Migration and integration on the Baltic island of Öland in the Iron Age
(2017) In Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 12. p.183-196- Abstract
This study explores a bi-isotopic approach to migration, adding δ18O values to samples with 87Sr/86Sr values for 109 individuals from the Iron Age (500 BCE–1050 CE) on the island of Öland, Sweden. Determining a local baseline for 87Sr/86Sr was complicated due to the wide range of variation in faunal samples so we divided the human values into three groups: local, non-local and undetermined. The addition of δ18O isotopes allowed identifying further non locals than the data from the 87Sr/86Sr alone provided. We found significant migration rates in both the Early period (500 BCE–400 CE) with 30% non-locals and in the Late (400–1050 CE), more than... (More)
This study explores a bi-isotopic approach to migration, adding δ18O values to samples with 87Sr/86Sr values for 109 individuals from the Iron Age (500 BCE–1050 CE) on the island of Öland, Sweden. Determining a local baseline for 87Sr/86Sr was complicated due to the wide range of variation in faunal samples so we divided the human values into three groups: local, non-local and undetermined. The addition of δ18O isotopes allowed identifying further non locals than the data from the 87Sr/86Sr alone provided. We found significant migration rates in both the Early period (500 BCE–400 CE) with 30% non-locals and in the Late (400–1050 CE), more than doubling to 68%. In both periods the non-locals appear to have diverse geographical origins. In order to study integration and migration patterns we use a bioarchaeological approach to these non cremated individuals who come from all types of contexts, i.e. not just burials. This allows discussing the cultural and social integration of non-locals. Integration is apparent in both periods and in the Late period, with a higher proportion of non-locals, there is both integration and diversity. The proportion of female non-locals suggest a mobility in both periods, especially the Late, that is relatively large. Our results of diverse non-local origins, female mobility and integration on Öland throughout the Iron Age add a new perspective, a Scandinavian multi-isotopic bioarchaeological perspective, to current discussions of Viking movement and expansion.
(Less)
- author
- Wilhelmson, Helene LU and Price, Douglas T.
- organization
- publishing date
- 2017-04-01
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Bioarchaeology, Isotopes, Migration, Oxygen, Strontium
- in
- Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
- volume
- 12
- pages
- 14 pages
- publisher
- Elsevier
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85012254010
- wos:000415616300021
- ISSN
- 2352-409X
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jasrep.2017.01.031
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- a8e98d56-6fe4-434e-8604-3dfb0399913a
- date added to LUP
- 2017-02-22 12:00:44
- date last changed
- 2024-10-14 00:51:07
@article{a8e98d56-6fe4-434e-8604-3dfb0399913a,
abstract = {{<p>This study explores a bi-isotopic approach to migration, adding δ<sup>18</sup>O values to samples with <sup>87</sup>Sr/<sup>86</sup>Sr values for 109 individuals from the Iron Age (500 BCE–1050 CE) on the island of Öland, Sweden. Determining a local baseline for <sup>87</sup>Sr/<sup>86</sup>Sr was complicated due to the wide range of variation in faunal samples so we divided the human values into three groups: local, non-local and undetermined. The addition of δ<sup>18</sup>O isotopes allowed identifying further non locals than the data from the <sup>87</sup>Sr/<sup>86</sup>Sr alone provided. We found significant migration rates in both the Early period (500 BCE–400 CE) with 30% non-locals and in the Late (400–1050 CE), more than doubling to 68%. In both periods the non-locals appear to have diverse geographical origins. In order to study integration and migration patterns we use a bioarchaeological approach to these non cremated individuals who come from all types of contexts, i.e. not just burials. This allows discussing the cultural and social integration of non-locals. Integration is apparent in both periods and in the Late period, with a higher proportion of non-locals, there is both integration and diversity. The proportion of female non-locals suggest a mobility in both periods, especially the Late, that is relatively large. Our results of diverse non-local origins, female mobility and integration on Öland throughout the Iron Age add a new perspective, a Scandinavian multi-isotopic bioarchaeological perspective, to current discussions of Viking movement and expansion.</p>}},
author = {{Wilhelmson, Helene and Price, Douglas T.}},
issn = {{2352-409X}},
keywords = {{Bioarchaeology; Isotopes; Migration; Oxygen; Strontium}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{04}},
pages = {{183--196}},
publisher = {{Elsevier}},
series = {{Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports}},
title = {{Migration and integration on the Baltic island of Öland in the Iron Age}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2017.01.031}},
doi = {{10.1016/j.jasrep.2017.01.031}},
volume = {{12}},
year = {{2017}},
}