A multidisciplinary approach for investigating dietary and medicinal habits of the Medieval population of Santa Severa (7th-15th centuries, Rome, Italy)

PLoS One. 2020 Jan 28;15(1):e0227433. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227433. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

A multidisciplinary approach, combining stable isotope analysis from bone proteins and investigations on dental calculus using DNA analysis, light microscopy, and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, was applied to reconstruct dietary and medicinal habits of the individuals recovered in the cemetery of the Castle of Santa Severa (7th-15th centuries CE; Rome, Italy). Stable isotope analysis was performed on 120 humans, 41 faunal specimens and 8 charred seeds. Dental calculus analyses were carried out on 94 samples. Overall, isotope data indicated an omnivorous diet based on C3-terrestrial protein, although some individuals possessed carbon values indicative of C4 plant consumption. In terms of animal protein, the diet was probably based on cattle, sheep, pig and chicken products, as witnessed by the archaeozoological findings. Evidence from calculus suggested the consumption of C3 cereals, Fabaceae, Fagaceae, milk and dairy products. Secondary metabolites of herbs and wine were also detected. The detection of marine fish ancient DNA, as well as of ω3 fatty acids in calculus, hypothesized the consumption of marine foodstuffs for this coastal population, despite the lack of a clear marine isotopic signal and the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids in plant tissues. Moreover, the knowledge of ethnopharmacological tradition and the application of medicinal plants (e.g. Punica granatum L., Ephedra sp. L.) were also identified. The detection of artemisinin, known to have antimalarial properties, led to hypothesize the presence of malaria in the area. Altogether, the combined application of microscopy and biomolecular techniques provided an innovative reconstruction of Medieval lifeways in Central Italy.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Archaeology*
  • Bone and Bones / chemistry*
  • Bone and Bones / metabolism
  • Cemeteries*
  • DNA, Ancient / analysis*
  • Diet / history*
  • History, Medieval
  • Humans
  • Rome

Substances

  • DNA, Ancient

Grants and funding

1. Funder name: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche IPERION CH.it; Grant number: CIVITAS; Grant Recipient: Flavio Enei. 2. Funder name: European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie; Grant number:751349; Grant Recipient: Gabriele Scorrano. 3. Funder name:Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca (MIUR); Grant number: MIUR Excellence Department Project; Grant Recipient: Department of Mathematics, Univ. of Rome "Tor Vergata"