Diet, status, and mobility in Late Iron Age Switzerland: A bioarchaeological study of human remains based on stable isotope analyses

Swiss human skeletal series are of great importance for anthropological research on middle and western European populations of the Late Iron Age, also called the La Tène period. The aim of the project is to analyse dietary habits of Late Iron Age population in today’s Switzerland. The focus of the thesis lies on the stable isotope analyses (δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S) from bone collagen of human remains for the analyses of paleodiet, subsistence strategies and migration. The investigation of sex, age, social strata, geographical regions, and time periods provide information on living and environmental conditions, as well as human mobility and origin. The inclusion of different geographical regions such as the Swiss Plateau and the southern Alpine regions allows comparing different ecological areas and different subsistence strategies. Paleopathological alterations are presented and a study of ancient trepanation surgery sheds light on the culture of these prehistoric populations and their understanding of the human body. Dietary analyses indicate that social stratigraphy most likely distinguished between the Early La Tène society of Münsingen and the Middle and Late La Tène populations. As the Late Iron Age is known to have been a period of many warlike activities, the role of leaderships and warriors will be discussed in this context. Furthermore, it is suggested that due to different geological, climatic, and environmental conditions the populations in the Southern Alpine regions had distinct Patterns of crop cultivation and animal husbandry compared to those in the Plateau. Successive agricultural changes might have also derived through cultural exchange between the Celtic and the Mediterranean culture. Mobility of small groups and/or single individuals is indicated by the isotopic data and could have favoured a cultural exchange. The investigation of excavated human remains renders direct scientific information and is the basis of any further research. Methodological progress and scientific analyses provide new information of past populations, which is compared to archaeological evidence and historical sources. This Thesis provides an overview of skeletal remains from many La Tène burial sites in Switzerland, including information of anthropologic-morphological, palaeopathological and biochemical analyses

Diet and mobility of an Iron Age population in Switzerland; Stable carbon, nitrogen and sulphur isotope analysis of the human remains from Münsingen

The 220 abundantly equipped burials from the Late Iron Age cemetery of Münsingen (420 – 240 BC) marked a milestone for Iron Age research. The evident horizontal spread throughout the time of occupancy laid the foundation for the chronology system of the Late Iron Age. Today the skulls of 77 individuals and some postcranial bones are still preserved. The aim was to obtain information about nutrition, social stratification and migration of the individuals from Münsingen. Stable isotope ratios of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur were analysed. The results of 63 individuals show that all consumed C3 plants as staple food with significant differences between males and females in δ13C and δ15N values. The results indicate a gender restriction in access to animal protein. Stable isotope values of one male buried with weapons and meat as grave goods suggest a diet with more animal proteins than the other individuals. It is possible that he was privileged due to high status. Furthermore, the δ34S values indicate minor mobility. Assuming that the subadults represent the local signal of δ34S it is very likely that adults with enriched δ34S could have migrated to Münsingen at some point during their lives. This study presents stable isotope values of one of the most important Late Iron Age burial sites in Central Europe. The presented data provide new insight into diet, migration and social stratification of the population from Münsingen

Social stratigraphy in Late Iron Age Switzerland: Analysis of human remains from Münsingen

The Iron Age cemetery of Münsingen in Switzerland with 220 abundantly equipped burials marked a milestone for Iron Age research. The horizontal spread throughout the time of its occupancy laid the foundation for the chronology system of the Late Iron Age. Today, skulls of 77 individuals and some postcranial bones are still preserved and were investigated anthropologically. Collagen was analysed via stable isotope mass spectrometry (carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur). Additionally, some bones showed pathologies or lesions which were examined via imaging and histological methods. The aim of the study was to obtain biological-anthropological information about the Iron Age population. There are significant differences between males and females in δ13C and δ15N values. This points to a gender restriction in the access to animal protein with males having more access to meat and dairy products. Differences in δ15N values were also observed for different age classes. δ34S values indicate a terrestrial-based diet with no significant intake of marine or freshwater fish. Seven adults with enriched δ34S values might have immigrated to Münsingen, four of which were found in the oldest part of the cemetery. Furthermore, possible changes of the vegetation are indicated by the more positive stable carbon ratios in the later phases. The results lead to the suggestion that especially males buried with weapons might have played a special role in the Iron Age society. Also, skull trepanations in two males suggest that surgical treatment of injuries caused by weapons may have been performed