Giulia Riccomi

Bioarchaeology and Dietary Reconstruction across Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages in Tuscany, Central Italy

Bioarchaeology and Dietary Reconstruction across Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages in Tuscany, Central Italy

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The study investigates the effects of socio-cultural and environmental factors on living conditions and dietary practices in Tuscany between Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages using stress markers and palaeodietary reconstruction. It challenges the perception of the Dark Ages as an impoverished phase and provides a corrective view of how communities reacted to changes during the transition.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 01 April 2021
Publisher: Archaeopress


The study of bioarchaeology and dietary reconstruction across Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages in Tuscany, Central Italy, presents the findings of the first comprehensive multidisciplinary bioarchaeological analysis aimed at reconstructing living conditions in this region during this time period. This was achieved by examining stress markers such as adult stature, periosteal reaction, cranial porosities, and linear enamel hypoplasia, as well as conducting palaeodietary reconstruction to explore the effects of socio-cultural and environmental factors in a diachronic perspective.

The transition from Classical to Medieval times has had a profound impact on European historical consciousness, and its effects on living conditions and dietary practices continue to be a subject of debate. A prevailing view suggests that these periods were characterized by poverty and social unrest, particularly in the Mediterranean region, following the collapse of the Roman agrarian villa system. However, this volume aims to challenge this perception by analyzing bioarchaeological data from three sites in Tuscany, which was once the core of the western Roman Empire and likely most vulnerable to the significant socio-political constraints of the first millennium AD.

Through the examination of stress markers and palaeodietary reconstruction, the study seeks to provide a corrective view of how communities in Tuscany perceived and reacted to the changes that occurred during the transition from post-Classical to post-Roman times. The analysis reveals that while there were indeed challenges and disruptions, these periods were not necessarily characterized by poverty and social unrest. Instead, communities adapted and responded to these changes in diverse ways, reflecting their unique socio-cultural and environmental contexts.

One of the key findings of the study is the evidence of a gradual shift in dietary practices during this time period. While the Roman diet, characterized by its emphasis on meat and cereals, continued to be a significant part of the diet in the early medieval period, there was also a growing consumption of fruits, vegetables, and legumes. This change can be attributed to various factors, including the decline of the Roman agricultural system, the expansion of trade networks, and the influence of religious practices that promoted a more vegetarian lifestyle.

The study also highlights the role of social and economic factors in shaping dietary practices. For instance, the emergence of feudalism and the development of land ownership patterns influenced the availability and distribution of food resources. Wealthier individuals and families were able to afford a more diverse and luxurious diet, while poorer individuals and communities relied on a more basic and subsistence-oriented diet.

Furthermore, the study explores the impact of environmental factors on living conditions and dietary practices. The changing climate and weather patterns during this time period, including droughts and famines, had a significant impact on agricultural productivity and food availability. Communities were forced to adapt and find new ways to cope with these challenges, including developing new agricultural techniques, diversifying their food sources, and relying on trade and exchange networks to obtain food.

In conclusion, the study of bioarchaeology and dietary reconstruction across Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages in Tuscany, Central Italy, provides valuable insights into the complex and multifaceted nature of this transition period. By examining stress markers, palaeodietary reconstruction, and socio-cultural and environmental factors, the study challenges the prevailing perception of these periods as impoverished and socially unrestful. Instead, it reveals that communities in Tuscany were able to adapt and respond to changes in diverse ways, reflecting their unique socio-cultural and environmental contexts. This research contributes to our understanding of the history and development of Tuscany and sheds light on the broader implications of the transition from Classical to Medieval times in Europe.

Weight: 714g
Dimension: 205 x 290 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789698657

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