Sampling and Pretreatment of Tooth Enamel Carbonate for Stable Carbon and Oxygen Isotope Analysis

This method can answer key questions in archeology, paleontology, and ecology, such as domesticated animal diets, animal management strategies, and animal mobility. The main advantage of this technique is that it is relatively nondestructive and that it is focused on a material that is reasonably resistant to chemical changes in the burial environment. Individuals new to this method will struggle because there are no available visual aids for the sampling of paleontological and archeological remains of humans and animals.

Visual demonstration of this method is critical because it is difficult to learn and practice on archeological materials is limited. To begin bulk sampling, set up a handheld drill as outlined in the text protocol, with a clean diamond-tipped drill of even shape, attached via a chuck to the drill setup. Using the drill, clean the outer surface of the tooth by gentle abrasion.