(in Polish) Bioarchaeology of Food Production

This lecture introduces bioarchaeological methods that may be used in research on

diet and subsistence in past human groups, with focus on stable isotopes, elemental

analysis and dental wear.

One of major research topics in bioarchaeology is diet and subsistence. During past

half a century many methods were developed that allow reliable reconstruction of

several aspects of food production and processing. The present lecture will provide a

comprehensive review of these methods and their applications, with special

reference to the Near East in general and ancient Mesopotamia in particular. The

following topics will be discussed: [1] introduction to stable isotopes, [2] the use of

carbon isotopes, with focus on dry steppe exploitation, [3] the use of nitrogen

isotopes, with focus on intensive vs. extensive agriculture, [4] the use of oxygen

isotopes with focus on water availability, [5] the use of strontium isotopes, with

focus on spatial distribution of food sources, [6] Sr/Ca ratio and land use patterns,

[7] enamel macro- and microwear and the evidence of food processing.

Arkadiusz Sołtysiak, Bioarchaeology of food production in ancient Mesopotamia

[in:] "After the harvest. Storage practices and food processing in Bronze Age

Mesopotamia", N. Borelli, G. Scazzosi (eds.), SUBARTU vol. 43, Brepols,

Turnhout 2020, pp. 113-123 and the literature quoted in this chapter.

he student has in-depth knowledge of the place and importance of bioarcheology in the system of sciences and their subject and methodological specificity; has structured in-depth knowledge of bioarcheology, including terminology, theories and methodology in the field of bioarcheology; has detailed knowledge about the use of bioarchaeological methods in archeology; has detailed knowledge of the main development directions and the most important new achievements in the field of applications of bioarchaeological methods; is aware of the unique value of bioarchaeology methods and their role in recreating human pas

The students will present a short critical review (up to 5 pages) of a published piece

of research focusing on the reconstruction of diet/subsistence using

bioarchaeological methods. The final assessment will be based on the relevance of

arguments raised in the essay, in the context of knowledge acquired during this

course.