Fed the same way? Exploring the influence of breastfeeding, weaning, and childhood diet on adult sex ratios through stable isotope analysis of incremental dentine in Medieval Tuscany, Italy (11th-15th c. CE).

Abstract

In this paper we investigate whether infant and childhood feeding practices influenced the imbalanced adult sex ratio reported in medieval Europe from historical and osteological evidence. First, we examine hypotheses for the observed imbalanced sex ratios in Europe and the evidence presented to support these hypotheses. We then use stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N) of incremental dentine in 64 first molars from adults at three medieval sites (Aulla, Badia Pozzeveri, and Montescudaio) in north-western Tuscany (11th-15th c. CE) to investigate the timing and pattern of breastfeeding and weaning. Our results show that males were exclusively breastfed for a shorter period and were weaned earlier than females in all three samples (Aulla M: 2.2 yrs, F: 2.6 yrs; Badia Pozzeveri M: 2.3 yrs, F: 3.0 yrs; Montescudaio M: 2.2 yrs, F: 2.9 yrs). In addition, both males and females consumed an isotopically similar diet early in life with greater variability during the post-weaning years. We explore how gender differences in the social roles of young males and females may have influenced infant and childhood feeding practices. It appears that these practices did not significantly disadvantage young females. In addition, we do see evidence for changing patterns of breastfeeding and weaning over time.