Life history of the individuals buried in the St. Benedict Cemetery (Prague, 15th-18th Centuries): Insights from 14C dating and stable isotope (δ13C, δ15N, δ18O) analysis (original) (raw)
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The analysis of past epidemic mortality crises is founded upon interdisciplinary problematics which closely associate archaeological, anthropological, and documentary sources. The multiple graves of St. Benedict's Cemetery in Prague (Czech Republic, 17th-18th century AD), evidence of an episode of surmortality, have been identified as resulting from a hypothetical plague epidemic on the basis of historical data, considered reliable by archaeologists. A thorough study of this exceptional, in number and state of conservation, osteological sample was carried out in order to obtain the most precise age estimates possible and thus identify any demographic anomalies, which could help establish the nature of the crisis that affected these individuals. The results produced new elements upon which to reflect. The mortality profile obtained from a substantial sample of individuals from the multiple graves revealed a very selective composition, where young male adults are very clearly over...
Archaeological and anthropological sciences, 2024
in other ways, such as through the mobility of the personal objects at the beginning of the 4 th century BCE (Danielisová et al. 2021b). This study aims to provide a general characterisation of the La Tène population of Prosmyky in the Lovosice area (northwestern Bohemia), with a focus on diet through analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes. Of particular interest are possible socioeconomic and temporal diet-related differences that could be linked with the presumed developments in La Tène society and might provide more insight into the processes forming human societies during this transitory period. The most notable change is the overall alteration of the burial rite. Richly furnished elite burials and flat cremation cemeteries, common in the preceding 6 th-5 th centuries BCE, disappear, and flat inhumation cemeteries become prevalent. They usually number around 10-30 graves and served only local communities. Larger cemeteries of over a hundred burials also appear, commonly denominated as 'community' sites shared by several settlements. The graves typically comprise either richly furnished female graves or those with only one or two pieces of bronze jewellery. Among the most distinctive are the burials of males with weapons (iron swords, spears and shields), in traditionalistic views usually considered as the 'leading' social group (Venclová et al. 2013; Danielisová et al. 2019). Male burials without weapons are generally more numerous than warrior
Studia Geophysica et Geodaetica, 2020
The dating of skeletal remains in archaeology is difficult, especially at findings without burial equipment. In this case, apart from literary and iconographic sources, anthropological and palaeopathological analyses, the radiocarbon dating method can also be used. We present an example where we used this procedure in the dating of the skeletal remains of an anonymous recent mass grave, found in the cellars of one of the houses in Brno (Czech Republic). On the basis of an assessment of the archaeological and anthropological context, in combination with radiocarbon dating, it could be concluded that the found skeletal remains were most likely of soldiers who died in the provisional military hospital as a result of injury or infection after the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805. An alternative hypothesis, that they are the remains of soldiers who died in the Battle of Hradec Králové in 1866, was excluded by radiocarbon dating.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2021
The study presents results of the investigations of diet based on carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) of the bone collagen of individuals buried in medieval elite chamber graves from the territory of the state of the first Piasts, Poland (the second half of the 10th and the first half of the 11th century). The aim of the research was to determine the diet of individuals buried in such funerary structures, to compare this with commoners buried in ordinary graves, and investigate any sex-related patterns. Rib bone samples were taken from individuals buried in chamber graves at Bodzia, Dziekanowice, Pień and Sowinki. Results indicate that the elite male diet was based on C 3 plants with possible contribution of some C 4 plants (millet) and substantial consumption of animal proteins including fish. The bone collagen δ 13 C and δ 15 N of male chamber burials suggested consumption of higher trophic level foodstuffs (meat and fish) whilst the female diet, and that of the juveniles, was similar to the commoners in the rest of the population.
Dental disease and dietary isotopes of individuals from St Gertrude Church cemetery, Riga, Latvia
PloS one, 2018
This research explores oral health indicators and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope data to explore diet, and differences in diet, between people buried in the four different contexts of the St Gertrude Church cemetery (15th- 17th centuries AD): the general cemetery, two mass graves, and a collective mass burial pit within the general cemetery. The main aim is to assess whether people buried in the mass graves were rural immigrants, or if they were more likely to be the victims of plague (or another epidemic) who lived in Riga and its suburbs. The data produced (from dental disease assessments and isotope analyses) were compared within, as well as between, the contexts. Most differences emerged when comparing the prevalence rates of dental diseases and other oral health indicators in males and females between the contexts, while isotope analysis revealed more individual, rather than context-specific, differences. The data suggested that the populations buried in the mass graves wer...
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This research is based on 721 skeletons excavated from the complex site of the St Gertrude Church cemetery in Riga, Latvia, dating from the 15th - 17th centuries AD. The main aims of the analysis were to assess several aspects of physical health and diet of the local population and help to identify whether the people buried in two mass graves represent a different “population” group. To achieve these aims, both macroscopic and biogeochemical (isotopic) skeletal analyses were conducted. The equal distribution of prevalence of dental disease suggest a similar diet in terms of the proportion of carbohydrates for the whole population. Adult dietary isotope analysis for 96 individuals does not reveal context-specific differences in values. Incremental dentine analysis for 19 children shows that non-adults in one of the mass graves experienced nutritional stress towards the end of their lives. Similar dietary profiles of some children from both mass graves suggest that they were members o...
The Late Migration Period Cemetery at Drnholec (Břeclav District, Czech Republic)
Památky archeologické, 2022
The authors present part of a burial ground of the Late Migration Period in Drnholec-Pod sýpkou (Břeclav district, Czech Republic), where seven graves were discovered in 2016 and 2017. The grave goods were identified, by typological analysis, as Langobardian/Lombardian. The authors argue that even a small part of a cemetery with a limited number of graves can bring important new data and open strategic questions, challenging traditional interpretations. The paper aims to present the results of excavation in the light of archaeological, anthropological and zooarchaeological perspectives. Archaeological part is focused on presenting the grave units and the cemetery as a contextual unit. Stylistic and typological analysis of grave goods, radiocarbon dates and probability modeling were used to establish the chronology of the cemetery. Anthropological and palaeopathological examinations were accompanied with buccal dental microwear analysis and tooth cementum annulation (TCA) which provide information about diet and age-at-death estimation. Zooarchaeological analysis was mainly driven by the find of a mule skeleton. In addition to skeletal expertise, Nitrogen and Carbon stable isotopes analyses were also applied. The authors set out their thoughts, based on material and bibliographical study, on the problem of classifying and understanding the cultural and ethnic identity of the Migration Period populations.
The study deals with the paleopathological analysis of human skeletal remains found in 173 Vinařice cultural-group graves at Prague-Zličín from the early stage of the Migration Period (5th century). Because the osteological collection was fragmentary, skeletal remains of only 113 individuals were analysed (26 men, 33 women, 19 children, and 6 adolescents; the sex of 29 adults remained unspecified). Paleopathological diagnoses were grounded in macroscopic and X-ray examinations. Most frequently, skeletal remains showed progressive degenerative processes such as spondylosis (49.1%, evaluated cases n=53) and arthrosis (37.7%, evaluated cases n=69). Traces of healed traumas were detected in 8.8% (n=113) of all the preserved individuals. Demonstrations of inflammatory symptoms were observed in 16.8%, (n=113) of the cases, out of which were two suspected cases of tuberculosis. Regarding neoplastic diseases, only two benign tumours (skull osteomas) were diagnosed (3.9%, evaluated cases n=51). Internal frontal hyperostosis, biparietal thinning, and calcaneonavicular coalition were detected only sporadically. Cribra orbitalia was detected in the eye sockets of 7.1% (n=28) of the evaluated cases. Trichological analyses dealt with 203 samples, most of them were of recent or animal origin; only in four cases ancient human hair was found. To date the samples from graves No. 4, 11, 100–173 have been analysed and results of this analysis are presented in this study. Destruction of historical hair shafts was manifested by ragged and cracked cuticle scales, absence of cuticle scales, longitudinal loosened shafts and especially transversal fragmentation of hair shafts. Hair also showed marked damage owing to keratinophilic organisms. No human ectoparasites were found. Paleoparasitological analyses dealt with 30 samples from grave fillings; specifically from pelvic (n=16), head (n=1) and thoracic (n=13) area. Despite the very sensitive molecular methods we employed, no signs of parasitological DNA were found.
Materiale și Cercetări Arheologice, 2022
The anthropological analysis of a skeletal sample (34 individuals from 29 burial graves) from the medieval cemetery at Dridu – La Metereze (12th–13th or 13th–14th centuries) determined the presence of 18 males, four females, and 12 whose sex is indeterminate (mostly children and adolescents). By age class, the highest mortality in subadults is found in children (57.1%), and in adults, in the group of young adults (50.0%). The demographic profile is comparable to the attrition mortality profile. Life expectancy at birth for the entire population is 23.67 years. The stature of the adults, despite the small sample, indicates a pronounced sexual dimorphism, the average values of males (160.3 cm) being 8.3 cm higher than those of females (152.0 cm). The high number of deaths among subadults has been attributed to diseases (dental, infectious and metabolic) that lead to a deficiency of vitamins (A, B6, B9, B, C, and D) and essential minerals (Fe) during the period of growth and development of the body. A series of enthesopathies, the presence of nonmetric dental and postcranial traits, as well as some traumatic manifestations, suggest that in the medieval population of Dridu we are dealing, in the case of certain individuals, with horsemen. Part of the funerary inventory also supports this statement, but we remain reserved about the Turanian origin (Pechenegs or Cumans) and the integration of these nomadic populations into the nucleus of sedentary, Christian populations (Romanians and Slavs) until we have molecular genetics results.