The nuns of Saint-Pierre de l’Almanarre: An isotopic pilot study

The reforms of the medieval Christian church were a way to reestablish the rigor of the Rule. This affected men’s and women’s abbeys differently, especially considering dietary restrictions and food abstinence. The Cistercian abbey and cemetery of Saint-Pierre de l’Almanarre (12th-14th centuries AD) is located along the southeastern Mediterranean coast of France near Hyères. Those interred in the cemetery included nuns from the convent as well as males, females, and non-adults from ..

Reconstructing Infant Weaning Histories At Roman Period Kellis, Egypt Using Stable Isotope Analysis Of Dentition

Studies of infant feeding and weaning patterns in past populations that rely on a cross-sectional approach must make the assumption that no infant mortality bias exists. Previous investigations of infant weaning patterns at the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt, relied on cross-sectional isotope data. In this study, we re-examine this weaning pattern, using a simulated longitudinal approach, which does not require any assumptions regarding potential infant mortality biases. This involves examining the dental isotopic signatures of individuals who survived the weaning process. Stable isotope signatures from juveniles and adults (102 individuals, 297 teeth) were examined to reconstruct the weaning history of those that survived the weaning process. Both deciduous and permanent teeth were sampled. Homogenized enamel and dentin samples were isolated from each tooth and analyzed for δ13Cap and δ18Oap from the enamel and δ 15Ncoll and δ13Ccoll from dentin collagen. We investigate differences between in utero versus postbirth, preweaning versus postweaning, and juvenile versus adult stable isotope values as reflected in the dentition. A random permutation procedure was used to test for statistically significant differences in stable isotope values between tooth types. Statistically significant differences were observed in all stable isotopes between permanent and deciduous teeth, and between early and later forming permanent teeth in δ13Cap and δ15Ncoll isotopes. These results indicate dietary change between in utero and postbirth, and changes occurring during the weaning period. These results provide a more comprehensive picture of infant weaning practices at Kellis and provide further support that complete weaning occurred by 3 years of age. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc

Strangers In A Strange Land: Stable Isotope Evidence For Human Migration In The Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt

This study utilizes a combination of both stable oxygen and nitrogen isotope ratios to determine migration patterns for a large sample of human remains from the Kellis 2 cemetery (c. AD 250) in the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt. Stable oxygen isotopic analysis has been used to identify potential migrants in several different populations. In this study, the data resultant from the combination of oxygen isotope ratios from bone apatite and nitrogen isotope ratios from bone collagen indicate that at least two individuals are not native to the Oasis, as shown by their lower nitrogen values and more positive oxygen isotopes, approaching values documented for residents of the Nile Valley and Nubia. The most isotopically distinctive individual is lepromatous, suggesting that he may have been exiled to the oasis from the Nile Valley. Interestingly, all individuals who have different isotope values are male, supporting the idea that males may have been involved in caravan trade between the Oasis and the Nile Valley. © 2001 Academic Press

The Effects Of Household Corrosive Chemicals On Human Dentition

There is a gap in the literature concerning the chemical effects that household products may produce on human remains. The present study examines the effects of household chemical products on teeth. A total of eight chemicals were utilized for this experiment. The corrosive chemical categories include: hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and sodium hydroxide. Two products with each chemical were used, each representing varying concentrations of the corrosive product. Two human teeth were allocated for emergence in the chemical throughout a 24-h period of exposure. Results demonstrate hydrochloric acid as the most detrimental chemical to the dental samples. Sulfuric acid enacted minimal alterations to the teeth, although some etching and discoloration were noticeable. Phosphoric acid resulted in variable changes of the organic and inorganic contents of teeth. Lastly, exposure of sodium hydroxide resulted in little to no change. As hypothesized, distinct effects are observable of each chemical. © 2009 American Academy of Forensic Sciences

The Contribution Of Forensic Archaeology To Homicide Investigations

Collecting and processing forensic evidence during a death investigation has become an endeavor that may incorporate numerous personnel from many disciplines. During death investigations, specialized forensic experts regularly consult with law enforcement agencies at city, state, and federal levels, and with medical examiner and coroner offices. These forensic experts can also provide training, specialized laboratory analyses of forensic evidence, and services for which law enforcement may have very little or no training. Forensic archaeology is one such discipline that can provide specialized expertise at the crime scene. In addition to discussing the differences between forensic anthropology and forensic archaeology, this article presents a summary of the contributions that forensic archaeology can make during the search for and processing of crime scenes involving human remains. © 2008 Sage Publications

Osteogenesis Imperfecta In The Archeological Record: An Example From The Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt

The present study evaluates a fetal skeleton (B532) from the Romano-Byzantine period Kellis 2 cemetery (circa A.D. 50-A.D. 450), in the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt. This skeleton displays abnormal skeletal characteristics consisting of severe bowing of the long bones. Differential diagnoses using macroscopic and radiographic analyses indicate that this individual\u27s pathological condition was caused by osteogenesis imperfecta (IO), possibly Type IIB/III, or Type IV OI, corroborating with characteristics reported in the clinical literature. Due to the severe bowing of the long bones, traditional aging methods could not be used for this individual. Baysian estimates of age indicate this individual was a fetus of approximately 38 weeks gestation. Although this condition has been diagnosed previously in the archeological literature, this burial represents the youngest aged example of osteogenesis imperfecta reported to date. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.

Pre-Dating Paprika: Reconstructing Childhood And Adulthood Diet At Medieval (13Th Century Ce) Solt-Tételhegy, Hungary From Stable Carbon And Nitrogen Isotope Analyses

Between 2005 and 2009, 125 skeletons were excavated from the medieval (13th century CE) Hungarian archaeological site of Solt-Tételhegy. While previous stable isotopic research has examined the diet of medieval European peoples, here we present the first such research conducted on a medieval Hungarian population. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses were conducted on dental enamel and dentin from first and second molars from 24 individuals to reconstruct their childhood diet, as well as from the rib bones of 21 of the same individuals to reconstruct their adulthood diet. The average enamel δ13C values is − 11.1‰, and the average for dentin δ13C values is 17.4‰. The bone apatite δ13C values have a mean of − 10‰, while the bone collagen δ13C values have a mean of − 17.1‰. These data suggest that C3 plants were the dominant plant type consumed by the majority of the study population, although varying quantities of C4 plants were also eaten, supporting other archaeological evidence that C3 plants were consumed more often than C4 plants in medieval Europe. The dentin δ15N values average at 10.6‰, and the bone δ15N values average at 9.8‰, showing that animal protein constituted a moderate proportion of the diet. Despite signs of status differences indicated by burial location, stable nitrogen isotope values also suggest that the individuals had relatively egalitarian access to animal protein