[mamelukesabre]

Here’s the deal. according to you, the isotopes accumulate in the teeth due to diet, correct?

Therefore, how do you geographically locate a person who’s diet is mainly meat? Meat travels. especially meat that lives in the ocean.

AHA! didn’t think of that did ya girlie!

[La Lydia]

HA! The strontium isotope location tracing isn't my idea, although I am very flattered that you think so. But it is a fairly well known and proven tool, useful to archeologists and forensic anthropologists. Meat would contain the same isotope signature as the area where it was raised. But it is my understanding a great deal of the strontium we have in our bodies comes from the water we drink. Somehow I doubt your Vikings, however manly, were drinking sea water.

"Strontium levels vary across the world, and in some areas, are distinctive to specific smaller regions. Strontium levels vary in nature, and end up in humans who reside in the region.

"The fact that the human has a similar isotopic signature to strontium levels of a geographic location means that person very likely was born or lived in that area for a length of time and was exposed to the strontium there. Strontium adheres to bones and teeth given its likeness to calcium.

"As a result, the bones found at an excavation site may be taken to a laboratory and analyzed for strontium levels. The area this person lived in for a long time may be discernible, although not all of the time. This information may help in identifying someone as a longtime resident (or conversely, as a transient or visitor)."

Read more at: Chemistry in Archaeology: The Importance of Carbon and Strontium to Archaeologists http://archaeology.suite101.com/article.cfm/chemistry_in_archaeology#ixzz0i1KmNxVC