Integrating Isotope Analyses: The State of Play and Future Directions

This collection contains the abstracts of the papers presented in the session entitled "Integrating Isotope Analyses: The State of Play and Future Directions" at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Isotope analysis has long developed into an established method in the bioarchaeologist’s toolkit, particularly for exploring mobility and paleodiet. Methodological advancements are progressing at an extreme rate, providing ever wider applications and greater interpretative potential. There is increased recognition that isotope analysis is better suited to exclude rather than place definite interpretations. Crucially, studies are now integrating isotope data with multifactorial archaeological, environmental, and osteological evidence at varying scales, a feature that was frequently absent from early studies. This session aims to take stock of the state of the field and its relationship with other subdisciplines by focusing on case studies that take an integrative approach. Starting with an inclusive definition of integration, it will showcase good practice in integrating wider scientific data or archaeological evidence to disentangle issues of equifinality. We invite studies that combine novel data sources and those that use multiple isotope/biomolecular proxies in combination. We would also welcome discursive submissions that reflect on the development of integrative approaches and consider future directions. Papers that highlight failures and offer lessons learned are especially welcome.