Fetal Bioarchaeology: A Case-study of a Premature Birth from Burial 2 in Toca do Enoque (Middle Holocene, Northeastern Brazil)

Abstract

ABSTRACTGenerally, due to their small size and fragility, the discovery of fetuses in archaeological contexts is an uncommon event. From a bioarchaeological perspective, when such contexts are found, their study allows us to explore maternal-fetal stress conditions related to pregnancy or birth. It also allows us to assess the sociocultural aspects behind individual identity and group-affiliation based on funerary practices. In this article, after discussing certain concepts underlying the study of fetuses in bioarchaeology, we present a case-study of a post-birth premature fetus found outside of the uterus and carefully interred with grave goods in close association with nine other individuals – both sub-adults and adults – from a prehistoric hunter-gatherer’s burial dating to the Middle Holocene and located in northeastern Brazil. This unique context presents an opportunity to consider fetal death and burial issues from an infant bioarchaeological perspective.