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Diet and subsistence patterns in the later iron age of South Africa : an analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes and the incidence of dental caries
Bibliography: pages 103-116.
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Department of Archaeology
2016
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| _version_ | 1867613341894049792 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Gilbert, Cheryl Lee |
| author2 | Sealy, Judith |
| author_browse | Gilbert, Cheryl Lee Sealy, Judith |
| author_facet | Sealy, Judith Gilbert, Cheryl Lee |
| author_sort | Gilbert, Cheryl Lee |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Bibliography: pages 103-116. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/21403 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:34:36.552Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2016 |
| publishDateRange | 2016 |
| publishDateSort | 2016 |
| publisher | Department of Archaeology |
| publisherStr | Department of Archaeology |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/21403 Diet and subsistence patterns in the later iron age of South Africa : an analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes and the incidence of dental caries Gilbert, Cheryl Lee Sealy, Judith Archaeology Bibliography: pages 103-116. Current archaeological perspectives on the change in Later Iron Age diet and subsistence patterns and the subsequent affect on the economy, are re-examined using isotopic and caries analyses. Existing perspectives have focused mainly on material archaeological evidence and are not reflective of diet at the individual level. Consequently, the focus of archaeological research has been biased towards the importance of cattle in subsistence patterns and the economy, and the role of agriculture has not been as thoroughly investigated. In order to address this problem the isotopic signatures of 72skeletal remains, and the pattern of carious lesions of 44 of those individuals, were examined. The samples were drawn from different ethnic groups and geographical/climatic regions. Skeletons were analysed for both ᵟ¹³C and ᵟ¹⁵ N values in order to better reflect both the level of cultigen consumption and the relative importance of animal protein in the diet. The results were initially examined at an individual level, within the biomes from which they were drawn, to determine subsistence type. The diets of persons and ethnic groups was then compared to archaeological and ethnographical research. Combination of results demonstrates a trend towards more enriched ᵟ¹³C values over time. Although there were differences between individuals diets, there is an overall increasing consumption (and therefore reliance) on domesticated grains, whilst the consumptive levels of animal protein remain relatively constant over the last 1000 years. Consequently, the context of previously undated skeletal material was founded on the trend towards increasing ᵟ¹³C values during the second millennium. The creation of a set of criteria based on pattern, type and extent on carious lesions, has provided a further means of assessing the carbohydrate intake level of individuals. An increase in both ᵟ¹³C values and the incidence of caries during the 18th century, may reflect the introduction of maize in the interior of South Africa, via Delagoa Bay. It is suggested that population growth and increased demand resulted in maize replacing indigenous African cultigens to become a staple food source after this period. In conclusion it is postulated that further re-examination of the current outlook should be undertaken as it is clear from this study that the Later Iron Age is heterogenous with comparable but distinct dietary levels. 2016-08-22T12:20:59Z 2016-08-22T12:20:59Z 1995 Master Thesis Masters MA http://hdl.handle.net/11427/21403 eng application/pdf Department of Archaeology Faculty of Science University of Cape Town |
| spellingShingle | Archaeology Gilbert, Cheryl Lee Diet and subsistence patterns in the later iron age of South Africa : an analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes and the incidence of dental caries |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | Diet and subsistence patterns in the later iron age of South Africa : an analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes and the incidence of dental caries |
| title_full | Diet and subsistence patterns in the later iron age of South Africa : an analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes and the incidence of dental caries |
| title_fullStr | Diet and subsistence patterns in the later iron age of South Africa : an analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes and the incidence of dental caries |
| title_full_unstemmed | Diet and subsistence patterns in the later iron age of South Africa : an analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes and the incidence of dental caries |
| title_short | Diet and subsistence patterns in the later iron age of South Africa : an analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes and the incidence of dental caries |
| title_sort | diet and subsistence patterns in the later iron age of south africa an analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes and the incidence of dental caries |
| topic | Archaeology |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/21403 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gilbertcheryllee dietandsubsistencepatternsinthelaterironageofsouthafricaananalysisofstablecarbonandnitrogenisotopesandtheincidenceofdentalcaries |