Stable Isotopes And Multiple Tissue Analysis: Reconstructing Life Histories For Individuals From Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt

This study utilized stable isotope analysis to reconstruct life histories of 15 individuals from the Romano-Christian period Kellis 2 cemetery in Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt, by examining δ13C and δ15N isotope signatures across various tissues such as tooth dentin, bone collagen, hair, nail, skin, and gut content. This approach, which was rare at the individual level, demonstrated that analyzing isotopic values from multiple tissues with different turnover rates could provide detailed insights into both individual and population-level life histories. The findings suggested that individual analysis was not only feasible but also informative, offering a model for future research in reconstructing life histories using isotope data.