Isotopic and elemental analysis of skeletal remains informs us about diet of individuals, at different points in their lives, and allows group comparisons based on sex, age, status as well as site locations and time periods. Examples will be presented on the importance of maize for different cultures in the Americas, and for aquatic resources and millet in the Mediterranean.

Robert Tykot is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of South Florida. His research interests include archaeological science, Mediterranean prehistory, Old World archaeology, ancient diets around the world, bone chemistry, exchange studies, obsidian, marble, Sardinia, and Sicily. His most recent work looks at prehistoric obsidian trade in the Central Mediterranean, bone chemistry and ancient diets, and the use of portable XRF on archaeological materials.