Social Structures and Social Relations - An Archaeological and Anthropological Examination of three Early Medieval Separate Burial Sites in Bavaria

Czermak, Andrea; Ledderose, Anja; Strott, Nadja; Meier, Thomas; Grupe, Gisela

doi:10.1127/anthranz/64/2006/297

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 16 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This could also reflect diverse social positions, such as higher social ranks for male individuals (e.g. Czermak et al 2006;Schutkowski and Herrmann 1999;Moghaddam et al 2016). However, the nitrogen values of all males against females, independently from their age group, were not statistically significant (Table 2).…”

Section: Varying Social Status and Grave Goodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Paladin

Moghaddam

Stawinoga

et al. 2020

Archaeol Anthropol Sci

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 Goodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Paladin

Moghaddam

Stawinoga

et al. 2020

Archaeol Anthropol Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A plethora of isotope research regarding diet throughout medieval Europe has been undertaken to explore issues such as age at weaning (Bourbou & Richards, ; Fuller, Marquez‐Grant, & Richards, ; Mays, Richards, & Fuller, ; Richards et al, ), diachronic change in diet (Bourbou, Fuller, Garvie‐Lok, & Richards, ; Lightfoot, Šlaus, & O'Connell, ; Müldner & Richards, ; Reitsema, ; Richards et al, ; Yoder, ), sex differences in diet (Reitsema & Vercellotti, ; Richards et al, ), and status differences in diet (Czermak, Ledderose, Strott, Meier, & Grupe, ; Kjellstrom, Stora, Possnert, & Linderholm, ; Le Huray & Schutkowski, ; Müldner et al, ; Reitsema, Kozłowski, Jankauskas, Drążkowska, & Krajewska, ; Schutkowski, Herrmann, Wiedemann, Bocherens, & Grupe, ; Yoder, ). Comparatively less dietary isotope research has been conducted on skeletal materials originating in Eastern Europe in general, or in Lithuania specifically (e.g., Antanaitis‐Jacobs, Richards, Daugnora, Jankauskas, & Ogrinc, ; Holder, Dupras, Jankauskas, Williams, & Schultz, ; Page, ; Reitsema et al, ; Schotten, ).…”

Section: Principles Of Stable Isotope Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope inter‐ and intra‐individual dietary reconstruction from the late 14th to early 18th century site of Alytus, Lithuania

Whitmore

Dupras

Williams

et al. 2018

American J Phys Anthropol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives: The Baltic region, particularly Lithuania, was a politically vibrant area of Eastern Europe during the medieval and early modern period. To better understand the diet of Lithuanians during the late 14th to early 18th century, we examine stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios from bone and dentin samples from the site of Alytus. We investigate possible dietary differences based on sex, age, and religious practice, as well as dietary changes throughout an individual's lifetime, within the broader European milieu.Materials and methods: Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis was conducted on bone (n = 35) and dentin (n = 38) collagen samples from a total of 39 individuals buried in the cemetery at Alytus (late 14th to early 18th centuries).Results: Results indicate individuals at Alytus consumed a C 3 terrestrial based diet. The δ 13 C and δ 15 N values are not significantly different between bone and dentin, and did not vary by sex.Discussion: The diet at Alytus was homogeneous between males and females and between tissue types. The lack of evidence indicating substantial consumption of fish is unexpected given widespread Catholic fasting practices and marine resource trade throughout Europe. Comparisons with other populations indicate that individuals from Alytus differ in diet from contemporaneous Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth elites. Comparison of the diets of non-elite individuals in the Eastern Baltic region also reveals dietary variability. K E Y W O R D SBaltic, collagen, dentin, paleodiet, stable isotope analysis

show abstract

“…In early medieval (seventh to ninth centuries) southern Bavaria, the cemeteries of Großmehring and Etting produced isotopic evidence for individuals consuming more animal protein which correlated with the archaeological evidence for high-status (i.e. burial in distinct, separate, circular enclosures) (Czermak et al 2006). In contrast, the isotopic and archaeological evidence from Kelheim cemetery was indicative of a 'less socially stratified' community (Czermak et al 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…burial in distinct, separate, circular enclosures) (Czermak et al 2006). In contrast, the isotopic and archaeological evidence from Kelheim cemetery was indicative of a 'less socially stratified' community (Czermak et al 2006). In a follow-on study with the addition of two more cemeteries (Enkering and Unterigling), Strott et al (2008) also were unable to identify dietary stratification patterns common to all populations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anglo-Saxon diet in the Conversion period: A comparative isotopic study using carbon and nitrogen

Hannah

McLaughlin

Keaveney

et al. 2018

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Seventh-century Anglo-Saxon England is characterised by great social and religious change.The arrival of missionaries from Rome in AD 597 initiated the gradual process of conversion to Christianity. There is growing evidence for increasing hierarchy and social stratification in the archaeological record at this time, including prominent kingly burials. This paper investigates whether diet was influenced by social stratification and to a lesser extent religion in two seventh-century cemetery populations: Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, and Polhill, Kent.Analysis of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes from 116 human individuals was undertaken.Factors considered included age, sex, wealth and other notable grave features. Results showed that the diets of both populations were largely unaffected by these wider social processes, with negligible differences between social groups. The results were placed in the context of wider Anglo-Saxon dietary studies and highlight that Anglo-Saxon populations consistently display overwhelmingly similar ranges of carbon and nitrogen isotopes.

show abstract

Social Structures and Social Relations - An Archaeological and Anthropological Examination of three Early Medieval Separate Burial Sites in Bavaria

Cited by 12 publications

References 16 publications

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

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

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope inter‐ and intra‐individual dietary reconstruction from the late 14th to early 18th century site of Alytus, Lithuania

Anglo-Saxon diet in the Conversion period: A comparative isotopic study using carbon and nitrogen

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About