What is the role of isotopic analysis in studying ancient diets?

Isotopic analysis plays a significant role in studying ancient diets by revealing dietary patterns through the ratios of different stable isotopes present in human remains, such as bone and teeth. Different foods have distinct isotopic signatures based on their biochemical processes and environmental conditions. For instance, the ratio of carbon isotopes can indicate whether a diet was primarily based on C3 plants (like wheat and rice) or C4 plants (like maize and sorghum).

By analyzing these isotopic signatures, researchers can infer the types of foods consumed by past populations, identify changes in diet over time, and understand how these diets relate to environmental changes or human behavior. This method provides a direct glimpse into the nutrition and lifestyle of ancient peoples, making it a powerful tool in the field of archaeology and anthropology focused on human evolution.