Feeding Babies at the Beginnings of Urbanization in Central Europe

Abstract

Small ceramic vessels with spouts, from which liquid can be poured, became popular during the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages in Central Europe (c. 1200-600 BC). Such feeding vessels represent a functional type and are highly variable in size, shape and decoration. Found both on settlements and within graves, their association with child burials suggest they might have been used to feed babies and small children. Combined lipid and isotope analysis was performed on 24 of these feeding vessels, with seven delivering interpretable results. Feeding vessels associated with child burials tend to deliver a ruminant milk signal, whereas other vessels were used to process ruminant and non-ruminant adipose fats. Here, we highlight the potential significance of feeding vessels as indicators of changing childcare practices during times of population increase, settlement nucleation and mobility, possibly involving out-sourcing the feeding of babies and small children to persons other than the mother.

Proposed mechanism for the selection of lactase persistence in childhood

“…[21] Traces of ruminant milk have been found in vessels that were used to feed infants in Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age Europe. [22,23] All this suggests that as early as the Neolithic, animal milk was used early in childhood for weaning and possibly later too.…”