Isotopic reconstruction of the early life experience of individuals from the early Bronze age Vliněves site (Czech Republic)

Abstract

This paper provides information on the early life experience of people from the Central European Early Bronze Age, reconstructed on the basis of the stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopic values from dentine serial sections of individuals from Vliněves (Czech Republic). This site yielded the largest known quantity of human remains from the Únětice culture, coming from both regular graves and settlement features. In this pilot study 27 individuals aged between 7 and 30–40 years were investigated.The average value of maximal nitrogen isotopic offset within the isotopic profile (Δ15Nmax) was 4.1 ± 1.2 ‰, which is higher than the recommended range for weaning under healthy circumstances. The reported ages at the first decrease in δ15N values, as well as at the final smoothing of the nitrogen isotopic curve, suggest that all individuals were weaned before 2.2 years of age. Most individuals (n = 20) showed positive covariance between δ15N and δ13C values during infancy and early childhood, which is the typical isotopic pattern of breastfeeding. Post-weaning isotopic values were typical for a terrestrial C3 based diet and suggest limited access to animal protein on the part of individuals buried in settlement pits. The mild increase in δ15N values in later childhood suggests that the explanation of the increased Δ15Nmax lies rather in the special character of the early childhood diet than in the common presence of nutritional/physiological stress. The similarities in the isotopic profiles of individuals from multiple burials suggest the shared dietary behaviour of these individuals.