Sulfur Isotope Ratios of Terrestrial and Coastal Fauna on the Southeastern Coast: A Step toward Resolving Equifinality in Human Paleodiet Reconstructions

Summary

Sulfur isotope ratios in human bone collagen are used in paleodiet reconstructions to distinguish between marine- and terrestrial-based diets, because sulfur isotope ratios in marine organisms are typically higher. However, natural phenomena such as sea spray, rain, and flooding can deposit sea water sulfates on land that are bioavailable to plants and terrestrial animals. Comparing sulfur from archaeological deer and fish-eating raccoons from sites both in close proximity to the coast and further inland, this study examines whether sulfur isotope ratios have the potential to discern between marine and terrestrial foods in past human diets on the southeastern coast.

Cite this Record

Sulfur Isotope Ratios of Terrestrial and Coastal Fauna on the Southeastern Coast: A Step toward Resolving Equifinality in Human Paleodiet Reconstructions. Logan Van Hagen, Douglas Dvoracek, Laurie Reitsema, Carol Colaninno-Meeks. Presented at The 82nd Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, Washington, DC. 2018 ( tDAR id: 443026)

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Spatial Coverage

min long: -93.735; min lat: 24.847 ; max long: -73.389; max lat: 39.572 ;

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 22656