Alkaline earth metal content of human bones at the site of «S'Illot des Porros» (Iron age, Mallorca, Spain)

The aim of this study is to establish the basic diet of the people inhumed at the site of Porros by analysing some of the alkaline earth metals present in human and animal bones. The site is a Talayotic necropolis established in the small island of «S'Illot des Porros» (Mallorca, Spain) during the 6th to 2nd century B.C. In this island the only evidence of human activity to be found is the necropolis; the corresponding settlement site is unknown. The results show that the diet of these people was based on a fundamentally marine economy perhaps mollusc collecting. This outcome agrees with a coastal location for the settlement site. © 1991 Editrice Il Sedicesimo.