Comparison of two methods of extracting bone collagen for stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis: comparing whole bone demineralization with gelatinization and ultrafiltration

摘要: We compare two methods of isolating bone collagen for stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis. The older method (as practised at the University Cape Town) demineralizes ‘chunks’, while newer Max Planck Institute Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig) involves demineralization, gelatinization ultra-filtration to select only higher molecular weight protein fragments isotopic latter was developed problematic (i.e. poorly-preserved) samples it is more rigorous, also significantly expensive labor-intensive. Our aim find out whether there any difference between δ13C δ15N isolated from relatively well-preserved bones using methods. sample set consists 5 modern 47 archaeological animal human southern western parts South Africa. Archaeological specimens range age a few hundred approximately six thousand years old. Collagen extracted, its quality assessed %C, %N C:N, values measured independently both laboratories. There are no statistically significant differences sets For bones, ‘chunk’ preparation continues be an acceptable alternative sophisticated extraction protocols C N