Breastfeeding, weaning, and dietary practices during the Western Zhou Dynasty (1122–771 BC) at Boyangcheng, Anhui Province, China

Datos Bibliográficos

ID8317510
AutoresYang Xia (0000-0002-3169-6966, Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100044 China), Jinglei Zhang (0000-0003-1438-6568, Department of History University of Nanjing Nanjing 210023 China, autor de correspondencia), Fei Yu (0000-0002-2824-9866, Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology of Anhui Province Hefei 230061 China), Hui Zhang (0000-0002-8814-226X, Institute of Cultural Relics of Chuzhou Chuzhou 239000 China), T T Wang (0000-0002-7043-7756, Chinese Academy of Sciences), Tingting Wang (0000-0002-3824-6183, Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100044 China), Yaowu Hu (Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100044 China, autor de correspondencia), Benjamin T Fuller (0000-0002-5989-8121, Department of Archaeology and Anthropology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China, autor de correspondencia)
Año2018
Volumen165
Número2
Páginas343-352
Fecha de publicación2018-02-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0002-9483 • E-ISSN: 1096-8644
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajpa.23358
PMID29131307
OpenAlexW2768343259
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas21
Referencias citadas49

Objectives Here we investigate breastfeeding and weaning practices and adult dietary habits at the Western Zhou Dynasty (1122–771 BC) site of Boyangcheng (薄阳城) located in Anhui Province, China. In addition, we utilize the differences in bone collagen turnover rates between rib and long bones from the same individual to examine past life histories, such as changes in diet or residence. Materials and methods Bone collagen from both the rib and long bones (either femora or humeri) of 42 individuals was measured for stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N). In addition, δ 13 C and δ 15 N values are reported for 35 animals (dogs, cows, horses, pigs, and deer). Results The human δ 13 C values range from −20.7‰ to −12.0‰ with a mean value of −18.8 ± 1.6‰. The human δ 15 N values range from 9.1‰ to 13.4‰ with a mean value of 10.9 ± 1.0‰. The animals display a wide range of δ 13 C (−21.5‰ to −8.2‰; −15.8 ± 4.5‰) and δ 15 N values (4.0‰ to 9.5‰; 6.5 ± 1.8‰). Conclusions The adult δ 13 C and δ 15 N results indicate that mixed C 3 (rice) and C 4 (millet) terrestrial diets with varying levels of animal protein (mostly pigs and deer) were consumed. The elevated subadult δ 15 N results return to adult levels by approximately 3–4 years of age, indicating that the weaning process was completed during this period. Individuals between 2 and 10 years old, with lower δ 13 C and δ 15 N results than the adult mean, possibly consumed more plant‐based diets, and this is consistent with Chinese medical teachings ∼1500 years later during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618–907). The isotopic offsets between the ribs and long bones revealed that five adults experienced dramatic dietary shifts in their later lives, switching from predominately C 3 /C 4 to C 3 diets. This research provides the first isotopic information about ancient Chinese breastfeeding and weaning practices and establishes a foundation for future studies to examine diachronic trends

Animal science · Archaeology · Biology · Breastfeeding · China · Geography · Veterinary medicine · Weaning · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Demography · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Medicine · Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies · Pediatrics