English Heritage Press Release
21st August 2003
ENGLISH HERITAGE PROVES BREAST HAS ALWAYS BEEN BEST:
A new scientific study shows that medieval women followed Doctor's orders
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The first ever scientific study of breastfeeding habits in medieval England has discovered that otherwise malnourished peasants followed doctor's orders, employing a highly effective survival strategy for their new born children.
English Heritage has worked with researchers at Bradford and Oxford universities to apply groundbreaking forensic tests on ancient bones that date from between the 10th and 16th centuries.
The remains recovered from the deserted medieval village of Wharram Percy in the Yorkshire Wolds, which is in the care of English Heritage, are those of ordinary peasants and include a large number of infant and child skeletons.
Previous studies of the bones have confirmed that medieval England was no romantic idyll. Rather it was a bleak struggle for survival, compounded by the devastating effects of the Black Death in the 14th century, from which the people of Wharram Percy struggled and eventually failed to recover. Remains exhibit the telltale signs of malnutrition and numerous other diseases such as rickets and leprosy.
But the latest research reveals that the new born at least were protected from the worst effects by a regime of extended breastfeeding, which carried on much longer than modern general practice - perhaps anything up to 18 months.
Lengthy breastfeeding was first recommended by the classical Roman writer Soranus, in the first century AD, which in turn influenced medieval physicians. This new data, however, is the first solid confirmation that this advice was indeed being followed, even in remote rural areas.
Dr Simon Mays, Human Skeletal Biologist at English Heritage's Centre for Archaeology, said; "Breastfeeding had two major benefits. It promoted, and still does promote infant health because milk contains important natural ingredients that strengthen the immune system. But in medieval times it also enabled children to avoid contaminated food and water. This was a major source of disease in villages like Wharram Percy.
By about six to nine months, youngsters began eating solid foods as well as breast milk because mothers were incapble of producing sufficent milk. Nevertheless, partial breastfeeding mitigated the effects of contaminated food and water until children were older than eighteen months.
"Stunted growth really started after this point," said Dr Mays, "with adults in Wharram Percy continuing to grow, in order to make up for the slow start until their late 20s, as opposed to the modern figure of about 18 years old. Growth rates of children at Wharram Percy does suggest conditions perhaps even worse than those of slum dwelling Victorian workhouse children."
The new evidence on breastfeeding comes from the analysis of two nitrogen isotopes in the skeletal remains of the infants. Breast milk contains specific amounts of these compared with other foods and with careful measurement it's possible to deduce the length and extent of weaning.
Dr Mays explained; "We analysed bone samples using a mass spectrometer which weighs individual atoms. Using this technique we've been able to unearth a wealth of historical information. Peasants faced a terrible daily struggle for existence. Yet extended breast feeding shielded children from the very high levels of infant mortality we might otherwise expect to see. Indeed, whilst being breast fed they grew as well as modern babies. But when it stopped the environment made its baleful impact, producing slow growth and widespread disease. But our findings confirm that medical advice on infant feeding was being followed, even at village level."
Belinda Phipps Chief Executive of the National Childbirth Trust commented; "The benefits of breastfeeding are as true now as they were then. Infant's, who are breastfed, are on average healthier than those that receive formula. The benefits of breastfeeding continue long beyond six months when solid food is added to a baby's diet. Woman in the medieval period however had the advantage of living in a culture that was particularly supportive of breastfeeding and where experienced breastfeeder's could offer help to the new mother. Very, different from now, where the culture does not support the breast feeding woman."
Wharram Percy is one of about 3,000 villages that were abandoned between the eleventh and eighteenth centuries, the foundations of more than 30 medieval peasant houses are visible at this site. The site was extensively excavated by the late John Hurst; a well respected pioneer of British Medieval archaeology, from 1950 to 1990 - the longest running dig in British archaeological history. Excavation revealed evidence of Stone Age occupation, and of a settlement dating back to the Bronze Age, with Roman farms and an Anglo-Saxon estate. The site is free and accessible at any reasonable time; it is located near York, 6 miles SE of Malton, on minor road from B1248 ½ mile S of Wharram Le Street (OS Map 100; ref SE 859645).
NOTES:
The National Childbirth Trust: The National Childbirth Trust is the leading charity offering information and support in pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood.
The NCT Breastfeeding HelpLine is 0870 444 8708 (8am-10pm, 7 days a week)
The National Childbirth Trust was launched in 1957. At that time the rules of childbirth dictated that women did as their doctors told them. Very little information about pregnancy and birth was available and breast-feeding was gradually disappearing. The resulting ignorance bred fear, and fear led to pain and a lack of support in childbirth and early parenthood. In two generations, the NCT has transformed almost every aspect of maternity care, for the benefit of mothers, fathers and children. That means we have the broadest possible experience of what it means to be a parent today
Pictures are available on the papicselect site www.papicselect.com . Go to Arts/ English Heritage/ Archaeology/ Wharram.
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