A multi‐isotope, multi‐tissue study of colonial origins and diet in New Zealand

Bibliographic Data

ID8311228
AuthorsC L King (0000-0003-2432-0714, Department of Anatomy University of Otago Dunedin New Zealand, corresponding author), H R Buckley (0000-0003-1047-4288, University of Otago), Peter Petchey (0000-0002-8986-5806, Southern Archaeology Ltd. Dunedin New Zealand), R L Kinaston (0000-0001-7697-4950, University of Otago), Rebecca Kinaston (Department of Anatomy University of Otago Dunedin New Zealand), Andrew R Millard (0000-0002-8290-7428, Durham University), Andrew Millard (0000-0002-3895-2854, Department of Archaeology Durham University Durham UK), Jana Zech (Department of Archaeology, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History Jena Germany), Patrick Roberts (0000-0002-4403-7548, Department of Archaeology, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History Jena Germany), Elizabeth Matisoo-Smith (0000-0002-3500-8307, University of Otago), Elizabeth Matisoo‐smith (Department of Anatomy University of Otago Dunedin New Zealand), Geoff Nowell (Department of Earth Sciences Durham University Durham UK), Geoff M Nowell (0000-0003-3229-128X, Durham University), D R Gröcke (0000-0003-2296-7530, Durham University)
Year2020
Volume172
Issue4
Pages605-620
Publication date2020-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-9483 • E-ISSN: 1096-8644
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajpa.24077
PMID32424829
OpenAlexW3027427363
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited67

Objectives Colonial period New Zealand was lauded as a land of plenty, where colonists could improve their station in life and secure a future for their families. Our understanding of colonial experience, however, is often shaped by historical records which communicate a state‐sponsored version of history. This study aims to reconstruct the lives of settlers using isotopic evidence from the colonial skeletons themselves. Materials and methods We use skeletal remains from recently excavated colonial sites in Otago (South Island, New Zealand) to illustrate the information that can be gleaned from the isotopic analysis of individuals. We use 87 Sr/ 86 Sr to identify European settlers, and δ 13 C and δ 15 N from collagen and hair keratin, as well as dental enamel carbonate δ 13 C to trace dietary change over their life‐courses. Results Strontium isotope analysis shows that all adults in our sample are non‐local. Dietary isotopes show that while most individuals had relatively consistent childhood diet, one individual with more rural origins likely had seasonal use of resources during childhood. While some members of the population seem to have increased their meat intake in the new colony most do not have clear evidence for this. Discussion We show the diversity of human experience in first‐generation New Zealanders both prior to emigration and in the new colony. Despite colonial propaganda claiming that circumstances in New Zealand were improved for all settlers, we have little evidence for this, aside from among individuals of potentially high status

Archaeology · Biology · Colonialism · Emigration · Ethnology · Genealogy · Geography · Human migration · Isotope analysis · Population · Sociology · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Demography · Ecology · History · Isotope Analysis in Ecology · Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies