Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Analysis of Bone Collagen
Stable isotope analysis of archaeological materials is commonly used in archaeological investigations of ancient human occupation. Carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of bone collagen can aid understanding of the roles that marine and terrestrial resources and wild and cultivated plants played in ancient diets. It can also help reveal dietary differences in population sub-groups based on gender, social status and age and is commonly used in archaeological investigations of ancient human occupation.
The differences in the carbon-13 and nitrogen-15 content of foodstuffs and the preservation of these isotopes in bone collagen, provides a method for determining the dietary practices of humans and animals alive hundreds to tens of thousands of years before present. The carbon-13 and nitrogen-15 information obtained from bone collagen can distinguish consumers of: C3 from C4 plants; meat from fish; legumes from non-legumes; herbivores from carnivores and define trophic levels.
Considering using Isolab Scientific for Carbon-13 and Nitrogen-15 Analysis of Bone Collagen?
Our lab needs a minimum of 2 mg of collagen to be supplied for duplicate analysis. Your laboratory report will be with you within 21 days of sample receipt, and will contain carbon-13, nitrogen-15, percent carbon and percent nitrogen data.
Additional Bone Collagen Analysis
We also offer hydrogen, sulphur and oxygen isotope analysis of bone collagen and carbon, nitrogen and sulphur isotope analysis for a range of archaeological samples, including food residues, botanical and zoo-archaeological remains.
If you need any further information on our isotope analyses for bone collagen, or have any other questions, just get in touch at sales@isolab-scientific.com or call +44 (0) 203 278 235. We’ll be straight back to you.
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