Study on the dietary pattern and local isotopes of the Xiaoshuangqiao Shang Dynasty (1400 bc) site in China

Abstract

AbstractHere, we investigate human diet and origins using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios at the site of Xiaoshuangqiao in Henan Province, which dates to the middle Shang Dynasty (1435–1412 cal bc). A total of the 66 specimens (51 humans, six cattle, five pigs, three sheep and one dog) were isotopically analysed for δ13C and δ15N values. The population (δ13C = −9.1 ± 1.5‰, n = 51) was found to consume a predominately C4 diet (millet), and no difference was observed between the δ13C (p = 0.809) and δ15N (p = 0.876) results of the males and females. The isotopic results were then examined by burial location to determine the presence of the local Shang population or sacrificed Dongyi warriors. Differences in δ13C were found for individuals buried in the sacrificial pits H66 (−10.0 ± 1.2‰; n = 9) and H63 (−8.2 ± 0.8‰; n = 11) as well as layer ④ (−8.9 ± 1.5‰; n = 24), with the differences statistically significant for pits H66 and H63 (p = 0.001). The isotopic and archaeological evidence suggests that the individuals recovered in pit H63 and layer ④ were Shang but that the pit H66 skeletons were Dongyi prisoners of war that were sacrificed. As the site of Xiaoshuangqiao is thought to be the lost Shang capital of Ao ‘傲’, this research offers new information about the diet and inhabitants of this city.