Diet and health in Roman and Late Antique Italy: integrating isotopic and dental calculus evidence

This review synthesizes current bioarchaeological research on the Roman and Late Antiquity diet in Italy through the integrated reinterpretation of stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes and ancient dental calculus data. Drawing on published data from urban and rural sites across the Italian peninsula (1st-8th centuries CE), the study compiles dispersed evidence and examines dietary variability along the axes of geography, chronology, and social variability in diet and health. Isotopic evidence confirms a broad reliance on C3 cereals such as wheat and barley, while nitrogen values reveal differential access to animal protein and marine resources, possibly correlating with status or occupation. Dental calculus analysis complements these findings by preserving microremains and biomolecules that reflect the consumption of plant foods, herbs, dairy, as well as phytopharmacological resources. When combined, these approaches provide a more holistic and socially nuanced reconstruction of lifeways in Antiquity, challenging traditional elitecentred narratives and offering insights into health, identity, and inequality. The review also discusses methodological challenges in dietary reconstructions and outlines future directions, emphasizing the need for standardisation, regional comparison, and interdisciplinary integration. Ultimately, this work demonstrates the potential of combining published aggregated data to shed light on the complex interplay between diet, health, and society in past populations.