Jordanian migration and mobility in the Middle Bronze Age (ca. 2100–1550 BCE) at Pella

Abstract

The site of Pella, located in the foothills of the east Jordan valley, was a prosperous city–state throughout the Middle Bronze Age (MBA, ca. 2000–1500 BCE). As part of a widespread trading network, Pella enjoyed extensive socio‐economic relationships with Egypt, Cyprus, and the Aegean, Anatolia, and Babylonia during this period. We report isotopic analysis (87Sr/86Sr, δ18O, and δ13C) from enamel of 22 human permanent second molars of which 13 second lower molars were used for an additional biodistance analysis based on ASUDAS. The multidisciplinary approach investigates the ancestral background of MBA Pella and the degree of temporary or more permanent relocation from other settlements. Ancillary to carbonate isotope analysis for migration investigation, dietary information in the form of δ13Ccarbonate was also collected. δ13Ccarbonate values (mean −12.3‰ ± 0.4 SD) suggest a uniform diet reliant on C3 cereals and legumes as crops and animal fodder, adhering to expected Bronze Age Levantine dietary norms. Two methods are used to identify non‐locals. Using a biospheric baseline, three individuals with non‐local 87Sr/86Sr ratios are identified. Bagplot analysis of both 87Sr/86Sr and δ18O data suggests that three individuals (14%) grew up elsewhere; two individuals who were already identified as 87Sr/86Sr outliers using biospheric data and one more with outlying δ18O values. All individuals identified as non‐locals, using either method, are from one tomb, Tomb 62. The dental nonmetric traits indicated diverse morphology and subsequent ancestry for Tomb 62 (11/13), whereas primary burials (2/13) clustered together. The commingled condition of Tomb 62 material prevented a more exhaustive biodistance analysis, but the tentative results coincide with interpretations of the tomb. Significant movements of populations throughout the Middle Bronze Age are evidenced through funerary rituals and architecture, and this study demonstrates that Pella, thought to be peripheral, nonetheless had some permanent movement evidenced through isotopes and ancestry analysis.

The rise of coastal Middle Bronze Age Levant – A multidisciplinary approach for investigating in Sidon, Lebanon

“…More studies are exploring the impact of trade and interconnectivity to population structures in the Middle Levantine region (Elias, 2016; Haber et al, 2020; Maaranen et al, 2022; Mardini et al, 2023; Nassar, 2019). The Middle Bronze Age led to an increase and intensification within and between regions in the eastern Mediterranean, but responses were varying; some sites have provided evidence of an influx of migrants (Stantis et al, 2020; Stantis, Kharobi, Maaranen, Macpherson, Bietak, Prell, & Schutkowski, 2021), accompanied by the presence of diverse material culture (Bader, 2012), while in others, the expansion of the MBA trade network has not correlated with newcomers (Stantis, Maaranen, Kharobi, Nowell, Macpherson, Doumet‐Serhal, & Schutkowski, 2021; Stantis, Maaranen, Kharobi, Nowell, Macpherson, Schutkowski, & Bourke, 2021). Due to its continuous occupation and growing importance throughout the Bronze and Iron Age, Sidon provides key insights to the wider development of the region.…”

“…Dental nonmetric traits were used as a proxy for genetic data; these hereditary features, visible on tooth cusps and roots, have been found to recreate population distances that are similar to DNA studies (Delgado et al, 2019; Hubbard et al, 2015; Rathmann & Reyes‐Centeno, 2020). Dental non‐metric traits have been used in various biodistance investigations, ranging from global (Hanihara, 2008; Scott & Dahlberg, 1982; Scott & Turner, 1997; Stojanowski & Schillaci, 2006) and regional (Coppa et al, 2007; Irish, 2005, 2006; Irish & Friedman, 2010; Parras, 2004; Ullinger et al, 2005) to intra‐site comparisons (Adams et al, 2020; Elias, 2016; Maaranen et al, 2021; Paul et al, 2013; Pilloud & Larsen, 2011; Prevedorou & Stojanowski, 2017; Rathmann et al, 2019; Stantis, Maaranen, Kharobi, Nowell, Macpherson, Schutkowski, & Bourke, 2021; Stojanowski, 2003; Stojanowski & Schillaci, 2006). In comparison, intra‐site (i.e., intra‐cemetery) analyses are not as common though they have much potential by providing insight into cemetery structures, post‐marital residency, biological kinship, temporal microchronology and phenotypic variability (Stojanowski & Schillaci, 2006).…”

“…The distance analysis was conducted using Gower coefficients, as applied in recent studies (Gamble et al, 2001; McClelland, 2003; Paul et al, 2013; Rathmann et al, 2019; Stantis, Maaranen, Kharobi, Nowell, Macpherson, Schutkowski, & Bourke, 2021). Gower coefficients measure the difference between observations, beginning by computing the distance between pairs and then combining the distances into a single value per record‐pair (Gower, 1971).…”

“…Several preliminary reports and stand‐alone publications have studied the Sidon skeletal assemblage (Haber et al, 2017; Haber et al, 2020; Kharobi et al, 2021; Ogden & Schutkowski, 2004; Schutkowski & Ogden, 2011; Stantis et al, 2019; Stantis, Maaranen, Kharobi, Nowell, Macpherson, Schutkowski, & Bourke, 2021). Genetic studies of modern and ancient Lebanese have reported an increase in genetic components seen in ancient Anatolian and South‐Eastern European populations during the Iron Age (circa 1100–330 BCE), possibly due to the emergence of the Phoenicians (Haber et al, 2020).…”