Migration and diversity in Roman Britain: a multidisciplinary approach to immigrants in Roman York, England

Leach, S., Lewis, M. E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6224-0278, Chenery, C., Müldner, G. H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4513-9263 and Eckardt, H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9288-5624 (2009) Migration and diversity in Roman Britain: a multidisciplinary approach to immigrants in Roman York, England. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 140 (3). pp. 546-561. ISSN 0002-9483 doi: 10.1002/ajpa.21104

Abstract/Summary

Previous anthropological investigations at Trentholme Drive, in Roman York identified an unusual amount of cranial variation amongst the inhabitants, with some individuals suggested as having originated from the Middle East or North Africa. The current study investigates the validity of this assessment using modern anthropological methods to assess cranial variation in two groups: The Railway and Trentholme Drive. Strontium and oxygen isotope evidence derived from the dentition of 43 of these individuals was combined with the craniometric data to provide information on possible levels of migration and the range of homelands that may be represented. The results of the craniometric analysis indicated that the majority of the York population had European origins, but that 11% of the Trentholme Drive and 12% of The Railway study samples were likely of African decent. Oxygen analysis identified four incomers, three from areas warmer than the UK and one from a cooler or more continental climate. Although based on a relatively small sample of the overall population at York, this multidisciplinary approach made it possible to identify incomers, both men and women, from across the Empire. Evidence for possible second generation migrants was also suggested. The results confirm the presence of a heterogeneous population resident in York and highlight the diversity, rather than the uniformity, of the population in Roman Britain. Am J Phys Anthropol 140:546-561, 2009. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/1687
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Department of Archaeology Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Social Archaeology Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Scientific Archaeology
Uncontrolled Keywords	migration; craniometrics; ancestry; FORDISC 3.0; chemical analysis isotope evidence; oxygen isotopes; strontium isotopes; population-movement; bone phosphate; nubian crania; tooth enamel; teeth; diet; precipitation
Publisher	John Wiley & Sons
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