Infant feeding practices in a pre-Roman/Celtic population from Verona (Italy). (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Laffranchi, Zita; Jiménez-Brobeil, Sylvia A.; Delgado-Huertas, Antonio; Granados-Torres, Arsenio; Miranda, María Teresa
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 17(2018)
• Page Start: 30
• Page End: 38
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: Isotopic analysis -- Feeding practices -- Non-adults -- Diet -- Pre-Roman -- Celts; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Research -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2017.10.040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-409X

Abstract

Abstract: We studied an osteological sample from the pre-Roman/Celtic necropolis of Seminario Vescovile of Verona (Italy), dated to the 3rd to 1st century BCE and attributed to the Cenomani Gauls population. The sample is mostly composed of well-preserved infants in their first months and years of life. In this study we combined isotopic (δ 15 N and δ 13 C) and anthropological evidence with the aim of investigating infant feeding practices in non-adult samples. 36 non-adults were selected and divided into seven age phases. The isotopic composition of their rib bone collagen was determined and related to the mean values of adults (n = 54) and animals (n = 7). δ 15 N values ranged between 7.1‰ and 12.9‰ (AIR), with a mean of 10.2‰ (± 1.5‰), while δ 13 C values ranged between − 20.2‰ and − 9.7‰ (V-PDB), with a mean of − 15.3‰ (± 2.5‰). These results indicate the initiation of transitional feeding around six months. Significantly high δ 15 N values in some infants up to two years old suggests prolonged breast-milk consumption. In comparison with the δ 15 N and δ 13 C data from the adult females (n = 21), considered as potential mothers, these infants clearly show the effect of breastfeeding on trophic level (δ 15 N enriched between 1.8 and 3.3‰). Highlights: Isotopic values of 36 non-adults were determined to investigate feeding practices. Isotopic values indicate the initiation of transitional feeding around six months. High δ 15 N values in infants up to 2 years suggest prolonged breast-milk consumption.