Isotopic (13C, 15N) investigation of diet and social structure in Early Iron Age Halos, Greece

Abstract

This paper integrates the isotopic results on dietary variation with an in-depth contextual analysis of mortuary data from two Early Iron Age cemeteries in Halos, Thessaly, central Greece. While the diet was mainly based on C3 plant and animal protein, there is evidence for the consumption of C4 resources (millet) by a few females, but also increased meat consumption by some individuals, sometimes furnished with weapons or other wealthy offerings. In addition, infants, children and adults in the two cemeteries show a difference in δ15N values. The analysis therefore reveals possible emerging differentiation between age, sex and possibly status groups in a crucial period of Greek prehistory, after the disintegration of the Mycenaean palatial societies and the ensuing period of regression.