An isotopic and historical study of diet and migration during the great Irish Potato Famine (1845-1852) : high-resolution carbon and nitrogen isotope profiling of teeth to investigate migration and short-term dietary change at the Union workhouse, Kilkenny and Lukin street, London
Historical evidence from contemporary documents established that Irish migrants to London during the Great Irish Famine (1845-1852) were likely to come from low socio-economic groups in south-west Ireland, and has characterised mid-19th-century health status and living conditions in both locations. Using samples from 119 individuals from the Catholic cemetery at Lukin Street, London (1843-1854) and 20 from the Union Workhouse Famine cemetery, Kilkenny, Ireland (1847-51), mean bone collagen isotope values were established for the well-documented Irish pre-Famine potato-based diet (ÎŽÂčâ"N 10.6â°, ÎŽÂčÂłC -19.1â°), and the diet of contemporaneous Londoners (ÎŽÂčâ"N 12.6â°, ÎŽÂčÂłC -19.1â°). The introduction of maize as a short-term Famine relief food was identified in three Kilkenny juveniles with bone collagen ÎŽÂčÂłC above -17â°, and incremental dentine collagen demonstrating temporal changes in ÎŽÂčÂłC consistent with dietary change from C3 to C4 plants. Bone collagen values for two Lukin Street individuals were consistent with high marine protein consumption. Techniques developed in this study to sample increments of dentine representing nine months or less of life have improved temporal resolution
Beaumont, Julia
Stable isotopes ; England ; Ireland ; Maize ; Bone ; Collagen ; Dentine ; Palaeodiet ; Great Irish Famine (1845-1852) ; Irish Potato Famine ; Nutritional stress ; Dietary changes ; Physiological status ; Stable isotope analysis ; Hair keratin
An isotopic and historical study of diet and migration during the great Irish Potato Famine (1845-1852) : high-resolution carbon and nitrogen isotope profiling of teeth to investigate migration and short-term dietary change at the Union workhouse, Kilkenny and Lukin street, London. Historical evidence from contemporary documents established that Irish migrants to London during the Great Irish Famine (1845-1852) were likely to come from low socio-economic groups in south-west Ireland, and has characterised mid-19th-century health status and living conditions in both locations. Using samples from 119 individuals from the Catholic cemetery at Lukin Street, London (1843-1854) and 20 from the Union Workhouse Famine cemetery, Kilkenny, Ireland (1847-51), mean bone collagen isotope values were established for the well-documented Irish pre-Famine potato-based diet (ÎŽÂčâ"N 10.6â°, ÎŽÂčÂłC -19.1â°), and the diet of contemporaneous Londoners (ÎŽÂčâ"N 12.6â°, ÎŽÂčÂłC -19.1â°). The introduction of maize as a short-term Famine relief food was identified in three Kilkenny juveniles with bone collagen ÎŽÂčÂłC above -17â°, and incremental dentine collagen demonstrating temporal changes in ÎŽÂčÂłC consistent with dietary change from C3 to C4 plants. Bone collagen values for two Lukin Street individuals were consistent with high marine protein consumption. Techniques developed in this study to sample increments of dentine representing nine months or less of life have improved temporal resolution
isotopic historical_study diet_migration great irish famine high_resolution carbon_nitrogen isotope profile teeth investigate migration short_term dietary_change union workhouse street london historical_evidence contemporary document establish irish migrant london great irish famine likely come low socio_economic group south west ireland characterise mid th_century health_status living_condition location using sample individual catholic cemetery street london union workhouse famine cemetery ireland mean bone_collagen isotope_value establish well_documented irish pre famine based diet diet contemporaneous introduction short_term famine relief food identify juvenile bone_collagen incremental dentine collagen demonstrate temporal change consistent dietary_change plant bone_collagen value street individual consistent high marine protein consumption techniques develop study sample dentine represent less life improve temporal resolution