Life and death of two women from Brigantium (NW of Iberia) through stable isotopes and forensic anthropology

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Published: Oct 28, 2015

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Aurora Grandal-d'Anglade
Universitario de Xeoloxía. Universidade da Coruña. Edificio de Servicios de Investigación.Campus de Elviña s/n. 15071 A Coruña.
Spain
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2087-4034
Fernando Serrulla Rech
Unidad de Antropología Forense. Instituto de Medicina Legal de Galicia. Hospital de Verin 32600 Verin (Ourense)
Spain
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9668-1626
Víctor Tomás Botella
AXA Arqueoloxía S.C. Avenida dos Caídos 3-7ª. 15009 A Coruña
Spain
Marta Pérez Rama
Universitario de Xeoloxía. Universidade da Coruña. Edificio de Servicios de Investigación.Campus de Elviña s/n. 15071 A Coruña
Spain
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0732-1221
María Gómez
Unidad de Antropología Forense. Instituto de Medicina Legal de Galicia. Hospital de Verin 32600 Verin (Ourense)
Spain
Emilio Ramil González
AXA Arqueoloxía S.C. Avenida dos Caídos 3-7ª. 15009 A Coruña.
Spain
Vol. 38 (2015), Articles, pages 45-66
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17979/cadlaxe.2015.38.0.3682
Submitted: Jul 26, 2018 Published: Oct 28, 2015
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Abstract

In this paper we obtain anthropological and isotopic data from the skeletal remains of two individuals of the late Roman age in order to rebuild their lives and causes of death. These are two female skeletons preserved in the Archaeological Museum of A Coruña dating from III to VI centuries AD. Forensic anthropology techniques have been applied to identify diseases and injuries that may have affected the individuals studied. For the palaeodiet study, extracted bone collagen was analysed by isotope ratios mass spectrometry. The 13C/12C and 15N/14N ratios are compared with data from other contemporary populations. Anthropological profiles confirm that these are two young adult females of Caucasian ancestry, with signs of chronic malnutrition and infection. Their isotopic signature shows a significant contribution of molluscs in their diet. These results are consistent with the available archaeological data, reflecting the progressive impoverishment of the city during the crisis of the Lower Empire.

Keywords:

palaeodiet, forensic anthropology, Lower Roman empire, stable isotopes, bone collagen, Brigantium, A Coruña paleodieta, antropología forense, Bajo Imperio romano, isótopos estables, colágeno óseo, Brigantium, A Coruña

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