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Reconstructing hominin diets with stable isotope analysis of amino acids: new perspectives and future directions

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Larsen,  Thomas
Archaeology, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Max Planck Society;

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Fernandes,  Ricardo
Archaeology, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Max Planck Society;

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Wang,  Yiming
Archaeology, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Max Planck Society;

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Roberts,  Patrick
Archaeology, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Max Planck Society;

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Citation

Larsen, T., Fernandes, R., Wang, Y., & Roberts, P. (2022). Reconstructing hominin diets with stable isotope analysis of amino acids: new perspectives and future directions. Bioscience, 72(7): biac028, pp. 618-637. doi:10.1093/biosci/biac028.


Cite as: https://hdl.handle.net/21.11116/0000-000A-9043-7
Abstract
Stable isotope analysis of teeth and bones is regularly applied by archeologists and paleoanthropologists seeking to reconstruct diets, ecologies, and environments of past hominin populations. Moving beyond the now prevalent study of stable isotope ratios from bulk materials, researchers are increasingly turning to stable isotope ratios of individual amino acids to obtain more detailed and robust insights into trophic level and resource use. In the present article, we provide a guide on how to best use amino acid stable isotope ratios to determine hominin dietary behaviors and ecologies, past and present. We highlight existing uncertainties of interpretation and the methodological developments required to ensure good practice. In doing so, we hope to make this promising approach more broadly accessible to researchers at a variety of career stages and from a variety of methodological and academic backgrounds who seek to delve into new depths in the study of dietary composition.