Reconstructing Diet In Napoleon'S Grand Army Using Stable Carbon And Nitrogen Isotope Analysis

Keywords

bioarchaeology; military diet; Napoleonic Wars; stable isotopes

Abstract

Objectives: Historical evidence has provided information regarding disease and mortality in Napoleon Bonaparte's Grand Army, but dietary information beyond individual soldier accounts remains scarce. The purpose of this research is to reconstruct the diets of Napoleon's multiethnic army who were associated with the Russian Campaign of 1812. Materials and Methods: We conducted stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratio analysis on femoral bone collagen of 78 individuals recovered from a salvage excavation at the mass gravesite of Šiaurės miestelis in Vilnius, Lithuania. These individuals were later discovered to be Napoleonic soldiers and camp followers who participated in the 1812 Russian Campaign. Results: Stable carbon isotope ratios range from −19.2‰ to −11.8‰, with a mean of −17.8‰ ± 1.5‰ (1 σ). Stable nitrogen isotope ratios range from 7.1‰ to 13.6‰, with a mean of 10.5‰ ± 1.4‰ (1 σ). Both δ13C and δ15N values show a wide range of variation. Discussion: Stable isotope data indicate considerable dietary variation in this population associated with a multiethnic and socially stratified military population. Diets ranged from predominantly C3-based to predominantly C4-based, with varying inputs of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine animal protein. Comparison with other European populations further denotes the exceptional range of dietary variation of soldiers and camp followers in Napoleon's army.

Publication Date

5-1-2017

Publication Title

American Journal of Physical Anthropology

Volume

163

Issue

1

Number of Pages

53-63

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23184

Socpus ID

85012964523 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85012964523

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