Human diet in Lithuania during the Late Roman and Migration periods ( ca. 200–700 AD) based on stable carbon and nitrogen isotope data

Abstract

In this study, 71 human individuals were subjected to stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope analysis of bone collagen samples for the purpose of determining human dietary patterns in Lithuania during the Late Roman and Migration periods. More specifically, based on the isotopic data, the aim was to determine and evaluate any potential dietary differences between individuals on the basis of their sex, age, social status and place of residence during the periods in question. The results of this study suggest that there were isotopically clearly distinguishable dietary differences between individuals from different parts/regions of Lithuania. Also, statistically significant dietary differences (on the basis of δ15N values) between males and females were observed (although, when making the same sex-based isotopic comparisons at an individual site level, the same result was observed only among those from Marvelė cemetery). However, no statistically significant isotopic differences were detected between different social or age groups. Overall, these results give us one of the first glimpses into the types of dietary habits practiced by people in various parts of Lithuania during the Roman and Migration periods, which could also serve as a good starting point for future investigations into other dietary aspects in the territories and periods in question that still remain unknown.

Plants in the artefacts not used for their original purpose. A remarkable case from the Lazdininkai (Kalnalaukis) cemetery in western Lithuania

“…14 AMS data for Plinkaigalis encompasses the chronologically long period of 435-602 cal AD, and according to the significantly higher δ15 N and δ15 C ratios, this female's diet was based on terrestrial animal and aquatic protein sources. Both the grave goods set and the diet indicate that the woman belonged to the elite of society (Kazakevičius 1983;1993;Kurila 2023, Table 1;Simčenka et al 2023). As mentioned, a similar wheel-shaped spindle whorl of copper alloy was found accidentally in the Vecauces Losberģi cemetery in archaeological context of the 5th-7th century AD (Kazakevičius 1993, p. 68, Fig.…”

“…It should be noted that the grave goods set of the female in this burial are of typically local origin. However, 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios suggest that the female buried in grave 115 was not born locally, and that her potential place of origin was a more radiogenic area abroad (Simčenka et al 2023). Plinkaigalis cemetery itself contains a number of imported finds or items produced following foreign cultural and technological innovation, mostly Germanic (Kazakevičius 1993, pp.…”

Dogs in Lithuania from the 12th to 18th C AD: Diet and Health According to Stable Isotope, Zooarchaeological, and Historical Data

“…Fish was not important in the diet of the pagan Lithuanian population [71,77,78]. It is therefore more likely that dog ID 8 consumed a lot of meat, most probably from domestic animals.…”