Diet, sex, and social status in the Late Avar period: stable isotope investigations at Nuštar cemetery, Croatia
R Vidal-Ronchas|Petra Rajić Šikanjić|Zrinka Premužić|Anita Rapan Papeša|Emma Lightfoot
Diet often plays a vital role in defining social divisions within and between groups thus can be used to understand the paradigms of archeological cultures. During Early Avar period (568–630 A.D.), burial evidence indicates that there were strong demarcations stratification sexes age groups; however, symbols intra-population heterogeneity become increasingly rare during Late (680–822 A.D.). In this study, we investigate differences expressed through diet cemetery population from Nuštar, eastern Croatia (eighth early ninth century), determine whether dietary disparities existed region. Stable isotope analysis carbon (δ13C) nitrogen (δ15N) bone dentine collagen shows no differences, neither high, middle, low status individuals, nor males, females, juveniles. These results likely reflect outcome homogenization process began after failed attack on Constantinople 626 A.D. Geographical patterning is visible when data Nuštar compared other Middle sites. While sites southern south-eastern frontiers qaganate do not display sexes, previous isotopic work populations Lower Austria males consumed higher proportion animal protein than females. This result Frankish influence reflects diversity practices itself periods.
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences|Apollo (University of Cambridge)