Tauste Islamic Necropolis (Zaragoza): Scientific Research Overview
Project proposal: DNA analysis, radiocarbon dating and paleodiet study
Summary
Archaeological excavations carried out in the Spanish town of Tauste (Zaragoza) between 2010 and 2013, led by the Cultural Association “El Patiaz”, uncovered a medieval necropolis characterized by Islamic burial practices (maqbara). This project proposes a threefold investigation through independent studies of DNA, paleodiet, and radiocarbon analysis in order to corroborate the results that date the necropolis between the 8th and the 11th centuries, approaching the study of this Islamic cemetery from a multidisciplinary perspective.
Keywords: Archaeology, Anthropology, DNA analysis, Paleodiet, Radiocarbon dating
1. INTRODUCTION
Located in the north of the province of Zaragoza, Tauste is one of the Five Historic Towns of Aragon. Until recently, very little was known about its Islamic past. The presence of a Muslim population in the town was considered merely anecdotal, but an archaeological project launched in 2010 demonstrated that this assumption was incorrect, revealing the existence of a stable population settled in Tauste from the early Islamic period of the Iberian Peninsula.
Studies on the origin of the Tower of St. Mary in Tauste, which interpret it as an 11th-century minaret and associate it with the presence of an Islamic community capable of undertaking such a major construction, led the Cultural Association “El Patiaz” of Tauste to initiate research aimed at identifying material evidence of this population.
In order to investigate further burials visible in several private plots, the presence of Islamic burial practices was identified in the skeletal remains, contradicting the interpretation accepted until a few years ago, which attributed these bones to victims of a cholera epidemic documented in the nineteenth century, whose mass burials were believed to have exceeded the limits of the cemetery.
However, the skeletons uncovered displayed very specific characteristics. Their orientation toward Mecca, the burial rites, and the absence of grave goods all indicated that these were Muslim graves. The Cultural Association “El Patiaz”, continuing its commitment to promoting the Islamic past of Tauste, decided to take action and, with great enthusiasm, launched a campaign of archaeological test excavations in 2010 aimed at identifying and exploring the site.
The result was the discovery of a large Islamic cemetery, estimated to contain around 4,500 burials, according to the director of the excavations, archaeologist Francisco Gutiérrez. The cemetery also presents at least two stratigraphic levels, revealing both a wide surface area and a long period of use. Radiocarbon (carbon-14) dating confirmed that this is one of the oldest necropolises in Spain, as one of the graves has been dated to the mid-eighth century. It is, in fact, the oldest dated Islamic tomb in Aragon.
Thus, the Tauste maqbara is key to understanding the Andalusi past of the middle Ebro Valley, or what historians have often referred to as Upper al-Andalus.
2. FUNDAMENTS OF THE RESEARCH
To date, the Cultural Association “El Patiaz” of Tauste has organized four excavation campaigns, the most recent of which took place in the summer of 2013 and included a training field school with the participation of university students.
The work of volunteers has been fundamental to the development of this project, as the only financial resources available for the research have come from contributions made by the local community of Tauste through the Cultural Association “El Patiaz”.
Once the importance of this discovery and the extraordinary potential of this Islamic site— which has significantly transformed the historical understanding of Tauste—were recognized, it became clear that external financial support is essential in order to continue developing this project and to complement it with new studies and analyses. The costs involved exceed the financial capacity of the project’s promoters.
3. PROJECT TEAM
To undertake this work, a research group has been formed by PhD biologist Lara Fontecha—researcher in human genetics, ancient DNA, and biomedicine—anthropologist Miriam Pina—director of the anthropological laboratory—and Francisco Javier Gutiérrez—coordinator of the excavation of the Islamic necropolis of Tauste (Zaragoza). The aim of this group is to promote a project focused on advancing knowledge of the important necropolis of Tauste from a multidisciplinary perspective, in order to obtain complementary results that provide an overall understanding of the object of study.
Dr. Fontecha holds a degree in Biology from the University of the Basque Country (UPV). She has completed postgraduate studies in Genealogy and DNA Phylogeny, as well as a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology and Biomedicine. She earned her PhD in Biology from the University of the Basque Country with the dissertation “Genetic analysis of the maqbara of Pamplona (Navarre, 8th century): a window into the Islamic invasion of the north of the Iberian Peninsula”, a comprehensive DNA study of skeletal remains from the Islamic necropolis located in Plaza del Castillo in Pamplona, one of the oldest in Spain alongside that of Tauste.
She has authored several publications in the fields of forensic genetics and anthropology and has participated in conferences on genetic variability and DNA research.
Anthropologist Miriam Pina holds a degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology from the Spanish National University of Distance Education (UNED), her second university qualification following a degree in Communication and Information from the Complutense University of Madrid. She has completed specialized training courses in biology and forensic anthropology. Since the beginning of the excavations in Tauste, she has been responsible for the anthropological analysis of the exhumed remains and presented the results of her research at the Conference on the History of the Town. During the 2013 summer campaign, she led the anthropology laboratory of the field school with university students, providing practical training in bone identification, determination of sex, age and stature, and paleopathological analysis.
Archaeologist Francisco Javier Gutiérrez is a graduate of the University of Zaragoza with more than 20 years of experience in archaeological research. His work has focused particularly on the Andalusi world, and he has produced numerous publications in specialized journals, as well as a monograph on his excavation at Paseo de la Independencia in Zaragoza.
The principal investigators also plan to draw on the expertise of specialists and professionals in archaeology, anthropology, and genetics in order to support the study’s conclusions and contribute to the discussion of results.
4. PROJECT SCOPE
This project proposes a threefold multidisciplinary research approach based on DNA analysis, paleodietary studies, and radiocarbon dating, which are explained in detail below.
FIRST RESEARCH: DNA ANALYSIS
PROJECT TITLE: Genetic Influence of the Muslim Occupation on the Necropolis of Tauste (Zaragoza)
SUMMARY:
The discovery of an Islamic cemetery in Tauste (Zaragoza) offers an opportunity to analyze the relationship between culture and biology, as it raises questions regarding the cultural affiliation of the individuals buried there. These individuals may represent an autochthonous population that adopted Islamic culture or, alternatively, an allochthonous human group. Within this framework, the existence of gene flow must also be considered, potentially affecting female and/or male lineages.
The recovery and analysis of DNA from the skeletal remains will provide invaluable data to test the different hypotheses suggested by this archaeological finding. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosome variability will allow assessment of possible gene flow between Muslim and local peninsular populations that contributed to the genetic landscape of the Iberian Peninsula during this period.
1. INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND AND CURRENT STATUS
It has been estimated that approximately 10% of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y-chromosome haplotypes present in the Iberian Peninsula are of African origin (Corte-Real et al., 1996; Flores et al., 2000; Pereira et al., 2000; Bosch et al., 2001; Larruga et al., 2001; Scozzari et al., 2001; González et al., 2003; Alonso et al., 2005), largely due to the influence of Northwest African populations across the Strait of Gibraltar. Two main hypotheses have been proposed to explain this Northwest African genetic influence in the Iberian Peninsula. Some authors attribute it to the Islamic occupation that began in 711 AD and ended with the Reconquest in 1492 (Bosch et al., 2001).
Others, while acknowledging that the Muslim presence during the historical period introduced African haplotypes into the Peninsula, propose an earlier connection between the Iberian Peninsula and Northwest Africa dating back to prehistoric times.
This view is based on two observations: the presence of African haplotypes in northern areas of the Iberian Peninsula, where Islamic occupation is thought to have been limited (Pereira et al., 2000; Larruga et al., 2001; Maca-Meyer et al., 2003; Brion et al., 2003; Flores et al., 2004), and the geographic distribution of African lineages across the Peninsula, which cannot be fully explained by the Islamic-period hypothesis alone (González et al., 2003).
Recent genetic studies of the Muslim necropolis discovered in Pamplona (8th century) revealed the presence of stable North African settlements in the northern Iberian Peninsula from the very beginning of the Islamic invasion. These studies also showed marked sexual asymmetry among the individuals and revealed differing patterns for maternal and paternal lineages, suggesting preferential unions between African men and indigenous women.
This genetic pattern appears to have gradually diluted from the time of the invasion to the present day (Fontecha, 2013).
The necropolis of Tauste is the second Muslim cemetery of this type identified in the northern region of the Iberian Peninsula. Comparable to the Pamplona maqbara, researchers estimate a burial density of at least 4,500 adult individuals within an area of approximately 20,000 square meters.
These characteristics make it the largest archaeological site associated with the period of the Islamic invasion of the Iberian Peninsula and one of the most significant historical and prehistoric sites discovered to date.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
During the fourth phase of excavations at the necropolis of Tauste (Zaragoza, 8th–11th centuries), carried out in July 2013, volunteers exhumed the remains of 24 individuals: 3 children, 5 juveniles, and 15 adults, all of whom displayed characteristics consistent with Islamic cultural practices.
The state of preservation of this necropolis, together with the number of individuals recovered, makes it possible to address the question of the genetic influence of the Muslim occupation in the northern Iberian Peninsula from both genetic and anthropological perspectives. Anthropological analyses have already provided information on the demographic composition of the population (sex ratio and age structure), as well as on health status and lifestyle. This anthropological evidence is essential for placing the population within its broader biocultural and social context.
The careful recovery of the skeletal remains also facilitates the DNA analyses proposed in this project. The main objective is to apply established techniques for the extraction and analysis of DNA from skeletal elements—preferably teeth—in order to address a key historical question: whether the cultural influence of the Islamic world observed in this necropolis is reflected in biological terms, and, if so, in what way.
THE PROJECT IN THE CONTEXT OF INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH
Ancient DNA analysis has developed relatively recently, being limited by methodological complexity and high costs, particularly in the field of anthropology and within our country. From the outset of this discipline, collaboration with other research fields has focused primarily on methodological issues, with researchers joining forces to address these challenges.
In this context, Dr. Fontecha received her training in one of the pioneering institutions in this field in Spain and has also promoted initiatives aimed at exchanging experience and strengthening this line of research.
REFERENCES
- Alonso S, Flores C, Cabrera V, Alonso A, Martin P, Albarran C, Izagirre N, de la Rua C, & García O (2005). “The place of the Basques in the European Y-chromosome diversity landscape.” Eur. J. Hum. Genet., 13, 1293–1302.
- Alonso A, Albarran C, Martin P, García P, García O, de la Rúa C, Alzualde A, Fernández de Simón L, Sancho M, & Fernández-Piqueras J (2003). “Multiplex-PCR of short amplicons for mtDNA sequencing from ancient DNA.” International Congress Series, 1239, 585–588.
- Alvarez L, Santos C, Ramos A, Pratdesaba R, Francalacci P, & Aluja M.P (2010). “Mitochondrial DNA patterns in the Iberian Northern plateau: Population dynamics and substructure of the Zamora province.” Am. J. Phys. Anthropol., 142, 531–539.
- Alzualde A, Izagirre N, Alonso S, Alonso A, & de la Rúa C (2005). “Temporal mitochondrial DNA variation in the Basque Country: Influence of post-neolithic events.” Ann. Hum. Genet., 69(6), 665–679.
- Alzualde A, Izagirre N, Alonso S, Alonso A, Albarran C, Azkarate A, & de la Rúa C (2006). “Insights into the ‘isolation’ of the Basques: mtDNA lineages from the historical site of Aldaieta (6th–7th centuries AD).” Am. J. Phys. Anthropol., 130(3), 394–404.
- Capelli C, Onofri V, Brisighelli F, Boschi I, Scarnicci F, Masullo M, Ferri G, Tofanelli S, Tagliabracci A, Gusmao L, Amorim A, Gatto F, Kirin M, Merlitti D, Brion M, Blanco Verea A, Romano V, Cali F, & Pascali V (2009). “Moors and Saracens in Europe: estimating the medieval North African male legacy in southern Europe.” Eur. J. Hum. Genet., 17, 848–852.
- Carrasco J, Salrach JM, Valderón J, & Viguera MJ (2002). Historia de las Españas medievales. Barcelona: Crítica.
- Casas MJ, Hagelberg E, Fregel R, Larruga JM, & Gonzalez AM (2006). “Human mitochondrial DNA diversity in an archaeological site in al-Andalus: Genetic impact of migrations from North Africa in medieval Spain.” Am. J. Phys. Anthropol., 131, 539–551.
- De Miguel MP (2007). “La Maqbara de la Plaza del Castillo (Pamplona, Navarra): avance del estudio osteoarqueológico.” In Villes et campagnes de Tarraconaise et d’al-Andalus (VI–XI siècles): La transición (pp. 183–197).
- Fadhlaoui-Zid K, Rodriguez-Botigue L, Naoui N, Ammar-Elgaaied A, Calafell F, & Comas D (2011). “Mitochondrial DNA structure in North Africa reveals a genetic discontinuity in the Nile Valley.” Am. J. Phys. Anthropol., 145, 107–117.
- Faro Carballa JA, García-Barberena M, & Unzu M (2007). “La presencia islámica en Pamplona.” In Villes et campagnes de Tarraconaise et d’al-Andalus (VI–XI siècles): La transición (pp. 97–138).
- Faro Carballa JA, García-Barberena M, & Unzu M (2008). “Pamplona y el Islam. Nuevos testimonios arqueológicos.” Trabajos de Arqueología de Navarra, 20, 229–284.
- Fontecha L, Hervella M, López S, de Miguel MP, Alonso S, Izagirre N, & de la Rúa C (2012). “Variabilidad genética de la población adulta de la maqbara de Pamplona (Navarra, s. VIII).” Diversidad humana y antropología aplicada.
- Fregel R, Gomes V, Gusmão L, González AM, Cabrera VM, Amorim A, & Larruga JM (2009). “Demographic history of Canary Islands male gene-pool: Replacement of native lineages by European.” BMC Evol. Biol., 9, 181.
- Garcia O, Fregel R, Larruga JM, Alvarez V, Yurrebaso I, Cabrera VM, & Gonzalez AM (2011). “Using mitochondrial DNA to test the hypothesis of a European post-glacial human recolonization from the Franco-Cantabrian refuge.” Heredity, 106, 37–45.
- González AM, Brehm A, Pérez JA, Maca-Meyer N, Flores C, & Cabrera VM (2003). “Mitochondrial DNA affinities at the Atlantic fringe of Europe.” Am. J. Phys. Anthropol., 120, 391–404.
- Harich N, Costa MD, Fernandes V, Kandil M, Pereira JB, Silva NM, & Pereira L (2010). “The trans-Saharan slave trade – clues from interpolation analyses and high-resolution characterization of mitochondrial DNA lineages.” BMC Evol. Biol., 10, 138.
- Hervella M (2010). “Variación temporal del ADNmt en poblaciones de la Cornisa cantábrica. Contribución del ADN antiguo.” Doctoral dissertation, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU).
- Pereira L, Cunha C, Alves C, & Amorim A (2005). “African female heritage in Iberia: A reassessment of mtDNA lineage distribution in present times.” Hum. Biol., 77, 213–229.
- Plaza S, Calafell F, Helal A, Bouzerna N, Lefranc G, Bertranpetit J, & Comas D (2003). “Joining the pillars of Hercules: mtDNA sequences show multidirectional gene flow in the western Mediterranean.” Ann. Hum. Genet., 67, 312–328.
- Richards M, Rengo C, Cruciani F, Gratix F, Wilson JF, Scozzari R, Macaulay V, & Torroni A (2003). “Extensive female-mediated gene flow from sub-Saharan Africa into Near Eastern Arab populations.” Am. J. Hum. Genet., 72, 1058–1064.
- Salas A, Richards M, De la Fé T, Lareu MV, Sobrino B, Sánchez-Diz P, Macaulay V, & Carracedo A (2002). “The making of the African mtDNA landscape.” Am. J. Hum. Genet., 71, 1082–1111.
- Torroni A, Rengo C, Guida V, Cruciani F, Sellitto D, Coppa A, Calderon FL, Simionati B, Valle G, Richards M, Macaulay V, & Scozzari R (2001). “Do the four clades of the mtDNA haplogroup L2 evolve at different rates?” Am. J. Hum. Genet., 69, 1348–1356.
- Turchi C, Buscemi L, Giacchino E, Onofri V, & Fendt L (2009). “Polymorphisms of mtDNA control region in Tunisian and Moroccan populations: An enrichment of forensic mtDNA databases with northern African data.” FSI Genetics, 3, 166–172.
2. PROJECT SCOPE
Due to its location as a peripheral region of Europe and its proximity to Africa, the Iberian Peninsula exhibits great diversity in mtDNA lineages. These lineages are predominantly European but also show signs of African influence, such as haplogroups U6 and M1, commonly found in North Africa, as well as some L subhaplogroups (Pereira et al., 2000; Casas et al., 2006). The presence of haplogroup U6 in contemporary Iberian populations has been linked to the Muslim occupation between the 5th and 8th centuries, with a proposed entry route through the Strait of Gibraltar, as this haplogroup is largely absent in other modern European populations (Maca-Meyer et al., 2001, 2003).
Analysis of biallelic Y-chromosome polymorphisms in modern populations indicates that approximately 7% of Y-chromosomes in the Iberian Peninsula may have a North African origin, reaching a maximum of 14.5% in Andalusia. Studies of specific haplotypes (E, A, B, and J2) have further supported the existence of gene flow from North Africa into the Iberian Peninsula. Previous hypotheses based on contemporary genetic data provide a foundation for investigating past populations and for assessing the differential influence of the Muslim occupation on the Iberian genetic landscape.
Therefore, given that this necropolis is characterized as a Muslim cemetery, our starting hypothesis proposes a connection between the biological and cultural attributes of the site, aiming to identify individuals of North African origin within the graves.
GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The general objective of this study is to understand the biological and social significance of the population buried in the Muslim cemetery of Tauste (Zaragoza, 8th–11th centuries).
To achieve this, the study proposes the following specific objectives:
- Analyze the variability of mitochondrial DNA in the individuals buried, including both European lineages and African-influenced haplogroups (U6, M1, and L subhaplogroups).
- Estimate the biological sex at the molecular level to enable more accurate subsequent Y-chromosome analyses.
- Analyze Y-chromosome variability of the buried individuals using quantitative PCR (qPCR).
- Determine the phylogenetic relationships of the buried population within the context of population movements in the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages.
- Test historical hypotheses suggesting limited Muslim cultural influence in northern Iberia by comparing genetic data obtained in this project with previously generated data from the Pamplona maqbara (8th century), a necropolis culturally and chronologically similar to that of Tauste.
- Interpret the biosocial behavior of this population, including funerary rituals, kinship relationships, and potential genetic and social differentiation within the community.
3. METHODOLOGY AND WORKING PLAN
The main limitation when working with ancient DNA (aDNA) is contamination with modern DNA. aDNA exhibits a set of physico-chemical properties resulting from post-mortem processes, which complicate both analysis and the reproducibility of results.
To prevent contamination and ensure the authenticity of results, it is essential to follow the authentication criteria established by the scientific community for aDNA research (Pääbo et al., 2004; Cooper & Poinar, 2000; Handt et al., 1994; Hofreiter et al., 2001; Lindahl, 1993).
The working plan for this study is organized into six main phases:
- Osteoanthropological analysis and selection of samples for genetic analysis
- Extraction and quantification of DNA from teeth
- Extraction of DNA
- Quantification of DNA (real-time PCR)
- Extraction and quantification of duplicates
- Analysis of mitochondrial DNA variability
- Analysis of the mitochondrial genome using RFLPs
- Sequencing of HVS-I and HVS-II mtDNA regions
- Cloning of problematic samples
- Analysis of duplicates
- Processing and evaluation of results
- Sex estimation at a molecular level
- Analysis of the amelogenin gene
- Analysis of DYZ1
- Analysis of the SRY gene
- Analysis of duplicates
- Processing and evaluation of results
- Analysis of Y-chromosome single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
- Analysis of Y-chromosome SNPs
- Analysis of duplicates
- Processing and evaluation of results
- Replication of results in an independent laboratory
- DNA extraction
- Analysis of mtDNA variability
- Integration and discussion of overall results
- Compilation and interpretation of data
- Preparation of scientific reports and articles
TIMELINE
| Activity | Milestones | Year 1 | Year 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activity 1: Selection of samples (dental pieces) | Milestone 1: Sample selection | ✅ | |
| Activity 2: Extraction and quantification of DNA | Milestone 1: DNA extraction | ✅ | |
| Milestone 2: DNA quantification | ✅ | ||
| Milestone 3: Extraction and quantification of duplicates | ✅ | ||
| Activity 3: Analysis of mtDNA variability | Milestone 1: Analysis of mitochondrial genome using RFLPs | ✅ | |
| Milestone 2: Sequencing HVS-I and HVS-II mtDNA | ✅ | ||
| Milestone 3: Cloning of problematic samples | ✅ | ||
| Milestone 4: Analysis of duplicates | ✅ | ||
| Milestone 5: Processing and evaluation of results | ✅ | ||
| Activity 4: Sex estimation at a molecular level | Milestone 1: Analysis of amelogenin gene | ✅ | |
| Milestone 2: Analysis of DYZ1 | ✅ | ||
| Milestone 3: Analysis of SRY gene | ✅ | ||
| Milestone 4: Analysis of duplicates | ✅ | ||
| Milestone 5: Processing and evaluation of results | ✅ | ||
| Activity 5: Analysis of Y-chromosome SNPs | Milestone 1: SNP analysis of Y chromosome | ✅ | |
| Milestone 2: Analysis of duplicates | ✅ | ||
| Milestone 3: Processing and evaluation of results | ✅ | ||
| Activity 6: Replication of results | Milestone 1: DNA extraction | ✅ | |
| Milestone 2: Analysis of mtDNA variability | ✅ | ||
| Activity 7: Integration and discussion of results | Milestone 1: Preparation of report and scientific articles | ✅ |
This table clearly separates the activities and milestones across the two-year timeline, showing which tasks are planned for the first and second years.
3. PLANNED BUDGET
Given the high cost of DNA studies, we propose to conduct an initial research phase to establish a baseline for further investigation, following the work plan outlined above. The estimated budget for this preliminary study is 20,000 euros (approximately 28,000 USD).
This budget would cover essential costs, including:
- DNA extraction and quantification
- mtDNA sequencing and analysis
- Y-chromosome SNP analysis
- Molecular sex determination
- Replication of results in an independent laboratory
- Data processing, interpretation, and reporting
It represents a cost-effective initial investment to ensure robust results and inform future, larger-scale studies.
Here’s a polished version of your second research project section, in line with the previous format and ready for inclusion in your document:
SECOND RESEARCH: PALEODIET STUDY
PROJECT TITLE: Population Eating Patterns in the Islamic Necropolis of Tauste (Zaragoza)
SUMMARY:
Following the fourth phase of excavations in the Islamic necropolis of Tauste (Zaragoza), promoted by the Cultural Association “El Patiaz,” it is now possible to complement the anthropological studies of the skeletal remains with a palaeodietary investigation. This study will analyze isotopes and trace elements present in the bones to reconstruct the dietary patterns of this population. The results will provide insight into daily life, nutrition, and the socio-economic organization of medieval Muslim Tauste.
1. INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND AND CURRENT STATUS
Dietary patterns are among the characteristics that best define the adaptive capacity of populations to their environment (Trancho & Robledo, 1999), which highlights the importance of palaeodiet studies in recent decades. These studies complement archaeological and anthropological research by providing insights into ancient methods of food procurement, nutrition, and subsistence strategies.
Since its inception in the 1960s, the development of palaeodietary research was initially limited, largely due to the need for effective methods to control diagenetic processes—the natural post-mortem changes in skeletal remains that can alter their chemical composition. Early difficulties in obtaining unbiased results outside the effects of diagenesis caused controversy regarding the conclusions of paleo-chemical analyses, spurring the development of standardized methodologies capable of controlling diagenetic alterations and enabling reliable interpretations (Gallello, 2008).
Current procedures to mitigate diagenetic alterations involve analyzing as many samples as possible and comparing them with soil samples from the burial context to detect potential contamination from the surrounding sediment.
Isotopic analysis of bone collagen allows determination of the presence and relative proportions of different types of food in the diet. Elements such as calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), and barium (Ba) enter the body passively due to their similar physicochemical properties and may even replace calcium atoms in the hydroxyapatite of bones. Their concentration in bone reflects their content in the diet (Cervera, 2012). By examining the relationships between these elements, it is possible to reconstruct individual dietary patterns. For example, the ratio of zinc to calcium (Zn/Ca) can be used to estimate levels of meat consumption (Fornaciari & Mallegni, 1987, cited in Cervera, 2012).
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
During the fourth phase of excavations at the necropolis of Tauste (Zaragoza, 8th–11th centuries), carried out in July 2013, volunteers exhumed 24 individuals: 3 children, 5 juveniles, and 15 adults, all of whom displayed characteristics of Islamic cultural practices.
To date, an anthropological analysis of the skeletons has been conducted, including age, sex, and stature estimation for each individual. Paleopathological analyses have also been performed to observe and document diseases and injuries that left marks on the bones.
However, these investigations provide only a basic understanding of the population. Additional analyses, such as a palaeodietary study, could yield valuable insights into the dietary habits of medieval Tauste’s inhabitants over a thousand years ago. Through chemical analysis of elements present in the bones, it will be possible to reconstruct individual and population-level feeding patterns.
This palaeodiet study will complement the biological and social aspects of the anthropological research. Understanding nutritional patterns will allow us to contextualize the population socioeconomically, offering information on the origin, distribution, and organization of food resources within this medieval community.
REFERENCES
- Botella, M.; Alemán, I.; Jiménez, S. (1999). Los huesos humanos, manipulación y alteraciones. Bellaterra. Barcelona.
- Brothwell, D. R. (1987). Desenterrando huesos. Fondo de Cultura Económico. México.
- Cervera, Juan Miguel (2012). “Paleodieta: un acercamiento al estudio de la alimentación en las poblaciones del pasado.” Revista de Arqueología Estrat Crític, 6, 156–165.
- Gallello, G. (2008). “Aspectos de paleodieta en restos óseos de época tardoantigua hallados en la necrópolis de La Boatella en Valencia (campaña 2006–2007).” Archivo de la Prehistoria Levantina, XXVII.
- Gutiérrez, F. J.; Pina, M. (2011). “El cementerio andalusí de Tauste.” XII Jornadas sobre la Historia de Tauste. Asociación Cultural “El Patiaz.” Tauste (Zaragoza).
- Lacalle, R.; Guijo, J. M. (2006). “Análisis antropológico de la población islámica califal de El Fontanar.” Anales de Arqueología Cordobesa, 17.
- Ortega, L. et al. (2013). “Strontium isotopes of human remains from the San Martín de Dulantzi graveyard (Alegría-Dulantzi, Álava) and population mobility in the Early Middle Ages.” Quaternary International, 303, 54–63.
- Ramey, K. (2008). Manual de antropología forense. Bellaterra.
- Serrulla, F.; Grandal, A.; Vilar, S.; Gómez, M. (2011). “Aproximación facial y paleodieta en un esqueleto de la necrópolis de El Vergel (Ávila-España).” Revista MUNIBE (Antropología-Arqueología), 62, 341–349.
- Trancho, G.; Robledo, B. (1999). “Paleodieta: Estudio del patrón alimenticio en El Cerro de la Cabeza (Ávila).” Junta de Castilla y León. Universidad Complutense Madrid.
- White, T.; Black, M.; Folkens, P. (1991). Human osteology. Academic Press. San Diego.
2. PROJECT SCOPE
Diet is a key indicator of the organizational system and structure of a society. Understanding dietary patterns allows us to explore a broader system encompassing the environment, social and political organization, and ideological and cultural factors that shape beliefs, preferences, restrictions, and food practices (Palacio & Román, 1994, cited in Gallello, 2008).
Reconstructing the diet of ancient societies—in this case, the medieval Muslim population of Tauste—provides valuable insights often overlooked in standard archaeological research. Such information includes resource procurement techniques, technological development, links to agriculture, livestock, and trade, as well as dietary restrictions influenced by religious beliefs. A multidisciplinary approach enables a comprehensive understanding of the population, answering the question: what they ate to understand how they lived.
Many skeletons from the Tauste Muslim necropolis exhibit significant oral pathologies and stress markers, including enamel hypoplasia and other indicators of growth disruptions or nutritional deficiencies. A key bioanthropological hypothesis to be tested is whether inadequate nutrition contributed to these stress episodes, thereby affecting the biological condition and development of individuals.
GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The general objective of this study is to understand the dietary patterns of individuals buried in the Muslim cemetery of Tauste (Zaragoza) and to explore how these diets relate to the socioeconomic context of the population.
To achieve this, the study sets the following specific objectives:
- Analyze carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) isotopes and trace elements in bones to reconstruct the dietary patterns of the buried individuals.
- Study radiogenic and stable isotopes to identify mobility and migration patterns within the population.
- Compare the diet of the medieval Muslim population with that of contemporary inhabitants of Tauste.
- Formulate hypotheses regarding the relationship between diet and stress markers in growth by analyzing the concentration of calcium (Ca) and other biomarkers such as zinc (Zn).
- Interpret the results to determine social and economic patterns of the population and the methods they used to obtain their food resources.
3. METHODOLOGY AND WORKING PLAN
Dietary reconstruction of the population will be performed through destructive analysis of individual bone samples, typically including two teeth (usually the first and second molars) and fragments of ribs.
- Isotopic Analysis of Long Bones:
The study of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) isotopes in long bones allows interpretation of protein quantity and quality, providing information on the consumption of cereals, legumes, and animal-derived proteins. - Chemical Analysis of Teeth:
Teeth are analyzed using laser ablation to volatilize elements present in the enamel and dentin. Enamel preserves the chemical composition from the tooth formation period, while dentin remodels throughout life, reflecting the average dietary intake in the last years of life. - ICP-MS Technique:
The concentrations of elements are determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Statistical correlations of these data allow inferences regarding dietary patterns. For instance:- Zn/Ca ratio: indicative of meat consumption levels.
- Sr/Ca ratio: indicative of vegetable consumption (Cervera, 2012).
Working Plan – Six Phases:
- Sampling and Cleaning: Preparation of bone and tooth samples in the laboratory.
- Collagen Extraction: Isolation of collagen for isotopic analysis.
- Diagenetic Assessment: Determination of post-mortem alterations using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).
- Sample Processing: Combustion, spray, dissolution, and injection of samples for analysis.
- Isotopic and Trace Element Analysis: Measurement of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N isotopes and trace elements (Ba, Sr, Zn, Cu, etc.) using Laser Ablation ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS).
- Data Analysis: Statistical correlation and interpretation of trace element concentrations to reconstruct dietary patterns.
4. WORKING PERIOD AND BUDGET
The estimated duration of this study is approximately 12 months. Anthropologist Miriam Pina, director of the anthropological laboratory of the necropolis, has coordinated with Dr. Luis Ángel Ortega, PhD in Geology and expert in Mineralogy and Petrology at the University of the Basque Country. Dr. Ortega has extensive experience in chemical analysis and geological research, particularly in archaeometry, petrography, and geochemistry.
Budget Estimate:
- C–N Isotope Analysis: 21.5 euros per sample (~29.7 USD)
- LA-ICP-MS Analysis: 70 euros per sample (~97 USD)
- Number of Samples: 21
- Total Laboratory Costs: 1,921.5 euros
- Additional Costs: 400 euros (covering travel, supplies, and miscellaneous expenses)
Total Budget: 2,325.50 euros (~3,220 USD)
This budget covers all laboratory analyses, sample preparation, and essential logistical expenses, ensuring reliable results for the reconstruction of dietary patterns in the medieval Muslim population of Tauste.
THIRD RESEARCH: RADIOCARBON DATING
PROJECT TITLE: Radiocarbon Dating of Human Remains from the Islamic Necropolis of Tauste (Zaragoza)
SUMMARY:
This project proposes the application of radiocarbon dating to selected skeletal remains from the medieval Islamic necropolis of Tauste (Zaragoza) in order to verify and refine previous estimates that placed the maqbara between the 8th and 11th centuries.
1. INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND AND CURRENT STATUS
Radiocarbon dating is a physicochemical method widely used by archaeologists to determine the absolute age of organic remains. Developed in the mid-20th century, this technique measures the concentration of carbon-14 (¹⁴C) in remains to estimate the degree of radioactive decay and establish the date of death.
The principle of radiocarbon dating is as follows: cosmic radiation converts nitrogen into carbon-14, which combines with oxygen to form radioactive carbon dioxide (CO₂). This CO₂ is absorbed by living organisms, maintaining a constant ratio of ¹²C to ¹⁴C during life. Upon death, the uptake of ¹⁴C ceases, and its concentration declines through radioactive decay. The age is calculated by measuring changes in the ¹²C/¹⁴C ratio.
The half-life of carbon-14 is approximately 5,730 ± 40 years, making this method suitable for dating biological materials up to ~60,000 years old. Unlike relative dating techniques, radiocarbon dating provides an absolute age in years.
Since 2010, four excavation campaigns have been conducted at the Tauste Islamic necropolis. One of the principal goals of this research is to date the tombs accurately, establishing the period of occupation of the Muslim population in Tauste. Historiography has traditionally considered this presence anecdotal; therefore, providing precise dates and contextual historical evidence is essential to confirm the existence of a stable settlement in the town.
After the first excavation in the Islamic necropolis of Tauste, tombs samples 1, 2 and 3 were collected and sent to the Geochronology Laboratory of the CSIC in Madrid to be dated by radiocarbonic method.
The results obtained are summarized in the next table (Calibration Program: 3.10 OxCal curve INTCAL09, 2 sigma).
RADIOCARBON DATING RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION
Radiocarbon dating of three tombs from the Islamic necropolis of Tauste provides the following chronological framework:
| Tomb | Lab Code | ¹⁴C Age (years BC) | Calibrated Age (years cal. AD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomb 1 | CSIC-2180 | 1072 ± 32 | 890 – 1020 (95.4%) |
| Tomb 2 | CSIC-2235 | 1286 ± 31 | 650 – 780 (95.4%) |
| Tomb 3 | CSIC-2234 | 1133 ± 28 | 860 – 990 (92.7%) |
Interpretation of the results:
- Tomb 2: Dated between the second half of the 7th century and the first three quarters of the 8th century, providing evidence for early Muslim settlement in Tauste. This represents the oldest absolute date for an individual buried according to Islamic rites in Aragon.
- Tomb 3: Dated to the 9th–10th centuries.
- Tomb 1: Dated between the 10th–11th centuries, with a concentration in the 10th century.
These dates, spanning nearly four centuries of Islamic presence, suggest several possibilities:
- Burials may have filled free gaps between older graves, which could explain the co-occurrence of bones from different chronological phases.
- The presence of an early 8th-century burial confirms the stable settlement of a Muslim population in Tauste. Historical oral reports mention burials carved into natural gypsum rock at a nearby site, with skeletons found in a supine position (face up). Such burial practices may reflect early stages of Islamic presence, before strict orthodoxy in burial rituals was established.
- It is possible that the cemetery was initially shared with Christian burials or was built over an earlier Visigothic cemetery, similar to other sites such as Marroquíes Bajos, Laguardia (Jaén), or Mértola (Portugal).
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
This project proposes further analysis to compare the dating of bones from the first excavation with samples from the third and fourth excavations. The goal is to refine and ratify the previous results, which place the Islamic necropolis of Tauste between the 8th and 11th centuries. These results will confirm the presence of a stable Islamic population in the town during the medieval period, challenging the historical assumption that the Islamic presence in Tauste was merely anecdotal.
REFERENCES
- Gutiérrez González, F. J., & Pina Pardos, M. (2013). El cementerio andalusí de Tauste. In Tauste en su historia. Actas de las XII Jornadas sobre Historia de Tauste, febrero de 2011. Asociación Cultural El Patiaz, pp. 67–113.
- Sanz González de Lema, S. (2014). La datación del pasado. Carbono 14 para historiadores. Madrid: Ed. Arqueoy+.
2. PROJECT SCOPE
The absence of grave goods in Islamic burial rites makes it difficult to assign precise dates to buried individuals, making the chemical dating of organic remains essential for establishing the chronology of the tombs and the necropolis as a whole.
To date, three radiocarbon tests have been performed on human femurs from the first excavation phase, placing the Tauste maqbara between the 8th and 11th centuries. These results represent the oldest documented dates for Islamic burials in Aragon.
Further excavations have provided additional skeletal remains suitable for radiocarbon analysis. This project proposes conducting additional tests on these new samples to confirm the initial dating results and to refine the chronological framework of the necropolis.
GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The primary objective of this project is to carry out radiocarbon dating analyses on samples from the third and fourth excavation campaigns of the Islamic necropolis of Tauste.
Specific Objectives:
- Determine the radiocarbon dates of the new samples and compare them with results from the first excavation to refine the overall dating of the necropolis.
- Obtain precise dates for each individual sample. These samples were selected because they exhibit unique characteristics not present in other remains from the same excavation, making them particularly valuable for chronological analysis.
3. METHODOLOGY AND WORKING PLAN
This project proposes radiocarbon dating of four selected human bone samples from the third and fourth excavation campaigns. The samples are summarized as follows:
- Tomb 11 (Third Excavation): Two fibula fragments from a male, approximately 45 years old, who presented a trepanation in his skull. Dating this individual will help assess the prevalence of this surgical practice during the Islamic period.
- Tomb 24 (Fourth Excavation): Femur and nearly complete ulna from a female, aged 20–35 years.
- Tomb 30 (Fourth Excavation): Femur fragment from a female, aged 35–45 years. Tombs 24 and 30 were found one above the other; radiocarbon dating will clarify their chronological relationship and determine whether the superposition was intentional.
- Tomb 39 (Fourth Excavation): Tibia fragment from a male, aged 40–50 years. This is the deepest tomb in the fourth excavation, suggesting it may represent the earliest burial of the campaign.
Methodology:
- Samples will undergo pretreatment to remove potential contaminants.
- Radiocarbon dating will be performed using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) for high precision.
- Calibration of results will be carried out using the latest calibration curves to convert radiocarbon years into calendar years.
- Comparative analysis will be conducted to integrate new dates with previously obtained data, refining the chronological framework of the necropolis.
4. WORKING PERIOD AND BUDGET
Once the samples are collected, they will be sent to a specialized laboratory for radiocarbon dating. The completion of the analysis depends on the collagen content in each bone, as the laboratory must verify that there is enough material for accurate measurement. For this reason, a precise timeline cannot be guaranteed. However, the estimated duration for the study is between 6 and 12 months.
Budget:
- Cost per radiocarbon analysis: €600 (~$830 USD)
- Number of samples: 4 → Total: €2,400 (~$3,320 USD)
- Additional costs (travel, supplies, miscellaneous): €400 (~$550 USD)
- Total estimated budget: €2,800 (~$3,870 USD)
5. TARGET OUTCOMES AND DISSEMINATION OF RESULTS
The proposed project has both methodological and applied significance across its three lines of research.
Methodological Impact:
- The analysis of ancient DNA requires high precision due to the degraded nature of samples. This necessitates continuous refinement of molecular biology techniques, enabling achievements that were unthinkable a decade ago (e.g., sequencing mtDNA fragments from 100,000-year-old Neanderthals).
- A robust population analysis requires replication of results across multiple samples, with adaptations of methodology for each sample and verification through cloning when necessary.
Applied Significance:
- Genetic Analysis: The study of human remains from the Muslim necropolis of Tauste (8th–11th centuries) will contribute significantly to archaeogenetics, answering sociocultural questions for which archaeology alone cannot provide answers. It also has forensic relevance, offering methods for analyzing degraded remains and insights into DNA evolution, mutation origins, and temporal-spatial variability.
- Paleodiet Analysis: Isotopic and trace element studies will reveal dietary patterns, nutritional structure, and resource acquisition methods of medieval Tauste inhabitants. This information, combined with historical records of Muslim social structures, will allow reconstruction of socio-economic organization at both the local and regional level in the Middle Ebro Valley.
- Radiocarbon Dating: The dating of human remains will refine the chronology of the necropolis, confirming or updating the established range of the 8th–11th centuries. This provides a reliable absolute dating framework for the settlement and its population.
Dissemination of Results:
- Results will be shared in national and international conferences, specialized publications, museum exhibitions, and educational workshops to highlight the importance of anthropological recovery.
- Partner institutions and universities will be acknowledged in all dissemination activities and will have access to research outcomes, enabling co-publication with consensus between the research group and the Cultural Association «El Patiaz».
Expected Contribution:
- This multidisciplinary project will generate new knowledge about human evolutionary history, integrating genetics, diet, and chronology. It will also strengthen the scientific capacity of participating institutions and provide valuable datasets for future studies in archaeogenetics, anthropology, and medieval history.
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