Abstract

Carbon isotope abundance ratios of protein from marine and terrestrial sources reflect the difference between carbon in oceanic and atmospheric reservoirs. This difference propagates through food chains. Measurement of carbon isotopic ratios in human bone collagen thus yields information about the relative proportions of marine and terrestrial foods in the diet. Application of these measurements to northwest coast and British Columbia interior samples has given estimates of the extent to which marine resources and anadromous salmon were utilized by aboriginal peoples during the last 5000 years. Indications are that the approach may be utilized in similar situations elsewhere in the world.