Ref ID:	34390
Ref Type:	Journal Article
Authors:	Burton, James H. Price, T. Douglas Middleton, William D.
Title:	Correlation of bone Ba/Ca and Sr/Ca due to biological purification of calcium
Date:	1999
Source:	Journal of Archaeological Science
Abstract:	Analyses of more than 1000 samples of soils, plants and bones of many species from a temperate woodland environment confirm the ubiquity of biopurification processes in which Ba/Ca and Sr/Ca decrease with increasing trophic position. This study reveals that diVerences among Ba/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios in soils and plants themselves are comparable to or greater than diVerences due to biopurification and preclude the use of these ratios for the quantitative assessment of dietary plant/meat ratios. The data also reveal that much of this variation at the base of the food web is removed at higher trophic positions through the extraordinary eVectiveness of bone in providing a long-term statistical average of diet composition. This reduction in variation eVects a pronounced correlation between Ba/Ca and Sr/Ca at higher levels of biopurification such that, given either Ba/Ca or Sr/Ca, a strong constraint can be placed upon the other ratio. This provides a tool for directly assessing whether measured Ba/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios are biological or reflect substantial post-mortem alteration.
Date Created:	8/10/2001
Volume:	26
Number:	6
Page Start:	609
Page End:	616