Weaning process and subadult diets in a monumental Brazilian shellmound

Author(s)

Pezo-Lanfranco, Luis ^[1] ; DeBlasis, Paulo ^[2] ; Eggers, Sabine ^{[3, 1]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Lab Antropol Biol, Dept Genet & Biol Evolutiva, Inst Biociencias, Rua Matao 277, Cidade Univ USP, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Museu Arqueol & Etnol, Ave Prof Almeida Prado 1466, Cidade Univ USP, BR-05508070 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Nat Hist Museum Wien, Anthropol Abt, Burgring 7, A-1010 Vienna - Austria

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE-REPORTS; v. 22, p. 452-469, DEC 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Studies on settlement patterns suggested that the fisher-hunter-gatherers who constructed the shellmounds (or sambaquis) scattered along the Brazilian Southeastern coast must have experienced considerable population growth by living in rich coastal settings. In this paper we assess, using stable isotopes, the weaning patterns and subadult diets of the sambaqui Jabuticabeira II (1214-830 cal BC to 118-413 cal AD) to test: 1) if weaning strategies are compatible with scenarios of high population density and 2) if there are evidences of dietary sex differences and sex-biased parental investment. Stable isotope data (delta N-15, delta C-13(col), and delta C-13(ap)) of 106 samples from 60 individuals (adults and subadults) were analyzed by combining bone cross-sectional and tooth serial-sectioning approaches to simulate a longitudinal study. Various analytical methods were used to describe weaning processes by identifying age-related changes in the diet of juveniles compared to those of adults. The isotopic results show that although exclusive breastfeeding length is variable, the introduction of a supplementary diet occurs around 6 months of age, whereas complete weaning was achieved for most children at approximately 2-3 years of age (more probably similar to 2.3 years of age). Little variability was observed in weaning and post-weaning diets. Differences between adult males and females suggest sex-biased dietary peculiarities. However, no clear cut difference in parental investment strategies favoring boys could be found. Because a weaning completion age of 2.3 years (and the presumed inter-birth interval that corresponds to) can be associated with slow to moderate growth, our reconstruction of weaning patterns and subadult diets of this sambaqui group partially supports a scenario compatible with high population growth. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 04/11038-0 - Sambaquis and landscape: modeling cultural and natural relationships at the Brazilian southern shores, Santa Catarina
• Grantee: Paulo Antônio Dantas de Blasis
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/05391-3 - Adaptation and low level food production: biarchaelogical evidences from brazilian prehistoric coastal populations.
• Grantee: Luis Nicanor Pezo Lanfranco
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 13/14799-0 - Way of life and social complexity among ancient coastal groups of South America
• Grantee: Sabine Eggers
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants