The dietary impact of the Norman Conquest: A multiproxy archaeological investigation of Oxford, UK

PLoS One. 2020 Jul 6;15(7):e0235005. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235005. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Archaeology has yet to capitalise on the opportunities offered by bioarchaeological approaches to examine the impact of the 11th-century AD Norman Conquest of England. This study utilises an integrated multiproxy analytical approach to identify and explain changes and continuities in diet and foodways between the 10th and 13th centuries in the city of Oxford, UK. The integration of organic residue analysis of ceramics, carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope analysis of human and animal bones, incremental analysis of δ13C and δ15N from human tooth dentine and palaeopathological analysis of human skeletal remains has revealed a broad pattern of increasing intensification and marketisation across various areas of economic practice, with a much lesser and more short-term impact of the Conquest on everyday lifestyles than is suggested by documentary sources. Nonetheless, isotope data indicate short-term periods of instability, particularly food insecurity, did impact individuals. Evidence of preferences for certain foodstuffs and cooking techniques documented among the elite classes were also observed among lower-status townspeople, suggesting that Anglo-Norman fashions could be adopted across the social spectrum. This study demonstrates the potential for future archaeological research to generate more nuanced understanding of the cultural impact of the Norman Conquest of England, while showcasing a method which can be used to elucidate the undocumented, everyday implications of other large-scale political events on non-elites.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Archaeology / methods
  • Body Remains / chemistry*
  • Bone and Bones / chemistry
  • Carbon Isotopes / analysis
  • Cattle
  • Ceramics / analysis
  • Cooking / history*
  • Diet / history*
  • Female
  • Goats
  • History, Medieval
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nitrogen Isotopes / analysis
  • Sheep
  • Social Class / history*
  • Swine
  • Tooth / chemistry
  • United Kingdom

Substances

  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Nitrogen Isotopes

Grants and funding

This study was funded by The Royal Archaeological Institute Tony Clark Memorial Fund for Archaeological Science (grant awarded to BJ, https://www.royalarchinst.org/grants); The Society of Antiquaries of London (grant awarded to BJ (PI), RM & ECA, https://www.sal.org.uk/grants/); The Society for Medieval Archaeology (grant awarded to BJ (PI), RM & ECA), https://medievalarchaeology.co.uk/awards/research-grants/); and Cardiff University (https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.