An Introduction to Isotopic Proveniencing

Price, T. Douglas

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-25722-3_1

Cited by 1 publication

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“…Strontium isotopes, i.e., the ratio of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr in tooth enamel, were measured to estimate the place of birth of the deceased (Price et al 2002;Bentley 2006). The principles of estimating human provenance with strontium isotopes have been more thoroughly explained by Oras et al (2016) and more recently in the eastern Baltic context by Price et al (2021), relying on a comparison of the local (place of death) geologically determined bioavailable strontium signal with the isotopic signals measured from tooth enamel reflecting the bioavailable strontium at the place of birth. Strontium values can also be combined with carbonate oxygen δ 18 O measurements from the enamel, which can help to define the provenance of the deceased (cf.…”

Section: S T R O N T I U M I S O T O P E Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Pre-Roman Iron Age inhumations: a multi-proxy analysis of a burial complex from Tallinn, Estonia

Niinesalu-Moon,

Randoja,

Lillak

et al. 2023

EJA

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This article presents the results of a multi-proxy study conducted on a triple burial found at a settlement site at Pärnu Road 41, Tallinn, Estonia, dating to 405-360 cal BC (Pre-Roman Iron Age). Through archaeological and chemical analyses, including AMS dating, archaeobotany, osteology, stable isotope analysis, lipid analysis, metallography and XRF analysis, this study proves valuable insights into the provenance, diet, and burial practices of the woman and children buried in the grave at Pärnu Road 41.The stable isotope analysis of strontium, carbon and nitrogen suggests that the individuals were of local origin and did not travel long distances during their lifetime. It is likely that the diet of the woman was mainly based on terrestrial protein, which is also supported by lipid analysis performed of pot sherds. These results correspond with the dietary stable isotope values of individuals from Estonia dated to the second half of the Bronze Age and the Pre-Roman Iron Age. Based on the find context of carbonized grains, the partial burning of the female skeleton and the fire pit built contemporaneously above the grave, it is likely that grains and fire could have played an important role in inhumation burials. However, because of the scarcity of inhumation burials in pit graves, it is unclear whether or not the triple burial at Pärnu Road 41 represents a widespread burial practice alongside the stone graves typical of this period. Moreover, it is possible that the observed rituals are linked to foreign customs, as the buried individuals may have had familial ties to immigrants from different regions of eastern Europe, as indicated by a unique bronze bell-pendant found in the grave.This study also introduces the discovery of the earliest known iron smithing site in Estonia. Spherical magnetic droplets found within the burial soil were proven to be hammer scales, formed as a by-product of iron working. The appearance of hammer scales in the soil of a burial dated to the 4th century BC challenges the previously established timeline of iron working in the region.

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