Human variation: delta/sup 13/C in adult bone collagen and the relation to diet in an isochronous C/sub 4/ (maize) archaeological population
Analysis of the stable isotopes of carbon (/sup 13/C and /sup 12/C in the standard ratio delta/sup 13/C) can distinguish the relative contributions of meat, cereals, and other plant foods to the diets of prehistoric people. This dissertation has examined an isochronous (non-cemetery) population of prehistoric Americans to ascertain the natural variation in isotopic composition amongst a group of maize-eaters. The seventeen adult females and fifteen adult males represent the largest human data set of prehistoric or contemporary samples for study of natural isotopic enrichment in which genetic, economic, disease, and temporal variables were controlled. Procedures for purifying remnant bone protein from archaeological samples were developed or modified specifically to determine isotopic measurement. Cryogenic milling, cold acid demineralizing, gelatinizing, and an XAD-2 resin column were used to remove soil contaminants while preserving the chemical integrity of the bone protein. Measurements of total elemental carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen of the unprocessed bone; amino acid analysis of selected gelatin samples; and stable carbon isotopic analysis were used to assess sample quality. Isotope values were lognormally distributed in this population (anti X = -1.15%) with the distribution and the means amongst males (anti X = -1.18%) significantly different from that of females (anti X = -1.13%). The isotopic diet model can be graphed with equilateral triangular coordinates to represent the relative contributions of meat, maize, and other plant foods. The graph can predict the maximum food contributions to the delta/sup 13/C of the prehistoric individuals measured. Isotopic variation in human bone protein is only partly due to the variable amount of enriched foods in the diet. Tissue enrichment which occurs at various metabolic levels must also be considered. 316 references, 20 figures, 10 tables.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 5988579
- Report Number(s):
- LA-10259-T; ON: DE85005600
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis. Submitted to Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
AMERICAN INDIANS
DIET
SKELETON
ISOTOPE RATIO
ARCHAEOLOGY
CARBON 12
CARBON 13
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HUMAN POPULATIONS
PROTEINS
BODY
CARBON ISOTOPES
DATA
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
INFORMATION
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MINORITY GROUPS
NUCLEI
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
POPULATIONS
STABLE ISOTOPES
580100* - Geology & Hydrology- (-1989)