Dietary diversity and moderate mobility – isotope evidence from Scanian Battle Axe Culture burials

Abstract

Human skeletal remains from eight Scanian Battle Axe Culture burial sites have been subjected to stable isotope analyses with the aim of elucidating patterns of diet and mobility. The results reveal diversity in the food sources exploited by the analysed individuals, including varied contributions of marine protein. This suggests that the general association of the BAC with a farming/pastoralist economy needs revision. Further, the majority of the individuals seem to be of local origin, and the level of mobility is generally low.