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Stable isotope studies in human evolution
Author(s) -
Schoeninger Margaret J.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
evolutionary anthropology: issues, news, and reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1520-6505
pISSN - 1060-1538
DOI - 10.1002/evan.1360040305
Subject(s) - artifact (error) , stable isotope ratio , evolutionary biology , contrast (vision) , human evolution , ecology , sequence (biology) , biological evolution , isotope analysis , biology , computer science , neuroscience , artificial intelligence , genetics , physics , quantum mechanics
The discipline of human evolution usually involves the evaluation of changes in gross and molecular morphology or changes in artifact assemblages. In contrast, stable isotope analysis is an indirect line of investigation. Understanding the human evolutionary sequence requires information on nutritional, biobehavioral, and general ecology. These are the kinds of information that stable isotope analysis can provide. Such studies may not identify the mechanisms for change, but their application serves to elucidate the situations under which change occurred.