Stable Isotope Analysis and Forensic Reconstruction on Byzantine Human Remains from Khirbet Ras Al-Tin, Palestine

Khirbet Ras Al-Tin is located in the West Bank, 10 km southwest of Nablus. During a rescue excavation prompted by construction plans and conducted by the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, a burial chamber was discovered. Subsequent analyses of a human skull and rib fragments from the tomb, including Accelerator Mass Spectrometry radiocarbon dating and stable isotope analysis, were performed at the HEKAL Laboratory in Hungary. The individual was determined to be an 18–23-year-old male from the local population exhibiting a metopic suture, and the remains were dated between ca. 430 and 600 CE. Moreover, facial reconstruction techniques were employed, providing a rare visual insight into the physical appearance of people living in the Palestinian highlands from the sixth century CE. Isotope analysis suggests a diet rich in legumes and vegetables, possibly supplemented by meat, consistent with that of wealthy populations or specific religious communities in the region.Please note: This article contains images of human skeletal remains.