Abstract
The objective of this investigation is to look at the use of various aquatic, in this case marine, resources in relation to mobility during the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods. On the island of Oland, in the Baltic Sea, different archaeological cultures are represented in the form of material culture and skeletal remains at three sites. We have analysed δ34S values in human remains representing 36 individuals, as well as faunal remains. We investigated intra-individual patterns of mobility from childhood to adulthood, primarily focusing on a passage grave. Taking into account previously published dietary data that demonstrate a wide range of dietary practices involving aquatic resources, we applied a model to estimate the contribution of δ34S from terrestrial protein, to separate mobility from dietary changes, thereby identifying individuals who changed residence, as well as individuals with non-local origins. Evidence of mobility could be demonstrated at two sites. For the third site the consistently marine diet inhibits inferences on mobility based on δ34S analysis. Chronologically, the frequency of non-locals was highest during the Bronze Age, when the diet was very uniform and based on terrestrial resources.
Highlights
Mobility and migration are of fundamental importance in human prehistory and have, as such, been debated ever since archaeology became an academic discipline
In order to study individual mobility, we have focused on establishing intra-individual δ34S variation by analysing, where possible, both tooth and bone elements from each individual, enabling the detection of residential changes during a lifetime
In this study we make use of intra-individual data to distinguish between mobility and dietary change, by combining carbon, nitrogen and sulphur stable isotope data
Summary
Mobility and migration are of fundamental importance in human prehistory and have, as such, been debated ever since archaeology became an academic discipline. We set out to do this, studying Neolithic and Bronze Age people on the island of Öland in the Baltic Sea. In order to study individual mobility, we have focused on establishing intra-individual δ34S variation by analysing, where possible, both tooth and bone elements from each individual, enabling the detection of residential changes during a lifetime. In order to study individual mobility, we have focused on establishing intra-individual δ34S variation by analysing, where possible, both tooth and bone elements from each individual, enabling the detection of residential changes during a lifetime This is challenging in aquatic environments, with individuals consuming various mixtures of terrestrial and marine foods, because the terrestrial δ34S signal is masked by marine δ34S influence. In this study we make use of intra-individual data to distinguish between mobility and dietary change, by combining carbon, nitrogen and sulphur stable isotope data
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