Stable isotope ratio analysis (C, N, S) of hair from modern humans in Ethiopia shows clear differences related to subsistence regimes

We measured the stable isotope ratios (C, N, S) of modern human hair collected from 49 people in rural southern Ethiopia to characterize and compare the stable isotope signatures of interacting and ethnically distinct populations with differing economic practices (farmers, pastoralists, fishers) in order to determine if the dietary differences are visible and measurable in their hair isotope values. We found that there were significant differences in all three elements that can distinguish these economic practices (carbon: Χ 2 = 8.523, p = 0.014; nitrogen: Χ 2 = 35.372, p