Results of Preliminary Stable Isotope Analysis of Selected Bone Samples from Avar-age Cemetery Stari Jankovci-Gatina, Eastern Croatia

Abstract

The Late Avar age cemetery of Stari Jankovci–Gatina was discovered during the illegal exploitation of clay deposits by locals in 1978; emergency protective excavations were undertaken in the same year, and research continued in the campaigns of 1986 and 1988. In all three campaigns, a total of 88 graves were investigated, including a rich equestrian grave. Finds found in two graves that are in a private collection (grave A and grave B) testify to the functioning of the cemetery in the second half of the 8th century. Although a significant part of the cemetery has suffered damage and some of the bones are in poor condition, making them unsuitable for bioarchaeological analysis, we have decided to analyse 11 samples of bone remains from selected individuals in order to expand our knowledge about the dietary habits of the Late Avar period communities in the Western Syrmia region. We intend to compare our findings with two adjacent cemeteries that are part of the same cultural circle, namely Privlaka and Nuštar. This comparison will enable us to gain a better understanding of the dietary patterns and social structure prevalent across the wider region of the south(eastern) periphery of the Khaganate.

DOI: 10.5671/ca.48.4.4