Skip to main content
Advertisement
Browse Subject Areas
?

Click through the PLOS taxonomy to find articles in your field.

For more information about PLOS Subject Areas, click here.

  • Loading metrics

Food for the soul and food for the body. Studying dietary patterns and funerary meals in the Western Roman Empire: An anthropological and archaeozoological approach

  • Domingo C. Salazar-García ,

    Roles Data curation, Formal analysis, Funding acquisition, Investigation, Methodology, Project administration, Resources, Software, Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing

    domingocarlos.salazar@uv.es (DCSG); lcolominas@icac.cat (LC)

    Affiliations Departament de Prehistòria, Arqueologia i Història Antiga, Universitat de València, València, Spain, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

  • Lídia Colominas ,

    Roles Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, Funding acquisition, Investigation, Methodology, Project administration, Resources, Software, Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing

    domingocarlos.salazar@uv.es (DCSG); lcolominas@icac.cat (LC)

    Affiliation Institut Catala d’Arqueologia Clàssica, Tarragona, Spain

  • Xabier Jordana

    Roles Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Resources, Software, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing

    Affiliations The Tissue Repair and Regeneration Laboratory (TR2Lab), Experimental Sciences and Methodology Department, Faculty of Health Science and Welfare, University of Vic–Central University of Catalonia, Vic, Spain, Research Group of Biological Anthropology (GREAB), Biological Anthropology Unit, BABVE Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

Ancient written sources show that Roman funerary rituals were relevant along the entire Roman Republic and Empire, as they ensured the protection of deities and the memory of the deceased. Part of these rituals consisted of funerary offerings and banquets that were held on the day of the burial, in festivities and other stipulated days. The faunal remains recovered inside the graves and around them are evidence of these rituals. Therefore, their study can allow us to know if the funerary meals and rituals developed in the Roman necropolis were special and implied food that differed from everyday dietary habits, according to the importance of these rituals. To test this, we analysed the archaeozoological and anthropological material from the necropolis of Vila de Madrid (Barcelona, Catalonia), which was in use between the first half of the 2nd century AD and mid 3rd century AD. The archaeozoological analysis of the faunal remains recovered in the necropolis and inside the graves, as well as carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios results on bone collagen from 50 faunal specimens and 41 humans, suggest that, overall, funerary meals in Vila de Madrid necropolis did not imply different food than that consumed during life. Regarding age, sex, offerings and diet, some differences are observed, suggesting that inequalities present in life could have been also present in the funerary rituals.

1. Introduction

1.1. Ancient Roman funerary rituals and food

The afterlife in Roman religion was the milestone that had to be reached after death upon complying with several funerary rituals. Part of these rituals consisted of funerary offerings, banquets and sacrifices of animals, performed to ensure the protection of deities and the memory of the deceased [14]. Written sources (Pliny, Epist. IV, 2; Cicero, De leg. II, 22, 55–57; Tacitus, Ann. VI, 5; Petronius, Satyrion 65) show that only when a pig was sacrificed was a grave legally a grave. They also indicate that on the same day of the funeral, a funerary feast was eaten at the grave in honour of the dead and offerings of food were left at the tomb. There was also the cena novendialis eaten at the grave on the ninth day after the funeral. Throughout the year there were also other occasions on which the dead were commemorated by funerary meals eaten at the tomb by their relatives and friends, such as their birthdays or several annual festivities (Parentalia, Lemuria, Rosalia) in which a lamb could also be sacrificed [1, 5]. At all of these banquets, the departed had their share set apart for them.

Therefore, through written sources we imagine that banquets and offerings were an important part of the funerary rituals in antiquity. Archaeology has validated this idea. Graves, whether for inhumation or for cremation, are documented widely to have contained holes or pipes through which food and drink could be poured down directly on to the burial, such as at Colchester (UK) [1], Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer (France) [6], Ostia (necropolis d’Isola Sacra, Italy) [7], Tipasa (Mauritaina) [8] or Carmona (necropolis of Puerta de la Sedía, Spain) [9]. Ceramics, faunal and plant remains from these banquets and offerings have also been thoroughly recovered from the necropolis floors and inside the graves. Some examples are the necropolis of Nimes in France [10], the ‘Mausoleo di Blanda Tortora’ in Pergolo in Italy [11], the Eastern cemetery of London in England [12] or the necropolis of Valentia in Spain [13].

Taking into account the importance of these rituals, with this paper we want to take a step deeper into their research. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the funerary rituals involved special food that differed from the every-day diet, or conversely, if what was consumed as food in everyday life was also used in the mortuary meals and ceremonies. To accomplish this, we selected the collegia funeraticia area of the necropolis of Vila de Madrid (Barcelona, Catalonia), in use between the first half of the second century AD and the mid third century AD.

1.2. C and N isotopes and dietary reconstructions

Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis applied to archaeology is a well-established technique that is routinely used to obtain information on diet from past populations around the world, and has become a must in any research project aiming to evaluate subsistence patterns in the past, especially from prehistoric and ancient times [14]. In this sense, Antiquity is not an exception, and C and N stable isotope analyses have been carried out in a variety of sites from Roman times [1521]. In the Iberian Peninsula only a few sites have been studied for diet reconstructions with C and N stable isotope analysis [22, 23].

This type of analysis is based on the underlying rationale that the isotopic composition of food eaten is recorded in the body tissues after a predictable isotope fractionation [24]. Archaeological remains can retain the stable isotope ratios present during life, and therefore provide information about the foods an individual consumed. Bone and teeth have specific stable isotope ratios that reflect their chemical origin and formation: the organic part records carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios linked to protein consumption averaged from a number of years prior to death in bone [25], or from specific life-moments of an individual in dentine [26]. Collagen is the preferred substrate for carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis, because it is the only major nitrogen source from skeletal remains [27] and provides robust quality indicators that securely record its isotopic integrity [28, 29]. However, it is necessary to consider when interpreting results that stable isotope ratios from bone collagen reflect only the main dietary protein sources consumed several years prior to death [30] rather than that of the diet as a whole, especially for nitrogen [31].

The relative abundance of the stable carbon isotopes 13C and 12C (δ13C) distinguishes the consumption of C3 and C4 terrestrial resources [32]. Trees, most plants from temperate and cold climates, and most aquatic plants follow the C3 photosynthetic pathway (δ13C values from -36‰ to -22‰). Herbaceous plants like millet, sorghum, or sugarcane, in both temperate and warm environments, mostly follow the C4 photosynthetic process (δ13C values from -19‰ to -6‰) [3335]. Carbon stable isotope ratios also help to define the input on the diet from terrestrial and marine foods [36], although if freshwater or estuarine fish are involved, then the interpretation of δ13C values becomes more complex [37]. The δ15N isotope values increase by 3–5‰ per trophic level up the food chain, and are usually used to indicate the position of an organism in the food chain [38]. Even if this quantification is less straightforward than previously thought [39], based on the exact values of the nitrogen ratio it is potentially possible to differentiate between individuals that consumed more animal resources from those who consumed less [40]. Furthermore, the fact that aquatic food chains tend to contain more trophic levels than terrestrial ones helps to discriminate between the consumption of marine or C4 terrestrial foods when samples are 13C enriched [41].

Environmental, physiological and cultural factors may influence the isotopic signal of the food chain, and must be taken into account. Different environmental settings through time and space show different isotopic backgrounds [42]. The "canopy effect" can affect isotope ratios and may result in significantly lower δ13C values for plants from closed terrestrial environments compared to their counterparts from open ones [43, 44], while aridity and soil salinity can result in higher δ13C and δ15N values [4547]. Physiology also impacts isotopic values, as ruminants have on average higher δ15N values compared to non-ruminants [48] and leguminous plants have lower δ15N values than that of other plants [49]. Furthermore, individuals subject to hormonal [50], pathological [51], or nutritional [52, 53] stress may have δ15N values that no longer reflect the trophic relationships of the ecosystems in which they live. Cultural factors such as the use of manuring [54], food trade networks or migrations can also affect the isotopic baseline values and thus lead to foods or individuals with different values due to their non-local origin. Although some of these factors cannot be controlled, environmental isotope ratio values for humans should be compared to faunal samples recovered from the same archaeological site and stratigraphic level, when possible, or from nearby contemporary fauna to have a more robust dietary interpretation.

2. Materials and methods

All the materials analysed here were recovered at the ‘Vila de Madrid’ necropolis. The site is located in the city of Barcelona (Catalonia). The first excavations took place in the 1950s. They revealed many burials along a secondary road of what would have been the western necropolis of the Roman city of Barcino [55]. Works at the site resumed between 2000 and 2003, during which the presence of a collective funerary structure of about 8.85×5m was noted at the north of the secondary road (Fig 1). This collective funerary structure was interpreted as a collegium funeraticium. The collegia funeraticia were private associations, sometimes of a professional nature, of free people and slaves of limited purchasing power, who, by paying a monthly fee in life, ensured their burial [55]. A total of 66 burials (59 inhumations and 7 cremations) were recorded within this structure, in use between the first half of the second century AD and the mid third century AD [55]. The materials presented here come from the recent excavations of the collective funerary structure of 2000–2003. The materials were recovered from different contexts of the necropolis. They were recovered from the interior of the inhumations (human and animal remains), from the necropolis’ circulation level (whole carcasses of animals deposited in the necropolis) and from the fill of an abandoned well contemporary to the necropolis occupation phase (animal remains).

thumbnail
Fig 1. Plan of the Vila de Madrid necropolis with the collective funerary structure located at the north of the secondary road from which the human and animal remains were retrieved (after F. Busquets, I. Pastor. Fondo de excavaciones antiguas-MHCB).

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271296.g001

2.1. Sample selection

Only faunal remains interpreted as waste products from the processing and consumption of meat were selected for the archaeozoological study. This selection was based on the presence of helical fractures, butchery marks and thermo-alterations. Therefore, 342 faunal remains recovered on the occupation floor of the necropolis (NISP = 273) and from the inside of the graves (NISP = 69) were chosen from the whole faunal assemblage, composed of 4882 remains. The other faunal remains were whole carcasses of horses and dogs that were buried in the necropolis, recovered from the circulation level and from inside a well. We selected these 342 faunal remains as indicative of funerary banquets and funerary offerings respectively, considering their location (inside the graves or on the occupation floor of the necropolis) and anthropic modifications (helical fractures, butchery marks and thermo-alterations). Detailed archaeozoological results of the whole assemblage analysis are available [56].

A total of 50 faunal specimens from all contexts of the necropolis (occupation floor, graves and well) were selected for δ13C and δ15N stable isotope analyses of bone collagen in order to define the local baseline from which to interpret the human values. The selected faunal set was comprised of sheep (n = 4), goats (n = 1), pigs (n = 6), cattle (n = 7), equids (n = 8), dogs (n = 15), foxes (n = 1), rabbits (n = 2), hares (n = 1), chickens (n = 4) and amphibians (n = 1). A total of 41 human individuals representing both sexes and all age ranges present at the site were selected for δ13C and δ15N stable isotope analyses of bone collagen. Only ribs from primary inhumations were selected. The male/female ratio of the human sample is 1.6:1 (14 males, 9 females, and 18 non-adults of indeterminate sex). The age-at-death of these individuals ranged from post-natal to older than 45 years of age and were grouped in to six age categories: newborn (<1yo), infant I (from 1 to 6 years old), infant II (from 7 to 12 years old), juveniles (from 13 to 18), young adult (from 19 to 30 years old) and adult (more than 30 years of age). The detailed results of the osteological analysis are available in a monograph of the site [57].

2.2. Archaeozoological analysis

The osteological analysis was focused on the study of taxonomic and anatomic representation frequencies and age-at-death estimations in order to characterise food funerary preferences. The osteological reference collection from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona was used for identification. Sheep and goat differentiation was carried out following a variety of methods [5860]. The taxonomic variability was based on the relative frequency (NISP) and the Minimum Number of Individuals (MNI). Age-at-death was recorded on the basis of fusion of long bone epiphyses, and of the eruption and wear of mandibular teeth. For cattle and pigs, the tooth wear stages followed the Grant protocol [61], and these were grouped into age stages [62]. For caprines, both tooth wear stage and age stages followed the Payne protocol [63].

2.3. C and N stable isotope sample preparation and analysis

Collagen extraction for carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis proceeded following established methods [64]. Whole bone fragments weighing ca. 300 mg were demineralized in 0.5M HCl solution at 5°C until demineralized (up to a week), and were then rinsed three times with deionized water until the pH became neutral. This was followed by gelatinization over 48 hours at 70°C, and then filtering and ultrafiltering using 50–90 μm EZEE© filters, and previously cleaned >30 kDa Amicon© ultrafilters, respectively. The purified solutions were frozen and lyophilized before being weighed into tin capsules (ca. 0.5mg of extracted collagen per tin capsule) and loaded onto the mass spectrometers.

The carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in collagen were measured in duplicate in different runs at different days at the Isotope Facilities of the University of Cape Town (South Africa), using a Finnigan Delta plus XP continuous-flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA) after being combusted in the elemental analyzer Flash EA 1112 interfaced with it (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA). In each run, in-house standards (valine δ13C = -26.8‰, δ15N = 12.14‰, Merck gel δ13C = -20.05‰, δ15N = 7.5‰, and seal bone δ13C = -11.97‰, δ15N = 15.84‰) were analysed in order to asses instrument precision. δ13C and δ15N mean and standard deviation values for these standards during run 1 of the samples are: Merck gel (n = 6, δ13C = -22.39 ± 0.124, δ15N = 4.09 ±0.042), seal bone (n = 6, δ13C = – 13.11 ± 0.157, δ15N = 14.76 ±0.047), Valine (n = 6, δ13C = -28.16 ±0.133, δ15N = 11.43 ± 0.105). Mean and standard deviation δ13C and δ15N values for these standards during run 2 of the samples are: Merck gel (n = 6 δ13C = -22.08 ± 0.155, δ15N = 4.24 ±0.072), seal bone (n = 6, δ13C = – 13.05 ± 0.152, δ15N = 14.95 ±0.064), Valine (n = 6, δ13C = -27.89 ±0.159, δ15N = 11.71 ± 0.075). All sample data reported was normalized to internal standards that had been calibrated against international standard materials NBS 21, IAEA N1 and N2. Stable carbon isotope ratios were expressed relative to the VPDB scale (Vienna PeeDee Belemnite) and stable nitrogen isotope ratios were measured relative to the AIR scale (atmospheric N2), using the delta notation (δ) in parts per thousand (‰). The reproducibility of repeated measurements of the standard materials was ≤ 0.2‰ for both δ13C and δ15N.

3. Results

3.1. Archaeozoological analysis

A total of 273 faunal remains indicative of funerary banquets were recovered on the occupation floor of the necropolis. The main species documented are domestic animals (97.8% of the total NISP). Among them, cattle (41.8%), pig (26.7%), sheep/goat (17.6%) and chicken (9.9%) are the main species represented. We have also documented the presence of rabbit (1.8%), fox (0.7%), red deer (0.4%), fish (0.4%) and marine mollusc (0.4%). In terms of Minimum Number of Individuals (MNI) pigs predominate (11 individuals), followed by cattle (9 individuals), caprine (5 individuals) and chickens (2 individuals) (Table A of Fig 2). Most of these individuals were sacrificed at adult ages, although newborn, infant, juvenile and sub-adult individuals were also present in the banquets performed at the necropolis (Table A of Fig 2).

thumbnail
Fig 2.

Distribution of body parts and minimum number of individuals by species on A) the occupation floor of the necropolis, and B) inside the graves of the Vila de Madrid necropolis. (Key: CR = cranium; MAND = mandible; V = vertebra; RIB = rib; SC = scapula; HU = humerus; RA/UL = radius/ulna; PEL = pelvis; FE = femur; TI/FI = tibia/fibula; MC = metacarpal; MT = metatarsal; PHA = phalanx; NB = new-born; INF = infant; JUV = juvenile; SAD = sub-adult; AD = adult: SEN = senile).

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271296.g002

Body part representation shows the presence of all parts of the skeleton, with the meat-rich upper limbs (47% of the sample) better represented than the other anatomical parts (Fig 2A). The particularly high frequency of pig teeth, cattle mandibles and cattle and pig humeri is noteworthy.

A total of 69 faunal remains were recovered from the inside of the graves as a result of funerary offerings. We documented a predominance of pig (30%) and cattle remains (27.1%), followed by caprine (24.3%) and chicken (10%). We also documented roe deer (1.4%), hare (1.4%), rabbit (1.4%) and fox (4.3%), with a similar taxonomic representation as those documented in the occupation floor of the necropolis (Fig 2B). The calculation of the MNI also shows similar results, with the presence of meat portions of at least 16 pigs, 13 cattle, 9 caprine and 5 chickens (Table B of Fig 2).

Body part representation shows the presence of all parts of the skeleton for the four main domestic animals, with the presence of elements from the axial and postcranial skeleton, including extremities (Fig 2B). The most represented part is, again, the meat-rich upper limb (67% of the sample). The particularly high frequency of caprine tibia and scapula should be highlighted. Most of these elements correspond to adult specimens, although some elements from infant, juvenile and sub-adult specimens were also present inside the graves (Table B of Fig 2).

These faunal remains were recovered in 16 inhumations in which individuals of different age and sex were buried (Fig 3). Meat offerings were not equally distributed between graves. We observe 7 graves with 1 offering, 6 graves containing between 2 and 5 offerings, and 4 graves with 6 to 10 offerings (Fig 3). Three of the 9 female burials studied (33.3%), and 9 of the 14 male burials (64.3%), present meat offerings. Of these, one female (Burial 7) has the same number of faunal remains as the male with the highest number (Burial 22). The average number of faunal samples per female burial with meat offerings is of 5.7% (17 meat offerings in 3 burials) and the average number per male burial is of 3.1% (28 meat offerings in 9 burials). The taxonomic representation also varies between graves. We documented 6 graves with the presence of 1 species, 7 graves with 2 different species, 1 grave with the presence of 3 different species, and 1 grave with 4 different species (Fig 3).

thumbnail
Fig 3. Number of meat offerings by species among the burials of the Vila de Madrid necropolis.

(Key: F = female; M = male; AD = adult; YA = young adult; INF = infant).

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271296.g003

3.2. C and N stable isotope analysis

Samples from 41 humans and 50 faunal specimens from 11 different species (both wild and domestic) were taken for stable isotope analysis. All samples yielded sufficient collagen in the >30 kDa fraction for δ13C and δ15N analysis in duplicate, and all met published collagen quality controls following a collagen extraction protocol that includes an ultrafiltration step: appropriate CN elemental percentages together with C:N ratios between 2.9 and 3.6 [28, 29, 65]. All isotope ratio results from Vila de Madrid are shown in Tables 1 (Fauna) and 2 (Humans), and illustrated in Fig 4.

thumbnail
Fig 4. Plot of human and animal bone collagen δ13C and δ15N values from Vila de Madrid.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271296.g004

thumbnail
Table 1. Vila de Madrid δ13C and δ15N values from fauna, collagen control indicators (yield, %C, %N, C:N), S-UCT number (lab code), sampled bone, stratigraphic unit and archaeological context (oc. floor = occupation floor).

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271296.t001

thumbnail
Table 2. Vila de Madrid δ13C and δ15N values from humans, collagen control indicators (yield, %C, %N, C:N), S-UCT number (lab code), burial number, type of burial, stratigraphic unit, number of offerings, number of species present as offerings, sex and age category.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271296.t002

Analysing the faunal carbon values, it can be seen that the terrestrial herbivore δ13C mean value is -20.9 ± 0.9 (1σ) ‰ and its minimum and maximum values are -22.9‰ and -18.7‰ respectively. Other than the herbivore (Oryctolagus cuniculus) at the lowest value and the herbivore (Ovis aries) at the highest value, all other herbivores group between -21.8‰ and -19.3‰, which is generally compatible with typical C3 terrestrial ecosystems. The mean carbon isotope composition of the omnivores analyzed is -19.3 ± 0.9 (1σ) ‰, and its minimum and maximum values are -21.4‰ and -17.1‰ respectively. By removing the highest (Gallus gallus) and lowest (Sus domesticus) values, all other omnivores group between -20.7‰ and 18.3‰. These and the single carnivore value analyzed (-19.0‰) are consistent with the general herbivore values and a terrestrial C3 food ecosystem respectively.

Analysing the faunal nitrogen values, the herbivore mean δ15N value is 4.1 ± 1.3 (1σ) ‰ and has minimum and maximum values of 1.9 and 7.0‰ respectively, with a homogeneous dispersal of all species between this interval, and gives the background for the herbivore trophic level at the site. The mean δ15N value of the omnivores analysed is 7.8 ± 2.4 (1σ) ‰, with minimum and maximum values of 2.7 and 12.5‰, respectively. Although the overall mean value of the omnivores seems to be situated almost a trophic level above that of the herbivores, when analysed at the species level we observe different patterns. While Sus domesticus (4.7 ± 2.2 [1σ] ‰) have values similar to those of herbivores, Canis familiaris (8.8 ± 1.5 [1σ] ‰) and Gallus gallus (8.6 ± 1.2 [1σ] ‰) are clearly situated at a higher trophic level than the herbivores, suggesting different feeding patterns and social interaction of these species with humans. The mean δ15N value of the one wild carnivore analysed (Vulpes vulpes) is 7.7‰, which is 3.6‰ higher than the herbivore mean value and situates the carnivore almost one complete step higher than the herbivores in the food chain. However, the carnivore value is a bit lower compared to that of Canis familiaris and Gallus gallus mean values, which are similar to those from humans, suggesting a close link to humans in the domestic area that might be linked to being fed or scavenging human food refuse. Unfortunately, other than that of an unidentified amphibian value, no aquatic resources were available for sampling at this site, and thus the marine and freshwater specific ‘baseline’ is lacking for Vila de Madrid.

When analysed altogether (n = 41), humans from Vila de Madrid have δ13C and δ15N mean values of −18.8 ± 0.5 (1σ) ‰ (min: −19.7 ‰, max: −16.9 ‰) and 10.4 ± 1.2 (1σ) ‰ (min: 8.6‰, max: 13.0‰), respectively. When excluding infant individuals to avoid potential interference from breastfeeding (n = 23), humans from Vila de Madrid have δ13C and δ15N mean values of −18.8 ± 0.3 (1σ) ‰ (min: −19.5 ‰, max: −17.7 ‰) and 9.9 ± 0.7 (1σ) ‰ (min: 8.8‰, max: 11.2‰), respectively. These values show that diet was based on terrestrial C3 resources. They also suggest that humans were placed in a higher trophic level than herbivores and slightly higher than both domestic omnivores and the wild carnivore analysed (Fig 4).

When grouped by sexes, females (n = 9) have δ13C and δ15N mean values of −18.9 ± 0.2 (1σ) ‰ (min: −19.1‰, max: −18.7‰) and 9.5 ± 0.4 (1σ) ‰ (min: 8.8‰, max: 10.1‰) respectively, while males (n = 14) show δ13C and δ15N mean values of −18.8 ± 0.4 (1σ) ‰ (min: −19.5‰, max: −17.7‰) and 10.1 ± 0.7 (1σ) ‰ (min: 8.8‰, max: 11.2‰) respectively. When grouped by age categories, the Newborn-Infant I age category (n = 14) have δ13C and δ15N mean values of −18.4 ± 0.6 (1σ) ‰ (min: −19.1‰, max: −16.9‰) and 11.6 ± 1.3 (1σ) ‰ (min: 9.1‰, max: 13.0‰) respectively, individuals from the Infant II category (n = 4) show δ13C and δ15N mean values of −19.5 ± 0.2 (1σ) ‰ (min: −19.7‰, max: −19.2‰) and 9.3 ± 0.8 (1σ) ‰ (min: 8.6‰, max: 10.4‰) respectively, Young Adults (n = 8) have δ13C and δ15N mean values of −18.9 ± 0.2 (1σ) ‰ (min: −18.5‰, max: −19.1‰) and 9.7 ± 0.7 (1σ) ‰ (min: 8.8‰, max: 10.8‰) respectively, and Adults (n = 15) show δ13C and δ15N mean values of −18.8 ± 0.4 (1σ) ‰ (min: −17.7‰, max: −19.5‰) and 10.0 ± 0.6 (1σ) ‰ (min: 9.1‰, max: 11.2‰) respectively.

Overall, and with exceptions that will be further discussed, the adult and young adult individuals portray a homogeneous protein dietary input regardless of age (Fig 5A) (δ13C: Shapiro-Wilk test, p = 0.002, Mann-Whitney U test, p = 0.491; δ15N: Shapiro-Wilk Test, p = 0.327; Levene’s Test, p = 0.738; Student’s t, p = 0.391), and only slight differences depending on biological sex (Fig 5B), being statistically significant only in δ15N values (δ13C: Shapiro-Wilk test, p = 0.002, Mann-Whitney U test, p = 0.306; δ15N: Shapiro-Wilk Test, p = 0.310; Levene’s Test, p = 0.042; Welch’s t test, p = 0.013).

thumbnail
Fig 5. Plot of human bone collagen δ13C and δ15N values from Vila de Madrid sorted by (A) age groups and (B) sex -only from young adults and adults-.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271296.g005

When assessing isotopic values grouped in the early-life age stages (newborn, Infantile I, Infantile II), several interesting patterns can be observed (Fig 5A). Other than the age group differences, it is also interesting to see if breastfeeding and weaning practices amongst this population can be detected. Looking at Fig 6, it can be observed how overall the δ15N values are higher than that of female adults until ca. 2 years of age, when they start to drop until reaching the mean female adult value. This would suggest that breastfeeding was common until the age of 2, the moment at which the isotopic impact of weaning starts to become visible, reaching a regular diet possibly from 3 years of age onwards. The newborn individuals are special cases, as those who died immediately after birth would not have had time to show the increase in trophic level obtained from breastfeeding in their collagen isotopic signature, which requires at least a few months post-birth (but still being visible before 1 year of age).

thumbnail
Fig 6. Plot of human bone collagen δ15N values from Vila de Madrid pre-adults plotted against age in months.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271296.g006

Finally, in order to shed more light on funerary meals at the Vila de Madrid necropolis, human isotopic data and information on offerings, sex and age of the individuals have been plotted together (Fig 7). No apparent relationship between differences in isotope values and the presence/absence of offerings in the burial nor the number of offerings, is observed. Individuals buried with a high number of offerings (Burials 7, 12, 22 and 26) show isotopic values similar to those of other burials without offerings. Similarly, there is no relationship between the type of offering (species, portions, etc.) and the sex of the human individuals. However, males show a slight higher number of meat offerings than females, as well as higher δ15N values, although these values might be impacted by the smaller number of females in the sample. There is also no clear relationship between a specific age and specific isotope values; the only significant age trait is that no newborn burials possessed meat offerings. In this sense, despite the infantile group (newborn, infant I, infant II) having a high number of individuals (18 individuals), only 4 of them have meat offerings.

thumbnail
Fig 7.

Plot of human bone collagen δ13C and δ15N values from Vila de Madrid according to the (A) presence and (B) absence of meat offerings and their number, and sex and age of the individuals.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271296.g007

4. Discussion

First of all, we have to point out that very few offerings were recovered in the collective funerary structure of Vila de Madrid. Meat offerings were only recovered in 16 graves of a total of 59. This fact seems to indicate that not all of the deceased received meat offerings, and nor did their families perform banquets, despite the fact that these rituals were stipulated by law according to written sources (Pliny, Epist. IV, 2; Cicero, De leg.II, 22, 55–57; Tacitus, Ann.VI, 5). Having pointed this out, this study has demonstrated that mainly terrestrial domestic animals were consumed at the Vila de Madrid funerary meal rituals and banquets. Wild animals, as well as marine and freshwater resources, were scarce or not present at all. Specifically, the most consumed meat during the funerary banquets and used for the offerings to the deceased were those of pork and beef, followed by caprines and chicken. This pattern is observed widely throughout the western range of the ancient Roman Empire, as for example at the necropolis of Can Bel at Pineda de Mar (Catalonia) [9], at Rodez at Aveyron (France) [66] and at Sagnes à Pontarion at Creuse (France) [67].

Furthermore, this study shows that the most consumed portions at Vila de Madrid funerary rituals and among the offerings to the deceased were the proximal elements of the limbs (scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, pelvis, femur, tibia), although other portions are also present. This representation suggests that there may have been a preference or a selection for offering and consuming meat-rich portions. These portions, however, came from mainly adult individuals, which shows that older animals past their peak reproductive or commercial value were selected in these rituals. This is an important point, as it suggests that only animals that could not be exploited for other purposes were sacrificed and therefore the economic burden of sacrifices could be minimized. It might also suggest that a special dedicated purchase of tender meat was not customary for these occasions, regardless of their importance. Therefore, the archaeozoological study presented here adds more evidence to the interpretation made of this structure, as a collegium funeraticium, as we have documented that meat offerings and banquets were not as typical as written sources may indicate (Pliny, Epist. IV, 2; Cicero, De leg.II, 22, 55–57; Tacitus, Ann.VI, 5; Petronius, Satyrion 65), and when they were performed, the best cuts of tender meat were generally not used. We note, however, that portions that did not contain bones (e.g. viscera, testicles, breasts) could have also been consumed in these rituals, or even that attendees could have taken portions away, and both scenarios would result in no traces of them in the archaeological record.

Isotopic data show that overall, the diet of the humans interred at Vila de Madrid was based on terrestrial C3 resources, and likely included plants as a main staple. However, that human isotope values are one trophic level higher than those of herbivores and some omnivores (pigs) suggests that meat from these animals were also consumed on a regular basis for the population as a whole. Additionally, there is no clear isotopic signal that would suggest regular consumption of other domestic omnivores such as chicken and dog, who show similar isotopic values to those of humans. Similarly, there is no isotopic evidence of the consumption of wild carnivores or fish. Of course, this cannot determine that such resources were never consumed, but rather it indicates that regular feeding on these types of animals did not occur.

Interestingly, while the main species present at the funerary rituals, including pig, cattle and sheep/goat, seem to also have been consumed regularly during life, the other common funerary ritual species at Vila de Madrid, chicken, was not. If this was the case, isotopic results would support the archaeozoological data that show chicken remains in Roman domestic contexts (in Hispania but also elsewhere in the Roman Empire) were present despite not being a common species [6870]. The presence of domestic fowl has also been documented in other necropolis, being the second most frequently occurring animal in human graves in Britain and France after that of pigs [71]. This large presence of chicken in cemeteries has been related to the consumption or offering of a luxurious food [68]. It should be also noted that this bird had a remarkable symbolic value during Antiquity, especially linked to the cock [72], being also the emblem of Attis, the solar god of resurrection [73]. In Vila de Madrid, although it is not the second most abundant species, the presence of chicken is remarkable because it shows the use of a luxury food, or at least of an uncommon meat, by some relatives that performed rituals in the necropolis.

Another aspect to highlight is the presence of wild animals in the funerary meals and meat offerings at Vila de Madrid necropolis. We have documented the presence of one ulna and one humerus of a fox, and a fragment of a red deer metacarpus in the occupation floor of the necropolis. We have also documented the presence of one fragment of roe deer metatarsus (Burial 17), one fragment of fox humerus (Burial 12), and a fox femur and vertebra (Burial 40) inside the graves. The presence of wild animals in funerary contexts, although uncommon, is not rare. Some examples include: the necropolis of Colombes in Beaucaire (France), where wild boar, red deer and hare remains were documented [74]; the Eastern Cemetery of London, (England) with the presence of hare, red deer, roe deer and pine marten remains [12]; the necropolis of Can Trullàs (Catalonia), with the presence of fox, wild boar, and red deer remains [75]; or the temples of Bancroft and Chelmsford (England), where faunal remains of fox, hare, roe deer and red deer were recovered [76]. The authors of these studies suggested that the presence of these rare animals could be linked with symbolic offerings or, conversely, it could be a way to avoid slaughtering domestic animals and instead use wild mammals as a kind of surrogate victim.

Another interesting aspect about the human sample set is the presence of a large number of infantile individuals at Vila de Madrid necropolis, allowing to explore non-adult dietary patterns. The age groups “Newborn” and “Infantil I” are more heterogeneous, and the age group “Infantile II” is a bit different. For both “Newborn” and “Infantile I” groups, while some of their individuals group together with the other age groups, a considerable amount of them stand out by having higher δ13C and δ15N values than the other groups. Knowing that breastfeeding places babies one trophic step higher than their mothers [77], then higher values suggest that such individuals were still breastfeeding when they died. The other individuals from this age group, however, show no clear isotopic signal of breastfeeding, suggesting that they had already been weaned or were never breastfed at the time of their death. Regarding age group “Infantile II”, their values are slightly lower in δ13C and δ15N than the age groups “Young Adult” and “Adult” suggesting that children already of a certain age might have had a different protein input proportion in their diet than that of older individuals. This might be in line with Roman children assuming a more restricted diet compared to male diet [78], but could also reflect the “no-survivor” population segment of this age group (untimely deaths of children could result from nutritional deficiencies or sub-optimum nutrition).

Regarding possible dietary differences due to biological sex, it is interesting to see that many of the male individuals show higher δ15N values than the females even if showing similar δ13C values. This slight difference in dietary protein input between sexes could be due to several reasons. For one, it could mean that males ate more protein-rich foods (i.e. meat) than females. It could also show that males ate more freshwater fish than females, although as there are no remains of freshwater resources available as reference from the site, this cannot be confirmed. Assuming that males ate more meat than females, this could mean or that social-cultural tastes for foods were different between sexes, or that more males than females had access to protein-rich resources due to perhaps custom, social status, wealth or medical recommendations [79]. In this respect, there is evidence from literary sources that males and females were advised to eat different types of food based on the ‘humors’. Males were hot and dry so they were to eat cold and wet foods (e.g. fish). Females were thought to be cold and wet, so they were to eat hot and dry foods (e.g. cereals) [79].

In this regard, the adult male buried in Burial 38 must be highlighted. He shows a clearly higher δ13C value and a slightly higher δ15N value when compared to the other individuals, suggesting that he consumed possibly a combination of C4 resources and aquatic protein that shifted him more in the δ13C than δ15N value, enough to be reflected in the collagen signal even if the diet was still based on C3 terrestrial resources. Curiously, this individual is of an older age at death (older than 45yo), and his burial is one of the few associated with fowl remains and buried in a tegulae box present in the necropolis. The other tegulae burial analysed (Burial 22, with a young adult male accompanied by10 meat offerings) has lower δ13C and δ15N values than the individual from Burial 38, but still higher than that of the other adult individuals. Future residential mobility isotope analysis at Vila de Madrid will shed light about the possibility that some of these male individuals could have been non-local.

5. Conclusions

The archaeozoological and anthropological study presented here has allowed us to investigate the funerary offerings and banquets developed in the Vila de Madrid necropolis, and the main types of protein resources that the deceased consumed during life. This interdisciplinary approach has exposed three important points. Firstly, such funerary rituals were not common in the collective funerary structure of the necropolis. Secondly, the most commonly used meats in the rituals–pork, beef, and caprine–were the most consumed meats in life. Finally, these meats were mainly consumed from adult individuals. These data suggest that despite offerings and banquets being stipulated by law, not everyone could afford to make large or rich offerings. This is likely the case of the humans buried at Vila de Madrid. At the same time, however, the presence of fowl offerings and the presence of meat-rich portions suggest that the relatives of the deceased tried to follow the law as far as possible. On the other hand, we have also documented a high consumption of meat of adult males during their lives but only a slightly higher presence of offerings in adult male burials. These ritual and diet differences likely show sex inequalities during life that were extrapolated to the funerary rituals.

Acknowledgments

All authors would like to thank Julia Beltrán and Emili Revilla (Museu d’Història de la Ciutat de Barcelona) for allowing access to the materials studied. Thanks also to Ian Newton for technical assistance. We thank the anonymous reviewers for their input on the paper. We also thank Dr. Stephanie Schnorr for English editing.

References

  1. 1. Toynbee JM. Death and Burial in the Roman World (Aspects of Greek and Roman Life). London: Thames and Hudson; 1971.
  2. 2. Abascal JM. La muerte en Roma: fuentes, legislación y evidencias arqueologicas. In: Vaquerizo A, editor. Arqueología de la muerte: metodologías y prespectivas actuales. Córdoba: Diputación de Córdoba; 1991. p. 205–246.
  3. 3. Lepetz S, Van Andringa W. Caractériser les rituels alimentarires dans les necropolis gallo-romaines. L’apport conjoint des os et des texts. In: Baray L, editor. Archéologie des pratiques funéraires.Bibracte: Centre archéologique européen du Mont Beuvray; 2004. p. 161–169.
  4. 4. Scheid J. Devenir autre en mangeant. Autour de la mort en Rome antique. Frontières, printemps. 1999:21–24. French.
  5. 5. Vaquerizo D. Sobre la tradición púnica, o los influjos norteafricanos, en algunas maifestaciones arqueológicas del mundo funerario hispano-bético de época pleno-imperial. Una revision crítica. In: Vaquerizo D, Murillo J, editor. El concepto de lo provincial en el mundo antiguo. Homenaje a la profesora Pilar León Alonso. Córdoba: Servicio de Publicaciones; 2006. p. 317–363.
  6. 6. Benoit P. Sépultures-maison à la Madrague de Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer’. Riuista di Studi Liguri. 1956; 22:211–225. French.
  7. 7. Calza G. La Necropoli del Porto di Roma nell’Isola Sacra. Roma: Istituto Poligrafico dello Stato; 1940.
  8. 8. Baradez J. Les nécropoles de Tipasa: tombes du cimentière occidental cotier. Antiquités Africaines 1968;2:77–93. French.
  9. 9. Vaquerizo D. Funus Cordubensium, Costumbres fuenrarias en la Córdoba romana. Córdoba: Semianrio de Arqueología, Universidad de Córdoba; 2001.
  10. 10. Feugère M, Gardeisen A, Manniez Y, Monteil M, Vidal L. Un espace funéraire du deuxième quart du Ier s. Avant J.-C. Gallia 1996; 52:165–204. French.
  11. 11. Maini E, Curci A. Il cibo dei morti: offerte alimentari dalla necropoli di Monterenzio Vecchio (Bologna). In: Tagliacozzo A, Fiore I, Marconi S, Tecchiati U, editors. Atti 5° Convegno Nazionale di Archeozoologia (Rovereto 10–12 novembre 2006). Rovereto: Edizioni Osiride; 2006. p.177–180.
  12. 12. Barbier B, Bowsher D. The Eastern Cemetery of Roman London. Excavations 1983–1990. London: Molas Monograph 4; 2000.
  13. 13. Calvo M, Sáez M, Monmeneu S, Guérin Fockedey P, Arnaud B, Ballester C, et al. 1998. Los primeros pobladores de Valentia. Excavaciones en la necròpolis romana de la calle Quart. Revista de Arqueología 1998; 204:34–45.
  14. 14. Makarewicz CA, Sealy J. Dietary reconstruction, mobility, and the analysis of ancient skeletal tissues: expanding the prospects of stable isotope research in archaeology. Journal of Archaeological Science 2015; 56:146–158.
  15. 15. Chenery C., Müldner G., Evans J., Eckardt H., & Lewis M. Strontium and stable isotope evidence for diet and mobility in Roman Gloucester, UK. Journal of Archaeological Science 2010; 37(1): 150–163.
  16. 16. Craig O. E., Biazzo M., O’Connell T. C., Garnsey P., Martinez‐Labarga C., Lelli R., et al. Stable isotopic evidence for diet at the Imperial Roman coastal site of Velia (1st and 2nd centuries AD) in Southern Italy. American Journal of Physical Anthropology: The Official Publication of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists 2009; 139(4): 572–583.
  17. 17. Keenleyside A., Schwarcz H., Stirling L., & Lazreg N. BStable isotopic evidence for diet in a Roman and Late Roman population from Leptiminus, Tunisia. Journal of Archaeological Science 2009; 36(1): 51–63.
  18. 18. Redfern R. C., Hamlin C., Athfield N. B. Temporal changes in diet: a stable isotope analysis of late Iron Age and Roman Dorset, Britain. Journal of Archaeological Science 2020; 37(6): 1149–1160.
  19. 19. Ricci P., Sirignano C., Altieri S., Pistillo M., Santoriello A., Lubritto C. Paestum dietary habits during the Imperial period: archaeological records and stable isotope measurement. Acta Imeko 2016; 5(2): 26–32.
  20. 20. ldner G. Stable isotopes and diet: their contribution to Romano-British research. Antiquity 2013; 87:137–149.
  21. 21. Killgrove K, Tykot RH. Food for Rome: A stable isotope investigation of diet in the Imperial period (1st–3rd centuries AD). J. Anthropol. Archaeol. 2013; 32: 28–38.
  22. 22. López-Costas O, Müldner G. Fringes of the empire: diet and cultural change at the Roman to postRoman transition in NW Iberia. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 2016;161:141–154. pmid:27311883
  23. 23. Salazar-García DC, Romero A, García-Borja P, Subirà E, Richards MP. A combined dietary approach using isotope and dental buccal-microwear analysis of humans from the Neolithic, Roman and Medieval periods from archaeological site of Tossal de les Basses (Alicante, Spain). Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 2016; 6:610–619.
  24. 24. Schoeller DA. Isotope fractionation: why aren’t we what we eat? Journal of Archaeological Science 1999; 26: 667–673.
  25. 25. Hedges REM, Clement JG, Thomas CDL, O’Connell TC. Collagen turnover in the adult femoral mid-shaft: modeled from anthropogenic radiocarbon tracer measurements. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 2007;133: 808–816. pmid:17405135
  26. 26. Eerkens JM, Berget AG, Bartelink EJ. Estimating weaning and early childhood diet from serial micro-samples of dentin collagen. J Archaeol Sci 2011; 38: 3101–3111.
  27. 27. Salazar-García DC, Richards MP, Nehlich O, Henry AG. Dental calculus is not equivalent to bone collagen for isotope analysis: a comparison between carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis of bulk dental calculus, bone and dentine collagen from same individuals from the Medieval site of El Raval (Alicante,Spain). Journal of Archaeological Science 2014; 47:70–77.
  28. 28. De Niro MJ. Postmortem preservation and alteration of in vivo bone collagen isotope ratios in relation to palaeodietary reconstruction. Nature 1985;317:806–809.
  29. 29. Van Klinken GJ. Bone Collagen Quality Indicators for Palaeodietary and Radiocarbon Measurements. Journal of Archaeological Science 1999; 26: 687–695.
  30. 30. Katzenberg MA. The Ecological Approach: Understanding Past Diet and the Relationship Between Diet and Disease. In: Grauer AL, editor. A Companion to Paleopathology. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons; 2012. p. 97–113.
  31. 31. Ambrose SH, Norr L. Experimental evidence for the relationship of the carbon isotope ratios of whole diet and dietary protein to those of bone collagen and carbonate. In: Lambert JB, Gruppe G, editors. Prehistoric Human Bone: Archaeology at the Molecular Level. Berlin: Springer Verlag; 1993. p. 1–37.
  32. 32. Van der Merwe NJ, Vogel JC. 13C Content of Human Collagen as a Measure of Prehistoric Diet in Woodland North America. Nature 1978; 276: 815–816. pmid:364321
  33. 33. De Niro MJ, Epstein S. Influence of diet on the distribution of carbon isotopes in animals. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 1978;42:495–506.
  34. 34. Deines P. Handbook of Environmental Isotope Geochemistry. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science and Technology; 1980.
  35. 35. Boutton TW. Stable Carbon Isotope ratios of Natural Materials: I. Sample Preparation and Mass Spectrometric Analysis. In: Coleman DC, Fry B, editors. Isotopic Techniques in Plant, Soil and Aquatic Biology. San Diego: Academic Press; 1991. p. 173–185.
  36. 36. Chisholm BS, Nelson DE, Schwartz HP. Stable-carbon isotope ratios as a measure of marine versus terrestrial protein in ancient diets. Science 1982; 216:1131–l132. pmid:17808502
  37. 37. Salazar-García DC, Aura E, Olària C, Talamo S, Morales JV, Richards MP. Isotope evidence for the use of marine resources in the Eastern Iberian Mesolithic. Journal of Archaeological Science 2014; 42:231–240.
  38. 38. Minagawa M, Wada E. Stepwise enrichment of 15N along food chains: further evidence and the relation between 15N and animal age. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 1984; 48:1135–1140.
  39. 39. O’Connell TC, Kneale CJ, Tasevska N, Kuhnle GGC. The diet-body offset in human nitrogen isotopic values: a controlled dietary study. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 2012;149:426–434. pmid:23042579
  40. 40. Fahy G, Richards M, Riedel J, Hublin J-J, Boesch C. Stable isotope evidence of meat eating and hunting specialization in adult male chimpanzees. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2013;110:5829–5833. pmid:23530185
  41. 41. Schoeninger MJ, De Niro M. Nitrogen and carbon isotopic composition of bone collagen from marine and terrestrial animals. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 1984; 48:625–639.
  42. 42. Goude G, Fontugne M. Carbon and nitrogen isotopic variability in bone collagen during the Neolithic period: Influence of environmental factors and diet. Journal of Archaeological Science 2016; 70:117–131.
  43. 43. Farquhar GD, Ehleringer JR, Hubick KT. Carbon isotope discrimination and photosynthesis. Annual review of Plant Physiology and Plant Molecular Biology 1989;40:503–537.
  44. 44. Heaton THE. Spatial, species, and temporal variations in the 13C/12C ratios of C3 plants: implications for paleodiet studies. Journal of Archaeological Science 1999;26:637–649.
  45. 45. Tieszen LL. Natural variations in the carbon isotope values of plants; implications for archaeology, ecology and paleoecology. Journal of Archaeological Science 1991;18:227–248.
  46. 46. Fraser RA, Bogaard A, Heaton T, Charles M, Jones G, Christensen BT, et al. Manuring and stable nitrogen isotope ratios in cereals and pulses: towards a new archaeobotanical approach to the inference of land use and dietary practices. J. Archaeol. Sci. 2011; 28:2790–2804
  47. 47. Britton K, Muldner G, Bell M. Stable isotope evidence for salt-marsh grazing in the Bronze Age Severn Estuary, UK: implications for palaeodietary analysis at coastal sites. Journal of Archaeological Science 2008;35:2111–2118.
  48. 48. Sponheimer M, Robinson T, Ayliffe L, Roeder B, Hammer J, Passey B, et al. Nitrogen isotopes in mammalian herbivores: hair δ15N values from a controlled feeding study. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology 2003;13: 80–87.
  49. 49. Bocherens H, Mariotti A. Paléoenvironments et paléo alimentations: biogéochemie isotopique des vertébrés. In: Miskovsky JC, editor. Géologie de la Préhistoire. Perpinyà: GEOPRE Presses Universitaires de Perpignan; 2002. p. 1323–1344.
  50. 50. BT, Fuller JL, Sage NE, Harris DA, O’Connell TC, Hedges REM. Nitrogen balance and δ15N: why you’re not what you eat during pregnancy. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 2004;18:2889–2896. pmid:15517531
  51. 51. Katzenberg MA, Lovell NC. Stable isotope variation in pathological bone. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology 1999;9:316–324.
  52. 52. Fuller BT, Fuller JL, Sage NE, Harris DA, O’Connell TC, Hedges REM. Nitrogen balance and δ15N: why you’re not what you eat during nutritional stress. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 2005;19:2497–2506. pmid:16106342
  53. 53. Mekota AM, Grupe G, Ufer S, Cuntz U. Serial analysis of stable nitrogen and carbon isotopes in hair: monitoring starvation and recovery phases of patients suffering from anorexia nervosa. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 2006;20:1604–1610. pmid:16628564
  54. 54. Bogaard A, Heaton THE, Poulton P, Merbach I. The impact of manuring on nitrogen isotope ratios in cereals: archaeological implications for reconstruction of diet and crop management practices. Journal of Archaeological Science 2007; 34:335–343.
  55. 55. Beltrán J. La via sepulcralis de la plaza de Villa de Madrid. Un exemplo del ritual funerario durante el alto imperio en la necropolis occidental de Barcino. Quaris 2007; 3:12–63. Castilian.
  56. 56. Colominas L. Animals i ideologia en l’àmbit funerari: estudi arqueozoològic de la necropolis de la Plaça de la Vila de Madrid. Quaris 2007; 3:82–101. Catalan.
  57. 57. Jordana X, Malgosa A. Enterraments d’època romana a la Plaça de la Vila de Madrid. Resultats de la recerca antropològica. Quaris 2007; 3:64–81. Catalan.
  58. 58. Boessneck J. Diferencias osteológicas entre ovejas (Ovis aries L.) y cabras (Capra hircus L.). In: Brothwell H, Higgs E, editors. Ciencia en Arqueología. Madrid; Fondo de Cultura económica de España; 1980. p. 338–366.
  59. 59. Payne S. Morphological distinctions between the mandibular teeth of young sheep, Ovis and goats, Capra. Journal of Archaeological Science 1985; 14:609–614.
  60. 60. Prummel W, Frischm H-J. A guide for the distinction of species, sex and body side in bones of sheep and goat. Journal of Archaeological Sciene 1986; 13:567–577.
  61. 61. Grant A. The use of toothwear as a guide to the age of domestic ungulates. In: Wilson B, Grigson C, Payne S, editors. Ageing and sexing animals from archaeological sites. Oxford: BAR British Series 109; 1982. p. 91–108.
  62. 62. O’Connor TP. Bones from the General Accident Site, Tanner Row. The Archaeology of York, the Animal Bones 15/2. London: Council British Archaeology; 1988.
  63. 63. Payne S. Kill-off patterns in sheep and goats. The mandibles from Asvan Kale. Anatolian Studies 1973;23:281–303.
  64. 64. Richards MP, Hedges REM. Stable isotope evidence for similarities in the types of marine foods used by Late Mesolithic humans at sites along the Atlantic Coast of Europe. J. Archaeol. Sci. 1999; 26:717–722.
  65. 65. Ambrose SH. Preparation and Characterization of Bone and Tooth Collagen for Isotopic Analysis. Journal of Archaeological Science 1990; 17:431–51.
  66. 66. Lignereux Y, Garric L, Dausse L, Columeau P. Analyse ostéo-archéologique d’une fosse à offrande gallo-romaine de Rodez (Aveyron). Revue Méd. Vét. 1994; 145:839–856. French.
  67. 67. Lintz G. La nécropole gallo-romaine des Sagnes à Pontarion (Creuse). Mémoire XX 2001
  68. 68. Lauwerier M. Animals in Roman times in the Dutch eastern river area (Nederlandse Oudheden 12). Gravenghae: Amersfoort; 1988.
  69. 69. Colominas L. Arqueozoología Romanización. Producción, Distribución y Consumo de animales en el noreste de la Península Ibérica entre los siglos V ane- V dne. Oxford: British Archaeological Reports International Series 2480; 2013.
  70. 70. Duval C, Bayle G, Braguier S, Cotté O, Fontaine A, Genies C, et al. La volaille en región Centre-Val de Loire du Néolithique à nos jours. Approche archéozoologique. Revue archéologique du Centre de la France 2021; 60:1–68. French.
  71. 71. Lauwerier M. Bird remains in Roman graves. Archaeofauna 1993; 2:75–82.
  72. 72. Garcia Petit L. Annex. Notes sobre unes restes d’aus de la necrópolis de la Plaça de la Vila de Madrid (Barcelona). Quaris 2007; 3:98. Catalan.
  73. 73. Ronecker JP. Le simbolisme animal. Saint-Jean-de-Braye: Editions Danles; 1994.
  74. 74. Duday H. Études des restes osseaux provenant des Colomes à Beaucaire. In: Dedet B., Michelozzi A, Py M, editors. La nécropole des Colombes à Beaucaire (Gard), RAN, VII;1974. Pp.118.
  75. 75. Tenas M. L’aplicació de mètodes d’excavació prehistórica a un jaciment clàssic. El conjunt funerari de Can Trullàs, Granollers, Vallès Orinetal. Masters’ Thesis, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. 1992.
  76. 76. King A. Animal remains from temples in Roman Britain. Britannia 2005; XXXVI: 329–369. pmid:19681221
  77. 77. Fuller TB, Fuller JL, Harris DA, Hedges REM. Detection of breastfeeding and weaning in modern human infants with carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 2006; 129:279–293. pmid:16261548
  78. 78. Prowse TL, Saunders SR, Schwarcz HP, Garnsey P, Macchiarelli R, Bondioli L. Isotopic and dental evidence for infant and young child feeding practices in an imperial roman skeletal sample. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 2008; 137: 294–308. pmid:18615573
  79. 79. Garnsey P. Food and Society in Classical Antiquity. Key themes in ancient history. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1999.