Movement and Mobility on the Roman Military Frontier: An Isotopic Study on Cremation Burials from Hadrian’s Wall (20 min)

Presenters

Simon Mays, Historic England; Rick J. Schulting, University of Oxford, UK; John Pouncett, University of Oxford; Tony Wilmott, Historic England; and Christophe Snoeck, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Abstract

We present the results of a study of strontium stable isotopes (87Sr/86Sr) and Sr concentration in cremated human remains from burials from a second–third century C.E. cemetery at a Roman fort/vicus at Birdoswald, Hadrian’s Wall, England. Bone and tooth Sr isotope ratios provide evidence of the geological make-up of the locations where food and drink consumed by individuals were obtained. The aim of the work is to shed light upon the mobility and provisioning of those buried here. Diverse origins would be expected to lead to greater variability in Sr isotope data than if most came from the local area, although with greater residence times at the fort, initial differences would be gradually homogenized by bone remodeling. Provisioning from strictly local sources would be expected to lead to reduced variability in Sr isotope values than if provisions were also sourced from more diverse geographic locations.

Of 50 cremation burials excavated, 30 (28 adults [two males, three females, 23 unsexed], two children), provided longbone elements suitable for analysis. Eight of these also provided dental elements; Sr in long bones provides evidence concerning approximately the last decade of adult life, while teeth indicate childhood intake/location.

Mean 87Sr/86Sr (0.70989) resembled those expected given local geology, and variation was strikingly low (sd=0.00038) compared with published data from other Roman archaeological sites. Mean tooth values generally resemble bone values and while dental values were overall somewhat more variable this difference was not significant.

Results suggest prolonged residence at the site for most people and with local provisioning, with people consuming locally sourced diets over many years. This is consistent with military provisioning of the settlement, and with prolonged military service at the northern frontier of empire, with the long-term presence of veterans and their families at the settlement.