At the world's edge: Reconstructing diet and geographic origins in medieval Iceland using isotope and trace element analyses

Joe W. Walser; Steinunn Kristjánsdóttir; Darren R. Gröcke; Rebecca L. Gowland; Tina Jakob; Geoff M. Nowell; Chris J. Ottley; Janet Montgomery; Joe Walser III

doi:10.1002/ajpa.23973

At the world's edge: Reconstructing diet and geographic origins in medieval Iceland using isotope and trace element analyses

Joe W. Walser^*, Steinunn Kristjánsdóttir, Darren R. Gröcke, Rebecca L. Gowland, Tina Jakob, Geoff M. Nowell, Chris J. Ottley, Janet Montgomery, Joe Walser III

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: A multi-isotope study was conducted on individuals buried at Skriðuklaustur monastery (AD 1493–1554) to investigate their geographic origins and dietary composition. Comparative material from individuals excavated from Skeljastaðir, an inland farm site was also analyzed. Materials and methods: Bone collagen was extracted from 50 humans (Skriðuklaustur and Skeljastaðir) and 25 animals (Skriðuklaustur) and analyzed for δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and δ³⁴S. Dental enamel samples from 31 individuals (Skriðuklaustur) were also analyzed for ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C, and trace elements (Pb, Sr, Zn, Ba). Results: The mean value determined from individuals from Skriðuklaustur (n = 36) was δ¹³C = −18.7 ± 0.8‰, δ¹⁵N = 12.8 ± 1.1‰, and δ³⁴S = 9.0 ± 1.6‰, whereas at Skeljastaðir (n = 14), it was δ¹³C = −20.5 ± 0.8‰, δ¹⁵N = 7.8 ± 0.9‰, and δ³⁴S = 9.4 ± 1.6‰. At Skriðuklaustur, human dental enamel samples (n = 31) provided a ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr range of 0.7060–0.7088, δ¹⁸O_phosphate from 13.9 to 16.1‰ and δ¹³C_carbonate from −16.6 to −12.9‰. Inferred drinking water (δ¹⁸O_dw) values range from −12.3 to −8.9‰. Sr concentrations range from 25.8 to 156.7 ppm, Ba from 0.11 to 0.81 ppm, Zn from 43.8 to 145.8 ppm, and Pb from 0.13 to 9.40 ppm. Discussion: A combination of results indicates that the people from Skriðuklaustur were born in Iceland, but some lived inland during childhood while others lived closer to the coast. Since Skriðuklaustur was a hospital, these individuals may have sought medical treatment at the monastery. The δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values determined from bone collagen indicate that the people residing at Skriðuklaustur consumed a diet high in marine protein, while those residing at Skeljastaðir exhibit values more consistent with terrestrial resources.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	142-163
Number of pages	22
Journal	American Journal of Physical Anthropology
Volume	171
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23973
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2020

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors would like to thank the National Museum of Iceland for access to the collection, facilities, and laboratory. The authors would also like to thank Kayla Crowder, Bryony Rogers, Joanne Peterkin, and Dr Kurt Gron for assistance in the isotope laboratory and with analyses conducted at the Department of Archaeology, Durham University. This research was financed by Fornminjasj??ur (the Archaeology Fund), H?sk?lasj??ur Eimskipaf?lags ?slands (the Eimskip University Fund), and the Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Laboratory (SIBL). We gratefully acknowledge a NERC Capital Call grant to Dr Gr?cke (#CC018) that provided funding for the purchase of a dedicated sulphur isotope mass spectrometer in the Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Laboratory (SIBL) at Durham University.

Funding Information:
The authors would like to thank the National Museum of Iceland for access to the collection, facilities, and laboratory. The authors would also like to thank Kayla Crowder, Bryony Rogers, Joanne Peterkin, and Dr Kurt Gron for assistance in the isotope laboratory and with analyses conducted at the Department of Archaeology, Durham University. This research was financed by Fornminjasjóður (the Archaeology Fund), Háskólasjóður Eimskipafélags Íslands (the Eimskip University Fund), and the Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Laboratory (SIBL). We gratefully acknowledge a NERC Capital Call grant to Dr Gröcke (#CC018) that provided funding for the purchase of a dedicated sulphur isotope mass spectrometer in the Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Laboratory (SIBL) at Durham University.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 The Authors. American Journal of Physical Anthropology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Other keywords

bioarchaeology
diet
isotopes
palaeopathology
provenance
Fornleifarannsóknir
Mataræði
Samsætur
Líkamsmannfræði

Access to Document

10.1002/ajpa.23973

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/2519

Cite this

Walser, J. W., Kristjánsdóttir, S., Gröcke, D. R., Gowland, R. L., Jakob, T., Nowell, G. M., Ottley, C. J., Montgomery, J., & Walser III, J. (2020). At the world's edge: Reconstructing diet and geographic origins in medieval Iceland using isotope and trace element analyses. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 171(1), 142-163. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23973

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title = "At the world's edge: Reconstructing diet and geographic origins in medieval Iceland using isotope and trace element analyses",

abstract = "Objectives: A multi-isotope study was conducted on individuals buried at Skri{\dh}uklaustur monastery (AD 1493–1554) to investigate their geographic origins and dietary composition. Comparative material from individuals excavated from Skeljasta{\dh}ir, an inland farm site was also analyzed. Materials and methods: Bone collagen was extracted from 50 humans (Skri{\dh}uklaustur and Skeljasta{\dh}ir) and 25 animals (Skri{\dh}uklaustur) and analyzed for δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S. Dental enamel samples from 31 individuals (Skri{\dh}uklaustur) were also analyzed for 87Sr/86Sr, δ18O, δ13C, and trace elements (Pb, Sr, Zn, Ba). Results: The mean value determined from individuals from Skri{\dh}uklaustur (n = 36) was δ13C = −18.7 ± 0.8‰, δ15N = 12.8 ± 1.1‰, and δ34S = 9.0 ± 1.6‰, whereas at Skeljasta{\dh}ir (n = 14), it was δ13C = −20.5 ± 0.8‰, δ15N = 7.8 ± 0.9‰, and δ34S = 9.4 ± 1.6‰. At Skri{\dh}uklaustur, human dental enamel samples (n = 31) provided a 87Sr/86Sr range of 0.7060–0.7088, δ18Ophosphate from 13.9 to 16.1‰ and δ13Ccarbonate from −16.6 to −12.9‰. Inferred drinking water (δ18Odw) values range from −12.3 to −8.9‰. Sr concentrations range from 25.8 to 156.7 ppm, Ba from 0.11 to 0.81 ppm, Zn from 43.8 to 145.8 ppm, and Pb from 0.13 to 9.40 ppm. Discussion: A combination of results indicates that the people from Skri{\dh}uklaustur were born in Iceland, but some lived inland during childhood while others lived closer to the coast. Since Skri{\dh}uklaustur was a hospital, these individuals may have sought medical treatment at the monastery. The δ13C and δ15N values determined from bone collagen indicate that the people residing at Skri{\dh}uklaustur consumed a diet high in marine protein, while those residing at Skeljasta{\dh}ir exhibit values more consistent with terrestrial resources.",

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author = "Walser, {Joe W.} and Steinunn Kristj{\'a}nsd{\'o}ttir and Gr{\"o}cke, {Darren R.} and Gowland, {Rebecca L.} and Tina Jakob and Nowell, {Geoff M.} and Ottley, {Chris J.} and Janet Montgomery and {Walser III}, Joe",

note = "Funding Information: The authors would like to thank the National Museum of Iceland for access to the collection, facilities, and laboratory. The authors would also like to thank Kayla Crowder, Bryony Rogers, Joanne Peterkin, and Dr Kurt Gron for assistance in the isotope laboratory and with analyses conducted at the Department of Archaeology, Durham University. This research was financed by Fornminjasj??ur (the Archaeology Fund), H?sk?lasj??ur Eimskipaf?lags ?slands (the Eimskip University Fund), and the Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Laboratory (SIBL). We gratefully acknowledge a NERC Capital Call grant to Dr Gr?cke (#CC018) that provided funding for the purchase of a dedicated sulphur isotope mass spectrometer in the Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Laboratory (SIBL) at Durham University. Funding Information: The authors would like to thank the National Museum of Iceland for access to the collection, facilities, and laboratory. The authors would also like to thank Kayla Crowder, Bryony Rogers, Joanne Peterkin, and Dr Kurt Gron for assistance in the isotope laboratory and with analyses conducted at the Department of Archaeology, Durham University. This research was financed by Fornminjasj{\'o}{\dh}ur (the Archaeology Fund), H{\'a}sk{\'o}lasj{\'o}{\dh}ur Eimskipaf{\'e}lags {\'I}slands (the Eimskip University Fund), and the Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Laboratory (SIBL). We gratefully acknowledge a NERC Capital Call grant to Dr Gr{\"o}cke (#CC018) that provided funding for the purchase of a dedicated sulphur isotope mass spectrometer in the Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Laboratory (SIBL) at Durham University. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2019 The Authors. American Journal of Physical Anthropology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.",

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doi = "10.1002/ajpa.23973",

language = "English",

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T1 - At the world's edge

T2 - Reconstructing diet and geographic origins in medieval Iceland using isotope and trace element analyses

AU - Walser, Joe W.

AU - Kristjánsdóttir, Steinunn

AU - Gröcke, Darren R.

AU - Gowland, Rebecca L.

AU - Jakob, Tina

AU - Nowell, Geoff M.

AU - Ottley, Chris J.

AU - Montgomery, Janet

AU - Walser III, Joe

N1 - Funding Information: The authors would like to thank the National Museum of Iceland for access to the collection, facilities, and laboratory. The authors would also like to thank Kayla Crowder, Bryony Rogers, Joanne Peterkin, and Dr Kurt Gron for assistance in the isotope laboratory and with analyses conducted at the Department of Archaeology, Durham University. This research was financed by Fornminjasj??ur (the Archaeology Fund), H?sk?lasj??ur Eimskipaf?lags ?slands (the Eimskip University Fund), and the Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Laboratory (SIBL). We gratefully acknowledge a NERC Capital Call grant to Dr Gr?cke (#CC018) that provided funding for the purchase of a dedicated sulphur isotope mass spectrometer in the Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Laboratory (SIBL) at Durham University. Funding Information: The authors would like to thank the National Museum of Iceland for access to the collection, facilities, and laboratory. The authors would also like to thank Kayla Crowder, Bryony Rogers, Joanne Peterkin, and Dr Kurt Gron for assistance in the isotope laboratory and with analyses conducted at the Department of Archaeology, Durham University. This research was financed by Fornminjasjóður (the Archaeology Fund), Háskólasjóður Eimskipafélags Íslands (the Eimskip University Fund), and the Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Laboratory (SIBL). We gratefully acknowledge a NERC Capital Call grant to Dr Gröcke (#CC018) that provided funding for the purchase of a dedicated sulphur isotope mass spectrometer in the Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Laboratory (SIBL) at Durham University. Publisher Copyright: © 2019 The Authors. American Journal of Physical Anthropology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PY - 2020/1/1

Y1 - 2020/1/1

N2 - Objectives: A multi-isotope study was conducted on individuals buried at Skriðuklaustur monastery (AD 1493–1554) to investigate their geographic origins and dietary composition. Comparative material from individuals excavated from Skeljastaðir, an inland farm site was also analyzed. Materials and methods: Bone collagen was extracted from 50 humans (Skriðuklaustur and Skeljastaðir) and 25 animals (Skriðuklaustur) and analyzed for δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S. Dental enamel samples from 31 individuals (Skriðuklaustur) were also analyzed for 87Sr/86Sr, δ18O, δ13C, and trace elements (Pb, Sr, Zn, Ba). Results: The mean value determined from individuals from Skriðuklaustur (n = 36) was δ13C = −18.7 ± 0.8‰, δ15N = 12.8 ± 1.1‰, and δ34S = 9.0 ± 1.6‰, whereas at Skeljastaðir (n = 14), it was δ13C = −20.5 ± 0.8‰, δ15N = 7.8 ± 0.9‰, and δ34S = 9.4 ± 1.6‰. At Skriðuklaustur, human dental enamel samples (n = 31) provided a 87Sr/86Sr range of 0.7060–0.7088, δ18Ophosphate from 13.9 to 16.1‰ and δ13Ccarbonate from −16.6 to −12.9‰. Inferred drinking water (δ18Odw) values range from −12.3 to −8.9‰. Sr concentrations range from 25.8 to 156.7 ppm, Ba from 0.11 to 0.81 ppm, Zn from 43.8 to 145.8 ppm, and Pb from 0.13 to 9.40 ppm. Discussion: A combination of results indicates that the people from Skriðuklaustur were born in Iceland, but some lived inland during childhood while others lived closer to the coast. Since Skriðuklaustur was a hospital, these individuals may have sought medical treatment at the monastery. The δ13C and δ15N values determined from bone collagen indicate that the people residing at Skriðuklaustur consumed a diet high in marine protein, while those residing at Skeljastaðir exhibit values more consistent with terrestrial resources.

AB - Objectives: A multi-isotope study was conducted on individuals buried at Skriðuklaustur monastery (AD 1493–1554) to investigate their geographic origins and dietary composition. Comparative material from individuals excavated from Skeljastaðir, an inland farm site was also analyzed. Materials and methods: Bone collagen was extracted from 50 humans (Skriðuklaustur and Skeljastaðir) and 25 animals (Skriðuklaustur) and analyzed for δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S. Dental enamel samples from 31 individuals (Skriðuklaustur) were also analyzed for 87Sr/86Sr, δ18O, δ13C, and trace elements (Pb, Sr, Zn, Ba). Results: The mean value determined from individuals from Skriðuklaustur (n = 36) was δ13C = −18.7 ± 0.8‰, δ15N = 12.8 ± 1.1‰, and δ34S = 9.0 ± 1.6‰, whereas at Skeljastaðir (n = 14), it was δ13C = −20.5 ± 0.8‰, δ15N = 7.8 ± 0.9‰, and δ34S = 9.4 ± 1.6‰. At Skriðuklaustur, human dental enamel samples (n = 31) provided a 87Sr/86Sr range of 0.7060–0.7088, δ18Ophosphate from 13.9 to 16.1‰ and δ13Ccarbonate from −16.6 to −12.9‰. Inferred drinking water (δ18Odw) values range from −12.3 to −8.9‰. Sr concentrations range from 25.8 to 156.7 ppm, Ba from 0.11 to 0.81 ppm, Zn from 43.8 to 145.8 ppm, and Pb from 0.13 to 9.40 ppm. Discussion: A combination of results indicates that the people from Skriðuklaustur were born in Iceland, but some lived inland during childhood while others lived closer to the coast. Since Skriðuklaustur was a hospital, these individuals may have sought medical treatment at the monastery. The δ13C and δ15N values determined from bone collagen indicate that the people residing at Skriðuklaustur consumed a diet high in marine protein, while those residing at Skeljastaðir exhibit values more consistent with terrestrial resources.

KW - bioarchaeology

KW - diet

KW - isotopes

KW - palaeopathology

KW - provenance

KW - Fornleifarannsóknir

KW - Mataræði

KW - Samsætur

KW - Líkamsmannfræði

KW - Bioarchaeology

KW - Diet

KW - Isotopes

KW - Palaeopathology

KW - Provenance

KW - Fornleifarannsóknir

KW - Mataræði

KW - Samsætur

KW - Líkamsmannfræði

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DO - 10.1002/ajpa.23973

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AN - SCOPUS:85076559854

SN - 0002-9483

VL - 171

SP - 142

EP - 163

JO - American Journal of Physical Anthropology

JF - American Journal of Physical Anthropology

IS - 1

ER -

At the world's edge: Reconstructing diet and geographic origins in medieval Iceland using isotope and trace element analyses

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Other keywords

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