Stable Isotope Analysis of Human and Faunal Remains from the Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Berinsfield, Oxfordshire: Dietary and Social Implications

Authors: Privat K.L.¹; O'connell T.C.¹; Richards M.P.²

Source: Journal of Archaeological Science, Volume 29, Number 7, July 2002 , pp. 779-790(12)

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Abstract:

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values were obtained from human and faunal bones from the Early Anglo-Saxon cemetery site at Wally Corner, Berinsfield, Oxfordshire, U.K. These values were used to characterize the diet of the burial community as a whole and to analyse dietary patterns within sub-groups determined by sex, age, grave goods, and possible household arrangement. While dietary variability is observed in all sub-groups tested, we identify an apparent distinction between the average diets of individuals classified as “wealthy” and “intermediately wealthy” and those classified as “poor”. A similar dietary difference indicates a status-based age differential between males under and over 30 years old, also reflected in the archaeological record. A notable absence of dietary differentiation was noted between males and females at Berinsfield, indicating that sex-based societal classification did not significantly influence an individual's access to the various food sources available to the Berinsfield community. Conclusions drawn from these isotopic data are of use in adding to the picture of daily life and social structure in early Anglo-Saxon Britain. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, University of Oxford, 6 Keble Road, Oxford, OX1 3QJ, U.K. 2: Department of Archaeological Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, BD7 1DP, U.K.

Publication date: 2002-07-01