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  • Contrasting Male and Female Dietary Life Histories: A Case Study at an Ancestral Muwekma Ohlone Heritage Site in San Jose, California
Title: Contrasting Male and Female Dietary Life Histories: A Case Study at an Ancestral Muwekma Ohlone Heritage Site in San Jose, California
ABSTRACT: Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of bones and teeth at the ancestral heritage Muwekma Ohlone site of Yakmuy ́Ooyákma-tka (“Place of the East Ridge Site”; CA-SCL-215) reveal significant differences in the dietary life history of males and females. Overall, isotope data indicate that site inhabitants were primarily dependent on low-trophic-level foods, likely plants, and minor amounts of marine food for their main source of dietary protein. From tooth dentin serial samples, we found that males and females were similar for δ13C in early childhood (age 1–9 years), but boys were elevated in δ15N by 0.6–1.0‰ relative to girls, indicating boys were accessing slightly greater amounts of higher-trophic-level foods, such as meat from game. The sex-biased difference in δ15N diminishes during the second decade of life, as female δ15N values increase and become equal to males. However, a difference in δ13C emerges during the second decade: female δ13C values are elevated relative to males. This could indicate that teenage females consumed higher amounts of low-trophic-level, marine-derived protein, such as shellfish. During later adult years the difference in δ13C disappears, while males again show an increase in δ15N relative to females. Although these differences are small, they reveal important sex-biased life history patterns during childhood and adulthood in this ancient community.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2021256
PAR ID:
10546573
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
BioOne
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Human Biology
Volume:
94
Issue:
1
ISSN:
1534-6617
Page Range / eLocation ID:
25 to 35
Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
Stable Isotopes Sex-Biased Diets Dietary Life Histories Isobiography California
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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