Isotopic perspectives of dietary patterns in Taiwan after the introduction of crops. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Cheng-Yi; Chen, Maa-Ling; Wu, Mu-Chun
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 20(2018)
• Page Start: 355
• Page End: 361
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Research -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.04.039
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-409X

Abstract

Abstract: Bone collagen isotope data of 53 human individuals excavated from 11 sites were collected in order to trace the dietary patterns of these prehistoric people after rice and millet were introduced into Taiwan ca. 5000 cal. yr BP. The 11 sites were separated into two groups, with each belonging to 4600–2000 cal. yr BP and 2000–400 cal. yr BP, respectively. The result indicated that the prehistoric people did not focus on crops after the introduction of crops into Taiwan. A comparison of the diets of the 53 individuals in these two groups revealed that dependence on marine resources may have decreased along the coastal area during the later time interval, i.e. the Iron Age. Highlights: We compiled previously published δ 13 C and δ 15 N values for 53 humans from Neolithic to Iron Age sites in Taiwan. People did not focus on crops after the introduction of crops in Taiwan. The Iron Age people seemed to depend less on marine resources than Neolithic people.