stable Isotope Study of bone and dental remains: Hydrogen and Oxygen methodological Developments

The study of the interactions between ancient societies and their environment is a key element to decision-making in the global context of climate change.

Stable isotope analysis of biological (bone and dental) remains provides insights into climatic conditions, dietary habits and geographical mobility of modern and past populations.

The ISHOD project sets up to refine the analysis and interpretation of two proxies: the hydrogen (d2H) and oxygen (d18O) stable isotope compositions of animal and human remains from modern and archaeological contexts.Traditionally, d2H and d18O values are respectively measured on distinct matrices (bioapatite for d18O and collagen for d2H).

Both proxies face analytical (atom exchange during pretreatment procedures) and interpretative (what information are recorded) challenges. ISHOD aims to develop (1) d2H measurements of bioapatite and “whole bone” and (2) d18O measurements of collagen.

Once operational, protocols and setups will be used to explore how d2H and d18O values compare with other isotopic systems (C, N, S, Sr) and record climate, diet and geographic origin.

They will be applied to investigate the medieval city of Ieper (Western Flanders, Belgium).I will be hosted at Vrije Universiteit Brussels and supervised by Prof. Christophe Snoeck, a renowned expert in bioarchaeology specialized in isotope analysis of animal and human remains.

During the fellowship, I will be trained to improve my scientific (stable isotope facility operating, pretreatment expertise) and interpersonal (leadership, networking) skills.

ISHOD will lead to new chemical procedures and analytical setups to perform d2H and d18O measurements, which will advance our understanding of how ancient European societies experienced and adapted to climate changes.

The project’s outcomes will be presented at scientific conferences (EAA, UKAS, Goldschmidt) and publicly communicated during outreach events (“Urban archaeology day”, “Dag van de Wetenschap”).