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Isotopic Investigation of Diet and Residential Mobility in the Neolithic of the Lower Rhine Basin

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 January 2017

Elisabeth Smits ,
Andrew R. Millard ,
Geoff Nowell  and
D. Graham Pearson
Elisabeth Smits
Affiliation:
University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
Andrew R. Millard
Affiliation:
Durham University, UK
Geoff Nowell
Affiliation:
Durham University, UK
D. Graham Pearson
Affiliation:
Durham University, UK
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Abstract

Multiple isotopic systems (C, N, O, S, Sr, Pb) are applied to investigate diet and mobility amongst the Middle Neolithic populations at Schipluiden and Swifterbant (Netherlands). A review of carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of European Mesolithic and Neolithic populations shows a shift in diet from the Mesolithic to the Neolithic, but also great variety in Neolithic diets, several of which incorporate fish. At Swifterbant (c. 4300–4000 BC) the population had a diet largely based on terrestrial and freshwater resources, despite proximity to tidal waters. Only one individual (of 10) showed evidence for migration. In contrast at Schipluiden (c. 3600–3400 BC) there were migrants who had a diet lower in marine resources than those without evidence for migration. The faunal spectrum and isotopic similarities with sites in the Iron Gates Gorge suggest that sturgeon may have been important. There is some evidence that migrants at Schipluiden were not accorded the formal burial given to locally born people.

Des systèmes isotopiques multiples (C, N, O, S, Sr, Pb) sont utilisés pour étudier l'alimentation et la mobilité des populations du Néolithique moyen à Schipluiden et Swifterbant (Pays-Bas). Une révision des analyses des isotopes de carbone et de nitrogène des populations européennes du Mésolithique et du Néolithique montre d'une part un changement dans l'alimentation du Mésolithique au Néolithique, et de plus une grande variété dans les régimes néolithiques, dont certains comprenaient du poisson. À Swifterbant (env. 4300 – 4000 BC), l'alimentation de la population se basait en majeure partie sur des ressources terrestres et d'eau douce, malgré la proximité des eaux marins. Un seul individu (sur dix) montrait des signes de migration. À Schipluiden (env. 3600 – 3400 BC) par contre on constate la présence de migrants avec un régime plus pauvre en ressources maritimes que celui des hommes sans signes de migration. Le spectre de la faune et des similarités isotopiques avec des sites des Portes de Fer suggèrent que l'esturgeon jouait peut-être un rôle important. Il existe des preuves que les migrants de Schipluiden n'avaient pas droit aux funérailles formelles accordées aux gens nés sur place.

Zusammenfassung

Zusammenfassung

Verschiedene Isotopensysteme (Kohlenstoff, Stickstoff, Sauerstoff, Schwefel, Strontium und Blei) werden angewendet, um die Ernährung und Mobilität zwischen den mittelneolithischen Populationen von Schipluiden und Swifterbant (Niederlande) zu untersuchen. Eine Überprüfung von Kohlenstoffund Stickstoffanalysen mesolithischer und neolithischer Populationen Europas zeigt eine Veränderung in der Ernährung vom Meso- zum Neolithikum, jedoch große interne Variabilität innerhalb der neolithischen Nahrungsspektren, die in mehreren Fällen Fisch enthielt. In Swifterbant (ca. 4300–4000 BC) basierte die Nahrung ungeachtet der Nähe zu den Tidengewässern weitgehend auf terrestrischen und auf Frischwasserressourcen. Nur ein Individuum (aus zehn) zeigte Hinweise auf Wanderungsbewegungen. Dagegen konnten in Schipluiden (ca. 3600–3400 BC) Migranten festgestellt werden, deren Ernährung geringere marine Ressourcen zeigte, als die ohne Hinweise aufWanderung. Das Faunenspektrum und isotopische Ähnlichkeiten mit Fundplätzen in der Schlucht des Eisernen Tores deuten darauf hin, dass Stör eine besondere Rolle gespielt haben könnte. Es gibt verschiedene Hinweise darauf, dass den Zugewanderten in Schipluiden nicht die formalen Grabsitten der lokal geborenen Menschen zuteil wurden.

Keywords

carbon and nitrogen isotopesdietmigrationNeolithicNetherlandsoxygen isotopesstrontium isotopesSwifterbantdieetmigratieNederlandNeolithicumstikstof en koolstof isotopenstrontium isotopenSwifterbantzuurstof isotopenisotopes de carbone et de nitrogènealimentationmigrationNéolithiquePays-Basisotopes d'oxygèneisotopes de strontiumSwifterbantKohlenstoff- und StickstoffisotopeErnährungMigrationNeolithikumNiederlandeSauerstoffisotopeStrontiumisotopeSwifterbant
Type
Articles
Information
European Journal of Archaeology , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , 2010 , pp. 5 - 31
Copyright
Copyright © 2010 Sage Publications 

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