Cardiff University | Prifysgol Caerdydd ORCA
Online Research @ Cardiff 
WelshClear Cookie - decide language by browser settings

Diverse feasting networks at the end of the Bronze Age in Britain (c. 900-500 BCE) evidenced by multi-isotope analysis

Esposito, C, Lamb, A, Andersen, Morten ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3130-9794, Millet, Marc-Alban ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2710-5374, Inglis, Edward, Lugli, F, Nederbragt, Alexandra and Madgwick, Richard ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4396-3566 2025. Diverse feasting networks at the end of the Bronze Age in Britain (c. 900-500 BCE) evidenced by multi-isotope analysis. iScience , 113271. 10.1016/j.isci.2025.113271

[thumbnail of Esposito2025_Fesdtnetmobility.pdf]
Preview
PDF - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (7MB) | Preview

Abstract

During the Bronze Age-Iron Age transition, climatic change and economic upheaval signaled societal shifts across Europe. Longstanding trade networks broke down and in southern Britain new sites, termed middens, emerged. These vast mounds of cultural debris represent the coming together of vast numbers of people and animals for feasts on a scale unparalleled in British prehistory. Faunal remains are key for assessing the catchments of these feasting events and the scale and nature of community connectivity. This study examines networks and scales of mobility that centered on these enigmatic sites through analysis of the largest multi-isotope dataset on faunal remains (n = 254) yet generated in archaeology, aided by a random forest 87Sr/86Sr isoscape of Britain. The data evidence diverse site roles, with some middens anchoring wideranging networks and others being local centers for specialist economies, providing nuanced resolution into the social and economic dynamics of this transitional phase.

Item Type: Article
Date Type: Published Online
Status: In Press
Schools: Schools > History, Archaeology and Religion
Subjects: C Auxiliary Sciences of History > CC Archaeology
Publisher: Cell Press
ISSN: 2589-0042
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 13 September 2025
Date of Acceptance: 11 August 2025
Last Modified: 17 Sep 2025 09:15
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/181073

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item Edit Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics