Investigating the diet of Mesolithic groups in the Southern Alps: An attempt using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses

Stable isotopic data (?13C; ?15N) were obtained from Mesolithic human and faunal remains north- eastern Italy in order to document the diet provide information on relationship between landscape use subsistence strategies. The bone samples an adult female individual (Early Mesolithic, Late Sauveterrian) buried at Vatte di Zambana (Trento), male (Late Castelnovian) Mondeval de Sora (Belluno), Mezzocorona Borgonuovo (Trento). For latter, stratigraphic position of burial pit evidence associated ritual suggest a attribution. Carbon (13C/12C) nitrogen (15N/14N) stable isotope compositions collagen compared with those animal different taxa found association burial. Bayesian model developed latter literature indicate very significant proportion terrestrial resources protein fraction diet, particularly red deer other ungulates potentially freshwater fish small mammals. These results add provided by zooarchaeological studies reopen debate role secondary such as chamois, ibex, mammals fish, pike, these mobile societies. However, this is preliminary study based sample size, interpretations should be considered caution.