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Isotope Analysis

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A Consumer's Guide to Archaeological Science

Part of the book series: Manuals in Archaeological Method, Theory and Technique ((MATT))

Abstract

Isotope analysis is a highly versatile technique that uses the ratio of two non-radioactive isotopes of an element within a sample to provide insights about the conditions under which it formed. This is possible because certain biochemical and geochemical processes favor one isotope, usually the lighter one, over the other. This results in measurable differences between the isotopic composition of the initial reactants (e.g., the food an animal consumes) and the resulting products (e.g., animal tissue formed from food components). The technique can be applied to a wide variety of materials including the remains of plants and animals, organic residues, metals, rocks, and minerals. Depending upon the sample and isotopes measured, information can be gained about diverse issues ranging from the diet and mobility patterns of an animal, global climate change, and the source of building material. Interpretations may be based on the value of one or more ratios of isotopes of the same element or the isotope ratios measured on more than one element.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anthropology, Brandon University, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada

    Mary E. Malainey

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Malainey, M.E. (2011). Isotope Analysis. In: A Consumer's Guide to Archaeological Science. Manuals in Archaeological Method, Theory and Technique. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-5704-7_13

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