High-resolution stable oxygen isotopes, and bulk 87Sr/86Sr ratios and clumped isotopes in modern and archaeological (3.0 to 5.3 ka) catfish otoliths (Carlarius spp.) and bivalve shells (Senilia senilis) from the Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania@en

Modern and archaeological catfish otoliths (Carlarius spp.) and bivalve shells (Senilia senilis) from a large paleo-estuary east of the Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania, NW Africa, were assessed to obtain information on paleoenvironmental conditions and the NW African hydroclimate during the mid- to late Holocene (ca. 3.0 - 5.3 ka BP). High-resolution (sub-seasonally resolved) ontogenetic stable oxygen isotope (δ18O) records and bulk 87Sr/86Sr analyses indicate monsoonal discharge to the Banc d'Arguin between 5.0 to 5.3 ka BP. Carbonate clumped isotope thermometry was used to test archaeological samples for potential pre-depositional alteration due to prehistoric cooking treatments.