Ancient Maya diet: as inferred from isotopic and elemental analysis of human bone

Samples of human bone from the Lowland Maya site of Lamanai, Belize have been analysed for the trace elements Sr, Mg, and Zn and for δ15 N and δ13 C of collagen, in order to test various models of diet over the time range from pre-Classic (1250 bc to 250 ad) to Historic (1520 ad to 1670 ad) periods. The content of maize in the diet is inferred from δ13 C which is, in turn, negatively correlated with both Sr and Zn content. Maize constitutes …