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Image Credit: M. Marciales Daza et al. 2026
Isotope Study Reveals Diet and Farming Strategies in Prehistoric Menorca
A recent archaeological study examining human remains from Menorca has provided new insights into diet and subsistence practices during the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age. The research focuses on the funerary site of Biniadrís Cave, where well-preserved organic materials and skeletal remains have enabled detailed bioarchaeological analysis.
Using stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen from human and animal bones, researchers reconstructed dietary patterns of prehistoric communities. The results indicate a diet primarily based on terrestrial resources, with no significant evidence of marine food consumption despite the island setting.
The study highlights the growing importance of pig husbandry over time, particularly from the Late Bronze Age into the Iron Age. Alongside pigs, cattle and goats also contributed to protein intake, reflecting a mixed livestock economy. These findings suggest that dry-land farming formed the basis of subsistence strategies on the island.
Archaeological evidence from the cave indicates that it was used for collective burials over several centuries, between approximately 1300 and 500 BC. The presence of disarticulated human remains, along with artefacts such as ceramics, bone tools, and organic materials, points to complex funerary practices and repeated use of the site.
The integration of zooarchaeological data and Bayesian modelling allowed researchers to quantify the relative contribution of different animal species to the diet. This approach provides a more precise understanding of food consumption patterns and highlights changes in resource management over time.
Overall, the study contributes to a broader understanding of social and economic life in prehistoric Menorca, emphasizing the role of livestock management, agricultural adaptation, and cultural practices in shaping island communities.
Published on: 29-03-2026
Edited by: Abdulmnam Samakie