Bioarchaeology, Barbados, Eastern Caribbean: Isotopic Analyses of Teeth and Bone from Human Remains

Presenter Information

Tiffany Hansen

Document Type

Oral Presentation

Campus where you would like to present

SURC Ballroom B/C/D

Start Date

21-5-2015

End Date

21-5-2015

Keywords

Bioarchaeology, Isotope Studies, Anthropology

Abstract

Bioarchaeological studies have grown in sophistication and are now helping test assumptions about island garden agriculture (e.g., palm, cassava, and/or maize) and the relative contributions of marine proteins. Bone and teeth samples from five sites on Barbados and one on Barbuda were processed by the Center for Applied Isotopic Studies, University of Georgia, and data are reported for δ13Cco, δ13Cca, δ15Nco, and δ18Oap. Stable isotope ratios, adjusted ratios, and apatite-collagen spacing correspond with results from elsewhere in the Lesser Antilles. After adjustment, all of the δ15N bone and teeth samples are within the food web range for marine protein resources. Adjusted values for samples from Heywoods, Chancery Lane, Goddard, and Light & Power sites are indicative of a marine diet. Protein models of marine/C4 plants and C3 plants indicate a mixture of plant and marine protein.

Poster Number

52

Faculty Mentor(s)

Steven Hackenberger

Department/Program

Anthropology & Museum Studies

Additional Mentoring Department

Anthropology & Museum Studies

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May 21st, 11:30 AM May 21st, 2:00 PM

Bioarchaeology, Barbados, Eastern Caribbean: Isotopic Analyses of Teeth and Bone from Human Remains

SURC Ballroom B/C/D

Bioarchaeological studies have grown in sophistication and are now helping test assumptions about island garden agriculture (e.g., palm, cassava, and/or maize) and the relative contributions of marine proteins. Bone and teeth samples from five sites on Barbados and one on Barbuda were processed by the Center for Applied Isotopic Studies, University of Georgia, and data are reported for δ13Cco, δ13Cca, δ15Nco, and δ18Oap. Stable isotope ratios, adjusted ratios, and apatite-collagen spacing correspond with results from elsewhere in the Lesser Antilles. After adjustment, all of the δ15N bone and teeth samples are within the food web range for marine protein resources. Adjusted values for samples from Heywoods, Chancery Lane, Goddard, and Light & Power sites are indicative of a marine diet. Protein models of marine/C4 plants and C3 plants indicate a mixture of plant and marine protein.