Dottorato in BIOLOGIA AMBIENTALE ED EVOLUZIONISTICA

Titolo della tesi: THE BIOARCHEOLOGY OF ROMAN CHILDCARE: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDY OF CHILDREN'S DIET AND LIFESTYLE IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE

The Roman civilization had a huge influence in much of Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia during the long period of cultural history known as Classical antiquity (800 BCE - 500 CE). This thesis has two primary objectives: first, to provide an updated overview of bioarchaeological research related to the classical period in Europe and the Mediterranean basin; and second, to enhance understanding of childcare practices during the Roman Empire. To achieve the first objective, the isotopic database Isotòpia was created, compiling over 36,000 measurements from bioarchaeological samples of humans, animals, and plants from classical antiquity found within the territories of the Roman Empire. Among its numerous applications, Isotòpia has been used to identify data gaps in current isotopic research, revealing a higher prevalence of human samples compared to animal and plant samples. The database also highlights irregular geographic and temporal coverage, with a significant focus on Roman Italy, Roman Britannia, and classical and Hellenistic Greece. The second objective was addressed through two studies examining the timing and methods of weaning. The first study employed high-resolution stable isotope analysis of δ13C and δ15N, bayesian-modelled from incremental dentine samples collected at the Italian sites of Pompeii and Ostia AVM. These findings were compared with modelled measurements from Bainesse (UK) and Thessaloniki (Greece). The results indicated that settlement complexity and socioeconomic conditions significantly influenced infant feeding habits; weaning was generally shorter in developed centres like Pompeii and Thessaloniki, while it lasted longer in less developed areas such as Ostia AVM and Bainesse. This variation reflects disparities in access to resources and medical knowledge. In the Italian sites, the foods introduced during weaning primarily included C3 cereals, vegetables, legumes, and animal products. The second study further investigated childcare practices through the analysis of stable isotopes of δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S from incremental sections of primary dentine, and from secondary dentine and bone collagen samples. This research reconstructed the isobiographies of some individuals found at the imperial sites of Lucus Feroniae and Isola Sacra. At Isola Sacra, weaning was observed to conclude between ages 3 and 3.5, while at Lucus Feroniae, weaning times varied more widely, reflecting the different socioeconomic conditions at the site. In both locations, the introduction of foods such as C3 plants and cereals and fish occurred during the weaning process.