Multi-isotopic study of the earliest mediaeval inhabitants of Santiago de Compostela (Galicia, Spain)

A multi-isotopic study of early medieval inhabitants of Santiago de Compostela's Cathedral crypt reveals that the city's rise as a major Christian pilgrimage hub attracted migrants from the northwest Iberian Peninsula and possibly beyond, while also indicating increasing socioeconomic diversity among its residents. Radiocarbon dating aligned with historical records confirmed the site's initial occupation timeline. Stable isotope analysis (δ13C, δ15N, δ18Oap, δ13Cap, and 87Sr/86Sr) of human remains provided insights into dietary changes and mobility patterns during Santiago's emergence as a pilgrimage center (9th–12th centuries AD). The study underscores the potential of multidisciplinary approaches to understanding the impacts of early pilgrimage centers on medieval European communities.

Pérez-Ramallo, P., Grandal-d´Anglade, A., Organista, E., Santos, E., Chivall, D., Rodríguez-Varela, R., Götherström, A., Etxeberria, F., Ilgner, J., Fernandes, R., Arsuaga, J. L., Le Roux, P., Higham, T., Beaumont, J., Koon, H., & Roberts, P. (2022). Multi-isotopic study of the earliest mediaeval inhabitants of Santiago de Compostela (Galicia, Spain). Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 14(11). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-022-01678-0