A new study conducted at the Camino del Molino archaeological site in southeastern Spain reveals that children from the Copper Age, who lived around 5,000 years ago, suffered from widespread respiratory diseases. This investigation, carried out on child skeletons from one of Europe's largest Copper Age collective burial sites, presents for the first time such a clear picture of the direct impact of harsh living conditions on child health during prehistoric times.
The Camino del Molino cemetery dates to the 3rd millennium BCE and was used by communities for approximately 700 years. Over 1,300 individuals have been identified at the site. Archaeologists managed to examine 48 well-preserved child and adolescent skeletons—a rare occurrence due to the mixing of bones over time in collective burials.
The Silent Cry in the Bones
The findings paint a disturbing picture of the past. Among the 48 analyzed children, 44 (91.7%) showed at least one skeletal deformation indicating poor health conditions. In 33 individuals (68.8%), bone changes directly linked to respiratory infections were observed. Porous structures in the skull and femur, along with small grooves on the inner surface of the skull, suggest infection spread via the bloodstream and may indicate early stages of tuberculosis.
Interdisciplinary methods combining biological anthropology and archaeology are crucial for understanding prehistoric burial practices and living standards in the Iberian Peninsula [1]. This latest study at Camino del Molino employs a similar methodology to shed light on previously hidden health issues from the past. Sonia Diaz-Navarro, leader of the research team, emphasizes that these skeletal markers likely stem not from a single disease outbreak but from recurring and chronic respiratory ailments.
Homes Shrouded in Smoke and Animal Husbandry
Researchers found no significant difference in disease rates between girls and boys, suggesting the presence of common environmental factors affecting the entire community. Children’s daily lives in the Copper Age involved prolonged exposure to dense smoke from indoor fires, dust from grain processing, animal waste, and close contact with domesticated animals. This unhealthy environment directly threatened children’s lung health and significantly increased their risk of infection. Additional resources and further reading are available in [2].
References and Further Reading
- [1] Middle Bronze Age Funerary Practices in Southwest Portugal ... - MDPI
- [2] Obituary content by year - Wits University
Image & Source: Archaeologymag / archaeologymag.com