The Archaeology Stable Isotope Laboratory (ASIL) investigates the complex interplay between humans, animals, and plants in various environmental and cultural settings. Directed by Dr. Cheryl Makarewicz and managed by Dr. Christine Winter-Schuh, ASIL employs multi-stable isotope analysis to study ancient human mobility, diet, animal husbandry, and plant cultivation practices. The lab focuses on Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age communities in the Near East, Eurasian Steppe, and Central and Northern Europe. ASIL also explores the impact of diagenetic processes on isotope signals and develops innovative sample preparation protocols for bones, teeth, and charred seeds to achieve high resolution datasets that capture authentic in vivo isotope values.

ASIL is a core facility for isotope research conducted in the Institute of Prehistoric and Protohistory Archaeology at the University of Kiel as part of the Excellence Cluster ROOTS. The lab supports a diverse international body of MA students, PhD candidates, and postdoctoral scholars supported by the European Research Council, Humboldt Foundation, Marie Sklodowsak-Curie Action (EU), Minerva Stiftung, Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), the German Science Foundation (DFG), and other institutions worldwide. To that end, ASIL offers training courses and welcomes researchers at all levels to integrate stable isotope analysis into their research.

Recent Updates

ASIL is excited to announce the arrival of two new postdoctoral scholars, Dr. Laura Strolin and Dr. Mayaan Lev. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions COFUND KiTE project, their research will examine the complexities of past human-environment interactions. Dr. Strolin will explore the spread of pastoralism in the Arabian Peninsula during the Neolithic period, while Dr. Lev will investigate the impact of environmental factors on the emergence of agriculture in the Southern Levant.

Projects

ASIAPAST

This multi-disciplinary project explores the emergence of mobile pastoralism in the ancient Eurasian steppe where a unique transformation in human lifeways was initiated 5,000 years ago - when people began to rely on sheep, goat, cattle, and horses for both their daily subsistence as symbols.

Agricultural Regional Diversity & Social Inequality (ARDS)

Weaving together isotopic, palaeobotanical, and zooarchaeological datasets, ARDS investigates how the adoption of plough agriculture and changes in pastoralism in the Carpathian Basin during the Bronze Age led to increased social inequality - as evidenced by intensified production, land and labor control, and wealth accumulation in large tell settlements.

The PaleoBIRD Project

The PaleoBIRD project uses proteomic and isotopic analysis of bird remains from Levantine Stone Age sites to understand how climate change during the Pleistocene affected bird populations, human diets, and the overall Levantine landscape.

Equipment

ASIL provides cutting-edge stable isotope analysis of archaeological and modern materials. Our state-of-the-art equipment allows us to analyze a wide range of samples - including bones, teeth, hair, plants, and water. ASIL is equipped with multiple isotope ratio mass spectrometers (IRMS), gas chromatographs (GC), and other specialized instruments to measure stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, and strontium. Additionally, we have access to advanced sample preparation facilities including drilling stations, mills, ovens, and a clean room. These capabilities enable us to investigate various aspects of past human behavior, diet, migration, and environmental conditions.