Isotope study reveals medieval people prioritized cereal farming, used fertilization, and organized land efficiently

A study led by the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Arts, Charles University, has used stable isotope analysis to uncover medieval land-use practices beneath temperate forests in Europe. The research, published in Scientific Reports, provides evidence of agricultural activity at a Cistercian manor site dating back to the thirteenth century, revealing that cereal production rather than animal husbandry dominated the area. The isotopic data shows clear signatures of grain cultivation and fertilization practices.