Isotopic systematics point to wild origin of mummified birds in Ancient Egypt.

ABSTRACT: Millions of mummified birds serving for religious purpose have been discovered from archeological sites along the Nile Valley of Egypt, in majority ibises. Whether these birds were industrially raised or massively hunted is a matter of heavy debate as it would have a significant impact on the economy related to their supply and cult, and if hunted it would have represented an ecological burden on the birds populations. Here we have measured and analysed the stable oxygen, carbon and radiogenic strontium isotope compositions as well as calcium and barium content of bones along with the stable carbon, nitrogen and sulfur isotope composition of feathers from 20 mummified ibises and birds of prey recovered from various archeological sites of Ancient Egypt. If these migratory birds were locally

SUBMITTER: Linglin M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7508811 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature