Isotopic Insights Into the Origins of Cliff Tomb Populations in Ancient Southwest China

ABSTRACT Cliff tombs were a distinctive mortuary practice in southern China during the Han dynasty, particularly in the Sichuan Basin, yet the origins and identities of the tomb occupants remain poorly understood. Here we apply multi‐isotope analysis (strontium, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen) to human and animal remains from two cliff tomb sites in the Sichuan Basin, Gaojiapo and Yuanjingcun, to investigate individual geographic origins and dietary practices. Isotopic signatures reveal that most individuals were local, while a few exhibit evidence of long‐distance migration, including origins in the eastern Tibetan Plateau and, possibly, the Yellow River Basin. When combined with recent genetic evidence, our findings suggest that most of these populations were descendants of Central Plains migrants who had settled in the Sichuan Basin before the Han dynasty and gradually adapted to the local environment. By integrating multiple lines of evidence, this study clarifies the demographic origins and cultural adaptations of cliff tomb communities, contributing to a deeper understanding of population dynamics in ancient Southwest China.