This resource has been developed by the Association for Science Education for their RCUK funded series ‘Research focused teaching resources to inspire students in STEM Careers’ King Richard III The Isotope Story

Use this resource…  at the start of a topic to …  engage students in a real life context relating to current research  to find out what students already know  consolidate existing understanding  at the end of a topic to…  assess student understanding by challenging students to apply their learning to a new context  to provide a contemporary example of how scientists are pushing the boundaries in understanding a subject area further  add depth and challenge  within a topic to …  enhance students’ confidence in the analysis of data by providing the opportunity to work with data types beyond those obtained in the school laboratory  assess student understanding of specific aspects of working with data (working scientifically by applying their understanding in a new context)  as an independent learning activity  to promote careers in STEM and show the varied work of scientists How to use this resource…

Research insight… For a summary of this research see the University of Leicester webpage Teacher answers to SS1 questions 1.O (8 protons, 8 and 10 neutrons), N (7 protons, 7 and 8 neutrons), C (6 protons, 6 and 7 neutrons) 2.O atoms enter the body via the drinking of water whereas N and C come from food O/ 16 O varies predominantly according to the source of the water drunk and so will be different in people who live in different locations. 15 N/ 14 N and 13 C/ 12 C will vary according to people’s diet. 4.Timeline should be labelled: (pre molar), (femur), (ribs) 5.The 18 O/ 16 O isotope ratio can provide information on whether Richard III lived in different parts of the country during his life. The 15 N/ 14 N and 13 C analysis provides evidence about his diet. Information about diet can potentially give an indication of where a person lived (if for example they ate a maritime diet). Curriculum keywords isotopes relative atomic mass proton neutron The BIG Research Question explanation 18 O isotope differs from the most common isotope of oxygen by having 2 additional neutrons. The ratio of 18 O/ 16 O in water varies according to location. Oxygen atoms from this water eventually form part of someone’s teeth and bones. By measuring the 18 O/ 16 O ratio scientists can work out broadly where that person lived. Teeth and bone matter is formed at different stages in someone’s life. By analysing 18 O/ 16 O ratios in different parts of teeth and different bone it is possible for scientists to find out if this percentage is different. A change in the 18 O/ 16 O ratio suggests that the person may have moved to a different part of the country. This is how scientists were able to investigate where King Richard III’s life style involved moving to another part of the country and whether his diet changed upon becoming King.

SampleEast or West? Age 316.7EastResult falls clearly within the East of England range. Age 718WestFalls more strongly in the West of England range but could still be East. Age EastJust within the East of England range and outside the West of England range Age WestStrongly in the West of England range East of England West of England Teacher guidance and answers From the data provided it will be difficult for students to read an exact value but an approximation is sufficient. An example of how students could interpret the data is provided below. Overlapping uncertainties within data can mean that is difficult to show a real difference between results if a results occurs where the values overlap. The conclusion that Richard III moved west at age 7 is an example of this. The conclusion was further supported by additional evidence from the analysis of strontium isotopes. Interestingly historical records show that King Richard III did NOT live in the West of England in the last years of his life. Further analysis by the research team suggest that the increase in 18 O may have been down to an increase in wine consumption on becoming king.

Useful Links Further Information Richard III Science Richard III Science - This webpage, produced by the University of Leicester, explains the different ways in which science contributed to both the identification of Richard III’s skeleton and to finding out more about him. The multimedia page provides video clips which could be used to introduce the activity and context to students. Animals and Archaeology Animals and Archaeology – A resource exploring what the isotope analysis of animal bones can tell us about the past. This includes more in depth information about how isotopes are measured and analysed that would be suitable for post-16 students. Other resources from NERC and BGS… Planet Earth MagazinePlanet Earth Magazine – News articles and podcasts produced by NERC on research news from the natural world which could be used to bring cutting edge research to the classroom. Discovering Geology Discovering Geology – a webpage hosting a variety of useful resources from the British Geological Survey

Research Paper This resource is based upon the research paper Multi-isotope analysis demonstrates significant lifestyle changes in King Richard III by Angela L. Lamb a, Jane E Evans a, Richard Buckley b, J Appleby c a NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory b University of Leicester Archaeological Services c School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester Thank you to Dr Angela Lamb for commenting on this resource and for giving permission to include her photo. Organisations Researchers from the NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory (based at the British Geological Survey) collaborated with archaeologists from the University of Leicester. Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) British Geological Survey University of Leicester Acknowledgements