Palaeodiet at Eton College Rowing Course, Buckinghamshire: isotopic changes in human diet in the Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman periods throughout the British Isles

Stevens, Rhiannon E.; Lightfoot, Emma; Allen, Tim; Hedges, R. E. M.

doi:10.1007/s12520-012-0089-0

Cited by 13 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 42 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Comparison with other roughly contemporaneous European sites revealed similar diets as well as dietary practices which rarely show sex and age related patterns (Chenery et al, 2010;Killgrove and Tykot, 2013;Müldner et al, 2011;Pollard et al, 2011;Prowse et al, 2004Prowse et al, , 2005Rutgers et al, 2009;Stevens et al, 2012). Overall, these studies (including the results discussed herein) show that the diet of these populations was more dependent on the environment and local availability of food sources rather than on cultural habits.…”

Section: Dietary Patternssupporting

confidence: 57%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Stable isotope and multi-analytical investigation of Monte da Cegonha: A Late Antiquity population in southern Portugal

Saragoça

Maurer

Šoberl

et al. 2016

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study presents for the first time the diet of a Late Antiquity population in southern Portugal (Civitas of Pax Julia), from the Roman villa of Monte da Cegonha (predominantly 7th century CE). Stable isotope analysis (δ 13 C, δ 15 N, δ 18 O, 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) of human and faunal bone collagen and apatite was conducted in order to understand the influence of Roman subsistence strategies on the way of life of rural inhabitants of the area of Pax Julia and to explore their diet (types of ingested plants, amount of animal resources, terrestrial versus marine resources). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses were used to determine the degree of bone diagenesis and assess the reliability of the bone stable isotopic composition for palaeodietary reconstruction. Anthropological analysis revealed a cariogenic diet, rich in starchy food and carbohydrates, in at least in two individuals based on the frequency of dental caries. Collagen and apatite carbon isotopic analysis suggested that C 3 plants were the basis of the population's diet, complemented with some terrestrial meat and its byproducts as reflected by the observed bone collagen nitrogen isotopic composition. Moreover, whilst the fairly low apatite-collagen spacing recorded in some skeletons (at around 4‰) may have been due to freshwater organisms intake, the relatively low nitrogen values observed indicate that this consumption did not occur very often, unless in the form of fresh fish of low trophic level or fish sauces. There were no significant differences in isotopic values depending on gender or burial type. Strontium and oxygen isotopic composition of bone apatite revealed a sedentary community, with the exception of a male individual who probably did not spend his childhood in Monte da Cegonha.

show abstract

Section: Dietary Patternssupporting

confidence: 57%

“…In order to accurately determine isotopic signatures (δ 13 C co , δ 15 N and δ 13 C apa ) of food sources potentially consumed by the human population, it is essential to determine the isotopic values of contemporaneous animal remains (Jørkov et al, 2010;Stevens et al, 2012).…”

Section: Dietary Patternsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stable isotope and multi-analytical investigation of Monte da Cegonha: A Late Antiquity population in southern Portugal

Saragoça

Maurer

Šoberl

et al. 2016

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Early Neolithic: Assessing cereal cultivation practices through weed ecology and cereal isotope measurements Considerable research has focused on identifying the introduction of cereals; however, less attention has been directed towards understanding the nature of early farming practices (Bogaard 2005). In part, this reflects the rarity of weed seeds in Neolithic assemblages (Bogaard 2014;Stevens & Fuller 2018). This rarity potentially reflects harvesting techniques (ie, gathering of cereal ears), crop-processing methods (ie, careful crop cleaning), or cultivation practices (Colledge et al 2005;Jacomet et al 2016;Stevens & Fuller 2018).…”

Section: Early Neolithic: the Introduction Of Cerealsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In part, this reflects the rarity of weed seeds in Neolithic assemblages (Bogaard 2014;Stevens & Fuller 2018). This rarity potentially reflects harvesting techniques (ie, gathering of cereal ears), crop-processing methods (ie, careful crop cleaning), or cultivation practices (Colledge et al 2005;Jacomet et al 2016;Stevens & Fuller 2018). Slash-and-burn cultivation regimes may account for the rarity of weed seeds (Robinson 2007;Rösch et al 2014;2017), however, the evidence for this is equivocal since weeds may be rare for several years in plots recently cleared of trees (Halstead 2018).…”

Section: Early Neolithic: the Introduction Of Cerealsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…RECONSTRUCTING CEREAL CULTIVATION PRACTICES THROUGH STABLE CARBON (δ 13 C) AND NITROGEN (δ 15 N) ISOTOPE ANALYSIS Archaeobotanical weed data can be used to investigate cultivation practices, however, a key challenge is the rarity of weed seeds in Neolithic archaeobotanical assemblages, particularly in Britain (Bogaard 2014;Stevens & Fuller 2018). Stable carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) isotope analysis of cereals provides a method for directly investigating cultivation practices, especially manuring (Bogaard 2014).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Neolithic Farming and Wild Plant Exploitation in Western Britain: Archaeobotanical and Crop Stable Isotope Evidence from Wales (c. 4000–2200 calbc)

Treasure

Gröcke

Caseldine

et al. 2019

Proc. Prehist. Soc.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The introduction of agriculture is a key defining element of the Neolithic, yet considerable debate persists concerning the nature and significance of early farming practices in north-west Europe. This paper reviews archaeobotanical evidence from 95 Neolithic sites (c. 4000-2200 cal BC) in Wales, focusing on wild plant exploitation, the range of crops present, and the significance of cereals in subsistence practices. Cereal cultivation practices in Early Neolithic Wales are also examined using cereal grain stable carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) isotope analysis. The Early Neolithic period witnessed the widespread uptake of cereals alongside considerable evidence for continued wild plant exploitation, notably hazelnuts and wild fruits. The possibility that wild plants and woodlands were deliberately managed or altered to promote the growth of certain plants is outlined. Small cereal grain assemblages, with little evidence for chaff and weed seeds, are common in the Early Neolithic, whereas cereal-rich sites are rare. Emmer wheat was the dominant crop in the Early Neolithic, while other cereal types were recorded in small quantities. Cereal nitrogen isotope (δ 15 N) values from Early Neolithic sites provided little evidence for intensive manuring. We suggest that cultivation conditions may have been less intensive when compared to other areas of Britain and Europe. In the later Neolithic period, there is evidence for a decline in the importance of cereals. Finally, the archaeobotanical and crop isotope data from this study are considered within a wider European context.

show abstract

Life history of the individuals buried in the St. Benedict Cemetery (Prague, 15th–18th Centuries): Insights from ¹⁴C dating and stable isotope (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, δ¹⁸O) analysis

Salesse

Dufour

Castex

et al. 2013

American J Phys Anthropol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Funerary practices and bioarchaeological (sex and age) data suggest that a mortality crisis linked to an epidemic episode occurred during the fifth phase of the St. Benedict cemetery in Prague (Czech Republic). To identify this mass mortality episode, we reconstructed individual life histories (dietary and mobility factors), assessed the population's biological homogeneity, and proposed a new chronology through stable isotope analysis (δ(13)C, δ(18)O and δ(15)N) and direct radiocarbon dating. Stable isotope analysis was conducted on the bone and tooth enamel (collagen and carbonate) of 19 individuals from three multiple graves (MG) and 12 individuals from individual graves (IG). The δ(15)N values of collagen and the difference between the δ(13)C values of collagen and bone carbonate could indicate that the IG individuals had a richer protein diet than the MG individuals or different food resources. The human bone and enamel carbonate and δ(18)O values suggest that the majority of individuals from MG and all individuals from IG spent most of their lives outside of the Bohemian region. Variations in δ(18)O values also indicate that all individuals experienced residential mobility during their lives. The stable isotope results, biological (age and sex) data and eight (14)C dates clearly differentiate the MG and IG groups. The present work provides evidence for the reuse of the St. Benedict cemetery to bury soldiers despite the funeral protest ban (1635 AD). The Siege of Prague (1742 AD) by French-Bavarian-Saxon armies is identified as the cause of the St. Benedict mass mortality event.

show abstract

Palaeodiet at Eton College Rowing Course, Buckinghamshire: isotopic changes in human diet in the Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman periods throughout the British Isles

Cited by 13 publications

References 42 publications

Stable isotope and multi-analytical investigation of Monte da Cegonha: A Late Antiquity population in southern Portugal

Stable isotope and multi-analytical investigation of Monte da Cegonha: A Late Antiquity population in southern Portugal

Neolithic Farming and Wild Plant Exploitation in Western Britain: Archaeobotanical and Crop Stable Isotope Evidence from Wales (c. 4000–2200 calbc)

Life history of the individuals buried in the St. Benedict Cemetery (Prague, 15th–18th Centuries): Insights from ¹⁴C dating and stable isotope (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, δ¹⁸O) analysis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Palaeodiet at Eton College Rowing Course, Buckinghamshire: isotopic changes in human diet in the Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman periods throughout the British Isles

Cited by 13 publications

References 42 publications

Stable isotope and multi-analytical investigation of Monte da Cegonha: A Late Antiquity population in southern Portugal

Stable isotope and multi-analytical investigation of Monte da Cegonha: A Late Antiquity population in southern Portugal

Neolithic Farming and Wild Plant Exploitation in Western Britain: Archaeobotanical and Crop Stable Isotope Evidence from Wales (c. 4000–2200 calbc)

Life history of the individuals buried in the St. Benedict Cemetery (Prague, 15th–18th Centuries): Insights from 14C dating and stable isotope (δ13C, δ15N, δ18O) analysis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Life history of the individuals buried in the St. Benedict Cemetery (Prague, 15th–18th Centuries): Insights from ¹⁴C dating and stable isotope (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, δ¹⁸O) analysis