Human osteological samples (n = 23) taken from different anatomical parts of 11 individuals from the early modern (16th–18th century AD) site of Roccapelago (Modena, Italy) were systematically analysed for δ13C, δ15N and trace elements to investigate their diet. δ13C and δ15N correlate and show a high variability between individuals, attesting to the dietary contribution of C4 plants. This is supported by pollen analysis of the burial site samples, which revealed the presence of maize. δ15N correlates with Sr/Ca, suggesting that the main protein source could have been milk and dairy. We therefore interpret the strong correlation between δ13C and δ15N as evidence for C4-plant foraging practice and the exploitation of livestock for meat and milk, combined with possible direct intake of C4 plants. The Roccapelago site represents an important case study to track the evolution of the post-medieval diet and the introduction of maize cultivation in southern Europe, as also attested by historical sources.

C4-plant foraging in Northern Italy: stable isotopes, Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca data of human osteological samples from Roccapelago (16th–18th century AD) / Lugli, Federico; Brunelli, Daniele; Cipriani, Anna; Bosi, Giovanna. - In: ARCHAEOMETRY. - ISSN 0003-813X. - 59:6(2017), pp. 1119-1134. [10.1111/arcm.12295]

C4-plant foraging in Northern Italy: stable isotopes, Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca data of human osteological samples from Roccapelago (16th–18th century AD)

LUGLI, FEDERICO;BRUNELLI, Daniele;CIPRIANI, Anna;BOSI, Giovanna
2017

Abstract

Human osteological samples (n = 23) taken from different anatomical parts of 11 individuals from the early modern (16th–18th century AD) site of Roccapelago (Modena, Italy) were systematically analysed for δ13C, δ15N and trace elements to investigate their diet. δ13C and δ15N correlate and show a high variability between individuals, attesting to the dietary contribution of C4 plants. This is supported by pollen analysis of the burial site samples, which revealed the presence of maize. δ15N correlates with Sr/Ca, suggesting that the main protein source could have been milk and dairy. We therefore interpret the strong correlation between δ13C and δ15N as evidence for C4-plant foraging practice and the exploitation of livestock for meat and milk, combined with possible direct intake of C4 plants. The Roccapelago site represents an important case study to track the evolution of the post-medieval diet and the introduction of maize cultivation in southern Europe, as also attested by historical sources.
2017
13-mar-2017
59
6
1119
1134
C4-plant foraging in Northern Italy: stable isotopes, Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca data of human osteological samples from Roccapelago (16th–18th century AD) / Lugli, Federico; Brunelli, Daniele; Cipriani, Anna; Bosi, Giovanna. - In: ARCHAEOMETRY. - ISSN 0003-813X. - 59:6(2017), pp. 1119-1134. [10.1111/arcm.12295]
Lugli, Federico; Brunelli, Daniele; Cipriani, Anna; Bosi, Giovanna
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Lugli 2017 Archeometry.pdf

Accesso riservato

Tipologia: Versione pubblicata dall'editore
Dimensione 613 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
613 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
VQRarcm.12295.pdf

Accesso riservato

Tipologia: Versione pubblicata dall'editore
Dimensione 593.1 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
593.1 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
Lugli-et-al-accepted.pdf

Open access

Tipologia: Versione dell'autore revisionata e accettata per la pubblicazione
Dimensione 1.77 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.77 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Pubblicazioni consigliate

Licenza Creative Commons
I metadati presenti in IRIS UNIMORE sono rilasciati con licenza Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal, mentre i file delle pubblicazioni sono rilasciati con licenza Attribuzione 4.0 Internazionale (CC BY 4.0), salvo diversa indicazione.
In caso di violazione di copyright, contattare Supporto Iris

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11380/1136507
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 17
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 13
social impact