Takumi Tsutaya
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor, Ph.D.
Research Center for Integrative Evolutionary Science, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI)
I have applied stable isotope analysis and proteomics to archaeological animal remains, including humans. In this project, I will work on the ancient protein analysis of coprolites.
Project Overview
The food resources available in the Ryukyu Kingdom period were diversified because of the development of agriculture and the expansion of trade networks. It is unclear, however, how diverse the food actually was. In this study, I will apply palaeoproteomics, which comprehensively identifies ancient endogenous proteins, to coprolites from the Ryukyu Kingdom period to detect proteins derived from foods. I will also establish an efficient protein extraction method using the feces of modern primates. This will allow us to identify the taxa and parts of the food that were actually eaten by the people, including local food from subtropical ecosystems and “exotic” food obtained through trade. Such a result can be compared with the results obtained from conventional archaeological methods. By reconstructing the diversity of food during the Ryukyu Kingdom period with a new proteomic method at high resolution, I aim to elucidate a part of the unique history and culture of the Ryukyu Islands.
