Revealing continuity and sustainability through isotope analysis on the A14 project, Cambridgeshire, UK

Wallace, M.; Montgomery, J.; Rogers, B.; Moore, J.; Nowell, G.; Bowsher, D.; Smith, A.

doi:10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.109059

Revealing continuity and sustainability through isotope analysis on the A14 project, Cambridgeshire, UK

Wallace, M.; Montgomery, J.; Rogers, B.; Moore, J.; Nowell, G.; Bowsher, D.; Smith, A.

Authors

M. Wallace

Professor Janet Montgomery janet.montgomery@durham.ac.uk
Professor

Bryony Rogers bryony.l.rogers@durham.ac.uk
PGR Student Doctor of Philosophy

Dr. Joanna Moore j.f.moore@durham.ac.uk
Isotope Research Technician

Dr Geoffrey Nowell g.m.nowell@durham.ac.uk
Associate Professor

D. Bowsher

A. Smith

Abstract

The A14 archaeological project was the largest commercial archaeological programme in the UK - spanning a 25 km stretch of rural Cambridgeshire, which included a pioneering and ambitious multi-isotope programme to examine crop, livestock and human remains. The resulting dataset spans the Bronze Age to medieval period, incorporating settlements spread across multiple landscape blocks. Our focus on the Iron Age, Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods reveals a remarkable continuity in agricultural practices, diet and provenance. This isotopic homogeneity suggests a persistence of local traditions despite macro-economic and socio-political shifts. Subtle variations within this pattern, however, offer unique insights into individuals who deviated from the norm, hinting at the growing influence of external connections and market economies on these past communities. This study underscores the value of integrating multi-isotope analysis in large-scale commercial archaeological projects, and the rich narrative that emerges from collaborative efforts between commercial and academic researchers.

Citation

Wallace, M., Montgomery, J., Rogers, B., Moore, J., Nowell, G., Bowsher, D., & Smith, A. (2024). Revealing continuity and sustainability through isotope analysis on the A14 project, Cambridgeshire, UK. Quaternary Science Reviews, 346, Article 109059. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.109059

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Oct 30, 2024
Online Publication Date	Nov 13, 2024
Publication Date	Dec 15, 2024
Deposit Date	Nov 26, 2024
Publicly Available Date	Nov 26, 2024
Journal	Quaternary Science Reviews
Print ISSN	0277-3791
Electronic ISSN	1873-457X
Publisher	Elsevier
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	346
Article Number	109059
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.109059
Public URL	https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3107116