essay

Human subsistence at Moundville: the stable-isotope data

archaeology of the moundville chiefdom • Washington, Dc • Published In 1998 • Pages: 120-132

By: Schoeninger, Margaret J., Schurr, Mark R..

Abstract
Stable carbon nitrogen isotope analyses of approximately 250 human, animal, and maize samples indicate changes in human subsistence strategies during occupation at pre-Contact Moundville in Alabama. Data suggest increased maize use between Moundville I and the subsequent Moundville II phase. Most important, a decrease in the carbon isotope values between Moundville III and the subsequent Moundville IV phase, coupled with a lack of change in the nitrogen isotope values suggest a decrease in dependence on maize and an increased dependence on gathered plant foods. This supports earlier hypotheses explaining Moundville's collapse as due to internal rather than external factors (p. 120).
Subjects
Laboratory analysis of materials other than dating methods in archaeology
Organization and analysis of results of research
Nutrition
Morbidity
Diet
Chronologies and culture sequences
tradition
Mississippian
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
North America
Sub Region
Eastern Woodlands
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Archaeologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 2005
Field Date
no date
Coverage Date
1100 BP - 350 BP (900 A.D. - 1650 A.D.)
Coverage Place
Moundville, Black Warrior Valley, Alabama, United States
Notes
Margaret J. Schoeninger and Mark R. Schurr
For bibliographical references see document 21: [Knight and Steponaitis]
LCCN
98006875
LCSH
Mississippian culture