Isotope studies of fossil bones of Pleistocene Yakut horses

Abstract

Well-conserved carcasses of ancient large mammals can be found in permafrost of North-eastern Siberia. Mummified remains of ancient horses are rather rare ones. Complex stable isotope studies of 5 mummies and several horses’ bones from Northern Yakutia were carried out. Results obtained testify to possibility to use carbon isotope composition of hydroxylapatite carbonate from horses’ bones as palaeoclimatic indicator. It was determined relative (warmer or cooler, more dry or humid) environmental conditions during our horses’ lives. Preliminary data allow us to suppose that in Late Pleistocene lived in similar landscapes as well in Yakutia as Western Europe.

Keywords

• лошади
• палеонтологические останки
• поздний плейстоцен
• стабильные изотопы