Paleodietary reconstruction of a Neolithic population in Slovenia: A stable isotope approach

The nutritional habits of Neolithic farmers living during the period 6400 to 5300 years cal BP in the interior of Slovenia were determined using stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen. Human and domesticated and wild animals bone collagen samples found in Ajdovska jama cave, as well as food residuals composed of wheat grains and plants in associated ceramics were isotopically analyzed. The results indicate that the human diet was based on foods of terrestrial origin consisting primarily of cereals and herbivores, most probably the domestic animals raised at that time. The significantly higher δ15N values found in infants and young children indicate “nursing effects”. The pattern of dietary habits rapidly changed in older children accorded similar dietary status as their parents.