Sammantha Holder1, Tosha L Dupras2, Rimantas Jankauskas3, Lana Williams2, John Schultz2,4. 1. Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602. 2. Department of Anthropology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32816. 3. Department of Anatomy, Histology, & Anthropology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, LT2009, Lithuania. 4. National Center for Forensic Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32816.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Historical evidence has provided information regarding disease and mortality in Napoleon Bonaparte's Grand Army, but dietary information beyond individual soldier accounts remains scarce. The purpose of this research is to reconstruct the diets of Napoleon's multiethnic army who were associated with the Russian Campaign of 1812. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratio analysis on femoral bone collagen of 78 individuals recovered from a salvage excavation at the mass gravesite of Šiaurės miestelis in Vilnius, Lithuania. These individuals were later discovered to be Napoleonic soldiers and camp followers who participated in the 1812 Russian Campaign. RESULTS: Stable carbon isotope ratios range from -19.2‰ to -11.8‰, with a mean of -17.8‰ ± 1.5‰ (1 σ). Stable nitrogen isotope ratios range from 7.1‰ to 13.6‰, with a mean of 10.5‰ ± 1.4‰ (1 σ). Both δ13 C and δ15 N values show a wide range of variation. DISCUSSION: Stable isotope data indicate considerable dietary variation in this population associated with a multiethnic and socially stratified military population. Diets ranged from predominantly C3 -based to predominantly C4 -based, with varying inputs of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine animal protein. Comparison with other European populations further denotes the exceptional range of dietary variation of soldiers and camp followers in Napoleon's army.
OBJECTIVES: Historical evidence has provided information regarding disease and mortality in Napoleon Bonaparte's Grand Army, but dietary information beyond individual soldier accounts remains scarce. The purpose of this research is to reconstruct the diets of Napoleon's multiethnic army who were associated with the Russian Campaign of 1812. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratio analysis on femoral bone collagen of 78 individuals recovered from a salvage excavation at the mass gravesite of Šiaurės miestelis in Vilnius, Lithuania. These individuals were later discovered to be Napoleonic soldiers and camp followers who participated in the 1812 Russian Campaign. RESULTS: Stable carbon isotope ratios range from -19.2‰ to -11.8‰, with a mean of -17.8‰ ± 1.5‰ (1 σ). Stable nitrogen isotope ratios range from 7.1‰ to 13.6‰, with a mean of 10.5‰ ± 1.4‰ (1 σ). Both δ13 C and δ15 N values show a wide range of variation. DISCUSSION: Stable isotope data indicate considerable dietary variation in this population associated with a multiethnic and socially stratified military population. Diets ranged from predominantly C3 -based to predominantly C4 -based, with varying inputs of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine animal protein. Comparison with other European populations further denotes the exceptional range of dietary variation of soldiers and camp followers in Napoleon's army.
Authors: Mandi J Curtis; Julia Beaumont; Fadil Elamin; Andrew S Wilson; Hannah E C Koon Journal: Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom Date: 2022-07-15 Impact factor: 2.586
Authors: Madeleine Bleasdale; Paola Ponce; Anita Radini; Andrew S Wilson; Sean Doherty; Patrick Daley; Chloe Brown; Luke Spindler; Lucy Sibun; Camilla Speller; Michelle M Alexander Journal: Archaeol Anthropol Sci Date: 2019-08-16 Impact factor: 1.989