Sean D Denham

Stable isotopes (C, N, H and S) chemically record information in bone about numerous aspects of past human lives, such as diet, residence and migration. Although widely applied, few stable isotope studies have been carried out for palaeodietary research using Norwegian material, and none from the southwest coast. The first animal and human stable isotope values from the Norwegian Stavanger region are presented in this study, revealing changes in dietary habits through a period of cultural, religious and economic changes in Norway, from the 9th century AD to the post-reformation period (17th century/early 18th century AD). 14C-datings of some skeletons that gave ages between AD 800–1150 (calibrated, 2 sigma) raise questions about their origin and the expansion of Christianity. The stable isotope results indicate a high protein diet with a substantial amount of marine input. Across the centuries, changing dietary patterns emerge that are probably related to changes in Christian rituals and people's lifestyle. The intensification of fishing activities that characterises medieval Europe is also visible in the isotopic record of Stavanger. The multi-proxy approach in this study proved useful as the addition of hydrogen stable isotopic data allows for improved interpretation of the palaeodiet, whereas sulphur stable isotope data needs further exploration in order to indicate possible migration.

The 14 articles presented in this publication represent some of the latest and most relevant research on rural settlement and farming from the Late Neolithic through the Early Medieval Period in Norway. It deals with the impact of climate change, plague and the AD 536-7 volcanic event and some of the earliest farms north of the Arctic Circle. It provides new perspectives and archaeological evidence for the Viking age farm of Norway, differences in regional settlement structures of agrarian societies, the relation between houses and graves in the Iron Age, and varying food practices as indicators of societal change.

The publication is part of the Joint Research Program (Forskning i fellesskap) conducted by the University Museums of Norway and co-funded by The Research Council of Norway.