Sulphur isotopic analysis was conducted on bone collagen extracted from human (n=14) and faunal (n=17) samples from four archaeological sites in Korea. From the data it is suggested that differences between the sulphur isotopic compositions of bone collagen can be attributed to both different geological backgrounds and dietary resources. The overall range in the sulphur isotopic composition provides distinct results between terrestrial and marine diets. The Tongsamdong people were more heavily dependent on marine diets compared to those from the other three sites (Nukdo, Yeanri, and Sunhung).
The δ34S results indicate that terrestrial mammals from the Nukdo shell midden may have migrated to the coastline temporarily from further inland. Furthermore, sulphur isotopic data suggest that Nukdo people might have migrated to the small island from the mainland. The sulphur isotope results show that the humans from Yeanri and Sunhung had a uniform terrestrial-based diet. In combination with δ3C and δ15N values, sulphur isotopes can be used to study marine food consumption in ancient populations and to detect human and animal movement in prehistoric Korea.