Theory and Practice in Isotopic Dietary Studies – TAPIDS
Tamsin C. O’Connell
Suzanne M. M. Young
This symposium is designed to be a forum for discussion of recent work in the field of palaeodietary isotopic studies, as well as review of the present state of the field.
The primary analytical techniques that will be discussed are carbon, nitrogen, and strontium isotopic analysis of consumer tissues.
The symposium, covering both theory and practice, has three main themes:
experimental work on dietary theory (feeding experiments and field observations);
new laboratory developments (particularly utilising small samples and new materials);
applications to African and world archaeology.
After the papers have been presented, there will be a discussion session, in a workshop format. We will be discussing theoretical developments in our understanding of palaeodiet, and in particular, how results from feeding experiments and field observations that have been published recently and presented during this symposium add to the theoretical framework of this field. We hope that participants will raise any points or queries from the presentation of the symposium’s papers, and consider what specific questions must now be addressed by researchers in this field, in order to ‘fill in the gaps’ in our current understanding.
Participants, whether presenting a paper or not, are encouraged to bring data and results to show as overheads in this forum, if they feel that they will contribute to the discussion.
Papers:
Author 1 Author 2 Title
Ambrose African Human Diet Reconstruction with Stable Isotopes of Collagen and Apatite
Balasse The record process of a dietary change in hypsodont teeth: an isotopic study on bovine molars.
Bell et al Isotopic analysis of dietary change: A new approach using bone density fractionation
Cockshutt Smith Rooting our Family Tree: C4 Plants, Wetland Habitats and Early Hominid Evolution
Lee-Thorpe et al Dietary and seasonal variability from isotopic ratios in small enamel samples of wild and domestic fauna
O’Connell Hedges Chicken and egg: Laboratory testing of the effects of carnivory and herbivory on collagen, carbonate and related tissue isotopic values
Price Strontium Isotopes: A new tool for the study of human migration
Tuross Fogel Biochemical Basis of delta 13C in Bone Collagen and the Interpretations of Ancient Diets
Young et al How are you what you eat?: Amino acids and dietary tracing by stable isotopes analysis of consumer tissues.