Using Archaeological Chemistry to Investigate the Geographic Origins of Trophy Heads in the Central Andes: Strontium Isotope Analysis at the Wari Site of Conchopata

2007 ◽  
pp. 99-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly J. Knudson ◽  
Tiffiny A. Tung
Keyword(s):  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Central Andes ◽  
Strontium Isotope ◽  
Strontium Isotope Analysis ◽  
Geographic Origins ◽  
Trophy Heads ◽  
Archaeological Chemistry

scholarly journals Spatially resolved LA-MC-ICPMS strontium isotope microanalysis of archaeological fauna

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Moffat ◽  
Chris Stringer ◽  
Rainer Grün
Keyword(s):  
Iron Age ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Isotope Composition ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Strontium Isotope ◽  
Strontium Isotope Analysis ◽  
Spatially Resolved ◽  
Geographic Origins ◽  
Archaeological Materials ◽  
Strontium Isotope Composition

The analysis of the strontium isotope composition of archaeological materials can provide important information about the mobility of a range of mammals, including humans. The basis of this method is that, prior to any postburial diagenesis, the Sr87/Sr86 ratio of bone and teeth reflects the geological environment from which food and water were sourced while these biominerals were forming. Teeth are particularly amenable to tracing the geographic origins of humans as they mineralize during the first 12–13 years of life (White and Folkens, 2005) and do not subsequently change strontium composition after this time (Schweissing and Grupe, 2003). Strontium isotope analysis can be used to determine if individuals are local or nonlocal by comparison to the isotopic composition in and around their burial location (i.e., Schweissing and Grupe, 2000; Bentley et al., 2007; Conlee et al., 2009). In order to quantify the extent of faunal mobility, the strontium isotope composition of biominerals from fossil samples needs to be compared with a regional map of values obtained either from local faunal material (Price et al., 2002) or from analysis of the bioavailable component of strontium from plants, regolith, or bedrock (Capo et al., 1998).Strontium isotope analysis has been extensively applied to the determination of archaeological mobility, as reviewed by Price et al. (2002), Budd et al. (2004), Bentley (2006), and Montgomery (2010). Although studies of Paleolithic or older archeological material are rare, some have been undertaken on hominins (Sillen et al., 1995, 1998; Richards et al., 2008; Copeland et al., 2011) and faunal material (Horn et al., 1994; Copeland et al., 2010; Britton et al., 2011).Enamel has been shown to be the most favorable material for strontium isotope analysis based on its ability to resist postburial alteration far better than dentine, cement, or bone (Trickett et al., 2003). Enamel of some species grows over extended periods and, when analyzed with microprofiling or laser ablation analysis, can be used to reconstruct comprehensive life histories. This approach demonstrated the seasonal mobility of cattle in Iron Age Britain (Horstwood et al., 2008), Neolithic Germany (Bentley and Knipper, 2005), and England (Viner et al., 2010).

Strontium isotope analysis of curved tooth enamel surfaces by laser-ablation multi-collector ICP-MS

2014 ◽  
Vol 416 ◽  
pp. 142-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.J. Le Roux ◽  
J.A. Lee-Thorp ◽  
S.R. Copeland ◽  
M. Sponheimer ◽  
D.J. de Ruiter
Keyword(s):  
Laser Ablation ◽  
Tooth Enamel ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Strontium Isotope ◽  
Strontium Isotope Analysis ◽  
Icp Ms

The origin of the Juch'uypampa Cave mummies: strontium isotope analysis of archaeological human remains from Bolivia

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 903-913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly J. Knudson ◽  
Tiffiny A. Tung ◽  
Kenneth C. Nystrom ◽  
T. Douglas Price ◽  
Paul D. Fullagar
Keyword(s):  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Human Remains ◽  
Strontium Isotope ◽  
Strontium Isotope Analysis
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