Lecture Series »Neue Bioarchäologische Forschungen« (NeuBioArch)

Interdisciplinary Approaches to Studying Children in Roman and Early Medieval Times

Brina Zagorc | Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna

This presentation explores how an interdisciplinary approach involving paleogenomics and dietary stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N), combined with osteological and paleopathological data enhances our understanding of children in Roman and Early Medieval times. By utilizing ancient DNA analysis, researchers can uncover genetic information, such as population dynamics, ancestry information, and familial relationships. Dietary stable isotopes help reconstruct past diets and resource availability, while osteological data provides insights into the health of the nonadult population. By utilizing the collected data together with the known archaeological record, we can extend our analysis to the wider population and compare it with existing published data, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of past populations.