Dietary reconstruction of the Bronze Age necropolis of Cova des Pas (Minorca Island): evidence from ?13C and ?15N analyses

Abstract Current paleodietary studies about the Naviform and Talayotic groups that took place in Minorca (Balearic Islands) during Late Bronze Age–Early Iron Age (ca.1600–850/800 BC) have suggested a mixed variable diet, largely depending on terrestrial sources of vegetables meat. This study explores nutritional pattern individuals buried Cova des Pas site (Minorca Island, Spain), cave used as collective sepulcher most exceptional major human assemblage found Balearic Islands this period. Carbon (? 13 C) nitrogen 15 N) stable isotopic signatures were measured extracted bone collagen from 49 individuals. Further, faunal remains Son Mercer de Baix site, closest contemporaneous village to sepulcher, also analyzed provide baseline corpus data interpret data. The results indicate diet based mainly C 3 plants with an important consumption animal protein. ? N values infants up 4 years high, indicating enriched signature breast milk, weaning is assumed occur around age. Differences between sexes age subcategories not statistically significant, assuming different society had same access food. obtained provides insight into palaeodietary dated ages island Minorca, contributing present debate emergence development complex societies archipelago.