The benefits of integrating archaeological and environmental contexts when interpreting strontium isotope and concentration data

The application of strontium isotopes (87Sr/86Sr and δ88Sr) alongside strontium concentrations on cremated human remains provides invaluable information on past human mobility and diet. The interpretation of these data though, always require archaeological and environmental context. By combining isotope ratios and concentration values with existing archaeological evidence of diet and mobility, and an environmental strontium baseline, a fuller picture of human mobility can be seen. This poster will present strontium data from cremated individuals from Gallo-Roman sites in Belgium, such as Ursel Rozenstraat, Huise-Lozer and Waasmunster. Environmental baselines provide an indication of whether an individual or their food sources are local. Archaeological information such as on grave goods, spatial distribution of burials, or grave features, can then be used to provide an indication on an individual life and can be used to interpret the diet or mobility identified with the application of strontium isotope and concentration analysis.