ABSTRACT

The expansion of isotope analyses has transformed the study of past migration and mobility, sometimes providing unexpected and intriguing results. This has, in turn, led to media attention (and concomitant misrepresentation) and scepticism from some archaeologists. Such scepticism is healthy and not always without foundation. Isotope analysis is yet to reach full maturity and challenging issues remain, concerning diagenesis, biosphere mapping resolution and knowledge of the drivers of variation. Bold and over-simplistic interpretations have been presented, especially when relying on single isotope proxies, and researchers have at times been accused of following specific agendas. It is therefore vital to integrate archaeological and environmental evidence to support interpretation. Most importantly, the use of multiple isotope proxies is key: isotope analysis is an exclusive approach and therefore single analyses provide only limited resolution. The growth in isotope research has led to a growth in rebuttals and counter-narratives. Such rebuttals warrant the same critical appraisal that is applied to original research, both of evidence for their assertions and the potential for underlying agendas. This paper takes a case study-based approach focusing on pig movements to Neolithic henge complexes to explore the dangers encountered in secondary use of isotope data.

摘要

同位素分析的扩展改变了对过去迁移和迁移的研究，有时会提供意想不到的有趣结果。这反过来又引起了媒体的关注（以及随之而来的误传）和一些考古学家的怀疑。这种怀疑是健康的，并非总是毫无根据。同位素分析尚未完全成熟，在成岩作用、生物圈绘图分辨率和变异驱动因素知识等方面仍存在挑战性问题。已经提出了大胆和过于简单的解释，特别是在依赖单一同位素替代物时，研究人员有时被指责遵循特定的议程。因此，整合考古和环境证据以支持解释至关重要。最重要的是，使用多种同位素替代物是关键：同位素分析是一种独特的方法，因此单一分析只能提供有限的分辨率。同位素研究的发展导致反驳和反驳的增长。这样的反驳保证了适用于原始研究的相同批判性评估，包括他们断言的证据和潜在议程的潜力。本文采用基于案例研究的方法，重点关注猪向新石器时代恒河复合体的移动，以探讨同位素数据二次使用中遇到的危险。他们断言的证据和潜在议程。本文采用基于案例研究的方法，重点关注猪向新石器时代恒河复合体的移动，以探讨同位素数据二次使用中遇到的危险。他们断言的证据和潜在议程。本文采用基于案例研究的方法，重点关注猪向新石器时代恒河复合体的移动，以探讨同位素数据二次使用中遇到的危险。