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Isotope Analysis in the Andes
This document summarizes research using stable isotope analysis of human remains from the Andes mountains. It finds that oxygen isotope values reflect the elevation and climate of where individuals lived, with higher, drier areas having more negative values. Carbon isotope values distinguish between C3 plants like tubers and C4 plants like maize and meat, with more negative values indicating more C3 consumption. Results show high consumption of C4 foods at higher elevations and more mixed C3 and C4 diets at lower elevations. Patterns within and between cave sites also reveal some dietary outliers but overall homogeneity between caves and heterogeneity within caves.
Isotope Analysis in the Andes
- 1. Isotope Analysis inthe Andes ABSTRACTED FROM A CLASS LECTURE OF Danielle S. Kurin Department of Anthropology ● UC Santa Barbara 1
- 2. Stable Isotopes: Locality, Verticality,& Consumptive Patterns 2
- 3. Oxygen Isotope Values inUS Tap Water 3
- 4. 4 18Oapp reflects thelatitude and elevation of imbibed water 18Oxygenapp Isotope values in the sierra: Hi & Dry = More negative values Lo & Steamy = Less negative values 16O evaporates more easily than 18O Pampas River~2200 MASL
- 5. 5 Pampas River 2200 MASL CarbonIsotope values in the sierra: C4 (maize & meat) = Less negative C3 (tubers) = More negative C4 C4 C3 C3 13Capp ratios reflect carbon consumption in the total diet Distinct photosynthetic pathways
- 6. δ13Cap -1 -2 -3-4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 MASL ~75% C₄ ~50% C3 Wari Imperial Era After Collapse -9 -10 δ18Oap -12 4200 -11 •Less transhumance •More intra- group dietary variability 3500 2700
- 7. Carbon Values: 4200 2200 -1 -2-3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 ~100% C₄ 0 ~50% C3 -9 -10 -11 Oxygen Values (offsets) -12 Cachi 5 Ranracancha1 Pucullu 1 Cranial Modification Normal Head Shape Site #Caves δ13Cap and δ18Oap Isotope Values in LIPAndahuaylas
- 8. Isocapes and Food/WaterBioavailability 8 C4 ZONE C4 ZONE C3 ZONE
- 9. Carbon Values: 4200 2200 -1 -2-3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 ~100% C₄ 0 ~50% C3 -9 -10 -11 Oxygen Values (offsets) -12 δ13Cap and δ18Oap Isotope Values in LIPAndahuaylas
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- 11. δ13Cap Values: 4200 2200 -1 -2-3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 ~100% C₄ 0 ~50% C3 -9 -10 -11 δ18Oap Values (offsets) -12 Consumptive patterns reflect 1) dietary outliers & 2) inter-cave homogeneity but intra-cave heterogeneity Dietary Diversity is Good!