Stable oxygen isotope evidence for mobility in mediaeval and post-mediaeval Trondheim, Norway

28 mars 2017

Fig. 1. Difference between the δ¹⁸O_C of the M1 adjusted for weaning and the δ¹⁸O_C of the M3 of the individuals excavated at Trondheim. The shaded area corresponds to ± 0.6 ‰ accepted range of variation that is to individuals who have likely not migrated during childhood. The red bars correspond to the individuals who may have migrated during childhood. SG: Søndregate; FBT: Folkebibliotekstomten; VFK: Vår frue kirke; VFP: Vestfrontplassen; SB: Servicebygget

Immigration and mobility in the mediaeval and post-mediaeval periods in Norway has, up until now, mainly been discussed on the basis of historical sources. This paper presents the results of stable oxygen isotope (d¹⁸O) analyses of the 1^st and 3^rd molars from 95 individuals from mediaeval and post-mediaeval Trondheim, as well as new information about the d¹⁸O composition in the precipitation and drinking water in Trondheim. Through these analyses, the authors have attempted to shed light on the age of migrating individuals and directions of the migrations, investigate temporal changes with regard to migration, as well as making suggestions regarding the proportion of immigrants to locals in the population.

The results show that the majority of the immigrants have come from areas to the north or east of Trondheim, and some have travelled, at least, 800-1000 kilometres to have come to Trondheim. It has also been shown that a large proportion of the mediaeval individuals moved during childhood (Fig. 1 & 2). Both with regard to child mobility and migration in general, the evidence suggests that the migratory activity decreased from the mediaeval to the post-mediaeval period.

Authors : S. Suppersberger S. and V. Daux

Ref. : Journal of Archaeological Science: reports, Vol. 8, pages 416-425.

Fig. 2: Oxygen isotopic composition of the M3 teeth of the individuals excavated at Trondheim. The shaded area corresponds to an intra-populational variability of 0.9‰. The red dots correspond to the individuals who may have migrated to Trondheim after the age of 14 years old.

#134 - Màj : 28/03/2017