Dietary patterns during the early prehispanic settlement in La Gomera (Canary Islands)

The dietary pattern of 10 adults interred in the Acceso al Pescante de Vallehermoso cave (La Gomera, Canary Islands), dated from 1600 to 1800 years BP, has been investigated using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope signatures, bone barium and strontium levels, and dental and oral pathologies. In addition, trabecular bone mass - as a parameter useful to evaluate overall nutrition - was also determined. The majority of the studied individuals died before 35 years. Diet was mixed, mainly based on C-3 plants and probably sea snails. The prevalence of carious lesions was low, but the intensity of dental attrition was high. They did not show osteopenia, but bone mass was lower among those who died at earlier ages. Based on anatomical characteristics it was inferred that the majority of individuals buried in this cave were women. This sex determination was confirmed by DNA molecular sexing using the amelogenin gene. There were no gender differences in dietary pattern or bone mass. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.