Reveal the time of breastfeeding of prehistoric people

The results of the analysis are compared with today's people, from which scientists draw conclusions that mothers Australopithecus exclusively breastfed their babies during the first year of their life.

According to a new study published by scientists from Australia's Southern Cross University, breast-feeding time of prehistoric people living more than 2 million years ago is similar to modern day people.

The conclusion was drawn by scientists after studying the teeth of prehistoric Australopithecus africanus , who lived in South Africa 2 to 3 million years ago.

The breastfeeding time of prehistoric people who lived more than 2 million years ago.

A total of four teeth samples from two Australopithecus africanus about 2.1 to 2.6 million years ago were analyzed by evaporating micro components in the teeth and searching for substances in them.

In the study, the concentration of Bari (Ba) elements in the teeth samples was especially noticed. Element Three is also present in breast milk and allows the conclusion of when a mammal will breastfeed.

The results of the analysis are compared with today's people, from which scientists draw conclusions that mothers Australopithecus exclusively breastfeed their babies in the first year of the child's life , similar to modern humans. nowadays.

Expert Renaud Joanes-Boyau from the University of Southern Cross said: 'For the first time we know how our ancestors raised breast milk'.

The study also shows that Australopithecus has a regulation of breast-feeding time according to the changing environment.

When the external environment does not provide enough food or in hot dry conditions, the children will be nourished with breast milk for longer periods of time.

Scientist Ottmar Kullmer from the Research Institute and Natural Museum Senckenberg in Frankfurt (Germany), who participated in the research project, said: 'In the dry season, mothers Australopithecus will continue to raise Breast milk for longer periods to ensure the child's nutritional needs'.

The research team also pointed out that due to the close relationship between mother and child and the relatively long breastfeeding period, the number of Australopithecus is not so much, only at the same level as the modern day. now on.