Caspari, Gino; Milella, Marco; Laffranchi, Zita; Arenz, Gabriele; Sadykov, Timur; Blochin, Jegor; Keller, Marcel; Kapinus, Yulia; Lösch, Sandra (2023). DINING IN TUVA: DIET AND MOBILITY IN A LATE IRON AGE AGRO PASTORAL COMMUNITY OF SOUTHERN SIBERIA (2ND-4TH C. CE) (Unpublished). In: 29th EAA Annual Meeting. Belfast. 29.08-02.09.2023.
The traditional concept of „nomadic“ cultures as mobile and economically simple is nowadays increasingly displaced
by more nuanced interpretations. Much of the scientific literature on diet and mobility of Eurasian pastoralist populations
focuses on the Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. As a result, the relative underrepresentation in these analyses
of more recent contexts hampers a full discussion of possible chronological trajectories. This study explores diet,
mobility, and their social correlates at Tunnug1 (Republic of Tuva, 2nd-4th centuries CE) on a set of 65 humans and
12 animals by means of a combined analysis of stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur (δ13C, δ15N, δ34S)
from bone collagen and their comparison with the available anthropological, archaeological, and archaeothanatological
evidence from the site. Demographic and isotopic patterns were compared using nonparametric tests and
Bayesian models. Finally, isotopic data were compared with evidence of intentional perimortem skeletal injuries and
funerary features. The results suggest that: 1) diet in Tunnug1 was mainly based on C4 plants (probably millet) and
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animal proteins; 2) a few individuals were nonlocals, although their geographical origin remains unclear; 3) there are
no differences in diet according to sex or funerary treatment. On the other hand, individuals with perimortem lesions
show isotopic values suggestive of a lower consumption of millet and animal proteins. This study provides new data on
the sociocultural variability of the agro pastoral societies of southern Siberia during the late Iron Age, and supports the
economic relevance of millet for these communities.
Item Type: |
Conference or Workshop Item (Speech) |
|---|---|
Division/Institute: |
04 Faculty of Medicine > Service Sector > Institute of Legal Medicine 04 Faculty of Medicine > Service Sector > Institute of Legal Medicine > Anthropology |
UniBE Contributor: |
Laffranchi, Zita |
Subjects: |
600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health 300 Social sciences, sociology & anthropology |
Language: |
English |
Submitter: |
Zita Laffranchi |
Date Deposited: |
22 Sep 2023 08:31 |
Last Modified: |
22 Sep 2023 08:31 |
URI: |
https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/186413 |
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