Were males buried with weapons better nourished than the other part of the population in the La Tène Period? Pilot study of diet of selected individuals buried at Celtic cemetery in Dubník, district of Nové Zámky, southwestern Slovakia

Jozef Bujna, Sylva Drtikolová Kaupová, Mária Hajnalová
2019 Študijné zvesti Archeologického ústavu SAV  
Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope values were measured on tissues from human individuals buried at eight graves in the Early La Tène cemetery in Dubník situated in south-west Slovakia. Collagen suitable for isotope analysis for dietary reconstruction was extracted from bone of 9 human individuals of different social status determined archaeologically by grave goods and grave arrangement. Isotope values from bone collagen obtained from six samples of pig and a cattle individual, placed within
more » ... e graves, were used as a control group. The isotope data indicated that males with weapons had access to more and/or better quality food stuffs. Their diet was richer in animal proteins than of other individuals. The results of isotope analyses support the hypothesis that the human individuals buried with different grave goods in Dubník were of different social status also during their lives and had a different access to high quality foods.
doi:10.31577/szausav.2019.66.2 fatcat:meybbcubozgutoyjjy4akj2ueu