45674
Accession Number
35744
Title Of Article Chaper
Stable isotope indicators of provenance and demographics in 18th and 19th century North Americans
Title Of Journal Book
Journal of Archaeological Science
Volume
42
Pages
356-366
Collation
11 p. : : ills.
Reference Bibliography
Includes bibliographic references
Language Of Text
English
Literature Type
Serial
Literature Level
Analytic
Abstract
Using stable isotopes to gain insight into individual life histories is a valuable tool for unidentified or incomplete remains lacking historic records. This study analyzed stable carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen isotopes from bones and teeth of 18th-19th century North Americans of known ancestry, social class, and region of origin in an effort to discern qualitative patterns and create a quantitative predictive model of demographic information. The (delta)13Ccollagen, (delta)13Cstructural carbonate, and (delta)18Ostructural carbonate values provide the most overall information for detecting demographic differences, with (delta)15Ncollagen and (delta)18Ophosphate to a lesser degree. Region of origin was the most predictable demographic factor with 82% correct classifications based on a two-variable model using (delta)13Ccollagen and (delta)18Ometeoric water calculated from (delta)18Ostructural carbonate, which reflects the influence of dominant local vegetation types and local drinking water. Ancestry was correctly identified in 68% of cases using (delta)13Ccollagen. Social class was less predictable with correct identification in 60% of cases based on (delta)13C, (delta)15N, and (delta)18O values where the upper class was most distinguishable. Isotope patterns observed in ancestry and social class groups are linked to cultural food preferences and food availability. Certain sample sites, such as military burials and urban cemeteries, show a greater range of isotope values suggesting a variety of individual regional origins and cultural backgrounds. Burials of extreme upper or lower class individuals show greater isotopic homogeneity suggesting reliance on localized food sources or cultural preferences for particular dietary choices.
Keywords
stable;isotope;bone;teeth;demography;proveance;human
pub_id
45674