Environmental Science
Paleodiet Reconstruction Using Stable Isotope Analysis
Quick fact
By measuring the ratio of carbon-13 to carbon-12 in fossil tooth enamel, scientists can distinguish between diets of tropical grasses (like maize) and forest plants, which can shift the ratio by more than 10 parts per thousand.
Why this is interesting
Have you ever wondered how we know what people ate thousands of years ago? The chemical signals locked inside teeth and bones can reveal surprising details about their diet.