Diet and dynamic of the last muslims in Algarve during the 12th - 13th AD (original) (raw)
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Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2019
This paper explores the impact of changing religious political rule on subsistence within a single city through time using stable isotope analysis of human and animal bone collagen. The diet and economy of the medieval city of Valencia (Spain) are examined over a 1000-year period during successive periods of Visigothic, Muslim and Christian rule. Bulk stable isotope analysis of carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) was carried out on 67 humans and 47 animals sampled from several archaeological sites dating between the fifth and fifteenth centuries AD. Terrestrial C 3 resources dominated the diet in all periods. However, an increase in consumption of C 4 plants (e.g. millet, sorghum) and/or marine resources is detected among individuals dating to the Islamic period. Differences in the isotopic values of humans and animals between the three periods indicate a significant dietary diversity during the Islamic phases (eleventh to thirteenth century), compared with the earlier Visigothic phase (fifth-seventh century) and the later Christian phase (fourteenth and fifteenth century). Observed diachronic changes in isotopic results provide evidence for a shift in diet and subsistence, particularly during the Muslim and later Christian periods. This is linked with change in population and economic focus. Dietary diversity among Muslim individuals is hypothesised to indicate the polyculture that was reflected in varied Islamic agricultural practices and the presence of potential migrants from elsewhere in the Islamic world.
This paper investigates the diets of neighboring Christians and Muslims in late medieval Spain (here 13th–16th centuries) through the analysis of the stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) in adult human and animal bone collagen. Twenty-four Christians and 20 Muslims are sampled from two adjacent and contemporaneous settlements in the township of Gandía on the Mediterranean coast, together with the remains of 24 animals. Statistical differences in both δ13C and δ15N reveal that the diets of the two faith communities differed, despite living side-by-side. These differences may relate to inequalities in their access to foodstuffs, particularly to C3/C4 grain and/or possibly terrestrial meat sources, though cultural preferences are also highlighted. Isotopic values for animals were also found to vary widely, both between and within species, and this provides a window into the local livestock economy
This article investigates the diets of neighboring Christians and Muslims in late medieval Spain (here 13th-16th centuries) through the analysis of the stable isotopes of carbon (d 13 C) and nitrogen (d 15 N) in adult human and animal bone collagen. Twenty-four Christians and 20 Muslims are sampled from two adjacent and contemporaneous settlements in the township of Gand ıa on the Mediterranean coast, together with the remains of 24 animals. Statistical differences in both d 13 C and d 15 N reveal that the diets of the two faith com-munities differed, despite living side-by-side. These differences may relate to inequalities in their access to foodstuffs, particularly to C 3 /C 4 grain and/or possibly terrestrial meat sources, though cultural preferences are also highlighted. Isotopic values for animals were also found to vary widely, both between and within species, and this provides a window into the local livestock economy. Am J Phys Anthropol 000:000-000,
American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 2014
This article investigates the diets of neighboring Christians and Muslims in late medieval Spain (here 13th-16th centuries) through the analysis of the stable isotopes of carbon (d 13 C) and nitrogen (d 15 N) in adult human and animal bone collagen. Twenty-four Christians and 20 Muslims are sampled from two adjacent and contemporaneous settlements in the township of Gand ıa on the Mediterranean coast, together with the remains of 24 animals. Statistical differences in both d 13 C and d 15 N reveal that the diets of the two faith com-munities differed, despite living side-by-side. These differences may relate to inequalities in their access to foodstuffs, particularly to C 3 /C 4 grain and/or possibly terrestrial meat sources, though cultural preferences are also highlighted. Isotopic values for animals were also found to vary widely, both between and within species, and this provides a window into the local livestock economy. Am J Phys Anthropol 000:000-000,
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2018
The Balearic Islands occupy a central space in the western Mediterranean, at the maritime crossroads between North Africa, the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of southwestern Europe. As such, it is well placed to investigate changes in subsistence practices associated with the major cultural transitions following the arrival of Islamic rule. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis was carried out on bone collagen from the Islamic cemetery (ca. AD 950–1150) population excavated at 33 Bartomeu Vicent Ramon, Ibiza, including human (n = 42) and faunal remains (n = 3). Stable oxygen and carbon isotope analysis was also undertaken on human tooth enamel carbonate (n = 6), and six humans were directly radiocarbon dated, confirming the presence of two distinct burial phases. The collagen results emphasise a C3-based diet, with variable but generally minor contributions from marine and/or C4 foods. However, the enamel carbonate results indicate a far greater importance of C4 crops than suggested by the collagen results, contributing up to 40% of energy intake. In keeping with previous studies of the region and period, the dietary contribution of marine protein is probably limited. A small number of outliers in both collagen and carbonate isotope results are identified, suggesting the presence of individuals originating elsewhere. The results are compared with those from previous investigations on the Balearics and the Spanish mainland, highlighting the complexity of factors—both cultural and methodo-logical—affecting interregional dietary investigation.
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2019
This paper presents the first bioarchaeological study of Islamic diet and lifeways in medieval Portugal. Stable isotopes of δ 13 C and δ 15 N and osteological and paleopathological analyses are combined to explore the diet and health status of 27 humans buried within São Jorge Castle, Lisbon (eleventh to twelfth century), interpreted as a high status population. Human isotopic data are considered alongside an animal baseline comprised of 30 specimens sampled from nearby Praça da Figueira, including the main domesticates and fish. Isotopic data indicate an age-and sex-related difference in diet among the population, suggesting a difference in food access between females and children compared to males. Palaeopathological analysis indicates a low prevalence of non-specific stress indicators such as Harris lines (HL), linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) and cribra orbitalia (CO) in this population in comparison to other medieval populations. LEH is only present in adults. These results suggest the presence of socio-cultural patterning relating to the organisation of the Islamic family, where women and men occupied different places in the household and society. This paper demonstrates the utility of a combined osteological and isotopic approach to understand the lifeways of Islamic populations in Medieval Iberia, as well as illuminates the lifeways of understudied segments of the population.
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2018
The Iberian medieval period is unique in European history due to the widespread socio-cultural changes that took place after thearrival of Arabs, Berbers and Islam in 711 AD. Recently, isotopic research has been insightful on dietary shifts, status, resourceavailability and the impact of environment. However, there is no published isotopic research exploring these factors in southernIberian populations, and as the history of this area differs to the northern regions, this leaves a significant lacuna in ourknowledge. This research fills this gap via isotopic analysis of human (n=66)andfaunal(n= 13) samples from the 9th to the13th century Écija, a town renowned for high temperatures and salinity. Stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes wereassessed from rib collagen, while carbon (δ13C) values were derived from enamel apatite. Human diet is consistent with C3plantconsumption with a very minor contribution of C4plants, an interesting feature considering the suitability of Écija to C4cerealproduction.δ15N values vary among adults, which may suggest variable animal protein consumption or isotopic variation withinanimal species due to differences in foddering. Consideration ofδ13C collagen and apatite values together may indicate sugarcaneconsumption, while moderateδ15N values do not suggest a strong aridity or salinity effect. Comparison with other Iberian groupsshows similarities relating to time and location rather than by religion, although more multi-isotopic studies combined withzooarchaeology and botany may reveal subtle differences unobservable in carbon and nitrogen collagen studies alone
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2019
This study explored the relationship between paleodietary patterns and social inequality in rural human populations from Medieval (AD 600-1499) and Modern (AD 1500-1800) Asturias, Spain. Diets were investigated through stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes from a sample of burials from eight cemetery sites (n = 80). Social status was inferred by burial location, where individuals interred within church buildings (ad sanctos) were compared to those buried in cemeteries. While Medieval and Modern society was strongly hierarchical, burial location is only one factor in determining the status and diet of individuals. It was hypothesized that ad sanctos burials would have elevated δ 15 N values as a reflection of high-status individuals consuming protein-rich diets in comparison to lower-status peasant populations; however, results found no significant differences in δ 15 N values between those buried in ad sanctos compared to those buried in cemeteries. Rather, the results of our paleodietary reconstruction indicate that the difference in δ 13 C values is statistically significant between burial location, where ad sanctos burials have more elevated δ 13 C than commoner individuals. These elevated δ 13 C values suggest that those buried in places of prestige often consumed a different diet (more C 4 resources) from than those buried outside of church walls.
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2019
The Late Antiquity to the Early Middle age transition in the North Eastern Iberian Peninsula was a historical period of cultural, social and political changes. Both Germanics and North African peoples settled in this region in successive migratory waves. The impact of these population movements on the cultural habits of the local population has been barely explored. This paper explores the dietary changes of the population who were buried in the necropolis of the Churches of Sant Pere de Terrassa (Barcelona, Spain) during the Visigoth (fifth to eighth centuries AD) and Carolingian periods (ninth to tenth centuries AD). This study investigates the δ 13 C and δ 15 N stable isotopic values in bone collagen from 68 human samples and 36 faunal remains in order to improve the understanding of dietary changes that occurred during this transition. The results indicate a human diet based on C 3-plants and livestock sources. On average, the Visigoth samples exhibited an enriched isotopic signal compared to that of the Carolingian period, which may be attributed to the consumption of high trophic level of animal protein. Some δ 13 C results of the adult human samples suggest that C 4-plants (most probably millet) made proportionately smaller but significant contributions to the diet during the Visigoth period. The paleodietary data obtained here will be important for future further studies focused on the transition from the Late Antiquity to the Early Medieval period in the Iberian Peninsula, and the attending regional scale of changes. This will also give insight about how profound a transformation in policy and economy occurred during that period affected human consumer patterns in the region.
The application of stable isotopes to explore diets in late medieval Spain
In: Quirós Castillo JA (ed.), Documents of medieval archeology n10. UPV. p 245-261, 2016
This paper explores the application of carbon (8 13 C) and nitrogen (8 15 N) stable isotope analysis to human and animal populations from archaeological sites to explore diets in late medieval Spain (10th-16th centuries AD). Until recently, most isotopic studies of medieval diet have focussed on northern areas of Western Europe, however, the Mediterranean, and Spain in particular, is drawing increasing attention. Medieval Iberia provides a novel setting for the study of diet, where, over much of the peninsular, communities of Muslims, Christians and Jews coexisted under first Muslim and then later Christian political rule. This review explores some trends in diet and resource exploitation that are beginning to emerge from the growing number of dietary isotope studies. Dietary variability in relation to faith, status and geographical location are discussed, with a particular focus on the exploitation of C 4 crops. Potential avenues for future research are also highlighted.