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

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.