Back to the bases: Building a terrestrial water δ18O baseline for archaeological studies in North Patagonia (Argentina)

Archaeology has been using stable oxygen as an isotopic tracer linked with water consumption for decades, and it has been demonstrated to be a powerful tool to assess paleomobility in bioarchaeology. Central-eastern North Patagonia (Argentina) is an especially appropriate region to apply it since it presents a high density of huntergatherer burials, it was a nodal zone criss-crossed by an extensive network of important routes, and it is characterized by a high environmental fragmentation due to the scarcity of fresh water sources. The aim of this paper is to build an empirical stable oxygen isotope baseline of terrestrial surface waters to assess the potentiality of tracing past human movement. We analyzed 46 water samples from 13 locations with permanent sources (rivers, springs, streams), compared it with predictions of precipitation and evaluated it considering seasonal variation, altitude and distance from the coast. Our results show that different post-precipitation processes change the isotopic signal from the sources with respect to the local precipitation, and highlight the relevance of analyzing terrestrial water sources. According to their oxygen isotope values we defined five hydrologic zones: Colorado River, Negro River, Closed Basins and Plains, Eastern and Western Somuncurá Foothills. Their identification shows the potential to address past human movement using stable oxygen water baselines in central-eastern North Patagonia

Isotopic analysis of camelids from late Holocene archaeological sites in the north of Quebrada de Humahuaca (Argentina)

En este trabajo se exponen los primeros resultados isotópicos de restos óseos de camélidos de dos sitios arqueológicos del norte de la quebrada de Humahuaca (Jujuy, Argentina): Antumpa (1900-1300 AP; 3300 msnm) y Cóndor II (1100-960 AP; 3810 msnm). El objetivo es generar información sobre la explotación y manejo de este recurso en una región y para un lapso temporal que cuentan con escasos datos isotópicos. Se presentan 11 pares de valores de δ13C y δ15N medidos sobre colágeno óseo de camélidos arqueológicos que aportan nueva información para los estudios isotópicos regionales. Los valores de δ13C obtenidos oscilan entre -18,3‰ y -14,0‰ (media = -16,2‰); y los de δ15N, entre 6,4‰ y 8,9‰ (media = 7,7‰). Se registraron diferencias en los valores de δ13C de camélidos de Antumpa y Cóndor II y ausencia de variaciones en las mediciones de δ15N que podrían explicarse por la distinta altitud entre los sitios estudiados, aunque no se descarta el factor temporal como fuente de variabilidad isotópica alternativa. Además, se registró una muy baja variación de los valores de δ13C y δ15N entre las especies de camélidos representadas, que deberá corroborarse en futuras investigaciones con la incorporación de nuevas muestras.In this paper, the first isotopic results on camelid bone from two archaeological sites located in the north of quebrada de Humahuaca (Jujuy, Argentina) are presented: Antumpa (1900-1300 BP; 3300 masl) and Cóndor II (1100-960 BP; 3810 masl). The aim of this work is to generate information about the exploitation and management of camelids in a region and for a time period with little isotopic data. We present δ13C and δ15N values measured on bone collagen of eleven archaeological camelids, which provide new and unique information for isotopic studies in this region. δ13C value ranges between -18.3 and -14.0 (mean = -16.2 ) and δ15N values ranges between 6.4 and 8.9 (mean = 7.7 ). Differences in δ13C values and no variations in δ15N values between Antumpa and Cóndor II were recorded. This can be explained by differences in elevation between the sites. However, the temporal factor is not ruled out as a source of alternative isotopic variability. Furthermore, we observe very low variations of δ13C and δ15N values among the species of camelids, which should be corroborated in future research through the incorporation of new samples.Fil: Hernández, Anahí. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Humanidades y Artes. Escuela de Antropología. Departamento de Arqueología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Valenzuela, Luciano Oscar. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Departamento de Arqueología. Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva Humana (Sede Quequén); Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil; Argentin

Breath Stable Isotope Analysis Serves as a Non-invasive Analytical Tool to Demonstrate Dietary Changes in Adolescent Students Over Time

Concern about adolescent diets, obesity, and the associated health risks have been growing in the United States. This inspired former First Lady Michelle Obama to spearhead the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA), which made changes to the national school lunch program by increasing servings of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Our study examined the variability of student carbohydrate sources throughout the day and before and after the implementation of HHFKA using a stable isotope dietary biomarker. This method uses carbon stable isotope values of exhaled CO2 breath (δ13Cbreath) and provides a quantitative, non-invasive measure. δ13Cbreath samples were collected throughout the day from students (n = 31) that attended a public high school in Salt Lake City, UT. δ13Cbreath measurements reflected the short-term carbohydrate inputs from the previous meal. Carbohydrate sources were not consistent throughout the day; most students had their lowest inputs of corn/sugar-based carbohydrates after lunch. We compared our results with an earlier study that had been conducted pre-HHFKA. After-lunch δ13Cbreath values decreased significantly between the two time points, suggesting an increase in whole grain, fruit, and vegetable carbohydrates in the lunch program. Our results demonstrated that δ13Cbreath measurements provide a valuable tool to examine carbohydrate sources in an individual's diet throughout the day. We believe that this tool could be beneficial to studies examining the relationship between sugar sweetened beverages, added sugars, and refined carbohydrates and health outcomes like diabetes and obesity in both adolescent and adult populations.Fil: Mancuso, Christy J.. University of New Mexico. Department of Biology; Estados UnidosFil: Cornwall, Collette M.. Highland High School; Estados UnidosFil: Robinson, Swede. Highland High School; Estados UnidosFil: Valenzuela, Luciano Oscar. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Departamento de Arqueología. Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva Humana (Sede Quequén); Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Ehleringer, James R.. University Of Utah. Department Of Biology; Estados Unido

Stable isotopes in hair reveal dietary protein sources with links to socioeconomic status and health

Carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in hair sampled from 65 communities across the central and intermountain regions of the United States and more intensively throughout 29 ZIP codes in the Salt Lake Valley, Utah, revealed a dietary divergence related to socioeconomic status as measured by cost of living, household income, and adjusted gross income. Corn-fed, animal-derived proteins were more common in the diets of lower socioeconomic status populations than were plant-derived proteins, with individual estimates of animal-derived protein diets as high as 75%; United States towns and cities averaged 57%. Similar patterns were seen across the socioeconomic status spectrum in the Salt Lake Valley. It is likely that corn-fed animal proteins were associated with concentrated animal-feeding operations, a common practice for industrial animal production in the United States today. Given recent studies highlighting the negative impacts of animal-derived proteins in our diets, hair carbon isotope ratios could provide an approach for scaling assessments of animal-sourced foods and health risks in communities across the United States.Fil: Ehleringer, James R.. University Of Utah. Department Of Biology; Estados UnidosFil: Covarrubias Avalos, Stephannie. University Of Utah. Department Of Biology; Estados UnidosFil: Tipple, Brett J.. University Of Utah. Department Of Biology; Estados UnidosFil: Valenzuela, Luciano Oscar. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Departamento de Arqueología. Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva Humana (Sede Quequén); Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Cerling, Thure E.. University Of Utah. Department Of Biology; Estados Unido

Back to the bases: Building a terrestrial water δ18O baseline for archaeological studies in North Patagonia (Argentina)

Archaeology has been using stable oxygen as an isotopic tracer linked with water consumption for decades, and it has been demonstrated to be a powerful tool to assess paleomobility in bioarchaeology. Central-eastern North Patagonia (Argentina) is an especially appropriate region to apply it since it presents a high density of huntergatherer burials, it was a nodal zone criss-crossed by an extensive network of important routes, and it is characterized by a high environmental fragmentation due to the scarcity of fresh water sources. The aim of this paper is to build an empirical stable oxygen isotope baseline of terrestrial surface waters to assess the potentiality of tracing past human movement. We analyzed 46 water samples from 13 locations with permanent sources (rivers, springs, streams), compared it with predictions of precipitation and evaluated it considering seasonal variation, altitude and distance from the coast. Our results show that different post-precipitation processes change the isotopic signal from the sources with respect to the local precipitation, and highlight the relevance of analyzing terrestrial water sources. According to their oxygen isotope values we defined five hydrologic zones: Colorado River, Negro River, Closed Basins and Plains, Eastern and Western Somuncurá Foothills. Their identification shows the potential to address past human movement using stable oxygen water baselines in central-eastern North Patagonia.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

"Le voyageur": approches ostéobiographiques de l›histoire de la vie d›une femme qui a habité la côte sud de la lagune Mar Chiquita (nord-ouest de la région de la Pampa, Córdoba, Argentine)

El objetivo del presente trabajo es (re)construir la historia de vida e identidad social de una mujer adulta que habitó el noroeste de la región pampeana durante el Holoceno tardío, hace 1911 años a. p., desde la perspectiva de la bioarqueología social. Mediante la integración de diversa información etnohistórica, etnográfica, arqueológica y bioantropológica (sexo, edad, estatura, lateralidad, patologías dentales y poscraneales, datos isotópicos y ADN mitocondrial), y a través de un enfoque osteobiográfico, se pretende recuperar el cuerpo biológico, social y político de este individuo, y relacionarlo con distintos procesos ocurridos en el área a inicios del Holoceno tardío.The objective of the present work is to (re)construct the life history and social identity of an adult woman who inhabited the northwest of the Pampas region during the late Holocene (1911 ± 59 years BP) from the perspective of Social Bioarchaeology. By integrating diverse ethnohistorical, ethnographical, archaeological and bioanthropological information (sex, age, height, laterality, dental and postcranial pathologies, isotopic data, mitochondrial DNA), and through an osteobiographical approach, it is intended to recover the biological, social and political body of this individual, and relate it to different processes that occurred in the area at early late Holocene.O objetivo do trabalho é construir de novo a história de vida e de identidade social de uma mulher adulta que morou no noroeste da região pampeana durante o Holoceno tardio, faz 1911 anos a.p., desde a perspectiva da Bioarqueologia Social. Através da integração da diversa informação etnohistórica, etnográfica, arqueológica e bioantropológica (sexo, idade, altura, lateralidade, patologias de dentes e poscraniais, dados isotrópicos e ADN mitocondrial), e através de uma abordagem osteobiográfica, se planeja recuperar o corpo biológico, social e político deste indivíduo, e fazer a relação com diferentes processos acontecidos na área ao princípio do Holoceno tardio.L›objectif du présent travail est de (re)construire l›histoire de la vie et l›identité sociale d›une femme adulte qui a habité la région nord-ouest de la Pampa pendant l›Holocène tardif, 1911 ans avant J.-C., dans la perspective de la bioarchéologie sociale. Par l›intégration de diverses informations ethno-historiques, ethnographiques, archéologiques et bioanthropologiques (sexe, âge, taille, latéralité, pathologies dentaires et post-crâniennes, données isotopiques et ADN mitochondrial), et par une approche ostéobiographique, nous entendons récupérer le corps biologique, social et politique de cet individu, et le relier aux différents processus qui se sont produits dans la région au début de l›Holocène tardif.Fil: Canova, Romina Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades. Museo de Antropología; ArgentinaFil: Salega, María Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades. Museo de Antropología; ArgentinaFil: Valenzuela, Luciano Oscar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Departamento de Arqueología. Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva Humana (Sede Quequén); ArgentinaFil: Fabra, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba; Argentin

Provenance of human remains from Dámaso Arce Museum. Contributions from Bioarchaeology for their preservation in accordance with professional and ethical standards in Argentina

En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de la aplicación de diversas metodologías y técnicas de la bioarqueología sobre un conjunto de restos óseos humanos, que forman parte del acervo patrimonial del Museo Etnográfico Municipal Dámaso Arce, localizado en la ciudad de Olavarría (República Argentina). Los estudios incluyeron la estimación del sexo, la evaluación del estado de preservación e integridad del conjunto, y la realización de análisis isotópicos para asociar los restos a posibles procedencias geográficas. La combinación de estos análisis y procedimientos con la indagación en los fondos documentales del museo y la investigación de archivo de la época permitieron contextualizar y poner en condiciones óptimas estos materiales culturales delicados. De esta manera se pudo adecuar los mismos a la normativa legal vigente sobre el manejo de restos humanos indígenas, los códigos internacionales de deontología de los museos, así como también informar la posibilidad de futuras restituciones.This paper presents the results of the application of various bioarchaeological methodologies and techniques on a set of human remains, which from part of the collections belonging to the Dámaso Arce Municipal Ethnographic Museum, located in the town of Olavarría (Argentina). Our study included sex estimation of the individuals, evaluation of the degree of preservation and integrity of the human remains, as well as isotopic analyzes to assess the possible geographical origin of the human remains under study. These analyzes, together with work on the museum’s documents and archives allowed these sensitive cultural materials to be contextualized and put in optimal conditions. In this way, the collection was prepared to meet current legal regulations on the management of indigenous human remains, international codes of ethics for museums, as well as to inform about the possibility of future restitutions.Asociación de Antropología Biológica Argentin

Análisis mediante FTIR de la conservación del colágeno y la posible contaminación en muestras óseas del Cuaternario pampeano

This paper analyzes FTIR (infrared spectroscopy by Fourier transform) spectra of type I collagen samples extracted from modern and archaeological bones of guanaco (Lama guanicoe) and Pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) with varying degrees of protein conservation and, in some cases, external organic input. C:N atomic ratio, C%, N%, and collagen yield were determined. Four transmittance ratios from the spectra were analyzed: Amide III/Amide I, Amide III/Proline, Proline/Amide I, 1080 cm-1/Amide I, which we propose be used for determining collagen quality. Since FTIR analysis is very versatile, it can be used as a simple decision-making tool, it is inexpensive, rapid, and available, we argue that establishing quality parameters with this method would allow us to determine collagen preservation in archaeological samples before sending them for isotopic and radiometric analyses and select the best samples.En este trabajo se analizan los espectros FTIR (espectroscopia infrarroja mediante transformada de Fourier) de diferentes muestras de colágeno tipo I extraído de huesos de guanaco (Lama guanicoe) y venado de las Pampas (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) modernos y arqueológicos, con distintos grados de conservación de la proteína y algunas de ellas con aporte orgánico externo. También se determinó la relación C/N, %C, %N y rendimiento en la extracción de colágeno. Se analizaron 4 relaciones de porcentajes de transmitancia obtenidas sobre las bandas características de los espectros de colágeno (Amida III/Amida I, Amida III/Prolina, Prolina/Amida I, 1080 cm-1/Amida I), las cuales se proponen como parámetros para determinar la calidad de colágeno. Como resultado, sostenemos que debido a que la técnica FTIR es muy versátil, brinda una herramienta de decisión simple, no demasiado costosa, rápida y accesible, permitiría establecer parámetros de calidad, determinar la conservación del colágeno en especímenes arqueológicos y seleccionar los mejores para realizar estudios isotópicos y radiométricos. &nbsp

Dietary transition in native populations of Northern Tierra del Fuego during the Salesian missionary period: an isotopic approach

La misión salesiana La Candelaria funcionó de 1893 a 1928 en el norte de Tierra del Fuego, aunque su cementerio fue usado hasta 1948. Las fuentes históricas sugieren que los nativos que la habitaron sufrieron fuertes cambios en su dieta con respecto a los cazadoresrecolectores de la zona. El cambio estaría caracterizado por un gran incremento en el consumo de harina, arroz, papas y azúcar, que remplazan al guanaco como fuente principal de alimento. Nuestro objetivo es evaluar la transición alimentaria de los habitantes de la misión a través del análisis de isótopos estables de carbono y nitrógeno sobre huesos (colágeno, apatita) y dientes (dentina, esmalte) de 23 individuos exhumados del cementerio. Los valores de δ15N en colágeno (δ15Nc) y de δ13C tanto en colágeno (δ13Cc) como en apatita (δ13Ca) de individuos del cementerio resultaron más bajos que los valores publicados para la región para períodos pre-contacto. Dentro del cementerio, los valores de δ15Nc y de δ13Ca resultaron más bajos que los de δ15Nd (dentina) y de δ13Ce (esmalte), pero no hubo diferencias entre valores de δ13Cc y δ13Cd. Los valores de δ15Nd y δ13Cd resultaron significativamente más bajos que los valores de colágeno para períodos pre-contacto. Estos resultados son consistentes con la hipótesis planteada por las fuentes históricas y sugieren un desequilibrio en la dieta, con una mayor proporción de carbohidratos y una menor proporción de proteínas animales en los habitantes de la misión con relación a los cazadores-recolectores de Tierra del Fuego de períodos pre-contacto.The Salesian mission La Candelaria was run from 1893 to 1928 in the north of Tierra del Fuego, but its cemetery was in use until 1948. Historical sources suggest that the natives living there underwent marked dietary changes with respect to the hunter-gatherers of the area. The change can be characterized by a large increase in the consumption of flour, rice, potatoes, and sugar, in replacement of guanaco, as their main food source. Our objective is to evaluate the dietary transition experienced by the inhabitants of the mission through the analysis of stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen on bones (collagen, apatite) and teeth (dentin, enamel) of 23 individuals exhumed from the cemetery. The δ15N values in collagen (δ15Nc), and δ13C values both in collagen (δ13Cc) and in apatite (δ13Ca) of samples from the cemetery were lower than the values published for the region in pre-contact periods. Within the cemetery, the δ15Nc, δ13Cc and δ13Ca values were lower than those of δ15Nd (dentin) and δ13Ce (enamel), but there were no differences between δ13Cc and δ13Cd values. The δ15Nd and δ13Cd values were significantly lower than the isotope values of collagen for pre-contact periods. The results are consistent with the hypothesis raised by historical sources and suggest an imbalance in the diet, with a higher proportion of carbohydrates and a lower proportion of animal proteins in the inhabitants of the mission in comparison with the hunter-gatherers of Tierra del Fuego of pre-contact periods.Asociación de Antropología Biológica de la República Argentin

Fatty acids and stable isotopes (13C, 15N) in southern right whale Eubalaena australis calves in relation toage and mortality at Peninsula Valdes, Argentina

Baleen whales accumulate fat reserves during the summer to sustain reproduction while fasting in the winter. The southern right whale Eubalaena australis population that calves off Península Valdés, Argentina, experienced high calf mortality events from 2003 to 2013 and poor nutritional states of mothers could be a contributing cause. Previous studies found that the population’s reproductive success is influenced by prey availability. Mothers unable to build sufficient fat reserves or feeding on prey with different nutritional value may fail to meet the demands of lactation. Milk is the only source of nutrients and energy for calves at Valdés, so their fatty acids (FAs) and stable isotopes should reflect their mother’s diet and feeding-ground locations. Here, we compared FA profiles and C and N stable isotopes of dead calves with those of living calves to evaluate the potential impact of maternal nutrition on calf survival. We found no differences in the FA composition of blubber in dead and living calves, indicating similar maternal diets. Likewise, the isotopic values of living and dead calves imply that their mothers had similar foraging ranges. However, FA composition was greatly affected by calf length, indicating effects of calf age and duration of nursing. These findings suggest that mothers of dead calves did not feed on different diets or feeding grounds compared to mothers of living calves. Future research should further assess the overall health and body condition of the Valdés southern right whale calves.Fil: Marón, Carina Flavia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Departamento de Diversidad Biológica y Ecológica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto de Conservación de Ballenas; ArgentinaFil: Budge, Suzanne M.. Dalhousie University Halifax; CanadáFil: Ward, Robert E.. Utah State University; Estados UnidosFil: Valenzuela, Luciano Oscar. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Departamento de Arqueología. Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva Humana (Sede Quequén); Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Di Martino, Matías. Programa de Monitoreo Sanitario Ballena Franca Austral; ArgentinaFil: Ricciardi, Marcos. Instituto de Conservación de Ballenas; ArgentinaFil: Sironi, Mariano. Instituto de Conservación de Ballenas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Departamento de Diversidad Biológica y Ecológica; Argentina. Programa de Monitoreo Sanitario Ballena Franca Austral; ArgentinaFil: Uhart, Marcela. Programa de Monitoreo Sanitario Ballena Franca Austral; Argentina. University of California; Estados UnidosFil: Seger, Jon. University Of Utah. Department Of Biology; Estados UnidosFil: Rowntree, Victoria J.. University Of Utah. Department Of Biology; Estados Unidos. Instituto de Conservación de Ballenas; Argentina. Programa de Monitoreo Sanitario Ballena Franca Austral; Argentina. Whale Conservation Institute/Ocean Alliance; Estados Unido