Investigating paleomobility from archaeological populations of the Canary Islands: Insights from 87Sr/86Sr and δ18O ratios
摘要
Isotope analyses, particularly of oxygen (δ18O) and strontium (87Sr/86Sr), have become central tools in bioarchaeological researchfor reconstructing human paleomobility. However, the application of these methods in the Canary Islands is underveloped. This study presents the first combined δ18O and 87Sr/86Sr baseline and archaeological human data from Tenerife and Gran Canaria, establishing a foundation for future mobility research in both historic and archaeological contexts in the region. The results highlight the methodological viability of 87Sr/86Sr for identifying non-locals, owing to the island's distinct volcanic geochemistry compared to continental landscapes, and suggests a coastal versus inland differentiation. Additionally, differences in δ18O values from indigenous human skeletal remains from Tenerife and Gran Canaria offer new insights into the potential for studying inter-insular migration.