essay

Carbon 13/12 and nitrogen 15/14 isotope ratios in skeletons from the Jornada area

preliminary investigations of the archaic in the region of las cruces, new mexico (9)Published In 1993 • Pages: 117-122

By: MacNeish, Richard S., Marino, Bruno.

AbstractBrief abstract written by HRAF anthropologists who have done the subject indexing for the document
MacNeish and Marino discuss the results of 'stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen derived from bone collagen to provide estimates of diet' (page 117) in the Jornada region. Their analysis 'indicates a trend toward greater consumption of C4 plants, which points toward increasing agriculture. This study not only allowed us to distinguish between people practicing incipient agriculture and true agriculturalists; it also provided a significant basis for better interpreting our reconstruction of ancient diets and subsistence systems.' (page 121). They analyzed skeletons dating from 4600 BP to 200 BP. Only the data that pertain to the Fresnal, Hueco, and Mesilla phases were marked for OCM (Outline of Cultural Materials) codes.
SubjectsDocument-level OCM identifiers given by the anthropology subject indexers at HRAF
Diet
Organization and analysis of results of research
Cereal agriculture
Laboratory analysis of materials other than dating methods in archaeology
Burial practices and funerals
traditionCulture name from the Outline of World Cultures (OWC)
Middle-Late Desert Archaic
HRAF PubDateThe date HRAF published the document
2010
RegionThe area the document pertains to
North America
Sub RegionThe more specific area the document pertains to, which is located within the Region
Southwest and Basin
Document TypeMay include journal articles, essays, collections of essays, monographs, or chapters/parts of monographs
essay
Evaluation
Creator TypesThe type of person writing the document, e.g. Ethnographer, Missionary, Archaeologist, Folklorist, Linguist, Indigenous Person, and so on.
Archaeologist
Physical Anthropologist
Document Rating A ranking done by HRAF anthropologists based on the strength of the source material on a scale of 1 to 5, as follows: 1 - poor; 2 - fair; 3 - good, useful data, but not uniformly excellent; 4 - excellent secondary data; 5 - excellent primary data.
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
AnalystThe HRAF anthropologist who subject indexed the document and prepared other materials for the eHRAF culture/tradition collection
Sarah Berry; 2010
Field DateThe date the researcher conducted the fieldwork or archival research that produced the document
1984-1989
Coverage DateThe date or dates that the information in the document pertains to
4500–1000 BP (2600 BC–AD 1000)
Coverage PlaceLocation of the research culture or tradition (often a smaller unit such as a band, community, or archaeological site)
Jornada region, southern New Mexico, and El Paso County, Texas, United States
NotesAdditional notes
R. S. MacNeish and Bruno Marino
'Publication of this report was supported by funding from the Legacy Resource Management Program of the Department of Defense'
For bibliographical references see document 7: MacNeish
LCSHLibrary of Congress Subject Headings
Indians of North America--New Mexico--Antiquities
Indians of Mexico--Mexico--Chihuahua--Antiquities
Chihuahua (Mexico : State)--Antiquities
New Mexico--Antiquities