Bioarchaeology, Barbados, Eastern Caribbean: Isotopic Analyses of Teeth and Bone from Human Remains
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.
Recommended Citation
Hansen, Tiffany, "Bioarchaeology, Barbados, Eastern Caribbean: Isotopic Analyses of Teeth and Bone from Human Remains" (2015). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 106.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2015/posters/106
Poster Number
52
Department/Program
Anthropology & Museum Studies
Additional Mentoring Department
Anthropology & Museum Studies
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.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Steven Hackenberger