ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of the history and principles of isotope analyses. It provides specific details on the samples and procedures used in each study, and how their results have contributed to our understanding the Histories of Maize. Radioactive isotopes decay over time, while stable isotopes do not. Some studies showed that the introduction of maize agriculture in North America dramatically changed the isotope values on human bone collagen in measurable, quantitative ways. It demonstrates that isotope analyses could strongly complement botanical and other evidence for dietary interpretations. Stable isotope analysis of nitrogen developed in the early 1980s, with clear indications of differences due to tropic level effects, especially in marine systems. Archaeological isotope studies, in contrast to most forensic studies of the recently deceased, must deal first with issues of preservation and contamination, in order to produce reliable scientific results with which to address ancient dietary questions.
