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Chemical Analysis of Foodways

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Foodways Archaeology - Methods and Cases

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Archaeology ((BRIEFSARCHAE))

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Abstract

Chemical analysis is a tool used by archaeologists to reconstruct individual dietary profiles. We can identify the chemical dietary signatures in skeletal remains or from residues found on, or absorbed into, ceramic pots to reconstruct human diets. This chapter provides an overview of stable isotope analysis as it applies to foodways archaeology. Bone chemistry, paleodiet reconstruction, and visible and absorbed residues analysis are discussed. Examples from Spanish La Florida and other areas are given to illustrate the types of data that are possible with this form of analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anthropology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA

    Tanya M. Peres

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  1. Tanya M. Peres
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Peres, T.M. (2023). Chemical Analysis of Foodways. In: Foodways Archaeology - Methods and Cases. SpringerBriefs in Archaeology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-41017-8_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-41017-8_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-41016-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-41017-8

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