Diet during the Reformation in Nya Lödöse (1473–1624)

An isotopic and historical approach

Bibliographic Data

ID19488591
AuthorsE Maltin (0000-0003-4715-2338, Stockholm University, corresponding author), Astrid Lennblad (National Maritime Museums), Caroline A Arcini (National Historical Museums), Cathrine Färnström (Göteborgs Stads), Benjamin T Fuller (0000-0002-5989-8121, Aarhus University), Zuzana Hansen (Aarhus University), G T Shev (0000-0001-5762-8665, University of Rome Tor Vergata), Jesper Olsen (0000-0002-4445-5520, Aarhus University), M A Mannino (0000-0001-6807-4434, Aarhus University)
Year2026
Volume73
Pages105791
Publication date2026-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Archaeological Science Reports (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2352-409X • E-ISSN: 2352-4103
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105791
OpenAlexW7160507357
LanguageEN
References cited71

This study employs an interdisciplinary approach to investigate diet at the Swedish town of Nya Lödöse (1473–1624 CE). The primary aim is to determine the proportions of aquatic and terrestrial foods consumed in the diet and to examine whether these proportions shifted after the Reformation in 1527. A secondary aim is to analyze variations in diet related to biological sex or social status. δ 13 C and δ 15 N stable isotope ratio analysis of bulk rib collagen from humans (n = 71) and fauna (n = 202) was conducted, and the results show the sampled individuals have similar isotopic compositions, with mean δ 13 C values of −19.9 ± 0.7‰ and δ 15 N values of 12.6 ± 1.0‰. These isotopic values suggest a diet rich in animal protein, mainly beef, with some consumption of aquatic resources. The Bayesian mixing model FRUITS was used to estimate the relative consumption of livestock, marine fish, and freshwater/pelagic fish. Modelling indicates an average aquatic protein intake of ∼ 15–16% for females and ∼ 20–24% for males. Comparing isotopic data from before and after the Reformation reveals no major changes in diet, although the post-Reformation period saw a small increase in fish intake in males and a diversification in diet in both sexes. The isotopic data suggest a slight but statistically significant difference in diet between males and females. Females had a less varied diet than males, with males having greater access to fish. After the Reformation, dietary differences between the sexes became marginally more pronounced

Aquatic ecosystem · Aquatic environment · Consumption (sociology) · Fauna · Fish · Fish <Actinopterygii> · Isotope analysis · Stable isotope ratio · δ15N · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Isotope Analysis in Ecology · Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies