Ethics and applications of isotope analysis in archaeology

Stantis, Chris; Schaefer, Benjamin J.; Correia, Maria Ana; Alaica, Aleksa K.; Huffer, Damien; Plomp, Esther; Di Giusto, Marina; Chidimuro, Blessing; Rose, Alice K.; Nayak, Ayushi; Kendall, Ellen J.

doi:10.1002/ajpa.24992

Ethics and applications of isotope analysis in archaeology

Stantis, Chris; Schaefer, Benjamin J.; Correia, Maria Ana; Alaica, Aleksa K.; Huffer, Damien; Plomp, Esther; Di Giusto, Marina; Chidimuro, Blessing; Rose, Alice K.; Nayak, Ayushi; Kendall, Ellen J.

Authors

Chris Stantis

Benjamin J. Schaefer

Maria Ana Correia

Aleksa K. Alaica

Damien Huffer

Esther Plomp

Marina Di Giusto

Blessing Chidimuro

Alice K. Rose

Ayushi Nayak

Dr Ellen Kendall e.j.kendall@durham.ac.uk
Post Doctoral Research Associate

Abstract

This synthesis explores specific ethical questions that commonly arise in isotopic analysis. For more than four decades, isotope analysis has been employed in archeological studies to explore past human and animal dietary habits, mobility patterns, and the environment in which a human or animal inhabited during life. These analyses require consideration of ethical issues. While theoretical concepts are discussed, we focus on practical aspects: working with descendant communities and other rights holders, choosing methods, creating and sharing data, and working mindfully within academia. These layers of respect and care should surround our science. This paper is relevant for specialists in isotope analysis as well as those incorporating these methods into larger projects. By covering the whole of the research process, from design to output management, we appeal broadly to archaeology and provide actionable solutions that build on the discussions in the general field.

Citation

Stantis, C., Schaefer, B. J., Correia, M. A., Alaica, A. K., Huffer, D., Plomp, E., Di Giusto, M., Chidimuro, B., Rose, A. K., Nayak, A., & Kendall, E. J. (2024). Ethics and applications of isotope analysis in archaeology. American Journal of Biological Anthropology, e24992. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.24992

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Jun 16, 2024
Online Publication Date	Jul 1, 2024
Publication Date	Jul 1, 2024
Deposit Date	Jul 15, 2024
Publicly Available Date	Jul 15, 2024
Journal	American Journal of Biological Anthropology
Electronic ISSN	2692-7691
Publisher	Wiley
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Pages	e24992
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.24992
Keywords	research ethics, equity, archeological science, accessibility
Public URL	https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2518004

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This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.