A bioarchaeological approach to the Iron Age in Switzerland: stable isotope analyses (δ13C, δ15N, δ34S) of human remains

Moghaddam, Negahnaz; Müller, Felix; Lösch, Sandra

doi:10.1007/s12520-016-0441-x

Cited by 14 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 71 publications

(91 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This could be indicative of sex-specific dietary differences in this area, with males (20-40 years old) having a diet more rich in animal proteins (mean + 9.99 ± 0.69‰) compared to females (+ 9.80 ± 0.52‰). This is also in accordance with studies on prehistoric and historic populations, suggesting that males had a larger amount of meat and dairy product components in their diets (Moghaddam et al 2016(Moghaddam et al , 2018Reitsema et al 2010;Baldoni et al 2016). However, when looking at isotopic differences between sexes, the metabolic variations as well as the different bone turnover rates in skeletal elements need to be considered (Fahy et al 2017;Olsen et al 2014).…”

Section: Varying Social Status and Grave Goodssupporting

confidence: 91%

“…The values of δ 34 S are of growing interest in numerous archaeological studies (e.g. Bollongino et al 2013;Craig et al 2006;Lösch et al 2014;Moghaddam et al 2016Moghaddam et al , 2018Nehlich et al 2011Nehlich et al , 2012Nehlich et al , 2014Oelze et al 2012;Privat et al 2007;Richards et al 2001Richards et al , 2003Tafuri et al 2018;Varalli et al 2016;Vika 2009). Regarding the oceanic effects, the local geological context and the atmospheric precipitations are mainly influencing the δ 34 S values.…”

Section: Stable Isotope Measurements: Reconstructing Diet and Mobilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Early medieval Italian Alps: reconstructing diet and mobility in the valleys

Paladin

Moghaddam

Stawinoga

et al. 2020

Archaeol Anthropol Sci

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In Early Middle Ages (sixth-eleventh centuries AD), South Tyrol (Italian Alps) played a key role for geographical and military reasons. Historical sources document that allochthonous groups (germani) entered the territory, and the material culture shows mutual cultural exchanges between autochthonous and germani. Besides the nature of the migration, the demographic and socio-cultural impacts on the local population are still unknown. Stable isotope analyses were performed to provide insights into dietary patterns, subsistence strategies, changes in socio-economic structures, and mobility, according to spatial (e.g. valleys, altitudes) and chronological (centuries) parameters. Bone collagen of 32 faunal and 91 human bone samples from nine sites, located at different altitudes, was extracted for stable carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur isotope analyses. In total, 94% (30/32) of the faunal remains were of good quality, while the humans displayed 93% (85/91) of good quality samples for δ 13 C and δ 15 N and 44% (40/91) for δ 34 S stable isotopes. The isotopic results of the animals reflected a terrestrial-based diet. Statistical differences were observed within and among the humans of the different valleys. The δ 13 C values of individuals sampled from higher altitudes indicated a mainly C 3 plant-based diet compared to areas at lower altitudes, where more positive δ 13 C values showed an intake of C 4 plants. The δ 15 N values suggested a terrestrial-based diet with a greater consumption of animal proteins at higher altitudes. The data revealed higher variability in δ 34 S values in the Adige valley, with individuals probably migrating and/or changing dietary habits.

show abstract

Section: Varying Social Status and Grave Goodssupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Stable Isotope Measurements: Reconstructing Diet and Mobilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Early medieval Italian Alps: reconstructing diet and mobility in the valleys

Paladin

Moghaddam

Stawinoga

et al. 2020

Archaeol Anthropol Sci

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…When controlling for sex, values of δ 15 N do not show any correlation with funerary treatment. This overlaps with previous research from both Continental and Insular Celtic contexts [88–90] while at the same contrasting with others [36, 37, 91–93]. In particular, δ 15 N data point to a homogenous access to animal proteins and fits with the absence at SV of markedly rich burials.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Patterns of funerary variability, diet, and developmental stress in a Celtic population from NE Italy (3rd-1st c BC)

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Little is known about the types of social organization characterizing the pre-Roman Celtic populations of Italy. Here, we explore the funerary variability characterizing the late Iron Age site of Seminario Vescovile (SV: Verona, Italy, 3 rd -1 st c. BC), and test its possible correlation to diet and relative exposure to developmental stressors. Patterns on funerary treatment (N = 125), δ 13 C and δ 15 N (N = 90), and linear enamel hypoplasia (N = 47) from SV are compared, and their possible association with sex and age-at-death further discussed. Results point to the presence at SV of variable funerary customs while at the same time demonstrating a rather homogenous diet and exposure to developmental stressors: funerary treatment is mainly correlated to age-at-death but do not appear to be associated to either isotopic patterns or hypoplasia frequencies. Accordingly, even if some weak social differentiation may have characterized the individuals buried at SV, this was not reflected in markedly differing living conditions. Our study is the first to attempt an exploration of the links between age, sex, funerary variability, and diet in a pre-Roman Celtic community from Italy. While highlighting the potential of a multifaceted approach in bioarcheology, it also points to a series of analytical and theoretical issues relevant when trying to disentangle the cultural and biological dimensions of social differentiation in the past.

show abstract

“…This research shows differences in dietary practices both within and among communities throughout the Bronze Age in a region that is geographically restricted. Whilst during the first phases of the Bronze Age, barley, einkorn and wheat are the basis of the diet, during the Final Bronze Age broomcorn and foxtail millet are introduced, becoming an important component of the diet, as confirmed in the following phases at least for some individuals [ 60 , 128 ]. This could be due to the introduction of new agricultural practices following new social and economic contacts with southern Europe societies where these crops were already present [ 20 , 21 , 25 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Plants, being at the base of the food chain, present lower δ 15 N values and as a consequence the δ 15 N values of predators are higher than that of their prey [56,57]. Finally, isotopic ratios of sulfur help identify the origin of dietary resources (terrestrial, aquatic and marine) and detect the presence of non-local individuals [24,[58][59][60].…”

Section: Stable Isotope Analyses To Reconstruct Human Dietary Habitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bronze Age innovations and impact on human diet: A multi-isotopic and multi-proxy study of western Switzerland

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The archaeological Bronze Age record in Europe reveals unprecedented changes in subsistence strategies due to innovative farming techniques and new crop cultivation. Increasing cultural exchanges affected the economic system. The inhabitants of Switzerland played a pivotal role in this European context through relationships with the Mediterranean, the High and Middle Danube regions and the Alps thanks to the area’s central position. This research aims to reconstruct, for the first time in Switzerland, human socio-economic systems through the study of human diet, herding and farming practices and their changes throughout the Bronze Age (2200–800 BCE) by means of biochemical markers. The study includes 41 human, 22 terrestrial and aquatic animal specimens and 30 charred seeds and chaff samples from sites in western Switzerland. Stable isotope analyses were performed on cereal and legume seeds (δ13C, δ15N), animal bone collagen (δ13Ccoll, δ15N, δ34S), human bone and tooth dentine collagen (δ13Ccoll, δ15N,) and human tooth enamel (δ13Cenamel). The isotopic data suggest a) an intensification of soil fertilization and no hydric stress throughout the Bronze Age, b) a human diet mainly composed of terrestrial resources despite the proximity of Lake Geneva and the Rhone river, c) a diet based on C3 plants during the Early and Middle Bronze Age as opposed to the significant consumption of 13C-enriched resources (probably millet) by individuals from the Final Bronze Age, d) no important changes in dietary patterns throughout an individual’s lifespan but a more varied diet in childhood compared to adulthood, e) no differences in diet according to biological criteria (age, sex) or funerary behavior (burial architecture, grave goods).

show abstract

A bioarchaeological approach to the Iron Age in Switzerland: stable isotope analyses (δ13C, δ15N, δ34S) of human remains

Cited by 14 publications

References 71 publications

Early medieval Italian Alps: reconstructing diet and mobility in the valleys

Early medieval Italian Alps: reconstructing diet and mobility in the valleys

Patterns of funerary variability, diet, and developmental stress in a Celtic population from NE Italy (3rd-1st c BC)

Bronze Age innovations and impact on human diet: A multi-isotopic and multi-proxy study of western Switzerland

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About