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Chemistry and Paleodietary Research: No More Easy Answers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Andrew Sillen ,
Judith C. Sealy  and
Nikolaas J. van der Merwe
Andrew Sillen
Affiliation:
Archaeometry Laboratory, Department of Archaeology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa
Judith C. Sealy
Affiliation:
Archaeometry Laboratory, Department of Archaeology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa
Nikolaas J. van der Merwe
Affiliation:
Archaeometry Laboratory, Department of Archaeology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa
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Abstract

While isotopic and elemental analyses of prehistoric skeletons have made an important contribution to paleodietary research over the last 10 years, certain problems in the application of these techniques only now are emerging. These problems, affecting both isotopic and trace-element studies, mainly are due to the peculiar interdisciplinary nature of the field, rather than to any technological barrier. With minor exceptions, techniques developed largely in other sciences have been grafted on to archaeological problems. This no longer suffices because gaps remain in the scientific grounding of these techniques that need to be addressed before more complicated archaeological questions can be resolved. While the necessary studies may seem to be of little immediate anthropological interest, they are vital if continued progress in paleodietary research is to characterize the years ahead.

Résumé

Résumé

Aunque los análisis isotópicos y elementales de esqueletos prehistóricos han aportado una contributión importante a la investigación paleodietética durante los ultimos diez años, solamente ahora empiezan a emerger ciertos problemas que se presentan en la aplicación de dichas técnicas. Estos problemas, que afectan tanto a los estudios isotópicos como a los elementos residuales, se deben principalmente a la naturaleza interdisciplinaria especial de esta esfera de actividades más que a una barrera tecnológica. Con excepciónes menores, técnicas que se han desarrollado grandemente en otras ciencias han sido aplicadas a los problemas arqueológicos. Esto ya no es suficiente porque en el tratamiento cientifico de dichas técnicas quedan lagunas a las que hay que aplicarse antes de que puedan resolverse cuestiones arqueológicos mas complicadas. A pesar de que ciertos estudios necesarios puedan parecer de poco interés antropológico inmediato, estos son vitales si un progreso continuado en la investigación paleodietética va a ser lo que caracterice los años futuros.

Type
Articles
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 54 , Issue 3 , July 1989 , pp. 504 - 512
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 1989

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