Welcome to the AMG lab
Latest research in Alfredo Martínez García's laboratory at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry (MPIC)
The AMG lab studies the evolution of the Earth system including its physical, chemical and biological components. We combine the study of modern processes with the analysis of past climatic and environmental archives using a variety of geochemical techniques, including organic biomarkers, and stable isotopes of Hydrogen, Carbon, Nitrogen and Oxygen. In addition, in recent years we have pioneered the use N isotopes in enamel to study the trophic evolution of extant and extinct taxa including our early hominin ancestors, as well as, the application of stable isotopes to study cancer diagnosis and metabolism. Find more details about our research here.
Research Highlights
Australopithecus did not consume substantial mammalian meat
January 16, 2025
Incorporation of animal-based foods into early hominin diets has been hypothesized to be a major catalyst of many important evolutionary events, including brain expansion. However, direct evidence of the onset and evolution of animal resource consumption in hominins remains elusive. The nitrogen-15 to nitrogen-14 ratio of collagen provides trophic information about individuals in modern and geologically recent ecosystems (<200,000 years ago), but diagenetic loss of this organic matter precludes studies of greater age. By contrast, nitrogen in tooth enamel is preserved for millions of years. In an article publised in the journal Science we report enamel-bound organic nitrogen and carbonate carbon isotope measurements of Sterkfontein Member 4 mammalian fauna, including seven Australopithecus specimens. Our results suggest a variable but plant-based diet (largely C3) for these hominins. Therefore, we argue that Australopithecus at Sterkfontein did not engage in regular mammalian meat consumption.