Isotopic landscapes in bioarchaeology

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This work critically examines the concept of isotopic landscapes (“isoscapes”) in bioarchaeology and explores their future research applications, particularly focusing on cremated finds, which have been largely overlooked due to their osteological and mineralogical complexities. For the first time, data mining methods are employed to enhance analysis. The chapters stem from an international workshop funded by the German Science Foundation and the Centre of Advanced Studies at Ludwig-Maximilian-University in Munich. Isotopic landscapes serve as essential tracers for monitoring matter flow in geo/ecological systems, reflecting temporally and spatially defined stable isotopic patterns in geological and ecological samples. Stable isotope analyses of nitrogen, carbon, oxygen, strontium, and lead are commonly used in bioarchaeology to reconstruct aspects like biodiversity, palaeodiet, palaeoecology, palaeoclimate, migration, and trade. The effectiveness of stable isotopic ratios relies on robust, testable hypotheses and the collaborative efforts of scientists across natural and social sciences. Utilizing multi-isotopic tracers produces complex isotopic patterns that can accurately characterize finds, but their interpretation necessitates modern data mining techniques.