Mobility of Bell Beaker people revealed by strontium isotope ratios of tooth and bone: a study of southern Bavarian skeletal remains

In order to contribute to the continuing discussion of the mobility of the late neolithic Bell Beaker people, 69 skeletons from southern Bavaria were analyzed for the Sr-87/Sr-86 isotope ratios in tooth enamel and compact bone. Whereas Sr isotope ratios in the enamel of the first permanent molar match the Sr isotopic composition at the place of early childhood, the respective value in the adult femoral bone matches the Sr isotope ratio characteristic of the place of residence over the last few years prior to death. Significant differences between Sr-87/Sr-86 in these tissues indicate that 17.5-25% of these individuals changed residence during their lifetime. The overall direction of the migration, according to archaeological finds from the area, was toward the southwest. A relative surplus of migrating females and two cases of evidence for migration in children argue for the movement of small groups; exogamy might explain the higher numbers of immigrating females. With regard to current information on migration rates in prehistory, the southern Bavarian Bell Beaker people were indeed highly mobile, especially since the archaeometric method used in this study is likely to underestimate movement. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.