Infant death in the Iberian Iron Age: the archaeological complex of Ullastret (Girona, Catalonia)

Abstract

One of the most debated issues in relation to Iberian Iron Age societies is the origin and significance of infant burials, usually found under the floors of domestic spaces. This study aims to analyse the infant burials from Ullastret (Girona, Cata-lonia), using anthropological methods that focus on morphology, histology, and genetics. This will enable an evaluation of the hypotheses that have been put forward thus far, namely that the deaths were due to natural causes, possible infanticide, or ritual sacrifice. The analysis of the 15 perinatal burials identified to date suggests a pattern of mortality from natural causes, although a greater number of female individuals are observed. The age range shows that most deaths occurred around birth and in the postnatal stage. The results are consistent with the idea that these infant burials likely followed social norms for individuals who died early in life.