Raising girls and boys in early China: Stable isotope data reveal sex differences in weaning and childhood diets during the eastern Zhou era

American Journal of Physical Anthropology
Melanie J MillerSiân E Halcrow

Abstract

Using stable isotope analysis of incremental dentin segments, we reconstruct breastfeeding, weaning, and childhood dietary patterns of Eastern Zhou period (771-221 BC) individuals from the Central Plains of China. Previous isotopic research on the Eastern Zhou demonstrated dietary difference between male and female diets in adulthood via bone collagen analysis. To understand the development of gendered dietary patterns we must examine the early life period. We aim to identify the timing of the weaning process, whether childhood diets were the same as adulthood diets, and if there were differences between the diets of boys and girls during childhood. We present incremental dentin and bone collagen δ13 C and δ15 N isotope data from 23 individuals from two Eastern Zhou archaeological sites (Xiyasi and Changxinyuan ). Weaning was completed between ages 2.5 and 4 years. Females were weaned slightly earlier than males. Early childhood diets show significant incorporation of C3 foods, such as wheat and soybean, for almost all children, while later adulthood diets indicate greater incorporation of C4 foods (millets), particularly for males. Childhood diets included greater amounts of C3 foods than expected, suggesting that grains such ...Continue Reading

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Feb 24, 2021·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Tracy K Betsinger, Sharon N DeWitte

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