This study investigates the interplay between agricultural and pastoral economies in sixth-century Chang'an, the capital of medieval China, using human isotopic data. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of skeletal remains from both elite (eight individuals, including Emperor Wu and Empress A'shina) and commoner (nine individuals) burials reveals dietary variability. Comparison with a large existing dataset (n=1233) from across northern China and the steppe highlights regional divergence in dietary patterns. This is interpreted as reflecting different economic and geographic backgrounds and a two-way relationship between shifting pastoral and agricultural practices at both elite and commoner levels, providing a more nuanced understanding of societal interactions and identities in medieval northern China.
