A time of change: dietary reconstruction of the Merovingian cemetery of Norroy-le-Veneur, France
Zdeněk Vytlačil|Sylva Drtikolová Kaupová|Arnaud Lefèbvre|Petr Velemínský|Jaroslav Brůžek
The aim of this work was to analyse the diet a Merovingian population sample 80 individuals buried at Norroy-le-Veneur, France, with regard their social status and chronology. A carbon nitrogen stable isotope analysis human adult bone collagen related fauna from same cemetery showed based primarily on C3 plants, supplemented animal protein in range comparable other contemporary sites. No significant contribution C4 plants (e.g. millet) or marine-derived detected. In terms socio-economic stratification, rich grave good assemblages formed narrow group significantly higher mean δ13C than low-ranking individuals. We argue that may represent step gradual formation dietary exclusivity Frankish elites, following progressive rise power nobility. Also, during timespan there population-wide decrease 0.3 ‰ value δ13C. role Christian conversion is questioned, but another factor influencing might have played role.
Anthropologischer Anzeiger|PubMed