Reconstructing Childhood Diet using Dentine Microsamples from Skeletal Remains from Kenchreai and Isthmia, Greece

• Author / Creator

  Ramsaroop, Helena

• An understudied topic in bioarchaeology is that of childhood diet after weaning. Palaeodietary reconstructions have typically focused on examining breastfeeding and weaning or adult diets. This study uses stable isotope analysis of dentine microsamples to examine the diets of juveniles at the Greek sites of Kenchreai and Isthmia (Late Roman Period). Results from prior research conducted on bone collagen showed elevated δ13C and δ15N values in adults at one of these sites, which is suggestive of a significant contribution of marine resources to the diet. However, this elevation is only seen in adults, whereas the values of the juvenile remains suggest that children consumed a different diet that included less fish. The current study seeks to further investigate this dietary difference by conducting stable isotope analysis on dentine collagen. Five premolars from Kenchreai and two premolars from Isthmia were selected for this study and produced a total of fifty-two dentine microsamples. These microsamples provide dietary information for small periods of time within the time frame of premolar formation and completion. Premolars were chosen for this study to target the ages after breastfeeding and weaning at approximately 2.5 years, up until the completion of premolar formation at 14.5 years.The results of this study agree with the data from the bone collagen analysis, which indicates that children consumed less fish. However, microsampling also allowed for intra-individual dietary trends to be identified. The isotope profiles of three Kenchreai individuals demonstrate a subtle rise in δ13C and δ15N values in the microsamples that represent the end of tooth formation. This may reflect a shift to a more adult-like diet that incorporated some marine resources, which is consistent with evidence from the historical record that adult roles and responsibilities began to be adopted around this age.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Kenchreai
  • Dentine microsampling
  • Dietary reconstruction
  • Bioarchaeology
  • Biological Anthropology
  • Childhood diet
  • Juvenile remains
  • Greece
  • Stable isotope analysis
  • Anthropology
  • Isthmia

• Graduation date

  Spring 2019

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Arts

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-wvfs-g824

• License

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