Stable isotope indicators of provenance and demographics in 18th and 19th century North Americans

详细信息    查看全文

• 作者：Christine A.M. France ; Douglas W. Owsley ; Lee-Ann C. Hayek
• 关键词：Stable isotopes ; Bone ; Teeth ; Demography ; Provenance ; North America ; Human
• 刊名：Journal of Archaeological Science
• 出版年：February, 2014
• 年：2014
• 卷：42
• 期：Complete
• 页码：356-366
• 全文大小：1195 K

文摘

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 18^th-19^th 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 未¹³C_collagen, 未¹³C_{structural carbonate}, and 未¹⁸O_{structural carbonate} values provide the most overall information for detecting demographic differences, with 未¹⁵N_collagen and 未¹⁸O_phosphate to a lesser degree. Region of origin was the most predictable demographic factor with 82% correct classifications based on a two-variable model using 未¹³C_collagen and 未¹⁸O_{meteoric water} calculated from 未¹⁸O_{structural carbonate}, which reflects the influence of dominant local vegetation types and local drinking water. Ancestry was correctly identified in 68% of cases using 未¹³C_collagen. Social class was less predictable with correct identification in 60% of cases based on 未¹³C, 未¹⁵N, and 未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.