Isotopic perspectives of dietary patterns in Taiwan after the introduction of crops

Abstract

Bone collagen isotope data of 53 human individuals excavated from 11 sites were collected in order to trace the dietary patterns of these prehistoric people after rice and millet were introduced into Taiwan ca. 5000 cal. yr BP. The 11 sites were separated into two groups, with each belonging to 4600–2000 cal. yr BP and 2000–400 cal. yr BP, respectively. The result indicated that the prehistoric people did not focus on crops after the introduction of crops into Taiwan. A comparison of the diets of the 53 individuals in these two groups revealed that dependence on marine resources may have decreased along the coastal area during the later time interval, i.e. the Iron Age.