Social stratigraphy in Late Iron Age Switzerland: stable carbon, nitrogen and sulphur isotope analysis of human remains from Münsingen

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_E95CC95D386A
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Title
Social stratigraphy in Late Iron Age Switzerland: stable carbon, nitrogen and sulphur isotope analysis of human remains from Münsingen
Journal
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences
Author(s)
Moghaddam N., Müller F., Hafner A., Lösch S.
ISSN
1866-9557
1866-9565
Publication state
Published
Issued date
03/2016
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
8
Number
1
Pages
149-160
Language
english
Abstract
The Iron Age cemetery of Münsingen in Switzerland with 220 abundantly equipped burials marked a milestone for Iron Age research. The horizontal spread throughout the time of its occupancy laid the foundation for the chronology system of the Late Iron Age. Today, skulls of 77 individuals and some postcranial bones are still preserved. The aim of the study was to obtain information about diet, mobility and social stratification of the individuals. Stable isotope ratios of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur were analysed for 63 individuals. For all of them, C3 plants were found to be the staple food. There are significant differences between males and females in δ13C and δ15N values. This points to a gender restriction in the access to animal protein with males probably having more access to meat and dairy products. Differences in δ15N values were also observed for different age classes. δ34S values indicate a terrestrial-based diet with no significant intake of marine or freshwater fish. Seven adults with enriched δ34S values might have immigrated to Münsingen, four of which were found in the oldest part of the cemetery. Furthermore, possible changes of the vegetation are indicated by the more positive stable carbon ratios in the later phases. The results lead to the suggestion that especially males buried with weapons might have played a special role in the Iron Age society.
Keywords
Archaeology, Archaeology, Anthropology
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
31/10/2017 10:49
Last modification date
20/08/2019 16:12
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