• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Anthropology

Prehistoric mums cared for kids better than we thought

by Sara Sader
November 23, 2021

A recent study conducted by The Australian National University (ANU) has challenged preconceived notions regarding infant mortality rates in ancient societies.

Neanderthal remains discovered in Arbreda cave, Spain
Reconstruction of a Neanderthal family in the Anthropos Pavilion, Brno, Czech Republic. Credit: Jaroslav A. Polák, via Flickr

Contrary to previous beliefs that high numbers of deceased infants in burial samples indicated poor healthcare and elevated mortality, the research suggests that infant mortality was not necessarily rampant in these early human populations.

Lead author Dr. Clare McFadden, affiliated with the ANU School of Archaeology and Anthropology, has overturned conventional wisdom, asserting that the prevalence of deceased infants reflects the birth rate in ancient societies rather than the mortality rate. This reevaluation of historical data provides a fresh perspective on the capabilities of early human mothers in caring for their children.

Dr. McFadden explained the findings, stating, “It has long been assumed that if there are a lot of deceased babies in a burial sample, then infant mortality must have been high. Many have assumed that infant mortality was very high in the past in the absence of modern healthcare. When we look at these burial samples, it actually tells us more about the number of babies that were born and tells us very little about the number of babies that were dying, which is counterintuitive to past perceptions.”

The study’s methodology involved an analysis of United Nations (UN) data from the past decade, examining 97 countries to investigate infant mortality, fertility, and infant deaths. Surprisingly, the research exposed that fertility had a more substantial influence on the ratio of deceased infants than the actual infant mortality rate.

RelatedStories

Roman burial of infant twins in Croatia linked to lead poisoning

Roman burial of infant twins in Croatia linked to lead poisoning

May 31, 2025
4,500-year-old clay baby rattles in Syria reveal mass production and parenting in the Bronze Age

4,500-year-old clay baby rattles in Syria reveal mass production and parenting in the Bronze Age

May 29, 2025

The lack of comprehensive knowledge about early human societies compelled the researchers to employ UN data to gain insights into humans from the past ten millennia. Dr. McFadden emphasized, “Archaeology has often looked at the proportion of deceased infants to learn something about infant mortality. There was an assumption that nearly half, 40 percent, of all babies born in prehistoric populations died within the first year of their lives.” However, this assumption was debunked by the study’s findings, which revealed no supporting evidence.

Dr. McFadden concluded, “Burial samples show no proof that a lot of babies were dying, but they do tell us a lot of babies were being born. If mothers during that time were having a lot of babies, then it seems reasonable to suggest they were capable of caring for their young children.”

This fresh perspective challenges conventional views and presents a more empathetic understanding of our ancient ancestors. Dr. McFadden stressed the importance of recognizing the emotional experiences and responses of early humans, including their innate desire to provide care and the feelings of grief that date back tens of thousands of years.

Furthermore, the study underscores the need to focus on the stories of women in ancient populations, as these have often been marginalized in favor of male narratives.

Dr. McFadden stated, “We hear a lot of stories about conflict involving males, and even narratives around colonization and the expansion of populations tend to focus on men. I think it’s really important to be telling these stories of women in the past and what the female experience was like, including the roles they played in the community and as a mother.”

The research is published in the American Journal of Biological Anthropology:

More information: Clare McFadden et al, (2021), Determinants of infant mortality and representation in bioarchaeological samples: A review, American Journal of Biological Anthropology. DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24406


Stay updated with us! Follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Twitter, and Linkedin, and join our WhatsApp and Telegram channels for the latest in archaeology, all directly on your favorite platforms!
ShareTweetShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

Researchers recreate 5,000-year-old Egyptian blue pigment using ancient techniques
Archaeology

Researchers recreate 5,000-year-old Egyptian blue pigment using ancient techniques

June 2, 2025
Ancient DNA in Yunnan reveals 7,100-year-old ‘ghost lineage’ tied to Tibetan and Austroasiatic origins
Anthropology

Ancient DNA in Yunnan reveals 7,100-year-old ‘ghost lineage’ tied to Tibetan and Austroasiatic origins

June 2, 2025
Leprosy existed in the Americas long before European contact, new study reveals
Anthropology

Leprosy existed in the Americas long before European contact, new study reveals

June 1, 2025
Viking-era silver treasure and farm discovered in Täby, Sweden
Archaeology

Viking-era silver treasure and farm discovered in Täby, Sweden

June 1, 2025
maya-collapse-was-transformation-
Anthropology

Ancient DNA reveals Maya collapse was a transformation, not extinction

June 1, 2025
Oldest whale bone tools discovered in Europe reveal Stone Age humans used marine resources 20,000 years ago
Archaeology

Oldest whale bone tools discovered in Europe reveal Stone Age humans used marine resources 20,000 years ago

May 31, 2025

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
105K

Threads
42K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

May 17, 2025
Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

May 28, 2025
Stunning 1,600-year-old Byzantine mosaic unveiled in the Negev Desert of Israel

Stunning 1,600-year-old Byzantine mosaic unveiled in the Negev Desert of Israel

May 27, 2025
Silver amulet unearthed in Frankfurt grave Is the oldest evidence of Christianity north of the Alps

Silver amulet unearthed in Frankfurt grave Is the oldest evidence of Christianity north of the Alps

December 15, 2024
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

Viking Dynasties – The Royal Families of Lejre and Uppsala Between Archaeology and Text

Viking Dynasties – The Royal Families of Lejre and Uppsala Between Archaeology and Text

June 2, 2025
Researchers recreate 5,000-year-old Egyptian blue pigment using ancient techniques

Researchers recreate 5,000-year-old Egyptian blue pigment using ancient techniques

June 2, 2025
Ancient DNA in Yunnan reveals 7,100-year-old ‘ghost lineage’ tied to Tibetan and Austroasiatic origins

Ancient DNA in Yunnan reveals 7,100-year-old ‘ghost lineage’ tied to Tibetan and Austroasiatic origins

June 2, 2025
Leprosy existed in the Americas long before European contact, new study reveals

Leprosy existed in the Americas long before European contact, new study reveals

June 1, 2025
Viking-era silver treasure and farm discovered in Täby, Sweden

Viking-era silver treasure and farm discovered in Täby, Sweden

June 1, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.