Isotopic anthropology of rural German medieval diet: intra- and inter-population variability

We document for the first time the diet of a privileged French population from Brittany, a region that was the center of battles between the Kingdoms of England and France until the end of the fifteenth century. We present here the results of stable isotope analyses of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur of human and animal bone and tooth collagen for a late medieval to early modern Breton population. The isotopic values observed for the Dominican convent of Rennes, Brittany, are very similar to those reported for medieval archaeological populations in Great Britain, namely they have enriched δ 15 N values combined with almost entirely terrestrial carbon signals. We discuss the consumption of young animals in a diet made up of terrestrial, marine, and freshwater resources. We report dietary differences between socioeconomic groups and gender, with women and nobles (male and female) showing patterns consistent with high animal product consumption and lower mobility. The S isotope ratios of both humans and fauna are very homogeneous and generally have coastal δ 34 S values. The convent is known to have been an interregional pilgrimage site during the early modern period, but the isotope values indicate that the identified migrants were not pilgrims. Stable isotope analysis therefore complements the available historical information on human diets and mobility.

Section: Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Analysessupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Isotope Differences Between Bones and Teethmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introduction Stable Isotope Studies Of Late Medieval and Earmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Social status in late medieval and early modern Brittany: insights from stable isotope analysis

Colleter

Clavel

Pietrzak

et al. 2017

“…This method has already demonstrated its usefulness in identifying specific societal changes taking place in the early Middle Ages across Europe (e.g., Müldner 2009;Hakenbeck et al 2010;Lightfoot et al 2012;López-Costas and Müldner 2016;Kaupová et al 2016;Olsen et al 2018Salazar-García et al 2014aSalazar-García et al 2016;Guede et al 2018). Our study focuses on the Missignac-Saint Gilles le Vieux site, whose occupation dated from the middle of the fifth to the early thirteenth century AD illustrating the modifications of settlement, agro-pastoral, and funerary practices taking place in South-East France during this period as described by historians.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of religious identity and socio-economic status on diet over time, an example from medieval France

Mion

Herrscher

Gilles

et al. 2018

Self Cite

In Southern France as in other parts of Europe, significant changes occurred in settlement patterns between the end of Antiquity and the beginning of the Middle Ages. Small communities gathered to form, by the tenth century, villages organized around a church. This development was the result of a new social and agrarian organization. Its impact on lifestyles and, more precisely, on diet is still poorly understood. The analysis of carbon and nitrogen isotopes in bone collagen from the inhabitants of the well-preserved medieval rural site Missignac-Saint Gilles le Vieux (fifth to thirteenth centuries, Gard, France) provides insight into their dietary practices and enables a discussion about its transformation over time. A sample of 152 adult individuals dated from 675 to 1175 AD (75 females, 77 males) and 75 specimens from 16 non-human species were analyzed. Results show the exploitation of freshwater, marine, and terrestrial ecosystems as well as various breeding practices specific to each species. The use of both C 4 and halophyte plants for feeding domestic animals was also observed. Concerning human dietary practices, a change seemed to occur at the beginning of the tenth century with an increase of δ 15 N values and a decrease of δ 13 C values. This corresponds to the introduction of a significant amount of freshwater resources into the diet and could be related to the evolution of the Catholic doctrine. A concomitant diversification of access to individual food resources was also observed, probably linked to the increased diversity of practice inside a population otherwise perceived as one community.

“…Reitsema and Vercellotti 2012;Iacumin et al 2014;Ciaffi et al 2015) and Central Europe (e.g. Reitsema et al 2010;Olsen et al 2016). In recent years, there has also been a growing body of isotopic research undertaken on early modern materials from these regions (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating isotopes and documentary evidence: dietary patterns in a late medieval and early modern mining community, Sweden

Bäckström

Mispelaere

Ingvarsson

et al. 2017

This study explores the relationship between dietary patterns and social structure in a pre-industrial mining community in Salberget, Sweden c. 1470 to 1600 A.D. using a combination of different research approaches and tools, including archaeology, osteology, bone chemistry and history. The correlation between demographic criteria (sex and age) and archaeological variables (burial type and burial location) shows that Salberget was a highly stratified community.Group diets were investigated through analyses of stable isotopes (carbon, δ 13 C, and nitrogen, δ 15 N) of bone collagen from a sub-sample of individuals buried at the site (n = 67), interpreted alongside data from human dental lesions and deficiencies, animal bone waste and information on eating habits extracted from the extensive historical documents regarding mining activities at Salberget. These integrated analyses provide a clear association between social status and diet and confirm that social status, and to a lesser extent sex, gender and age, likely governed food choice and opportunity in this diverse community.