• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.262-270
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• 2019

The stable isotopic composition of bone collagen plays an important role in reconstructing palaeodiet, nutrition, palaeoenvironment and their lifestyle. This is the first case in extracting palaeodietary information and breastfeeding pattern of Goryeo people using stable isotope analysis due to the lack of human remains in this period. We analyzed human bone collagen excavated from Gyeongju Donggung palace and Wolji pond No.3. The average values of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N are as follows: (δ¹³C(‰) = -19.5 ± 0.9‰, δ¹⁵N(‰) = 11.1 ± 1.1 ‰, (n = 4). Stable carbon isotope values shows a mainly C₃ based diet such as rice and barley. Stable nitrogen isotope results implies the protein sources attributed to terrestrial animals. There are various age groups in this study, which are adult, child and infant. Two individuals within early childhood age ranges (< 3 years) shows more elevated δ¹⁵N values than that of adult and this result implies the continuation of breastfeeding in this group until the age of 3. The results provide new insight into the breastfeeding pattern of Goryeo people, where breastfeeding and weaning practices have important implication for fertility, population dynamics, migration pattern and disease.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.83-88
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• 2011

The bone density fractionation method is a potential palaeodietary tool in tracing lifetime dietary changes as well as separating diagenetically altered fractions. This paper presents a workable bone density fractionation method that uses a devised mathematical model and the particle size distribution. Different grinding methods, i.e., a Spex $LN_2$ mill, a Disc mill and a Micronising mill, were used to reduce archaeological bone particles to an appropriate size range, which was then analyzed by a Laser particle sizer. It was found that density profiles are in good agreement with the diagenetic parameters, and with their stable isotope results.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.533-539
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• 2017

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope results recorded in human bone reflects palaeodiet, nutrition, subsistence and palaeoenvironment. We analyzed the remains of the Naju Yeongdong-ri people, who live at around $6^{th}$ century, excavated from stone chambers and stone-lined tombs. The following results of the analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes were obtained: ${\delta}^{13}C=-19.5{\pm}0.7$‰, ${\delta}^{15}N=9.6{\pm}0.7$‰, (n=9). The value for stable carbon isotopes indicates that the Naju Yeongdong-ri people had a largely $C_3$-based diet such as rice, barley, and beans. On the other hand, the value for stable nitrogen isotopes reflect the consumption of terrestrial animal protein. This study presents new information on the dietary patterns of the Naju Yeongdong-ri people, whose tombs were similar to the Baekje tomb style and their burial type was much like the one followed by the indigenous people of the Yeongsan river basin.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.300-306
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• 2012

This study reports the stable carbon and nitrogen isotope of mummy, the preserved human time capsule from Joseon Dynasty. The stable isotopic composition of biological tissue is expected to be a direct and constant function of diet because the stable isotope ratios do not decay or change in abundance through time. Over the past three decades, stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis has been extensively applied for archaeological topics. However, this is the first case in Korean mummy to extract palaeodietary information using stable isotope analysis. We extracted isotopic information from bone collagen and hair keratin, which reflects the lifetime average diet and short-term diet, respectively. The average values of ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ values are -19.0‰ and 11.4‰ (bone collagen), and -21.3‰ and 14.3‰ (hair keratin). Stable carbon isotope shows a mainly $C_3$-based diet from cradle to grave. On the other hand, there is significant difference in stable nitrogen isotope which implies a relatively enriched diet before death. We expect this study opens up a potential to understand the palaeodietary lifestyle in Joseon Dynasty.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.38-51
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• 2016

This study reports on human dietary reconstruction of Joseon Dynasty using stable isotope analysis. The stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values were measured of bone collagen extracted from 25 human bones from archaeological site in Myeongam-ri, Asan. Average values of ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ are $-19.7{\pm}0.5$‰(n=23) and $9.6{\pm}1.1$‰(n=23), respectively. The isotopic data indicates that Myeongam-ri individuals consumed $C_3$ plants mainly and assumed of dietary resourced from a terrestrial animal protein. Previous isotopic studies of the Joseon era suggested that dietary composition of Joseon population was not influenced by region and burial type. Also comparison of the isotopic results of male and female from double burials showed sex-dependent dietary patterns among individuals living in the same circumstances.