STABLE-ISOTOPE EVIDENCE FOR MAIZE HORTICULTURE AND PALEODIET IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO, CANADA

This paper reports new data on stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes obt ained from human skeletal remains found at sir prehistoric sites datin g between A.D. 400 and 1500 in southern Ontario. Analyses examine more closely the timing and intensity of maize adoption and the importance of animal protein in the diet, adding to earlier work in the region b y the same authors (Schwarcz et al. 1985). As a result of changes in p referred methods of extracting bone collagen, a comparison of extracti on methods is presented. Results indicate a gradual increase in the im portance of maize in the diet over a period of approximately 600 years , from A.D. 650 to 1250, and little change in nitrogen isotope values during the same period. The results are considered within the larger t emporal and geographical framework of eastern North America, drawing o n stable isotope results from the published literature. Both paleobota nical and isotope data indicate marked differences in the timing and i ntensity of maize utilization in different regions of northeastern Nor th America. Nitrogen isotope values decrease after around A.D. 1350, s uggesting a decrease in animal protein in the diet. Stable isotope dat a provide one source of evidence for changes in human subsistence patt erns and their interpretation relies on complementary data from source s such as the analysis of faunal and botanical remains, settlement pat terns, and material culture.