Beyond the grave: variability in Neolithic diets in Southern Germany?

TY - JOUR

T1 - Beyond the grave: variability in Neolithic diets in Southern Germany?

AU - Durrwachter, C

AU - Craig, O E

AU - Collins, M J

AU - Burger, J

AU - Alt, K W

PY - 2006/1

Y1 - 2006/1

N2 - Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses were undertaken on human and faunal remains from two Neolithic sites in Southern Germany; the LBK settlement at Herxheim and the middle Neolithic cemetery at Trebur. Stable isotope data were used to reconstruct the diets of individuals buried at these sites and to look at dietary variation between groups classified by their sex, age, C, as described by the grave goods and cultural affiliation. overall there was surprisingly little variation in the diet between the groups, stable isotope analysis, despite significant differences in the composition of grave goods. Also surprising, considering the archaeological evidence for extensive grain cultivation in this region during the Neolithic. was that the majority of individuals had delta(15)N values consistent with the consumption of significant amounts of animal protein. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

AB - Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses were undertaken on human and faunal remains from two Neolithic sites in Southern Germany; the LBK settlement at Herxheim and the middle Neolithic cemetery at Trebur. Stable isotope data were used to reconstruct the diets of individuals buried at these sites and to look at dietary variation between groups classified by their sex, age, C, as described by the grave goods and cultural affiliation. overall there was surprisingly little variation in the diet between the groups, stable isotope analysis, despite significant differences in the composition of grave goods. Also surprising, considering the archaeological evidence for extensive grain cultivation in this region during the Neolithic. was that the majority of individuals had delta(15)N values consistent with the consumption of significant amounts of animal protein. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

KW - carbon

KW - nitrogen

KW - stable isotopes

KW - palaeodiet

KW - Southern Germany

KW - neolithic

KW - STABLE-ISOTOPE

KW - BONE-COLLAGEN

KW - CENTRAL-EUROPE

KW - NITROGEN

KW - TRANSITION

KW - ANIMALS

KW - RATIOS

KW - VALUES

KW - CARBON

KW - FAUNA

U2 - 10.1016/j.jas.2005.06.009

DO - 10.1016/j.jas.2005.06.009

M3 - Article

SN - 0305-4403

VL - 33

SP - 39

EP - 48

JO - Journal of archaeological science

JF - Journal of archaeological science

IS - 1

ER -