Reconstruction of Socioeconomic Status in the Medieval (14th–15th Century) Population of Grevenmacher (Luxembourg) Based on Growth,Development and Diet

Numerous historical sources describe many aspects of the estate‐based society in medieval times; the detection of socioeconomic status within populations through skeletal remains is a topic of growing interest in anthropological studies. In medieval times, it was common for members of high social rank to be buried within or next to a church. This was certainly the case in Grevenmacher (Luxembourg), where remains of a church building and an adjacent cemetery from the 13th until the beginning of the 15th century were subjected to archaeological and anthropological analysis. By integrating archaeological and anthropological elements, as well as stable isotope analysis, we documented osteological manifestations as indicators of diet differentials in two subsamples (first group consists out of 56 individuals, second one out of 184 individuals) from the medieval cemetery of Grevenmacher. We could distinguish two subsamples that we assumed as different in their socioeconomic status with regards to the burials' position in the cemetery and burial characteristics. Differences in osteological traits such as bone length, stature and body mass indicated differences in diet between sample groups. To substantiate these outcomes, stable isotopic analysis (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N) were made; the results displayed a clear separation between the sample groups on the basis of their diet. Therefore, we were able to confirm certain individuals in the medieval population of Grevenmacher in relationship to their socioeconomic status. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Diet of Three Medieval Individuals from Caravate (Varese,Italy). Combined Results of ICP‐MS Analysis of Trace Elements and Phytolith Analysis Conducted on Their Dental Calculus

Teeth are in close contact with foodstuffs: phenomena such as caries and wear of the crowns are precious keys to gather information on diet and cooking techniques. Phytoliths are granules of hydrated amorphous silica, which are deposited in the oral cavity while chewing fruit and vegetables and incorporated into dental calculus during its formation. In diet investigation, different plants may therefore be related to specific phytolith shapes. Analysis of chemical trace elements, incorporated in dental calculus from ingested food and replacing small percentages of calcium in normal processes of resorption and redeposition, can further enrich the research on ancient diet. The aim of our work was to set up an analytical protocol, focalised on phytoliths and the inorganic elemental composition of dental calculus, on samples coming from medieval skeletons excavated in Caravate (Varese, Italy). The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analytical technique proved to be particularly suitable for such studies. The results suggested a diet based both on the consumption of carbohydrates (dicotyledons and monocotyledons such as the Poaceae, also known as Gramineae; and Coniferae) and on proteins, mostly derived from fish. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Seaweed FlyThoracochaeta zosterae(Hal.) (Diptera: Sphaerocidae) in Inland Archaeological Contexts: δC and δN Solves the Puzzle

The presence of the flyThoracochaeta zosteraein cesspits had led to the unlikely interpretation that seaweed had been present in Mediaeval cesspitis. Archaeological and modern pupae fromT. zosteraewere sampled along with their probable larval diets (extracted plant material from cesspit and seaweed, respectively). The spacing between pupae and food for δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N was similar for both modern and archaeological samples. Modern pupae had isotopic ratios typical for marine invertebrates for δ¹³C. Archaeological puparia had isotopic values typical for terrestrial grazers (i.e., non-marine), indicating that there was no marine inclusion in the cesspits.     

A Simple(R) Model to Predict the Source of Dietary Carbon in Individual Consumers

Quantitative individual human diet reconstruction using isotopic data and a Bayesian approach typically requires the inclusion of several model parameters, such as individual isotopic data, isotopic and macronutrient composition of food groups, diet‐to‐tissue isotopic offsets and dietary routing. In an archaeological context, sparse data may hamper a widespread application of such models. However, simpler models may be proposed to address specific archaeological questions. As a consequence of the intake of marine foods, individuals from the first century ad Roman site of Herculaneum showed well‐defined bone collagen radiocarbon age offsets from the expected terrestrial value. Taking as reference these radiocarbon offsets and using as model input stable isotope data (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N), the performance of two Bayesian mixing model instances (routed and concentration‐dependent model versus non‐routed and concentration‐independent) was compared to predict the carbon contribution of marine foods to bone collagen. Predictions generated by both models were in good agreement with observed values. The model with higher complexity showed only a slightly better performance in terms of accuracy and precision. This demonstrates that under similar circumstances, a simple Bayesian approach can be applied to quantify the carbon contribution of marine foods to human bone collagen.     

Bioarchaeology: The Lives and Lifestyles of Past People

Skeletons represent the most direct evidence of the biology of past populations, and their study provides insight into health and well-being, dietary history, lifestyle (activity), violence and trauma, ancestry, and demography. These areas help inform our understanding of a range of issues, such as the causes and consequences of adaptive shifts in the past (e.g., foraging to farming, sedentarism), the biological impact of invasion and colonization, differential access to food and other resources (e.g., by gender or status), and conflict and warfare. Central to bioarchaeological inquiry are the interaction between biology and behavior and the role of environment on health and lifestyle. Bioarchaeological analysis has traditionally focused on local settings. However, important perspective on general questions of human adaptation is possible both regionally and globally.     

丸都山城高句丽铁器的金相与工艺

为探讨高句丽铁器加工业发展状况以及魏晋南北朝时期钢铁技术水平,利用金相显微镜对吉林省集安市丸都山城遗址出土铁器样品进行金相学检测及工艺研究,并结合以往高句丽铁器检测结果进行讨论。检测结果表明,工匠制造铁器时采用了"生铁淋口"、铸造后脱碳退火、铸铁脱碳钢材料锻打成型、锋刃部淬火、熟铁、低碳钢等不同材质的锻接、折叠锻打等加工技术。铁镞03JWN2T105②:12是迄今为止应用"生铁淋口"工艺的最早实例,将这种工艺的使用年代,前推至魏晋南北朝时期,相对于明代文献的明确记载提前1000年左右,相对于已报道的宋代实例早600余年,其发明时间应该还在此之前,该项发现对构建魏晋南北朝时期钢铁技术发展序列,具有十分重要的意义。     

Dental pathology and diet at Apollonia,a Greek colony on the Black Sea

Dental pathology has the potential to provide insight into the composition of the diet and to reveal dietary differences based on age, sex and social status. Human skeletal remains from the Greek colonial site of Apollonia (5^th to 2^nd centuries BC) on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria were analysed for various forms of dental pathology in order to: assess the prevalence of dental disease in the population; compare the dental pathology data from Apollonia with dietary data derived from ancient literary texts and from previous stable isotopic analysis of the colonists' remains; explore variations in dental disease with respect to age and sex; and compare the prevalence of dental pathology in the Apollonians with that of other Greek populations. The composition of the diet, as indicated by the dental pathology data, is consistent with the stable isotopic evidence from Apollonia and with the ancient literary texts, both of which indicate the consumption of a relatively soft, high carbohydrate diet. The higher frequency of dental caries, abscesses, calculus, and antemortem tooth loss in older adults compared with younger ones reflects the age‐progressive nature of these conditions. The lack of significant sex differences in caries, abscesses, calculus and tooth loss corresponds with the stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic data derived from bone collagen, which indicate no significant sex differences in the consumption of dietary protein. In contrast, these findings conflict with the ancient literary texts, which refer to distinct dietary differences between males and females, and with the stable carbon isotopic values derived from bone carbonate, which indicate sex differences with respect to the overall diet. Despite the lack of marked sex differences in dental pathology, overall trends point to subtle dietary differences between males and females. A greater degree of tooth wear in males also hints at possible sex differences in the use of the teeth as tools. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Diet and Provisioning in the High Andes: A Spanish Colonial Settlement on the Outskirts of Potosí, Bolivia

Once silver was discovered in the mountain of Cerro Rico, the large urban center of Potosí, Bolivia flourished. Situated at almost 4000 m (13,000 ft) above sea level in the eastern cordillera of the Andes mountains, provisioning the region was very challenging. A study of zooarchaeological remains associated with elite Spanish colonial residents living on the outskirts of Potosí in Tarapaya indicates that wealthy inhabitants were able to procure meat sources that strongly reflect Iberian rather than Andean food habits while material culture strongly reflects local influence. Provisioning the mining community with food overcame obstacles of distance, elevation, and spoilage.     

河南舞阳县贾湖遗址出土猪骨的再研究

前言河南舞阳县贾湖遗址是我国中原地区极为重要的新石器时代前期遗址。该遗址历经七次发掘,已获得大量珍贵的考古资料。其中丰富的动、植物遗存,是探讨我国北方地区动、植物驯化过程的重要材料。《舞阳贾湖》详细报道了该遗址前六次发掘的材料。报告中提出了存在家猪的观点,但并没有指出具体的期段,而且其判定存在家猪的依据仅仅     

The Seaweed FlyThoracochaeta zosterae(Hal.) (Diptera: Sphaerocidae) in Inland Archaeological Contexts: δC and δN Solves the Puzzle

The presence of the flyThoracochaeta zosteraein cesspits had led to the unlikely interpretation that seaweed had been present in Mediaeval cesspitis. Archaeological and modern pupae fromT. zosteraewere sampled along with their probable larval diets (extracted plant material from cesspit and seaweed, respectively). The spacing between pupae and food for δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N was similar for both modern and archaeological samples. Modern pupae had isotopic ratios typical for marine invertebrates for δ¹³C. Archaeological puparia had isotopic values typical for terrestrial grazers (i.e., non-marine), indicating that there was no marine inclusion in the cesspits.