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Isotopic Determination of Seasonality in Diet and Death from Nubian Mummy Hair

1993; Elsevier BV; Volume: 20; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1006/jasc.1993.1040

1095-9238

Christine D. White,

Ancient Egypt and Archaeology

Sections of human hair from naturally desiccated Sudanese Nubian mummies representing X-Group (AD 350-550) and Christian (AD 550-1300) periods in the Wadi Halfa area have been analysed for their isotope ratios. Because the carbon in hair represents food intake over the growth period of this tissue, analysis comparing segments taken next to the scalp with those further along the shaft can indicate diet just prior to death as well as any recent shift in food consumption. Modern populations in this area practise seasonal crop scheduling which involves the cultivation of C3 plants (wheat, barley and most fruits and vegetables) in the winter and the hardier C4 plants (sorghum and millet) in the summer. Shifting isotopic values along the length of hair strands of the ancient inhabitants of this area demonstrate that this practice has its roots at least as far back as the Initial Phase of Intensive Agriculture. The most common season of death appears to have been summer, the time of greatest climatic, nutritional and physiological stress for both ancient and modern inhabitants.