BONE CHEMISTRY AND PALEODIET - RECONSTRUCTING PREHISTORIC SUBSISTENCE-SETTLEMENT SYSTEMS IN AUSTRALIA

This article reviews the results of bone collagen stable carbon and ni trogen isotope paleodietary studies conducted in Australia. Stable iso topic analyses of prehistoric human and faunal bones and teeth provide a means to assess past Aboriginal dietary patterns and habitat use, p alaeoclimate, and palaeoecology. In some cases, the relative consumpti on of marine versus terrestrial foods or use of C-3- VS C-4-based food s within terrestrial ecosystems and access to these various habitats c an be inferred from stable isotope values. The relationship between mo rtuary variability and dietary differences can also be addressed. In a ddition, stable carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and strontium isotopes can p rovide information about changes in past rainfall patterns, climate an d plant and animal distributions. Thus, stable isotope studies provide an independent method to assist with the reconstruction of prehistori c subsistence-settlement systems, social systems, and palaeoecology. T hese biochemical data can supplement information obtained from convent ional archaeological studies. Potential contributions of stable isotop e research to Australian archaeology and future research directions ar e discussed. (C) 1997 Academic Press.