Living and Dying Down South: Dietary Analysis of Zhao Boyun (1155–1216  <scp>ce</scp> ), a Member of the Song Dynasty Imperial Household (China)

ABSTRACT The excavation of the tomb of Zhao Boyun, a seventh‐generation grandson of Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty (960–1279), provides valuable material for studying the state of the Zhao‐Song royal clan, who relocated to the south of China in the early years of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279). This study collected tooth dentin, bone, and nail samples from Zhao Boyun's remains for isotopic analysis, attempting to outline his life history. Zhao Boyun's diet was characterized by a high intake of protein, likely in the form of large quantities of terrestrial animals and freshwater fishes, reflecting his adoption of a typical Jiangnan lifestyle. Dentin isotopic data indicated that Zhao had been weaned at ~2.7 years of age, experienced a further improvement in nutritional status at 7.5 years old, and maintained a stable nutritional level between 10 and 15.5 years old, higher than the level approximately 5 years before death. Ten weeks prior to death, a marked elevation in the carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes in his nails suggests sudden physical deterioration, which may be related to his death.