Prehistoric human diet

Schoeninger, M.J., DeNiro, M.J. and Tauber, H. 1983 Stable nitrogen isotope ratios of bone collagen reflect marine and terrestrial components of prehistoric human diet. Science 220 1381-1383. 

Schoeninger, M.J. 1989 Prehistoric human diet. In Price, T.D., ed.. Chemistry of Prehistoric Human Bone. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press 38-67. 

Schoeninger, M. J. (1989), Reconstructing prehistoric human diet, in Price, S. P. (ed.), The Chemistry of Ancient Bone, Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, UK, pp. 38-67. 

The results of these experiments permit more detailed reconstruction of the isotopic composition of prehistoric human diets. The bulk diet value can be reconstructed from the apatite value minus 9.4%c, and that of dietary protein can be reconstructed from the apatite-collagen difference (5 C Specifically, a difference of 4.4%c occurs when the protein and bulk diet have the same value. A spacing of less than 4.4%o indicates that dietary protein is isotopically enriched relative to whole diet. If the spacing is greater than 4.4%c, then dietary protein is isotopically lighter than whole diet. 

Ambrose, S.H. and Norr, L. 1993 Experimental evidence for the relationship of the carbon isotope ratios ofwhole diet and dietary protein to those ofbone collagen and carbonate. In Lambert, J.B. and Grupe, G., eds.. Prehistoric Human Bone Archaeology at the Molecular Level. Berlin, Springer-Verlag 1-37. 

Archaeological studies have used the stable isotope analysis of collagen extracted from fossil bones to reconsfruct the diet of prehistoric human populations (e.g. Schwarcz et al. 1985). 

Starch and Dextrins. Starch is a readily available mixture of polysaccharides. Starchy foods have been an important component of the human diet from prehistoric times to the present day. It is not surprising, therefore, that very practical uses for starch products developed very early and have continued throughout human history. Today, starch has a number of applications not only in the food industry but in other industries as well. In addition to its use in food, starch is also a source of chemicals (41) and sweeteners (42) and is used extensively in the paper industry (43-45) as a sizing agent and an adhesive. 

To supplement ongoing archeological studies in southeastern Missouri and northeastern Arkansas, we undertook a study of the content of prehistoric human bones to determine when corn became a component of the human diet in this area, and to estimate the relative importance of this food item in the diet after it was introduced. 

These results indicate that intensive maize agriculture in southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas began around 1000 AD, that the shift to maize was rapid, and 35 to 72% of the diet may have consisted of corn after this time. While several studies report the presence of maize kernels at midwestern archaeological sites as early as 500 BC (38). our data provide isotopic evidence that maize could not have been a significant part of the human diet prior to 1000 AD. Our 6 values of bone collagen before 1000 AD are identical to measurements made on prehistoric humans from northern temperate zones where no Ci, plants could have been consumed (19). Data from nearby archaeological sites in Illinois show a similar pattern of values tiirough time, with... 

Another interesting use of SIRA is in the determination of the diets of prehistoric human populations. It is known that marine plants have higher values than terrestrial plants. This difference in is carried up food chains, caus-... 

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