Dietary reconstruction of the Moravian Lombard population (Kyjov, 5th–6th centuries AD, Czech Republic) through stable isotope analysis (δ13C, δ15N)

Abstract The diet of the Lombard (Langobard) population of the Kyjov site (5th-6th centuries AD, Moravia, Czech Republic) was reconstructed from carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopic values in the bone collagen from 73 human and 19 faunal samples. Results indicate that the diet of the Lombard population sample was based on C3 plants and animal proteins. The presence of three outliers with δ13C values above −18‰, however, suggests that millet was accessible and consumed by at least some members of the community in substantial quantities. Given the dating and exogenous character of the grave goods, these individuals are most probably members of the indigenous population of Moravia who grew millet before the arrival of the Lombards. The Lombard population shows a sex-based difference in the consumption of animal protein, with males on average showing higher values of δ15N than females. These findings match well with the (limited) prior isotopic research into the Central European phase of the Lombard migration. This study thus significantly enhances our knowledge about general trends in the dietary behaviour of Central European Lombards.