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Reconstructing the lifetime movements of ancient people: A Neolithic case study from southern England

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 January 2017

Janet Montgomery ,
Paul Budd  and
Jane Evans
Janet Montgomery
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeological Sciences, University of Bradford
Paul Budd
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeological Sciences, University of Bradford
Jane Evans
Affiliation:
NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory
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Abstract

A new procedure is described in which combined lead and strontium isotope analysis of archaeological human dental tissues can be used to comment on the lifetime movements of individuals. A case study is presented of four Neolithic burials – an adult female and three juveniles – from a shared burial pit excavated at Monkton-up-Wimbourne, Dorset. It is demonstrated that the adult's place of origin was at least 80km to the north-west in the area of the Mendips. It is also shown that all three juveniles moved over significant distances during their lives.

Un nouveau procédé qui combine une analyse des isotopes du plomb et du strontium trouvés dans les tissus dentaires humains archéologique peut aider à retracer les mouvements d'individus. Quatre individus néolithiques - une femme adulte et trois adolescents - d'une fosse à sépulture collective fouillée à Monkton-up-Wimbourne en Dorset servent comme illustration. Il est démontré que l'adulte est originaire de la région des Mendips au moins 80 km au nord-ouest et que les trois adolescents se sont déplacés considérablement durant leurs vies.

Zusammenfassung

Zusammenfassung

Eine neue Vorgehensweise ist beschrieben, bei der die Kombination von Blei-Isotopen- und Strontium-Isotopen-Analyse archäologisch gewonnener, menschlicher Zahngewebe dazu genutzt werden kann, Aussagen über die Wanderungen von Individuen während ihres Lebens zu gewinnen. Eine Fallstudie über vier neolithische Bestattungen eine weibliche Erwachsene und drei Jugendliche – wird vorgestellt, die in einer gemeinsamen Grabgrube in Monkton-up-Wimbourne, Dorset, gefunden wurden. Es wird vorgeführt, daß die Heimat der Erwachsenen mindestens 80 km nordwestlich lag, im Gebiet der Mendips. Es wird auch gezeigt, daß alle drei Jugendliche während ihres Lebens bedeutende Distanzen zurückgelegt haben.

Keywords

dentineenamelhuman teethisotope dilutionlead isotopesNeolithicPIMMSstrontium isotopesTIMS
Type
Articles
Information
European Journal of Archaeology , Volume 3 , Issue 3 , 2000 , pp. 370 - 385
Copyright
Copyright © 2000 Sage Publications 

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