Life histories at stone age Zvejnieki based on stable isotope profiles of tooth dentine

The timing of infant weaning in the past is important for its implications birth-spacing and survival, hence population maintenance or growth under different socio-economic regimes. Prior to adoption agriculture, breastfeeding believed have been more prolonged amongst hunter-gatherers due, at least partly, lack suitable foods that are available agriculturalists. introduction pottery possibly also changed patterns due shifts food preparation even prior domesticated foods. Here we apply stable carbon nitrogen isotope sequential samples on dentine explore differences diet relating age, social roles sharing between children adults a well-preserved Mesolithic/Neolithic from cemetery Zvejnieki, Latvia. We address whether there Mesolithic Neolithic periods, defined here by appearance rather than agriculture. Considerable variability was observed, but general individuals tended be breastfed birth, with contribution breast milk declining after age 6–12 months, completely withdrawn 3 years. note difference δ15N profiles Neolithic, which may linked pottery. assess diets relation identities marked death, specifically presence absence animal tooth pendants. sequentially sampled first molars show who were buried without pendants as grave goods consumed freshwater resources during their childhoods those conclude childhood reflected societal within continued into adulthood.