Animal stable isotope data from Dzhetyasar and Oguz culture sites of the lower Syr Darya in Kazakhstan

Kurmaniyazov Y. Tazhekeyev A. Bolelov S. Darmenov R. Sultanzhanov Z. Sharapova K. Sydykova Z. Bilalov S. Bekseitov G. Alievna L.M. Amirgalina G. Nazarov A. Ananyevskaya E.
September 2023 Elsevier Ltd

Archaeological Research in Asia
2023 #35

This paper presents animal (n = 60) and human (n = 1) bone collagen carbon and nitrogen stable isotope data from the previously not studied Dzhetyasar culture, as well as from new sites associated with the Oguz period located in the lower Syr Darya River of Kazakhstan. Radiocarbon dating indicated that the studied contexts from sites Sortobe 1 (882–1007 CE) and Sortobe 2 (AD 1040-1272) can be linked to the Oguz civilization, while Shirkeily Kos-Asar (255–416 CE) can be affiliated with Dzhetyasar culture. Dune site Saryshoky (1015–1159 CE; 1652 CE-…) had several episodes of use. Statistical comparisons of the new and published data showed that there were differences in animal herding practices of Dzhetyasar and Oguz populations, which could be related to the settled vs. semi-nomadic lifestyles of the groups. Stable isotope analysis demonstrated that many studied herbivores have elevated d¹³C values, which might suggest consumption of C₄ vegetation or foddering by millet but might also be related to the consumption of local C₃ vegetation, the isotopic values of which were affected by the arid environment.

Animals , Dzhetyasar culture , Middle ages , Oguz civilization , Stable isotope analysis , Syr Darya

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Center “Archaeology and Ethnography”, Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda State University, Kazakhstan
Department of Archaeology, Faculty of History, Vilnius University, Lithuania
Department of Archaeology, Ethnology and Museology, Al-Farabi Kazakh State University, Kazakhstan
Department of Material Culture and Ancient Art of Central Asian Nations, State Museum of Oriental Art, Kazakhstan
National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan
Eberhard Karl University of Tübingen, Germany
Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda State University, Kazakhstan

Center “Archaeology and Ethnography”
Department of Archaeology
Department of Archaeology
Department of Material Culture and Ancient Art of Central Asian Nations
National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Eberhard Karl University of Tübingen
Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda State University

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