Project methodologies

New analytical tools are at our disposal through compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA) to significantly increase the resolution of isotopic analysis from bulk collagen to the amino acids (AA) that make up collagen, which can be traced to individual dietary components with much more certainty. We will apply this method to a highly representative NW Mediterranean human collagen samples, already in hand, from the Mesolithic to the Middle Neolithic along the Mediterranean coast of Spain, France and Italy. Using this novel approach, we will measure isotope analysis of AA in targeted human and fauna collagen samples and with these data will be able to more accurately assess the degree of marine consumption by these early ‘farmers’ using novel mixing models. This will be the first application of this new advanced isotopic technique to skeletal material from the Mediterranean region. To enhance the identification of marine and terrestrial consumers, NEOMEDIS will also deploy measurements of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N stable isotopes and sulphur isotopes (³⁴S/³²S) of the AA methionine in human and fauna bulk collagen samples. These results, in conjunction with those from CSIA, will shed more light on all the questions about the Neolithisation in the Mediterranean basin.