Reconstructing Life Histories: New Insights Into Cremation Practices, Mobility, and Food Consumption Patterns Through Isotope and Infrared Analyses of Petrous Parts and Teeth

Abstract

Objectives

Several archaeological cremation sites in Belgium have been investigated through a multidisciplinary approach. The sampling process predominantly focused on calcined ribs, diaphyses, and crania. However, previous studies rarely included teeth or the inner cortex (IC) of the otic capsule of the petrous part, both of which can provide information regarding residence and mobility during infancy and childhood. Moreover, the potential of these elements to contribute to understanding cremation practices has been largely unexplored. Therefore, this study examines the value of sampling these early-forming skeletal tissues for the study of mobility, food consumption patterns, and cremation practices.

Materials and Methods

Two Late Bronze Age–Early Iron Age cremation sites in Belgium, Herstal (132 skeletal elements) and Court-Saint-Étienne (39 skeletal elements), were selected for this purpose. Mobility was examined via strontium isotope analysis, and cremation practices through stable carbon and oxygen isotope analysis and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy in Attenuated Total Reflectance mode (FTIR-ATR).

Results

Our findings underscore the importance of sampling different skeletal elements to reconstruct life histories and interpret cremation practices. Differences between the strontium isotope ratios of infancy/childhood (IC and teeth) and those of continuously remodeling skeletal tissues (cranium, diaphysis, rib) revealed changes in food consumption, relocations throughout life, and multiple individuals within a single grave. Including petrous parts and teeth significantly affected statistical comparisons of infrared and carbon–oxygen isotope data across skeletal elements and cremation sites.

Discussion

This study highlights the value of integrating petrous parts and teeth to better understand cremation practices, mobility, and food consumption patterns, while also stressing the importance of caution when comparing sites with different sampling approaches.