A multi-isotope (C, N, O, Sr, Pb) study of Iron Age and Roman period skeletons from east Edinburgh, Scotland exploring the relationship between decapitation burials and geographical origins

Moore, John V.; Rose, Allison; Anderson, Sue; Evans, Jane; Nowell, Geoff; Gröcke, Darren R.; Pashley, Vanessa; Kirby, Magnus; Montgomery, Janet

doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2019.102075

Cited by 11 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…Stable isotope analysis was conducted following the methods and instrumentation outlined in Moore et al ( 2020 ). The analytical uncertainty of carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios for replications of international standards was typically ±0.1‰.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparison of dietary isotopes in pulp stones and incremental dentine from Early Neolithic individuals of the Whitwell Long Cairn, England

Ostrum

Gröcke

Montgomery

2022

American Journal of Biological Anthropology

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Objectives: This study investigates if palaeodietary information can be obtained from pulp stones through stable isotope analysis, presents a method for their extraction from tooth samples, and assesses their utility as a source of paleodietary information when coupled with the incremental dentine method.Materials and Methods: Six tooth samples (2 per individual), four of which contained pulp stones, were selected from three Early Neolithic (3720-3650 cal BC) individuals from the Whitwell Long Cairn in Derbyshire, England. After demineralization, each tooth was divided into 1 mm increments. Stable isotope analysis of collagen was conducted on each dentine increment and a portion of each pulp stone.Results: All samples met the quality control criteria for well-preserved collagen.Excluding the pulp stones, the mean δ 13 C value of the teeth sampled was À21.5 ± 0.2‰ and the mean δ 15 N value was 9.9 ± 0.5‰, suggesting these individuals had a terrestrial-based diet. The pulp stones produced similar δ 13 C values between À21.6 and À21.4‰ and δ 15 N values between 9.1 and 9.8‰. Discussion:The results demonstrate that paleodietary information can be obtained from pulp stones through stable isotope analysis. There are, however, significant challenges in interpreting this data, particularly as to inferring the timing and duration of their formation. The pulp stone results were compared with the incremental dentine profiles for each person to further investigate when they might have formed. For two individuals, the pulp stones appear to reflect diet from a time period after childhood and adolescence. For the third individual, it could not be determined if the pulp stones reflect a contemporary or later time period than the incremental dentine series. All teeth with pulp stones have moderate to severe wear on the occlusal surface, which could have been a contributing factor to their development.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparison of dietary isotopes in pulp stones and incremental dentine from Early Neolithic individuals of the Whitwell Long Cairn, England

Ostrum

Gröcke

Montgomery

2022

American Journal of Biological Anthropology

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“…The amounts of 84 Sr, 86 Sr, and 88 Sr in bedrock are constant and stable but 87 Sr is radiogenic and its amount is dependent on the 87 Rb content in the rock and how much of it has decayed into 87 Sr (Brown and Brown 2011). In migration studies, the strontium ratio is expressed as 87 Sr/ 86 Sr, which has been broadly used to map and source various archeological materials (Bentley 2006;Bentley et al 2004;English et al 2001;Hajj et al 2017;Moore et al 2020). Strontium does not fractionate as it is incorporated into the food chain, this means that the 87 Sr/ 86 Sr values, in theory, can be matched to geochemical maps (Britton et al 2020;Lewis et al 2017;Pollard et al 2017).…”

Section: Strontium Isotopes and Concentrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the road again—a review of pretreatment methods for the decontamination of skeletal materials for strontium isotopic and concentration analysis

Wathen

Isaksson

Lidén

2022

Archaeol Anthropol Sci

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Strontium isotopic and concentration results from archeological skeletons have proved useful in demonstrating human and animal mobility patterns, and dietary life-history. This initiated the movement from proxies to answer these questions. However, there remains an issue as to whether the produced isotopic and concentration values are those accumulated by an individual during life and not an analytical artifact or the result of remaining diagenetic material or other forms of contamination. Over the last 40 years, there have been a variety of protocols used with varying success to remove contaminants prior to analysis, as well as a movement from bone analysis to solely enamel. This review covers the evolution of pretreatment protocols, the role of technological advances in producing accurate and precise results, and a discussion of best practices. Archeological case studies will demonstrate the evolution of these topics as well as their limitations and potential.

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“…Depending on what underpins spatial variability in other isotope systems (e.g., geology, anthropogenic emissions, and coastal proximity for sulfur, or climate and topography for oxygen or hydrogen), multi-isotope approaches can reinforce (or alternatively, challenge) inferences made from strontium isotopes alone (e.g., Leach et al, 2009;Crowley et al, in press;Czére et al, in press;Neil et al, 2020;Colleter et al, 2021;Funck et al, 2021;Reich et al, 2021;Wooller et al, 2021). Trace element studies, such as those using lead, can also provide more nuanced insights (e.g., Shaw et al, 2016;Moore et al, 2020;Walser et al, 2020). Ultimately, with analytical advances in "non-traditional" isotopes (e.g., zinc, copper) and the development of new isotope tools, multi-isotope studies will become increasingly common and powerful (Jaouen and Pons, 2017).…”

Section: Importance Of Multi-proxy Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Silver Linings at the Dawn of a “Golden Age”

et al. 2021

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Nearly four decades after the first applications of strontium isotope analyses in archaeology and paleoecology research, it could be said that we are entering a “Golden Age”. Here, we reflect on major past developments and current strengths in strontium isotope research, as well as speculate on future directions. We review (1) the currently limited number of (but much needed) controlled feeding experiments, (2) recent advances in isoscape mapping and spatial assignment, and (3) the strength of multi-proxy approaches (including both the integration of strontium isotopes with other isotope systems and complementary techniques such as ancient DNA analyses). We also explore the integration of strontium isotope research with other types of paleoecological or archaeology data, as well as with evidence and interpretative frameworks from other fields (such as conservation ecology, conservation paleobiology or history). This blending is critical as we seek to advance the field beyond simply distinguishing local or relatively sedentary individuals from those that were non-local or highly mobile. We finish with a call for future research centered on balancing methodological developments and novel applications with critical self-reflection, deeper theoretical considerations and cross-disciplinarity.

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A multi-isotope (C, N, O, Sr, Pb) study of Iron Age and Roman period skeletons from east Edinburgh, Scotland exploring the relationship between decapitation burials and geographical origins

Cited by 11 publications

References 57 publications

A comparison of dietary isotopes in pulp stones and incremental dentine from Early Neolithic individuals of the Whitwell Long Cairn, England

A comparison of dietary isotopes in pulp stones and incremental dentine from Early Neolithic individuals of the Whitwell Long Cairn, England

On the road again—a review of pretreatment methods for the decontamination of skeletal materials for strontium isotopic and concentration analysis

Silver Linings at the Dawn of a “Golden Age”

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