Prehistoric Human Bone: Archaeology at the Molecular Level

摘要: Locked up within human bone are tantalizing clues concerning the diets consumed by ancient peoples. On one hand, amounts of certain elements in (strontium, zinc) serve as measures protein, fibre and calcium intake. other ratios carbon nitrogen isotopes provide information on questions fish versus meat, herbivore carnivore, or (for animals) browser (shrubs) grazer (grasses). Such can a window to many aspects prehistoric cultures supplement nonskeletal archaeological record. In addition these two approaches, biochemical record from protein nucleic acids such DNA serves source non-dietary genetic relationships. This volume treats all three subjects: elemental, isotopic aspects. The contributors fundamental descriptions techniques, express their concerns over limitations methods, describe recent applications studies.