Stable Isotope Analysis Of Bone Apatite In The Middle And Late Neolithic Age Of The Taihu Lake Basin

The Taihu Lake basin is one of the cradles of Chinese civilization with abundant archaeological materials.While the humid and acidic soil condition limits the progress on stable isotope analysis of collagen of human and animal bones in this area.Hhydroxyapatite(bone apatite),as the substitute for collagen,is proved to be more resistant to diagenesis,therefore received more and more attention in archaeological research.In this study,bones samples of the Majiabang site and the Zhuangqiaofen site were analyzed.First,bone samples of the Zhuangqiaofen site were chosen to build a method to analysis the contamination situation of ancient bones.Second,carbon and oxygen stable isotope analysis on the bone apatite from the Majiabang site and the Zhuangqiaofen site was undertaken in order to understand the relationship between the humans and animals,and the behavior of mobility and migration.The isotopic data indicates that humans and animals relied mainly on C3-based foodstuff.The Zhuangqiaofen site's dogs and pigs' diet were influence by their owners.Humans of this site had a wide range of activities.Because of the special funeral custom based on the blood relationship,many humans who were outside would be back to hometown before they died and were buried together with family.