Living and Dying Down South
Dietary Analysis of Zhao Boyun (1155–1216 ce ), a Member of the Song Dynasty Imperial Household (China)
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19222300 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Baoshuai Zhang (University of Science and Technology of China, corresponding author), Anru Zhao (Zhejiang Museum of Natural History), Edward Allen (0000-0001-5182-7495, Department of Cultural Heritage), Shaoqing Wen (0000-0003-1223-4720, Department of Cultural Heritage, corresponding author), P Sheng (0000-0002-7340-2882, Department of Cultural Heritage, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 36 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 799-804 |
| Publication date | 2026-05-31 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Osteoarchaeology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1047-482X • E-ISSN: 1099-1212 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1002/oa.70130 |
| OpenAlex | W7163036109 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 14 |
The excavation of the tomb of Zhao Boyun, a seventh‐generation grandson of Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty (960–1279), provides valuable material for studying the state of the Zhao‐Song royal clan, who relocated to the south of China in the early years of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279). This study collected tooth dentin, bone, and nail samples from Zhao Boyun's remains for isotopic analysis, attempting to outline his life history. Zhao Boyun's diet was characterized by a high intake of protein, likely in the form of large quantities of terrestrial animals and freshwater fishes, reflecting his adoption of a typical Jiangnan lifestyle. Dentin isotopic data indicated that Zhao had been weaned at ~2.7 years of age, experienced a further improvement in nutritional status at 7.5 years old, and maintained a stable nutritional level between 10 and 15.5 years old, higher than the level approximately 5 years before death. Ten weeks prior to death, a marked elevation in the carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes in his nails suggests sudden physical deterioration, which may be related to his death
Bioarchaeology · China · Emperor · Isotope analysis · Southern china · δ13C · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Isotope Analysis in Ecology
Serial analysis of stable nitrogen and carbon isotopes in hair
Signs of malnutrition and starvation—Reconstruction of nutritional life histories by serial isotopic analyses of hair
Oral histories
Investigating Identity and Life Histories
Diet and Cultural Transition in Sixth Century ad China
Diet in the Iron Age cemetery population at Wetwang Slack, East Yorkshire, UK
Estimating weaning and early childhood diet from serial micro-samples of dentin collagen
The IntCal20 Northern Hemisphere Radiocarbon Age Calibration Curve (0–55 cal kBP)
Collagen turnover in the adult femoral mid‐shaft
The reconstruction of noblewoman’s life histories in late Southern Song China (1221–1258 CE)
Diverse lifestyles and populations in the Xiaohe culture of the Lop Nur region, Xinjiang, China
WEaning Age FiNder (Wean)
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |