Theme:
2. Archaeological Sciences, Humanities and the Digital era: Bridging the Gaps
Session format:
Regular session
Title:
Tracing Human Stories through Stable Isotopes: Unravelling the Dynamics of Health and Identities
Content:
Stable isotopes are now widely recognized as an invaluable asset in osteoarchaeology, offering unparalleled perspectives on the diets of humans and animals, as well as their migration behaviours and surrounding environments. Beyond these applications, stable isotopic analysis has expanded its scope to encompass the examination of metabolic processes and isotopic fractionation, providing nuanced insights into the intricate interplay between disease, behaviour, and isotopic composition. And has even applied to identify soldiers and individuals who perished in historical conflicts.
The impact of physiological processes and stress on stable isotopes has garnered significant research attention, with pioneering studies highlighting the complex connections between physiological stress, metabolic processes, and stable isotopic signatures. These studies shed light on the complex relationships among human biology, environmental conditions, and overall health.
Studies investigating factors such as breastfeeding duration and the timing of weaning have revealed distinct markers in skeletal tissues, offering valuable insights into the physiological stress experienced during the transition from breastfeeding to solid food. These investigations have contributed significantly to our understanding of childhood nutrition and its lasting implications for health and growth, enabling researchers to discern the effects of growth disturbances and developmental stress in ancient populations.
By analysing stable isotopes in human remains from different social groups or geographical regions, researchers can uncover disparities in health and nutrition within past populations. This approach helps identify patterns of inequality, differential access to resources, and the impact of socio-economic and environmental factors on health outcomes in ancient societies.
During the upcoming session, we will delve into the intricate relationships between physiological responses to disease and potential alterations in dietary behaviours, aiming to elucidate the complex dynamics among health, environment, and culture in various historical contexts.
Keywords:
Osteoarchaeology, Isotopic fractionation, Diet, Metabolic processes, Physiological processes, Individual life history
Session associated with MERC:
no
Session associated with CIfA:
no
Session associated with SAfA:
no
Session associated with CAA:
no
Session associated with DGUF:
no
Session associated with other:
Main organiser:
Ana Curto (Portugal) 1
Co-organisers:
Christina Papageorgopoulou (Greece) 2
Gwenaëlle Goude (France) 3
Olalla López-Costas (Spain) 4,5
Affiliations:
1. HERCULES Laboratory, University of Évora
2. Laboratory of Physical Anthropology, Democritus University of Thrace
3. CNRS UMR 7269 LAMPEA
4. EcoPast. Área de Arqueoloxía. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
5. Dpt of Archaeology and Classical Studies. Stockholm University
THIS SESSION CAN NOT BE SELECTED AT THIS MOMENT