Bone chemistry and prehistoric diet: Strontium studies of laboratory rats

Abstract

Strontium analysis of prehistoric human bone for the reconstruction of past diets is a relatively new technique in anthropology. In order to evaluate certain assumptions of the method, diets with low and high levels of strontium were fed to male, virgin female, and pregnant female laboratory rats. Analysis of the femurs of these rats by inductively coupled plasma/atomic emission spectrometry indicates that dietary intake is directly reflected in levels of strontium in bone ash. When dietary strontium levels were low, the observed ratio for bone:diet in the laboratory rats averaged 0.26, a value similar to that observed by other investigators. Among the groups fed high levels of strontium, pregnant females accumulated the most and virgin females accumulated the least strontium in bone. Males were intermediate. Gender differences in bone strontium among prehistoric human populations are considered in these terms.

Passports from the past: Investigating human dispersals using strontium isotope analysis of tooth enamel

“…In laboratory studies, the amount of strontium incorporated into the skeleton of animals is believed to directly reflect the amount available from the diet and environment, i.e. it is dose-dependent (Boivin et al 1996, Dahl et al 2001, Pan et al 2009, Price et al 1986), as there are no known homeostatic mechanisms that specifically regulate levels of such non-nutrients (Parker and Toots 1980).…”

Examining the Life History of an Individual From Solcor 3, San Pedro De Atacama: Combining Bioarchaeology and Archaeological Chemistry

“…However, the amount of strontium relative to calcium decreases as one moves up the food chain because of biopurification of calcium (Balter 2004;Dolphin and Eve 1963;Elias 1980;Elias et al 1982;Schroeder et al 1972). Therefore, the ratio of strontium to calcium (Sr/Ca) in bones is lowest for carnivores, slightly higher for herbivores, and the highest Sr/Ca ratios are found in plant materials (Balter 2004;Dolphin and Eve 1963;Elias et al 1982;Price et al 1985;Price et al 1986;Schroeder et al 1972). This information has been used by archaeologists to determine the amounts of plant and animal material in an individual's diet (Baraybar 1999;Brown 1974;Burton 1996;Ezzo 1992a;Ezzo et al 1995;Farnum and Sandford 2002;Schoeninger 1979;Schutkowski et al 1999;Sillen 1981Sillen , 1992Tomczak 1995).…”

Strontium concentration, radiogenic (87Sr/86Sr) and stable (δ88Sr) strontium isotope systematics in a controlled feeding study

“…Initial work on biogeochemical cycling of strontium utilised natural experiments in ecosystems (Price et al, 1985) and small scale laboratory experiments (Price et al, 1986). Much of this work focused on assessing the magnitude and controls on Sr/Ca discrimination with trophic level and this work was subsequently incorporated into 87 Sr/ 86 Sr methodologies for migration studies.…”