The traditional notions of "nomadic" cultures as homogenously mobile and economically simple is increasingly displaced by more nuanced interpretations. A large part of the scientific literature on diet and mobility among Eurasian pastoralists is focused on Bronze Age and Iron Age. The relative underrepresentation of more recent contexts in these analyses hampers a full discussion of possible chronological trajectories. In this study we explore diet and mobility at Tunnug1 (Republicof Tuva, 2nd-4th century CE), and test their possible correlation with social differentiation. We compare demographic patterns of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur stable isotope ratios (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, δ³⁴S) among 65 humans and 12 animals from Tunnug1 using nonparametric tests and Bayesian modeling. We then compare isotopic data with data on perimortal skeletal lesions of anthropic origin and funerary variables. Results show that: 1) diet at Tunnug1 was largely based on C₄ plants (likely millet) and animal proteins 2) only few individuals were nonlocals, although their geographic origin remains unclarified 3) no differences in diet separates individuals based on sex and funerary treatment. In contrast, individuals with perimortal lesions show carbonand nitrogen stable isotope ratios consistent witha diet incorporating a lower consumption of millet and animal proteins. Our study provides new insights about the sociocultural variability of pastoralist societies in Southern Siberia during the early centuries CE. At the same time, they further support the economic importance of millet for these communities.
Dining in Tuva: social correlates of diet and mobility in a nomadic community from Southern Siberia (2nd-4th c. CE)
Milella M;
2022-01-01
Abstract
The traditional notions of "nomadic" cultures as homogenously mobile and economically simple is increasingly displaced by more nuanced interpretations. A large part of the scientific literature on diet and mobility among Eurasian pastoralists is focused on Bronze Age and Iron Age. The relative underrepresentation of more recent contexts in these analyses hampers a full discussion of possible chronological trajectories. In this study we explore diet and mobility at Tunnug1 (Republicof Tuva, 2nd-4th century CE), and test their possible correlation with social differentiation. We compare demographic patterns of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur stable isotope ratios (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, δ³⁴S) among 65 humans and 12 animals from Tunnug1 using nonparametric tests and Bayesian modeling. We then compare isotopic data with data on perimortal skeletal lesions of anthropic origin and funerary variables. Results show that: 1) diet at Tunnug1 was largely based on C₄ plants (likely millet) and animal proteins 2) only few individuals were nonlocals, although their geographic origin remains unclarified 3) no differences in diet separates individuals based on sex and funerary treatment. In contrast, individuals with perimortal lesions show carbonand nitrogen stable isotope ratios consistent witha diet incorporating a lower consumption of millet and animal proteins. Our study provides new insights about the sociocultural variability of pastoralist societies in Southern Siberia during the early centuries CE. At the same time, they further support the economic importance of millet for these communities.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
