Reconstructing Meat Consumption through Biomarker Analyses of Paleofeces

  • Jenna M. Battillo Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, 3225 Daniel Avenue, Heroy Hall, Room 408, Dallas, TX 75205-1437.
  • Abigail E. Fisher Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, 3225 Daniel Avenue, Heroy Hall, Room 408, Dallas, TX 75205-1437.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14237/ebl.6.1.2015.401
Keywords: Paleodietary analysis, DNA, Stable isotope analysis, Myoglobin, Meat consumption, Coprolites, Paleofeces

Abstract

This mini-review outlines three underutilized approaches for studying meat-based biomarkers in archaeological paleofeces that we expect will increase in significance within the field. Myoglobin, stable isotope, and aDNA analyses all have untapped potential to inform meat-based dietary constituents.

Author Biographies

Jenna M. Battillo, Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, 3225 Daniel Avenue, Heroy Hall, Room 408, Dallas, TX 75205-1437.

Jenna M. Battillo is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Anthropology at Southern Methodist University. Her research focuses on paleodietary reconstruction using paleofeces from Cedar Mesa, Utah.

Abigail E. Fisher, Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, 3225 Daniel Avenue, Heroy Hall, Room 408, Dallas, TX 75205-1437.
Abigail E. Fisher is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Anthropology at Southern Methodist University. Her current research uses stable isotope and zooarchaeological analyses to study mechanisms of state collapse in South Africa.

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Ethnobiology Letters Cover, Volume 6, Issue 1, 2015
Published
2015-08-25
How to Cite
Battillo, J. M., & Fisher, A. E. (2015). Reconstructing Meat Consumption through Biomarker Analyses of Paleofeces. Ethnobiology Letters, 6(1), 111-113. https://doi.org/10.14237/ebl.6.1.2015.401
Issue
Vol 6 No 1 (2015)
Section
Mini-Reviews

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