Stable Isotope Analysis Reveals Variations in Human Diet at the Poundbury Camp Cemetery Site

Stable isotope analysis was undertaken on 48 individuals from Iron Age, Roman and Post-Roman periods of the Poundbury Camp Cemetery, Dorchester, England. Variations in diet, reflected by the stable isotope values, were observed between individuals from the different time periods. Differences in diet within the Late Roman period were particularly interesting, as we found that the isotope values could be related to burial type. We also found evidence of possible immigrants at Poundbury; individuals that may have come to the site from a warmer climate.     

The relationship between harris line formation and bone growth and development

The leg bones of 54 juveniles from the Romano-British cemetery at Poundbury, Dorset were examined radiographically for Harris lines. No correlation was found between presence/absence of Harris lines and femoral length, cortical index or total cortical thickness, although all three were significantly correlated with dental age for both groups. These results are compared with those of previous studies and differences are interpreted in terms of the nature of the environmental stress which gave rise to the Harris line. In the light of these findings a strategy is suggested which might be adopted for future research in this area.