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Shells are remarkably depleted in O and C during the Holocene in response
to positive hydrological balance (and decreased evaporation) and dilution of the
western Mediterranean Sea (source of precipitation), as well as taxonomic and
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isotopic changes in vegetation. Holocene δ O in are in broad agreement with
palaeohydrological scenarios provided by pollen records from Iberian Peninsula,
lake records from SW and N Mediterranean regions, speleothems in NW Italian
Peninsula at the time of decreasing summer insolation maxima in the N
Hemisphere (e.g. Pérez-Obiol et al. 2011; Zanchetta et al. 2013).

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The results emphasize the validity of δ O and δ C signatures in fossil snail
shells from archaeological records as complementary information for the study
of past climate and environmental conditions. Furthermore, stable isotope
composition of fossil shells can assist the translation of complex and large-scale
climate conditions into local-regional opportunity and limits to human societies.

Acknowledgement

The authors wish to thank T. Donnelly, J. Dougans, A. Tait, E. Rigattiere, I. Baneschi, N.
Hausmann, F. Serchisu, H. Hobson. This work is partially funded by the University of
Pisa (ex 60% G. Zanchetta) and the Society of Antiquaries of London
(http://www.sal.org.uk/).

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