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Isoscapes pp 335–356Cite as

Stable and Radiogenic Isotopes in Biological Archaeology: Some Applications

Abstract

Stable isotope geochemistry has had a significant impact in archaeology and anthropology of ancient peoples. Regional gradients in δ18O and 87Sr/86Sr are reflected in the bones and teeth of ancient humans and can be used to detect migration of individuals from their place of birth or early life. Studies of carbon and nitrogen isotopes in bones and teeth reveal paleodiet but do not display strong geographic gradients in composition. Oxygen isotopic analyses of teeth trace changes in climate and seasonality of rainfall. Carbon isotopic analyses of soils and other surficial materials can reveal long-term shifts in regional climate. Strontium isotopic analyses of teeth reflect the geological environment i.e., the ages of rock formations and derived soils. Diagenesis of bones during burial can obscure isotopic tracers; these are minimized in tooth enamel.

Keywords

  • Tooth Enamel
  • Skeletal Remains
  • Radiogenic Isotope
  • Forensic Anthropology
  • Oxygen Isotopic Study

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the contribution to our research as cited here by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC: HPS and FJL:) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC: HPS AND CDW).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada, L8S 3Z7

    Henry P. Schwarcz

  2. Department of Anthropology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ont., Canada, N6A 5C2

    Christine D. White

  3. Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ont., Canada, N6A 5C2

    Fred J. Longstaffe

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  1. Henry P. Schwarcz
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  2. Christine D. White
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Correspondence to Henry P. Schwarcz .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Texas A&M University System, Garner Field Rd. 1619, Uvalde, 78801, U.S.A.

    Jason B. West

  2. Dept. Earth & Atmospheric Science, Purdue University, Stadium Mall Drive 550, West Lafayette, 47907-2051, U.S.A.

    Gabriel J. Bowen

  3. Dept. Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, 94720, U.S.A.

    Todd E. Dawson

  4. Dept. Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, 94720, U.S.A.

    Kevin P. Tu

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Schwarcz, H.P., White, C.D., Longstaffe, F.J. (2010). Stable and Radiogenic Isotopes in Biological Archaeology: Some Applications. In: West, J., Bowen, G., Dawson, T., Tu, K. (eds) Isoscapes. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3354-3_16

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