Revolution and Resilience: A multianalytical approach to the study of diet, metabolic stress, and life experiences in Revolutionary Philadelphia

Abstract

Objectives

We took a multi-analytical approach to study a skeletal assemblage from Revolutionary-Era Philadelphia to discern whether the tumultuous events of this period impacted individuals’ diets, nutrition, and metabolic stress.

Materials and methods

Osteological analyses estimated osteological sex, age at death, stature, and identified the presence of metabolic pathologies. Stable isotopes were analyzed in teeth, long bone, and rib samples to reconstruct diet at different periods of individuals’ lives. Integrating isotopic and osteological datasets, we explored relationships between demographic variables, diet, and metabolic stress.

Results

Skeletal pathologies were present in all age and sex groupings. Carbon isotope values showed the most variation. Nitrogen was more consistent, but female infants showed higher values. Lower collagen carbon and higher nitrogen isotope values corresponded to decreased stature. Lower collagen carbon and nitrogen isotope values correspond to increased skeletal pathologies in subadults.

Discussion

Revolutionary-Era Philadelphians consumed a European-style diet of primarily C3 plants, animal proteins foddered on similar plants, and either a significant portion of terrestrial animal protein or marine protein. Differences in isotope values between males and females suggest differences in diet by sex that may pertain to differential food access or social practices, and differences in diet by age and sex provide insight into weaning practices. The presence of metabolic diseases and associated differences in diet suggest nutritional deficiencies may have impacted the health of this historic assemblage. Wide variation in diet and survival with and without metabolic disease suggest resiliency in the face of significant historical change.