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Papers by Claudia Maria Melisch
Jahrbuch für die Geschichte Mittel- und Ostdeutschlands
Acta Praehistorica et Archaeologica, 2011
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2021
Abstract The precise time, the original location, and the processes involved in the creation of G... more Abstract The precise time, the original location, and the processes involved in the creation of Germany’s capital Berlin are still unknown due to a lack of surviving documents. As such, archaeology and bioarchaeology play a critical role in understanding the people who lived in medieval Berlin. In this paper, we describe an isotope analysis aimed at identifying what the early inhabitants of Berlin were eating and at inferring dietary variation among skeletons sexed as male versus female, and among those interred before and after the Yersinia pestis pandemic known as the Black Death (1347–1352 CE). Carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope ratios from 66 skeletons from the medieval cemetery site of Petriplatz indicate that males consumed proportionately more protein than females before the Black Death. However, a significant increase in δ15N values in skeletons associated with post-Black Death contexts suggests an increased consumption of animal protein for both males and females. This study is the first dietary isotopic analysis to be conducted on the skeletons at Petriplatz and is only the second paleodietary isotopic reconstruction of the High Middle Ages in Germany. Consequently, this study provides key insights into the cultural responses to the ecology of the Black Death by the people of Berlin within the broader context of medieval Germany and medieval Europe.
Forensic Science International: Genetics
The German capital Berlin originates from the two medieval settlements Berlin and Colln on either... more The German capital Berlin originates from the two medieval settlements Berlin and Colln on either side of the river Spree. Whereas Berlin is world famous, there is very little awareness of former Colln. From 2007–2009, during excavations of the earliest cemetery of this forgotten medieval town; 3,126 graves were discovered containing the remains of 3,717 individuals. Amongst those graves was an unusual triple burial. This grave was exceptional due to the relative postures of the skeletons and their extensive facial injuries. Here we present genetic and isotope data for this grave. Genetic results confirmed all of them as biological male individuals and ruled out their biological kinship. Combining genetic ancestry information with strontium isotope data we furthermore determined that two of the men most likely originated from the Berlin-Brandenburg region, whereas a more distant origin of the third individual can be debated.
We don't know when the first Berliners arrived and where they came from. Also the process... more We don't know when the first Berliners arrived and where they came from. Also the process of immigration is unknown and the degree of relationship between the first settlers. Some of the oldest graves of Berlin were found at former St. Peter's cemetery. We analyze their ancient DNA and Sr-isoptope values for relatedness or origin and with radiokarbondates we try to pinpoint the time of their arrival in Berlin.
Forensic Science International: Genetics, 2015
Rezension zu: 1636 – Ihre letzte Schlacht. Leben im Dreißigjährigen Krieg. Begleitbuch zur gleich... more Rezension zu: 1636 – Ihre letzte Schlacht. Leben im Dreißigjährigen Krieg. Begleitbuch zur gleichnamigen Wanderausstellung. Herausgegeben vom Brandenburgischen Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologischem Landesmuseum durch Sabine Eickhoff und Franz Schopper. Theiss-Verlag, Stuttgart 2012. 205 S. ISBN 978-3-8062-2632-4
Publication du Gaaf No. 8. Recontre autour de nos aieux. La mort de plus en plus proche, 2019
There are not many excavations of 19th centuary cemeteries in Germany. One of those rare cases wa... more There are not many excavations of 19th centuary cemeteries in Germany. One of those rare cases was an excavation that took place in Germanys capital Berlin in 1997. Almost 900 catholic graves were excavated at former St. Hedwigs cemetary (1777-1853). The graves contained a surprising variety of grave goods and personal belongings. A finds assemblage of 860 individual objects was carefully studied and offered a unique inside into the catholic faith at this time and its material funeral culture.
Sonderheft der ArchäologiSchen nAchrichten AuS SchleSwig-holStein ArchäologiScheS lAndeSAmt Schle... more Sonderheft der ArchäologiSchen nAchrichten AuS SchleSwig-holStein ArchäologiScheS lAndeSAmt SchleSwig-holStein (AlSh) IdentItätswert GeGenwartswert Zukunftswert heimatwert Imagewert Nostalgiewert Kultwert Alterswert Symbolwert RaumweRt Gestaltwert Vertrauenswert Vermögenswert Vergangenheitswert AssoziAtionswert Mahnwert ErinnErungswErt Denkmalwerte Kunstwert Bildungswert SubStanzwert Streitwert StimmungSwert zeugniSwert ErlEbniswErt
We don't know when the first Berliners arrived and where they came from. Also the process of immi... more We don't know when the first Berliners arrived and where they came from. Also the process of immigration is unknown and the degree of relationship between the first settlers. Some of the oldest graves of Berlin were found at former St. Peter's cemetery. We analyze their ancient DNA and Sr-isoptope values for relatedness or origin and with radiokarbondates we try to pinpoint the time of their arrival in Berlin.
The Mediaeval Journal, 2015
Jahrbuch für die Geschichte Mittel- und Ostdeutschlands
Acta Praehistorica et Archaeologica, 2011
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2021
Abstract The precise time, the original location, and the processes involved in the creation of G... more Abstract The precise time, the original location, and the processes involved in the creation of Germany’s capital Berlin are still unknown due to a lack of surviving documents. As such, archaeology and bioarchaeology play a critical role in understanding the people who lived in medieval Berlin. In this paper, we describe an isotope analysis aimed at identifying what the early inhabitants of Berlin were eating and at inferring dietary variation among skeletons sexed as male versus female, and among those interred before and after the Yersinia pestis pandemic known as the Black Death (1347–1352 CE). Carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope ratios from 66 skeletons from the medieval cemetery site of Petriplatz indicate that males consumed proportionately more protein than females before the Black Death. However, a significant increase in δ15N values in skeletons associated with post-Black Death contexts suggests an increased consumption of animal protein for both males and females. This study is the first dietary isotopic analysis to be conducted on the skeletons at Petriplatz and is only the second paleodietary isotopic reconstruction of the High Middle Ages in Germany. Consequently, this study provides key insights into the cultural responses to the ecology of the Black Death by the people of Berlin within the broader context of medieval Germany and medieval Europe.
Forensic Science International: Genetics
The German capital Berlin originates from the two medieval settlements Berlin and Colln on either... more The German capital Berlin originates from the two medieval settlements Berlin and Colln on either side of the river Spree. Whereas Berlin is world famous, there is very little awareness of former Colln. From 2007–2009, during excavations of the earliest cemetery of this forgotten medieval town; 3,126 graves were discovered containing the remains of 3,717 individuals. Amongst those graves was an unusual triple burial. This grave was exceptional due to the relative postures of the skeletons and their extensive facial injuries. Here we present genetic and isotope data for this grave. Genetic results confirmed all of them as biological male individuals and ruled out their biological kinship. Combining genetic ancestry information with strontium isotope data we furthermore determined that two of the men most likely originated from the Berlin-Brandenburg region, whereas a more distant origin of the third individual can be debated.
We don't know when the first Berliners arrived and where they came from. Also the process... more We don't know when the first Berliners arrived and where they came from. Also the process of immigration is unknown and the degree of relationship between the first settlers. Some of the oldest graves of Berlin were found at former St. Peter's cemetery. We analyze their ancient DNA and Sr-isoptope values for relatedness or origin and with radiokarbondates we try to pinpoint the time of their arrival in Berlin.
Forensic Science International: Genetics, 2015
Rezension zu: 1636 – Ihre letzte Schlacht. Leben im Dreißigjährigen Krieg. Begleitbuch zur gleich... more Rezension zu: 1636 – Ihre letzte Schlacht. Leben im Dreißigjährigen Krieg. Begleitbuch zur gleichnamigen Wanderausstellung. Herausgegeben vom Brandenburgischen Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologischem Landesmuseum durch Sabine Eickhoff und Franz Schopper. Theiss-Verlag, Stuttgart 2012. 205 S. ISBN 978-3-8062-2632-4
Publication du Gaaf No. 8. Recontre autour de nos aieux. La mort de plus en plus proche, 2019
There are not many excavations of 19th centuary cemeteries in Germany. One of those rare cases wa... more There are not many excavations of 19th centuary cemeteries in Germany. One of those rare cases was an excavation that took place in Germanys capital Berlin in 1997. Almost 900 catholic graves were excavated at former St. Hedwigs cemetary (1777-1853). The graves contained a surprising variety of grave goods and personal belongings. A finds assemblage of 860 individual objects was carefully studied and offered a unique inside into the catholic faith at this time and its material funeral culture.
Sonderheft der ArchäologiSchen nAchrichten AuS SchleSwig-holStein ArchäologiScheS lAndeSAmt Schle... more Sonderheft der ArchäologiSchen nAchrichten AuS SchleSwig-holStein ArchäologiScheS lAndeSAmt SchleSwig-holStein (AlSh) IdentItätswert GeGenwartswert Zukunftswert heimatwert Imagewert Nostalgiewert Kultwert Alterswert Symbolwert RaumweRt Gestaltwert Vertrauenswert Vermögenswert Vergangenheitswert AssoziAtionswert Mahnwert ErinnErungswErt Denkmalwerte Kunstwert Bildungswert SubStanzwert Streitwert StimmungSwert zeugniSwert ErlEbniswErt
We don't know when the first Berliners arrived and where they came from. Also the process of immi... more We don't know when the first Berliners arrived and where they came from. Also the process of immigration is unknown and the degree of relationship between the first settlers. Some of the oldest graves of Berlin were found at former St. Peter's cemetery. We analyze their ancient DNA and Sr-isoptope values for relatedness or origin and with radiokarbondates we try to pinpoint the time of their arrival in Berlin.
The Mediaeval Journal, 2015
Der erste katholische Friedhof Berlins. Archäologie - Anthropologie - Geschichte., 2011
This catholic cemetery was in use between 1777 and 1878. 1000 burials were excaveted here in 1997... more This catholic cemetery was in use between 1777 and 1878. 1000 burials were excaveted here in 1997. The book presents a catalogue of the grave goods, namely a lot of devotional objects, personal jewellry and toiletry objects. The results of the anhtropological inverstigation are published in this book and a summary of the historical background of the catholic community in Berlin during the time of the early industrial revolution.