title: A stable isotope (δ13C and δ15N) perspective on human diet on Rapa Nui (Easter Island) ca. AD 1400-1900.
abstract: Ecological and environmental evidence suggests that Rapa Nui was among the most marginally habitable islands in Eastern Polynesia, with only a fraction of the biotic diversity found on archipelagos to the west, and capable of sustaining many fewer cultigens traditionally transported by Polynesian colonizers. However, archaeological evidence for human dietary adaptations under such restrictions is limited. Little is known about the particulars of the subsistence base and dietary changes on Rapa Nui that may be associated with a hypothesized late prehistoric decline in the quality and diversity of food sources. To better understand prehistoric Rapa Nui diet we examined stable carbon and nitrogen isotope compositions of human teeth along with archaeological faunal material thought to comprise the Rapa Nui food web. Our results indicate that contrary to previous zooarchaeological studies diet was predominantly terrestrial throughout the entire sequence of occupation, with reliance on rats, chickens and C3 plants. While a few individuals may have had access to higher trophic level marine resources, this is evident only later in time (generally post-AD 1600). A decline in (15)N through time was observed, and may be attributed to declines in available terrestrial proteins; however, presently we cannot rule out the effect of changing soil and plant baseline δ(15)N. Our results also suggest differential access to higher trophic level marine resources among contemporaneous populations, but more research is required to clarify this observation.
authors.affiliation: Idaho Museum of Natural History, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, 83209.
authors.forename: Amy S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Commendador
authors.forename: John V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Dudgeon
authors.forename: Bruce P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Finney
authors.forename: Benjamin T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.forename: Kelley S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Esh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000885:Anthropology, Physical; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000737:chemistry; D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry; D003804:Dentin / Q000737:chemistry; D004032:Diet / Q000208:ethnology / Q000266:history*; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D011114:Polynesia; D055110:Radiometric Dating; D014070:Tooth / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D003094:Collagen
keywords: Pacific; Polynesia; carbon and nitrogen isotopes; collagen; radiocarbon dating