| Abstract: |
Isotopic measurements were performed on bone collagen of teleostean fish from three European lakes (Lake Geneva, Lake Constance and Lake Aiguebelette) and from Lake Baikal (Russia) in order to investigate the isotopic variability of freshwater fish and its consequences for the reconstruction of prehistoric human diet in Eurasia. D13C and d15N values of the same species (Coregonus lavaretus) sampled in all lakes, as well as those of diVerent species from the same lake, emphasize the isotopic variability within and between lakes. Since freshwater resources have variable isotopic compositions which partially overlap with other potential food resources, it may be misleading to infer the use of freshwater resources in human diet directly from the isotopic composition preserved in consumer remains. Checking the compositions of archaeological remains from each site, or when this is not possible an investigation of the isotopic compositions of recent species from local environments, is recommended. Nevertheless, isotopic study could be a useful approach to trace exchanges of fish or population migrations.
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