British Iron Age Diet: stable isotopes and other evidence

This paper presents the results of new research into British Iron Age diet. Specifically, it summarizes the existing evidence and compares this with new evidence obtained from stable isotope analysis. The isotope data come from both humans and animals from ten British middle Iron Age sites, from four locations in East Yorkshire, East Lothian, Hampshire and Cornwall. These represent the only significant data-set of comparative humans (n = 140) and animals (n = 212) for this period currently available for the UK. They are discussed here alongside other evidence for diet during the middle Iron Age in Britain. In particular, the question of whether fish, or other aquatic foods, were a major dietary resource during this period is examined. The isotopic data suggest similar dietary protein consumption patterns across the groups, both within local populations and between them, although outliers do exist which may indicate mobile individuals moving into the sites. The diet generally includes a high level of animal protein, with little indication of the use of marine resources at any isotopically distinguishable level, even when the sites are located directly on the coast. The nitrogen isotopic values also indicate absolute variation across these locations which is indicative of environmental background differences rather than differential consumption patterns and this is discussed in the context of the difficulty of interpreting isotopic data without a complete understanding of the 'baseline' values for any particular time and place. This reinforces the need for significant numbers of contemporaneous animals to be analysed from the same locations when interpreting human data-sets

Diet in the Iron Age cemetery population at Wetwang Slack, East Yorkshire, UK: carbon and nitrogen stable isotope evidence

This paper reports d13C and d15N values for human and animal bone collagen from the middle Iron Age site at Wetwang Slack, East Yorkshire, UK. The data indicate a human diet which was high in animal protein, with no evidence for any significant marine food input. No differences were found between high-status vehicle (or 'chariot') burials and the rest of the population and no other status differentiations are visible according to burial rite, age or sex groupings, although the data obtained for the older males display an unusual trend. No dietary variation is seen between two site phases and no evidence for an early immigrant group is present. The range of isotope values for the adult human group as a whole is small, indicating that the diet is likely to have been consistent over time and across the population, although two individuals stand out as unusual amongst the 62 analysed

High-Potential C112D/M121X (X = M, E, H, L) Pseudomonas aeruginosa Azurins

Site-directed mutagenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin C112D at the M121 position has afforded a series of proteins with elevated Cu^(II/I) reduction potentials relative to the CuII aquo ion. The high potential and low axial hyperfine splitting (Cu^(II) electron paramagnetic resonance A|) of the C112D/M121L protein are remarkably similar to features normally associated with type 1 copper centers

Implementation of Roundabouts: City of Greenwood\u27s Experience

The City of Greenwood opened its first roundabout in August of 2015 and has six more roundabouts in the pipeline to address congestion and safety issues throughout the city. In this presentation we will highlight the reasons roundabouts were preferred at the various locations, how the project proposals were received by the public, and the feedback on completed projects, as well as the challenges and solutions of a unique roundabout project in a congested area that includes a state highway

Tooth enamel oxygen “isoscapes” show a high degree of human mobility in prehistoric Britain

A geostatistical model to predict human skeletal oxygen isotope values (δ(18)Op) in Britain is presented here based on a new dataset of Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age human teeth. The spatial statistics which underpin this model allow the identification of individuals interpreted as 'non-local' to the areas where they were buried (spatial outliers). A marked variation in δ(18)Op is observed in several areas, including the Stonehenge region, the Peak District, and the Yorkshire Wolds, suggesting a high degree of human mobility. These areas, rich in funerary and ceremonial monuments, may have formed focal points for people, some of whom would have travelled long distances, ultimately being buried there. The dataset and model represent a baseline for future archaeological studies, avoiding the complex conversions from skeletal to water δ(18)O values-a process known to be problematic

Radiocarbon dating results from the Beaker People Project, 2007: Scottish samples

The Beaker People Project is a major interdisciplinary five-year research programme, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and led by one of the authors (Mike Parker Pearson of Sheffield University). It aims to investigate patterns of diet, mobility and health in British Beaker-associated skeletons (and in contemporaneous non-Beaker associated skeletons) to help address long-standing issues of identity, such as: are the people who were buried with Beaker pottery any different from their contemporaries who were not? Are possible immigrants identifiable, as was the case with the Amesbury Archer? The Project will investigate 250 sets of remains, from five geochemically-contrasting areas – namely eastern Scotland, Yorkshire, the Peak District, Wessex and Wales – using osteology, dental microwear, histology and pathology, and isotopic analysis of tooth enamel and bone (with carbon and nitrogen in bone providing information about diet, strontium and oxygen in tooth enamel providing information about mobility, and sulphur in bone providing information about coastal vs. non-coastal residence). A subset of the 250 individuals is to be radiocarbon-dated, to improve our understanding of Beaker chronology

Modifying the Recess Before Lunch Program: A Pilot Study in Kaneohe Elementary School

Moving recess before lunch (RBL), though a simple schedule change, may provide many benefits for both students and elementary schools. Having recess before lunch has been shown to decrease plate waste (Bergman, et al., 2003; Gettlinger, 1996; Montana OPI, 2003; Ruppenthal & Hogue, 1977), and may improve discipline problems. The RBL schedule change has not previously been implemented in Hawai‘i schools. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of implementing a modified version of RBL into elementary schools in Hawai‘i . The modified version of RBL allows for implementation into a three-bell lunch system, a system used by many elementary schools in Hawai‘i. A one-grade-per-lunch period RBL switch was assessed among 6th grade students for 1) shorter lunch line wait, 2) increased access to recess equipment 3) decrease in conduct-related referrals, and 4) moderate decrease in food and milk waste for the affected grade(s). Results indicate a significant decrease in lunch line wait, a decrease in discipline referrals, and a slight non-significant decrease in lunch waste. Additional comments from administrators and teaching staff indicate positive changes in student behavior on the playground, in the cafeteria, and in the classroom. One major finding was the reduction in discipline problems after the implementation of RBL, as seen in both the quantitative referral counts and qualitative teacher and administrator questionnaires. The positive results of this study support further implementation of RBL into schools in Hawai‘i. Kaneohe Elementary School has continued to apply recess before lunch to the sixth grade lunch periods and is considering further implementation into other grades. The Hawai‘i Action for Healthy Kids team plans to approach more schools in Hawai‘i about using the modified recess before lunch program