Human diet in Lithuania during the Late Roman and Migration periods ( ca. 200–700 AD) based on stable carbon and nitrogen isotope data
Volume 30 (2023), pp. 80–115
Pub. online: 28 December 2023
Type: Article
Open Access
Open Access
Received
21 June 2022
21 June 2022
Revised
3 November 2022
3 November 2022
Accepted
5 December 2022
5 December 2022
Published
28 December 2023
28 December 2023
Abstract
In this study, 71 human individuals were subjected to stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N)
isotope analysis of bone collagen samples for the purpose of determining human dietary patterns
in Lithuania during the Late Roman and Migration periods. More specifically, based on the
isotopic data, the aim was to determine and evaluate any potential dietary differences between
individuals on the basis of their sex, age, social status and place of residence during the periods
in question. The results of this study suggest that there were isotopically clearly distinguishable
dietary differences between individuals from different parts/regions of Lithuania. Also, statistically
significant dietary differences (on the basis of δ15N values) between males and females
were observed (although, when making the same sex-based isotopic comparisons at an individual
site level, the same result was observed only among those from Marvelė cemetery). However, no
statistically significant isotopic differences were detected between different social or age groups.
Overall, these results give us one of the first glimpses into the types of dietary habits practiced by
people in various parts of Lithuania during the Roman and Migration periods, which could also
serve as a good starting point for future investigations into other dietary aspects in the territories
and periods in question that still remain unknown.