Keywords

Isotopes; Commingling; Intra-individual variation; Inter-individual variation

Abstract

The focus of this research was to determine the intra- and inter-individual isotopic variation in individuals from the Meroitic cemetery 8-B-5.A (350 BC–350 AD) at Sai Island, Sudan and from individuals at Lamanai, Marco Gonzalez, and San Pedro from Postclassic Maya, Belize (1000–1544 AD) to assess usefulness in sorting archaeological and forensic commingled remains. Stable carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen isotope analyses of collagen and carbonate were conducted for all individuals, in addition to radiogenic strontium isotope analysis for individuals from 8-B-5.A. Seven different skeletal elements were sampled from 24 individuals, totaling 170 samples. Ten human and five faunal teeth from Sai Island were sampled for strontium analysis. Carbon isotopes are consistent with previous studies indicating a mixed C3/C4 diet at Sai Island and a predominantly C4 diet at the Maya sites. Strontium analysis indicates that the individuals from cemetery 8-B-5.A were local to the region of Sai Island. Coefficient of variance analysis demonstrated that intra-individual variation of δ13Ccoll and δ15N values at all four sites is dependent on the individual. A MANOVA demonstrated statistically significant differences and discriminant function analysis identified geographic location/diet as the main driver of inter-individual variation. When assessing inter-individual δ13Ccoll and δ15N variation between bone types, the humerus and femur provided the greatest range of isotope variation, suggesting that these two elements may be the best sampling options for commingled remains assessments. While this research assesses the isotopic variation in these populations, this variation may not be consistent across other populations, and the variation for δ13Ccarb and δ18O values is too large to be useful for anthropological applications. Further assessment is needed in skeletal assemblages from different regions, with different diets, between sexes, and varying ages to understand and identify the driving forces of isotopic intra-individual variation.

Completion Date

2024

Semester

Summer

Committee Chair

Schultz, John

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Anthropology

Degree Program

Integrative Anthropological Sciences

Format

application/pdf

Release Date

8-15-2025

Length of Campus-only Access

1 year

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Campus-only Access)

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Accessibility Status

Meets minimum standards for ETDs/HUTs

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Restricted to the UCF community until 8-15-2025; it will then be open access.

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