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. 2024 Jun 26;14(1):14746.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-63563-1.

Stable isotope analysis in soil prospection reveals the type of historic land-use under contemporary temperate forests in Europe

Martin P Janovský  1 , Laszlo Ferenczi  2 , Jakub Trubač  3 , Tomáš Klír  2
Affiliations

Stable isotope analysis in soil prospection reveals the type of historic land-use under contemporary temperate forests in Europe

Martin P Janovský et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

The determination of δ13C and δ15N values is a common method in archaeological isotope analysis-in studying botanical and human remains, dietary practices, and less typically soils (to understand methods of agricultural cultivation, including fertilization). Stable isotope measurements are also commonly used in ecological studies to distinguish different ecosystems and to trace diachronic processes and biogeochemical mechanisms, however, the application of this method in geochemical prospection, for determining historic land-use impact, remains unexplored. The study at hand focuses on a deserted site of a Cistercian manor, dating from the thirteenth to fifteenth centuries. Isotopic measurements of anthropogenically influenced soils have been compared to approximately 400 archaeobotanical, soil, and sediment samples collected globally. The results reveal the potential of isotope measurements in soil to study the impact of past land use as isotope measurements identify specific types of agricultural activities, distinguishing crop production or grazing. δ13C and δ15N ratios also likely reflect fertilization practices and-in this case-the results indicate the presence of cereal cultivation (C3 cycle plants) and fertilization and that the site of the medieval manor was primarily used for grain production rather than animal husbandry.

Keywords: Manuring; Middle ages; Soil geochemistry; δ13C and δ15N.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Overview of linear surface features interpreted as field systems based on LiDAR survey in the area of the study site. Zones indicated according to Table 2 (based on LiDAR analysis and interpretation of features by O. Malina): A: ‘COURT’; B: ‘MEDIEVAL FIELD’; C: ‘(MODERN) FIELDS’; D: ‘MEDIEVAL VILLAGE’. Figure was created using ArcGIS Pro 10.3 (https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-pro/overview), QGIS 3.22.5 (https://www.qgis.org/en/site), and Cloudcompare 2.13 (https://www.cloudcompare.org/main.html). ALS data from ČÚZK Praha (Cadastral Branch Office Prague).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Isotopic binary diagram of site data (A) and supporting datasets (B–I) featured in this study. In the background: boundaries of ecosystems after Staddon. Symbols show three types of data: (1) archaeobotanical samples, (2) modern plants, (3) soil samples (B). The map shows in grey the countries from where the datasets were obtained (A). Datasets and countries: (A–C) Czechia and Slovakia, (D–F) Peru, (G, H) Kenya, (I) Bulgaria, Denmark (Funen island), Germany, Greece, Hungary, United Kingdom.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Reconstruction of the Cistercian manor and its surroundings.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Isotope values of δ15N and δ13C measured in the area of medieval manor. Categories according to medieval settlement parts and contemporary land use are described in Table 2.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Phosphorus measured in the area of the medieval manor and settlement and in modern fields. Categories according to medieval settlement parts and contemporary land use are described in Table 2.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Isotopic binary diagram of values in different parts of the manor and settlement and in modern fields. Categories according to medieval settlement parts and contemporary land use are described in Table 2.
Figure 7
Figure 7
C:N (A) and N:P (B) ratios measured in different parts of the medieval site and in modern fields. Categories according to medieval settlement parts and contemporary land use are described in Table 2.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Ordination diagram showing results of PCA analysis comparing different parts of the medieval site. Categories according to medieval settlement parts and contemporary land use are described in Table 2.
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