Investigating paleomobility from archaeological populations of the Canary Islands: Insights from 87Sr/86Sr and δ18O ratios

Abstract

Isotope analyses, particularly of oxygen (δ¹⁸O) and strontium (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr), have become central tools in bioarchaeological researchfor reconstructing human paleomobility. However, the application of these methods in the Canary Islands is underveloped. This study presents the first combined δ¹⁸O and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr baseline and archaeological human data from Tenerife and Gran Canaria, establishing a foundation for future mobility research in both historic and archaeological contexts in the region. The results highlight the methodological viability of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr for identifying non-locals, owing to the island's distinct volcanic geochemistry compared to continental landscapes, and suggests a coastal versus inland differentiation. Additionally, differences in δ¹⁸O values from indigenous human skeletal remains from Tenerife and Gran Canaria offer new insights into the potential for studying inter-insular migration.