New insights into the subsistence economy of the Late Bronze Age (1100–400 cal BC) communities in the southeastern Baltic

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a research project aimed at reconstructing the subsistence economy of the Late Bronze Age communities in eastern Lithuania. We focused on examining archaeobotanical and zooarchaeological assemblages from three hillforts alongside δ13C and δ15N stable isotope analysis of plant and animal remains. Our results suggest that local populations primarily relied on growing domestic plants and animals for their subsistence. By the Late Bronze Age, they had already adopted a diverse package of cultivated plants, with barley and millet being the main crops. Also, inhabitants relied on pig and goat/sheep as a primary source for their protein intake. Finally, δ13C and δ15N measurements suggest that farmers engaged in intensive agriculture with semi-permanent field systems and moderate application of manure.

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

“…The mean isotopic values of possible food sources were retrieved from published data. The mean values were as follows: animal-based food (grouped cattle and pigs), δ 13 C −21.8 ± 0.6‰ and δ 15 N 7.8 ± 1.3‰ [21,22]; wild game, δ 13 C −22.9 ± 0.7‰ and δ 15 N 4.7 ± 1‰ [21,46]; freshwater fish, δ 13 C −25.3 ± 1.9‰ and δ 15 N 9.2 ± 2.1‰ [21]; and cereals, δ 13 C −25.0 ± 1‰ and δ 15 N 4.7 ± 0.9‰ [47]. The cereal δ 13 C value was adjusted according to diet to tissue offsets from Fernandes and colleagues [45].…”