Geographic origin and social status of the Gallic warriors from Ribemont‐sur‐Ancre (France) studied through isotope systematics of bone remains

Abstract

AbstractRibemont‐sur‐Ancre, France, is the biggest excavated human skeletal assemblage of Northern Gaul. It is interpreted as a post‐battle deposit constructed to celebrate war. However, the chronology of the site, its organization and the origin of the buried warriors are still poorly understood. These problems are studied by a multi‐proxy approach, based on radiocarbon dating, stable and radiogenic isotope analysis of bone remains from three structures within the site. A total of 47 human and 12 animal bone samples were analyzed for their oxygen isotope composition of bone bioapatite (δ18Op), carbon and nitrogen isotope compositions of bone collagen (δ13Ccoll and δ15Ncoll). Subsamples of 17 bone collagen and 20 bone samples were selected for radiocarbon dating and strontium isotope analysis (87Sr/86Sr), respectively. All samples show preservation from diagenesis, although 87Sr/86Sr contribution from the burial environment cannot be excluded. Therefore, the strontium isotope data are included in the study but are not used in the interpretation of the results. Homogeneous radiocarbon dates of human remains are observed, whereas later dates are obtained for some animal remains, highlighting the continuous use of the monument decades after the conflict. Human individuals have homogeneous δ18Op values, which are consistent with independent numismatic analyses and lead us to propose the Maine region as a potential geographic origin. Heterogeneities of δ13Ccoll and δ15Ncoll values are highlighted between individuals from different structures and are attributed to preferential access to animal protein and different social statuses among the buried warriors.