C4-Plant Foraging in Northern Italy: Stable Isotopes, Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca Data of Human Osteological Samples from Roccapelago (16th-18th Centuries AD).

Human osteological samples ( n = 23) taken from different anatomical parts of 11 individuals from the early modern (16th-18th century AD) site of Roccapelago (Modena, Italy) were systematically analysed for δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N and trace elements to investigate their diet. δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N correlate and show a high variability between individuals, attesting to the dietary contribution of C₄ plants. This is supported by pollen analysis of the burial site samples, which revealed the presence of maize. δ¹⁵N correlates with Sr/Ca, suggesting that the main protein source could have been milk and dairy. We therefore interpret the strong correlation between δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N as evidence for C₄-plant foraging practice and the exploitation of livestock for meat and milk, combined with possible direct intake of C₄ plants. The Roccapelago site represents an important case study to track the evolution of the post-medieval diet and the introduction of maize cultivation in southern Europe, as also attested by historical sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]