Stable Isotopy and Archaeology

Biological evolution among hominids leading to the appearance of the genus Homo was intimately associated with changes in diet. The subsequent developments of human social and economic organization were, to a large extent, responses to changes in methods for the procure ment and distribution of food. The health and life way s of prehistoric peoples were influenced by their diet. Although these statements would be regarded as truisms by most anthro pologists, the nature of dietary spe cializations and of associated changes in food procurement methods is not obvious but is instead subject to de bate and speculation. Methods for obtaining reliable information about what prehistoric hominids and hu mans ate constitute a research topic of importance in anthropology, be cause such information is critical to a

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