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At the world's edge: Reconstructing diet and geographic origins in medieval Iceland using isotope and trace element analyses.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:A multi-isotope study was conducted on individuals buried at Skriðuklaustur monastery (AD 1493-1554) to investigate their geographic origins and dietary composition. Comparative material from individuals excavated from Skeljastaðir, an inland farm site was also analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Bone collagen was extracted from 50 humans (Skriðuklaustur and Skeljastaðir) and 25 animals (Skriðuklaustur) and analyzed for ?13 C, ?15 N, and ?34 S. Dental enamel samples from 31 individuals (Skriðuklaustur) were also analyzed for 87 Sr/86 Sr, ?18 O, ?13 C, and trace elements (Pb, Sr, Zn, Ba). RESULTS:The mean value determined from individuals from Skriðuklaustur (n = 36) was ?13 C = -18.7?±?0.8‰, ?15 N = 12.8?±?1.1‰, and ?34 S = 9.0?±?1.6‰, whereas at Skeljastaðir (n = 14), it was ?13 C = -20.5?±?0.8‰, ?15 N = 7.8?±?0.9‰, and ?34 S = 9.4?±?1.6‰. At Skriðuklaustur, human dental enamel samples (n = 31) provided a 87 Sr/86 Sr range of 0.7060-0.7088, ?18 Ophosphate from 13.9 to 16.1‰ and ?13 Ccarbonate from -16.6 to -12.9‰. Inferred drinking water (?18 Odw ) values range from -12.3 to -8.9‰. Sr concentrations range from 25.8 to 156.7 ppm, Ba from 0.11 to 0.81?ppm, Zn from 43.8 to 145.8 ppm, and Pb from 0.13 to 9.40?ppm. DISCUSSION:A combination of results indicates that the people from Skriðuklaustur were born in Iceland, but some lived inland during childhood while others lived closer to the coast. Since Skriðuklaustur was a hospital, these individuals may have sought medical treatment at the monastery. The ?13 C and ?15 N values determined from bone collagen indicate that the people residing at Skriðuklaustur consumed a diet high in marine protein, while those residing at Skeljastaðir exhibit values more consistent with terrestrial resources.

SUBMITTER: Walser JW

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6973133 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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At the world's edge: Reconstructing diet and geographic origins in medieval Iceland using isotope and trace element analyses.

Walser Joe W JW Kristjánsdóttir Steinunn S Gröcke Darren R DR Gowland Rebecca L RL Jakob Tina T Nowell Geoff M GM Ottley Chris J CJ Montgomery Janet J

American journal of physical anthropology 20200101 1

<h4>Objectives</h4>A multi-isotope study was conducted on individuals buried at Skriðuklaustur monastery (AD 1493-1554) to investigate their geographic origins and dietary composition. Comparative material from individuals excavated from Skeljastaðir, an inland farm site was also analyzed.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>Bone collagen was extracted from 50 humans (Skriðuklaustur and Skeljastaðir) and 25 animals (Skriðuklaustur) and analyzed for δ<sup>13</sup> C, δ<sup>15</sup> N, and δ<sup>34</sup> ...[more]

PMID: 31837015

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At the world's edge: Reconstructing diet and geographic origins in medieval Iceland using isotope and trace element analyses.

Publications

At the world's edge: Reconstructing diet and geographic origins in medieval Iceland using isotope and trace element analyses.

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