The article “Abstinência alimentar: uma opção ou uma regra?” focuses on analysing stable isotopes in human skeletons from Santa Clara-a-Velha Monastery to investigate the diet of the clarisses from the 14th to 17th centuries. The study involved 28 skeletons, with isotopic values indicating a diet primarily based on terrestrial foods like C3 plants and terrestrial protein, with possible inclusion of marine or freshwater resources and some C4 plants.
The community at the monastery had a diverse diet rich in animal protein, deviating from traditional food abstinence rules, likely due to the monastery’s poor conditions caused by frequent flooding of the Mondego River. This dietary choice was authorized by religious authorities to cope with the challenging circumstances.
The study sheds light on how environmental factors and social norms influenced dietary practices in religious communities, highlighting the impact of living conditions on food choices. By comparing isotopic data with historical, carpological, and zooarchaeological evidence, the researchers provide insights into the dietary habits of the clarisses and the factors that shaped their food consumption patterns.
Overall, the findings suggest a complex interplay between religious regulations, environmental challenges, and dietary adaptations in the context of the Santa Clara-a-Velha Monastery, offering a nuanced understanding of the dietary practices of this historical community.
