Geochemical studies of paleodiet and mobility of medieval communities of north Iberian peninsula

Abstract

Stable isotopes (13C, 15N, 18O) and a radiogenic isotope (87Sr/86Sr) in tooth and human bone remains have been used to reconstruct residential mobility and dietary patterns. To this end several medieval archaeological sites of the North Iberian Peninsula ranging from 6th to 12th centuries time periods have been studied. Additionally, complementary to the isotope studies trace elements have been analyzed in tooth samples by means of the LA-ICP-MS technique to investigate health and palaeodietary patterns.The multi-isotope study enhances the understanding of medieval Iberian lifeways. The strontium and oxygen isotope compositions suggest limited residential mobility because only a few individuals were of non-local origin. Determining the outsiders¿ provenance area is difficult but isotope data suggest nearby areas and only few individuals¿ origin has been impossible to determine. Palaeodietary patterns indicate similar foodstuff in medieval rural populations into the studied communities. Only dietary differences among Muslim individuals according to sex and age have been observed illustrating different dynamics of social life between Christian and Muslim populations.