The Moatfield ossuary: isotopic dietary analysis of an Iroquoian community, using dental tissue

• Published in: Journal of anthropological archaeology 2003-09, Vol.22 (3), p.245-261
• Main Authors: van der Merwe, Nikolaas J., Williamson, Ronald F., Pfeiffer, Susan, Thomas, Stephen Cox, Allegretto, Kim Oakberg
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bioarchaeology; Bone chemistry; Carbon isotopes; Excavation and methods; Fisheries; Iroquois; Laboratory methods; Late Woodland; Methodology and general studies; Nitrogen isotopes; Ontario archaeology; Paleodiet; Physical and chemical analysis; Prehistory and protohistory; Tooth enamel
• ISSN: 0278-4165; 1090-2686
• DOI: 10.1016/S0278-4165(03)00038-2

The Moatfield ossuary (AkGv-65) was discovered in North York, Ontario, in 1997. Archaeological Services Inc. was contracted to exhume and then re-bury the human remains. Located on the periphery of a Late Woodland Iroquoian village, the ossuary included 87 people, 58 of them adults. First Nations authorities allowed the analysis of one tooth per person. Adult crania provided age and sex information; a posterior maxillary tooth was retained from each of 44 individuals. A single tooth proved ample to provide an AMS radiocarbon date plus stable isotope ratios. Three radiocarbon ages were measured: the site dates to ca. A.D. 1300. Stable carbon isotope ratios were measured for tooth enamel (mean δ 13C=−4.2 ± 1.6‰) and dentin collagen (−11.3 ± 1.4 ‰); the mean δ 15N value for dentin collagen was 12.6 ± 0.9‰. Archaeological bone specimens ( n=63) of 19 fish species from Lake Ontario provided δ 13C and δ 15N values. The results show that the Moatfield diet included selected fish species with high δ 15N values (lake trout, salmon, etc.) and a substantial maize component. Peak maize consumption occurred during the growth period of the 20–29-year-old age group.