Xia Yang, Zhang Jinglei, Yu Fei, Zhang Hui, Wang Tingting, Hu Yaowu, Fuller Benjamin T
Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China.
Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
Am J Phys Anthropol. 2018 Feb;165(2):343-352. doi: 10.1002/ajpa.23358. Epub 2017 Nov 13.
Here we investigate breastfeeding and weaning practices and adult dietary habits at the Western Zhou Dynasty (1122-771 BC) site of Boyangcheng () located in Anhui Province, China. In addition, we utilize the differences in bone collagen turnover rates between rib and long bones from the same individual to examine past life histories, such as changes in diet or residence.
Bone collagen from both the rib and long bones (either femora or humeri) of 42 individuals was measured for stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ C) and nitrogen (δ N). In addition, δ C and δ N values are reported for 35 animals (dogs, cows, horses, pigs, and deer).
The human δ C values range from -20.7‰ to -12.0‰ with a mean value of -18.8 ± 1.6‰. The human δ N values range from 9.1‰ to 13.4‰ with a mean value of 10.9 ± 1.0‰. The animals display a wide range of δ C (-21.5‰ to -8.2‰; -15.8 ± 4.5‰) and δ N values (4.0‰ to 9.5‰; 6.5 ± 1.8‰).
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.
在此，我们对位于中国安徽省的西周（公元前1122 - 771年）伯阳城遗址的母乳喂养、断奶习惯及成人饮食习惯展开调查。此外，我们利用同一个体肋骨与长骨之间骨胶原转换率的差异来探究过去的生活史，比如饮食或居住环境的变化。
对42名个体的肋骨和长骨（股骨或肱骨）的骨胶原进行碳（δC）和氮（δN）稳定同位素比率测定。此外，还报告了35只动物（狗、牛、马、猪和鹿）的δC和δN值。
人类的δC值范围为-20.7‰至-12.0‰，平均值为-18.8±1.6‰。人类的δN值范围为9.1‰至13.4‰，平均值为10.9±1.0‰。动物呈现出广泛的δC值（-21.5‰至-8.2‰；-15.8±4.5‰）和δN值（4.0‰至9.5‰；6.5±1.8‰）。
成人的δC和δN结果表明，当时人们食用了混合的C（大米）和C（小米）陆地饮食，且动物蛋白（主要是猪和鹿）含量各异。亚成人较高的δN结果在大约3至4岁时恢复到成人水平，这表明断奶过程在此期间完成。2至10岁个体的δC和δN结果低于成人平均值，可能食用了更多以植物为主的饮食，这与大约1500年后唐朝（公元618 - 907年）的中医理论相符。肋骨和长骨之间的同位素偏移显示，五名成年人在晚年经历了显著的饮食转变，从主要食用C/C饮食转变为C饮食。本研究提供了关于古代中国人母乳喂养和断奶习惯的首个同位素信息，并为未来研究历时趋势奠定了基础。
