Mobility and land use in the Greater Khorasan Civilization: Isotopic approaches (87Sr/86Sr, δ18O) on human populations from southern Central Asia

The question of mobility Bronze Age societies in southern Central Asia is a lively subject for discussion and remains key aspect understanding past human life. represents region where migration had deep impact on the development cultural communities. Surrounded by great empires ancient Near East, it exhibited high ethnic genetic diversity. In this paper we present regional study isotopic analyses 87Sr/86Sr δ18O samples from several sites Turkmenistan (Ulug Depe), south/central Uzbekistan (Dzharkutan, Sapallitepa, Tilla Bulak, Bustan Bashman 1) Tajikistan (Saridzhar, Gelot Darnaichi). three geographical zones manifest different patterns mobility. analysis Ulug Depe people demonstrates rate immigration during early periods (EBA) tendency permanent residence. later (MBA) are marked decrease mobility, indicating more extensive use surrounding landscape. Dzharkutan displayed complex pattern subsistence, with frequent movements individual lifetime within limited area. other Surkhan Darya Valley indicate active which individuals migrated wide area Asia.