Date on Senior Honors Thesis
5-2025
Document Type
Senior Honors Thesis
Degree Name
B.S.
Department
Anthropology
Author's Keywords
structural vulnerability; isotopes; iron age; dietary reconstruction
Abstract
Diet can represent how different individuals within a population may be affected by famine, drought, or the fall of an empire. Bioarchaeologists observe patterns in human diet--and consequently, human experience--through generalized reconstructions of consumption via faunal and human skeletal remains. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes are an effective and accurate way of learning what past individuals consumed. By analyzing the stable carbon and nitrogen values derived from collagen in human bones, bioarchaeologists can ascertain the primary protein source of a person’s diet. This thesis used the theoretical framework of structural vulnerability and stable isotope analysis on secondary data to describe the diet of past individuals in Iron Age (1200-500 BC) Ashkelon (Southern Levant). In this study, it was hypothesized that adult estimated males and adult estimated females would not reflect a similar intake of dietary protein. In addition, individuals with grave goods were expected to be of higher societal importance and therefore have a higher intake of protein. Results indicated no significant differences between estimated female and male individuals on the carbon and nitrogen ratios during the Iron Age nor were there any differences on the carbon and nitrogen ratios depending on the presence or absence of grave goods. This lack of structural vulnerability present could be an indication of a higher standard of living within a city (Ashkelon).
Recommended Citation
Ballard, Delaney, "Reconstructing Diets in Iron Age Ashkelon: A Stable Isotope Analysis" (2025). College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses. Paper 343.
Retrieved from https://ir.library.louisville.edu/honors/343
Lay Summary
The diets of people in the past provide evidence for how they were affected by events such as famine, drought, or the collapse of a society. Bioarcheologists examine the chemical markers left in human remains to provide insight into diets to understand what life was like long ago. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes are two important chemical markers which can indicate what kinds of foods people regularly ate, specifically their protein sources. This study looked at the carbon and nitrogen isotope data previously collected from human bones found in Iron Age (1200-500 BC) Ashkelon (Southern Levant). In this study, it was expected that males and females would differ in their ratios of the carbon and nitrogen isotopes due to gender hierarchies. Additionally, it was expected that people who were buried with valuable items called grave goods would likely have better diets—possibly because they were more important in society. The study found no difference in diet between males and females or between people with and without grave goods, perhaps due to Ashkelon being a large port city that has better access to resources.
