Objective: This paper aims at investigating the possible existence of isotopic offsets in δ 13 C ... more Objective: This paper aims at investigating the possible existence of isotopic offsets in δ 13 C col and δ 15 N col values in relation to tertiary syphilis. Material: Based on materials from the 19th c. A.D. deriving from the pathological-anatomical reference collection (the Jedlička collection) of the National Museum in Prague (Czech Republic), a comparative approach of ten individuals with syphilis and nine without the disease was undertaken. Methods: Bone powder samples were defatted according to the protocol of Liden et al. (1995). Bone collagen was extracted following the protocol of Bocherens et al. (1991). Results: Our results show that individuals with syphilis have lower δ 13 C col values than individuals without the disease; the observed difference between the two groups is about 0.3-0.4‰, which is relatively small but still meaningful. However, no difference between δ 15 N col values of the two groups has been noticed. Conclusions: Either diets prescribed by physicians to syphilitic patients or nutritional stress caused by cyclic appetite disturbance due to the disease itself or the administered medical treatment appeared to be possible explanations of the observed isotopic pattern. Overall, the response of the two isotopic proxies could argue for relatively limited nutritional restrictions. Significance: This is the first study examining bone collagen isotopic response to syphilis based on clinically documented human skeletal materials. Limitations: The sample sizes are relatively small and cautiousness must be taken regarding the interpretations of the data. Suggestions for further research: Compound-specific stable isotope investigations and analysis of mercury content could be helpful to better understand the observed isotopic effects.
This paper describes IsoArcH, a new web-based database of isotopic data for bioarchaeological sam... more This paper describes IsoArcH, a new web-based database of isotopic data for bioarchaeological samples from the Graeco-Roman world and its margins. IsoArcH was designed as a cooperative platform for the dissemination of isotopic data and associated archaeological information. IsoArcH follows the open access model and is freely accessible online (http://www.isoarch.eu). Created for paleodietary, paleomobility and paleoenvironmental reconstruction research purposes, IsoArcH compiled to this day published isotopic data for human, animal, and plant remains, as well as organic residues, from nearly 300 sites. All data have been georeferenced allowing for their display on ancient world maps and placement into their contemporaneous geopolitical background. In this paper, several data-driven examples are shown to illustrate the research potential offered by IsoArcH.
An assembly of unpublished complex plural burials (1st-3rd cent. AD.) was discovered and partiall... more An assembly of unpublished complex plural burials (1st-3rd cent. AD.) was discovered and partially excavated, between 2003 and 2010 in the central region called X of the catacomb of Saints Peter and Marcellinus in Rome. It contains several hundred individuals which were buried according to uncommon funeral practices following a mortality episode of likely epidemic nature. To understand the life history (diet and mobility patterns) of these deceased and to discuss again certain assumptions previously established on the basis of new evidences, we have as part of this work conducted an archaeo-biogeochemical multi-proxy (14C, δ13C, δ15N, δ18O et 87Sr/86Sr) and multi-tissue (enamel, bones, hair) approach on a sub-sample of 130 individuals coming from six different chambers. At the outset, we tested the biochemical and isotopic integrity of mineral (carbonate phases) and organic fractions (collagen and keratin phases) samples from conventional indicators measured in routine (%Col, %C, %N, C/N, PCO2 et PCO2/Mass), by FTIR spectroscopy (IRSF, CO3/PO4 and AmideI/PO4) and by an innovative approach consisting of 14C dating on collagen-apatite to validate the isotopic signal of mineral fractions. Our results highlight extreme differences of preservation of all phases. Diagenetic trajectory of samples is however not random but dependent on environmental and taphonomical conditions which differ between small and large chambers. Furthermore, we have been able to demonstrate that, despite strong recrystallization and isotopic exchanges with the sepulchral environment, carbonated phases have an unaltered biogenic isotopic signal. Secondly, we rebuilt the diets of individuals based on robust comparisons repositories and various interpretative models (mono-proxy versus multi-proxies; qualitative versus quantitative) which were, in some cases, adapted to the needs of our study. In general, our results show that most of the individuals had access to such a type diet based on the triad Cereals C3/Meat C3/Marine fish. This type diet would however not be exclusive, some individuals (n = 13) would have indeed occasionally consumed other resources such as freshwater fish or C4 cereals. Our results indicate that changes of diet during the life history are relatively limited. Besides, with regard to consumed food, this population is distinguished from other contemporary Roman populations for whom isotopic values are published. In the third place, we studied individual’s mobility patterns based on a rigorous approach to our data and on a comparison of the most comprehensive repositories as possible with taking into account the bias usually evaded (cultural facts, influence of climate and errors associated with conversion equations). Our results highlight that a minimum of 23% (n = 30) of the studied individuals are migrants. These, however, are not distinguished from Roman residents through their diet. We were able to show further that these migrants had complex and heterogeneous trajectories during their life within three distinct mobility patterns characterizing them. In terms of migrant’s rates, our population does not differ from other Roman populations for which the isotopic data are available. It differs however by its cosmopolitanism with origins for more diverse migrants: Europe, Africa, Arabia and Asia Minor. To conclude, we demonstrated, relying on our interpretations of diet and on various historical data, that this population is not homogeneous according to a socio-economic plan. Similarly, with regard to both our study of mobility and archaeological data, we were able to speculate that some aspects of funeral practices could already have been used in Rome before the arrival of migrants. In addition, we were able to realign the supposed priority of graves based on the new 14C dating and the identification of a significant consumption of fish. Based on all this, we have proposed the existence of a mystical relation (i.e. religious) connecting these individuals.
Most of the studies investigating the diagenetic trajectory of fossil bones focus on open-air sit... more Most of the studies investigating the diagenetic trajectory of fossil bones focus on open-air sites and very little work have been published in confined environments such as catacombs. While the stable thermal history of catacombs should favor bone preservation, the accumulation of corpses over a short period of time could favor their destruction. The aim of this study is to describe the diagenetic trajectory of 128 human bone samples coming from six different burial chambers of the catacomb of Sts Peter and Marcellinus (SSPM, Rome, Italy). A multi-proxy approach was undertaken to provide an assessment of the molecular preservation as well as a direct record of the isotopic composition itself. Collagen yield, carbon and nitrogen abundances, C:N ratio, FT-IR based collagen and carbonate contents and crystallinity index, radiocarbon dating and stable isotope analysis of bone collagen and carbonate indicate that both the mineral and the organic fractions are impacted by diagenesis to various degrees, and that bones originating from the small burial chambers are more affected than those coming from the large ones. While some of the bones were strongly recrystallized, the impact of bone diagenesis on the stable isotope values of bone carbonate was limited. Comparison with contemporary sites from the Latium showed that conditions prevailing in catacombs seem overall to favor, rather than disadvantage bone preservation.
Funerary practices and bioarchaeological (sex and age) data suggest that a mortality crisis linke... more Funerary practices and bioarchaeological (sex and age) data suggest that a mortality crisis linked to an epidemic episode occurred during the fifth phase of the St. Benedict cemetery in Prague (Czech Republic). To identify this mass mortality episode, we reconstructed individual life histories (dietary and mobility factors), assessed the population’s biological homogeneity and proposed a new chronology through stable isotope analysis (δ13C, δ18O and δ15N) and direct radiocarbon dating. Stable isotope analysis was conducted on the bone and tooth enamel (collagen and carbonate) of 19 individuals from three multiple graves (MG) and 12 individuals from individual graves (IG). The δ15N values of collagen and the difference between the δ13C values of collagen and bone carbonate could indicate that the IG individuals had a richer protein diet than the MG individuals or different food resources. The human bone and enamel carbonate and δ18O values suggest that the majority of individuals from MG and all individuals from IG spent most of their lives outside of the Bohemian region. Variations in δ18O values also indicate that all individuals experienced residential mobility during their lives. The stable isotope results, biological (age and sex) data and eight 14C dates clearly differentiate the MG and IG groups. The present work provides evidence for the reuse of the St. Benedict cemetery to bury soldiers despite the funeral protest ban (1635 AD). The Siege of Prague (1742 AD) by French-Bavarian-Saxon armies is identified as the cause of the St. Benedict mass mortality event.
Les rapports isotopiques du carbone et de l’azote mesurés sur le collagène osseux (δ13Ccol, δ15Nc... more Les rapports isotopiques du carbone et de l’azote mesurés sur le collagène osseux (δ13Ccol, δ15Ncol) sont couramment utilisés pour appréhender les comportements alimentaires des populations humaines passées et présentes. Ces reconstitutions alimentaires peuvent toutefois être remises en cause en raison de l’état de santé des individus étudiés, en particulier lorsque ces derniers ont souffert d’affections à manifestation osseuse ou ont connus des traumatismes osseux. Ces pathologies peuvent en effet engendrer des déséquilibres isotopiques mais aussi impacter les processus de fractionnement isotopique au sein d’un organisme. Relativement peu d’études se sont intéressées jusqu’à présent à caractériser ces effets isotopiques. De fait, nombre d’entre eux restent incompris ou non-examinés. Cette communication vise à combler en partie cette lacune en s’intéressant plus précisément aux effets sur les valeurs de δ13Ccol et δ15Ncol du rachitisme, de tumeurs malignes osseuses (i.e. ostéosarcome), d’infections non-spécifiques osseuses (i.e. ostéomyélite) et de lésions traumatiques osseuses (i.e. fracture). Un total de 32 individus issus de la collection anatomo-pathologique Jedlička datant du XIXe siècle et conservée au Muséum National de Prague ont été analysés pour cette étude. A l’exception des cas de rachitisme, chaque os prélevé a été échantillonnés deux fois, à savoir sur le site de la lésion (zone pathologique) et à distance de ce dernier (zone saine). Nos résultats préliminaires montrent une forte variabilité intra-squelettique des valeurs isotopiques dans chaque groupe nosologique, avec certains sujets présentant des différences de l’ordre de 0,4/0,5‰ en carbone et 1/1,5‰ en azote entre zones pathologiques et saines. Les sites de lésions présentent de façon générale des valeurs de δ15Ncol¬ plus élevées que les sites non-pathologiques dans le cas d’ostéosarcome, d’ostéomyélite et de fracture. Ceci pourrait être le reflet d’un déséquilibre en azote au sein de l’organisme du fait d’une plus forte sollicitation des atomes d’azote pour la production d’os nouveau et d’un apport alimentaire insuffisant en protéines au regard des nouveaux besoins. Quant aux individus rachitiques, ces derniers montrent des valeurs de δ15Ncol¬¬ particulièrement hautes, dépassant en moyenne de 1,1‰ les valeurs δ15Ncol¬¬ des autres groupes nosologiques. Ceci pourrait être lié à la carence en vitamine D entraînant des problèmes de minéralisation osseuse, une augmentation de remodelage osseux et des déséquilibres isotopiques, en particulier en azote. Cette étude a été financée par le programme européen SYNTHESYS (CZ-TAF-3558), le Ministère de la Culture de République tchèque (DKRVO 2016/18 et 2018/17, 00023272), et l’Agence de Subvention de République tchèque (SP19-13265S).
The ancient Greek world emerged during the Bronze Age and was part of a network of cultures inter... more The ancient Greek world emerged during the Bronze Age and was part of a network of cultures intertwined within the Mediterranean region. Its development was determined by multiple causes but heavily influenced by close interactions with the peoples and cultures of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Ancient Greek political and social dynamics have been primarily studied using written sources but also increasingly from the scientific analysis of archaeological materials. In this respect, important insights may be obtained by exploring the relationships between the reconstructed lifeways (e.g. dietary intakes, nutritional status, and mobility) of ancient Greek individuals and social, political, economic, environmental, and cultural parameters. Such lifeways can be reconstructed through multiple isotopic analyses of human, faunal, and botanical archaeological remains and there is a growing body of isotopic evidence for the ancient Greek world. Available ancient Greek isotopic data has now been centralized in the IsoArcH database (http://www.isoarch.eu). IsoArcH is part of the global partner-based initiative IsoMemo (http://www.isomemo.com) which brings together large scale repositories of archaeological, ecological, environmental, chronological data. Following an integrated Bayesian statistical approach that promotes interdisciplinarity accumulated isotopic evidence was combined with other forms of non-isotopic data on diet, mobility, and chronology (e.g. archaeo-botanical or -faunal studies, human osteological studies). The outcome of the Bayesian statistical analysis allowed for the reconstruction of the temporal and spatial diversity of ancient Greek lifeways.
IsoArcH is a new open-access and cooperative web-based repository for isotopic data and associate... more IsoArcH is a new open-access and cooperative web-based repository for isotopic data and associated archaeological information of bioarchaeological samples from the Graeco-Roman world and its fringes (http://www.isoarch.eu). Created for paleodietary, paleomobility and paleoenvironmental reconstruction research purposes, IsoArcH gathers up 17,000 published isotopic data obtained on human, animal, and plant remains, as well as organic residues, from about 300 locations. IsoArcH is a dynamic resource designed to allow displaying data on georeferenced ancient world maps, performing online statistical data mining, defining robust isotopic baselines, and conducting extensive archaeological research within Classical Archaeology from an isotopic perspective. IsoArcH is a big data initiative that provides a broad picture of the lifeways of Graeco-Roman populations at different time periods. The current paper will offer an isotopic overview on diet, mobility, and crop and animal management practices of Romans. Special attention will be paid to outlier behaviours through diachronic and multi-scale isotopic comparisons. The latter will include assessments of variability in diet and nutrition regarding multiple social variables (e.g. gender, age, social status) and degrees of mobility across the Roman world.
Isotopic proxies (e.g. δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, δ34S, 87Sr/86Sr, 14C) are increasingly applied in Roman ... more Isotopic proxies (e.g. δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, δ34S, 87Sr/86Sr, 14C) are increasingly applied in Roman archaeology to provide additional valuable information on a wide range of past human activities. Examples include, among others, the reconstruction of past human subsistence or mobility and animal or crop management practices. As isotopic data for the Roman world is accumulated, it becomes possible to enlarge the interpretative scale of research into social structures, rural and urban differentiations, networks of connectivity and mobility, agricultural economy, etc. Through inter-regional and/or diachronic comparisons and syntheses, patterns of commonality and eccentricities for the different activities under study can be identified. This is of particular importance for research of the Roman world given its temporal and spatial extent which certainly accommodated considerable variability. In several instances, isotopic data can provide unique information on relevant issues which is simply not available from historical records. Furthermore, it can be fruitfully combined with other sources of historical and archaeological data under integrated research approaches.
Les isotopes stables sont aujourd’hui des outils d’investigation couramment employés pour appréhe... more Les isotopes stables sont aujourd’hui des outils d’investigation couramment employés pour appréhender les régimes alimentaires, les schémas de mobilité, les activités agricoles, les pratiques d’élevage, et les changements environnementaux durant l’Antiquité. Face à l’augmentation exponentielle des études abordant ces thématiques et des données isotopiques en résultant, a surgi l’impérieuse nécessité de créer une base de données isotopiques centralisée dédiées aux échantillons bioarchéologiques issus du monde gréco-romain sensu lato (du 12e s. av. n.è. au 8e s. n.è.). IsoArcH est ainsi né en 2017 avec le double dessein d’être collaboratif et libre d’accès sur Internet (www.isoarch.eu), mais aussi avec la résolution d’apporter une valeur ajoutée à ces données via leur géoréférencement. À ce jour, IsoArcH compile plus de 17 000 données isotopiques (δH, δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, δ34S, 87Sr/86Sr) obtenues sur des restes humains, animaux, et végétaux ainsi que des résidus organiques provenant d’environ 300 sites.
Le potentiel d’applications d’IsoArcH sera présenté au cours de cette communication au travers différents exemples d’études croisant de multiples variables isotopiques et archéologiques. Cette démarche révèlera qu’IsoArcH est une initiative novatrice permettant 1) l'exploration des données et leur traitement statistique en ligne à l’aide d’une application RShiny, 2) la création de référentiels robustes et aisément reproductibles, 3) le développement d’études isotopiques multi-scalaires approfondies pour répondre à des questionnements d’ordre archéologique, et enfin 4) la projection de données sur des cartes historiques géoréférencées pour faciliter leurs recontextualisations. Nous démontrerons ainsi comment IsoArcH s’inscrit dans l’ère du « Big Data » pour assister la communauté scientifique à reconstituer avec précision l’histoire et les modes de vie des populations gréco-romaines.
IsoArcH is a new web-based database of isotopic data (δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, δ34S and 87Sr/86Sr) for b... more IsoArcH is a new web-based database of isotopic data (δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, δ34S and 87Sr/86Sr) for bioarchaeological samples from European, Middle Eastern and North African contexts dating from the Iron Age, the Classical Antiquity and the late Antiquity. Created for paleodietary, paleomobility and paleoenvironmental reconstruction purposes, IsoArcH compiled to this day published isotopic data and related archaeological information for over 4,000 humans, 2,000 animals, and 100 plant remains, as well as 10 organic residues from nearly 300 sites. All this data has been georeferenced thanks to specific IT tools to be displayed on ancient world maps through IsoArcH, and placed into their geopolitical frameworks. IsoArcH was designed as a cooperative platform for researchers as well as a broader audience. It follows the open access model and is available at www.isoarch.eu. IsoArcH is continuously being improved and remains open to further expansions.
Title: Isotopic archeo-biogeochemistry, reconstitution of diet and patterns of mobility, bio-cult... more Title: Isotopic archeo-biogeochemistry, reconstitution of diet and patterns of mobility, bio-cultural interactions. The plural burials of the region X of the catacomb of Saints Peter and Marcellinus (Rome, 1st-3rd cent. AD)
Abstract: Between 2003 and 2010, unpublished sepulchral assemblies have been discovered and excavated in the central region, called X, of the catacomb of Saints Peter and Marcellinus (Rome, 1st-3rd cent. AD.). These assemblies have proven to be atypical and complex plural burial. Hundreds of the dead were buried extremely rigorous according to uncommon funeral practices. Archeological evidences (simultaneity of deposits) and biological ones (absence of osteological lesions) present a number of features arguing in favor of one or even several crises most likely of an epidemic nature. This or these crises would have executed over a relatively long time with different phases of resurgence and quietude. Furthermore, the discovery of precious materials in association with the deceased puts forward a kind of particular high social rank of the latter. Besides, following funerary practices which are seemed to be similar with non-Roman ones suggests a possible non local origin for the individuals buried in this place. Our doctoral research is with the primary objective to reconstruct the diet and mobility patterns of a subsample of 130 of these individuals using an archeo-biogeochemical multi-proxy (δ13C, δ15N, δ18O and 87Sr/86Sr) and multi-tissue (enamel, bone, hair) approach. In general, we have been able to show that most of these individuals had access to such a type diet based on the triad C3 cereal/C3 meat/Marine fish. This type diet would however not be exclusive. Some individuals (n = 13) would have indeed occasionally consumed other resources such as freshwater fishes or C4 cereals. Besides, this population is distinguished from other contemporary populations of Rome with regard to food they consumed. However, almost a quarter (n = 30) of them are migrants, but they do not distinguish of the Roman residents as for their diet. These migrants have complex and heterogeneous life trajectories; three distinct mobility patterns seem to be conceivable. They could be originated from supra-regions like Europe, Africa, Arabia and Asia Minor. Besides, this population does not differentiate from other Roman populations in terms of rates of migrants but however it does distinguish by its cosmopolitanism. To conclude, on the basis of these elements together with historical and archaeological data, we were able to revisit the social status of these deceased, the origin of cultural traits and the chronology of the site. We end by proposing the hypothesis of a possible Christian origin for these individuals.
The mass-burials from the cemetery of St. Benedict in Prague (Svatý Benedikt, Praha, Czech Republ... more The mass-burials from the cemetery of St. Benedict in Prague (Svatý Benedikt, Praha, Czech Republic, 17th-18th centuries) provide an outstanding skeletal assemblage for the study of mortality crises from the past. In the Baroque period, St. Benedict was a Premonstratensian canons church and monastery, a dependency of the mother house of Strahov mostly devoted to a seminary school.
A first study, with few historical data, had concluded that those numerous simultaneous deaths could be the result of a plague epidemic. But a new analysis, based on large numbers of well preserved skeletons, sheds a new light on this mortality crisis. Our methods have taken into account many data and works from different sources: archaeology, bioanthropology, demography, history (archives) and isotopes.
In the mass-burials, the paleopathological analyses have not shown any violence-related injuries and the demographic pattern (with young adult males over-represented) is highly selective but does not fit with a plague mortality. New data, including radiocarbon dates, texts from the Premonstratensian’s archives, archaeological artifacts and isotopic analyses (multi-elements: δ13Ccarb (os), δ18Ocarb (os), δ13Ccarb (enamel), δ18Ocarb (enamel), δ13Ccol and δ15Ncol), give evidences for a famine episode during the 1742 siege of Prague where foreign soldiers (from France and Bavaria) have died.
"Des ensembles funéraires particuliers correspondant aux dépôts simultanés de plusieurs centaines... more "Des ensembles funéraires particuliers correspondant aux dépôts simultanés de plusieurs centaines de défunts ont été découverts en 2003 dans le secteur central de la catacombe des Saints-Pierre-et-Marcellin à Rome (Ier-IIIe s. ap. J.-C.). Les études archéo-anthropologiques ont démontré que ces individus étaient décédés lors de crises de mortalité successives. Les sujets semblent se caractériser par un haut rang social (présence de matériaux onéreux tels que la soie, l’or et l’ambre) et par le recours à des pratiques funéraires singulières (employant des résines, du tissu et du plâtre).
Afin d’appréhender le mode de vie des individus inhumés dans ces sépultures plurielles exceptionnelles, une étude multi-élémentaire (δ13C, δ15N et δ18O) a été réalisée sur un échantillon de 152 sujets provenant de 6 salles localisées au cœur de la catacombe dans l’objectif de reconstituer les pratiques alimentaires et d’analyser la mobilité résidentielle de ces individus. Cette approche permet d’apporter, en outre, de nouveaux éléments de discussion sur l’organisation et l’homogénéité de cette population. Ces analyses ont été menées sur les fractions minérales de l’os et de la dent (apatite) ainsi que les fractions organiques de l’os (collagène) et du cheveu (kératine) à l’échelle individuelle et populationnelle.
Nos résultats suggèrent une alimentation riche en protéines et composée principalement d’aliments d’origine terrestre (écosystème en C3) et marine. De plus, nous avons pu mettre en évidence une forte proportion d’individus allogènes (75%) dans cette population. Enfin, notre échantillon se révèle être statistiquement homogène.
"
Objective: This paper aims at investigating the possible existence of isotopic offsets in δ 13 C ... more Objective: This paper aims at investigating the possible existence of isotopic offsets in δ 13 C col and δ 15 N col values in relation to tertiary syphilis. Material: Based on materials from the 19th c. A.D. deriving from the pathological-anatomical reference collection (the Jedlička collection) of the National Museum in Prague (Czech Republic), a comparative approach of ten individuals with syphilis and nine without the disease was undertaken. Methods: Bone powder samples were defatted according to the protocol of Liden et al. (1995). Bone collagen was extracted following the protocol of Bocherens et al. (1991). Results: Our results show that individuals with syphilis have lower δ 13 C col values than individuals without the disease; the observed difference between the two groups is about 0.3-0.4‰, which is relatively small but still meaningful. However, no difference between δ 15 N col values of the two groups has been noticed. Conclusions: Either diets prescribed by physicians to syphilitic patients or nutritional stress caused by cyclic appetite disturbance due to the disease itself or the administered medical treatment appeared to be possible explanations of the observed isotopic pattern. Overall, the response of the two isotopic proxies could argue for relatively limited nutritional restrictions. Significance: This is the first study examining bone collagen isotopic response to syphilis based on clinically documented human skeletal materials. Limitations: The sample sizes are relatively small and cautiousness must be taken regarding the interpretations of the data. Suggestions for further research: Compound-specific stable isotope investigations and analysis of mercury content could be helpful to better understand the observed isotopic effects.
This paper describes IsoArcH, a new web-based database of isotopic data for bioarchaeological sam... more This paper describes IsoArcH, a new web-based database of isotopic data for bioarchaeological samples from the Graeco-Roman world and its margins. IsoArcH was designed as a cooperative platform for the dissemination of isotopic data and associated archaeological information. IsoArcH follows the open access model and is freely accessible online (http://www.isoarch.eu). Created for paleodietary, paleomobility and paleoenvironmental reconstruction research purposes, IsoArcH compiled to this day published isotopic data for human, animal, and plant remains, as well as organic residues, from nearly 300 sites. All data have been georeferenced allowing for their display on ancient world maps and placement into their contemporaneous geopolitical background. In this paper, several data-driven examples are shown to illustrate the research potential offered by IsoArcH.
An assembly of unpublished complex plural burials (1st-3rd cent. AD.) was discovered and partiall... more An assembly of unpublished complex plural burials (1st-3rd cent. AD.) was discovered and partially excavated, between 2003 and 2010 in the central region called X of the catacomb of Saints Peter and Marcellinus in Rome. It contains several hundred individuals which were buried according to uncommon funeral practices following a mortality episode of likely epidemic nature. To understand the life history (diet and mobility patterns) of these deceased and to discuss again certain assumptions previously established on the basis of new evidences, we have as part of this work conducted an archaeo-biogeochemical multi-proxy (14C, δ13C, δ15N, δ18O et 87Sr/86Sr) and multi-tissue (enamel, bones, hair) approach on a sub-sample of 130 individuals coming from six different chambers. At the outset, we tested the biochemical and isotopic integrity of mineral (carbonate phases) and organic fractions (collagen and keratin phases) samples from conventional indicators measured in routine (%Col, %C, %N, C/N, PCO2 et PCO2/Mass), by FTIR spectroscopy (IRSF, CO3/PO4 and AmideI/PO4) and by an innovative approach consisting of 14C dating on collagen-apatite to validate the isotopic signal of mineral fractions. Our results highlight extreme differences of preservation of all phases. Diagenetic trajectory of samples is however not random but dependent on environmental and taphonomical conditions which differ between small and large chambers. Furthermore, we have been able to demonstrate that, despite strong recrystallization and isotopic exchanges with the sepulchral environment, carbonated phases have an unaltered biogenic isotopic signal. Secondly, we rebuilt the diets of individuals based on robust comparisons repositories and various interpretative models (mono-proxy versus multi-proxies; qualitative versus quantitative) which were, in some cases, adapted to the needs of our study. In general, our results show that most of the individuals had access to such a type diet based on the triad Cereals C3/Meat C3/Marine fish. This type diet would however not be exclusive, some individuals (n = 13) would have indeed occasionally consumed other resources such as freshwater fish or C4 cereals. Our results indicate that changes of diet during the life history are relatively limited. Besides, with regard to consumed food, this population is distinguished from other contemporary Roman populations for whom isotopic values are published. In the third place, we studied individual’s mobility patterns based on a rigorous approach to our data and on a comparison of the most comprehensive repositories as possible with taking into account the bias usually evaded (cultural facts, influence of climate and errors associated with conversion equations). Our results highlight that a minimum of 23% (n = 30) of the studied individuals are migrants. These, however, are not distinguished from Roman residents through their diet. We were able to show further that these migrants had complex and heterogeneous trajectories during their life within three distinct mobility patterns characterizing them. In terms of migrant’s rates, our population does not differ from other Roman populations for which the isotopic data are available. It differs however by its cosmopolitanism with origins for more diverse migrants: Europe, Africa, Arabia and Asia Minor. To conclude, we demonstrated, relying on our interpretations of diet and on various historical data, that this population is not homogeneous according to a socio-economic plan. Similarly, with regard to both our study of mobility and archaeological data, we were able to speculate that some aspects of funeral practices could already have been used in Rome before the arrival of migrants. In addition, we were able to realign the supposed priority of graves based on the new 14C dating and the identification of a significant consumption of fish. Based on all this, we have proposed the existence of a mystical relation (i.e. religious) connecting these individuals.
Most of the studies investigating the diagenetic trajectory of fossil bones focus on open-air sit... more Most of the studies investigating the diagenetic trajectory of fossil bones focus on open-air sites and very little work have been published in confined environments such as catacombs. While the stable thermal history of catacombs should favor bone preservation, the accumulation of corpses over a short period of time could favor their destruction. The aim of this study is to describe the diagenetic trajectory of 128 human bone samples coming from six different burial chambers of the catacomb of Sts Peter and Marcellinus (SSPM, Rome, Italy). A multi-proxy approach was undertaken to provide an assessment of the molecular preservation as well as a direct record of the isotopic composition itself. Collagen yield, carbon and nitrogen abundances, C:N ratio, FT-IR based collagen and carbonate contents and crystallinity index, radiocarbon dating and stable isotope analysis of bone collagen and carbonate indicate that both the mineral and the organic fractions are impacted by diagenesis to various degrees, and that bones originating from the small burial chambers are more affected than those coming from the large ones. While some of the bones were strongly recrystallized, the impact of bone diagenesis on the stable isotope values of bone carbonate was limited. Comparison with contemporary sites from the Latium showed that conditions prevailing in catacombs seem overall to favor, rather than disadvantage bone preservation.
Funerary practices and bioarchaeological (sex and age) data suggest that a mortality crisis linke... more Funerary practices and bioarchaeological (sex and age) data suggest that a mortality crisis linked to an epidemic episode occurred during the fifth phase of the St. Benedict cemetery in Prague (Czech Republic). To identify this mass mortality episode, we reconstructed individual life histories (dietary and mobility factors), assessed the population’s biological homogeneity and proposed a new chronology through stable isotope analysis (δ13C, δ18O and δ15N) and direct radiocarbon dating. Stable isotope analysis was conducted on the bone and tooth enamel (collagen and carbonate) of 19 individuals from three multiple graves (MG) and 12 individuals from individual graves (IG). The δ15N values of collagen and the difference between the δ13C values of collagen and bone carbonate could indicate that the IG individuals had a richer protein diet than the MG individuals or different food resources. The human bone and enamel carbonate and δ18O values suggest that the majority of individuals from MG and all individuals from IG spent most of their lives outside of the Bohemian region. Variations in δ18O values also indicate that all individuals experienced residential mobility during their lives. The stable isotope results, biological (age and sex) data and eight 14C dates clearly differentiate the MG and IG groups. The present work provides evidence for the reuse of the St. Benedict cemetery to bury soldiers despite the funeral protest ban (1635 AD). The Siege of Prague (1742 AD) by French-Bavarian-Saxon armies is identified as the cause of the St. Benedict mass mortality event.
Les rapports isotopiques du carbone et de l’azote mesurés sur le collagène osseux (δ13Ccol, δ15Nc... more Les rapports isotopiques du carbone et de l’azote mesurés sur le collagène osseux (δ13Ccol, δ15Ncol) sont couramment utilisés pour appréhender les comportements alimentaires des populations humaines passées et présentes. Ces reconstitutions alimentaires peuvent toutefois être remises en cause en raison de l’état de santé des individus étudiés, en particulier lorsque ces derniers ont souffert d’affections à manifestation osseuse ou ont connus des traumatismes osseux. Ces pathologies peuvent en effet engendrer des déséquilibres isotopiques mais aussi impacter les processus de fractionnement isotopique au sein d’un organisme. Relativement peu d’études se sont intéressées jusqu’à présent à caractériser ces effets isotopiques. De fait, nombre d’entre eux restent incompris ou non-examinés. Cette communication vise à combler en partie cette lacune en s’intéressant plus précisément aux effets sur les valeurs de δ13Ccol et δ15Ncol du rachitisme, de tumeurs malignes osseuses (i.e. ostéosarcome), d’infections non-spécifiques osseuses (i.e. ostéomyélite) et de lésions traumatiques osseuses (i.e. fracture). Un total de 32 individus issus de la collection anatomo-pathologique Jedlička datant du XIXe siècle et conservée au Muséum National de Prague ont été analysés pour cette étude. A l’exception des cas de rachitisme, chaque os prélevé a été échantillonnés deux fois, à savoir sur le site de la lésion (zone pathologique) et à distance de ce dernier (zone saine). Nos résultats préliminaires montrent une forte variabilité intra-squelettique des valeurs isotopiques dans chaque groupe nosologique, avec certains sujets présentant des différences de l’ordre de 0,4/0,5‰ en carbone et 1/1,5‰ en azote entre zones pathologiques et saines. Les sites de lésions présentent de façon générale des valeurs de δ15Ncol¬ plus élevées que les sites non-pathologiques dans le cas d’ostéosarcome, d’ostéomyélite et de fracture. Ceci pourrait être le reflet d’un déséquilibre en azote au sein de l’organisme du fait d’une plus forte sollicitation des atomes d’azote pour la production d’os nouveau et d’un apport alimentaire insuffisant en protéines au regard des nouveaux besoins. Quant aux individus rachitiques, ces derniers montrent des valeurs de δ15Ncol¬¬ particulièrement hautes, dépassant en moyenne de 1,1‰ les valeurs δ15Ncol¬¬ des autres groupes nosologiques. Ceci pourrait être lié à la carence en vitamine D entraînant des problèmes de minéralisation osseuse, une augmentation de remodelage osseux et des déséquilibres isotopiques, en particulier en azote. Cette étude a été financée par le programme européen SYNTHESYS (CZ-TAF-3558), le Ministère de la Culture de République tchèque (DKRVO 2016/18 et 2018/17, 00023272), et l’Agence de Subvention de République tchèque (SP19-13265S).
The ancient Greek world emerged during the Bronze Age and was part of a network of cultures inter... more The ancient Greek world emerged during the Bronze Age and was part of a network of cultures intertwined within the Mediterranean region. Its development was determined by multiple causes but heavily influenced by close interactions with the peoples and cultures of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Ancient Greek political and social dynamics have been primarily studied using written sources but also increasingly from the scientific analysis of archaeological materials. In this respect, important insights may be obtained by exploring the relationships between the reconstructed lifeways (e.g. dietary intakes, nutritional status, and mobility) of ancient Greek individuals and social, political, economic, environmental, and cultural parameters. Such lifeways can be reconstructed through multiple isotopic analyses of human, faunal, and botanical archaeological remains and there is a growing body of isotopic evidence for the ancient Greek world. Available ancient Greek isotopic data has now been centralized in the IsoArcH database (http://www.isoarch.eu). IsoArcH is part of the global partner-based initiative IsoMemo (http://www.isomemo.com) which brings together large scale repositories of archaeological, ecological, environmental, chronological data. Following an integrated Bayesian statistical approach that promotes interdisciplinarity accumulated isotopic evidence was combined with other forms of non-isotopic data on diet, mobility, and chronology (e.g. archaeo-botanical or -faunal studies, human osteological studies). The outcome of the Bayesian statistical analysis allowed for the reconstruction of the temporal and spatial diversity of ancient Greek lifeways.
IsoArcH is a new open-access and cooperative web-based repository for isotopic data and associate... more IsoArcH is a new open-access and cooperative web-based repository for isotopic data and associated archaeological information of bioarchaeological samples from the Graeco-Roman world and its fringes (http://www.isoarch.eu). Created for paleodietary, paleomobility and paleoenvironmental reconstruction research purposes, IsoArcH gathers up 17,000 published isotopic data obtained on human, animal, and plant remains, as well as organic residues, from about 300 locations. IsoArcH is a dynamic resource designed to allow displaying data on georeferenced ancient world maps, performing online statistical data mining, defining robust isotopic baselines, and conducting extensive archaeological research within Classical Archaeology from an isotopic perspective. IsoArcH is a big data initiative that provides a broad picture of the lifeways of Graeco-Roman populations at different time periods. The current paper will offer an isotopic overview on diet, mobility, and crop and animal management practices of Romans. Special attention will be paid to outlier behaviours through diachronic and multi-scale isotopic comparisons. The latter will include assessments of variability in diet and nutrition regarding multiple social variables (e.g. gender, age, social status) and degrees of mobility across the Roman world.
Isotopic proxies (e.g. δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, δ34S, 87Sr/86Sr, 14C) are increasingly applied in Roman ... more Isotopic proxies (e.g. δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, δ34S, 87Sr/86Sr, 14C) are increasingly applied in Roman archaeology to provide additional valuable information on a wide range of past human activities. Examples include, among others, the reconstruction of past human subsistence or mobility and animal or crop management practices. As isotopic data for the Roman world is accumulated, it becomes possible to enlarge the interpretative scale of research into social structures, rural and urban differentiations, networks of connectivity and mobility, agricultural economy, etc. Through inter-regional and/or diachronic comparisons and syntheses, patterns of commonality and eccentricities for the different activities under study can be identified. This is of particular importance for research of the Roman world given its temporal and spatial extent which certainly accommodated considerable variability. In several instances, isotopic data can provide unique information on relevant issues which is simply not available from historical records. Furthermore, it can be fruitfully combined with other sources of historical and archaeological data under integrated research approaches.
Les isotopes stables sont aujourd’hui des outils d’investigation couramment employés pour appréhe... more Les isotopes stables sont aujourd’hui des outils d’investigation couramment employés pour appréhender les régimes alimentaires, les schémas de mobilité, les activités agricoles, les pratiques d’élevage, et les changements environnementaux durant l’Antiquité. Face à l’augmentation exponentielle des études abordant ces thématiques et des données isotopiques en résultant, a surgi l’impérieuse nécessité de créer une base de données isotopiques centralisée dédiées aux échantillons bioarchéologiques issus du monde gréco-romain sensu lato (du 12e s. av. n.è. au 8e s. n.è.). IsoArcH est ainsi né en 2017 avec le double dessein d’être collaboratif et libre d’accès sur Internet (www.isoarch.eu), mais aussi avec la résolution d’apporter une valeur ajoutée à ces données via leur géoréférencement. À ce jour, IsoArcH compile plus de 17 000 données isotopiques (δH, δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, δ34S, 87Sr/86Sr) obtenues sur des restes humains, animaux, et végétaux ainsi que des résidus organiques provenant d’environ 300 sites.
Le potentiel d’applications d’IsoArcH sera présenté au cours de cette communication au travers différents exemples d’études croisant de multiples variables isotopiques et archéologiques. Cette démarche révèlera qu’IsoArcH est une initiative novatrice permettant 1) l'exploration des données et leur traitement statistique en ligne à l’aide d’une application RShiny, 2) la création de référentiels robustes et aisément reproductibles, 3) le développement d’études isotopiques multi-scalaires approfondies pour répondre à des questionnements d’ordre archéologique, et enfin 4) la projection de données sur des cartes historiques géoréférencées pour faciliter leurs recontextualisations. Nous démontrerons ainsi comment IsoArcH s’inscrit dans l’ère du « Big Data » pour assister la communauté scientifique à reconstituer avec précision l’histoire et les modes de vie des populations gréco-romaines.
IsoArcH is a new web-based database of isotopic data (δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, δ34S and 87Sr/86Sr) for b... more IsoArcH is a new web-based database of isotopic data (δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, δ34S and 87Sr/86Sr) for bioarchaeological samples from European, Middle Eastern and North African contexts dating from the Iron Age, the Classical Antiquity and the late Antiquity. Created for paleodietary, paleomobility and paleoenvironmental reconstruction purposes, IsoArcH compiled to this day published isotopic data and related archaeological information for over 4,000 humans, 2,000 animals, and 100 plant remains, as well as 10 organic residues from nearly 300 sites. All this data has been georeferenced thanks to specific IT tools to be displayed on ancient world maps through IsoArcH, and placed into their geopolitical frameworks. IsoArcH was designed as a cooperative platform for researchers as well as a broader audience. It follows the open access model and is available at www.isoarch.eu. IsoArcH is continuously being improved and remains open to further expansions.
Title: Isotopic archeo-biogeochemistry, reconstitution of diet and patterns of mobility, bio-cult... more Title: Isotopic archeo-biogeochemistry, reconstitution of diet and patterns of mobility, bio-cultural interactions. The plural burials of the region X of the catacomb of Saints Peter and Marcellinus (Rome, 1st-3rd cent. AD)
Abstract: Between 2003 and 2010, unpublished sepulchral assemblies have been discovered and excavated in the central region, called X, of the catacomb of Saints Peter and Marcellinus (Rome, 1st-3rd cent. AD.). These assemblies have proven to be atypical and complex plural burial. Hundreds of the dead were buried extremely rigorous according to uncommon funeral practices. Archeological evidences (simultaneity of deposits) and biological ones (absence of osteological lesions) present a number of features arguing in favor of one or even several crises most likely of an epidemic nature. This or these crises would have executed over a relatively long time with different phases of resurgence and quietude. Furthermore, the discovery of precious materials in association with the deceased puts forward a kind of particular high social rank of the latter. Besides, following funerary practices which are seemed to be similar with non-Roman ones suggests a possible non local origin for the individuals buried in this place. Our doctoral research is with the primary objective to reconstruct the diet and mobility patterns of a subsample of 130 of these individuals using an archeo-biogeochemical multi-proxy (δ13C, δ15N, δ18O and 87Sr/86Sr) and multi-tissue (enamel, bone, hair) approach. In general, we have been able to show that most of these individuals had access to such a type diet based on the triad C3 cereal/C3 meat/Marine fish. This type diet would however not be exclusive. Some individuals (n = 13) would have indeed occasionally consumed other resources such as freshwater fishes or C4 cereals. Besides, this population is distinguished from other contemporary populations of Rome with regard to food they consumed. However, almost a quarter (n = 30) of them are migrants, but they do not distinguish of the Roman residents as for their diet. These migrants have complex and heterogeneous life trajectories; three distinct mobility patterns seem to be conceivable. They could be originated from supra-regions like Europe, Africa, Arabia and Asia Minor. Besides, this population does not differentiate from other Roman populations in terms of rates of migrants but however it does distinguish by its cosmopolitanism. To conclude, on the basis of these elements together with historical and archaeological data, we were able to revisit the social status of these deceased, the origin of cultural traits and the chronology of the site. We end by proposing the hypothesis of a possible Christian origin for these individuals.
The mass-burials from the cemetery of St. Benedict in Prague (Svatý Benedikt, Praha, Czech Republ... more The mass-burials from the cemetery of St. Benedict in Prague (Svatý Benedikt, Praha, Czech Republic, 17th-18th centuries) provide an outstanding skeletal assemblage for the study of mortality crises from the past. In the Baroque period, St. Benedict was a Premonstratensian canons church and monastery, a dependency of the mother house of Strahov mostly devoted to a seminary school.
A first study, with few historical data, had concluded that those numerous simultaneous deaths could be the result of a plague epidemic. But a new analysis, based on large numbers of well preserved skeletons, sheds a new light on this mortality crisis. Our methods have taken into account many data and works from different sources: archaeology, bioanthropology, demography, history (archives) and isotopes.
In the mass-burials, the paleopathological analyses have not shown any violence-related injuries and the demographic pattern (with young adult males over-represented) is highly selective but does not fit with a plague mortality. New data, including radiocarbon dates, texts from the Premonstratensian’s archives, archaeological artifacts and isotopic analyses (multi-elements: δ13Ccarb (os), δ18Ocarb (os), δ13Ccarb (enamel), δ18Ocarb (enamel), δ13Ccol and δ15Ncol), give evidences for a famine episode during the 1742 siege of Prague where foreign soldiers (from France and Bavaria) have died.
"Des ensembles funéraires particuliers correspondant aux dépôts simultanés de plusieurs centaines... more "Des ensembles funéraires particuliers correspondant aux dépôts simultanés de plusieurs centaines de défunts ont été découverts en 2003 dans le secteur central de la catacombe des Saints-Pierre-et-Marcellin à Rome (Ier-IIIe s. ap. J.-C.). Les études archéo-anthropologiques ont démontré que ces individus étaient décédés lors de crises de mortalité successives. Les sujets semblent se caractériser par un haut rang social (présence de matériaux onéreux tels que la soie, l’or et l’ambre) et par le recours à des pratiques funéraires singulières (employant des résines, du tissu et du plâtre).
Afin d’appréhender le mode de vie des individus inhumés dans ces sépultures plurielles exceptionnelles, une étude multi-élémentaire (δ13C, δ15N et δ18O) a été réalisée sur un échantillon de 152 sujets provenant de 6 salles localisées au cœur de la catacombe dans l’objectif de reconstituer les pratiques alimentaires et d’analyser la mobilité résidentielle de ces individus. Cette approche permet d’apporter, en outre, de nouveaux éléments de discussion sur l’organisation et l’homogénéité de cette population. Ces analyses ont été menées sur les fractions minérales de l’os et de la dent (apatite) ainsi que les fractions organiques de l’os (collagène) et du cheveu (kératine) à l’échelle individuelle et populationnelle.
Nos résultats suggèrent une alimentation riche en protéines et composée principalement d’aliments d’origine terrestre (écosystème en C3) et marine. De plus, nous avons pu mettre en évidence une forte proportion d’individus allogènes (75%) dans cette population. Enfin, notre échantillon se révèle être statistiquement homogène.
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"Fouillé en 1971, le cimetière Saint-Benoît de Prague (République tchèque) a fourni 845 squ... more "Fouillé en 1971, le cimetière Saint-Benoît de Prague (République tchèque) a fourni 845 squelettes datés entre le XIe et le XVIIIe siècle. La diversité des pratiques funéraires pendant la dernière phase, à savoir la présence de sépultures individuelles et multiples, suggère la présence d’une population hétérogène. L’analyse anthropologique révèle un recrutement très sélectif sur des critères d’âge et de sexe de la population issue des sépultures multiples. En outre, l’absence de lésions traumatiques exclut toute action violente sur ces individus. Par conséquent, l’hypothèse d’une crise de mortalité liée à une épidémie apparaît la plus plausible. L’étude multiélémentaire (δ13cap, δ18Oap, δ13cen, δ18Oen, δ13cco et δ15Nco) menée sur 31 sujets permet de caractériser la population inhumée selon des critères environnementaux, géologiques et géographiques. combinées, les analyses isotopiques permettent de séparer les individus selon le type de sépultures et suggèrent des his- toires de vie différentes. Nos résultats mettent en évidence une plus grande homogénéité entre les individus des sépultures multiples et ceux des sépultures individuelles. cette séparation résulte de différences d’alimentation (protéines, lipides, glucides et eau) et permet de suspecter une origine étrangère de ces individus. Le mobilier archéologique ainsi que les datations radiocarbones corroborent les résultats des analyses isotopiques et constituent ensemble un faisceau d’indices en faveur d’une hypothèse historique : la formation de dépôts funéraires multiples suite à une recrudescence du nombre de décès de soldats francobavarois en raison d’une maladie épidémique durant le siège de Prague de 1742."
The catacomb of Saints Peter and Marcellinus located in the south-east of Rome approximately cont... more The catacomb of Saints Peter and Marcellinus located in the south-east of Rome approximately contains 25 000 graves dated from the 3rd to the 5th century AD. Seven newly discovered rooms having an unusual organization in the heart of the catacomb were investigated in 2003. Excavations of these rooms revealed a mass grave, where 3 000 corpses were laid together. These individuals were stacked in rows apparently following a common fatal incident. Presumably, this epidemic crisis occurred between the 1st and the 3rd century AD. The specific funerary treatment (textile wrapping and plaster) recalls mummification and might be related to exogenous practices, possibly connected to early Christians. Moreover, the presence of rare and expensive materials (e.g., Baltic amber, resins and gold threads) may indicate a high social status. Stable isotope analyses (carbon, nitrogen and oxygen) of bone collagen, bone apatite and tooth hydroxyapatite were carried out on 109 individuals to obtain further information on their diet and residential mobility. Additionally, a study of dental nonmetric traits was conducted on 3694 permanent teeth of about 300 individuals to define their biological distance and to assess their phenetic similarity. Dental morphology and isotopic data suggest that the individuals share close phenetic relations and constitute a biologically homogeneous population. Moreover, a high proportion of migrants and a high level of mobility are suggested. Finally, the comparison of isotopic data of the Saints Peter and Marcellinus individuals with those of individuals from different Italian roman sites highlights a higher rate of non local individuals, at least for the central part of the catacomb.
The catacomb of Saints Peter and Marcellinus located in the south-east of Rome approximately cont... more The catacomb of Saints Peter and Marcellinus located in the south-east of Rome approximately contains 25 000 graves dated from the 3rd to the 5th century AD. Seven newly discovered rooms having an unusual organization in the heart of the catacomb were investigated in 2003. Excavations of these rooms revealed a mass grave, where 3000 corpses were laid together. These individuals were stacked in rows apparently following a common fatal incident. Presumably, this epidemic crisis occurred between the 1st and the 3rd century AD. The specific funerary treatment (textile wrapping and plaster) recalls mummification and might be related to exogenous practices, possibly connected to Early Christians. Moreover, the presence of rare and expensive materials (e.g., Baltic amber, resins and gold threads) may indicate a high social status. Stable isotope analyses (carbon, nitrogen and oxygen) of bone collagen, bone apatite and tooth hydroxyapatite were carried out on 111 individuals to obtain further information on their diet and residential mobility. Additionally, a study of dental nonmetric traits was conducted on 200 individuals to define the biological distance between the deceased and to assess their phenetic similarity. The combination of these two approaches will bring new insight into the homogeneity of the Early population of the catacomb of Saints Peter and Marcellinus and the relationship between funerary practices and geographical origin of buried individuals.
If post-cremation life histories of cremains and cremation-related deposits can be readily invest... more If post-cremation life histories of cremains and cremation-related deposits can be readily investigated as they refer to the last handling of the deceased, the treatment of the corpse during the burning act itself is little addressed by textual sources and often discussed in anthropological studies. Among the topics discussed are questions whether the individuals were buried clothed or not and criteria for evaluating indirectly the wealth of deceased or their social statue in the past. Here we aim to identify, through stable isotope evidences (δ13C, δ18O) on calcined bones, if the deceased was buried shoed or not, as the shoes are likely one of the most resistant clothing items to fire and might represent a proxy to discuss the presence of any garments items inside the burial. For this, we have carried out experimental cremations with shoed and unshoed pig feet (n=12) in outdoors pyres in Belgium. It is hypothesized that foot bones encased in shoes might experience heating conditions characteristic to confined-space cremation (low oxygen availability, poorly ventilated). These heating conditions could be related to the fact of presence or absence of shoes. Recent advances in biogeochemical techniques present a unique opportunity to finally be able to characterize the cremation and bring a new breakthrough in our current archaeo-anthropological knowledge of the burning act itself through time.
Recently, the number of isotopic studies conducted in archaeology have increased significantly. S... more Recently, the number of isotopic studies conducted in archaeology have increased significantly. Since 2010, no fewer than 300 articles have been released in esteemed peer-reviewed journals, for a total of about 30,000 published isotope values. This is clear evidence for the dynamism of the field of study which can present challenges with regard to staying updated about the new publications relevant for one’s own research. Additionally, all time periods are not subject to the same research interest and there is a difference in treatment of prehistoric versus historical periods. The historical periods, and especially the classical era, are less isotopically investigated. This fact is, nevertheless, not new, but exemplifies to the contrary, over a short period, what occurred in the last 40 years.
Here, we propose to make an assessment of the current state of isotopic research in Classics. More particularly, we are taking inventory of isotopic studies focusing on human and animal diet and mobility patterns, crop and animal management practices, and paleoenvironment changes from the Iron age to the late Antiquity across Europe. To realise this drilldown report, we are using IsoArcH, a new open-access web-based database that my colleagues and I developed to gather isotopic data and associated archaeological information of more than 6000 bioarchaeological samples from the Graeco-Roman world sensu lato.
The results highlight the existence of a gap between the United Kingdom and the continental Europe with regard to the number of analysed samples and published isotopic data. The latter is clearly understudied compared to the British territories, spotlighting the current research questions on which the scientific community is principally focused, but also underlining the necessity to carry out more isotopic investigations in some European parts, such as France.
Les comportements alimentaires des populations humaines passées sont aujourd’hui communément appr... more Les comportements alimentaires des populations humaines passées sont aujourd’hui communément appréhendés via l’étude des rapports isotopiques du carbone et de l’azote (δ13C and δ15N) mesurés sur le collagène osseux. Si les signaux isotopiques biogéniques des os sont relativement bien compris chez les individus sains, de nombreuses inconnues demeurent quant à leur signification chez les individus souffrant de pathologies osseuses. Il est en effet saisissant de constater qu’un nombre relativement restreint d’études se sont intéressées à caractériser les effets isotopiques que pourraient engendrer des affections osseuses à partir de collections de référence cliniquement documentées. Cette communication vise à combler en partie cette lacune en s’intéressant plus particulièrement aux effets de la syphilis sur les valeurs de δ13C and δ15N du collagène des os présentant des lésions cliniques. Un total de 10 individus syphilitiques et 9 non-syphilitiques issus de la collection Jedlička datant du XIXe siècle et conservée au Muséum National de Prague ont été prélevés pour cette étude. Aucune variation des valeurs de δ15Ncol n’a été observée entre ces deux groupes d’individus. En revanche, les sujets syphilitiques présentent des valeurs de δ13Ccol plus faibles que les individus non-syphilitiques (± 0.3‰). Après élimination de possibles influences d’ordre technique, analytique ou biologique, nous sommes parvenus à la conclusion que la condition pathologique des individus avait négativement influencée les valeurs de δ13Ccol. L’appauvrissement isotopique observé serait imputable à la maladie elle-même et/ou aux effets du traitement médical comme par exemple l’usage du mercure. Cette étude a été financée par le programme européen SYNTHESYS (CZ-TAF-3558) et le Ministère de la Culture de République tchèque (DKRVO 2016/18 and 2018/18, 00023272).
The new evaluation of the skeletal remains and the archaeological documentation from the Saint Be... more The new evaluation of the skeletal remains and the archaeological documentation from the Saint Benedict cemetery in Prague is a unique opportunity for a bioarchaeological analysis of past mortality crises. The rescue archaeological excavation (held in 1971) and the first osteological analysis (Hanakova et al., 1988) showed in the baroque phase V (1635-1786) the presence of several multiple graves (approximately 30 with 190 individuals) and also many other simultaneous individual burials concerning all age classes (N= 272). The initial hypothesis of multiple graves connected to the plague epidemic in 1680 AD, when the cemetery and the buildings belonged to the Premonstratensian order, has been refuted. This presentation informs on results of a multidisciplinary study in identity of the people buried in multiple individual graves after 1635 AD. More specifically, the investigations of historical events, the osteobiographic indicators from the skeletons, the stable isotope analysis and the direct radiocarbon dating are used to elucidate the origin of the buried individuals.
The study highlights the pitfall of considering all buried individuals as one unit for further anthropological analysis as well as bioarchaeological interpretation. This contribution was supported by the project Barrande – Mobility, 7AMB13FR012.
The catacomb of Sts Peter and Marcellinus is one of Rome’s largest catacombs which contains 25,00... more The catacomb of Sts Peter and Marcellinus is one of Rome’s largest catacombs which contains 25,000 graves dated from the 3rd – 5th century AD. In 2002, seven burial chambers with an atypical construction were discovered in the central area of the catacomb. Excavations revealed several mass graves where up to 3,000 corpses were laid together according to a well-reasoned management following, in all probability, an epidemic. This event occurred between the 1st – 3rd century AD and led to reconsider the origin of this catacomb. A significant number of individuals received an exceptional funerary treatment, which recalls embalming processes potentially related to exogenous practices. Moreover, the presence of expensive grave goods indicates a high socioeconomic status for most individuals.
This remarkable site offers a unique opportunity to explore the influence of the diagenesis on the preservation and stable isotope values δ13C, δ15N, δ18O) of bone. Burial environment and time are the two principal parameters which control the preservation of skeletal tissues in archaeological contexts. Since all individuals inhumed in the central area of the catacomb died more or less contemporaneously, we can focus only on the taphonomic processes.
Conventional diagenesis indicators (collagen yield, %C, %N, C:N ratio, carbonate content, etc.) determined on 128 individuals sampled in different burial chambers of the catacomb were used to recognize possible diagenetic alterations or contaminations of the organic and mineral phase of bone and enamel. Additional measurements such as FTIR analysis and 14C dating of bone collagen-carbonate pairs were performed to detect more precisely potential post-mortem changes of the structural carbonate in bone and enamel apatite.
We observe a correlation between bone collagen and carbonate preservation and the size of the burial chambers. Different diagenetic processes seem to take place between the different chambers and bone preservation is better in large chambers than in small ones. However, the different criterions used for this study indicate that the collagen and structural carbonate isotopic values are not significantly affected by diagenesis which can be used for reconstructing life histories of the Sts Peter and Marcellinus catacomb individuals.
"Le traitement statistique des caractères discrets dentaires en contexte de sépulture plurielle, ... more "Le traitement statistique des caractères discrets dentaires en contexte de sépulture plurielle, soulève de façon récurrente un certain nombre de problèmes concernant la prise en compte ou non des dents isolées. La structure généralement très lacunaire des données limite de plus le choix et la puissance des procédures statistiques destinées à tester l'homogénéité des populations archéologiques.
L'étude de la diversité biologique des individus inhumés dans six salles du secteur central de la catacombe des Saints Pierre-et-Marcellin à Rome (fin Ier- milieu IIIe s. ap. J.-C.) a été effectuée à travers un corpus de 208 caractères discrets dentaires. Enregistrées sur un total de 3850 dents, ces données se répartissent sur 312 individus et 666 dents isolées. Ces ensembles funéraires particuliers correspondent aux dépôts de plusieurs centaines de défunts inhumés simultanément suite à différentes crises de mortalités. Ces sujets se caractérisent par un rang social élevé (présence de matériaux précieux tels que la soie, l’or et l’ambre) et par le recours de pratiques funéraires peu communes (employant des résines, du tissu et du plâtre).
Afin d'évaluer l'homogénéité de cette population, nous avons appliqué un ensemble de méthodes univariées et multivariées s'appuyant pour les unes sur la dichotomisation des caractères discrets dentaires (présence versus absence) et pour les autres sur le caractère continu de ces variations anatomiques non-métriques. De plus, les tests multivariés utilisés, fondés sur les mesures moyennes de divergence (MMD) et ne conservant pas la notion d'individu, nous ont permis d'inclure les dents isolées.
Nos analyses statistiques plaident en faveur de l'hypothèse d'homogénéité des individus présents dans les différentes salles de la catacombe et offrent l'opportunité d'avancer de nouveaux arguments en termes d'organisation et de structuration de cette population.
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"Les analyses des teneurs en isotopes stables sont couramment employées pour étudier l’alimentati... more "Les analyses des teneurs en isotopes stables sont couramment employées pour étudier l’alimentation et la mobilité résidentielle des populations du passé. Or, la fiabilité des valeurs isotopiques obtenues sur la fraction minérale (apatite) des os retrouvés en contexte archéologique est régulièrement remise en question en raison d’éventuelles modifications du signal biogénique causées par les altérations diagénétiques et les traitements chimiques.
Le but de cette étude est de tester la validité de deux protocoles différents de purification de l’apatite par spectroscopie de Résonance Magnétique Nucléaire des solides (RMN) des atomes d’hydrogène (1H) et de carbone (13C). Cette étude a consisté en, premièrement, l’élimination de la matière organique contenue dans l’os par un traitement à l’hypochlorite de sodium pendant 48 heures, et, deuxièmement, l’élimination des carbonates exogènes par deux protocoles distincts utilisant une solution d’acide acétique à 0,1M durant 4 heures versus une solution d’acide acétique à 1M durant 1 heure.
Les spectres RMN 1H et 13C ont été obtenus avec rotation de l’échantillon à l’angle magique (MAS) pour : (1) l’os non traité, (2) l’os traité à l’hypochlorite de sodium, (3) l’os traité avec 0,1M d’acide acétique, et (4) l’os traité avec 1M d’acide acétique.
Cette étude a été menée sur un échantillon archéologique de 10 individus présentant différents états de conservation : 5 individus issus de la catacombe des Saints Pierre-et-Marcellin (Ier-IIIe s. ap. J. C., Rome) et 5 individus issus du cimetière Saint-Benoît (XVIIIe s. ap. J. C., Prague).
Les premiers résultats obtenus en spectroscopie RMN 13C montrent que, malgré le traitement à l’hypochlorite de sodium, une faible quantité de résidus organiques reste présente dans certains échantillons. La spectroscopie RMN 1H montre aussi des différences dans l’élimination des carbonates exogènes en fonction du protocole employé.
Les résultats obtenus par spectrométrie de masse isotopique montrent que les valeurs isotopiques (δ13C et δ18O) obtenues à la suite des différents traitements peuvent varier en fonction de la concentration des solutions employées et du temps d’immersion dans l’acétique de l’échantillon.
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""Stable isotope analysis is commonly used to study diet and residential mobility of past populat... more ""Stable isotope analysis is commonly used to study diet and residential mobility of past populations. The reliability of isotopic values of the mineral fraction of bones found in archaeological context is regularly questioned because of potential isotopic effects caused by the diagenetic alterations and the chemical treatments of bone apatite.
The aim of this study was to test the validity of two different apatite purification protocols by solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR) of hydrogen (1H) and carbon (13C) nuclei that consist on: first, elimination of organic matter in bone by sodium hypochlorite treatment during 48h; and second, elimination of exogenous carbonate by two apatite purification methods using 0.1M acetic acid during 4h versus 1M acetic acid during 1h.
NMR 1H and 13C spectra were obtained under magic angle sample spinning (MAS) for: (1) untreated bone, (2) bone after sodium hypochlorite treatment, (3) bone after 0.1M acetic acid treatment, and (4) bone after 1M acetic acid treatment.
This study was performed on 10 archaeological human samples having different states of preservation: 5 from the catacomb of Saints Peter and Marcellinus (1st-3rd century AD, Rome) and 5 from Saint Benedict cemetery (18th century AD, Prague).
Primary results in 13C NMR spectroscopy showed that, despite the sodium hypochlorite treatment, small amounts of organic residues were still present in some samples. The 1H NMR spectroscopy also showed differences in the elimination of exogenous carbonate according to the protocol used. Isotopic effects were established according to concentration and immersion time of acetic acid.""
Historian Dr Michael Scott unlocks the secrets of a mysterious tomb recently discovered in one of Rome's famous catacombs. Found by accident following a roof collapse, the tombs contained over 2,000 skeletons piled on top of each other. This was quite unlike any other underground tomb seen in Rome. They are located in an area of the catacombs marked as 'X' in the Vatican's underground mapping system - hence the name The X Tombs.
Michael Scott joins Profs Dominique Castex and Philippe Blanchard, head of a team of French archaeologists with experience of investigating mass grave sites. Carbon dating the bodies suggest they died from the late 1st century AD to the early 3rd century AD, which would mean these people lived and died during Rome's golden age.
The remains of an early Medieval fresco were found on the wall sealing the tomb suggesting this could be the last resting place of a group of unknown Christian martyrs. But the bones don't show the signs of physical trauma you would expect after a violent death.
The bodies were a mixture of men and women, most of them late-teenagers and young adults. They were placed in the tombs with great care, packed in head to foot. Further clues suggest they were laid to rest after a series of mass death events. This raises the idea they may have died from disease.
The streets of Ancient Rome were like an open sewer and the famous roman baths were also a breeding ground for infection. DNA expert and palaeogeneticist Johannes Krause is called in to try to identify what disease may have killed them.
Meanwhile, the French team uncover further clues to the identity of the people. They find cultural connections with Northern Africa. Was this a wealthy immigrant community? Or a select group of Ancient Rome's elite?
La Commission des Publications et des Subsides de la Fondation Universitaire a examiné votre dema... more La Commission des Publications et des Subsides de la Fondation Universitaire a examiné votre demande de subside pour l'article Fish for Rome: An Isotopic Investigation of Marine resource consumption in Imperial capital through the population from the catacomb of Sts Peter and Marcellinus in "Plos One". Après avoir analysé le dossier et pris connaissance des avis des rapporteurs, la Commission a le plaisir de vous faire savoir qu'elle a décidé de vous octroyer un subside de € 500. Le subside sera payé après publication pourvu que les conditions du règlement, en particulier de l'Art. 7 soient satisfaites. La mention " Publié avec le concours de la Fondation Universitaire de Belgique " doit figurer clairement dans une des trois langues nationales et éventuellement dans la langue de l'article à l'endroit approprié de l'article. En acceptant le subside, l'auteur s'engage à ce que les frais correspondants ne seront pas remboursés sous quelque autre forme que ce soit. La Fondation Universitaire règle le montant du subside accordé sur demande de l'auteur et sur la base des factures présentées et dès réception de l'article publié (sous forme électronique ou sur papier). Le subside doit être utilisé dans un délai de deux ans prenant cours à la date de l'octroi. Dès lors, la subvention devra être liquidée avant le 24 avril 2019. Passé ce délai, la somme accordée retourne d'office au patrimoine de la Fondation Universitaire.
Project title: Intra-skeletal isotopic variations in individuals presenting bone disorders
Funds... more Project title: Intra-skeletal isotopic variations in individuals presenting bone disorders
Funds: 3,000€
Abstract: The stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) are routinely used to elucidate the diets of humans in archaeological contexts. The isotopic values of body tissues reflect the isotopic signatures of the foods and liquids consumed plus a small predictable fractionation factor that is unique to each isotopic ratio, known as a trophic level shift (the difference between diet and tissue isotopic values) (Tykot, 2004). Other factors may affect isotopic results such as nutritional stress, starvation, diseases and chronic sickness. These health issues change the trophic level shift complicating the interpretation of the stable isotopic values and preventing to get a reliable reconstruction of the diet practices. Pathological cases are frequently attested in archaeological field researches, but very few information are available to allow us following how much these pathological aspects could affect the metabolism and the incorporation of the stable isotopes in the organism of individuals. Few studies have already focused on some bone disorders (post-paralytic atrophy, healing fracture, active periostitis and healing osteomyelitis) and have shown for some of them that they are characterized by abnormal δ13C and more particularly δ15N values (Katzenberg and Lovell, 1999; Olsen 2013). These studies stayed explorative because of the low number of both the analysed individuals and the diseases. The objective of this study is to apply these isotopic analyses on a larger sample exploring some diseases previously studied and other new ones (rickets, syphilis, tumour, scurvy and trauma). This will be realisable favour to the collection of pathological finds in the NMP. In total, 50 individuals will be analysed for this study. These original results will help us better understanding the processes occurred on bone disorders, and will offer an excellent referential for anthropological, archaeological, medical and forensics research.
Merit Scholarship for PhD entitled "Isotopic archeo-biogeochemistry, reconstitutions of diet and ... more Merit Scholarship for PhD entitled "Isotopic archeo-biogeochemistry, reconstitutions of diet and patterns of mobility, and bio-cultural interactions. The plural burials of the region X of the catacomb of Saints Peter and Marcellinus (Rome, 1st-3rd cent. AD)"
Project title: Validation of the isotopic signal of bone apatite by 14C dating performed on bone ... more Project title: Validation of the isotopic signal of bone apatite by 14C dating performed on bone apatite-collagen pair
Funds: €2,500
Abstract (French): La fiabilité des résultats isotopiques obtenus sur la fraction minérale des ossements humains découverts en contexte archéologique est régulièrement remise en cause du fait des propriétés physico-chimiques de l’apatite biologique de l’os. La fraction minérale de l’os est composée d’un phosphate de calcium – définie comme une hydroxyapatite phosphocalcique poly-substituée et de formule générale Ca10(PO4)6OH2 – et d’ions carbonates – présents dans la structure apatitique par substitution de type A ou B ou à la surface de la maille cristalline par absorption. Ces ions carbonates représentent la seule source de carbone inorganique utilisée pour les analyses isotopiques. L’incorporation d’ions carbonates dans le réseau cristallin de l’os (6 % en poids environ) induit une augmentation de la solubilité de l’apatite, une modification de l’électroneutralité et de la symétrie du cristal, ainsi qu’une porosité plus importante du tissu. Ces caractéristiques physico-chimiques sont directement responsables de la qualité de conservation, lors de la diagénèse, des valeurs isotopiques acquises du vivant de l’individu. En effet, l’os est le tissu le plus susceptible d’échanges avec les fluides diagénétiques percolant dans le sol. Les sources de contaminations et d’altérations de la fraction minérale de l’os sont plurielles et se déclinent essentiellement sous trois formes, à savoir (1) une précipitation de calcite secondaire dans la porosité de l’os, (2) des échanges isotopiques entre le carbonate de l’os et le carbone inorganique dissous dans les eaux de surface ou de nappe, (3) une dissolution/recristallisation d’apatite selon les propriétés physiques et chimiques du milieu de fossilisation. Différentes méthodes de purification de la bioapatite de l’os ont été élaborés afin d’éliminer les contaminants diagénétiques. Toutefois, les traitements chimiques mis en œuvre ne peuvent pas écarter les possibles échanges isotopiques entre le carbonate de l’os et le carbone inorganique dissous. Le développement de tests de la préservation du signal géochimique enregistré dans la bioapatite de l’os est donc essentiel pour valider les résultats isotopiques acquis dans le but d’une étude des régimes alimentaires et de la mobilité résidentielle des individus inhumés. Une approche indirecte pour évaluer la conservation de la bioapatite de l’os consiste à dater la fraction organique – essentiellement collagénique – et la fraction minérale d’un même d’os. En cas de contamination ou d’altération de la fraction organique ou minérale de l’os, les échanges isotopiques ou les dissolutions/recristallisations seront différentes en raison des propriétés physico-chimiques intrinsèques à chaque fraction. Ainsi, toute différence de dates 14C entre la fraction organique et minérale d’un même échantillon exprime une diagénèse différentielle de l’os et nous informe quant à la préservation de la fraction minérale par rapport à la fraction organique qui est considérée comme plus fiable pour la datation radiocarbone. Nous souhaitons appliquer cette méthodologie sur 5 individus issus du site archéologique de la catacombe des Saints-Pierre-et-Marcellin à Rome, daté entre le Ier et le IIIème siècle AD, dans le cadre d’une thèse de doctorat intitulée « Bioarchéologie d’une population victime d’une crise de mortalité. Le secteur central de la catacombe des Saints-Pierre-et-Marcellin à Rome (Ier-IIIème siècles AD) : ostéobiographie et mobilité résidentielle des inhumés. » sous la direction de Dominique Castex (CR1) et Élise Dufour (MC). La purification de la bioapatite de l’os, l’extraction du collagène osseux et l’émission thermique du CO2 sous vide seront réalisées au laboratoire de géochimie de l’UMR 7209 du CNRS. Les 10 datations seront réalisées au 14Chrono Centre par prestation de service.
Submissions are invited for the session " Isotopic Studies in Roman Archaeology: Patterns of Comm... more Submissions are invited for the session " Isotopic Studies in Roman Archaeology: Patterns of Commonality and Eccentricities " to be held during the 13 th Roman Archaeology Conference in Edinburgh (United Kingdom) from 12 to 15 April 2018. Session description Isotopic proxies (e.g. δ 13 C, δ 15 N, δ 18 O, δ 34 S, 87 Sr/ 86 Sr, 14 C) are increasingly applied in Roman archaeology to provide additional valuable information on a wide range of past human activities. Examples include, among others, the reconstruction of past human subsistence or mobility and animal or crop management practices. As isotopic data for the Roman world is accumulated, it becomes possible to enlarge the interpretative scale of research into social structures, rural and urban differentiations, networks of connectivity and mobility, agricultural economy, etc. Through interregional and/or diachronic comparisons and syntheses, patterns of commonality and eccentricities for the different activities under study can be identified. This is of particular importance for research of the Roman world given its temporal and spatial extent which certainly accommodated considerable variability. In several instances, isotopic data can provide unique information on relevant issues which is simply not available from historical records. Furthermore, it can be fruitfully combined with other sources of historical and archaeological data under integrated research approaches. This session welcomes contributions from isotopic studies towards Roman archaeology. Of particular interest are multi-isotopic contributions that adopt integrated approaches by combining multiple lines of evidence. There should be an effort to contrast or place novel case studies within the established general context, highlight uniqueness and new foci of interest, and improve on synthesis efforts. Topics of interest, include, but are not limited to: Exploring isotopic dichotomies, for instance: rural vs. urban, core vs. periphery, Republican vs. Imperial, Pagan vs. Christian Dynamics in social and economic organisation across the Roman world as suggested by isotopic indicators of diet, nutrition, and mobility Regional and temporal comparisons in animal and crop management practices Identifying individuality or singularities within generic isotopic patterns Paper proposals should include the following information: 1) Title of the paper, 2) Name, affiliation, postal address and email of the proposer(s); 3) A short abstract of the paper (not more than 300 words); 4) Title of the session for which the paper should be considered.
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Ancient Greek political and social dynamics have been primarily studied using written sources but also increasingly from the scientific analysis of archaeological materials. In this respect, important insights may be obtained by exploring the relationships between the reconstructed lifeways (e.g. dietary intakes, nutritional status, and mobility) of ancient Greek individuals and social, political, economic, environmental, and cultural parameters. Such lifeways can be reconstructed through multiple isotopic analyses of human, faunal, and botanical archaeological remains and there is a growing body of isotopic evidence for the ancient Greek world. Available ancient Greek isotopic data has now been centralized in the IsoArcH database (http://www.isoarch.eu). IsoArcH is part of the global partner-based initiative IsoMemo (http://www.isomemo.com) which brings together large scale repositories of archaeological, ecological, environmental, chronological data. Following an integrated Bayesian statistical approach that promotes interdisciplinarity accumulated isotopic evidence was combined with other forms of non-isotopic data on diet, mobility, and chronology (e.g. archaeo-botanical or -faunal studies, human osteological studies). The outcome of the Bayesian statistical analysis allowed for the reconstruction of the temporal and spatial diversity of ancient Greek lifeways.
Le potentiel d’applications d’IsoArcH sera présenté au cours de cette communication au travers différents exemples d’études croisant de multiples variables isotopiques et archéologiques. Cette démarche révèlera qu’IsoArcH est une initiative novatrice permettant 1) l'exploration des données et leur traitement statistique en ligne à l’aide d’une application RShiny, 2) la création de référentiels robustes et aisément reproductibles, 3) le développement d’études isotopiques multi-scalaires approfondies pour répondre à des questionnements d’ordre archéologique, et enfin 4) la projection de données sur des cartes historiques géoréférencées pour faciliter leurs recontextualisations. Nous démontrerons ainsi comment IsoArcH s’inscrit dans l’ère du « Big Data » pour assister la communauté scientifique à reconstituer avec précision l’histoire et les modes de vie des populations gréco-romaines.
Abstract: Between 2003 and 2010, unpublished sepulchral assemblies have been discovered and excavated in the central region, called X, of the catacomb of Saints Peter and Marcellinus (Rome, 1st-3rd cent. AD.). These assemblies have proven to be atypical and complex plural burial. Hundreds of the dead were buried extremely rigorous according to uncommon funeral practices. Archeological evidences (simultaneity of deposits) and biological ones (absence of osteological lesions) present a number of features arguing in favor of one or even several crises most likely of an epidemic nature. This or these crises would have executed over a relatively long time with different phases of resurgence and quietude. Furthermore, the discovery of precious materials in association with the deceased puts forward a kind of particular high social rank of the latter. Besides, following funerary practices which are seemed to be similar with non-Roman ones suggests a possible non local origin for the individuals buried in this place. Our doctoral research is with the primary objective to reconstruct the diet and mobility patterns of a subsample of 130 of these individuals using an archeo-biogeochemical multi-proxy (δ13C, δ15N, δ18O and 87Sr/86Sr) and multi-tissue (enamel, bone, hair) approach. In general, we have been able to show that most of these individuals had access to such a type diet based on the triad C3 cereal/C3 meat/Marine fish. This type diet would however not be exclusive. Some individuals (n = 13) would have indeed occasionally consumed other resources such as freshwater fishes or C4 cereals. Besides, this population is distinguished from other contemporary populations of Rome with regard to food they consumed. However, almost a quarter (n = 30) of them are migrants, but they do not distinguish of the Roman residents as for their diet. These migrants have complex and heterogeneous life trajectories; three distinct mobility patterns seem to be conceivable. They could be originated from supra-regions like Europe, Africa, Arabia and Asia Minor. Besides, this population does not differentiate from other Roman populations in terms of rates of migrants but however it does distinguish by its cosmopolitanism. To conclude, on the basis of these elements together with historical and archaeological data, we were able to revisit the social status of these deceased, the origin of cultural traits and the chronology of the site. We end by proposing the hypothesis of a possible Christian origin for these individuals.
A first study, with few historical data, had concluded that those numerous simultaneous deaths could be the result of a plague epidemic. But a new analysis, based on large numbers of well preserved skeletons, sheds a new light on this mortality crisis. Our methods have taken into account many data and works from different sources: archaeology, bioanthropology, demography, history (archives) and isotopes.
In the mass-burials, the paleopathological analyses have not shown any violence-related injuries and the demographic pattern (with young adult males over-represented) is highly selective but does not fit with a plague mortality. New data, including radiocarbon dates, texts from the Premonstratensian’s archives, archaeological artifacts and isotopic analyses (multi-elements: δ13Ccarb (os), δ18Ocarb (os), δ13Ccarb (enamel), δ18Ocarb (enamel), δ13Ccol and δ15Ncol), give evidences for a famine episode during the 1742 siege of Prague where foreign soldiers (from France and Bavaria) have died.
Afin d’appréhender le mode de vie des individus inhumés dans ces sépultures plurielles exceptionnelles, une étude multi-élémentaire (δ13C, δ15N et δ18O) a été réalisée sur un échantillon de 152 sujets provenant de 6 salles localisées au cœur de la catacombe dans l’objectif de reconstituer les pratiques alimentaires et d’analyser la mobilité résidentielle de ces individus. Cette approche permet d’apporter, en outre, de nouveaux éléments de discussion sur l’organisation et l’homogénéité de cette population. Ces analyses ont été menées sur les fractions minérales de l’os et de la dent (apatite) ainsi que les fractions organiques de l’os (collagène) et du cheveu (kératine) à l’échelle individuelle et populationnelle.
Nos résultats suggèrent une alimentation riche en protéines et composée principalement d’aliments d’origine terrestre (écosystème en C3) et marine. De plus, nous avons pu mettre en évidence une forte proportion d’individus allogènes (75%) dans cette population. Enfin, notre échantillon se révèle être statistiquement homogène.
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Ancient Greek political and social dynamics have been primarily studied using written sources but also increasingly from the scientific analysis of archaeological materials. In this respect, important insights may be obtained by exploring the relationships between the reconstructed lifeways (e.g. dietary intakes, nutritional status, and mobility) of ancient Greek individuals and social, political, economic, environmental, and cultural parameters. Such lifeways can be reconstructed through multiple isotopic analyses of human, faunal, and botanical archaeological remains and there is a growing body of isotopic evidence for the ancient Greek world. Available ancient Greek isotopic data has now been centralized in the IsoArcH database (http://www.isoarch.eu). IsoArcH is part of the global partner-based initiative IsoMemo (http://www.isomemo.com) which brings together large scale repositories of archaeological, ecological, environmental, chronological data. Following an integrated Bayesian statistical approach that promotes interdisciplinarity accumulated isotopic evidence was combined with other forms of non-isotopic data on diet, mobility, and chronology (e.g. archaeo-botanical or -faunal studies, human osteological studies). The outcome of the Bayesian statistical analysis allowed for the reconstruction of the temporal and spatial diversity of ancient Greek lifeways.
Le potentiel d’applications d’IsoArcH sera présenté au cours de cette communication au travers différents exemples d’études croisant de multiples variables isotopiques et archéologiques. Cette démarche révèlera qu’IsoArcH est une initiative novatrice permettant 1) l'exploration des données et leur traitement statistique en ligne à l’aide d’une application RShiny, 2) la création de référentiels robustes et aisément reproductibles, 3) le développement d’études isotopiques multi-scalaires approfondies pour répondre à des questionnements d’ordre archéologique, et enfin 4) la projection de données sur des cartes historiques géoréférencées pour faciliter leurs recontextualisations. Nous démontrerons ainsi comment IsoArcH s’inscrit dans l’ère du « Big Data » pour assister la communauté scientifique à reconstituer avec précision l’histoire et les modes de vie des populations gréco-romaines.
Abstract: Between 2003 and 2010, unpublished sepulchral assemblies have been discovered and excavated in the central region, called X, of the catacomb of Saints Peter and Marcellinus (Rome, 1st-3rd cent. AD.). These assemblies have proven to be atypical and complex plural burial. Hundreds of the dead were buried extremely rigorous according to uncommon funeral practices. Archeological evidences (simultaneity of deposits) and biological ones (absence of osteological lesions) present a number of features arguing in favor of one or even several crises most likely of an epidemic nature. This or these crises would have executed over a relatively long time with different phases of resurgence and quietude. Furthermore, the discovery of precious materials in association with the deceased puts forward a kind of particular high social rank of the latter. Besides, following funerary practices which are seemed to be similar with non-Roman ones suggests a possible non local origin for the individuals buried in this place. Our doctoral research is with the primary objective to reconstruct the diet and mobility patterns of a subsample of 130 of these individuals using an archeo-biogeochemical multi-proxy (δ13C, δ15N, δ18O and 87Sr/86Sr) and multi-tissue (enamel, bone, hair) approach. In general, we have been able to show that most of these individuals had access to such a type diet based on the triad C3 cereal/C3 meat/Marine fish. This type diet would however not be exclusive. Some individuals (n = 13) would have indeed occasionally consumed other resources such as freshwater fishes or C4 cereals. Besides, this population is distinguished from other contemporary populations of Rome with regard to food they consumed. However, almost a quarter (n = 30) of them are migrants, but they do not distinguish of the Roman residents as for their diet. These migrants have complex and heterogeneous life trajectories; three distinct mobility patterns seem to be conceivable. They could be originated from supra-regions like Europe, Africa, Arabia and Asia Minor. Besides, this population does not differentiate from other Roman populations in terms of rates of migrants but however it does distinguish by its cosmopolitanism. To conclude, on the basis of these elements together with historical and archaeological data, we were able to revisit the social status of these deceased, the origin of cultural traits and the chronology of the site. We end by proposing the hypothesis of a possible Christian origin for these individuals.
A first study, with few historical data, had concluded that those numerous simultaneous deaths could be the result of a plague epidemic. But a new analysis, based on large numbers of well preserved skeletons, sheds a new light on this mortality crisis. Our methods have taken into account many data and works from different sources: archaeology, bioanthropology, demography, history (archives) and isotopes.
In the mass-burials, the paleopathological analyses have not shown any violence-related injuries and the demographic pattern (with young adult males over-represented) is highly selective but does not fit with a plague mortality. New data, including radiocarbon dates, texts from the Premonstratensian’s archives, archaeological artifacts and isotopic analyses (multi-elements: δ13Ccarb (os), δ18Ocarb (os), δ13Ccarb (enamel), δ18Ocarb (enamel), δ13Ccol and δ15Ncol), give evidences for a famine episode during the 1742 siege of Prague where foreign soldiers (from France and Bavaria) have died.
Afin d’appréhender le mode de vie des individus inhumés dans ces sépultures plurielles exceptionnelles, une étude multi-élémentaire (δ13C, δ15N et δ18O) a été réalisée sur un échantillon de 152 sujets provenant de 6 salles localisées au cœur de la catacombe dans l’objectif de reconstituer les pratiques alimentaires et d’analyser la mobilité résidentielle de ces individus. Cette approche permet d’apporter, en outre, de nouveaux éléments de discussion sur l’organisation et l’homogénéité de cette population. Ces analyses ont été menées sur les fractions minérales de l’os et de la dent (apatite) ainsi que les fractions organiques de l’os (collagène) et du cheveu (kératine) à l’échelle individuelle et populationnelle.
Nos résultats suggèrent une alimentation riche en protéines et composée principalement d’aliments d’origine terrestre (écosystème en C3) et marine. De plus, nous avons pu mettre en évidence une forte proportion d’individus allogènes (75%) dans cette population. Enfin, notre échantillon se révèle être statistiquement homogène.
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Here, we propose to make an assessment of the current state of isotopic research in Classics. More particularly, we are taking inventory of isotopic studies focusing on human and animal diet and mobility patterns, crop and animal management practices, and paleoenvironment changes from the Iron age to the late Antiquity across Europe. To realise this drilldown report, we are using IsoArcH, a new open-access web-based database that my colleagues and I developed to gather isotopic data and associated archaeological information of more than 6000 bioarchaeological samples from the Graeco-Roman world sensu lato.
The results highlight the existence of a gap between the United Kingdom and the continental Europe with regard to the number of analysed samples and published isotopic data. The latter is clearly understudied compared to the British territories, spotlighting the current research questions on which the scientific community is principally focused, but also underlining the necessity to carry out more isotopic investigations in some European parts, such as France.
Cette étude a été financée par le programme européen SYNTHESYS (CZ-TAF-3558) et le Ministère de la Culture de République tchèque (DKRVO 2016/18 and 2018/18, 00023272).
The study highlights the pitfall of considering all buried individuals as one unit for further anthropological analysis as well as bioarchaeological interpretation. This contribution was supported by the project Barrande – Mobility, 7AMB13FR012.
This remarkable site offers a unique opportunity to explore the influence of the diagenesis on the preservation and stable isotope values δ13C, δ15N, δ18O) of bone. Burial environment and time are the two principal parameters which control the preservation of skeletal tissues in archaeological contexts. Since all individuals inhumed in the central area of the catacomb died more or less contemporaneously, we can focus only on the taphonomic processes.
Conventional diagenesis indicators (collagen yield, %C, %N, C:N ratio, carbonate content, etc.) determined on 128 individuals sampled in different burial chambers of the catacomb were used to recognize possible diagenetic alterations or contaminations of the organic and mineral phase of bone and enamel. Additional measurements such as FTIR analysis and 14C dating of bone collagen-carbonate pairs were performed to detect more precisely potential post-mortem changes of the structural carbonate in bone and enamel apatite.
We observe a correlation between bone collagen and carbonate preservation and the size of the burial chambers. Different diagenetic processes seem to take place between the different chambers and bone preservation is better in large chambers than in small ones. However, the different criterions used for this study indicate that the collagen and structural carbonate isotopic values are not significantly affected by diagenesis which can be used for reconstructing life histories of the Sts Peter and Marcellinus catacomb individuals.
L'étude de la diversité biologique des individus inhumés dans six salles du secteur central de la catacombe des Saints Pierre-et-Marcellin à Rome (fin Ier- milieu IIIe s. ap. J.-C.) a été effectuée à travers un corpus de 208 caractères discrets dentaires. Enregistrées sur un total de 3850 dents, ces données se répartissent sur 312 individus et 666 dents isolées. Ces ensembles funéraires particuliers correspondent aux dépôts de plusieurs centaines de défunts inhumés simultanément suite à différentes crises de mortalités. Ces sujets se caractérisent par un rang social élevé (présence de matériaux précieux tels que la soie, l’or et l’ambre) et par le recours de pratiques funéraires peu communes (employant des résines, du tissu et du plâtre).
Afin d'évaluer l'homogénéité de cette population, nous avons appliqué un ensemble de méthodes univariées et multivariées s'appuyant pour les unes sur la dichotomisation des caractères discrets dentaires (présence versus absence) et pour les autres sur le caractère continu de ces variations anatomiques non-métriques. De plus, les tests multivariés utilisés, fondés sur les mesures moyennes de divergence (MMD) et ne conservant pas la notion d'individu, nous ont permis d'inclure les dents isolées.
Nos analyses statistiques plaident en faveur de l'hypothèse d'homogénéité des individus présents dans les différentes salles de la catacombe et offrent l'opportunité d'avancer de nouveaux arguments en termes d'organisation et de structuration de cette population.
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Le but de cette étude est de tester la validité de deux protocoles différents de purification de l’apatite par spectroscopie de Résonance Magnétique Nucléaire des solides (RMN) des atomes d’hydrogène (1H) et de carbone (13C). Cette étude a consisté en, premièrement, l’élimination de la matière organique contenue dans l’os par un traitement à l’hypochlorite de sodium pendant 48 heures, et, deuxièmement, l’élimination des carbonates exogènes par deux protocoles distincts utilisant une solution d’acide acétique à 0,1M durant 4 heures versus une solution d’acide acétique à 1M durant 1 heure.
Les spectres RMN 1H et 13C ont été obtenus avec rotation de l’échantillon à l’angle magique (MAS) pour : (1) l’os non traité, (2) l’os traité à l’hypochlorite de sodium, (3) l’os traité avec 0,1M d’acide acétique, et (4) l’os traité avec 1M d’acide acétique.
Cette étude a été menée sur un échantillon archéologique de 10 individus présentant différents états de conservation : 5 individus issus de la catacombe des Saints Pierre-et-Marcellin (Ier-IIIe s. ap. J. C., Rome) et 5 individus issus du cimetière Saint-Benoît (XVIIIe s. ap. J. C., Prague).
Les premiers résultats obtenus en spectroscopie RMN 13C montrent que, malgré le traitement à l’hypochlorite de sodium, une faible quantité de résidus organiques reste présente dans certains échantillons. La spectroscopie RMN 1H montre aussi des différences dans l’élimination des carbonates exogènes en fonction du protocole employé.
Les résultats obtenus par spectrométrie de masse isotopique montrent que les valeurs isotopiques (δ13C et δ18O) obtenues à la suite des différents traitements peuvent varier en fonction de la concentration des solutions employées et du temps d’immersion dans l’acétique de l’échantillon.
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The aim of this study was to test the validity of two different apatite purification protocols by solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR) of hydrogen (1H) and carbon (13C) nuclei that consist on: first, elimination of organic matter in bone by sodium hypochlorite treatment during 48h; and second, elimination of exogenous carbonate by two apatite purification methods using 0.1M acetic acid during 4h versus 1M acetic acid during 1h.
NMR 1H and 13C spectra were obtained under magic angle sample spinning (MAS) for: (1) untreated bone, (2) bone after sodium hypochlorite treatment, (3) bone after 0.1M acetic acid treatment, and (4) bone after 1M acetic acid treatment.
This study was performed on 10 archaeological human samples having different states of preservation: 5 from the catacomb of Saints Peter and Marcellinus (1st-3rd century AD, Rome) and 5 from Saint Benedict cemetery (18th century AD, Prague).
Primary results in 13C NMR spectroscopy showed that, despite the sodium hypochlorite treatment, small amounts of organic residues were still present in some samples. The 1H NMR spectroscopy also showed differences in the elimination of exogenous carbonate according to the protocol used. Isotopic effects were established according to concentration and immersion time of acetic acid.""
Historian Dr Michael Scott unlocks the secrets of a mysterious tomb recently discovered in one of Rome's famous catacombs. Found by accident following a roof collapse, the tombs contained over 2,000 skeletons piled on top of each other. This was quite unlike any other underground tomb seen in Rome. They are located in an area of the catacombs marked as 'X' in the Vatican's underground mapping system - hence the name The X Tombs.
Michael Scott joins Profs Dominique Castex and Philippe Blanchard, head of a team of French archaeologists with experience of investigating mass grave sites. Carbon dating the bodies suggest they died from the late 1st century AD to the early 3rd century AD, which would mean these people lived and died during Rome's golden age.
The remains of an early Medieval fresco were found on the wall sealing the tomb suggesting this could be the last resting place of a group of unknown Christian martyrs. But the bones don't show the signs of physical trauma you would expect after a violent death.
The bodies were a mixture of men and women, most of them late-teenagers and young adults. They were placed in the tombs with great care, packed in head to foot. Further clues suggest they were laid to rest after a series of mass death events. This raises the idea they may have died from disease.
The streets of Ancient Rome were like an open sewer and the famous roman baths were also a breeding ground for infection. DNA expert and palaeogeneticist Johannes Krause is called in to try to identify what disease may have killed them.
Meanwhile, the French team uncover further clues to the identity of the people. They find cultural connections with Northern Africa. Was this a wealthy immigrant community? Or a select group of Ancient Rome's elite?
Funds: 3,000€
Abstract: The stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) are routinely used to elucidate the diets of humans in archaeological contexts. The isotopic values of body tissues reflect the isotopic signatures of the foods and liquids consumed plus a small predictable fractionation factor that is unique to each isotopic ratio, known as a trophic level shift (the difference between diet and tissue isotopic values) (Tykot, 2004). Other factors may affect isotopic results such as nutritional stress, starvation, diseases and chronic sickness. These health issues change the trophic level shift complicating the interpretation of the stable isotopic values and preventing to get a reliable reconstruction of the diet practices. Pathological cases are frequently attested in archaeological field researches, but very few information are available to allow us following how much these pathological aspects could affect the metabolism and the incorporation of the stable isotopes in the organism of individuals. Few studies have already focused on some bone disorders (post-paralytic atrophy, healing fracture, active periostitis and healing osteomyelitis) and have shown for some of them that they are characterized by abnormal δ13C and more particularly δ15N values (Katzenberg and Lovell, 1999; Olsen 2013). These studies stayed explorative because of the low number of both the analysed individuals and the diseases. The objective of this study is to apply these isotopic analyses on a larger sample exploring some diseases previously studied and other new ones (rickets, syphilis, tumour, scurvy and trauma). This will be realisable favour to the collection of pathological finds in the NMP. In total, 50 individuals will be analysed for this study. These original results will help us better understanding the processes occurred on bone disorders, and will offer an excellent referential for anthropological, archaeological, medical and forensics research.
Funds: 81,000€
Funds: €2,500
Abstract (French): La fiabilité des résultats isotopiques obtenus sur la fraction minérale des ossements humains découverts en contexte archéologique est régulièrement remise en cause du fait des propriétés physico-chimiques de l’apatite biologique de l’os. La fraction minérale de l’os est composée d’un phosphate de calcium – définie comme une hydroxyapatite phosphocalcique poly-substituée et de formule générale Ca10(PO4)6OH2 – et d’ions carbonates – présents dans la structure apatitique par substitution de type A ou B ou à la surface de la maille cristalline par absorption. Ces ions carbonates représentent la seule source de carbone inorganique utilisée pour les analyses isotopiques. L’incorporation d’ions carbonates dans le réseau cristallin de l’os (6 % en poids environ) induit une augmentation de la solubilité de l’apatite, une modification de l’électroneutralité et de la symétrie du cristal, ainsi qu’une porosité plus importante du tissu. Ces caractéristiques physico-chimiques sont directement responsables de la qualité de conservation, lors de la diagénèse, des valeurs isotopiques acquises du vivant de l’individu. En effet, l’os est le tissu le plus susceptible d’échanges avec les fluides diagénétiques percolant dans le sol. Les sources de contaminations et d’altérations de la fraction minérale de l’os sont plurielles et se déclinent essentiellement sous trois formes, à savoir (1) une précipitation de calcite secondaire dans la porosité de l’os, (2) des échanges isotopiques entre le carbonate de l’os et le carbone inorganique dissous dans les eaux de surface ou de nappe, (3) une dissolution/recristallisation d’apatite selon les propriétés physiques et chimiques du milieu de fossilisation. Différentes méthodes de purification de la bioapatite de l’os ont été élaborés afin d’éliminer les contaminants diagénétiques. Toutefois, les traitements chimiques mis en œuvre ne peuvent pas écarter les possibles échanges isotopiques entre le carbonate de l’os et le carbone inorganique dissous. Le développement de tests de la préservation du signal géochimique enregistré dans la bioapatite de l’os est donc essentiel pour valider les résultats isotopiques acquis dans le but d’une étude des régimes alimentaires et de la mobilité résidentielle des individus inhumés. Une approche indirecte pour évaluer la conservation de la bioapatite de l’os consiste à dater la fraction organique – essentiellement collagénique – et la fraction minérale d’un même d’os. En cas de contamination ou d’altération de la fraction organique ou minérale de l’os, les échanges isotopiques ou les dissolutions/recristallisations seront différentes en raison des propriétés physico-chimiques intrinsèques à chaque fraction. Ainsi, toute différence de dates 14C entre la fraction organique et minérale d’un même échantillon exprime une diagénèse différentielle de l’os et nous informe quant à la préservation de la fraction minérale par rapport à la fraction organique qui est considérée comme plus fiable pour la datation radiocarbone.
Nous souhaitons appliquer cette méthodologie sur 5 individus issus du site archéologique de la catacombe des Saints-Pierre-et-Marcellin à Rome, daté entre le Ier et le IIIème siècle AD, dans le cadre d’une thèse de doctorat intitulée « Bioarchéologie d’une population victime d’une crise de mortalité. Le secteur central de la catacombe des Saints-Pierre-et-Marcellin à Rome (Ier-IIIème siècles AD) : ostéobiographie et mobilité résidentielle des inhumés. » sous la direction de Dominique Castex (CR1) et Élise Dufour (MC). La purification de la bioapatite de l’os, l’extraction du collagène osseux et l’émission thermique du CO2 sous vide seront réalisées au laboratoire de géochimie de l’UMR 7209 du CNRS. Les 10 datations seront réalisées au 14Chrono Centre par prestation de service.