Essai de détection de processus migratoires à travers les isotopes de strontium et d’oxygène : étude des restes humains du cimetière Saint-Matthew (Québec, 1771-1860)
In order to distinguish first-generation immigrants from individuals born in Québec City and discuss the identity of immigrants to this city in the 18th and 19th centuries, osteological analysis as well as strontium (87Sr/86Sr) and oxygen (δ18O) isotopic analysis have been applied to thirty-four human skeletons exhumed from the Protestant cemetery of Saint-Matthew (Québec City, 1771-1860). The isotopic compositions obtained, although not as precise as historical data, allowed the distinction between three groups of origin: individuals born in Québec City (N = 12), first-generation immigrants most probably from the British Isles or northern France (N = 19) and first-generation immigrants whose origin cannot be determined (N = 3). In addition, the Scottish origin of some individuals could be suggested on the basis of isotopic compositions ranging from -10.0 to -9.09% vs. VSMOW. The comparison of these groups with data from historical sources and a previous study provides an overall picture of the immigrants’ identity, on both an individual and a populational level. In addition, isotope compositions (δ18O, 87Sr/86Sr, δ13C and δ15N) suggest that at least one individual could be Native American and another could come from an 18O depleted part of Europe (possibly Scandinavia or the Alps). Moreover, the spatial organization of burials allows us to consider the possible family and social ties of some immigrants buried in brick vaults or crammed into particularly modest graves.
immigration strontium provenance Saint-Matthew Québec XVIIIe siècle bioarchaeology oxygen origin Saint-Matthew Québec 18th century 19th century