On impact of the bone type on the results of paleodiet reconstructions on the basis of the stable isotope analysis

The analysis of stable nitrogen and carbon isotopes is actively used in paleodiet reconstructions of archaeological materials. However, the results of the stable isotope study can be affected by differences in the isotope ratios of collagen in different types of bones of the same individual. This can arise due the different speed of remodeling (the process by which osteoclasts breakdown the tissue in bones and new bones form) of various bones in the skeleton. These differences are often disregarded when selecting samples for isotope studies. Therefore, this paper is intended to address the following tasks: (i) to show that there exists difference in the isotope ratios of the skeleton bones by analyzing human remnants of the Medieval Russia rural population from the Shekshovo-9 cemetery in Suzdal Opolye (10th–12th centuries); (ii) to provide basic recommendations for selecting samples for the studies of the stable isotope composition of archaeological materials. Our research evidences that, when selecting samples for the isotope analysis, preference should be given to the bones with similar remodeling speed.