Abstract: | In palaeodietary studies it is assumed that no discrimination occurs during uptake by plants of calcium and strontium from the soil. Here, a compilation of distribution ratios is presented from which it is apparent that differences in Sr/Ca ratios within and between plants do exist. These differences affect Sr intake by humans and animals and thus should be taken into consideration when interpreting prehistoric human bone Sr levels in a dietary sense, and when selecting a herbivorous baseline species. In agricultural societies, human Sr intake may be diversified by differences in Sr/Ca ratios in various grain species and varieties. |