Strontium isotopic analysis tooth enamel

Montgomery, (. (2010) Passports from the past investigating human dispersals using strontium isotope analysis of tooth enamel. Ann. Human Biol, 37 (3), 325-346. 

Evans, J.A., Chenery, C.A. and Fitzpatrick, A.P. (2006). Bronze Age childhood migration of individuals near Stonhenge, revealed by strontium and oxygen isotope tooth enamel analysis. Archaeometry 48 309-321. 

The analysis proceeds through the sampling of tooth enamel to obtain the isotopic signal of the place of birth. The local isotopic signal can be determined in several ways in human bone from the individuals whose teeth are analyzed, from the bones of humans or archaeological fauna at the site, or from modem fauna in the vicinity. The local geological isotope signals of strontium have been constant over the last several 1,000 years. These isotope ratios have been reported for the rocks. 

The place of origin of prehistoric people can also be determined. The isotopic proveniencing of human remains, using ratios of strontium isotopes, has been employed in archaeology for approximately 20 years. Strontium isotope analyses have been used successfully in a number of studies. The basic principle involves comparison of isotope ratios in human tooth enamel with local levels in bone or other materials. Because isotopic ratios vary geographically, values in human teeth (marking place of birth) that differ from the local ratio (place of death) indicate migration. This method of analysis is described in more detail in Chap. 8, Provenience and Provenance. 

Mass spectrometers usually measure two or more isotopes at one time and calculate their ratio. Standards are measured at the same time in order to confirm the precision of the instrument and allow corrections to be made if needed. The results of the analysis provide the ratio measurements along with several other kinds of information. Table 4.2 shows some typical results from a mass spectrometer, in this case a Ust of calculated strontium isotope ratios on human tooth enamel measured on TIMS. The first column in the table gives the sequential lab number for each individual sample. The site is the place from where the sample comes. The corrected Sr/ Sr is the isotope ratio for strontium in the sample, corrected on the... 

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