Fetal Bioarchaeology: A Case-study of a Premature Birth from Burial 2 in Toca do Enoque (Middle Holocene, Northeastern Brazil). (2nd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Solari, Ana; Pessis, Anne Marie; Martin, Gabriela; Guidon, Niede
• Is Part Of: Childhood in the past. Volume 13:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 8
• Page End: 19
• Publication Date: 2020-01-02
• Subjects: Post-birth premature fetus -- fetal bioarchaeology -- infant funerary practices -- Middle Holocene -- northeastern Brazil; Children -- History -- Periodicals; 305.2305
• DOI: 10.1080/17585716.2020.1738629
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-5716

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Generally, due to their small size and fragility, the discovery of fetuses in archaeological contexts is an uncommon event. From a bioarchaeological perspective, when such contexts are found, their study allows us to explore maternal-fetal stress conditions related to pregnancy or birth. It also allows us to assess the sociocultural aspects behind individual identity and group-affiliation based on funerary practices. In this article, after discussing certain concepts underlying the study of fetuses in bioarchaeology, we present a case-study of a post-birth premature fetus found outside of the uterus and carefully interred with grave goods in close association with nine other individuals – both sub-adults and adults – from a prehistoric hunter-gatherer's burial dating to the Middle Holocene and located in northeastern Brazil. This unique context presents an opportunity to consider fetal death and burial issues from an infant bioarchaeological perspective.