Bioarchaeological Perspectives on Late Antiquity in Dalmatia

Paleogenetic, Dietary, and Population Studies of the Hvar-Radošević burial site

Bibliographic Data

ID5255385
AuthorsBrina Zagorc (0000-0002-7685-1958, University of Vienna), Magdalena Blanz (0000-0003-0195-6744, University of Vienna), Pere Gelabert (0000-0003-3019-0725, University of Vienna), Sawyer (0000-0002-8477-6089, University of Vienna), Victoria Oberreiter (0000-0003-0766-3782, University of Vienna), Olivia Cheronet (0000-0001-6760-1204, University of Vienna), H S Chen (0009-0009-5531-8466, University of Vienna), Mario Carić (0000-0003-4263-6528, Institute for Anthropological Research), Eduard Visković (0000-0002-8030-0227), Iñigo Olalde (0000-0002-2660-6807, University of the Basque Country), Maria Ivanova-Bieg (0000-0002-4343-7005, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz), Mario Novak (0000-0002-4567-8742, Institute for Anthropological Research), David Reich (0000-0002-7037-5292, Harvard University), Ron Pinhasi (0000-0003-1629-8131, University of Vienna)
Year2024
Volume16
Issue9
Pages150-150
Publication date2024-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueArchaeological and Anthropological Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1866-9557 • E-ISSN: 1866-9565
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s12520-024-02050-0
PMID39606698
OpenAlexW4401834475
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited59

Late Antiquity Dalmatia was a time and place of political unrest in the Roman Empire that influenced the lives of those in that region. The Late Antique burial site of Hvar - Radošević, spanning the 3rd to 5th centuries CE, is located on the Croatian Dalmatian island of Hvar. Given the time frame and location on a busy marine trade route, the study of this burial site offers us a glimpse into the lives of the Late Antique population living on this island. It comprises 33 individuals, with 17 buried within a confined grave tomb and the remaining individuals buried in separate locations in the tomb's proximity. The study aims to provide a new perspective on the lives of people on the island during those times by studying ancestry, population structure, possible differences within the buried population, dietary habits, and general health. The genetic analysis of the ancestral origins of the individuals buried at Hvar - Radošević revealed a diverse population reflective of the era's genetic variability. The identification of genetic outliers suggests a range of ancestries from distinct regions of the Roman Empire, possibly linked to trade routes associated with the Late Antique port in ancient Hvar. Stable isotope ratio analysis (δ13C and δ15N) indicated a diet mainly consisting of C3 plants, with minimal consumption of marine foods. High childhood mortality rates, physiological stress markers, and dental diseases suggest a low quality of life in the population. Assessment of kinship and dietary patterns revealed no discernible distinctions between individuals buried within the tomb and those buried outside, indicative of an absence of differential burial practices based on social status and familial ties among this specific buried population

Ancient history · Antique · Archaeology · Empire · Geography · Grave goods · Population · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Demography · Forensic and Genetic Research · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · History

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