Oxygen Stable Isotopes Variation in Water Precipitation in Poland

Aleksandra Lisowska-Gaczorek, Beata Cienkosz-Stepańczak, Krzysztof Szostek

Oxygen stable isotopes variation in water precipitation in Poland

Anthropological Review • Vol. 80(1), 57–70 (2017)

Oxygen stable isotopes variation in water precipitation in Poland – anthropological applications

Aleksandra Lisowska-Gaczorek, Beata Cienkosz-Stepańczak, Krzysztof Szostek

Department of Anthropology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

Abstract: The main objective of oxygen isotope analysis is to determine the probable place of origin of an individual or the reconstruction of migration paths. The research are methodologically based on referenc- δ18 δ18 ing oxygen isotope ratios of apatite phosphates ( Op) to the range of environmental background O, most frequently determined on the basis of precipitation. The present work is a response to the need for providing background for oxygen isotope studies on skeletons excavated in Poland. Currently there no monitoring of the isotope composition of precipitation water in Poland is conducted. For this reason, based on the data generated in the Online Isotopes In Precipitation Calculator (OIPC), a database was developed, containing δ18O levels in precipitation for locations in which exploration work was carried out in the archaeological fields from Poland. In total, 279 locations were analysed. The result of the data analysis was a complete isotope composition map for Poland with four zones δ18 distinguished by Ow values. The observable differences in oxygen isotope composition of precipitation in Poland are sufficient to trace migrations of individuals and populations, although accurate only at the level of macroregions.

Key words: oxygen isotopes, precipitation, isotope gradient, environmental background, Poland

ered in a single tomb pit or in the vicinity Introduction of human remains constitute an impor- tant, albeit insufficient part of research Chemical methods involving the use of work aimed at determining the origin of stable oxygen isotopes are used by an- a specific individual or their approximate thropologists primarily to study the ori- place of residence. Note that the term gin and migrations of individuals, as well “origin” may be understood as a location as to reconstruct the weaning process. or as an ethnic group. Isotope tests have Archaeological analyses involving dat- become standard in the recent years, en- ing and characterising artefacts discov- hancing our knowledge on populations

Original Article Received: January 19, 2017; Accepted for publication: February 25, 2017 DOI: 10.1515/anre-2017-0005 © 2017 Polish Anthropological Society 58 Aleksandra Lisowska-Gaczorek, Beata Cienkosz-Stepańczak, Krzysztof Szostek excavated at many archaeological sites Szostek et al. 2014; Lisowska-Gaczorek and allowing us to confront information et al. 2016). on their origin in territorial and ethnic Thanks to the information on the iso- context (Stuart-Williams 1996; White et tope composition of oxygen in local en- al. 1998; White et al. 2004; Gregoricka vironmental water at a specific archaeo- and Sheridan 2017). logical site, and with the use of specially Origin and migration studies are designed regression formulas (Daux et δ18 based on the relationship between the al. 2008), we may calculate Op refer- isotope composition of tissues and the ence range for the human population local environment inhabited by a giv- which potentially inhabited the area. en organism. Among elements the iso- Comparing oxygen isotope composition tope composition of which may broaden values for human skeletons to reference our knowledge of the origin, migration, background enables us to identify indi- mobility dynamics or the history of set- viduals of non-local origin. tlement of a particular location by our Concentration of stable oxygen iso- ancestors, oxygen carries the most infor- topes in body water depends mostly on mation. When studying human remains, the isotope composition of drinking wa- researchers increasingly often seek inter, which, in a lesser extent on water formation on mutual relations between contained in food and atmospheric oxy- individuals, both between groups and in gen, constitutes a source of oxygen that the interaction between an individual and becomes ultimately incorporated into the group (Sjögren et al. 2009; Price et al. tissues (Bryant and Froelich 1995; Daux 2010; Wright et al. 2010). Decisions on et al. 2008). The isotope composition of δ18 changing one’s abode or following specif- oxygen in bone phosphates ( Op) be- ic migration groups by humans over the comes fixed as the balance between water centuries were usually dictated by the ingested and excreted from the organism need to prevent an epidemic, a conflict (Bryant and Froelich 1995; Kohn 1996). with a hostile community, an attempt to Permanent oxygen isotopes become in- find new sources of food and water (sea- corporated into the bone mineral. They sonal/temporary migrations), to create are primarily located in phosphate and new economic strategy, or caused by ur- carbonate groups of hydroxyapatite. ban development issues. Human migra- Bone phosphates are analysed in terms of tions involve resettlements of individu- the isotope composition of oxygen due to als, small groups or entire communities. greater stability of bonds between atoms The application of stable oxygen isotope in a phosphate group, and thus the great- analysis, even with small fragments of er resistance to diagenetic factors which the compact substance of the bone at our threaten the biogenic chemical structure disposal, enables us to identify individ- of the bone tissue. uals originating in a place different than In research practice, the isotope com- δ18 the location in which their remains were position of bone phosphates ( Op) of buried after their death (Dupras and individuals excavated at a given site is δ18 Schwarcz 2001; Budd et al. 2004; White juxtaposed with reference values of Op, et al. 2004; Evans et al. 2006; Prowse et which may be provided in the form of: al. 2007; Turner et al. 2009; Wright 2012; 1. δ18O ranges for bone and/or teeth of animals which were present at the ar- Oxygen stable isotopes variation in water precipitation in Poland 59

chaeological site and were representa- Summarised, the OIPC model seemed to tive of the local ecosystem during the be a reliable method in the study of the life span of the analysed population; prehistoric environmental background 2. δ18 Ow ranges of local environmental (Lisowska-Gaczorek et al. 2016). How- water the values of which are regulat- ever, it can be observed a significant lack ed by the effect of local physical, cli- of data coming out of the environmental mate and geographic factors. water and derived from the monitoring In view of the possibilities offered precipitation water. by isotope analyses, there are more and No oxygen isotope map has to date more studies in which researchers at- been drawn up for Poland, the main rea- tempt to determine the isotope compo- son being that there are no extensive sition of surface water collected from isotope test of precipitation or surface various sites over a given area. In this water in this country. Literature sources way isotope maps of Italy (Longinelli and lack specific environmental background Selmo 2003), the British Isles (Darling, ranges which would be used for studying Bath and Talbot 2003), Germany (Bentley human remains through the use of oxy- and Knipper 2005) and Finland (Korte- gen isotopes. An oxygen isotope map of lainen and Karhu 2004) were created. In Poland is therefore a desirable source of many cases researchers also avail them- data which would facilitate the interpre- selves of data from the IAEA/GNIP da- tation of isotope level ranges obtained in tabase (Bowen, Wassenaar and Hobson analyses of human remains and solve the 2005) or estimate the isotope composi- fundamental problem in such studies. tion of environmental water using the Origin and migration studies using OIPC calculator (Daux et al. 2008). This stable oxygen isotopes are currently of- strategy of the oxygen isotope investiga- ten used both for new and old discover- tion of the environmental background ies – in the case of the latter in the form were performed mainly in the regions of reinterpretation (White et al. 1998; where are not carried out of the oxygen White et al. 2000; White et al. 2004; Ev- concentration tests in the environmental ans et al. 2006; Shaw et al. 2010; Rob- water. It could be noted that there were erts et al. 2013; Szostek et al. 2014; Li- only a few selective analyzes of water sowska-Gaczorek et al. 2016; Schuh and from the narrow micro-region of Poland, Makarewicz 2016). and the studies concerned only miner- Archaeological excavations took place al, geothermal and therapeutic water every year on many sites in Poland (Po- (Ciężkowski et al.1992; Baran and Hałas radnik, 1981; Kozak, 1998). It is difficult 2010, Ciężkowski et al. 2010). Therefore, to interpret single samples collected from to determine the variation of the water explored bone and odontological material oxygen concentration in Poland, in this without environmental background. The study we used the mathematical model need for creating an isotope map of the OIPC. In the current literature there are whole country is therefore a response to no a lot of data on the differences in the the basic problem which hinders draw- water oxygen concentrations between ing conclusions on the origin and move- the prehistoric postglacial periods and ments of past human populations. modern times in Central Europe (Zuber Scientists applying isotope analyses in et al. 1997) and they were not significant. order to study the history and life strat- 60 Aleksandra Lisowska-Gaczorek, Beata Cienkosz-Stepańczak, Krzysztof Szostek egies of past human populations make several requirements are met. Firstly, one use of tests of precipitation water from must be sure that the animals lived in the multiple places around the world (Bow- same period as the human population en and Revenaugh 2003). Established of interest. Secondly, the animal whose in 1961, the network of International bones are being analysed should not be- Atomic Energy Agency and World Me- long to a species that migrates over long teorological Agency stations analysing distances. Consequently, low-mobility, monthly isotope levels in precipitation domesticated species such as pigs, cows has for years carried out the programme or sheep are preferred. Thirdly, note that of quantitative monitoring of isotopes animal bone fragments used as potential in precipitation, which is used, among background in isotope studies of parts of other things, in climate, forensic, bioge- human skeletons should not come from ographic, ecological or anthropological items such as bone decorations or small studies (Bowen et al. 2005). Knowledge artefacts found at burial sites if they are of the isotope composition of environ- suspected to have served as e.g. gifts. mental water is vital not only for studies Such bone pieces may have come from on contemporary environment, but also distant areas and should be treated as in research on animal species and man- items which could reveal the potential kind in the past. of relations between populations or the Because of the frequent use of IAEA course of trade routes rather than being data, they are widely interpreted in com- a reflection of the local environmental bination with climate and geographic fac- background. Another limitation of the tors that determine or modify the isotope use of animal material may simply be the composition of the area. IAEA data are absence thereof (Kendall et al. 2013). considered when interpreting even small areas such as river valleys, small moun- Factors affecting the isotope tain ranges, island or coastal areas. Loca- composition of precipitation water tions which are not monitored for isotope composition may also be included in re- The isotope composition of environmen- search thanks to the functionality offered tal water in a specific geographic - mi by the Online Calculator of Precipitation, cro- or macroregion is the resultant of which applies its algorithm to IAEA data multiple geographic and climatic factors. to determine the isotope composition There are a number of “effects” whose in- δ18 of the environment in regions far away fluence on Ow is observable with var- from IAEA measurement stations or lo- ying intensity across different latitudes cations which are no longer monitored. and marine, continental or insular areas In Poland there is only one station situ- (Różański et al. 1993). This study focus- ated in Kraków- Wola Justowska, which es mostly on the isotope composition of has been measured the isotope composi- continental Europe. The reason for the tion of precipitation. Still, the use of the selection of such scope is Poland’s loca- δ18 OIPC enables us to estimate Ow ratio tion in the moderate climate zone with for all locations selected for the present considerable continental effect, although study (Darling 2004). the presence of coastal areas and moun- Animal remains may provide reliable tain ranges was also considered later on. isotope background on condition that Oxygen stable isotopes variation in water precipitation in Poland 61

The oxygen isotope composition of oxygen isotopes. This relationship part- precipitation water varies depending on ly overlaps with the “continental effect” the location on the Earth’s surface (Bow- principle which states that the precipi- en and Revenough 2003). By monitoring tation water of a warm climate is richer the variability of the isotope composition in 18O isotopes in comparison with that of environmental water, many relation- of a cold climate. Air humidity too has ships were recorded. Dansgaard (1964) a significant effect on the local isotope and Różański (1993) were first to link ratio. In low humidity conditions, rela- δ18 18 Ow values retrieved from IAEA & tive quantity of O isotopes in water is WMO database with climate and geog- higher because 16O as lighter isotopes are raphy. The researchers also noticed that lost in the process of evaporation (Bow- the distribution of oxygen isotope com- en and Revenough 2003). position reflects local topography. Water which saturates atmospheric air is sup- OIPC plied in oceanic regions at low latitudes. The original isotope composition is grad- The Online Isotopes in Precipitation Cal- ually modified by the so-called “isotope culator (OIPC) is a tool for computing effects”, first in the borderline diffusion long-term mean oxygen and hydrogen layer between the surface of a large isotope levels in precipitation water by aquatic basin and the lower section of geostatic modeling. Since 1961 the Inter- the atmosphere, and then deep within national Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) the mainland (Boyle 1997; Bowen and and World Meteorological Organisation Revenough 2003). Locations at high al- (WMO) have gathered and published titudes above sea level are characterised isotope data for precipitation collected in δ18 by lower Ow values; it is the so-called over 800 meteorological stations around “altitude effect”. Oxygen isotope compo- the world. Currently, isotope composi- sition values decrease with growing dis- tion records over a period of minimum tance from the shore of a large basin to one year come from approx. 350 stations the inland area, which is called the “con- (Bowen and Revenaugh 2003). Since tinental effect” the influence of which is 2000 there have been several methods very clear in continental Europe. On the for interpolating δ18O in precipitation, European continent mean monthly and which contributed to the emergence of δ18 annual Ow values decrease with grow- new isotope maps (Birks et al. 2002 cit- ing distance from the Atlantic Ocean. ed in Bowen and Revenaugh 2003:9–2). The drop in isotope values is about 8‰ Bowen and Wilkinson (2002), thanks to per every 4,500 kilometers (Różański et their proprietary algorithm improved by al. 1993). A typical characteristic of me- Bowen and Revenaugh (2003) and Bow- dium and high latitudes in this respect en et al. (2005), designed an interpola- is the unequal abundance of 18O isotope tion scheme, which was a combination of in winter (lower value) and summer an empirical model of isotope levels dis- (higher value) – the so-called “seasonal tribution related to latitude and altitude effect”. The “latitude effect” determines above sea level (including temperature) the presence of precipitation containing and a spatial interpolation model (Bow- heavier isotopes in the equatorial zone; en and Revenaugh 2003). The algorithm the closer to the poles, the lighter the estimates oxygen isotope composition 62 Aleksandra Lisowska-Gaczorek, Beata Cienkosz-Stepańczak, Krzysztof Szostek values in precipitation in a location of in- were collected using the Geocontext pro- terest (selectable worldwide) with a con- filer tool (http://geocontext.org). Then, fidence interval of 95%. by means of the OIPC, mean annual iso- The main objective of the present tope values were obtained for each loca- work was to determine the diversity of tion. The values were superimposed on oxygen isotope levels in precipitation wa- a map presenting mean annual air tem- ter in Poland. The analysis of data of the peratures in Poland. Areas with few or isotope ratios in precipitation obtained no sites such as the regions of Podhale from the global database OIPC was ap- or Sudety were also analysed in terms of plied in order to divide Poland into terri- isotope ratios in order to supplement the tories of unique oxygen isotope content, network of locations for which data were taking into account the gradient of the available. This study contains geographic parameter. Tracing the isotope composi- names of macroregions as used by Kon- tion of precipitation, especially in loca- dracki (2002). tions where archaeological excavations were performed, will reveal the potential Results in the interpretation of the results of isotope tests and help retrace probable trek On the basis of the values generated by routes of analysed communities. A closer means of the OIPC, an oxygen isotope look at the isotope data in East-Central value database was created for 279 in- Europe will facilitate studying the di- vestigated locations in which excavation rections of potential migrations, also in work had been carried out from almost a broader context than today’s territory 60 years. Due to the high number of sites of Poland. and their relatively even distribution (Fig. 2) we arrived at a complete image Materials and methods of the isotope composition of the territory of Poland. The highest δ18Ow val- Oxygen isotope composition data for ue is –8.9‰ and was recorded in towns sites in Poland in which excavations had which are currently situated in the vicin- been conducted were estimated by means ity of Zielona Góra in Lubuskie voivode- of the Online Isotopes in Precipitation ship, in Dolnośląskie voivodeship (e.g. Calculator, OIPC (http://waterisotopes. Wrocław), Opolskie voivodeship (e.g. org, accessed in June 2016). The 279 Opole), Małopolskie voivodeship (e.g. archaeological sites considered in our Krakow). The lowest recorded value is investigations is based on studies by Po- –10.2‰ near Suwałki. radnik (1981) and Kozak (1998) (Fig. 1). Considering factors which affect the The base of locations was supplemented isotope composition of environmental δ18 by archaeological sites explored in recent water and territorial variation of Ow years. Also there were included locations values in Poland, the country was divided that were interesting in terms of geo- into four regions according to the isotope graphic and climatic conditions eg. Tatra composition of precipitation. Mountains, and 13 locations from coun- The macroregions of Poland which tries bordering Poland. For each of the fall within the defined “isotope regions” locations referred to above, geographic are listed below. coordinates and altitude above sea level Oxygen stable isotopes variation in water precipitation in Poland 63

Fig 1. Archaeological sites in Poland selected from study by Poradnik (1981) supplemented with new fields. For each location was generated oxygen isotope ratio in precipitation.

I: Lithuanian Lakeland (Pojezierze Lite- the areas belonging to Lubuskie voivode- wskie), the northern part of North Pod- ship, Lower Vistula Valley (Dolina Dol- lachian Lowland (Nizina Północnopo- nej Wisły), Iława Lakeland (Pojezierze dlaska), the western part of Masurian Iławskie), western parts of Old Prussian Lakeland (Pojezierze Mazurskie) and Old Lowland (Nizina Staropruska) and Mas- Prussian Lowland (Nizina Staropruska). urian Lakeland (Pojezierze Mazurskie) Isotope levels from –9.8‰ to –10.2‰ with Olsztyn and Szczytno poviat dis- II: Littoral Koszalin Region (Pobrzeże tricts, Chełmno-Dobrzyń Lakeland (Po- Koszalińskie), Littoral Gdańsk Region jezierze Chełmińsko-Dobrzyńskie), (Pobrzeże Gdańskie), East Pomeranian North Masovian Lowland (Nizina Lakeland (Pojezierze Wschodniopomor- Północnomazowiecka), the northern part skie), the upper part of West Pomeranian of South Podlachian Lowland (Nizina Lakeland (Pojezierze Zachodniopomor- Południowopodlaska), a small part of skie), South Pomeranian Lakeland (Pojez- Central Masovian Lowland (Nizina Środ- ierze Południowopomorskie) except for kowomazowiecka) (near Siedlce), the 64 Aleksandra Lisowska-Gaczorek, Beata Cienkosz-Stepańczak, Krzysztof Szostek upper part of Western Polesie (Polesie ie), Greater Poland Lakeland (Pojezierze Zachodnie), the northernmost part of To- Wielkopolskie), Toruń-Eberswalde Gla- ruń-Eberswalde Glacial Valley (Pradolina cial Valley (Pradolina Toruńsko-Eber- Toruńsko-Eberswaldzka). Isotope levels swaldzka) (except for the part referred ranging from –9.4‰ to –9.9‰. to in Region II), South Greater Poland In the 2nd “isotope region”, two small ar- Lowland (Nizina Południowowielkopol- δ18 eas which stand out due to higher Ow ska), Central Masovian Lowland (Nizina values are highlighted on the map (Fig. Środkowomazowiecka), South Mazovian 2). It is the region of Chojnice (–9.7‰) Heights (Wzniesienia Południowoma- and Dylewska Górka 307 m above sea zowieckie), Leszno Lakeland (Pojezierze level (–10.1‰). Leszczyńskie), Woźniki-Wieluń Upland III: Littoral Szeczecin Region (Pobrzeże (Wyżyna Wożnicko-Wieluńska), Przed- Szczecińskie), part of South Pomeranian bórz Upland (Wyżyna Przedborska), Lakeland (Pojezierze Południowopomor- Kielce Upland (Wyżyna Kielecka), the skie), which administratively belongs to northern part of Kraków–Częstochowa Lubuskie voivodeship, the northern part Upland (Wyżyna Krakowsko-Często- of Lubusz Lakeland (Pojezierze Lubusk- chowska), northeast part of Sandomierz

Fig. 2. A map of mean annual temperatures in Poland including levels of oxygen isotopes in precipitation δ18 with division into four isotope macroregions. Arrows indicate Ow variation tendencies. Oxygen stable isotopes variation in water precipitation in Poland 65

Basin (Kotlina Sandomierska) continu- (Beskidy Środkowe) and Wooded Beskids ing to San-Dniester Plateau (Płaskowyż (Beskidy Lesiste), Podhale-Magura Area Sańsko-Dniestrzański), Lublin Upland (Obniżenie Orawsko-Podhalańskie), Ta- (Wyżyna Lubelska), the southern part tra Chain (Łańcuch Tatrzański). The iso- of Western Polesie (Polesie Zachodnie), tope range for Region III includes values Volhynian Polesie (Polesie Wołyńskie), from –8.9‰ to –9.0‰ with two distinct Roztochia (Roztocze), Volhynian Up- areas: Zielona Góra Heights (Wzniesie- land (Wyżyna Wołyńska), Western Bug nia Zielonogórskie) and Tatra Chain Basin (Kotlina Pobuża). The areas which (Łańcuch Tatrzański) –9.9‰. fall outside the –9.3‰ to –9.1‰ range Figure 2 also shows the increasing include Littoral Szeczecin Region (Po- and decreasing tendencies for oxygen brzeże Szczecińskie) and Świętokrzysk- isotopes in regions bordering with Po- δ18 ie Mountains (Góry Świętokrzyskie) land. A rise in the Ow value was report- (–9.4‰). ed in westward and southward direction, IV: the southern part of Lubusz whereas further north and east from the Lakeland (Pojezierze Lubuskie), War- Polish border lower values of the param- ta-Oder Glacial Valley (Pradolina War- eter in precipitation are observed. ciańsko-Odrzańska- western part), As can be seen in Figure 2, data gen- Zielona Góra Heights (Wzniesienia Zie- erated by means of the OIPC allowed us δ18 lonogórskie), Lower Lusatian Depres- to define four regions with similar Ow sion (Obniżenie Dolnołużyckie), Lusa- values. The regions are characterised by tian Heights (Wzniesienia Łużyckie), a layered structure and oriented along Milicz-Głogów Depression (Obniżenie the east/northwest line. Milicko-Głogowskie), Silesian-Lusa- The presence of the lowest values δ18 tian Lowland (Nizina Śląsko-Łużycka), of Ow in Region I may be due to low Trzebnica Embankment (Wał Trzeb- mean air temperatures during the year nicki), West Sudetic Upland (Pogórze in the area between Suwałki, Kętrzyn Zachodniosudeckie), Sudetes Foreland and Białystok: Its mean temperature in (Przedgórze Sudeckie), Western Sude- January is the lowest in comparison to tes (Sudety Zachodnie), Central Sude- other locations in Northern and Central tes (Sudety Środkowe) and Eastern Su- Poland. Such conditions may be addi- detes (Sudety Wschodnie), Sandomierz tionally affected by a high mean total pre- Basin (Kotlina Sandomierska), San-Dni- cipitation during the year. It is likely that ester Plateau (Płaskowyż Sańsko-Dni- isotope levels in the area are subject to estrzański), the western part of Silesian the “altitude effect”. It is predominate- Lowland (Nizina Śląska), Silesian Upland ly a lowland region with many lakes and (Wyżyna Śląska), Oświęcim Basin (Kot- lake districts, yet there is no lack of up- lina Oświęcimska), the southern part of lands. In several locations altitude above Kraków–Częstochowa Upland (Wyżyna sea level exceeds 300 m, which may be Krakowsko-Częstochowska), Cracow locally significant. Gate (Brama Krakowska), West Beskid The isotope region labeled as Region Upland (Pogórze Zachodniobeskidzkie) II is a belt with mean annual air temper- and Central Beskidian Piedmont (Pogórze atures of 7 to 8°C. It covers seaside are- δ18 Środkowobeskidzkie), Western Beskid as of noticeably lower Ow values than (Beskidy Zachodnie), Central Beskids those situated south and east of the sea. 66 Aleksandra Lisowska-Gaczorek, Beata Cienkosz-Stepańczak, Krzysztof Szostek

The climate of the region is influenced although mostly stopped by the high by the Baltic Sea, although the further mountain ranges, still exerts noticeable south, the more the marine impact is impact on the climate and isotope com- limited. Characteristics of wind direc- position of precipitation in South Poland. tions in Poland show that the coastal areas from Półwysep Helski to Świnoujście Discussion are characterised by high mean annual wind speed. A discussion of oxygen isotope ratios in Oxygen isotope ratio values in precipi- environmental water may entail a ques- tation in Regions I and II are clearly lower tion whether values which characterise than those observed in Central and South contemporary water may also be consid- Poland. When referring those values to ered in studying pre-historic populations. δ18 Ow parameters generated for the Scan- To date there have been few recorded dinavian region, one may notice that the analyses of the isotope composition of inflow of the Arctic air from Scandinavia surface or ground water in Poland. Still, in winter is not without significance for studies by Zuber et al. (1997) on water the northern part of Poland. We may sup- samples collected from a shallow layer of pose that (heavy isotope-bearing) humid- a water system dated at the interglacial ity contained in the Arctic air, in addition and interstadial period show that their to low temperature, causes precipitation isotope composition does not significant- with high 18O content, thereby neutralis- ly differ from the composition of today’s ing/reducing the opposing effect of other water. The difference was only reported factors such as the latitude effect or the for samples taken at greater depths. In continental effect. the study, water from deeper layers of Region III, crossing the country from the system contained heavier isotopes the west to the east through its central than contemporary water, which – ac- part, is climatically influenced by mari- cording to authors – could stem from the time polar air (warm in summer, cold in impact of a much warmer climate in the winter) coming from the west, which is period to which the water samples from δ18 manifested in slightly higher Ow val- deeper strata were dated, i.e. the period ues (–9.1‰) in the west. Meanwhile, preceding the Quaternary. We may there- the eastern part is affected by mass- fore conclude that the water from surface es of continental air causing low tem- layers of the lithosphere representative peratures. Growing distance from the of the period preceding the Quaternary Atlantic Ocean also results in a lower does not substantially differ from today’s oxygen isotope proportion (–9.3‰) in water in terms of isotope ratios. precipitation. The isotope composition of drinking δ18 The highest Ow values are reported water may depend on three factors: sur- for Region IV. This means that precipi- face waters, ground waters and soil hu- tation water of locations included in Re- midity (Darling 2004). The author also gion IV contains a relatively high quan- emphasized that the heaviest impact on tity of 16O isotopes. The influence of the the composition of surface and ground Atlantic Ocean and tropical air masses water was exerted by precipitation and is undoubtedly at work here, bringing suggested that the highest isotope varia- warm air with lighter isotopes, which, bility characterises flowing watercourses Oxygen stable isotopes variation in water precipitation in Poland 67

(rivers), for which δ18O is modified with Poland, albeit only accurate to the level every consecutive tributary from a new of a macroregion. territory. Considering the fact that the data Environmental water isotope ratios presented in this work are based on the δ18 are proved to be manifested in Op val- results of isotope value modeling by the ues for the bone tissue. The conclusion OIPC software, the is a need for isotope which may be drawn from the present studies conducted on environmental wa- study is that individuals from historical or ter samples from various regions of Po- pre-historical populations from what to- land. When juxtaposed with results from day is the territory of Poland could differ the OIPC, such values would provide in terms of oxygen isotope ratios in bone a precise image of oxygen isotope varia- δ18 tissues, and the Op value depends on tion across Poland. the “isotope region” from which the specific individual originated. In Figure 2 we Acknowledgements δ18 may find Op values could be expected to be measured in tissues of individuals The present contribution was supported representing a given location in Poland. by The National Science Center (Poland) Grant No. 2014/15/N/NZ8/00351. Conclusions Author contribution The analysis of δ18O data for precipitation in 279 locations where archaeologi- All Authors equally contributed to this cal excavation works had been performed paper i.e. in study conception and de- yielded a complete image of the isotope sign, data acquisition and interpretation, composition of the territory of Poland drafting the manuscript and critically re- and allowed us to define four regions vised it. All authors read and approved according to δ18Ow levels. The regions final version of the manuscript. are arranged in layers characterised by growing oxygen isotope level along the Conflict of interest northeast/southwest axis. The highest values of isotope ratios were reported in The Authors declare that there is no con- the southeast belt with a tendency for flict of interests regarding publication of the value to increase in the direction of this paper. Germany, Czech Republic and Slovakia; the lowest ones are characteristic of the Corresponding author region of Suwałki with a trend to decrease in the direction of the countries Beata Cienkosz-Stepańczak, Department δ18 bordering Poland in the east. Ow val- of Anthropology, Institute ue read-outs for individual regions to of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, ul. a large extent reflect the climatic and Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Kraków, Poland geographic conditions in respective lo- e-mail address: [email protected] cations in Poland. Recorded variations in oxygen isotope composition are sufficient to capture the differences in the origin of human groups from the area of 68 Aleksandra Lisowska-Gaczorek, Beata Cienkosz-Stepańczak, Krzysztof Szostek

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