Using Stable Isotopes to Analyze the Diet of Middle to Late Bronze Age Individuals from Bezdanjača Cave, Croatia

Author

• Abby C. Berger, Mississippi State UniversityFollow

Creation Date

5-17-2026

Degree

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.); Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Major(s)

Anthropology; Biochemistry

Document Type

Immediate Campus-Only Restricted Access

Abstract

This study details the analysis of the diet of 32 individuals (17 females, 8 males, and 7 non-adults) from the Middle—Late Bronze Age (dated 1430 -1290 BCE) site of Bezdanjača Cave (Croatia) using stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic analysis. The isotopic ratios of carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) measured in samples from the occipital and frontal bones provide insight into an individual’s long-term diet because carbon and nitrogen from consumed foods are incorporated into the individual’s bone collagen over the course of a lifetime. Carbon isotope values distinguish between C₃ and C₄ plant consumption based on differences in their photosynthetic pathways. Individuals consuming C₄ plants, such as maize and millet, show more enriched (less negative) δ¹³C bone collagen values than those who primarily consume C₃ plants like wheat and rice. Nitrogen isotope values indicate the individual’s trophic level and generally increase with increased consumption of animal proteins. Overall, the isotopic ratios from the individuals at this site suggest the consumption of C₄ plants, likely broomcorn millet based on archaeobotanical analysis in the region. During the Middle to Late Bronze Age, broomcorn millet had spread to central Europe and was becoming a preferred cultivar.  This finding is consistent with published models of the spread of broomcorn millet throughout Eurasia. Furthermore, statistical analysis showed that the adult males had higher δ¹³C values when compared to the adult females, so the males were likely consuming more broomcorn millet or another carbon-enriched source. No significant differences in δ¹³C were observed between non-adults and either adult group. For δ¹⁵N, there were no significant statistical differences between males, females, and non-adults, indicating that they were on the same trophic level.

Date Defended

4-24-2026

Thesis Director

Anna Osterholtz, Ph.D.

Second Committee Member

Aswathy Rai, Ph.D.

Third Committee Member

George Dunn

Recommended Citation

Berger, Abby C., "Using Stable Isotopes to Analyze the Diet of Middle to Late Bronze Age Individuals from Bezdanjača Cave, Croatia" (2026). Honors Theses. 208.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/honorstheses/208

Rights Statement

“Using Stable Isotopes to Analyze the Diet of Middle to Late Bronze Age Individuals from Bezdanjača Cave, Croatia” © 2026 by Abby C. Berger. All Rights Reserved. Note that in addition to my own works of authorship, this thesis may contain and provide citations to copyrighted third party works. If your use goes beyond fair use, you would need to contact those rights holders for additional licensing/permissions.