Diet, society, and economy in late medieval Spain: Stable isotope evidence from Muslims and Christians from Gandía, Valencia

Alexander, MM; Gerrard, CM; Gutiérrez, A; Millard, AR

Abstract

This article investigates the diets of neighboring Christians and Muslims in late medieval Spain (here 13th–16th centuries) through the analysis of the stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) in adult human and animal bone collagen. Twenty-four Christians and 20 Muslims are sampled from two adjacent and contemporaneous settlements in the township of Gandía on the Mediterranean coast, together with the remains of 24 animals. Statistical differences in both δ13C and δ15N reveal that the diets of the two faith communities differed, despite living side-by-side. These differences may relate to inequalities in their access to foodstuffs, particularly to C3/C4 grain and/or possibly terrestrial meat sources, though cultural preferences are also highlighted. Isotopic values for animals were also found to vary widely, both between and within species, and this provides a window into the local livestock economy.

Citation

Alexander, M., Gerrard, C., Gutiérrez, A., & Millard, A. (2015). Diet, society, and economy in late medieval Spain: Stable isotope evidence from Muslims and Christians from Gandía, Valencia. American journal of physical anthropology, 156(2), 263-273. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.22647

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 15, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Oct 29, 2014
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Oct 30, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 30, 2014
• Journal: American Journal of Physical Anthropology
• Print ISSN: 0002-9483
• Electronic ISSN: 1096-8644
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 156
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 263-273
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.22647
• Keywords: C4 plants, Islamic, Mediterranean, Collagen, Faith.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1420776