Sr isotopes in horn cores provide information on Early Modern cattle trade

Abstract

Stable strontium isotopes (87Sr/86Sr) were used to detect residence changes of apparently non-local long horned cattle. A find of horn cores from an Early Modern site near Enns (Austria) was investigated with regard to long-distance trade stock on the hoof during this period. Appositionally growing horn core was analysed in order to detect the geographical origin and the age of residence change in a selection of specimens. The results show that for parts of southern Germany and Austria, remains of long-horned cattle previously assumed to come from traded individuals of allochthonous origin because of their distinct morphology, in a number of cases represent animals of local origin.