Rebecca L Kinaston | University of Otago (original) (raw)

Papers by Rebecca L Kinaston

Objectives: The south coast of New Guinea has a complex prehistory known for its exchange systems... more Objectives: The south coast of New Guinea has a complex prehistory known for its exchange systems that linked distinct cultural groups living along the coast, inland, and on offshore islands. Here we compare the palaeohealth of two relatively contemporaneous skeletal samples from the south coast of New Guinea (850–200 BP) that were from two ecologically different sites (one inland and one offshore island) and likely represent distinct cultural groups. We aim to elucidate health patterns that may provide information about the specific lifeways and quality of life of each community. Materials and Methods: Oral conditions (caries, calculus, alveolar lesions, and antemortem tooth loss [AMTL]) were analyzed macroscopically to assess possible intra-and inter-population variation in oral and physiological health. The frequency of linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) was also used as a nonspecific indicator of stress to assess childhood health at each site. Results: The inhabitants from the small offshore island of Motupore, thought to be associated with Austronesian-speaking Motu tribes, displayed different patterns of oral pathological conditions (more carious lesions on the tooth crown and calculus) and LEH (lower frequencies) compared with inland people residing at the site of Nebira. Discussion: It is suggested that the causes for the variation in oral and physiological health were likely multifac-torial and potentially associated with variables such as the ecological and geographical settings of the sites, cultural differences, infectious disease, differential fertility and, potentially, diet. This research provides previously unknown information about possible culturally-moderated practices that affected health in the past. Am J Phys Anthropol 000:000–000, 2016. V C 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

American journal of physical anthropology, Jan 21, 2015

Bourewa, on the southwest coast of Viti Levu in Fiji, is a multi-period site that contained buria... more Bourewa, on the southwest coast of Viti Levu in Fiji, is a multi-period site that contained burials dated to the later Vuda Phase (750-150 BP), a period of climatic fluctuations that potentially impacted the availability of food resources. We aim to investigate diet and movement at this site during a time of possible ecological pressure and political change. We analyzed δ(13) C, δ(15) N, and (87) Sr/(86) Sr of these Vuda Phase individuals (n = 25) interred at the site. By analyzing dentin and bone, both childhood diet and the diet within the past few years of adults' lives were examined. The paleodietary results suggested that adult diets consisted largely of low trophic level marine organisms. Dentin and bone isotopic values differed significantly: childhood diet involved consumption of more higher trophic level terrestrial foods. Most individuals displayed (87) Sr/(86) Sr ratios expected of people living along a marine coastline. However, a few individuals displayed (87) Sr/(8...

Stable isotope ratios (d13C and d15N) were analyzed from the bone collagen of individuals (n=58) ... more Stable isotope ratios (d13C and d15N) were analyzed from the bone collagen of individuals (n=58) from a Lapita burial ground (ca. 2800–2350 BP) on Watom Island, located off northeast New Britain in the Bismarck Archipelago. The aim of this study was to
assess the diet and subsistence strategies of humans
that lived during the later Lapita period in Near Oceania.
To aid in the interpretation of the human diet we
analyzed the stable isotope ratios of faunal material
from the site (n527). We also aim to assess methods of
animal husbandry at the site over time from an analysis
of the stable isotope ratios (d13C and d15N) of pig bones
(n522) from different temporal periods (Lapita, post-
Lapita, and late prehistoric). The protein diet of the
humans consisted of marine organisms from the inshore
environment and some deep-water species, most likely
marine turtle, in addition to higher trophic level terrestrial
foods, likely pig and native animals (e.g., fruit bat,
Cuscus and bandicoot). Although the sample sizes were
small, females (n54) displayed more variable d13C and
d15N values compared with males (n54), which may be
associated with the movement of adult females to the
island. The stable isotope analysis of the pig bones indicated
that there were few differences between the diets
of the pigs from the Lapita and post-Lapita layers, suggesting
that the method of pig husbandry was similar
between these two periods and was likely relatively freerange.

Vanuatu was first settled ca. 3000 years ago by populations associated with the Lapita culture. M... more Vanuatu was first settled ca. 3000 years ago by populations associated with the Lapita culture. Models of diet, subsistence
practices, and human interaction for the Lapita and subsequent occupation periods have been developed mainly using the
available archaeological and paleoenvironmental data. We test these models using stable (carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur) and
radiogenic (strontium) isotopes to assess the diet and childhood residency of past communities that lived on the small (,
1 km2) island of Uripiv, located off the northeast coast of Malakula, Vanuatu. The burials are from the initial Lapita
occupation of the island (ca. 2800–2600 BP), the subsequent later Lapita (LL, ca. 2600–2500 BP) and post-Lapita (PL, ca.
2500–2000 BP) occupations, in addition to a late prehistoric/historic (LPH, ca. 300–150 BP) occupation period. The human
stable isotope results indicate a progressively more terrestrial diet over time, which supports the archaeological model of an
intensification of horticultural and arboricultural systems as local resources were depleted, populations grew, and cultural
situations changed. Pig diets were similar and included marine foods during the Lapita and PL periods but were highly
terrestrial during the LPH period. This dietary pattern indicates that there was little variation in animal husbandry methods
during the first 800 years of prehistory; however, there was a subsequent change as animal diets became more controlled in
the LPH period. After comparison with the local bioavailable 87Sr/86Sr baseline, all of the Lapita and LPH individuals
appeared to be ‘local’, but three of the PL individuals were identified as ‘‘non-local.’’ We suggest that these ‘‘non-locals’’
moved to the island after infancy or childhood from one of the larger islands, supporting the model of a high level of
regional interaction during the post-Lapita period.

The rise of stratified societies fundamentally influences the interactions between status, moveme... more The rise of stratified societies fundamentally influences the interactions between status, movement, and food. Using isotopic analyses, we assess differences in diet and mobility of
individuals excavated from two burial mounds located at the `Atele burial site on Tongatapu, the main island of the Kingdom of Tonga (c. 500 - 150 BP). The first burial mound (To-At-1)
was classified by some archaeologists as a commoner’s mound while the second burial mound (To-At-2) was possibly used for interment of the chiefly class. In this study, stable isotope analyses of diet (δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S; n = 41) are used to asses paleodiet and 87Sr/86Sr ratios (n = 30) are analyzed to investigate individual mobility to test whether sex and social status affected these aspects of life. Our results show significant differences in diet between burial mounds and sexes. Those interred in To-At-2 displayed lower δ13C values, indicating they ate relatively more terrestrial plants (likely starchy vegetable staples) compared with To-At-1 individuals. Females displayed significantly lower δ15N values compared with males within the entire assemblage. No differences in δ34S values were observed between sexes or burial mound but it is possible that sea spray or volcanism may have affected these values. One individual displayed the strontium isotopic composition
representative of a nonlocal immigrant (outside 2SD of the mean). This suggests the hegemonic control over interisland travel, may have prevented long-term access to the island by
non-Tongans exemplifying the political and spiritual importance of the island of Tongatapu in the maritime chiefdom.

PLOS ONE, 2013

Direct evidence of the environmental impact of human colonization and subsequent human adaptation... more Direct evidence of the environmental impact of human colonization and subsequent human adaptational responses to new environments is extremely rare anywhere in the world. New Zealand was the last Polynesian island group to be settled by humans, who arrived around the end of the 13th century AD. Little is known about the nature of human adaptation and mobility during the initial phase of colonization. We report the results of the isotopic analysis (carbon, nitrogen and strontium) of the oldest prehistoric skeletons discovered in New Zealand to assess diet and migration patterns. The isotope data show that the culturally distinctive burials, Group 1, had similar diets and childhood origins, supporting the assertion that this group was distinct from Group 2/3 and may have been part of the initial colonizing population at the site. The Group 2/3 individuals displayed highly variable diets and likely lived in different regions of the country before their burial at Wairau Bar, supporting the archaeological evidence that people were highly mobile in New Zealand since the initial phase of human settlement.

American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 2013

ABSTRACT Stable isotopes (d13C, d15N, and d34S) are used to characterize the diet of the adult in... more ABSTRACT Stable isotopes (d13C, d15N, and d34S) are used to characterize the diet of the adult individuals (n 5 99) interred in the Namu burial ground located on the Polynesian outlier of Taumako (􏰃300–750 BP). Polyne- sian outliers are islands on the fringe of Remote Oceania that were inhabited by a back migration of populations from Polynesia during prehistory. As a result of admix- ture with nearby island communities, little is known about the social structure and social diversity of the pre- historic inhabitants of Taumako. The distribution of pres- tige grave goods within the Namu cemetery has been used as evidence to support the premise that Taumakoan social structure was stratified like Polynesian societies. Here we test the hypothesis that “wealthy” individuals and males will display isotopic ratios indicative of theconsumption of “high status” foods in the Pacific islands such as pork, chicken, sea turtle, and pelagic fish. The isotope results suggest the d34S values were diageneti- cally altered, possibly an effect of volcanism. The carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios indicate that the diet of all the individuals included a mixture of C3 terrestrial plant foods (likely starchy staples such as yam, taro, and breadfruit, in addition to nuts) and a variety of marine resources, including reef and pelagic fish. The stable iso- tope results indicate that wealthy individuals and males were eating more foods from higher trophic levels, interpreted as being high status animal foods. The socially differentiated food consumption patterns are discussed within a Pacific island context. Am J Phys Anthropol 151:589–603, 2013.

Journal of Archaeological Science, 2009

The Teouma skeletal sample from Vanuatu represents one of the few truly colonising populations in... more The Teouma skeletal sample from Vanuatu represents one of the few truly colonising populations in the Pacific Islands. Therefore, investigating the factors that may have affected foetal/infant mortality in this population is potentially important for understanding the success of settlement in this region of the world. We investigate whether stable isotope analyses of carbon and nitrogen in conjunction with skeletal ageing techniques, can aid in identifying whether the subadults from Teouma died before or after birth in an attempt to understand the potential threats to foetal and infant survival. Multiple skeletal ageing methods using diaphyseal lengths were used to age the young subadults (n 1⁄4 7). Using regression-based skeletal ageing methods, four of the individuals were aged at around full-term gesta- tion (37–42 weeks gestation), while the remaining three individuals died preterm. The isotope analyses did not assist in identifying the individuals that survived post-birth because none of the subadults displayed the 2–3& trophic increase in d15N values expected for a breastfed infant, probably as a result of their young age. However, all of the foetal/perinatal individuals exhibited higher d15N values in their bone collagen compared with the adult females of the sample, with two of the individuals demonstrating unusually high d15N values. The d13C values of the foetuses/perinates did not exhibit the same variation. We explore a number of possible explanations for this elevation of perinatal/foetal d15N values and tentatively suggest that this is a result of in utero stress as a consequence of chronic maternal ill-health. The osteological and palaeodemographic evidence supports the assertion that females, foetuses and perinates were susceptible to environmental stress within this colonising population, resulting in early death of the perinatal individuals in addition to early terminations of pregnancy or premature birth possibly caused by infectious and/or metabolic diseases.

Journal of Archaeological Science, 2013

We present the results of a palaeodietary study of a skeletal sample (w800e300 BP) from the south... more We present the results of a palaeodietary study of a skeletal sample (w800e300 BP) from the south coast of Papua New Guinea (Nebira, site ACJ) using multiple stable isotope analysis of bone collagen. The carbon, nitrogen and sulphur stable isotope ratios of 28 individuals (n 1⁄4 12 males, n 1⁄4 13 females and n 1⁄4 3 subadults) suggested the diet at Nebira was based on C3 plants (likely starchy vegetable staples) and included protein resources from the surrounding forested areas and C3/C4 savannah grasslands such as wallaby and other wild animals. Domestic species (e.g. Sus scrofa, Canis familiaris and Gallus gallus) may also have been consumed but could not be differentiated from wild species by stable isotope analysis. There were no significant differences in stable isotope values between males and females, but the d34S values of the juveniles suggest they may have consumed varied protein resources. The sulphur stable isotope ratios indicate there was no discernable marine component in the diet of any of the individuals from Nebira. The stable isotope results are interpreted within a wider context of Papuan south coast trade and exchange systems in an attempt to understand local interaction in the region.

Journal of Archaeological Science, 2010

The subsistence strategies of the Lapita populations (3100–2800 BP), the first colonisers of the ... more The subsistence strategies of the Lapita populations (3100–2800 BP), the first colonisers of the pristine environments of the islands of Eastern Melanesia and Western Polynesia, have been a matter of ongoing debate for decades. Opinions have ranged between the two extremes of Lapita colonisers being either characterised as highly mobile foragers to fully horticultural communities. To further address the question, this paper presents stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic data obtained from analyses of human and animal collagen samples from the site of Teouma (Efate, Vanuatu) dated to between c. 3000–2500 BP. The isotopic signatures obtained from 28 samples (23 human and 5 animal), interpreted in combination with isotopic information from several coastal and insular environments, suggest a diet primarily made up of terrestrially derived animal protein with lesser contributions from vegetable produce and inshore marine species. Comparisons linking the isotopic data gleaned from the Teouma individuals and Lapita subsistence patterns reconstructed through archaeozoological and archaeobotanical remains support the hypothesis of a mixed economy, that included terrestrial foraging, inshore marine exploitation and a low level of food production for at least some of the earliest Lapita colonists in Vanuatu.

Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand

Here we report on microfossil analysis of human dental calculus from Lapita (3000–2600 yr BP) and... more Here we report on microfossil analysis of human dental calculus from Lapita (3000–2600 yr BP) and post-Lapita (2300–2000 yr BP) burials from Vao and Uripiv, Vanuatu. Phytoliths of introduced Musa and indigenous Heliconia in the calculus suggest the use of these taxa as food wrappings. Phytoliths and most other material in the calculus, namely sponge spicules, calcium oxalate crystals, xylem and charcoal, are unequivocal identifications. Another type of material, comprising degraded objects with a general morphology suggesting starch grains, is uncertain, however, as the unequivocal starch indicator, the Maltese cross, was not observed. We used a new method for calculus analysis, Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy (FTIR), comparing the suspected starch with modern reference starch of prehistoric Pacific crops. Although the ancient FTIR analysis was limited to a small number of suspected starch grains, the results provide another line of evidence for starch. The calculus data are consistent with previous microfossil studies of Lapita deposits at the sites, and demonstrate the efficacy of this technique in contributing to the definition of the history of plant use and diet of early Pacific Island populations.