ISOTOPES, RESIDENTIAL HISTORIES, AND MIGRATION IN MESOAMERICA

 

Carolyn Freiwald (The University of Mississippi)

T. Douglas Price (University of Wisconsin – Madison)

 

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Strontium isotope analysis is now common in archaeological research, revealing just how widespread population movement was among ancient peoples. Isotopic analyses also have spurred discussions about the causes and effects of migration, allowing archaeologists to contribute to broader theoretical developments in migration scholarship. However, key questions remain unanswered about isotopic variability in human populations, including the effects of imported foods, geologic variability, and sample size, and there is no consensus on how to differentiate local from migrant individuals. Case examples across Mesoamerica show how baseline fauna serve as a good measure of bioavailable strontium isotope values and are useful in addressing these questions.

 

(Talk in English)