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Deposited in DRO: 03 August 2011 Version of attached le: Published Version Peer-review status of attached le: Peer-reviewed Citation for published item: Muldner, G. and Montgomery, J. and Cook, G. and Ellam, R. and Gledhill, A. and Lowe, C. (2009) 'Isotopes and individuals: diet and mobility among the medieval Bishops of .', Antiquity., 83 (322). pp. 1119-1133. Further information on publisher's website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0003598X00099403

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Durham University Library, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LY, United Kingdom Tel : +44 (0)191 334 3042 | Fax : +44 (0)191 334 2971 http://dro.dur.ac.uk 4 3 2 1 nrwGledhill Andrew n itrcleiec nodrt rvd oe esetv ntesuyo medieval of study the on perspective novel a this archaeological provide with of of to integrated results order group be the burials. can in here well-defined methods evidence present a isotope We historical how site. of and of same to example histories the and an from life lifestyle as their individuals investigation the about lay assumptions explore with common them to test (Lowe contrast to society, chance Cathedral British rare Whithorn medieval in of a people clerics was and This remains bishops the 2009). fourteenth-century analyse to and opportunity thirteenth- an of afforded recently , Galloway, and Dumfries persons. and attested contexts historically be archaeological to known can applied against even data tested or isotope be evidence, the can documentary advancing samples where at for where valuable occasions tools mobility fruitful, most those very powerful potentially are are and and interesting are they Particularly diet evidence. own, but contextual rich of their with past, integrated assessment on the of methods, the understanding These allow our individuals. tissue of skeletal level human the of analyses Isotope Introduction of lend mobility historically, and surprising status Keywords: so the not read while successfully cemetery. can results, a analysis in These isotope individuals east. that with the confidence Compared more increased from significantly cathedral. much consumed incomers medieval bishops were as a identified at and people burials those fish file, of and analysis rank meat-eating this local in the personal get isotopes Stable M Gundula Whithorn of Bishops medieval the among mobility and diet individuals: and Isotopes eevd 2Jnay20;Acpe:1 ac 09 eie:3Arl2009 April 3 Revised: 2009; March 14 Accepted: 2009; January 22 Received: ANTIQUITY eee oko h rhvso h 976 xaain tWihr ahda Priory, Cathedral Whithorn at excavations 1957-67 the of archives the on work Renewed ibieG5OF UK OQF, G75 Kilbride rdod rdodB71P UK 1DP, BD7 Bradford Bradford, [email protected]) iiino rhelgcl egahcladEvrnetlSine,Sho fLf cecs nvriyof University Sciences, Life of School Sciences, Environmental and Geographical (Email: UK Archaeological, 6AB, RG6 of Reading Division 227, Box PO Whiteknights, Reading, of University Archaeology, of Department edadAcaooy(K t,1 aeSre,EibrhE65E UK 5HE, EH6 Edinburgh Street, Jane 13 Ltd, (UK) Archaeology Headland ctihUieste niomna eerhCnr,RnieAeu,Sots nepieTcnlg ak East Park, Technology Enterprise Scottish Avenue, Rankine Centre, Research Environmental Universities Scottish 3(09:1119–1133 (2009): 83 rti,mdea,bsos lry tbeiooe,de,mblt,sca rank social mobility, diet, isotopes, stable clergy, bishops, medieval, Britain, uldner ¨ 2 &ChrisLowe 1 ae Montgomery Janet , 4 1119 2 odnCook Gordon , 3 o Ellam Rob , 3 ,

Method Isotopes and individuals: diet and mobility among the medieval Bishops of Whithorn

Whithorn Cathedral Priory and town Whithorn () is situated on the Machars Peninsula in the historic county of in south-west Scotland (Figure 1). According to tradition, it was founded by , first missionary among the Picts, in the early fifth century AD. Excavations have shown the presence of a possibly monastic settlement from at least the early sixth century and the Venerable Bede, writing in or before AD 731, reported the recent establishment of a Northumbrian bishopric at Whithorn (Bede HE iii,4 (Colgrave & Mynors 1979: 222-3); Hill 1997; Fraser 2002). In the eleventh and twelfth century, Whithorn expanded into one of the first urban settlements in Scotland. Until the Reformation, it was an important ecclesiastical centre, with a priory of Premonstratensian canons attached to the cathedral from c. AD 1177. Its sacred focus was the shrine of St Ninian, which attracted large numbers of pilgrims from the British Isles, Ireland and continental Europe. The Bishops of Whithorn presided over the province of Galloway in south-west Scotland which, in the medieval period, formed part of the archdiocese of York (Yeoman 1999; Oram in Lowe 2009).

Burial at Whithorn Cathedral Priory A concentration of burials in the presbytery, in immediate proximity to the presumed location of the shrine of St Ninian, was revealed by excavations in the east end of the medieval cathedral under the direction of P.R. Ritchie from 1957. These burials, in the most prestigious location a medieval church afforded, were clearly of very high status. Several of the individuals were interred in stone cists, in one case a stone-built chamber, and various graves contained liturgical objects and other artefacts that identified several of the deceased as high ranking clerics (Lowe 2009; see also Gilchrist & Sloane 2005). At least three individuals were identified by name as former Bishops of Whithorn, on the basis of detailed analysis of the archaeological contexts and historical records combined with evidence from the osteological assessment and radiocarbon dating of the human remains. Others could not be matched with historical personae but are identified as priests by their accompanying artefacts. These men were presumably high ranking clerics at the cathedral chapter or the wider diocese (Lowe 2009; see Table 1). In order to investigate aspects of the lifestyle and life-history of senior clergy at one of medieval Scotland’s most prominent cathedral churches, bone and tooth samples of six of the presumed bishops and priests were submitted for isotope analysis of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and strontium for the reconstruction of diet and mobility. These data were compared with a ‘control group’ of eight individuals which were selected from among other burials around the shrine, a charnel deposit, and an earlier phase open-air cemetery which was levelled in the early thirteenth century. They probably represent the remains of lay benefactors along with other individuals of unknown rank. Radiocarbon dates, obtained for all individuals in the sample, indicate that their lives covered a period of about 400 years, from the eleventh to the late fourteenth century (Lowe 2009).

1120 iue1 oaino htoni ot-etSoln rjce na xgniooempo rti aatdfrom (adapted Britain of map isotope oxygen an on projected Scotland south-west in Whithorn of Darling Location 1. Figure tal. et 2003). udl M Gundula 1121 uldner ¨ tal. et

Method Isotopes and individuals: diet and mobility among the medieval Bishops of Whithorn . AD 1200 cemetery . AD 1200 cemetery . AD 1200 cemetery . AD 1200 cemetery . AD 1200 cemetery c c c c c Sr Comments 86 Sr/ 87 3 OCO 27.927.0 0.7118027.6 presbytery; 0.7104327.8 stone cist; crozier; ring; presbytery; chalice; 0.7103027.5 stone paten cist; chalice; ring presbytery; 0.7103828.3 stone chamber; crozier; ring presbytery; 0.71037 chalice; paten presbytery; 0.7099328.9 stone cist presbytery;28.5 stone cist; cleft palate 0.7095928.8 charnel 0.7099228.5 deposit presbytery; 0.7097331.3 adolescent pre- 0.7100528.8 pre- 0.70920 pre- 0.70971 pre- 18 δ 3 1 3 3 4 3 3 3 4 4 3 2 N %C %N C/N % Coll Tooth (VSMOW) –––– – I 15 δ C 13 − 20.2 11.2 44.1 16.7 3.1 8.1 P 19.4 13.2 44.2 16.2 3.2 9.6 P 20.6 11.321.1 44.4 11.121.1 16.3 44.1 11.021.0 16.3 3.2 41.1 10.5 14.8 3.3 43.9 5.3 16.2 3.3 5.2 3.2 3.5 P 5.8 P M – – – pre- 19.2 12.019.3 43.6 13.518.9 16.3 45.3 13.319.3 16.8 3.2 43.8 12.320.0 16.3 3.2 44.0 11.519.6 7.3 16.3 3.2 45.6 11.9 8.1 16.9 3.2 44.6 7.5 P 16.6 3.2 7.8 C 3.2 9.8 P 6.1 P P – – – presbytery 19.4 12.0 44.1 16.5 3.2 5.6 P δ − − − − − − − − − − − − − 9F?Lay 1MBishop 2MPriest 3MBishop 4MPriest 5M?Priest 8M?Priest 6FLay Table 1. Isotope dataidentifications and see collagen Lowe quality (2009). indicators for humans from Whithorn. For more detailed archaeological information and individual 181923 M24 ?Lay F M Lay M ?Lay ?Lay SK no. Sex Status 1517 n.d. ?Lay M ?Lay

1122 ihmdea nmldt rmanihorn ie(al 2). (Table site neighbouring compared a are 1) from (Table data subjects human animal the medieval for with ratios isotope stable nitrogen and carbon The Results below). whether and 2001 on Sealy information (see offer origin therefore non-local are or and others local a factors diet, of geographical over reconstructing were vary to elements individuals for and by some due useful bone of change consumed therefore ratios for to are isotope foods the subject and decades While foods the several teeth. different for over of between childhood in mainly formation, those years tissue few reflect a of of tissues period time the skeletal over of individuals compositions isotopic The remains human of analyses Isotope h ua aarflc itwihwsmsl ae ntretilfospoue naC a in produced foods terrestrial on based mostly was which diet a reflect data human The Diet h lcl totu stp intr Bnly20;Montgomery on 2006; impact (Bentley significant signature a have isotope be can strontium to distances, ‘local’ large shown over the transferred been and biosphere strontium has rainwater especially the factors, in enamel other in dissolved although geology, because ratios underlying the also isotope on Strontium dependent but mostly alteration. are childhood, typical post-mortem ‘signature’ in against isotopic residence resistant an preserves largely of this place because only the not for enamel, tooth in analysed are h oa rcptto Lniel 94 rat&Folc 95.The 1995). chiefly Froelich of They & equivalent Bryant the carbonate. usually 1984; or is (Longinelli turn phosphate precipitation in which local enamel water, the drinking in of either composition isotopic analysed the reflect are ratios isotope stable n ar rdcsfo h aeaias(mrs 1993). (Ambrose animals same the from products dairy and plant of niaino h antpso itr rti osmd nErpa archaeology, European In consumed. protein dietary of types main the of indication obndi re oivsiaede n iehsoyi aemdea context. medieval been late have a in techniques history isotopic life these and diet time investigate first to the order in represents combined therefore study This 2007). nhsoial tetdmgaineet,sc steAgoSxnmgaino h Norse the (Montgomery or migration Atlantic exclusively Anglo-Saxon North almost the the focused as of have such colonisation events, and migration few attested relatively historically been on have archaeology post-Roman in M (see 2002). Continent latitude, Wilkinson the & temperature, Bowen 1964; prominently (Dansgaard most coast the factors, from distance climatic and numerous altitude to according varies csse,a ol eepce o rti.Hwvr hr sasrn oiiecorrelation positive strong a is there However, Britain. for between expected be would as ecosystem, ausaemil sdt itnus ewe h osmto ftretiladmarine and terrestrial of consumption the between distinguish to foods. used mainly are values ( − abn( Carbon totu ( Strontium hl hr snwagoigbd fmdea aaoitr aafo ohBianand Britain both from data palaeodietary medieval of body growing a now is there While 22 . 0 Fgr 2) (Figure δ 15 − + δ versus ausices ytmtclyb rpi ee n hrfr ev sa indicator an as serve therefore and level trophic by systematically increase values N 13 0.3 Cand δ 13 ‰ 87 nmlpoeni h it lhuhte antdsigihbtenmeat between distinguish cannot they although diet, the in protein animal )adntoe ( nitrogen and C) n h uaswt more with humans the and ) Sr/ δ 86 15 r n xgn( oxygen and Sr) lnr npes,apiain fsrnimadoye stp analysis isotope oxygen and strontium of applications press), in uldner, ¨ N(r 2 = .2 p 0.72; udl M Gundula δ 15 < δ )sal stp aisi oeclae iean give collagen bone in ratios isotope stable N) 18 .0)adteofesbtenma herbivore mean between offsets the and 0.001) )iooerto o h eosrcino mobility of reconstruction the for ratios isotope O) 1123 13 uldner ¨ nihdvle r rae hni normally is than greater are values enriched C tal et tal. et 03 05 rc Gestsd & Price 2005; 2003, . tal et δ 07.Oxygen 2007). . 18 frainwater of O δ δ ottir ´ 13 13 3 C C -

Method Isotopes and individuals: diet and mobility among the medieval Bishops of Whithorn

Table 2. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope data for medieval animals from Whithorn. The samples were obtained from the excavations at Fey Field, immediately west of the priory compound (McComish & Petts 2008). Note that nitrogen isotope ratios for most herbivores are high in comparison with other medieval British sites and are likely influenced by the coastal location and the vast expanses of salt marshes in the Wigtown Bay area (see Britton et al. 2008). Sample Species δ13C δ15N %C %N C/N %Coll.

WHA-1 cattle −22.4 6.4 41.3 13.3 3.6 2.2 WHA-2 cattle −22.3 9.3 42.5 14.6 3.4 3.5 WHA-4 cattle −21.7 7.6 41.8 14.5 3.4 4.7 WHA-5 cattle −22.1 7.4 43.3 14.7 3.4 3.8 WHA-6 cattle −22.4 4.9 43.5 15.1 3.4 5.4 WHA-15 sheep/goat −22.0 9.3 22.9 7.9 3.4 6.9 WHA-16 sheep/goat −21.8 8.2 43.4 15.0 3.4 5.1 WHA-17 sheep/goat −22.3 7.8 41.6 13.5 3.6 2.3 WHA-18 sheep/goat −22.3 9.0 37.7 13.2 3.3 8.0 WHA-19 sheep/goat −21.7 7.0 31.3 10.6 3.4 4.1 WHA-20 sheep/goat −21.4 6.2 43.8 15.7 3.3 9.7 WHA-23 pig −20.9 11.2 41.2 14.8 3.3 10.6 WHA-24 pig −21.8 12.0 41.1 13.0 3.7 1.9 WHA-26 pig −21.6 7.3 44.5 15.9 3.3 4.5 WHA-27 pig −20.1 11.3 44.3 15.9 3.3 19.7

Figure 2. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope data of high and lower status individuals from Whithorn Cathedral in comparison with average values ( −+ 1σ) for Whithorn fauna.

1124 ttscutrat,frwo aiecmoeti h iti o culydetectable actually lower not their is diet than the protein in marine presbytery component t-test marine more sample a ( ratios. (independent significantly whom isotope adolescent consumed for nitrogen an and counterparts, they carbon status and that enriched female most suggests the one display This as benefactors) presbytery lay well the status from as individuals high – clerics below) discussion senior see 8, (the no. (skeleton exception one with in (Hamilton-Dyer priory 2006). the Woolgar recovered & at fishbone Serjeantson consumption and 601; documented its 1997: well to Hill is attest Britain excavations medieval Whithorn in the staple from dietary a as fish sea of h eyedo h wlt etr rltr(oe20)adteeoea iewe the when time a at Barrett therefore (see and documented 2009) well (Lowe already later built are or was fisheries century which sea twelfth medieval cemetery the of a end from very are the individuals status after lower over the of Four chronological. bevdfrasnl rpi ee hf u o3.1 to (up shift level trophic single a for observed h rtsc aafo ot-etSoln.Cneunl,n oa stpcbsln for baseline isotopic local no Consequently, are Scotland. here south-west presented from Cathedral data Whithorn such from first evidence the isotope strontium and oxygen The Mobility ayhg n ae eivlstsi nln n niaeteicroaino marine of incorporation the indicate and M England (see diet in terrestrial predominately sites a into medieval foods later and high many eyceriooi ifrne bevdbtentetogop seMontgomery (see groups two the between the for observed explanation differences sufficient isotopic a clear not therefore very is alone change Chronological 2006). Woolgar r hrfr necletilsrto ftesbtnildfeecsi tnad fliving of standards in differences substantial society. medieval the in of groups different illustration individuals between excellent between picture variation an general accentuate therefore very than are a rather give blur only not M which than (see data, often more isotope their like and in than differences diet expressed status of clearly fish Nevertheless, so marine surprising. rarely actually are more not these significantly is contemporaries consumed status evidently lower Whithorn the at in individuals than (Harvey fish Westminster of more and abbots including the Lent served, for separate of religious example, be 49). for a weeks 1995: would of documented, the kept is dishes sign This during typically elaborate messes. as superiors a ordinary more well monastic which as as and at meat Saturday table Ecclesiastical particular, and from in 2000). Friday (Woolgar classes abstinence every upper Advent required the usually among calendar – consumed austerity church food, fasting the had a Fish whenever 1998). as (Dyer significance consumption conspicuous special its a and food to access differential through discussion). further for 2009 Lowe n t and hnteiooedt r oprdwt h rhelgcleiec,i mre ht– that emerges it evidence, archaeological the with compared are data isotope the When ti osbeta h itr ifrne bevda htonCterlaepartly are Cathedral Whithorn at observed differences dietary the that possible is It ie hshsoia otx,tefidn htsno lrc n te ihstatus high other and clerics senior that finding the context, historical this Given expressed frequently were distinctions class and hierarchical very was society Medieval (11) lnr&Rcad 07) h abnadntoe stp aafo Whithorn from data isotope nitrogen and carbon The 2007a). Richards & uldner ¨ = c Fgrs3ad4) and 3 (Figures .9 p 3.99, D10;hwvr h aicro ae lc tlattoo hs uil at burials these of two least at place dates radiocarbon the however, 1200; AD . < .1for 0.01 δ 15 N). udl M Gundula vs te oain:t locations: other . 1125 uldner ¨ lnr&Rcad 07) h importance The 2007b). Richards & uldner ¨ ‰ tal. et .Dt ieteeaecaatrsi of characteristic are these like Data ). (11) = ∼ tal et .3 p 7.13, 2yas nepee as interpreted years) 12 04 ejato & Serjeantson 2004; . < .0 for 0.001 tal et δ 13 .in C

Method Isotopes and individuals: diet and mobility among the medieval Bishops of Whithorn

Figure 3. 87Sr/ 86Sr ratios for tooth enamel and dentine samples from Whithorn. Numbers refer to skeleton numbers. Note that all dentine data converge to a common value (see text).

Figure 4. Dental enamel oxygen and strontium isotope data for individuals from Whithorn. Also given is the local 87Sr/ 86Sr range which is expected to fall between that of modern seawater strontium and 0.7100 (see text).

1126 iea aeshse ySlra n roiinrcsi ae aesrnimratios strontium have Wales Montgomery (see in 0.714 rocks to Ordovician 0.7117 and from Silurian ranging by hosted waters Mineral 87 that (Capo predicted rocks be these could of age it significant and the 2001) reflect 1977, should Survey strontium Geological biosphere enamel (British the sandstones alongside the and processed of was range teeth isotope human strontium the the of assess 3). (Figure four help samples of to order dentine In biosphere, available. local is area Whithorn the r lgtymr oiie(envle28.1 value (mean positive more slightly are aaaantwiht nepe h htonrsls lhuhthe Although results. Whithorn the interpret to which against data h uilevrnetit h etn Fgr ;seMontgomery see 3; from (Figure strontium dentine of quantities the varying into of environment incorporation the burial reflect the to known is which trend aebe bando nmlpopae hr svr itepbihdhmndt from data human published little very is ( There carbonate phosphate. biogenic enamel on obtained are been 0.7100 not. have below are values 0.7100 exceeding with ratios individuals also with the this those that and supports suggest origin strongly would local strontium of This seawater here. of case trajectory value the the the as being or towards well seaweed samples as coast with dentine the fertilised of the from consumption crops of 3km the and about by location spray Whithorn’s only shell-sand. sea not on rainwater, sources, grown through of also variety but a products from chain marine food the entered have may n sadcmuiisi rti aesonteet aebiosphere have to coastal these on shown studies have several Britain Whithorn, around in contradiction geology communities in the seemingly island by is and predicted this values While higher (SK9). the obtained to value dentine lowest the 0.7094, ule S1,aesgicnl esrdoei n albtentevle f070 and 0.7104 of values lower one the have of between samples exception fall dentine the and four with radiogenic All Whithorn, less 0.7092. from significantly samples are dentine (SK1), and outlier enamel of ratios isotope ossetwt h frmnindes-etgain nteoye stp a fBritain. of map isotope oxygen the in gradient east-west aforementioned the with consistent from rmtersrnimrto ob flcloii,hv mean have origin, appear local and who of inland England, be north-east further to in values sites ratios negative from strontium more humans their Prehistoric to 1). from Stream) Figure (see Gulf east a the the in by to varies southern affected It and known western areas 2003). the Talbot well (the along & values relatively coasts positive Darling more is (2003; from UK Britain, colleagues across the and manner predictable in Darling is of water dataset work drinking comparative the modern oxygen greater through The of a information. composition until important isotope terms, holds stable absolute nevertheless distribution in relative useful their be available, not therefore may here nul aa.Teedt ugs htbopeevle ncatlrgosaedominated are regions coastal in values biosphere ( strontium that isotope marine suggest strontium by data Shetland, of These and range data). small Orkney a unpubl. (Montgomery Skye, 0.7100 exhibit Uist, and locations 0.7092 N. these between Lewis, from ratios Anglesey, tissues like animal and and places variable human the in Despite rocks bedrock. underlying ancient the often than rather location maritime their reflect Sr/ h ok htco u ntevcnt fWihr r iuinsdmnayshales sedimentary Silurian are Whithorn of vicinity the in out crop that rocks The odt,temjrt foye stp aafracaooia uasfo Britain from humans archaeological for data isotope oxygen of majority the date, To 86 ∼ ro h oiesrnimi h uilsi a hrfr eetmtda rbelow or at estimated be therefore can soil burial the in strontium mobile the of Sr 25-27 ‰ Mngmr rms nul aa.Tehmndt rmWhithorn from data human The data). unpubl. Grimes, & (Montgomery δ 87 18 Sr/ O carb 86 ro oenseawater modern of Sr faytm eidadteeoen ietycomparable directly no therefore and period time any of ) udl M Gundula − + 1127 0.6 uldner ¨ 87 ‰ Sr/ tal et ule K9ecue) hc ol be would which excluded), SK19 outlier , tal et 86 tal. et ∼ rta h orsodn nml a enamel, corresponding the than Sr 03 07 otoey&Evans, & Montgomery 2007; 2003, . .02 e Capo see 0.7092, 06.Cnesl,testrontium the Conversely, 2006). . δ 18 O carb δ 18 O VMW ranging (VSMOW) tal et carb tal et 87 Sr/ aapresented data 98 which 1998) . 07.The 2007). . tal et 86 r which Sr, 1998). .

Method Isotopes and individuals: diet and mobility among the medieval Bishops of Whithorn

There are two early-forming teeth in the sample, which might give slightly enriched δ18O (Wright & Schwarcz 1998; see Table 1). However, these are allowed for in the interpretation presented here. 18 When the δ Ocarb from Whithorn are plotted against the strontium isotope data (Fig- ure 4), it is apparent that, with the exception of two outliers (SK1, SK19), the samples show a remarkably good correlation (r2 = 0.88; p < 0.001), with oxygen isotope values becoming more 18Odepletedas87Sr/86Sr increases. In terms of the geography of western Scotland, the negative direction of the correlation makes sense: as one moves away from the coast and further inland, the amount of marine strontium with a relatively low 87Sr/86Sr of 0.7092 in the biosphere will decrease and biosphere values will gradually reflect more and more of the much higher 87SR/86SR of the underlying bedrock. At the same time, because of the east-west gradient of drinking water δ18O across the UK, human oxygen isotope ratios will become increasingly negative. The oxygen and strontium isotope data from Whithorn are therefore consistent with a mixed group of individuals, some of whom spent their childhood in or close to Whithorn itself, and others who moved there from further inland. As with the dietary evidence, when these data are correlated with the archaeological status groups, a remarkably clear pattern emerges. If we accept that 0.7092-0.7100 is a reasonable estimate for the local 87Sr/86Sr range (see above), then it seems that none of the high ranking clerics grew up in the Whithorn area, with the exception again of SK8. Instead, their isotope values suggest childhoods further east or north and at greater distance from the coast. Although strontium and oxygen in skeletal tissues are ultimately derived from the food and drink consumed by individuals, this variation cannot simply be the result of the dietary differences discussed above. It is those individuals whose carbon and nitrogen data indicate the least, if any, consumption of marine protein that exhibit the most ‘marine’ strontium values. SK1 is a clear outlier in that his 87Sr/86Sr (0.7118) shows little influence of marine strontium. It is indicative of origins in a region of Cambrian or Lower Palaeozoic rocks, such as Devonian sandstones and Silurian or Ordovician sedimentary rocks (Evans & Tatham 2004; Bentley 2006; Montgomery et al. 2006, 2007). These dominate the geology of southern Scotland up to the Southern Uplands Fault but also crop out further north, especially along the Highland Boundary Fault (British Geological Survey 1977). The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the lay and lower status individuals are consistent with childhoods 18 spent in the Whithorn area. Their δ Ocarb cover a very small range and therefore also suggest a common origin. An exception is SK19. Her tooth enamel is significantly more 18O enriched than the others, suggesting geographical origins somewhere considerably warmer and at lower latitude than Whithorn. Her 87Sr/86Sr is consistent with a coastal location but it is also characteristic of biospheres hosted by most sedimentary rocks dating from the Mesozoic, which occur extensively across England and southern Scotland. As a consequence, it is unfortunately not a particularly diagnostic ratio (Montgomery et al. 2003, 2007). While the oxygen isotope data appear inconsistent with origins in the UK, an alternative explanation may be that her main source of childhood drinking water was subjected to constant and considerable evaporation. Darling et al. (2003) observed such a mechanism in small lochs in the Shetland Isles which were exposed to strong and persistent

1128 hogotteBiihIlsadteei orao oasm hth a eesrl local a necessarily was he connections that had assume 2009). family to Lowe the reason in no although Oram is (see area, there man this and in Isles up British the grew contradict throughout not also would Walter data in that isotope bishop, lay The suggestion powerbase 21). a the main 2000: becoming (Barrell whose Galloway, Galloway of to northern Lord of Prior Alan, uplands for the 2009). clerk been (Lowe household has a 1209-1235) example, as for served (AD Walter SK3, Walter coast. Bishop the from as away identified further but Galloway, in spent interests childhoods outside clergy. higher similar the that of indicate appointment also the might in 2009). importance it play supra-regional Lowe centre, at the were ecclesiastical in illustrates an only (Oram as not cathedral Galloway therefore Whithorn Whithorn locals of the of by in in held families positions not senior clerks leading were other or chapter that the suggests monasteries or which Scottish evidence king isotopic prominent The the Whithorn at of the clerics This to households senior 2000). successors the over usually (Barrell disputes were crown in who Scottish reflected the bishopric repeatedly was with whose authority conflict province for border in struggle independent frequently relatively of were a life powers secular was regional the Galloway held in 1990). they functions (Southern spiritual, political purely realm important not the had were often church and medieval posts the administrative in senior clerics ranking high of roles The Bishops the Identifying most the gave and wind rhelgclseeosecvtdfo abnfru ihlge ecno demonstrate Henry’s cannot from general, data we In strontium the lithologies conclusively. published Carboniferous in this of from childhood absence excavated the difficult a skeletons in Carboniferous with however, is archaeological the region; fit consistent it this easily be to dominate data, radiogenic that would too rocks appears baseline ratio 0.7118 whole, suitable isotope the On Whithorn strontium without area. Edinburgh his of and Given whether Bishop origins. geology say childhood as Scotland’s Henry’s to served about of known who complexity is Edinburgh, Nothing the 2009). in (Lowe Abbey 1253-1293 Holyrood AD of abbot formerly nln.Sc osblt antb xlddo h rud fteiooeevidence: Jurassic and isotope Triassic the sedimentary a has the of SK1 with grounds Only consistent Yorkshire. North the be of certainly on bedrock would excluded clerics northern be the from of cannot there most moved possibility also a chapter cathedral Such Whithorn England. the at clerics that suggested be Survey Geological (British Uplands Southern the Montgomery of 1977; geology Ordovician/Silurian the and trce ayvstr rmBianadara Yoa 99 39). 1999: which is (Yeoman pilgrimage abroad it of and place surprising, Britain prominent seem from a an visitors was may of Ninian many Scotland presence St attracted of the south-west shrine While medieval the data. that in human remembering afield the worth far in seen this also Shetland from is as individual such enrichment places this of whether inhabitants assess from to evidence isotope oxygen published no currently K,teidvda ihtems radiogenic most the with individual the SK1, indicate well may and other each to similar very are clerics the of most for data isotope The ie h diitaiecneto fWihr ihteacbsorco ok tmight it York, of archbishopric the with Whithorn of connection administrative the Given tal et 2006). . 18 nihdfehae ausi h K notntl,teeis there Unfortunately, UK. the in values freshwater enriched O udl M Gundula 87 Sr/ 86 1129 ri oesgetv fDvna sandstones Devonian of suggestive more is Sr 87 uldner ¨ Sr/ 86 tal. et rta shgl nieyt eiefrom derive to unlikely highly is that Sr 87 Sr/ 86 r a eietfida Henry, as identified be can Sr,

Method Isotopes and individuals: diet and mobility among the medieval Bishops of Whithorn such regions but is characteristic of older Palaeozoic rocks such as those of Carboniferous or Devonian age which are found in northern and western Britain (Montgomery et al. 2005, 2006).

The hare-lipped ‘priest’ The isotope data from Whithorn clearly separate high and low status burials as well as clerics and presumed lay individuals with one exception: SK8, who had been grouped with the clerics on archaeological grounds consistently plotted with the lay and lower status individuals, suggesting that he spent his childhood in the Whithorn area and did not consume a superior diet later in life. Unlike the other clerics, SK8 actually had no insignia with him that identified him as a priest, although metal staining on the pelvis had suggested to the archaeologists that ecclesiastical artefacts may have been removed from the grave prior to the 1950s excavations. More unusually, osteological analysis revealed that SK8 was afflicted by a cleft palate, a congenital defect creating an aperture between the mouth and nasal cavity (Henderson in Lowe 2009). This diagnosis raises the question whether he could have conceivably been a priest, as an infamous passage from Leviticus 21 decreed that no man ‘with a blemish’ could enter priesthood. Although candidates could attain special dispensation, it seems the prohibition was enforced for higher offices (Metzler 2006: 40-41). This renders it unlikely that he was a senior cleric, especially because SK8’s condition almost certainly would have resulted in a speech impediment which would have made it difficult to carry out some of the duties of a priest (see also Lowe 2009). His prominent burial location and interment in a stone cist nevertheless clearly demonstrate SK8 as a man of importance, although his diet also appears to set him apart from the other high-status lay individuals in the presbytery. These differences are not necessarily explained by his medical condition. Although newborns with a cleft lip or palate cannot easily breastfeed and may also take longer than other children to make the transition to solid foods, most of them eventually adapt and learn to eat normally (Biavati 2006). Perhaps the great renown of the shrine of St Ninian as a place of miraculous healing provides the most suitable explanation for SK8’s presence in the presbytery (Hill 1997: 19-20).

Conclusions The isotope data from Whithorn Cathedral separated individuals clearly along the lines drawn by the archaeological evidence: in terms of diet into a high status group buried in the presbytery and lower status individuals buried elsewhere; in terms of mobility into probable lay-people with a predominately local upbringing and a group of senior clerics who had moved to Whithorn from further inland. The only individual breaking this pattern in both instances proved on closer investigation to be a very unusual burial for which there was other evidence to challenge the classification. It is rare to see this degree of correlation of archaeological with isotopic evidence, as well as of multi-isotopic data from several independent isotopic systems with each other. Although the number of samples analysed may be small, the observed differences are very clear and

1130 A B xoeta rcinto a.Dt eecletda 2bok f1 ais ITSM97gave SRM-987 NIST ratios. 10 of blocks 12 as collected were Data law. fractionation exponential ape o totu stp nlsswr rprdi h la aoaoisa UR codn othe to according SUERC at laboratories clean the was blank in procedural prepared were Vandeginste in analysis described method isotope strontium for samples 0.710255 stp eemntoso ignccroaewr aeb ovninlpopoi cdmto (McCrea method (2 acid error phosphoric Analytical conventional spectrometry. by mass made dual-inlet were and carbonate 1950) biogenic of determinations isotope of measurements (1 repeat 0.2 from was determined standards error international Analytical and spectrometry. internal mass ratio isotope continuous-flow by M in described Acknowledgements techniques. isotopic society by medieval within investigation divisions to stark well the case very that this shown themselves of Overall, has lend period’. centre Whithorn ‘non-migration of major Bishops a level a the nominally the of at was assessing study of what buried objective in individuals added mobility an of mobility background with origins this, of status-dependent on diverse expand for the may studies into evidence Future glimpse pilgrimage. provide a Whithorn offer from also but data The infancy. their variation regional of 1997). and Mays issues (see address diet UK also between the might relationship throughout they diet Ages, the in Middle regarding the questions in stratification key social investigate only not therefore oeclae a xrce sn oie ognmto (Brown method Longin modified a using extracted was collagen Bone York the to as Appendix well samples. Technical as bone Yeoman animal Peter for and Special McComish Jane Timpany Scotland. and Historic Scott Cubitt by Moriarty, Rachel funded Tina especially and Gilchrist, and Trust (UK) Roberta Archaeological Archaeology to Headland of due behalf are on thanks out carried was work This only was high consumed fish a of (Montgomery apparently York amount was the medieval of what dataset in terms average that large in about suggests Scotland a York south-west with which coastal in Whithorn in fish Fishergate diet of at more status Comparison priory incorporated food. Gilbertine it fasting the clerics: a from senior as significance for distinct spiritual appropriate isotopically had particularly an consumed one group status and well-defined diet, a that demonstrated been has an It at mobility and diet reflect evidence reliably of piece indeed another) analyses (yet provide isotope they that else, nothing If robust. likely than more therefore References ARRELL MBROSE oeeae ape eeotie olwn h rcdr ie nMngmr 20) xgnstable Oxygen (2002). Montgomery in given procedure the following obtained were samples enamel Core stp tde nmblt ntehg n ae ideAe r tl eymc in much very still are Ages Middle later and high the in mobility on studies Isotope o plctoso stp nlssi eivlacaooyteerslsaesignificant. are results these archaeology medieval in analysis isotope of applications For aghre odn&Breach. & Gordon Langthorne: anthropology in analyses chemical tissue: (ed.) Sandford M.K. in considerations, interpretive and methodological abig nvriyPress. University Cambridge ...2000. A.D.M. , ..19.Iooi nlsso paleodiets: of analysis Isotopic 1993. S.H. , − + .002(n 0.000022 lnr&Rcad 20b.Cro n irgnsal stp esrmnswr undertaken were measurements isotope stable nitrogen and Carbon (2007b). Richards & uldner ¨ < eivlScotland Medieval netgtoso nin human ancient of Investigations 0 g ntuetlms rcinto a orce to corrected was fractionation mass Instrumental pg. 500 = 5 uigtecus fti work. this of course the during 15) tal et 20) n nlsdo GSco 43 assetoee.Tetotal The spectrometer. mass 54-30 Sector VG a on analysed and (2009), . 59-130. : Cambridge: . udl M Gundula σ rbetter. or ) 1131 uldner ¨ tal. et B B ENTLEY ARRETT σ ora fAcaooia ehdadTheory 135-87. and Method Archaeological review. of a Journal skeleton: archaeological the to Earth 618-36. oeeiec D600-1600. AD fish evidence English bone the revisited: Economics’ Age ‘Dark tal. et a etrta 0.2 than better was ) nLw 09.Frhraaye could analyses Further 2009). Lowe in .. ..L A.M. J.H., , ..20.Srnimiooe rmthe from isotopes Strontium 2006. R.A. , tal et 98,floigteprotocol the following 1988), . OCKER individual 86 Sr/ ‰ &C.M.R 88 nmladdentine and Enamel . Sr Antiquity = .16uigan using 0.1196 level. OBERTS 87 78: Sr/ 2004. . 13: 86 Sr =

Method Isotopes and individuals: diet and mobility among the medieval Bishops of Whithorn

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Method