A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), and ALBA synchrotron has shed new light on the fate of Iberian newborns buried within domestic spaces during the Iron Age. The findings challenge previous hypotheses and provide compelling evidence that these infants died primarily from natural causes, such as complications during labor or premature births, rather than ritual practices. This study offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives and cultural practices of the Iberian people, who inhabited the eastern and southern coastal regions of the Iberian Peninsula.
Unveiling the Secrets of Iberian Infant Burials
Professionals have been faced with controversy over centuries, as the finding of new born buried in houses at Iberian archaeological sites creates a debate — and also some guessing — about possible reasons for such burials. But the latest study, led by researchers at UAB and UVic-UCC in collaboration with the ALBA synchrotron, has revealed new details on the burials.
Using a novel approach based on optical microscopy, X-ray microfluorescence and synchrotron light analysis to analyse the teeth from 45 skeletal infant remains recovered from five Catalonian archaeological sites (Fig. This ingenious approach, discerning between infants who died at birth and those who lived a few days or even just hours, revealed infant mortality patterns in Iron Age Iberian populations which had not been previously detected.
Natural Causes, Not Ritual Practices: Rethinking Iberian Infant Burials
Previous hypotheses regarding these infant burials argued the infants had been victims of ritual sacrifice or infanticide, but the new study suggests otherwise. Instead, the researchers found that most of the perinatal deaths had been due to natural causes, such as labour problems or health conditions related to having a premature baby.
Nearly half of the infants died in the perinatal period or were non-viable at birth, data showed. In addition, it was determined that the oldest survived only 67 days, and that the death burial in its earliest years could be a common feature of Iberian societies.
This landmark case study not only enhances our understanding of Iberian infant mortality but it also showcases the rich potential for bioarchaeological discovery that can be unveiled when novel analytical techniques are applied in tandem.
The Power of Dental Histology in Revealing Ancient Mysteries
The innovation of the researchers is in their new methodology, based on histological and-elementary analysis of infant skeletal remains found containing deciduous teeth. Through examination of the cementum apposition rates and neonatal line in teeth, it was possible to infer the actual time of birth while estimating the chronological age at time of death.
References: Avela et al. (2020) Phenotypic Integration of the Physiological Components of Growth, Development, Female Fertility and Size in an Australian Sheep Flock DOI: 10.3389/fcell. The updated method not only offers better age estimates, but it can also now differentiate between neonates dying at birth and those who lived for a short period.
The inclusion of X-ray microfluorescence analysis from synchrotron light also supported the conclusions made by using histological techniques by allowing key elements, such as zinc, to be quantified by elemental imaging. Thus, the value of dental histology in deciphering archaeological populations and their life histories benefits from its multifaceted use.
