An archaeological strontium isoscape for the prehistoric Andes: Understanding population mobility through a geostatistical meta-analysis of archaeological 87Sr/86Sr values from humans, animals, and artifacts

It may state two separate claims as one.

Chokepukio shows 6 outliers, Chavin shows 1, and Larache and Pacopampa show none.

“Chokepukio shows 6 outliers, Chavin shows 1, and Larache and Pacopampa show none.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Of the 1640 plotted values, there were 94 high-low and low-high clusters identified, including 23 outliers from Machu Picchu and 22 outliers from Larache.

“Of the 1640 plotted values, there were 94 high-low and low-high clusters identified, including 23 outliers from Machu Picchu and 22 outliers from Larache (Table 4).”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The model mean prediction error is < 0.0001, showing the model predictions are unbiased.

“The model mean prediction error is < 0.0001 showing the model predictions are unbiased (Table S2).”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Box plots for the 79 sites that could be mapped show relatively constrained ranges by site, with varying proportions of outliers beyond the inter-quartile range.

“Box plots for the 79 sites that could be mapped show relatively constrained ranges by site, with varying proportions of outliers beyond the inter-quartile range (IQR).”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The highest variability was demonstrated in enamel 87Sr/86Sr values from infancy/early childhood and middle childhood, and that variability (s = 0.002) is identical to that of the entire archaeological human sample.

“The highest variability was demonstrated in enamel 87 Sr/ 86 Sr values from infancy/early childhood and middle childhood, and that variability (s = 0.002) is identical to that of the entire archaeological human sample.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Only 1.1% of pre-EIP samples were IQR outliers, compared to 5.5% of LIP samples, 10.7% of Late Horizon samples, 11.7% of Middle Horizon samples, and 13.6% of EIP samples (Chi-squared = 20.2655, p = 0.0004, n = 1491).

“Only 1.1% (1/90) of pre-EIP samples were classified as IQR outliers, as compared to 5.5% (17/311) of LIP samples, 10.7% (21/196) of Late Horizon samples, 11.7% (81/695) of Middle Horizon samples, and 13.6 % (27/199) of EIP samples (Chi-squared = 20.2655,p = 0.0004, n = 1491).”

It may state two separate claims as one.

There were 79 sites with 10 or more samples, the number necessary for calculating and comparing site-wide variance.

“There were 79 sites with 10 or more samples-the number of samples necessary for calculating and comparing site-wide variance (Table 2).”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The highest error rates were observed in sites like Larache and Machu Picchu, already noted for their small sample sizes, broad 87Sr/86Sr ranges, and high percentages of IQR outliers relative to non-outliers.

“The highest error rates were observed in sites like Larache and Machu Picchu, already noted in the corresponding publications for their small sample sizes, broad 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ranges, and high percentages of IQR outliers relative to non-outliers.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The highest (most radiogenic) values are in the Bolivian altiplano and the eastern slopes of the Andes into the rainforest.

“The highest (most radiogenic) values are in the Bolivian altiplano and the eastern slopes of the Andes into the rainforest.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Sites with the broadest IQR included Chavin, Pacopampa, Larache, Chokepukio, and Machu Picchu.

“Sites with the broadest IQR included the Early Horizon capital of Chavin, the EIP highland site of Pacopampa, the Middle Horizon San Pedro de Atacama site of Larache, and the Late Horizon Inca heartland sites of Chokepukio and Machu Picchu.”

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Piñami and Solcor Plaza had the highest relative proportions of 2 SD outliers (12.5%), followed by Tilviche (11.1%), and Pucullu and Ranracancha (10%).

“Comparing the relative proportions of outliers across sites showed that Piñami and Solcor Plaza (Middle Horizon San Pedro de Atacama) had the highest relative proportions of 2 SD outliers (12.5%), followed by Tilviche in the Archaic Northern Chilean desert (11.1%), and Pucullu and Ranracancha in the Late Intermediate Period Apurimac Valley (10%).”

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The modal bin of human 87Sr/86Sr values is 0.70725-0.70775, followed by 0.70725-0.70825.

“the modal bin is 87 Sr/ 86 Sr = 0.70725-0.70775,followed by 87 Sr/ 86 Sr = 0.70725-0.70825(Fig. 2c).”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Coastal sites showed a smaller standard deviation (s = 0.0006) than yunga (s = 0.001) and highland sites (s = 0.001) (Bartlett's test statistic = 479.27, p < 0.001).

“Coastal sites showed a smaller standard deviation (s = 0.0006) than yunga (s = 0.001) and highland sites (s = 0.001) (Bartlett's test statistic = 479.27,p < 0.001).”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Sex-based variability in 87Sr/86Sr from enamel was similar, but males across the prehistoric Andes showed higher variability in late-life bone samples than females.

“Sex-based variability in 87 Sr/ 86 Sr from enamel was similar, but males across the prehistoric Andes showed higher variability in late-life bone samples than females.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Using IQR, the highest relative proportions of outliers within sites were observed for the EIP (13.9%), Middle Horizon (11.7%), and Late Horizon (10.7%), while pre-EIP and LIP sites show relative proportions under 10.0%.

“Using the least conservative measure for defining outliers (IQR), the highest relative proportions of outliers within sites was observed for the EIP (13.9% outliers), Middle Horizon (11.7%), and Late Horizon (10.7%).while pre-EIP and LIP sites show relative proportions of IQR outliers under 10.0%.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Using the interval method of defining outliers, there were only 79 outliers across the entire dataset.

“Using this interval method of defining outliers, there were only 79 outliers across the entire dataset (Table 2).”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Site-wide standard deviations ranged from 0.0000 to 0.0824, with corresponding coefficients of variation from 0.01 to 0.68.

“Site-wide standard deviations (s) ranged from 0.0000 to 0.0824, with corresponding coefficients of variation (CV) from 0.01 to 0.68.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Of the 1640 samples from 64 sites with reliable coordinates, most were recovered from highland sites (681/1640 = 41.5%), compared to coast (582/1640 = 35.5%) and yunga zones (377/1640 = 23.0%).

“Of the 1640 samples from 64 sites with reliable coordinates, most were recovered from highland sites (681/1640 = 41.5%), as compared to coast (582/1640 = 35.5%)and yunga zones (377/1640 = 23.0%)(Fig. 4).”

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The Normal QQ plot for the measured archaeological dataset shows the greatest departure from the normal distribution at Chokepukio, Machu Picchu, and Piñami in the highlands, and the greatest under-estimation at sites between Santiago, Chile and Mendoza, Argentina.

“The Normal QQ plot for the measured archaeological dataset shows the greatest departure from the normal distribution at Chokepukio, Machu Picchu, and Piñami in the highlands, and the greatest under-estimation at sites between Santiago, Chile and Mendoza, Argentina.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The isoscape predicts a range of 0.7077-0.7084 throughout much of the Arequipa region, with only limited intrusion of less radiogenic values from highland geological formations.

“The isoscape presented herein predicts, for example, a range of 0.7077 -0.7084 throughout much of the Arequipa region, with only limited intrusion of less radiogenic values from highland geological formations.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Archaeological 87Sr/86Sr values from humans, animals, and artifacts reflect local bioavailable strontium signatures.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Geological strontium from local bedrock weathering, atmospheric and surface sources, and anthropogenic sources contribute to the pool of bioavailable strontium in the food chain.

“In addition to geological strontium from local bedrock weathering, atmospheric and surface sources like rainfall, rivers, sea-spray, wind dust, largescale construction and quarrying activities, and anthropogenic sources like modern fertilizers contribute to the pool of bioavailable strontium in the food chain”

• cites Bataille and Bowen, 2012Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Bataille, et al., 2012Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Bentley, 2006 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

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Bone is constantly remodeled throughout life at rates that vary by skeletal element, metabolism, and pathology.

“Bone, on the other hand, is constantly remodeled throughout life at rates that vary by skeletal element, metabolism, and pathology”

• cites Fahy, et al., 2017 sourceNot checked yet

  Checked before — its earlier verdict is held back until a new check runs.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Non-domesticated animals consume only locally available food and water reflecting a regional average of bioavailable strontium, so some researchers established the local range from small-mammal tooth enamel ± 2 sd.

“Because non-domesticated animals consume only locally available food and water that reflects a “regional average” of bioavailable strontium, some researchers argued that the local range should be established by the mean of archaeological and modern tooth enamel from small mammals like rabbits and mice, ± 2 sd”

• cites Bentley, et al., 2004: 366 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Evans and Tatham, 2004 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Price, et al., 2002: 124 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

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Tooth enamel is formed during sequential phases during infancy and childhood, after which it is metabolically inert.

“Tooth enamel is formed during sequential phases during infancy and childhood (Table 1), after which it is metabolically inert”

• cites Hillson, 1996Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Using the sample mean ± 1 sd as a threshold for the local range is less conservative and possibly overestimates the identification of non-locals.

“Others use the sample mean ± 1 sd as a less conservative threshold for defining the local range, possibly overestimating the identification of non-locals”

• cites Laffoon, et al., 2017 sourceNot checked yet

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• cites Lofaro, et al., 2019 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

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In bedrock, rubidium decays into radiogenic 87Sr, so the 87Sr/86Sr ratio varies according to geological age and composition of bedrock, particularly Rb/Sr values.

“In bedrock, rubidium ( 87 Rb) decays into radiogenic 87 Sr, so that the ratio of heavier to lighter isotopes ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) varies according to geological age and composition of bedrock, particularly with respect to Rb/Sr values”

• cites Bentley, 2006 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Faure andMensing, 2005Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

Estimates of central tendency may not be appropriate measures for the complex and time-averaged phenomenon of human dietary practices.

“estimates of central tendency may not be appropriate measures for the complex and time-averaged phenomenon of human dietary practices.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Means are sensitive to outliers and sample size, so basing local signatures on mean values, particularly in smaller samples, can over- or under-estimate the local range.

“However, means are sensitive to outliers and sample size, so basing local signatures on mean values, particularly in smaller samples, are subject to over-or under-estimating the local range.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Classifying the local human signature as the sample mean of archaeological tissues ± 2 sd is conservative, unlikely to incorrectly classify nonlocals, but probably underestimates the number of non-locals.

“Originally, researchers classified the local human signature based on the sample mean of archaeological tissues (bone or enamel) ± 2 sd, so that outlier values beyond this range would be classified as non-local.This is a conservative measure, unlikely to incorrectly classify nonlocals, but probably underestimating the number of non-locals in a sample”

• cites Bentley, et al., 2004 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

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Strontium isotopes substitute for calcium in bone and tooth enamel hydroxyapatite and are virtually unchanged from the food chain.

“Because the strontium isotopes that substitute for calcium in the hydroxyapatite crystals of bone and tooth enamel are virtually unchanged from the food chain”

• cites Bentley, 2006 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Knudson, et al., 2014 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Price, et al., 2002 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

The ability to identify nonlocals and their likely places of origin relies entirely on accurate characterization of local ranges through statistical parsing of archaeological samples and establishing local baselines by testing modern proxy materials.

“our ability to identify nonlocals and their likely places of origin relies entirely on accurate characterization of local ranges, through statistical parsing of archaeological samples, and establishing local baselines by testing modern proxy materials.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Bone hydroxyapatite is susceptible to strontium uptake from soil and water in the burial environment, so bone samples can artificially show local soil or fertilizer values rather than a non-local dietary catchment.

“Since bone hydroxyapatite is susceptible to strontium uptake from soil and water in the burial environment, bone samples can artificially show local soil or fertilizer values rather than the values of a non-local dietary catchment”

• cites Budd, et al., 2000 sourceNot checked yet

  Checked before — its earlier verdict is held back until a new check runs.

• cites Hedges, 2002 sourceNot checked yet

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• cites Price, et al., 1992 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Enhanced variability for males might also reflect that males had greater access to geographically-diverse or imported foods during their adult years, while females consumed higher relative proportions of locally-sourced foods.

“However, this enhanced variability for males might also reflect that males had greater access to geographically-diverse or imported foods during their adult years, while females consumed higher relative proportions of locally-sourced foods.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

In places where paleoclimatic or hydrologic variability was high, or where agricultural or tectonic activity was intense, there may be no reason to suspect a close fit between archaeological and modern proxies.

“in places where paleoclimatic or hydrologic variability was high, or where agricultural or tectonic activity was intense, there may be no reason to suspect a close fit between archaeological and modern proxies.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The Early Intermediate Period had intergroup conflict and resource stress that led to balkanization.

“The high relative proportion of IQR outliers for EIP sites is surprising given evidence for intergroup conflict and resource stress that led to balkanization during this period (Conlee, 2016, Proulx, 1999, Schreiber and Lancho Rojas, 2003, Silverman and Proulx, 2002, Valdez, 2009, Vaughn, 2009).”

• cites Conlee, 2016 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Proulx, 1999Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Schreiber and Lancho Rojas, 2003Not checked — no full text of the source

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Alluvial soils average bedrock strontium from surrounding areas and can be used as proxies for bioavailable strontium in the food chain.

“since alluvial soils average bedrock strontium from surrounding areas, they can be used as proxies for bioavailable strontium in the food chain”

• cites Bentley, 2006 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Knudson, et al., 2014 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Willmes, et al., 2018 sourceNot checked yet

  Checked before — its earlier verdict is held back until a new check runs.

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.

Analyzing site-wide and intra-individual variability in archaeological 87Sr/86Sr values is a critical first step to understanding the influences of dietary and mobility practices on averaged end-member tissue 87Sr/86Sr values.

“analyzing site-wide and intra-individual variability in archaeological 87 Sr/ 86 Sr values is a critical first step to understanding the influences of dietary and mobility practices on averaged end-member tissue 87 Sr/ 86 Sr values.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The Andean Middle Horizon and Late Horizon were periods of heightened inter-regional exchange, cultural and biogeographic diversity, and high levels of population mobility.

“This finding is consistent with prior research that has characterized the Andean Middle Horizon (Knudson andTorres-Rouff, 2014, Knudson andTorres-Rouff, 2015) and Late Horizon (Andrushko, et al., 2009, Knudson, et al., 2012a, Turner, et al., 2009) as periods of heightened inter-regional exchange, cultural and biogeographic diversity, and high levels of population mobility.”

• cites Knudson andTorres-Rouff, 2014Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Knudson andTorres-Rouff, 2015Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Andrushko, et al., 2009 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Most strontium isoscape studies rely entirely on environmental proxies to predict measured skeletal values, except for Grupe et al. (2017).

“However, most of these studies rely entirely on environmental proxies to predict measured skeletal values (except for Grupe, et al., 2017).”

• cites Grupe, et al., 2017Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

It may state two separate claims as one.

Modeling pan-Andean spatial trends in archaeological 87Sr/86Sr values through geostatistical methods shows an east-west gradient of less to more radiogenic values that enables constraining geographic areas of possible provenience for human, faunal, and artifact samples within many known long-distance exchange networks.

“Modeling pan-Andean spatial trends in archaeological 87 Sr/ 86 Sr values through geostatistical methods shows an east-west gradient of less to more radiogenic values (Fig. 7) that enable us to constrain geographic areas of possible provenience for human, faunal, and artifact samples within many known long-distance exchange networks.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Archaeological 87Sr/86Sr values from humans, animals, and artifacts reflect local bioavailable strontium signatures.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Organismal differences in dietary preference, metabolism, and morphology might lead to differential proportions in the mix of strontium sources between producers and consumers throughout the food web.

“Organismal differences in dietary preference, metabolism, and morphology (e.g.differing plant root depths) might lead to differential proportions in the mix of strontium sources between producers and different levels of consumers throughout the food web”

• cites Grimstead, et al., 2017 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Aeolian dust, anthropogenic burning, and other factors might contribute to the mismatch between modern soil, plants, and fauna and bedrock 87Sr/86Sr values in the Andes reported by Knudson and colleagues (2014).

“These factors might contribute to the mismatch between modern soil, plants, and fauna and bedrock 87 Sr/ 86 Sr values in the Andes reported by Knudson and colleagues (2014).”

• cites Knudson and colleagues (2014)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The sample-size corrected coefficient of variation enables direct comparison of multiple samples while minimizing the distorting effects of outliers.

“since that measure enables the direct comparison of multiple samples while minimizing the distorting effects of outliers.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The Bolivian altiplano and Patagonia comprise two of the ten most prolific dust-producing places globally.

“the Bolivian altiplano and Patagonia comprise two of the ten most prolific dustproducing places globally”

• cites Taylor, 2002 sourceNot checked yet

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Water averages strontium from soils draining into the watershed but is susceptible to changes from precipitation and seasonal hydrological fluxes.

“Water also averages strontium from soils draining into the watershed, but is susceptible to changes from precipitation and seasonal hydrological fluxes”

• cites Crowley, et al., 2017 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Frei and Frei, 2011 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Frei and Frei, 2013 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

It may state two separate claims as one.

Bedrock-only models show large swaths of homogeneous expected 87Sr/86Sr values, due either to small sample size or true geological homogeneity.

“This leads to bedrock-only models showing large swaths of homogeneous expected 87 Sr/ 86 Sr values, due either to small sample size or true geological homogeneity”

• cites Schenk, et al., 1999 sourceNot checked yet

  Checked before — its earlier verdict is held back until a new check runs.

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The Late Intermediate Period was a time of insularity, conflict, and constrained inter-regional interaction in the face of environmental challenges and Wari imperial dissolution.

“The low relative proportion of outliers in the LIP is also consistent with the characterization of this period as a time of insularity, conflict, and constrained inter-regional interaction in the face of environmental challenges and Wari imperial dissolution (Arkush, 2018, Arkush, 2011, Bauer and Kellett, 2010, Kurin, 2016, Langlie and Arkush, 2016, Tung, et al., 2016).”

• cites Arkush, 2018 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Arkush, 2011 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Bauer and Kellett, 2010 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

Childhood mobility and diets across the Andes were similar for boys and girls, but males were more mobile than females as adults, whether due to permanent residential changes or short-term mobility during their last years of life.

“This could suggest that childhood mobility and diets across the Andes were similar for boys and girls, but that males were more mobile than females as adults, whether this was due to permanent residential changes or short-term mobility during their last years of life.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

In the Andes, Knudson et al.'s (2014) study cautions that soils may not be the best predictors for archaeological human 87Sr/86Sr values.

“In the Andes, Knudson et al.'s (2014) study cautions that soils may not be the best predictors for archaeological human 87 Sr/ 86 Sr values”

• cites Knudson et al.'s (2014) sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim.

Validation was performed by removing 10% of the dataset, trimmed of spatial outliers (n = 155), as a test set and running the model again with the same parameters on the training dataset (n = 1391).

“Validation was performed by removing 10% of the dataset, trimmed of spatial outliers (n = 155), as a test set and running the model again with the same parameters on the training dataset (n = 1391).”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Artifacts, faunal, and human samples are similarly homogeneous, and bone and enamel tissues are similarly homogeneous.

“Given the similar homogeneity between artifacts, faunal, and human samples as well as between bone and enamel tissues, all remaining non-spatial outlier 87 Sr/ 86 Sr values (n = 1546) were used to generate the archaeological isoscape model (Fig. 7).”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The model fit to the data was assessed with leave-one-out cross-validation within the Geostatistical Wizard tool in ArcMap.

“The model fit to the data was assessed with leave-one-out cross-validation within the Geostatistical Wizard tool in ArcMap, which estimated the trend and autocorrelation of the data (Johnston, et al., 2001).”

• cites Johnston, et al., 2001Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

87Sr/86Sr values were rounded to four decimal places before statistical analysis because differences beyond the fifth decimal place are likely due to intra-individual variation or instrumental uncertainty between and within laboratories.

“87 Sr/ 86 Sr values were rounded to four decimal places before statistical analysis, as differences beyond the fifth decimal place are likely due to intra-individual variation or instrumental uncertainty between and within laboratories”

• cites Knudson, et al., 2016: 595 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim.

Comparing population-level and intra-lifetime 87Sr/86Sr variability across a region can show how cultural practices and the environment might have structured mobility characteristics of individuals of different biological sex, occupation, or ethnic groups.

“comparing population-level and intra-lifetime 87 Sr/ 86 Sr variability across a region can show how cultural practices and the environment might have structured mobility characteristics of individuals of different biological sex, occupation, or ethnic groups.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The exceptionally low standard deviation among late-life bone 87Sr/86Sr values for females across the Andes (s = 0.0007, n = 178) hints that female social roles and subsistence practices were tightly constrained and their mobility largely limited to their natal communities throughout Andean prehistory.

“The exceptionally low standard deviation among late-life bone 87 Sr/ 86 Sr values for females across the Andes (s = 0.0007, n = 178) hints that female social roles and subsistence practices were tightly constrained and their mobility largely limited to their natal communities throughout Andean prehistory.”

Probably not a substantial claim.

Strontium isotopes have been successfully used to match samples with likely regions of origin based on geostatistical models.

“strontium isotopes have been successfully used to match samples with likely regions of origin based on geostatistical models.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The entire range of 87Sr/86Sr values in archaeological Andean samples (0.7038-0.7234) is just as wide as reported globally, so the Andes overall presents sufficient variability to enable strontium isotope sourcing between modeled zones.

“The entire range of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr values in archaeological Andean samples (0.7038 -0.7234) is just as wide as reported in archaeological and environmental samples globally (Bentley, 2006), so the Andes overall presents sufficient variability to enable strontium isotope sourcing between modeled zones.”

• cites Bentley, 2006 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Archaeological 87Sr/86Sr values from humans, animals, and artifacts reflect local bioavailable strontium signatures.
• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The compiled archaeological 87Sr/86Sr dataset is representative of the prehistoric Andes.

It may state two separate claims as one.

This study has demonstrated that strontium isotope variability in the Andes is a spatially-contingent phenomenon, which merits modeling with spatially-explicit geostatistical methods.

“This study has demonstrated that strontium isotope variability in the Andes is a spatially-contingent phenomenon, which merits modeling with spatially-explicit geostatistical methods.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Archaeological 87Sr/86Sr values from humans, animals, and artifacts reflect local bioavailable strontium signatures.

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.

Applying big data approaches to bioarchaeological isotope analysis can yield key insights into spatiotemporal and biological patterns of bioavailable strontium variability.

“Applying big data approaches to bioarchaeological isotope analysis can yield key insights into spatiotemporal and biological patterns of bioavailable strontium variability.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The compiled archaeological 87Sr/86Sr dataset is representative of the prehistoric Andes.

It may state two separate claims as one.

Because those ranges are duplicated in central coastal Peru (around Lima) and in the southern Peruvian portion of Lake Titicaca, individuals within this range could have been locals from Arequipa, migrants from distant but geologically-similar parts of Arequipa, or migrants from those distant regions.

“Those ranges are duplicated in central coastal Peru (around Lima), and in the southern Peruvian portion of Lake Titicaca, so that individuals within this range could have been locals from Arequipa, migrants from distant but geologically-similar parts of Arequipa, or migrants from those distant regions.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Archaeological 87Sr/86Sr values from humans, animals, and artifacts reflect local bioavailable strontium signatures.

Probably not a substantial claim.

The isoscape model presented clarifies the utility and limitations of a single isotope model for sourcing samples to discrete regions of origin within the Andean strontium isotope system.

“The isoscape model presented clarifies the utility and limitations of a single isotope model for sourcing samples to discrete regions of origin within the Andean strontium isotope system.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Archaeological 87Sr/86Sr values from humans, animals, and artifacts reflect local bioavailable strontium signatures.

It may state two separate claims as one.

The utility of this single-isotope model depends on the nature of settlement patterns and exchange networks known or suspected to have been in existence; when those cut across isoscape zones, this model can help to geolocate outliers.

“Therefore, the utility of this single-isotope model depends on the nature of settlement patterns and exchange networks known or suspected to have been in existence-when those cut across isoscape zones, this model can help to geolocate outliers.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Archaeological 87Sr/86Sr values from humans, animals, and artifacts reflect local bioavailable strontium signatures.