Breastfeeding, weaning, and dietary practices during the Western Zhou Dynasty (1122–771 BC) at Boyangcheng, Anhui Province, China

Abstract

The adult δ C and δ N results indicate that mixed C (rice) and C (millet) terrestrial diets with varying levels of animal protein (mostly pigs and deer) were consumed. The elevated subadult δ N results return to adult levels by approximately 3-4 years of age, indicating that the weaning process was completed during this period. Individuals between 2 and 10 years old, with lower δ C and δ N results than the adult mean, possibly consumed more plant-based diets, and this is consistent with Chinese medical teachings ∼1500 years later during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). The isotopic offsets between the ribs and long bones revealed that five adults experienced dramatic dietary shifts in their later lives, switching from predominately C /C to C diets. This research provides the first isotopic information about ancient Chinese breastfeeding and weaning practices and establishes a foundation for future studies to examine diachronic trends.

Isotopic reconstruction of human diet in the Ji'erzankale site, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China

“…For the majority of individuals, the bone selected was the femur, but for some individuals humeri or tibias were sampled. Long bones such as femurs and humeri have a slow rate of collagen turnover so they reflect the average diet of an individual over the last +10 years of life (Cox & Sealy, ; Hedges, Clement, Thomas, & O'Connell, ; Parfitt, ; Xia et al, ). Faunal remains ( n = 14; 1 hare and 13 sheep) and 7 seeds of Nitraria pamirica were sampled from burials in the B district, and this suggests that these items shared a close connection with the humans.…”

From pack animals to polo: donkeys from the ninth-century Tang tomb of an elite lady in Xi'an, China

“…The right and left metatarsals of specimens M1:D1 and M1:D2 were sampled for carbon and nitrogen (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) stable isotope analyses. The extraction of bone collagen and isotopic measurements followed the protocol reported by Xia et al (2018). Based on the criteria to identify the minimum collagen preservation (i.e.…”

Preparation and Evaluation of Some Weaning Foods Made from Rice and Legumes

“…Effects of feed moisture, barrel temperature, and screw speed on the quality parameters of extrudates were studied. Extrudates produced at lower feed moisture, higher screw speed, and higher barrel temperature showed good physicochemical properties and higher protein and starch digestibility (Pedersen et al, 1989;Gomez M, Rooney L,1993;Njongmeta et al, 2003;Pobee et al, 2017 andXia et al 2018). Pobee et al (2017) used flour from broken rice fractions in combination with soybeans and dried mangoes to develop four weaning formulations.…”

“…Weaning is a period of transition for the infant during changes diet in terms of consistency and source (Xia et al, 2018). The child is gradually weaned into a semi solid food which is generally described to be digestible, having high energy density and low bulk (Onweluzo and Nwabugwu, 2009).…”