Stable Isotope Analysis of Fossil Bone

The biological signal hidden in stable carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and strontium stable isotope ratios in archaeological and fossil skeletal finds give clues to a variety of palaeoecological parameters. In contrast to trace element analysis, these parameters can be assessed on the individual level, which is a major advantage for palaeoanthropology, where single finds prevail over multiple finds at the site of recovery. In this paper, we first review the potential of isotopic analysis of light elements (C, N, O) for the reconstruction of ecological niches of extinct species, followed by a more recent example on how stable strontium isotope ratios can give clues to residence change, migration events and home range assessment in the past. Since modern techniques permit the establishment of valid data even from very small sample sizes, the application of such invasive methods even for valuable fossil finds should be encouraged.