Widening the market. Strontium isotope analysis on cattle teeth from Owslebury (Hampshire, UK) highlights changes in livestock supply between the Iron Age and the Roman period

Abstract

87Sr/86Sr isotopic analysis was performed on 95 cattle teeth from the Iron Age and Roman rural site of Owslebury (Hampshire). This constitutes one of largest strontium (Sr) isotopic projects in Roman archaeology and the first ever dealing with Iron Age cattle. The Sr isotopic signal of Middle Iron Age cattle is consistent with a local Sr signature, while in the Late Iron Age and, even more so, in both Roman phases cattle were introduced to the site from a greater variety of geographic areas. Although it is not possible to track down the exact origin of these introduced cattle, some must have travelled substantial distances (70 km and more). The widening of the market illustrated by our study is consistent with artefactual evidence from the site, indicating an increase in trade in the Late Iron Age, which is further emphasised in the Roman period.