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Migration and diversity in Roman Britain

A multidisciplinary approach to the identification of immigrants in Roman York, England

Bibliographic Data

ID8312004
AuthorsStephany Leach (University of Reading), Mary Lewis (0000-0001-6224-0278, University of Reading, corresponding author), Carolyn Chenery (0000-0001-9592-051X, University of Reading), Gundula Müldner (0000-0002-4513-9263, University of Reading), Hella Eckardt (0000-0001-9288-5624, University of Reading)
Year2009
Volume140
Issue3
Pages546-561
Publication date2009-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-9483 • E-ISSN: 1096-8644
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajpa.21104
PMID19530143
OpenAlexW1974142016
LanguageEN
Citations received63
References cited65

Previous anthropological investigations at Trentholme Drive, in Roman York identified an unusual amount of cranial variation amongst the inhabitants, with some individuals suggested as having originated from the Middle East or North Africa. The current study investigates the validity of this assessment using modern anthropological methods to assess cranial variation in two groups: The Railway and Trentholme Drive. Strontium and oxygen isotope evidence derived from the dentition of 43 of these individuals was combined with the craniometric data to provide information on possible levels of migration and the range of homelands that may be represented. The results of the craniometric analysis indicated that the majority of the York population had European origins, but that 11% of the Trentholme Drive and 12% of The Railway study samples were likely of African decent. Oxygen analysis identified four incomers, three from areas warmer than the UK and one from a cooler or more continental climate. Although based on a relatively small sample of the overall population at York, this multidisciplinary approach made it possible to identify incomers, both men and women, from across the Empire. Evidence for possible second generation migrants was also suggested. The results confirm the presence of a heterogeneous population resident in York and highlight the diversity, rather than the uniformity, of the population in Roman Britain. Am J Phys Anthropol 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc

Archaeology · Diversity (politics) · Ethnology · Genealogy · Geography · Immigration · Multidisciplinary approach · Population · Range (aeronautics) · Social science · Sociology · Anthropology · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Demography · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · History · Paleopathology and ancient diseases

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Unique citing works63
Citations per year3,71
Citation span2009 - 2027 (19)
Citation velocityrecent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 62
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