Baby Bone Well

Hypotheses Regarding Infant Deposits

  • Four primary hypotheses for infant deposits: sacrifice, plague, infanticide, normal infant mortality.
  • Complex behaviors often have multiple causes; one cannot oversimplify explanations.
  • The Agora Bone Well deposit likely reflects mixed causes.

Famine and Epidemic

  • Historical context: a prosperous Athens after 167 BC; no records of plague.
  • Infant mortality linked to maternal nutrition; epidemics can exacerbate mortality rates.
  • Evidence from various cemeteries shows different mortality patterns.
  • Analysis at the Agora reflects prevalence of late fetal to newborn deaths, not solely caused by epidemics.

Infanticide

  • Infanticide and neonaticide observed across cultures, including ancient Greece.
  • Factors influencing infanticide: visible deformities, illegitimacy, societal stress.
  • No direct evidence of infanticide in Greek texts; euphemisms for child abandonment noted.
  • The greater morality factors affecting practice differ for citizens and metics/slaves.

Natural Mortality

  • High infant mortality rates (estimates range 20%-40%) in antiquity.
  • Mortality clustered shortly after birth; maternal care practices likely impacted survival.
  • Societal factors (resources, child-rearing customs) influenced mortality risk.

Older Individuals in the Well

  • Anomaly of several older remains indicates differing social attitudes and treatment.
  • Evidence suggests some were likely socially deviant or unclaimed individuals, leading to informal burials.

Presence of Dogs

  • Dogs in the well suggest a symbolic or ritualistic killing rather than mere disposal.
  • Associations with purification rituals noted in Greek culture.

Conclusions

  • Combination of infanticide and natural mortality explains the majority of deposits.
  • Practical disposal solutions for deceased newborns and a reflection of societal values on mortality and upbringing.
  • Insights into attitudes towards infant mortality and burial practices reflect socioeconomic contexts.
  • Ongoing interdisciplinary collaboration enhances understanding of the complexities surrounding the Agora Bone Well deposit.