There are a multitude of technologies used by anthropologists to help them gain more knowledge on past populations. Once specific technology, known as stable isotope analysis, is frequently used in archeological investigations. This is because it is not too difficult to operate and the results provide an abundance of information, ready to analyze. Through the use of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis, anthropologists can conduct studies to provide anthropological insight on human populations from the past. The application of stable isotope analysis helps anthropologists learn more about the extraordinary capability the human species has to survive and adapt in various environmental and cultural conditions. Stable isotope analysis
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In order to have a good understanding of the way a population developed, it’s crucial to determine the type of environment they lived in. The environment is directly related to climate, which has an impact on the way communities cultivate and find their food (Machicek 2013). Also, climate changes effects a population’s migration to different landscapes. By studying the diets of past people, one can better understand how prehistoric populations adapted, survived, and sometimes thrived in certain environmental settings. Analyzing the diets of human ancestors reveals information on how they made use of their resources. Stable isotope analysis is extremely useful for anthropologists because it allows them to the examine dietary signatures of prehistoric humans by testing bone tissues. A case study done in Japan was conducted through the use of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis (Kusaka et al. 2010: 1968). This study was conducted in order to learn about the diets of Jomon populations (which lasted from 13,000 to 2,300 years BP). Carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis was performed on individuals from two costal regions of Japan. This study concentrates on the “dietary differences within and among populations and between regions” (Kusaka et al. 2010: 1968). There are two regions from which human …show more content…
The samples were ultrasonically cleaned in deionized water. After being put into tubes with CuO, the samples were combusted. Eventually, they were analyzed with a SIRA mass spectrometer to determine the values of 15N and 13C in the samples (Dupras et al. 2001: 206). The results revealed that most infants were being nursed by their mothers before they were deceased. This data was retrieved from the amount of 15N in their bone collagen. There was also a variation in 15N values which “suggests that supplementary foods were introduced […] around 6 months […] to approximately 1.5 years” (Dupras et al. 2001: 208). After 6 months of age, their 15N values began to decline by 3 years of age. This suggests that breastfeeding continued until about 3 years of age. During the time of weaning, the subjects exhibited a sharp increase in 13C. Anthropologists took this data and associated it with the consumption of milk from various animals (cows, goats, etc.) (Dupras et al. 2001: 208). Other findings in this study were compatible with common weaning practices as described by past anthropologists. This study on infant feeding and weaning practices in Roman Egypt has provided new information for anthropologists to analyze. It revealed the age at which supplementary foods were introduced to infants, the age at which weaning was completed, and that infants were fed cow and goat milk. This study establishes that there is a possibility of modernizing the information already found on traditional
In order to have a good understanding of the way a population developed, it’s crucial to determine the type of environment they lived in. The environment is directly related to climate, which has an impact on the way communities cultivate and find their food (Machicek 2013). Also, climate changes effects a population’s migration to different landscapes. By studying the diets of past people, one can better understand how prehistoric populations adapted, survived, and sometimes thrived in certain environmental settings. Analyzing the diets of human ancestors reveals information on how they made use of their resources. Stable isotope analysis is extremely useful for anthropologists because it allows them to the examine dietary signatures of prehistoric humans by testing bone tissues. A case study done in Japan was conducted through the use of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis (Kusaka et al. 2010: 1968). This study was conducted in order to learn about the diets of Jomon populations (which lasted from 13,000 to 2,300 years BP). Carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis was performed on individuals from two costal regions of Japan. This study concentrates on the “dietary differences within and among populations and between regions” (Kusaka et al. 2010: 1968). There are two regions from which human …show more content…
The samples were ultrasonically cleaned in deionized water. After being put into tubes with CuO, the samples were combusted. Eventually, they were analyzed with a SIRA mass spectrometer to determine the values of 15N and 13C in the samples (Dupras et al. 2001: 206). The results revealed that most infants were being nursed by their mothers before they were deceased. This data was retrieved from the amount of 15N in their bone collagen. There was also a variation in 15N values which “suggests that supplementary foods were introduced […] around 6 months […] to approximately 1.5 years” (Dupras et al. 2001: 208). After 6 months of age, their 15N values began to decline by 3 years of age. This suggests that breastfeeding continued until about 3 years of age. During the time of weaning, the subjects exhibited a sharp increase in 13C. Anthropologists took this data and associated it with the consumption of milk from various animals (cows, goats, etc.) (Dupras et al. 2001: 208). Other findings in this study were compatible with common weaning practices as described by past anthropologists. This study on infant feeding and weaning practices in Roman Egypt has provided new information for anthropologists to analyze. It revealed the age at which supplementary foods were introduced to infants, the age at which weaning was completed, and that infants were fed cow and goat milk. This study establishes that there is a possibility of modernizing the information already found on traditional