Using Isotope Analysis To Understand The Interaction Between Migration And Burial At The Eastern Structure Of Group 1 At Actuncan, A Maya Archaeological Site In Belize

Author

Destiny Micklin

Graduation Semester and Year

2015

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Anthropology

Department

Sociology and Anthropology

First Advisor

Shelley Smith

Abstract

Strontium, oxygen, and carbon isotope ratios for seven individuals buried at the eastern shrine of Group 1 at Actuncan were analyzed in an attempt to elucidate the relationship between natal origin, burial location, and mortuary patterns. These data were correlated with archaeological evidence of burial practices to better understand who was interred at this ritually significant space. Results indicate that none of the individuals sampled could be identified as originating outside the Belize River Valley. Burials 7-1 and 9-1 had strontium and oxygen isotope ratios closest to expected values for the area surrounding Actuncan and the Upper Belize River Valley. While Burial 13 appeared nonlocal based on burial presentation, isotope ratios could not exclude an origin within the Belize River Valley.

Disciplines

Anthropology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

Recommended Citation

Micklin, Destiny, "Using Isotope Analysis To Understand The Interaction Between Migration And Burial At The Eastern Structure Of Group 1 At Actuncan, A Maya Archaeological Site In Belize" (2015). Sociology & Anthropology Theses. 4.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/sociologyanthropology_theses/4