Paleonutrition of the rural Italian population from the Middle Ages to the Contemporary Age: isotopic analysis of some Tuscan skeletal samples

The studies on paleodiet through stable isotope evidence of carbon (δ¹³C)and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) content in bone collagen represent a line of investigation widely practiced in archaeology and anthropology. The application of this method in prehistoric American and European skeletal series, as well as in historical age groups, has provided new investigative tools to reconstruct environment, food economies, access to resources and social characterization of human groups in the past. This method was recently applied by the Division of Paleopathology of University of Pisa, in collaboration with the second University of Naples, in several samples from rural Tuscan cemeteries. These skeletal series are different in chronology, related to contexts of the Medieval (11th-14th century) and Post Medieval Ages (19th century), from the inner Apennine and the hilly Tuscany. The comparison of sites with different settling characteristics (Parish cemeteries, graveyards of Castle), as well as within a site with individuals occupying different spatial hierarchical positions (in proximity or away from the church), provides useful data to interpret the diet as social indicator. Our analysis also offers some insights to interpret correctly the meaning of results in relation to the material characteristics of burials, settlements and of the written sources. Finally isotope models allow us o advance some hypotheses on food and diet in different human groups.