Strontium isotope identification of possible rural immigrants in 17th century mass graves at St. Gertrude Church cemetery in Riga, Latvia

Bibliographic Data

ID8352215
AuthorsElīna Pētersone-Gordina (0000-0001-6397-0897, Department of Archaeology Durham University Durham UK, corresponding author), J Montgomery (0000-0001-6729-3088, Department of Archaeology Durham University Durham UK), Andrew R Millard (0000-0002-8290-7428, Department of Archaeology Durham University Durham UK), Geoff M Nowell (0000-0003-3229-128X, Department of Earth Sciences Durham University Durham UK), Joanne Peterkin (Department of Earth Sciences Durham University Durham UK), Charlotte A Roberts (0000-0002-2259-807X, Department of Archaeology Durham University Durham UK), Guntis Gerhards (0000-0002-3347-7775, Institute of Latvian History University of Latvia Riga Latvia), Vitālijs Zelčs (Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences University of Latvia Riga Latvia)
Year2022
Volume64
Issue4
Pages1028-1043
Publication date2022-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueArchaeometry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0003-813X • E-ISSN: 1475-4754
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/arcm.12759
OpenAlexW4210502821
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited46

The aims of this study were to explore the origins of 19 children buried in two mass graves and the general cemetery at the post‐medieval St Gertrude Church cemetery in Riga, Latvia, using strontium isotope analysis ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr), and to establish local soil Sr biosphere ranges from faunal samples from two areas of Latvia. The results confirmed the presence of one clear outlier in the population and one child who may have had originated from the region of Vidzeme. The lack of significant differences in 87 Sr/ 86 Sr between the other individuals analysed suggested that they were representative of one population. A strong correlation between 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios and previously obtained mean δ 13 C and δ 15 N values in children from mass graves suggested possible short‐term dietary changes with increased proportion of marine resources and food sources subject to sea spray. The study has yielded the first comparative 87 Sr/ 86 Sr data from archaeological skeletons in Latvia, which will be essential for future research addressing comparative mobility studies in the region

Archaeology · Geography · Immigration · Isotopes of strontium · Nuclear physics · Physical geography · Physics · Population · Strontium · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Demography · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies