EAA 2023: Abstract

Excavations at Yapham Lane, East Yorkshire, revealed a rural settlement with remains of skeletons dating back to the Late Iron Age and the Romano-British periods. A multi-isotope analysis of seven adults and two subadults was conducted to shed light on this population's diet, health, mobility, and origins.

The results of the incremental dentine collagen carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis and bulk rib carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis suggest that the Iron Age individuals heavily relied on terrestrial animal protein throughout their lives. The Romano-British individuals, however, show more dietary variation, and some may even have consumed marine resources. This is consistent with the introduction of various new foodstuffs following the Romanisation of Britain. Irrespective of the time period, this population appears to have suffered from nutritional or physiological stress during their childhood, as indicated by their carbon and nitrogen isotope incremental profiles and the presence of non-specific stress indicators on their skeletons.

Strontium, lead radiogenic, and stable oxygen isotope compositions were determined using enamel from the canines of eight of the individuals. Results suggest that the group was predominantly local and sedentary. However, whilst the Late Iron Age individuals have isotope compositions that are consistent with the local geology and climate, the Romano-British individuals appear to have had more diverse origins, consistent with evidence from other sites. Three Roman individuals provided oxygen, strontium and/or lead isotope compositions which fall outside the range expected for Yorkshire and most other areas of Britain. Two of them provide carbon and nitrogen isotope compositions that corroborate these results: they may have changed dietary habits between childhood and adulthood.

The multi-isotope analysis of these individuals offered a unique insight into the lifestyle changes experienced by a rural population of East Yorkshire following the transition from the Iron Age to the Roman period.

Iron Age, Romano-British, Britain, Multi-isotope analysis, Carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis, Oxygen and strontium isotope analysis

Oral presentation

  Abstract (PDF)

Prudence Robert^1,2,5

Katarina Liscakova²
Darren Gröcke⁶
Geoffrey Nowell⁴
Tessi Loeffelmann^2,3
Lauren Kancle²
Anwen Caffell²
Natalie Swann²
Joanna Moore²
Janet Montgomery²