Exploring the potential of strontium isotope analysis to detect archaeological migration events in Southern Ontario, Canada

This dissertation examines the potential of strontium isotope analysis to detect
\narchaeological migration events in southern Ontario, Canada. It is the first study of
\nstrontium isotope analysis of white-tailed deer teeth conducted in Canada, with previous
\nresearch making use of stable isotope analysis and archaeological and ethnohistorical
\nevidence to investigate mobility. Southern Ontario has a rich archaeological record with a
\nlong history of mobility studies making it an ideal setting in which to investigate the
\npotential of this method.
\nIn pursuit of this, the range of variation in bioavailable ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values in
\nsouthern Ontario was established to create an isotopic baseline. Three models detailing
\nthe range of variation in ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values were created: a proxy model using previously
\npublished ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values of geological substrates; a theoretical model using previously
\npublished equations to establish potential bioavailable ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values; and an
\nexperimental model using white-tailed deer teeth recovered from archaeological sites in
\nsouthern Ontario.
\nThree hundred and twenty one samples of core enamel from 104 white-tailed deer
\nteeth recovered from 31 different archaeological sites in southern Ontario were prepared
\nfor strontium isotope analysis to characterize the bioavailable strontium. Sites were
\nlocated in traditional Huron-Wendat and Neutral territory dating from A.D. 75-1651. The
\nunderlying geology in the region dates to the Palaeozoic era (~542MYA to 251MYA)
\nand contains limestone, sandstone, dolomite and shale with trace amounts of other rocks
\nand minerals (e.g., arkose). A variety of types of sediment and soil overlay the bedrock including sand, clay, silt, gravel, and glacial till dating to the Quaternary period (2.6MYA
\nto present) while elevation ranges from 49 to 542 meters above sea level. The amount of
\nvariation within and between white-tailed deer teeth was also examined with serial
\nsamples analyzed from multiple lophs on the same tooth, as well as from different types
\nof teeth (e.g., first, second and third molars) from the same individual.
\nStrontium isotope analysis was found to be of limited utility to investigate
\nmobility within groups originating from southern Ontario (e.g., the Huron-Wendat and
\nNeutral) with minimal variation present. However, distinction between populations from
\ndifferent geographic areas (e.g., Northern Iroquoians, Iroquoians, Europeans,
\nAlgonquians) remains feasible. Similarly, the strontium isotope composition within
\nwhite-tailed deer teeth is relatively homogenous making them a viable sample for
\nstrontium isotope analysis. However, small differences between types of teeth were noted
\nsuggesting that white-tailed deer behaviour and seasonality are influential. Cultural
\nfactors such as white-tailed deer acquisition and type of site (e.g., village, hamlet) also
\nimpact strontium isotope analysis and should be considered in any study making use of
\nthis method.

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