Conclusions
While more research in diverse burial conditions is needed to validate this observation, if confirmed, it would have broader implications for sample selection strategies in bioarchaeological studies using the strontium isotope method.
Methods
From an individual from a colonial-era (18th century) site on the island of Saba in the Caribbean for whom previous enamel 87 Sr/86 Sr
Results
All four petrous 87 Sr/86 Sr ratios (0.7111-0.7122) are consistently and considerably higher than the local bioavailable range, and very similar to the enamel 87 Sr/86 Sr. These results provide initial evidence that unburnt petrous bones may preserve biogenic strontium, at least in this specific burial context. Conclusions: While more research in diverse burial conditions is needed to validate this observation, if confirmed, it would have broader implications for sample selection strategies in bioarchaeological studies using the strontium isotope method.