Papers by Rachelle Martyn
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2017
Here we present a comparative study of stable carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) isotope data ... more Here we present a comparative study of stable carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) isotope data from 81 individuals from the catastrophic death assemblage at Herculaneum (79 AD) and compare these with the attritional sites of Velia (Salerno, Italy, 1 st-2 nd century AD) and Isola Sacra (Rome, Italy, 1 st-2 nd century AD). The instantaneous deposition of the Herculaneum assemblage highlights some interesting differences in our contextual and methodological understanding of stable dietary isotopes, suggesting that isotopic variation between sites may sometimes be a result of greater temporal variability rather than truly comparable differences. Our results suggest that the people of Herculaneum obtained a relatively small proportion (ca. 30%) of their dietary carbon from marine foods; the majority originating from terrestrial foodstuffs of a similar carbon isotopic composition, most likely cereals. Also observed is a generally greater dietary isotopic enrichment in male individuals than females. We infer that males had greater access to fish which may be reflective, in part, of the sociodemographic framework characteristic of Roman society. Finally, we highlight the methodological challenges which may be faced when undertaking comparisons of δ 13 C and δ 15 N data between the various age-related strata of a population, particularly due to the slow and variable rate of collagen turnover.
Antiquity, 2020
Destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, Herculaneum is one of the world's most famo... more Destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, Herculaneum is one of the world's most famous Roman settlements. Exactly how the victims died during the eruption, however, remains unclear. The authors address this issue by examining changes in bone apatite structure and collagen preservation, combined with collagen extraction. Results suggest that the prolonged presence of soft tissue, as well as the stone chambers in which inhabitants had sought shelter, acted as thermal buffers that minimised the heat-induced degradation of skeletal tissues. The results have implications for the interpretation of large residential sites and for contexts where heating and burning is associated with buildings.
16 Here we present a comparative study of stable carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) isotope 17... more 16 Here we present a comparative study of stable carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) isotope 17 data from 81 individuals from the catastrophic death assemblage at Herculaneum (79 AD) 18 and compare these with the attritional sites of Velia (Salerno, Italy, 1 st-2 nd century AD) and 19 Isola Sacra (Rome, Italy, 1 st-2 nd century AD). The instantaneous deposition of the 20 Herculaneum assemblage highlights some interesting differences in our contextual and 21 methodological understanding of stable dietary isotopes, suggesting that isotopic variation 22 between sites may sometimes be a result of greater temporal variability rather than truly 23 comparable differences. Our results suggest that the people of Herculaneum obtained a 24 relatively small proportion (ca. 30%) of their dietary carbon from marine foods; the majority 25 originating from terrestrial foodstuffs of a similar carbon isotopic composition, most likely 26 cereals. Also observed is a generally greater dietary isotopic enrichment in male individuals 27 than females. We infer that males had greater access to fish which may be reflective, in part, 28 of the sociodemographic framework characteristic of Roman society. Finally, we highlight the 29 methodological challenges which may be faced when undertaking comparisons of δ 13 C and 30 δ 15 N data between the various age-related strata of a population, particularly due to the slow 31 and variable rate of collagen turnover. 32 33
18th FRWG Lisbon 2015 Abstracts
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Papers by Rachelle Martyn