In parallel with carbon-14 datingdating, stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and strontium will provide important information on diets and population movements.
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At archaeologyisotope analysis involves measuring the ratios between stable isotopes of the same chemical element. In this case, the ratios are 13C/12Cfor carbon, 15N/14Nfor nitrogen, 34S/32Sfor sulfur and 87Sr/86Srfor strontium.
The aim: to obtain detailed information on the origin, history or biological or environmental characteristics.
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CIRAM laboratories don't just provide dates; they also systematically integrate isotopic analyses to contextualize the results and validate the data obtained. These complementary analyses enable a more complete diagnosis of the condition of the samples and avoid any misinterpretation.
For bones, elemental analysis, and in particular the carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio, is a key indicator of collagen preservation. An outlier in the C/N ratio could indicate significant alteration of the sample, making carbon-14 dating unreliable. In addition, analysis of the δ13Cisotope ratio provides information on the nature of the organic material studied. For example, it can be used to distinguish authentic charcoal from other forms of carbon that could distort the archaeological interpretation.
Isotopic and elemental analysis is therefore essential, as it enables :
Depending on the nature of the archaeological artifact, the choice of component to be analyzed varies. The larger the corpus studied, the more relevant the results. The analysis of a single sample is not sufficient to obtain solid conclusions.
The most suitable materials for stable isotope analysis are :
However, isotope analysis is not limited to organic materials. Carbon, oxygen and strontium isotopes can be used to establish the origin of marble.
Request a studyAnalysis of the ratio of carbon 13 to carbon 12 (δ13C) provides information on the photosynthetic strategies of plants and thus enables us to identify the plant resources consumed in the past. C3 plants (woody trees, wheat, rice) have a δ13Cbelow -20 ‰, while C4 plants (maize, sugarcane) show a δ13Cbetween -10 and -20 ‰.
Isotopes are separated using an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS) coupled to an elemental analyzer (EA), guaranteeing optimum analytical precision.
The study of stable nitrogen isotopes is combined with that of carbon for the study of bones and teeth in particular.
Nitrogen isotopes are a key tracer of the dietary habits of an individual or animal. A high ratio indicates a diet rich in animal proteins, while a low ratio reflects a predominantly plant-based diet.
This analysis makes it possible to differentiate between carnivorous, herbivorous and omnivorous diets, and to detect the ecological and cultural interactions of ancient populations.
Analysis of the ratio of sulfur isotopes 34 and 32 (𝛿34S) is increasingly used to complement carbon and nitrogen isotopes. These studies help us to understand the diet and movements of animals and humans during prehistoric and historic periods.
Sulfur isotopes are also used to explore variability in terrestrial, marine and freshwater diets. They are also used as indicators of environmental change.
Strontium is a metal easily found in nature, both in minerals and in soils. It is the assimilation by plants in the form of mineral salts that makes strontium isotopes interesting.
By studying the isotopic ratio of strontium 87 and 86 in teeth and archaeological bones, it will be possible to define the geographic origin of the individuals and identify any migrations.
However, 87Sr/86Srratio values are highly heterogeneous, even over limited perimeters. This is why only a study of a significant corpus will be relevant, and investigations will have to be limited to a few hypotheses only.
Our specialized isotope analysis laboratories use state-of-the-art equipment, including isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), to deliver results of unrivalled accuracy. In addition to isotope analysis, we also offer services in anthracology/ xylologyand organic residue analysis and luminescence dating.
Thanks to our expertise, we support archaeology and bioarchaeology researchers in interpreting isotopic data to trace diets, identify past migrations and characterize the origin of archaeological materials.
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Contact our teamsIsotope analysis consists of measuring the ratios between different isotopes of the same chemical element (such as carbon, nitrogen or strontium) to derive information about the past. In archaeology, it is used to understand diets, migrations, the origin of materials and climatic conditions in ancient times.
Isotopic analyses generally focus on carbon (C), nitrogen (N), sulfur (S) and strontium (Sr). These elements are present in bones, tooth enamel, stone artifacts and certain organic materials.
Each isotope provides specific information. For example, carbon and nitrogen reveal diet, sulfur indicates the origin of food resources (terrestrial or marine), and strontium provides information on the geographic origin of an individual or a material. By cross-referencing these data, researchers obtain a more accurate picture of the past.
Yes, isotope analysis is not limited to bones and teeth. It also applies to marble and other inorganic materials. The study of carbon and oxygen isotopes, for example, makes it possible to identify the provenance of ancient marbles and trace ancient trade.
Our laboratories use high-precision equipment, such as isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). Each sample undergoes a strict preparation and analysis protocol to ensure reliable, reproducible results.
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