Brood en beenderen: wat de skeletcollectie Aduard ons vertelt over het middeleeuwse en vroegmoderne dieet

Samenvatting

Bones and banquets: A bio-archaeological approach to the (post-)medieval diet at Aduard (Groningen, the Netherlands). 

Using dental pathology and stable isotope analysis as proxies, this study investigates diet among individuals buried at the Cistercian monastery of Aduard (Groningen). Fifteen skeletons were analyzed for dental diseases and sampled for isotopic study. Results were compared between groups based on grave location, which relates to their dating (to or after the monastic period) and possible social differentiation. High frequencies of caries, as well as advanced lesions, indicate a strongly cariogenic diet rich in carbohydrates (such as sugars), with variation between grave groups. The nitrogen values suggest regular consumption of protein of terrestrial mammals but no substantial marine input, while carbon indicates a C3 plant–based diet. Lower trophic levels and caries rates in post-monastic burials may reflect reduced access to meat and sugary foods. The results highlight the potential of the Aduard assemblage for future bioarchaeological research.