Tracing human mobility and cultural diversity after the fall of the Western Roman Empire: A multi-isotopic investigation of early medieval cemeteries in the Upper Rhine Valley Dissertation zur Erlangung des Doktorgrades der Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel Graduate School “Human Development in Landscapes” vorgelegt von Christine J. Schuh Kiel, Januar 2014 Erste Gutachterin: Prof. Dr. Cheryl Makarewicz Zweiter Gutachter: Prof. Dr. Claus von Carnap-Bornheim Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 05.02.2014 Zum Druck genehmigt: 05.02.2014 gez. Prof. Dr. Wolfgang J. Duschl, Dekan ... was kann da nicht alles vorgekommen sein in einer alten Familie. Vom Rhein – noch dazu. Vom Rhein. Von der großen Völkermühle. Von der Kelter Europas! Carl Zuckmayer, Des Teufels General Table of Contents I. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................... 1 1 Archaeological and historical background ........................................ 6 1.1 General historical overview ..................................................................................................................... 6 1.1.1 The rise of the Franks and the end of the Western Roman Empire ................................................. 6 1.1.2 The Merovingians and their conquests ........................................................................................... 8 1.2 The 5th and 6th centuries in the northern Upper Rhine area ................................................................... 10 1.2.1 Historical evidence ....................................................................................................................... 10 1.2.2 Archaeological evidence ............................................................................................................... 13 1.2.2.1 Chronological aspects ......................................................................................................... 14 1.2.2.2 Urban settlements and military stations .............................................................................. 15 1.2.2.3 Rural settlements and cemeteries in late Roman context .................................................... 23 1.2.2.4 Rural settlements and cemeteries in an early medieval context .......................................... 26 1.3 Summary ................................................................................................................................................. 32 2 Methodological and biogeochemical background ........................... 38 2.1 Teeth as analytical materials for isotopic studies of mobility ................................................................ 38 2.1.1 Structure and composition ............................................................................................................ 38 2.1.2 Mineralisation and formation ........................................................................................................ 40 2.2 Stable and radiogenic isotopes ............................................................................................................... 41 2.2.1 Strontium isotope analysis ............................................................................................................ 43 2.2.1.1 Radiogenic strontium isotopes ............................................................................................ 44 2.2.1.2 Strontium in rocks, soil, water, plants and mammalian hard tissues ................................... 44 2.2.1.3 Determination of the local strontium range ......................................................................... 46 2.2.2 Oxygen isotope analysis ............................................................................................................... 51 2.2.2.1 Stable oxygen isotopes ........................................................................................................ 52 2.2.2.2 Oxygen isotopes in the hydrological cycle .......................................................................... 53 2.2.2.3 Oxygen isotopes in mammalian tissues ............................................................................... 56 18 18 18 2.2.2.4 Conversion from δ Oc to δ Op and δ Omw ........................................................................ 59 2.2.3 Carbon isotope analysis ................................................................................................................ 61 2.2.3.1 Carbon stable isotopes ......................................................................................................... 62 2.2.3.2 Carbon isotopes in the environment .................................................................................... 62 2.2.3.3 Carbon isotopes in mammalian tissues................................................................................ 65 II. MATERIAL & METHODS ................................................................ 66 3 Region and sites .................................................................................. 66 3.1 The northern Upper Rhine area ............................................................................................................. 66 3.1.1 Location and natural conditions .................................................................................................... 66 3.1.2 Published biogeochemical signatures ........................................................................................... 69 3.1.2.1 Radiogenic strontium isotope signatures ............................................................................. 69 3.1.2.2 Oxygen isotope signatures................................................................................................... 74 3.1.2.3 Carbon isotope signatures ................................................................................................... 78 3.1.3 Samples for the local strontium range........................................................................................... 79 3.1.3.1 Water samples ..................................................................................................................... 79 3.1.3.2 Modern deer samples .......................................................................................................... 81 3.1.3.3 Further samples ................................................................................................................... 81 3.2 Eppstein .................................................................................................................................................. 81 3.2.1 Location and natural conditions .................................................................................................... 81 3.2.2 Research history ............................................................................................................................ 82 3.2.3 Occupation history and interpretation ........................................................................................... 83 3.2.4 Research questions ........................................................................................................................ 86 3.2.5 Samples and sampling strategy ..................................................................................................... 87 3.2.5.1 Human samples ................................................................................................................... 87 3.2.5.2 Samples for the local strontium range ................................................................................. 88 3.3 Bockenheim ............................................................................................................................................ 90 3.3.1 Location and natural condition ..................................................................................................... 90 3.3.2 Research history ............................................................................................................................ 91 3.3.3 Occupation history and interpretation ........................................................................................... 92 3.3.4 Research questions ........................................................................................................................ 93 3.3.5 Samples and sampling strategy ..................................................................................................... 94 3.3.5.1 Human samples ................................................................................................................... 94 3.3.5.2 Samples for the local strontium range ................................................................................. 95 3.3.5.3 Cattle samples for oxygen and carbon isotope analysis ...................................................... 96 3.4 Dirmstein ................................................................................................................................................ 97 3.4.1 Location and natural conditions .................................................................................................... 97 3.4.2 Research history ............................................................................................................................ 98 3.4.3 Occupation history and interpretation ........................................................................................... 99 3.4.4 Research questions .....................................................................................................................