LATE MISSISSIPPIAN DIET IN THE AMERICAN BOTTOM: STABLE ISOTOPE ANALYSES OF BONE COLLAGEN AND APATITE

Abstract

Stable isotopie analysis of human bone can refine dietary reconstructions based on tradi tional floral and faunal evidence of subsistence. Previous isotopie research in the Ameri can Bottom documented the importance of maize during the Mississippian period (A.D. 1050-1350) but focused on the analysis of bone collagen carbon isotopes. Expanding on the pioneering work of others, we conducted isotopie studies of 55 individuals from five late Mississippian Moorehead phase (A.D. 1250-1275) sites in the American Bottom, analyzing collagen carbon and nitrogen and apatite carbon stable isotopes. Including col lagen nitrogen and apatite carbon data allows for a more multidimensional analysis of prehistoric diet and a more accurate reconstruction of the whole diet. Inter- and intrasite comparisons of results indicate greater dietary differences within and between late Mis sissippian populations in the American Bottom than was recognized previously. Results indicate regional differences in diet as well as sex-related and possibly social- or health status-related differences in diet. The data also suggest movement of individuals between the uplands and floodplains within the American Bottom region, as well as into the Ameri can Bottom from other regions.