Tooth Analysis Reveal Longer Breastfeeding Among Middle Ages Bavarians

Recent research conducted by anthropologists at the Bavarian State Collection for Anthropology in Munich sheds light on the breastfeeding practices of early medieval Bavarians. 

The study, led by anthropologist PD Dr. Michaela Harbeck and doctoral student Maren Velte, employed tooth isotope analyses to delve into the earliest phases of life for individuals from the early Middle Ages, primarily around 500 AD.

Teeth as an Archive of Childhood

Teeth, with their minimal remodeling during a person’s lifetime, serve as a unique “archive of childhood.” The researchers utilized isotope analyses, focusing on strontium isotopes for geographical origin and carbon/nitrogen for diet information. Serial isotope analysis allowed the team to trace the nutrition transition from breastfeeding in infancy to the incorporation of solid food during early childhood.

400-year-old dental secret of French aristocrat Anne d’Alegre unveiled

Migration and Dietary Patterns

The study, situated against the backdrop of the Migration Period that marked cultural and political shifts in Europe, uncovered migration processes in southern Bavaria. Strontium isotopes from over 150 early medieval human skeletal remains indicated an influx of individuals with non-Bavarian origins in the late 5th century. These migrants, both men and women from diverse regions, contributed to the cultural evolution of the region.

Dietary patterns further hinted at foreign origins for some individuals. Women with genetic markers from south-eastern Europe, exhibiting artificially modified skulls, consumed a diet primarily consisting of millet during their formative years. Millet, uncommon in Bavaria at the time, pointed to cultural differences and suggested immigration from distant regions.

Prolonged Breastfeeding Practices

One of the notable findings from the tooth analyses was the discovery that women in late antiquity and the early Middle Ages breastfed their children for a more extended period compared to contemporary practices. The weaning process, transitioning from breast milk to solid food, occurred between the second and third year of life for most early Bavarians. Foreign-born women, in particular, experienced longer breastfeeding periods, a pattern reminiscent of practices seen in nomadic cultures.

Unveiling Weaning Stress

The weaning process, while a natural developmental phase, poses health risks to infants. The exposure to new pathogens and potential malnutrition during this period can lead to visible malformations in tooth enamel, considered physiological stress markers. The study revealed that infants in the 7th century, following social upheavals in Bavaria, experienced heightened “weaning stress,” evidenced by frequent developmental changes in dental morphology.

Future Avenues of Research

As the research team delves deeper into childhood nutrition, especially concerning complementary foods, further details are expected to emerge. The dental analyses provide a unique window into the lives of early medieval Bavarians, offering insights into migration, cultural exchange, and the intricacies of infant care practices during a transformative period in European history.