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JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org. In this bioarchaeological study of Classic Maya subsistence, we analyzed porotic hyperostosis, dental caries, and stable isotopes on skeletal remains recovered from 118 burials at Piedras Negras, Guatemala. The abundant porotic hyperostosis and dental caries at Piedras Negras, coupled with a high mean ?13C (mean -9.2 ? 1.0%c) provide evidence for high levels of maize consumption. The isotope data show slight differences among social status groups. Chronological changes in diet are more evident. The Early Classic (A.D. 350?625) skeletons are characterized by moderate heterogeneity in isotope ratios relative to skeletons of the Yaxche phase of the Late Classic (A.D. 625-750). In Yaxche phase skeletons, a prosperous time for Piedras Negras, 813C and S15N are homogenous, with an emphasis on dietary maize and terrestrial fauna. In Chacal haaz times (A.D. 750-825) isotope signatures became much more diverse, with some individuals consuming less maize and/or more freshwater fish. We attribute these changes to significant perturbations in the system of food production and distribution at Piedras Negras in the late eighth century, a process that may have been linked to the disintegration of dynas tic kingship at the site and its collapse. En este estudio bioarqueol?gico analizamos las variables de hiperostosispor?tica, caries dentales e is?topos estables en restos ?seos de 118 entierros mayas del per?odo Cl?sico de Piedras Negras, Guatemala. La abundante presencia de hiperostosis por?tica y las caries dentales conjuntamente con un alto promedio de 813C (media -9.2%o ? 1.0%c) indica un gran consumo de ma?z. Los datos isot?picos muestran una menor diferenciaci?n en el estatus social de los grupos. Los cambios cronol?gi cos en la dieta son m?s evidentes. Los esqueletos del Cl?sico Temprano (350-625 d.C) se caracterizan por una moderada heterogeneidad en loas relaciones isot?picas comparados con la fase Yaxche del Cl?sico Tard?o (625-750 d.C). En la fase Yaxche, un momento pr?spero en Piedras Negras, los datos de b13Cyd15Nson homog?neos, mostrando ?nfasis en el consumo de ma?z y fauna terrestre. Durante Chacalahaaz (750-825 d.C), las se?ales isot?picas son m?s variadas, con algunos indi viduos consumiendo menos ma?z y/o una mayor cantidad de peces de agua dulce. Atribuimos estos cambios a la desorgani zaci?n en el sistema de producci?n y distribuci?n de alimentos en Piedras Negras durante la ?ltima parte del siglo VIII, proceso que podr?a estar ligado a la desintegraci?n de la dinast?a reinante y su colapso. Maize agriculture, together with the culti vation of beans and squash, was the lifeblood of Classic Maya subsistence. These staples were supplemented by a variety of other wild and domesti...

The morphology of the sternal end of the right fourth rib has been proffered as an accurate age assessor in skeletonized individuals of both sexes. This technique was tested for its applicability on left and right II, III, V–IX. Tests were performed between phase scores obtained from right and left ribs; right rib IV phase scores and scores obtained from the others in the right rib series; and between right rib IV scores and a composite score composed of the average of an individual's phase scores (omitting rib IV). Left ribs IV–IX were found not to vary significantly from their right counterparts. Although only right rib II was found to vary significantly from rib IV, use of the other ribs in the series should be undertaken with caution due to questions concerning their statistical significance. A composite score is therefore recommended for use instead.

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Researchers have long debated the appropriateness of stable isotope analysis of bone apatite to reconstruct the diets of ancient animals. The debate has centred, in part, on diagenesis of bone mineral from interaction with the burial environment. A number of acetic acid treatments are used to remove diagenetic carbonates from samples; however, less is known on how different protocols alter stable isotope values. We compare two common acetic acid solution treatments (0.1 M versus 1.0 M‐buffered) to examine the effects on carbon and oxygen isotope values and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra in human bone from different burial contexts. Results indicate that both treatments have a similar effect on isotope values and FTIR spectra in bone apatite.