Specifying subsistence strategies of early farmers: New results from compound-specific isotopic analysis of amino acids

Understanding the contribution of fish to the human diet is an important debate in past population studies as it implies specific organization (e.g., adapted techniques and gender-based activities) and relationship with the local or sublocal environments (e.g., mobility and seasonal-based exploitation). In the Paris Basin, the role of fish has been discussed mainly from rare but obvious archaeological remains such as fish bones or hooks. Previous isotopic data from Neolithic human bone bulk collagen highlighted the potential of freshwater resources in protein diet but were not able to quantify it or even confirm its role. In this study, we conducted, for the first time on early farmers from France, compound-specific isotope analysis on bone collagen amino acids (CSIA-AA). Results indicate a particularly high trophic level of some humans with protein intake mainly based on terrestrial animal resources (domestic cattle and pig), whereas others rather have a plant-based diet. Freshwater resources appeared to be not significant, and several possible food combinations are discussed. Pig particularly appears more herbivorous than previously assumed and has possibly consumed manured cereals from human food waste.

Automated summary

Understanding the significance of fish in the human diet is an important area of research. This study conducted compound-specific isotope analysis on early farmers from France, revealing that protein intake is mainly derived from terrestrial animal resources, with freshwater resources playing a lesser role.