Paestum dietary habits during the Imperial period: archaeological records and stable isotope measurement

Stable isotope analysis of bone collagen from Roman Paestum reveals significant dietary shifts during the Imperial period, challenging traditional assumptions about local consumption patterns. The study, conducted using Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) at the IRMS-SUN Laboratory in Naples, found that while archaeological records and historical texts suggested a diet rich in marine resources, isotopic data indicated a more terrestrial-based diet with notable C4 plant consumption, likely cereals or legumes. This discrepancy highlights the importance of integrating multiple analytical approaches to reconstruct ancient diets accurately. The findings expand our understanding of Roman dietary behavior in Paestum, demonstrating how stable isotope analysis can cross-validate historical and archaeological evidence.

Ricci, P., Sirignano, C., Altieri, S., Pistillo, M., Santoriello, A., & Lubritto, C. (2016). Paestum dietary habits during the Imperial period: archaeological records and stable isotope measurement. Acta Imeko, 5(2), 26. https://doi.org/10.21014/acta_imeko.v5i2.334