Paleodietary change among pre-state Metal Age societies in northeast Thailand: A stable isotope approach

Using northeast Thailand as a model, this dissertation uses stable isotopes of carbon (delta13Ccollagen and delta 13Capatite) and nitrogen (delta15N collagen) to infer paleodietary change in subtropical monsoon Asia. It is hypothesized that in northeast Thailand during the pre-state Metal Age (2000 B.C. to A.D. 500) there are distinct differences among the populations during this time period which coincide with human induced environmental changes and developments of alternative subsistence technologies. It is further hypothesized that female and male diets differed, possibly from social circumstances, such as sex related food accessibility. The archaeological skeletal series is from Ban Chiang, Ban Na Di, Ban Lum Khao, and Noen U-Loke. Stable isotope analysis of local flora and fauna provide a baseline for interpreting stable isotope data from human samples for this and future studies of paleodiet.; Temporal variation (sexes combined) in isotopic results show a statistically significant positive shift in delta13Ccollagen, delta 15Ncollagen, and delta13Capatite values. Individuals from both the second and first millennium B.C. have varied diets consisting principally of C3 plants, C3 terrestrial animals, and freshwater fish.; During the second millennium B.C., the delta15N collagen values suggest consumption of a wider array of protein sources for females than for males. During the first millennium B.C., delta 15Ncollagen and delta13Capatite values in females suggest an increase in open field carbohydrate foods and a shift to a greater consumption of either fish and/or carnivorous animals. For males, evidence suggests the consumption of more domesticated animals and less emphasis on wild game.; This dissertation makes a significant contribution to studies of subsistence changes from extensive to intensive agriculture in subtropical monsoon Asia. These stable isotope data substantiate archaeological and paleoenvironmental evidence, and corroborate bioarchaeological information from paleodemography and dental pathological conditions that suggest changes in dietary patterns over time and between the sexes. The use of stable isotopes from human remains from northeast Thailand has provided a direct indication for diet change from pre-state Metal Age societies. This research is relevant to debates of agricultural change as well as the effect of cultural changes on subsistence patterns and the evolution of human diet.