At a Glance
- Researchers used stable isotope analysis on skeletal remains to uncover medieval eating habits in southern France, highlighting diet variations among social classes.
- The study analyzed skeletons from two cemeteries: Saint-Jean de Todon (high-ranking church members) and Saint-Victor-la-Coste (lower class), focusing on the 9th to 13th centuries.
- Findings showed that Saint-Jean de Todon individuals had diets rich in grains and animal protein, while those from Saint-Victor-la-Coste primarily consumed grains, vegetables, and occasional fish.
- Women in the elite cemetery consumed less animal protein than men, reflecting gender-specific dietary rules, and elite children were breastfed longer than lower-class children.
- Despite differences in diet and social status, the study found similar diets among those with and without grave markers at Saint-Jean de Todon, suggesting social status did not significantly influence diet in this case. Future research will expand on these findings.
Archaeologists in southern France have uncovered new insights into medieval eating habits using stable isotopes, a technique that measures the types of chemical elements in skeletal remains. This research, led by Dr. Jane Holmstrom and her team, sheds light on how diet varied among different social classes in medieval times. The findings, published in Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, are based on skeletons from two cemeteries: Saint-Jean de Todon, home to high-ranking church members, and Saint-Victor-la-Coste, for the lower class.
The study focused on remains from the 9th to 13th centuries, a period marked by significant social and economic changes in Europe. These changes included the Cluniac reforms, which imposed strict dietary rules on church members. For instance, church officials were prohibited from eating meat on most days and had limited access to bread and wine. In contrast, the lower class had more flexible eating habits, though they also faced restrictions.
By analyzing the chemical signatures in the bones, researchers confirmed that individuals from Saint-Jean de Todon had a diet rich in grains and animal protein. At the same time, those from Saint-Victor-la-Coste mostly ate grains and vegetables with occasional fish. Interestingly, the study found that women in the elite cemetery consumed less animal protein than men, reflecting the dietary rules that varied by gender.
The research also revealed that children from the elite cemetery were breastfed longer than those from the lower-class cemetery. Despite differences in diet and social status, the researchers found that people buried with grave markers at Saint-Jean de Todon had similar diets to those without markers, suggesting that social status may not have significantly influenced diet in this case. The study provides a clearer picture of how medieval diets were shaped by social status, religion, and age. Future research will explore these themes further by examining additional cemeteries and conducting more radiocarbon dating.
References
- Holmstrom, J., Dupras, T., Ardagna, Y., & Vidal, L. (2024). Saint-Jean de Todon and Saint-Victor-la-Coste: Exploring diet and social status in medieval southern France (C. 9TH – 13TH AD) using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 16(8), 124. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-024-02035-z
- Oster, S. & Phys.org. (2024, August 1). Medieval French diets discovered through isotope analysis reveal social and religious influences. Phys.Org; Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2024-08-medieval-french-diets-isotope-analysis.html
