Isotopically distinct modern carbonates in abandoned livestock corrals in northern Kenya

► We show that dung in corral soils contain modern carbonates. ► The modern carbonates are depleted in Carbon-13 than pedogenic carbonates. ► The modern carbonates are enriched in Oxygen-18 than pedogenic carbonates. ► Stable isotopes composition of dung carbonates can identify abandoned corrals. ► The age of abandoned corrals can be determined by radiocarbon dating of carbonates.