Diet and Mobility in Byzantine Western Anatolia
Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopic Ratios and Ancient DNA Evidence from Barcın Höyük and Kadıkalesi Anaia
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 7175728 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Rana Özbal (0000-0001-6765-2765, Koç University, corresponding author), Ali Metin Büyükkarakaya (0000-0002-7551-8440, Hacettepe University), Gülfem Uysal (0000-0003-3888-6524, Hacettepe University), Erge Bütün (0000-0001-6965-2398, Hacettepe University), F Gerritsen (0000-0002-6665-1928, Leiden University), Ali Akbaba (0000-0001-6755-6546, MUS ALPARSLAN UNIVERSITY), N Ezgi Altınışık (0000-0003-0653-4292, Hacettepe University), Mehmet Somel (0000-0002-3138-1307, Middle East Technical University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 1-21 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-20 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | European Journal of Archaeology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1461-9571 • E-ISSN: 1741-2722 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/eaa.2025.10027 |
| OpenAlex | W7124899032 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 49 |
This study presents the integrated results of stable carbon ( δ 13 C) and nitrogen ( δ 15 N) isotope and aDNA analyses, conducted to examine dietary and mobility practices in two mid- to late Byzantine communities in western Anatolia: the coastal cosmopolitan site of Kadıkalesi Anaia and the rural inland settlement of Barcın Höyük. Isotopic data from thirty-eight individuals indicate that both populations primarily consumed terrestrial C3-based resources. At Kadıkalesi , δ 15 N values show greater variability, suggesting more differentiated access to animal protein sources, whereas the rural community at Barcın Höyük exhibits isotopic homogeneity, consistent with more uniform dietary practices and an equitable access to food. Kadıkalesi also shows intra-site dietary variation by age and sex, while Barcın is again more homogeneous. At Barcın, aDNA results indicate a predominant local genetic continuity, suggesting a stable population; a single instance of external ancestry is attested by a male individual with affinities to western populations, particularly from eastern Europe, in line with historical military resettlement patterns ( stratiotika ktemata ). By integrating isotopic and genomic evidence, this study demonstrates how ancestry and mobility shaped dietary habits, offering insights into the interplay of urbanism, mobility, and social organization in the Byzantine period
Ancient DNA · Byzantine architecture · Habitat · Isotope analysis · Isotopes of carbon · Isotopes of nitrogen · Settlement (finance · Stable isotope ratio · Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Marine and environmental studies
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |