This thesis aims to reconstruct the dietary patterns of the individuals living in the Roman Limes in Northwestern Europe (Germania inferior) using stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes on human bone...Show moreThis thesis aims to reconstruct the dietary patterns of the individuals living in the Roman Limes in Northwestern Europe (Germania inferior) using stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes on human bone and dentine collagen. Three sites were analysed: Xanten in Germany, Tongeren in Belgium, and Valkenburg in the Netherlands. This study is one of the first to investigate dietary habits in populations from Roman north-western Europe using stable isotope analysis. In total, sixty-one (n=61) samples were analysed for this purpose, including eleven faunal remains from the Xanten site. The analysis revealed that these three sites were relatively uniform regarding dietary habits, following a primarily terrestrial-based diet with predominantly consumption of C3 plants. Furthermore, based on the results, it is possible that individuals of Xanten and Tongeren consumed marine resources, although in small quantities. The consumption of aquatic resources in Valkenburg is debatable, as only one sample has been analysed, which needs to be more representative. The comparative analysis of the analysed sites was performed with a few sites from north-western Europe from the Iron Age, as well as the Roman province of Britannia and the Mediterranean region. The analysis revealed shifts in diets from the Iron Age to the Roman period, especially in marine resources. The consumption of marine/aquatic foods was not observed during the Iron Age, except in the Netherlands. This seems to have changed in the Roman period. Furthermore, Britannia showed many similarities with Germania Inferior province regarding diet, indicating a relatively uniform diet across these two provinces, although slight differences in the number of animal proteins per site are visible. The Mediterranean region has a high variability based on region. Nevertheless, a similar factor is the consumption of marine sources in both areas, which may be attributed to the Romanisation process. Interestingly, the sites of Xanten and Tongeren display similar dietary patterns to those of Pompeii.Show less
The evolutionary, dietary mismatch theory argues that our ancient, genetically controlled biology does not match with our current dietary intake. Two boundaries are drawn which presumably caused...Show moreThe evolutionary, dietary mismatch theory argues that our ancient, genetically controlled biology does not match with our current dietary intake. Two boundaries are drawn which presumably caused this. First, the adaptation of agriculture and second the industrialization of it. In order to conclude anything regarding the link between our current mental- and physical health and the modern-day diet, a better understanding of these past changes is needed. Since, there is no ‘one agricultural diet’, the diets of three agricultural sites were reconstructed and compared: the Neolithic site of Schipluiden (ca. 3630 to 3380 BC), the Medieval site of Leiden Aalsmarkt (ca. 1125-1862) and the modern diet based upon the 2012-2016 RIVM food survey. These were reconstructed using the concrete data of botanical- and zooarchaeological evidence, and stable isotope analyses. Secondly, the abstract factors that influences our daily food choices were considered. These factors are complex, interconnected, personal and situational and can be subdivided into the macro-, physical-, and social surroundings, and individual choices. The three researched diets showed differences. First, the reduction of food sources used, arguably caused by our biological neophilia, while being neophobic. Second the source of animal protein, with a decrease of fish, and increase of bird consumption. Furthermore, the average Dutch person only consumes the recommended amount of dairy. While for the past diets much remains inconclusive, more requirements seemed to have been met. Because many unhealthy food items, of which current consumptions need to be limited, did not exist in the past. The second showed that the factors that influence our food choices have not changed much, but what they entail, and their level of importance has. This can create mismatches, such as the creation of an obesity promoting environment, due to our biological need to search for high energy dense foods and the current availability of many cheap, unhealthy but energy rich foods. It furthermore shows that an accurate reconstruction of resources used, still will not show the entire diet. The many options in food choices and cuisine, is an indispensable aspect of the human diet in the past, and present.Show less
