Forensic Pathology of Trauma

Abstract

Stable isotope analysis is a well‐established tool for studying past human remains. Applications have grown exponentially in the past 15 years, with studies focusing on living human and nonhuman primates, other mammals and reconstruction of complex food webs. These related studies contribute to our understanding of results obtained from past human groups. Stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen have been used to reconstruct past diet for many parts of the world. Research questions such as the timing of the introduction of maize agriculture, reliance on terrestrial, marine and freshwater resources and proportions of plant and animal foods in the diet have all been addressed. Stable isotopes have also been used to estimate the duration of nursing in past populations. This chapter provides information on the background, methods and applications of stable isotope analysis to research questions in biological anthropology.