Reconstructing palaeodiet from the skeleton with stable isotopes - on the interpretation of multi-dimensional datasets

被引:0
作者
Zacherl, Veronika [1 ]
Grupe, Gisela [1 ]
Goehring, Andrea [1 ]
机构
[1] Ludwig Maximilian Univ Munich, Fac Biol, Dept Biol Anthropol & Human Genom 1, Grosshaderner Str 2, D-82152 Planegg Martinsried, Germany
关键词
bone collagen; cluster analysis; interpretation; palaeodiet; stable isotopes; BONE-COLLAGEN; SOCIAL-STATUS; LATE-MEDIEVAL; DIET; OXYGEN; IDENTIFICATION; IMMIGRATION; POPULATIONS; STRONTIUM; INSIGHTS;
D O I
10.1127/anthranz/2023/1646
中图分类号
Q98 [人类学];
学科分类号
030303 ;
摘要
The analysis of stable isotopes in archaeological human and animal skeletal finds is a routine method in the field of archaeometry. Multi-dimensional datasets are this way easily generated what, however, demands new interpretive approaches. Cluster analyses are capable of detecting multi-dimensional similarities among the isotopic signatures and are thus superior over traditional uni- and bivariate evaluations. This study aims to demonstrate the potential of Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) clustering for palaeodiet reconstruction. We reevaluate previously published isotopic datasets obtained on early medieval skeletal finds from Upper Bavaria (Germany), also including some individuals from "special burials", e.g., from separated burial sites or circular enclosures. This manageable and easy-to-understand dataset contains four-dimensional isotope signatures (delta 13Ccollagen, delta 15N, delta 13Ccarbonate, delta 18Ocarbonate) of 27 individuals. We illustrate the iterative process of cluster analysis and the additional benefit of its outcome for the interpretation of the data. This includes the recognition of noisy isotope data and of those isotope systems that are essential. In our example, three isotope systems were required for a correct palaeodiet reconstruction. While delta 13Ccollagen and delta 15N values are commonly used for palaeodiet reconstructions, delta 13Ccarbonate values, including additional information on dietary carbohydrates and fats, are required for a meaningful cluster separation and, thus, the interpretation of the individuals' diet. No general correlation between dietary quality and grave goods was detectable.
引用
收藏
页码:281 / 300
页数:20
相关论文
共 76 条
[1]  
Aggarwal CC, 2014, CH CRC DATA MIN KNOW, P1
[2]  
Ambrose Stanley H., 1993, Prehistoric Human Bone: Archaeology at the Molecular Level, P1, DOI DOI 10.1007/978-3-662-02894-01
[3]   Integrating isotopes and documentary evidence: dietary patterns in a late medieval and early modern mining community, Sweden [J].
Backstrom, Ylva ;
Mispelaere, Jan ;
Ingvarsson, Anne ;
Fjellstrom, Markus ;
Britton, Kate .
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES, 2018, 10 (08) :2075-2094
[4]   Social status and diet. Reconstruction of diet of individuals buried in some early medieval chamber graves from Poland by carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes analysis [J].
Blaszczyk, Dariusz ;
Beaumont, Julia ;
Krzyszowski, Andrzej ;
Polinski, Dariusz ;
Drozd-Lipinska, Alicja ;
Wrzesinska, Anna ;
Wrzesinski, Jacek .
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE-REPORTS, 2021, 38
[5]   Multidisciplinary investigations of the diets of two post-medieval populations from London using stable isotopes and microdebris analysis [J].
Bleasdale, Madeleine ;
Ponce, Paola ;
Radini, Anita ;
Wilson, Andrew S. ;
Doherty, Sean ;
Daley, Patrick ;
Brown, Chloe ;
Spindler, Luke ;
Sibun, Lucy ;
Speller, Camilla ;
Alexander, Michelle M. .
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES, 2019, 11 (11) :6161-6181
[6]   Reconstruction of the Gravettian food-web at Predmosti I using multi-isotopic tracking (13C, 15N, 34S) of bone collagen [J].
Bocherens, Herve ;
Drucker, Dorothee G. ;
Germonpre, Mietje ;
Laznickova-Galetova, Martina ;
Naito, Yuichi I. ;
Wissing, Christoph ;
Bruzek, Jaroslav ;
Oliva, Martin .
QUATERNARY INTERNATIONAL, 2015, 359 :211-228
[7]  
Burzler, 2000, ARCHAOLOGISCHE BEITR
[8]   Interpreting Past Human Diets Using Stable Isotope Mixing Models-Best Practices for Data Acquisition [J].
Cheung, Christina ;
Szpak, Paul .
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL METHOD AND THEORY, 2022, 29 (01) :138-161
[9]   Interpreting Past Human Diets Using Stable Isotope Mixing Models [J].
Cheung, Christina ;
Szpak, Paul .
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL METHOD AND THEORY, 2021, 28 (04) :1106-1142
[10]  
Cleve J., 2020, DATA MINING, DOI [10.1515/9783110676273, DOI 10.1515/9783110676273]