Pre-dating paprika: Reconstructing childhood and adulthood diet at medieval (13th century CE) Solt-Tételhegy, Hungary from stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses. (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gugora, Ariana; Dupras, Tosha L.; Fóthi, Erzsébet
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 18(2018)
• Page Start: 151
• Page End: 160
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: Central Europe -- Bone -- Enamel -- Dentin -- Collagen -- Apatite -- Bioarchaeology; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Research -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2017.12.036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-409X

Abstract

Abstract: Between 2005 and 2009, 125 skeletons were excavated from the medieval (13th century CE) Hungarian archaeological site of Solt-Tételhegy. While previous stable isotopic research has examined the diet of medieval European peoples, here we present the first such research conducted on a medieval Hungarian population. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses were conducted on dental enamel and dentin from first and second molars from 24 individuals to reconstruct their childhood diet, as well as from the rib bones of 21 of the same individuals to reconstruct their adulthood diet. The average enamel δ 13 C values is − 11.1‰, and the average for dentin δ 13 C values is 17.4‰. The bone apatite δ 13 C values have a mean of − 10‰, while the bone collagen δ 13 C values have a mean of − 17.1‰. These data suggest that C3 plants were the dominant plant type consumed by the majority of the study population, although varying quantities of C4 plants were also eaten, supporting other archaeological evidence that C3 plants were consumed more often than C4 plants in medieval Europe. The dentin δ 15 N values average at 10.6‰, and the bone δ 15 N values average at 9.8‰, showing that animal protein constituted a moderate proportion of the diet. Despite signs of status differences indicated by burial location, stable nitrogen isotope values also suggest that the individuals had relatively egalitarian access to animal protein. Highlights: First isotopic research conducted on a medieval Hungarian population. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of bone and teeth, taken from 24 individuals. Results indicate a heavy reliance on C3 plants, with varying quantities of C4 plants. Despite status differences, individuals had equal access to animal protein.