Mediterranean precipitation isoscape preserved in bone collagen δ(2)H

The prehistory of the Mediterranean region has long been a subject of considerable interest, particularly the links between human groups and regions of origin. We utilize the spatial variation in the δ(2)H and δ(18)O values of precipitation (isoscapes) to develop proxies for geographic locations of fauna and humans. Bone collagen hydrogen isotope ratios (δ(2)H) in cattle (and to a lesser extent, ovicaprids) across the Mediterranean reflect the isotopic differences observed in rainfall (but δ(18)O values do not). We conclude that δ(2)H in herbivore bone collagen can be used as a geolocation tracer and for palaeoenvironmental studies such as tracing past isotopic variations in the global hydrological cycle. In contrast, human bone δ(2)H values are relatively tightly grouped and highly distinct from precipitation δ(2)H values, likely due to human-specific food practices and environmental modifications. Given the inter-species variability in δ(2)H, care should be taken in the species selected for study.