Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1002/ajpa.22063
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Title (Primary) Multi-isotopic analysis reveals individual mobility and diet at the early iron age monumental tumulus of Magdalenenberg, Germany
Author Oelze, V.M.; Koch, J.K.; Kupke, K.; Nehlich, O.; Zäuner, S.; Wahl, J.; Weise, S.M.; Rieckhoff, S.; Richards, M.P.
Source Titel American Journal of Physical Anthropology
Year 2012
Department CATHYD
Volume 148
Issue 3
Page From 406
Page To 421
Language englisch
Keywords strontium; oxygen; sulfur; carbon; nitrogen
Abstract

For the Early Iron Age western Hallstatt culture, which includes the site of Magdalenenberg in southwest Germany, it has been proposed that people were mobile and maintained far reaching social and trading networks throughout Europe. We tested this hypothesis by analyzing multiple isotopes (strontium, oxygen, sulfur, carbon, and nitrogen) of the preserved skeletons from the Magdalenenberg elite cemetery to determine diets and to look for evidence of mobility. The analysis of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur isotope ratios in collagen of humans (n = 50) and associated domestic fauna (n = 10) indicates a terrestrial-based diet. There was a heterogeneous range of isotope values in both strontium (0.70725 to 0.71923, n = 76) and oxygen (13.4‰ to 18.5‰, n = 78) measured in tooth enamel. Although many of the individuals had values consistent with being from Hallstatt culture sites within southwest Germany, some individuals likely originated from further afield. Possible areas include the Alps of Switzerland and Austria or even locations in Italy. Our study strongly supports the assumption of far reaching social and economic networks in the western Hallstatt culture.

Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=12586
Oelze, V.M., Koch, J.K., Kupke, K., Nehlich, O., Zäuner, S., Wahl, J., Weise, S.M., Rieckhoff, S., Richards, M.P. (2012):
Multi-isotopic analysis reveals individual mobility and diet at the early iron age monumental tumulus of Magdalenenberg, Germany
Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 148 (3), 406 - 421 10.1002/ajpa.22063