Reassessing Neolithic Diets in Western Scotland

Datos Bibliográficos

ID6014714
AutoresC Pickard (0000-0002-0989-9361, University of Edinburgh, autor de correspondencia), Clive Bonsall (0000-0003-0243-3232, University of Edinburgh, autor de correspondencia)
Año2022
Volumen2
Número4
Páginas226-250
Fecha de publicación2022-11-20
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaHumans (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2673-9461 • E-ISSN: 2673-9461
EditorialMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/humans2040015
OpenAlexW4309738934
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas4
Referencias citadas81

Although marine resources are known to have been exploited by both foragers and early farmers in Scotland, the importance of seafood to the diets of Neolithic groups has been widely debated. Here we present paired stable isotope (δ13C and δ15N) and radiocarbon measurements on Early Neolithic human remains from Raschoille Cave in Oban. These are compared with published data for other sites in western Scotland and used to re-evaluate the use of marine resources by the first farmers. The diets of Late Mesolithic foragers and Early Neolithic farmers were modelled from stable isotope data using both Linear and Bayesian (FRUITS) mixing models. Our FRUITS dietary models indicate that Mesolithic foragers obtained much of their dietary protein and calories from marine resources, consistent with the predominance of shellfish, fish and sea mammal remains in their shell middens. Of note is the large proportion of dietary calories obtained from plant foods, which is like that of the early farming groups. The diets of Early Neolithic farmers appear relatively homogeneous across Scotland. Plant foods were the primary source of calories. Meat and/or dairy from terrestrial mammals were the most important source of dietary protein. Marine resources were, at most, a minor component of the ‘lifetime’ diet

Agriculture · Archaeology · Biology · Geography · Mesolithic · Prehistory · Radiocarbon dating · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Isotope Analysis in Ecology · Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies · Ecology