Lifetime narratives encrypted within your skeletal structure: dietary habits and place of origin are chronicled in your bones

In the realm of archaeology, a powerful tool has emerged that sheds light on the mysteries of our past - stable isotope analysis. This technique, which studies the isotopes of different elements in archaeological materials, has revolutionised the field by providing insights into various aspects of ancient civilisations.

At the heart of this method lies the understanding that plants absorb stable carbon-12 and carbon-13 isotopes, which have a consistent ratio to one another in Earth's atmosphere. These ratios, however, can change during photosynthesis due to factors such as the amount of water, sun, and other conditions. By analysing these ratios, researchers can deduce where plants were cultivated and what kind of environmental conditions they endured.

One intriguing application of stable isotope analysis is in the study of maize, a staple crop in many civilisations. Using this technique, it has been shown that maize was introduced in the Eastern Woodland region of North America around 1,000 A.D. This discovery offers valuable insights into the migration patterns and agricultural practices of ancient societies.

Stable isotope analysis isn't limited to plants alone. It can also be used to study various archaeological materials, including bones, food residues on pots, and the source of different metals. For instance, the amount of carbon in animal hair, teeth, and bones shows the ratio of carbon isotopes contained in the plants they consumed, offering a glimpse into their dietary habits.

Moreover, strontium isotopes absorbed into teeth during their creation provide a snapshot of an individual's childhood location. Bone cells gather strontium signatures reflecting an individual's later lived locations as well. Comparing tooth and bone strontium signatures can reveal an individual's movement over their lifespan or indicate they weren't born at the site of discovery.

However, it's important to note that stable isotope analysis isn't a silver bullet. It is expensive, doesn't work on burned materials, and requires careful avoidance of contamination. The older the specimen, the less that can be inferred from it, since bone collagen breaks down after about 50,000 years.

Despite these challenges, stable isotope analysis has been used to study a wide range of subjects, such as ancient human migrations, dietary habits, and environmental conditions. In the 1970s, this technique was used to reveal that an ancient human had a different diet from others discovered during an excavation in South Africa, suggesting previously unsuspected interactions between hunter-gatherers and farmers in the region.

In conclusion, stable isotope analysis is a powerful tool in the archaeologist's arsenal, offering a window into the past that was previously obscured. By analysing the isotopes in various materials, we can learn about the diet, migration patterns, and environmental conditions of ancient civilisations, helping us to better understand our shared history.

Lifetime narratives encrypted within your skeletal structure: dietary habits and place of origin are chronicled in your bones