Articles by Asta Rand
PLOS ONE, 2021
Maya archaeologists have long been interested in understanding ancient diets because they provide... more Maya archaeologists have long been interested in understanding ancient diets because they provide information about broad-scale economic and societal transformations. Though paleodietary studies have primarily relied on stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopic analyses of human bone collagen to document the types of food people consumed, stable sulfur (δ34S) isotope analysis can potentially provide valuable data to identify terrestrial, freshwater, or marine/coastal food sources, as well as determine human mobility and migration patterns. Here we assess applications of δ34S for investigating Maya diet and migration through stable isotope analyses of human bone collagen (δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S) from 114 individuals from 12 sites in the Eastern Maya lowlands, temporally spanning from the Late Preclassic (300 BCE—300 CE) through Colonial periods (1520–1800 CE). Results document a diet dominated by maize and other terrestrial resources, consistent with expectations for this inland region. Because δ34S values reflect local geology, our analyses also identified recent migrants to the Eastern lowlands who had non-local δ34S signatures. When combined with other indicators of mobility (e.g., strontium isotopes), sulfur isotopic data provide a powerful tool to investigate movement across a person’s lifespan. This study represents the largest examination of archaeological human δ34S isotope values for the Maya lowlands and provides a foundation for novel insights into both subsistence practices and migration.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2021
Subsistence practices and migration among the prehispanic Maya have been extensively studied usin... more Subsistence practices and migration among the prehispanic Maya have been extensively studied using multiple isotopic techniques, although stable sulfur isotope (δ34S) analysis has been minimally applied in the Maya archaeology. This study compares expected variation in δ34S values in the Maya region with the values from 148 faunal specimens to create a sulfur isotope baseline for the Northern and Eastern lowlands. These data are combined with stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen isotope (δ15N) results to investigate the diets and identify nonlocal animals at Maya sites located in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. The δ13C and δ15N results are consistent with those of previous Maya archaeological faunal studies. The sulfur isotope data indicate that terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ecosystems exhibit different values, which were used to evaluate the hypothesized variation in δ34S values in this part of the Maya region. Marine taxa δ34S values were likely influenced by dissimilatory sulfate reduction (DSR) and freshwater sulfur inputs in coastal areas. The δ34S values of freshwater taxa similarly reflect the influence of DSR, but also the variable sulfur sources in freshwater ecosystems. The terrestrial fauna from coastal sites had δ34S values influenced by marine sulfate deposited by sea spray. The δ34S values of inland terrestrial animals overlap those from coastal sites due to the underlying limestone geology derived from marine evaporites. Eight terrestrial faunal δ34S values from six sites were statistical outliers, representing nonlocal animals that were exchanged from isotopically distinct regions. The results suggest δ34S values may differentiate between Maya consumption of terrestrial- and freshwater-based dietary protein and can identify nonlocal animals and, by extension, humans. This study presents the first extensive archaeological faunal sulfur isotope baseline for Mesoamerica and for a tropical continental setting in general. These results demonstrate a multi-isotopic framework that includes sulfur isotope analysis can provide important insights into Maya subsistence practices, migration, and animal exchange.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2020
The site of Nakum has been the subject of extensive archaeological investigation, but little is k... more The site of Nakum has been the subject of extensive archaeological investigation, but little is known of the
subsistence practices or mobility of the Prehispanic Maya who lived there. This study employed a multi-isotopic
approach to investigate the diet and mobility of the Nakum Maya. Despite the poor preservation typical of
tropical environments, the isotopic compositions of five human bone samples were compared to carbon, nitrogen,
and sulphur isotope baselines developed from 16 archaeological faunal specimens from Nakum. The
bone collagen carbon and nitrogen results indicate that the Nakum Maya consumed a maize-based diet supplemented
with other cultigens and animal protein. Stable carbon isotope values from the bioapatite of five
human bone and seven human tooth samples show that maize was an important dietary component throughout
life, although two individuals consumed less maize during childhood. The bone collagen sulphur data and
strontium isotope results from three teeth indicate that the Nakum individuals consumed local foods. However,
two human oxygen isotope values were lower than the local range developed from human bone and tooth
enamel samples, indicating these individuals moved to the site from outside the Maya region. Although the
faunal sulphur values were much higher than expected at an inland site due to the underlying marine carbonate
limestone geology, one faunal sample exhibited a very low value, suggesting that it was imported to the site over
a considerable distance. Finally, this is the first study to publish baseline sulphur isotope values derived from
Maya faunal remains and contributes to a better understanding of this isotope system in the Maya region.
The skeletal remains of 18 individuals interred at the ancient Maya site of Caledonia (100 to 100... more The skeletal remains of 18 individuals interred at the ancient Maya site of Caledonia (100 to 1000 C.E.), located in the Cayo District of Belize, were sampled for stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis in order to reconstruct their diet. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in 18 bone collagen samples and stable carbon isotope ratios in bioapatite from 15 bone and 6 tooth enamel samples were assessed. Small sample sizes precluded the assessment of dietary variation with respect to age, sex, social status or time period among the Caledonia Maya. However, the sampled individuals consumed a varied diet consisting of maize, supplemented with some C3 plants, terrestrial herbivores and/or lower order freshwater resources such as snails and molluscs and possibly maize-fed animals. This dietary variability with an emphasis on maize is unsurprising given the biological diversity surrounding the site and the known importance of this crop to the ancient Maya. As expected, the isotopic values from Caledonia are similar to those from nearby sites from similar time periods. However, four individuals exhibit a marine dietary signature, possibly indicating inland trade of marine resources from coastal sites, or the migration of coastal people to Caledonia. This study demonstrates the validity of sampling small, fragmented collections from minor Maya centres in order to gain valuable insight into ancient Maya dietary practices.
This article compares the results of three collagen extraction techniques applied to both well pr... more This article compares the results of three collagen extraction techniques applied to both well preserved modern bone and archaeological bone of varying states of preservation. It is concluded that all three produce comparable stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios although the preservation indicators may vary. As a result, the method utilized for collagen extraction should be one of practicality (i.e., available equipment) rather than concern over the accuracy of results.
Conference Proceedings by Asta Rand
Trading Spaces: The Archaeology of Interaction, Migration and Exchange, 2017
Mobility among the ancient Maya at Caledonia, Cayo District, Belize was investigated using stable... more Mobility among the ancient Maya at Caledonia, Cayo District, Belize was investigated using stable oxygen isotope analysis of 15 bone and five tooth enamel carbonate samples. While all samples exhibited values expected for the site area, some variation was detected. Three individuals from Burial 1 had the most positive bone oxygen isotope values, indicating they may have lived elsewhere before moving to Caledonia later in life. The difference between the enamel and bone oxygen isotope values suggests a non-local origin for one individual from Burial 3. Finally, the four individuals who may have consumed marine protein exhibited local bone oxygen isotope values and likely did not move to Caledonia from a coastal region in the last several years of their lives.
Conference Presentations by Asta Rand
Canadian Association for Physical Anthropology Annual Conference, 2020
Stable sulphur isotope analysis of archaeological human and animal bone collagen is an increasing... more Stable sulphur isotope analysis of archaeological human and animal bone collagen is an increasingly popular means of investigating diet and mobility in past societies. The recent application of this technique in the Maya Region suggests there is sufficient heterogeneity in environmental sulphur isotopes to contribute to understandings of subsistence and mobility in this culture area. While anomalous sulphur values within a dataset are typically interpreted as nonlocal individuals, the consumption of protein from catchments with distinct environmental sulphur values can also contribute to variability in human bone collagen. This study presents the sulphur, carbon, and nitrogen isotope results of 18 individuals from the Maya site of Caledonia, Cayo District, Belize, who primarily date to the Late Classic period. The strategic location of Caledonia on the Vaca Plateau across the Macal River from the nearby Mountain Pine Ridge allowed the Maya who lived there to utilize resources from multiple catchment areas. Because these catchments have different environmental sulphur isotope values, the isotopic results demonstrate that some local individuals obtained dietary protein from animals hunted from the Mountain Pine Ridge, while others were more reliant on maize grown on the limestone based Vaca Plateau. One individual with an unusually elevated sulphur value was also identified as a migrant to the site, perhaps from the Central Petén. This indicates that the variability in human sulphur isotope values at Maya sites may not only indicate the presence of nonlocal individuals, but also the consumption of protein from isotopically distinct catchments. This research contributes to understandings of Maya catchment use through the direct analysis of human remains rather than animal proxies and demonstrates the necessity of a multiisotopic approach when reconstructing subsistence and mobility practices in the past.
Bioarchaeology Early Career Conference (BECC), 2021
Isotopic analyses of human remains are effective tools for archaeological research of mobility in... more Isotopic analyses of human remains are effective tools for archaeological research of mobility in past societies. Strontium and stable oxygen isotope analysis of dental enamel have been particularly useful for identifying nonlocal individuals and providing insight into childhood residence among the prehispanic Maya. Stable sulfur isotope analysis of bone collagen has recently been applied in the Maya region, and offers a corroborative means for identifying nonlocal individuals and interpreting place of residence at the end of life. The stable sulfur isotope values of seven Maya individuals from Xunantunich and San Lorenzo, Belize, dating from the Late Preclassic to Terminal Classic periods (100 BCE to 900 CE) identified a possible sacrificial victim as nonlocal, a young adult male whose tooth enamel strontium and oxygen isotope values also reveal a nonlocal childhood residence. A second individual had a nonlocal strontium isotope value but a sulfur isotope value consistent with those found locally. Together, these data show most individuals were born and lived near their place of burial, although the possible sacrificial victim was a recent arrival to Xunantunich, and another individual was born elsewhere but may have lived near San Lorenzo for many years before death. These results demonstrate how sulfur isotope analysis provides insight into the length of time an individual resided in an area prior to death. Moreover, a multi-isotopic approach applied to tissues that form at different periods can identify whether an individual relocated from isotopically distinct regions multiple times, offering a novel method for archaeological studies of mobility.
Human movement in past populations is a universal phenomenon, be it long distance migration or tr... more Human movement in past populations is a universal phenomenon, be it long distance migration or travelling short distances for everyday activities. However, despite the prevalence of its occurrence in archaeological populations, mobility studies in archaeology have experienced a rise and fall in their popularity through time. Currently, there has been a resurgence of interest in mobility with the development of new techniques that can assess whether a sampled individual changed residences during life. These include the isotopic analysis of elements like oxygen, strontium, sulfur, and lead in human remains recovered from archaeological sites. Despite these methodological advances, there has not been an apparent corresponding large-scale development visible in mobility theory. This paper addresses the place that mobility theory holds in bioarchaeological research, how and why the popularity of such theories have waxed and waned in archaeology over time, and contemplates where we are today with mobility theory from a bioarchaeological perspective.
Previous analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in human bone and tooth enamel suggest t... more Previous analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in human bone and tooth enamel suggest that four of the eighteen ancient Maya sampled from Caledonia may have consumed marine protein. This is unexpected, given the minor status and inland location of this site. Oxygen isotopes were assessed to determine whether individuals sampled from Caledonia migrated during their lives. These data demonstrate that all sampled individuals, including those who may have consumed marine protein, exhibited local oxygen isotope values. However, one individual had more enriched enamel oxygen isotope values relative to those in his bone. While both values fall within the range expected for Caledonia, they suggest different water sources were consumed during the formation of these tissues. This supports recent arguments that long distance migration primarily occurred at major Maya centres, while the majority of Maya migration occurred over short distances within regions with similar oxygen isotope values.
""This study implemented stable isotope analysis to investigate the diet of the ancient Maya from... more ""This study implemented stable isotope analysis to investigate the diet of the ancient Maya from Caledonia, located in the Cayo District of Belize and dating from the Late Preclassic to Late Classic periods. During archaeological excavations, limited evidence of subsistence was recovered from this site. Thus, stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of human skeletal and dental tissue was employed to reveal the types of foods consumed by the Caledonia Maya. Twenty samples of human bone collagen, and structural carbonate in eighteen samples of bone apatite and five samples of tooth enamel apatite were prepared for isotopic analysis. Diet, as inferred from the isotopic results, was compared to pathological conditions, and was investigated based on social (age, sex and social status), temporal and regional factors.
The isotopic results indicate that hte diet of the Caledonia Maya was based on maize, supplemented with maize-fed terrestrial animal protein and some freshwater mollusc protein. No statistically significant relationships between diet and pathology, age, sex, social status or time period were discerned. However, it appears that maize consumption decreased withincreasing age, young adults consumed more protein than older adults, and females consumed more maize than males. The individuals interred in the tombs consumed more maize and maize-fed animals than those interred in the simple or cist burials. Temporally, the consumption of maize increased from the Preclassic to early Late Classic periods, and decreased slightly during the remainder of the Late Classic period. Finally, the diet of the Caledonia Maya was more similar to the diet at sites in Guatemala than to the diet identified at other Belizean sites, excluding the nearby sites of Pacbitun and Caracol. This indicates that among the ancient Maya, diet was determined not only by the local environment, but also by political, economic and cultural factors.""
Conference Posters by Asta Rand
The analysis of stable sulfur isotopes from bone collagen offers researchers a novel technique fo... more The analysis of stable sulfur isotopes from bone collagen offers researchers a novel technique for distinguishing dietary protein from various environments (i.e., marine, freshwater or terrestrial) and identifying nonlocal individuals in archaeological samples. This is possible because the sulphur isotope composition of the local environment is incorporated into the tissues of consumers and will, therefore, reflect the area in which their dietary resources were obtained. However, the sulfur isotope composition of the environment must first be determined in order to accurately interpret the values obtained from archaeological human tissue. Here, we present the predicted sulfur isotope composition of various environments throughout the Maya region in a working model based on known sulfur isotope values from similar environments elsewhere in the world. Coastal areas are predicted to exhibit sulfur isotope values near +20‰ that are expected to decrease wi th increasing altitude and distance from the coast, and with increasing input from terrestrial sulfur sources. The model is supported by preliminary sulfur data from one Preclassic and 12 Classic human bone samples from the Maya site of Caledonia, Cayo District, Belize, which are consistent with the sulfur values predicted for the local environment. Analyses of archaeological faunal remains from multiple sites throughout the Maya region will further test the environmental values predicted in the model. Once confirmed, such a model will not only contribute to understandings of prehispanic Maya diet and movement but will also provide a method by which similar models in other regions may be developed in the future.
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Canadian Association of Physical Anthropology, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of bone collagen has become a standard method of pala... more Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of bone collagen has become a standard method of palaeodietary research in archaeology. However, laboratories implement various procedures for the extraction of collagen. This is problematic because different methods may produce varying carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios, which may affect the comparability of isotope data and interpretation of palaeodietary information. In this study, three collagen extraction methods (the Sealy method and two modifications of the Longin method) are compared in order to determine whether one method is optimal for extracting collagen. Animal bone collagen from different archaeological ages and states of preservation were extracted and analyzed then the isotope data were compared with consideration of diagenetic indicators including collagen yield, wt % C, wt % N, and C:N ratio. Our results indicate the two modified Longin methods produce comparable collagen yields despite the inclusion of a filtration step in one of these methods. In contrast, the Sealy method consistently produces higher collagen yields due to a lack of filtration and/or gelatinization step. The results of stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis presented in this poster will provide a better indication of the comparability of these three bone collagen extraction methods. Furthermore, results of this comparison allows for other factors such as sample preservation, amount of sample, as well as the time and funding, to be considered when approaching a new stable isotope project.
Encyclopedia Entries by Asta Rand
M.A. Thesis by Asta Rand
Ancient Maya diet at Caledonia, Cayo District, Belize (Late Preclassic to Terminal Classic period... more Ancient Maya diet at Caledonia, Cayo District, Belize (Late Preclassic to Terminal Classic periods), was investigated using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of human bone collagen, bioapatite and tooth enamel bioapatite. These data were compared to skeletal and dental evidence of diet and nutritional stress, and dietary differences based on age, sex, social status and time period were considered. The diet of the Caledonia Maya was based on maize, supplemented with maize-fed terrestrial animal protein and freshwater mollusc protein. Due to small sample sizes, no relationships between diet and pathology, age, sex, social status or time period were discerned. The Caledonia Maya did consume diets similar to those at neighbouring sites, as well as to sites in the Petén of Guatemala. This study demonstrates that although small sample sizes can preclude the detection of intra-site trends at minor centres such as Caledonia, intersite comparisons can provide information on regional dietary practices.
Papers by Asta Rand
Time periods, associated age ranges, and sample sizes for burials (total n = 114) analyzed in thi... more Time periods, associated age ranges, and sample sizes for burials (total n = 114) analyzed in this study.</p
Samples highlighted in red failed to meet quality control standards (following Nehlich and Richar... more Samples highlighted in red failed to meet quality control standards (following Nehlich and Richards 2009) and are not considered for statistical analyses. (XLSX)</p
Open symbols and error bars indicate the mean and standard deviation of δ34S values in each sulfu... more Open symbols and error bars indicate the mean and standard deviation of δ34S values in each sulfur group.</p
Base map images are the intellectual property of Esri and are used herein under license. Copyrigh... more Base map images are the intellectual property of Esri and are used herein under license. Copyright 2020 Esri and its licensors. All rights reserved.</p
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Articles by Asta Rand
subsistence practices or mobility of the Prehispanic Maya who lived there. This study employed a multi-isotopic
approach to investigate the diet and mobility of the Nakum Maya. Despite the poor preservation typical of
tropical environments, the isotopic compositions of five human bone samples were compared to carbon, nitrogen,
and sulphur isotope baselines developed from 16 archaeological faunal specimens from Nakum. The
bone collagen carbon and nitrogen results indicate that the Nakum Maya consumed a maize-based diet supplemented
with other cultigens and animal protein. Stable carbon isotope values from the bioapatite of five
human bone and seven human tooth samples show that maize was an important dietary component throughout
life, although two individuals consumed less maize during childhood. The bone collagen sulphur data and
strontium isotope results from three teeth indicate that the Nakum individuals consumed local foods. However,
two human oxygen isotope values were lower than the local range developed from human bone and tooth
enamel samples, indicating these individuals moved to the site from outside the Maya region. Although the
faunal sulphur values were much higher than expected at an inland site due to the underlying marine carbonate
limestone geology, one faunal sample exhibited a very low value, suggesting that it was imported to the site over
a considerable distance. Finally, this is the first study to publish baseline sulphur isotope values derived from
Maya faunal remains and contributes to a better understanding of this isotope system in the Maya region.
Conference Proceedings by Asta Rand
Conference Presentations by Asta Rand
The isotopic results indicate that hte diet of the Caledonia Maya was based on maize, supplemented with maize-fed terrestrial animal protein and some freshwater mollusc protein. No statistically significant relationships between diet and pathology, age, sex, social status or time period were discerned. However, it appears that maize consumption decreased withincreasing age, young adults consumed more protein than older adults, and females consumed more maize than males. The individuals interred in the tombs consumed more maize and maize-fed animals than those interred in the simple or cist burials. Temporally, the consumption of maize increased from the Preclassic to early Late Classic periods, and decreased slightly during the remainder of the Late Classic period. Finally, the diet of the Caledonia Maya was more similar to the diet at sites in Guatemala than to the diet identified at other Belizean sites, excluding the nearby sites of Pacbitun and Caracol. This indicates that among the ancient Maya, diet was determined not only by the local environment, but also by political, economic and cultural factors.""
Conference Posters by Asta Rand
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Canadian Association of Physical Anthropology, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Encyclopedia Entries by Asta Rand
M.A. Thesis by Asta Rand
Papers by Asta Rand
subsistence practices or mobility of the Prehispanic Maya who lived there. This study employed a multi-isotopic
approach to investigate the diet and mobility of the Nakum Maya. Despite the poor preservation typical of
tropical environments, the isotopic compositions of five human bone samples were compared to carbon, nitrogen,
and sulphur isotope baselines developed from 16 archaeological faunal specimens from Nakum. The
bone collagen carbon and nitrogen results indicate that the Nakum Maya consumed a maize-based diet supplemented
with other cultigens and animal protein. Stable carbon isotope values from the bioapatite of five
human bone and seven human tooth samples show that maize was an important dietary component throughout
life, although two individuals consumed less maize during childhood. The bone collagen sulphur data and
strontium isotope results from three teeth indicate that the Nakum individuals consumed local foods. However,
two human oxygen isotope values were lower than the local range developed from human bone and tooth
enamel samples, indicating these individuals moved to the site from outside the Maya region. Although the
faunal sulphur values were much higher than expected at an inland site due to the underlying marine carbonate
limestone geology, one faunal sample exhibited a very low value, suggesting that it was imported to the site over
a considerable distance. Finally, this is the first study to publish baseline sulphur isotope values derived from
Maya faunal remains and contributes to a better understanding of this isotope system in the Maya region.
The isotopic results indicate that hte diet of the Caledonia Maya was based on maize, supplemented with maize-fed terrestrial animal protein and some freshwater mollusc protein. No statistically significant relationships between diet and pathology, age, sex, social status or time period were discerned. However, it appears that maize consumption decreased withincreasing age, young adults consumed more protein than older adults, and females consumed more maize than males. The individuals interred in the tombs consumed more maize and maize-fed animals than those interred in the simple or cist burials. Temporally, the consumption of maize increased from the Preclassic to early Late Classic periods, and decreased slightly during the remainder of the Late Classic period. Finally, the diet of the Caledonia Maya was more similar to the diet at sites in Guatemala than to the diet identified at other Belizean sites, excluding the nearby sites of Pacbitun and Caracol. This indicates that among the ancient Maya, diet was determined not only by the local environment, but also by political, economic and cultural factors.""
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Canadian Association of Physical Anthropology, Memorial University of Newfoundland