Isotopic and microbotanical insights into Iron Age agricultural reliance in the Central African rainforest

The emergence of agriculture in Central Africa has previously been associated with the migration of Bantu-speaking populations during an anthropogenic or climate-driven 'opening' of the rainforest. However, such models are based on assumptions of environmental requirements of key crops (e....

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Communications biology 2020-10, Vol.3 (1), p.619-619, Article 619
Main Authors:	Bleasdale, Madeleine, Wotzka, Hans-Peter, Eichhorn, Barbara, Mercader, Julio, Styring, Amy, Zech, Jana, Soto, María, Inwood, Jamie, Clarke, Siobhán, Marzo, Sara, Fiedler, Bianca, Linseele, Veerle, Boivin, Nicole, Roberts, Patrick
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Biology Cereals Crops Dental calculus Environmental requirements Food plants Freshwater resources Iron Age Microparticles Rainforests
Online Access:	Get full text
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	The emergence of agriculture in Central Africa has previously been associated with the migration of Bantu-speaking populations during an anthropogenic or climate-driven 'opening' of the rainforest. However, such models are based on assumptions of environmental requirements of key crops (e.g. Pennisetum glaucum) and direct insights into human dietary reliance remain absent. Here, we utilise stable isotope analysis (δ C, δ N, δ O) of human and animal remains and charred food remains, as well as plant microparticles from dental calculus, to assess the importance of incoming crops in the Congo Basin. Our data, spanning the early Iron Age to recent history, reveals variation in the adoption of cereals, with a persistent focus on forest and freshwater resources in some areas. These data provide new dietary evidence and document the longevity of mosaic subsistence strategies in the region.
ISSN:	2399-3642 2399-3642