 13.42 Ma (the LO of Sphenolithus heteromorphus) which agrees with the beginning of the "Middle Miocene Climate Transition". The foraminifera for the carbon and oxygen stable isotope analysis were picked from the fraction 0.063-2 mm. The suitability for the stable isotope analysis was carefully evaluated based on the inner wall preservation. The isotopic analysis was done for fifteen samples with total 373 tests analyzed. Each analysis was performed from exactly one test. The following foraminiferal genera from different paleobiotops were used for the isotope analysis: Globigerina bulloides; Orbulina universa, Praeorbulina glomerosa; Globigerinoides spp.; Uvigerina spp.; Heterolepa dutemplei; Cibicidoides spp.; Gyroidinoides spp. and Melonis pompilioides to document the isotopic signal for the superficial and bottom waters. The oxygen and carbon isotope analysis from foraminiferal tests were used for the verification of the...
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Nutrition in medieval Europe and stable isotopes
Jílková, Michaela ; Brůžek, Jaroslav (advisor) ; Kaupová, Sylva (referee)
Stable isotope analyses of human bone collagen are the valuable tool of the diet reconstruction in bioarchaeology. These analyses help to understand the lifestyle of our ancestors. Values of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios show if an analysed specimen used more terrestrial or aquatic food sources, plants with C3 or C4 pathway of photosyntesis or whether his primary protein source were plants or animals. The stable isotopes also provide information about diet differences between different sexes, people with different socioeconomical status or different ages. We can study long- distance trade and residental mobility by results of isotope analyses. A combination of isotope ratios and archaeological knowledge provides valuable information not only about the diet but also about the lifestyle of historical populations. For example in several medieval Europian populations were discovered geographical differences and partly chronological differences which can be explained by the different diet in different localities and diet changes in Middle ages.
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Altitudinal migrations in animals and their study methods
Zenklová, Tereza ; Sedláček, Ondřej (advisor) ; Klvaňa, Petr (referee)
Migration as a response to the seasonality of the environment is common in many animal taxa. Strong fluctuation of the climate is usually connected to regions in the temperate zone, quite common is in the tropical regions as well. Typically, it is even more pronounced in high altitudes. In such environment, many animals could migrate altitudinaly as a response to changes in the climatic conditions or food abundance. But determinants of altitudinal and long-distance latitudinal migrations could be different. The objective of this work is to determine factors influencing altitudinal migrations in diverse taxa (particularly in birds and bats) and in different biogeographical regions. I am trying to find some common features of migrating species, such as diet or temperature and rain tolerance. Especially tropical species are partial migrants, which means that only some individuals of the population migrate. I will discuss common features of such migrating infividuals. Study methods of altitudinal migration will be a part of this research as well. The work will be primarily concentrated on tropical regions.
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Bioarcheologie středověké populace střední Evropy: vztah zdravotního stavu, sociální diferenciace a výživy.
Kaupová, Sylva ; Velemínský, Petr (advisor) ; Smrčka, Václav (referee) ; Polet, Caroline (referee)
We studied the dietary behavior and health status of a population that lived in the context of rapid change, including the development of the economic and political structures of states, the adoption of Christianity as well as the subsequent disruption of social structure and the recovery of society. Carbon (δ13 C) and nitrogen (δ15 N) isotopic values were measured in a sample of 189 adult individuals of both sexes and 74 animals representing different socio-economic contexts (power centers versus the hinterlands) and chronology: the Great Moravian (9th -10th century AD) versus late Hillfort (11th century AD) period. A sample of 41 sub-adults aged 0-6 years, representative of both Great Moravian power centers (Mikulčice) and its rural hinterlands (Josefov), was selected for isotopic analyses of breastfeeding and weaning behavior. Data on growth and frequency of nonspecific stress indicators (cribra orbitalia, porotic hyperostosis, and endocranial lesions) were analyzed in a sub-adult group. In adults, we focused on dental health (caries, periapical lesions, dental wear, and periodontal disease), the presence of cribra orbitalia and estimated adult stature. Isotopic data of the adult sample showed that the Great Moravian population had a terrestrial diet with a substantial proportion of C4 plants....
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Migrations of historical populations. Isotopic signatures in human bones and their applikation in archaeological interpretations
POŘÁDKOVÁ, Kateřina
In the Bachelor thesis called "Migration of historical populations. Isotopic signatures in human bones and their application in archaeological interpretations.", one of the most used research method stable isotope analysis, especially strontium isotope signature from human bones and teeth, is summarized on the basis of a literature review. Isotope analysis allows archaeologists and anthropologists to investigate human migration and the geographical origin of human populations based on the biochemistry of human skeletal remains. Isotopic research cooperates with other disciplines, because favorable conclusions could not be made without their use. The Bachelor thesis deals mainly with the strontium isotope signature recorded in human bones which is from my point of view, a strong tool for understanding the human prehistoric and historical migrations.
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Seasonal variability in isotopic signature of leaf water and related water compartments. An ecophysiological perspective.
PLAVCOVÁ, Lenka
Stable isotope composition of bulk leaf water is a useful proxy for geochemical and biological processes and is, thus, appreciated in ecological research and global modelling. The mechanisms determining the abundance of different isotopes in leaf water are not fully understood. The research presented in this thesis aimed to describe variability in leaf water isotopes which occurs under natural conditions and to distinguish which factors generate such variability. For that purpose, field sampling, water extraction, stable isotope analysis and measurements of several additional environmental and physiological characteristics were carried out at one sampling site during three subsequent growing seasons. The results obtained point out that oxygen isotopes rather then hydrogen isotopes have greater potential to be used in higher scale applications. Apart from that, several interesting ecophysiological interpretations of isotopic data have been made.
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