“YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT”- THE IMPORTANCE OF STABLE ISOTOPE ANALYSIS IN ARCHAEOLOGY

Abstract

The present article examines the theoretical foundations, methodological aspects, and significance of stable isotope analysis in archaeological research, with particular emphasis on the bioarchaeological context. The method is based on an interdisciplinary approach that integrates natural sciences and humanities, enabling the reconstruction of aspects of human life that are difficult to identify through traditional archaeological data alone.

The article provides a detailed discussion of the application of stable isotopes in the study of diet, mobility, and human environment interactions. Special emphasis is placed on the fact that isotopic signals do not represent a direct method, but rather require integrated interpretation within ecological, biological, and cultural frameworks. The study highlights the impact of sample selection, collagen preservation, and diagenesis on the reliability of data, as well as the necessity of statistical analysis as an integral stage of data interpretation. These aspects are demonstrated through a case study illustrating how stable isotopes can reveal different animal husbandry strategies, possible mobility patterns, and issues related to plant cultivation.

The paper underscores that the multifaceted application of stable isotope analysis is essential for contemporary archaeological research in Georgia. Furthermore, it emphasizes that the interpretation of stable isotope data is effective only when integrated with databases, statistical analysis, and the broader archaeological and bioarchaeological context.

Key words: Bioarchaeology, methodology, database, paleodiet, stable isotope analysis